Hi together,
due to the great price for the phone via Sprint, there are several pretty cheap ones also on ebay. I want to use the phone only outside the US (Germany) - is there any problem when it is locked to Sprint? Few years ago i imported a Verizon Locked Photon Q, and as i remember it was fully usable outside the US.
The ebay listing also includes the IMEI of the phones, and when i check them, they are "Clean on Sprint". But does that mean that they are locked? And if so, can i somehow unlock the phone, when i am in Germany and not on a Sprint Network?
Sorry about the confusion, i dont really get you phone locking stuff in the US
Best regards and thank you so much in advance!
If the phone is truly still locked to Sprint, it probably won't work with any other SIM card (the phone will just report Invalid SIM). You could look at ting.com/byod and check the IMEI there to see if it reports clear GSM / CDMA capabilities. If that shows up OK, then it at least doesn't have any financial obligation, and it should work.
Are you sure the phones are still Sprint Locked? Or was the seller just indicating they were Sprint variant phones, and were unlocked?
kbonnel said:
If the phone is truly still locked to Sprint, it probably won't work with any other SIM card (the phone will just report Invalid SIM). You could look at ting.com/byod and check the IMEI there to see if it reports clear GSM / CDMA capabilities. If that shows up OK, then it at least doesn't have any financial obligation, and it should work.
Are you sure the phones are still Sprint Locked? Or was the seller just indicating they were Sprint variant phones, and were unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for the fast reply :good:
- I checked multiple lisitings from this seller at ting.com/byod, and they all say its compatible with ting/gsm/cdma. So if i get this right, the phone itself should not be locked then, because its neither stolen nor in financial trouble?
- i dont know if i am able to post ebay links here, one of the lisitings from this seller is 332465030454 - the seller just says that the buyer itself should check the IMEI. But as i understood it, i cant check if the phone is net/simlocked to sprint, just if its "legal"..
regards
Kampfgans said:
Thank you so much for the fast reply :good:
- I checked multiple lisitings from this seller at ting.com/byod, and they all say its compatible with ting/gsm/cdma. So if i get this right, the phone itself should not be locked then, because its neither stolen nor in financial trouble?
- i dont know if i am able to post ebay links here, one of the lisitings from this seller is 332465030454 - the seller just says that the buyer itself should check the IMEI. But as i understood it, i cant check if the phone is net/simlocked to sprint, just if its "legal"..
regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really wish I was able to give you a definitive answer, esp. since you are in Germany, as the return capabilities are a lot harder since it takes a while to ship back and forth. I was reviewing the company's website to see where they get their inventory, but couldn't really come up with a clear answer. They do indicate in the FAQ that they offer a service to test the ESN for a fee, but it doesn't go into much detail. Maybe give them a call, or send the seller a message on ebay to see if they are willing to pop in a non-sprint sim to verify it at least doesn't report back invalid - sim.
kbonnel said:
I really wish I was able to give you a definitive answer, esp. since you are in Germany, as the return capabilities are a lot harder since it takes a while to ship back and forth. I was reviewing the company's website to see where they get their inventory, but couldn't really come up with a clear answer. They do indicate in the FAQ that they offer a service to test the ESN for a fee, but it doesn't go into much detail. Maybe give them a call, or send the seller a message on ebay to see if they are willing to pop in a non-sprint sim to verify it at least doesn't report back invalid - sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to let you know about the outcome - they cannot guarantee that it is unlocked
Hopefully there will be another Amazon Deal or somebody doesnt need his F&F code
Kampfgans said:
Just to let you know about the outcome - they cannot guarantee that it is unlocked
Hopefully there will be another Amazon Deal or somebody doesnt need his F&F code
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what was the outcome? I have one ebay seller that isn't sure either. He bought it from sprint. Wanted to use it in Germany
saschb2b said:
So what was the outcome? I have one ebay seller that isn't sure either. He bought it from sprint. Wanted to use it in Germany
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assume anything bought from Sprint that the seller can't verify was active on Sprint's network for 50 days as unusable.
Sprint will only generate ISU (international SIM Unlock) that is permanent after a device has been on the network for 50 days.
This policy is strictly enforced and even if the device is paid off, it does not matter.
Hello guys and happy new year.
I'm planning to buy the essential phone from ebay. I have found some quite interesting offers from sprint locked devices. My question is the device will work at cosmote greece?
„Invalid sim“
I bought an essential phone from USA a few days ago and it is sim locked for sprint and I have not found any way to make it simlock free.
It says invalid sim.
I can use it as an expensive MP3 player or camera or when using WiFi.
But not as a telephone.
I asked the seller for help. He said he would call sprint.
I was able to flash Oreo beta2 Android 8.
In fast boot mode the mobile said it was a sprint variant.
I guess only sprint can made it sim lock free with a code.
If there is no solution I will maybe have to send it back.
What a pity situation. Why is essential phone not selling the phone for Europe ?
That's what I was afraid about. Thought a proper rom flash could remove the lock. But it seems you can't do it yourself. Essential will bring it to Europe. But when is not sure.
saschb2b said:
So what was the outcome? I have one ebay seller that isn't sure either. He bought it from sprint. Wanted to use it in Germany
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As already mentioned above -the seller could not guarantee it to me that i will be able to use it.
Finally, i ended up ordering it directly from Essential. Have it since 2 weeks now, works great on Telekom!
Hi, I am in Ireland and got a PH-1 which was locked by Sprint but i contacted them and they told me they have unlocked it for me and i can use it in Ireland but i am actually not able to use it on any network here, it just says Invalid Sim every time i put the sim card in.
Can anyone help me please?
forget sprint in europe!
In Germany it does not work with "Sprint" Locked Essential Phone.
Sam.anas said:
Hi, I am in Ireland and got a PH-1 which was locked by Sprint but i contacted them and they told me they have unlocked it for me and i can use it in Ireland but i am actually not able to use it on any network here, it just says Invalid Sim every time i put the sim card in.
Can anyone help me please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way to unlock it is with a Sprint SIM and they update the the phone or enter in a code.
Heloo i bought essential ph-1 amd it says invalid sim card. Im from georgia and want to work gsm carrier. Can i unlock the phone?
Related
Look at this!
http://octopusbox.com/
Too good to be true?
not sure what this even has to do with our phone... it's not even listed as a supported device
um it does show our phone as supported.
http://octopusbox.com/eng/news/details/35
ManelScout4Life said:
um it does show our phone as supported.
http://octopusbox.com/eng/news/details/35
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Click to collapse
must have been a page i didnt click on. i only briefly looked. my bad
well who wants to buy it?
i am still waiting for att to send me my unlock code. it seems like forever.
There is much cheaper solution than recently released online unlockers. Buy one of the universal SIM unlock modules off ebay - works like a charm. I have couple of here which are much older than LG iQ, sure enough it is not on the supported list but they bypass the sim lock just fine. They cost like 5 bucks shipped and fit fine in the sim slot. Sure enough you have to manually configure all data settings for the operator you will be using as well as disable proxy or many things won't work.
Tested and confirmed working on my own LG iQ
leobg said:
There is much cheaper solution than recently released online unlockers. Buy one of the universal SIM unlock modules off ebay - works like a charm. I have couple of here which are much older than LG iQ, sure enough it is not on the supported list but they bypass the sim lock just fine. They cost like 5 bucks shipped and fit fine in the sim slot. Sure enough you have to manually configure all data settings for the operator you will be using as well as disable proxy or many things won't work.
Tested and confirmed working on my own LG iQ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but the box in the first post lets you unlock as many devices as you want. also just call att.
josefcrist said:
but the box in the first post lets you unlock as many devices as you want. also just call att.
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Click to collapse
Well, most people own one phone and I doubt you can get the box for 3 bucks.
Don't know about AT&T, but up here in the great white north no carrier will ever give you unlock codes, no matter what.
I found a vendor that unlocks Telus LG IQ in GTA. They are located in Pacific Mall unit A22. GOSU mobile solutions. I think they use the octopusbox to unlock the phone.
It takes about 30 minutes while you wait. I had mine unlocked today. I am now using it with Rogers sim. It's a little expensive than the unlock code solution(I haven't found one that worked for LG IQ yet) but for me it was worthwhile. Cost: $25
leobg said:
Well, most people own one phone and I doubt you can get the box for 3 bucks.
Don't know about AT&T, but up here in the great white north no carrier will ever give you unlock codes, no matter what.
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Click to collapse
damn that sucks. I just read the wikipedia article on Canada and sim unlocks. carriers really screw you guys over.
Hi. Sorry for interrupt you guys. I have Verizon LG Fathom, and I try to unlock that device all day and night for 4-5 days. However, I couldn't find any way. LG Fathom does have MEID number only, it doesn't have an IMEI number? I just want to know, do you guys have the same MEID number problem issue? If my phone has IMEI nubmer, I think I can get a unlock code and stop being sad like that
can90 said:
Hi. Sorry for interrupt you guys. I have Verizon LG Fathom, and I try to unlock that device all day and night for 4-5 days. However, I couldn't find any way. LG Fathom does have MEID number only, it doesn't have an IMEI number? I just want to know, do you guys have the same MEID number problem issue? If my phone has IMEI nubmer, I think I can get a unlock code and stop being sad like that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it cant be unlocked because it is not a gsm phone.
I am in Australia, bought the AT&T version of this phone from eBay. It was locked. Call AT&T wireless international customer service, told him I bought this phone off someone, and the staff gave me the unlocked code immediately (well, it took him a while to figure it out) with no questions asked.
I have not ever done this before, but I found this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/UNLOCK-Code-AT-...Accessories&hash=item1c138c9851#ht_4764wt_913
I was wondering if any of these are legit or do they all fall into the realm of too good to be true. I have called at&t and they stated that I could not have an unlock code so that is why I am going down this route, if it turns out to be legit.
Anyway I welcome your feedback about what may be just a dumbass question, LOL.
p.s. the only reason I am looking at this guy's page is that he has +50000 reviews with 99.8% quality.
my one experience with an ebay unlock code was it bricked the phone I was using. After doing further research I found that this was a constant for that phone. I have not seen any posts about unlocking an Aria yet but I also have not been looking for them since I am on AT&T so there is no need to unlock the phone for a different carrier currently.
that's the same guy i used to unlock 3 at&t phone. i never had a problem
If you are going out of the country then call att and tell them that. they will give you your unlock code for free all youll have to do is get a different (Non att) sim.
sd73ta said:
If you are going out of the country then call att and tell them that. they will give you your unlock code for free all youll have to do is get a different (Non att) sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They changed that policy. Now you have to wait for your contract to run out before they will unlock your phone, even if you tell them you're traveling. I tried calling them and having them unlock it, and that's what they told me. I was really disappointed too, because they've unlocked my phone before and never gave me any trouble because of the contract.
Maybe if I had threatened to unlock it anyhow, I might have had better luck– but I doubt it.
Ya I tried calling them too. Told them my situation and it was denied. I guess I will try this guy. At the most I am out 10 bucks.
Sent from my HTC Intruder using the XDA app.
fluffyarmada said:
They changed that policy. Now you have to wait for your contract to run out before they will unlock your phone, even if you tell them you're traveling. I tried calling them and having them unlock it, and that's what they told me. I was really disappointed too, because they've unlocked my phone before and never gave me any trouble because of the contract.
Maybe if I had threatened to unlock it anyhow, I might have had better luck– but I doubt it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Strange, I just re-upped my contract when buying my Aria, and unlocked my phone with the code from ATT tech support for free. I do go internation a few times/year, so that may be a flag that I am not entirely lying, but it was no problem. Also, I used chat, instead of phone...they gave the my code in 10 seconds.
So I took the plunge. Fast service from this guy. Bought yesterday and got today. Went by t-mobile store and borrowed a sim. Put in unlock code and let me in the system. Rebooted to verify with t-mobile sim. Did not ask for code the second time.
Altogether happy. Me -$13.00. Phone unlocked.
Buyer beware. Cannot guarantee same results.
Sent from my HTC Intruder using the XDA app.
breakeven said:
I have not ever done this before, but I found this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/UNLOCK-Code-AT-...Accessories&hash=item1c138c9851#ht_4764wt_913
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also used blowfish06 to try and unlock my HTC Aria. He couldn't unlock it for whatever reason and immediately refunded my money. I'd use him again.
breakeven said:
Went by t-mobile store and borrowed a sim. Put in unlock code and let me in the system. Rebooted to verify with t-mobile sim.
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Click to collapse
just curious so please forgive me but how did that go, you walked into store..umm, can I borrow a sim ? they just hand them out to try out ?
I spoke with ATT tech (actually chat and then called to verify..) and they said they will give unlock code in 90 days from day of activation, no problem on their part, no cost.
i'm curious about all this too and still with a locked HTC Aria.
I went to the ebay link and read everything.
At some point it says:
"...be advised I cannot do refunds if phone asking for a PIN (personal code) which is password set on the phone (?)"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if this is my phone and I have the personal password, then I might have it.
When inserting a SIM card the phone says:
"SIM network unlock PIN", SOOOOO, I don't get it... will write the guy an email about it and hear what he says about it...
Eager to unlock this phone!
So..
1. I have heard various things from people regarding what AT&T will do for them. I would call them first and if they will unlock it for you then great. I spoke to them and they would not give it to me and told me that they had an exclusive right to the phone for the foreseeable future.
2. I did just walk into the t-mobile store and ask for a sim. The girl looked at me puzzled and said they are 20 bucks. I told here I need it for five seconds to unlock my phone. She said that Phones don't do that. I said that I have the code. She gave me a used sim.
In conclusion I think that I did go searching for a credible way to do this. I don't want a million people telling me what at&t's policy is since I did call them though. At any rate I did unlock my phone so I am good.
breakeven said:
So..
1. I have heard various things from people regarding what AT&T will do for them. I would call them first and if they will unlock it for you then great. I spoke to them and they would not give it to me and told me that they had an exclusive right to the phone for the foreseeable future.
2. I did just walk into the t-mobile store and ask for a sim. The girl looked at me puzzled and said they are 20 bucks. I told here I need it for five seconds to unlock my phone. She said that Phones don't do that. I said that I have the code. She gave me a used sim.
In conclusion I think that I did go searching for a credible way to do this. I don't want a million people telling me what at&t's policy is since I did call them though. At any rate I did unlock my phone so I am good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May I ask you and if you remember what was the message the phone displayed before you unlock it with the t-moblie SIM card?
It was the message "SIM network unlock PIN" or what did it say?
I believe what you did, I've done certain type of things in past, walking into a store and asking for those sort of things... lol... great that it worked!
Ya it was something like "SIM NETWORK UNLOCK" not a personal unlock and I had to put in the 8 digit unlock code I bought off ebay. The previous post of mine was just about all the people stating all the AT&T policies that they have heard of and asking why I didn't just call them when I stated in my first post that I did. Also ya social engineering worked great there as they gave me some old sim to use they they found in a desk that didn't work but had a different network ID on it so it would prompt me for the SIM UNLOCK code.
seems then that I 'm having the same message, will try buying a code from the ebay guy then.
thanks a lot for your response.
PS. Calling AT&T wont work for me either as I bought the phone through ebay and I have not and will never have AT&T phone # or something to just simply call them and say 'hey I bought one of your phones over ebay, would you please give me the unlock code?' lol...
just bought a code from the ebay seller... will see how it develops and if the code works.
I will post results and everything related once I have the code
universal Sim
I have tried a few online sellers and they say a code is not available for my aria. Bummer, hopefully that will change. I remembered I had one of those universal sim chips like a Rebel Sim. I sort of works. Sometimes when I turn the phone on I can manually choose the network and get service, but most of the time it won't connect. Maybe I can buy a newer version of the universal sim.
Well dude, I got to say that the ebay deal really worked for me!!! Couldn't be more happy!
Was a little skeptical about it but just got the code on the email minutes ago and worked right away!!!
Cost me 9.95 because the price was reduced and paid with PayPal. Bought it in the morning and got the code minutes ago.
There's another ebay seller with the same price/offer which seems to work too (good feedback too)
--------------
ravemind said:
universal Sim
I have tried a few online sellers and they say a code is not available for my aria. Bummer, hopefully that will change. I remembered I had one of those universal sim chips like a Rebel Sim. I sort of works. Sometimes when I turn the phone on I can manually choose the network and get service, but most of the time it won't connect. Maybe I can buy a newer version of the universal sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What phone did you tried to unlock?
---------------
Thanks to breakeven and xda-developers forum!!!
I decided to test this out today for fun.
I tried 3 different ebay unlockers (all were rated as top-sellers) and all 3 were unable to unlock my off-contract Aria (from Amazon). They did, however, offer to try on another server, at around 2-3x the original cost, which I refused and was refunded my money.
I really don't care if my Aria can be unlocked since I have no intention of leaving AT&T anyway, but I thought I'd share MY experience with the rest of you. YOUR experience may vary.
On a side note, I unlocked 2 different models of Blackberry (again, just for fun) a few days ago using one of those ebay sellers with no problem. So I wouldn't worry too much about getting ripped off (as long as they are top rated sellers).
tongas
hey tongas would you mind telling us which ebay seller unlocked you Aria?
Thanks
hey, i don't want to wait for the release in europe so i wanna buy one on ebay.com. I found pretty much of the devices on ebay.com. there is often said that the devices has bad esn's and can't not be activated in the verizon network. what is this about?
they say the phone is unlocked but only outside the us. can i buy such a phone or not?
I purchased a Droid Pro two weeks ago on Ebay which just arrived last Friday and I am already very much in love with this phone.
I guess the best option is to get in touch with the seller directly. The best case scenario you can go for is to buy it from a private seller who has a good standing with Verizon. My seller helped out a lot to activate the device, and then call up Verizon to get an official unlock code for me that I just had to enter after popping in my sim card and which worked perfectly! Bad ESN means that it can not be activated on the Verizon network. However, in order to do the unlock the usual way, the device needs to be activated once and that MUST be on the Verizon US network, it is not possible anywhere else. If you do a google search you will find a way to get around the activation by a simple "touch all the corners of the screen trick".. but I am not sure how reliable that is and what happens after you do an update. In case you can not get an official Verizon unlock code, they are available on the internet. However, if you check the other forums, increasingly more online unlock codes have no effect as Verizon is starting to change the databases OTA (over-the-air) on the devices.. and I am not sure whether the developers have caught up with it yet.
Also something you want to be careful about, try to find out how the device performs on your network. Because there are also reports that some users are not able to use their phones with their home 3G networks, even after manually putting in the APN infos. I am sure that will sort itself out as soon as the Motorola Pro officially hits Europe...
Also just to give you a figure of what price you can expect.. I paid $300 for mine activated and supplied with an official Verizon unlock code, oh the seller was so kind to include a 16GB microSD card... I have the feeling this device is getting more and more popular in Europe which might have an impact on the prices on Ebay..
If theres anything else I can help you with, please feel free. I know of at least a handful users from Europe and Asia that have imported Droid Pros so the combined knowledge should be sufficient to help you out Where are you based?
thank you for this great reply. ok i tried out to find some private seller on ebay.com. when this doesn't work i think i will buy such a bad esn phone and give it a try. when you have contact to your seller please let me know. then i can contact him if he sell some more of the devices.
best regards from germany
There is an update of unlock code by Verizon over OTA in end of Jan or begin of Feb for sure, and the unlock code has been changed. But it seems new unlock code provider (not from verizon) pop on web site/ebay.
I just bid one bad esn droid pro from ebay and waiting happily
Hi @vivid i sent a PM to you. Please reply.
Hi guys,
i want to create this reference thread for all people must Permanent Unlock their S8/S8+ locke on TMO Network.
I'm one of you and actually i'm hold waiting some unlock method for my G950U .
Services just tried :
https://www.unlockbase.com (they don't provide anymore T-Mobile Unlock App unlock)
http://www.cellunlocker.net/ (paid them 130 buks and they refund me after 3 days cause they have no more access to T-Mobile server)
Hold at the moment.
My device is full paid off but actually i'm not in USA , i'm in Italy
You could go to the T-Mobile website and request and unlocked code .. if phone is paid in full they will unlock it without an issue
oswald-josh said:
You could go to the T-Mobile website and request and unlocked code .. if phone is paid in full they will unlock it without an issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't have a T-Mobile account, i have bought device on Ebay. It was paid off, sure.
wolfgart said:
i don't have a T-Mobile account, i have bought device on Ebay. It was paid off
You do not need a T-Mobile account. Try to call T-Mobile internationally or contact them thru the twitter account. According to the website this is the only requirements to unlock it
--
Unlock requirements
We provide mobile device unlock codes free within two business days (or provide further information about timing) for eligible devices.
Device eligibility is determined as follows:
The device must be a T-Mobile device.
The device must not be reported to T-Mobile as lost, stolen, or blocked.
The account associated with the device must not be canceled, and be in good standing.
You have requested no more than two mobile device unlock codes per line of service in the last 12 months.
The device must satisfy all the Postpaid or Pay in Advance (Prepaid) Unlocking terms outlined below.
T-Mobile may request proof of purchase or additional information in its discretion and certain other exceptions may apply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
still waiting working methods ....
wolfgart said:
Device eligibility is determined as follows:
The device must be a T-Mobile device.
...... apply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They require you to use their service for 40 days, i mean you can tell them that, because u are in italy, and there is no way for you connect to their server and ask for temporary unlock, and you need it to be permanent unlock ( one of the xda user did that).
What are the chances that they will not be able to unlock the phone even after 40 days since it is bought from samsung and not from T-mobile?
aviseqdas said:
What are the chances that they will not be able to unlock the phone even after 40 days since it is bought from samsung and not from T-mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
honestly is base on your luck, luck here is that, you actually talk to the specialist otherwise, you just gonna talk to some dumb people.
I bought mine from Samsung, paid in full, received it on 4/21 so it's 36 days and program tells me not eligible, called CS, told me to download the program that doesn't work, called Samsung was told to call t-mo. Such a Bu???t and how T-mo will know I paid for the phone to Samsung? I probably will download eng boot and install unlocked FW, but not sure if that's going to work, last carrier phone ever. Actually it was my fault, should have returned the phone back to Samsung first week, when they send me locked phone without the unlocking code. BTW for OP to pay $130 to unlock the phone that should be unlocked to begin with (if it was paid in full as OP said) is wrong.
pete4k said:
I bought mine from Samsung, paid in full, received it on 4/21 so it's 36 days and program tells me not eligible, called CS, told me to download the program that doesn't work, called Samsung was told to call t-mo. Such a Bu???t and how T-mo will know I paid for the phone to Samsung? I probably will download eng boot and install unlocked FW, but not sure if that's going to work, last carrier phone ever. Actually it was my fault, should have returned the phone back to Samsung first week, when they send me locked phone without the unlocking code. BTW for OP to pay $130 to unlock the phone that should be unlocked to begin with (if it was paid in full as OP said) is wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Went through T-Force on Twitter and seemed to have gotten a rep on the first go who understood the situation and submitted my IMEI number to the right place. The rep needs to submit your IMEI to one of their highest level tech support engineers to be added into their "device distribution inventory system". This makes it look in their system that your phone was sold by T-Mobile and came out of their inventory. If they just try to whitelist your IMEI in the Unlock device app, that will not work. This needs to be done 100% on T-Mobiles end, Samsung will not be able to do anything, and you will want to bash your head into the wall after talking to them, totally useless.
T-Force:
That's correct. Even in attempting to "whitelist" the device, this would be unsuccessful since the phone wasn't purchased from T-Mobile. The escalation I've submitted is going to our highest tier of support, so if anyone can do it - they will be the ones. Hopefully this helps to clarify things!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There may be hope for everyone in the future, this one of the final responses I got from them:
I am right there with you. It definitely makes things harder on both sides since the phone isn't technically bought from us, even though it is branded a T-Mobile phone and our system rejects any IMEI that didn't come from our inventory. None the less, we're all about giving you full access to what is yours. Teams are currently working on a process update that'll make things a lot more seamless, but in the meantime we've got this work around! I really appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us today!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
14 hours later I tried the Unlock Device app and requested the permanent unlock and it was successfully permanently SIM unlocked.
Device is fully unlocked, tested with an AT&T SIM card and everything worked fine. After 2 reboots the Device Unlock app even disappeared from my phone. I'm so happy with how fast T-Mobile dealt with this. The more people that make a stink about this issue on social media hopefully T-Mobile will find a permanent fix for people buying a SIM locked at full price and have it easily unlocked under their standard procedure.
fragg3d said:
Went through T-Force on Twitter and seemed to have gotten a rep on the first go who understood the situation and submitted my IMEI number to the right place. The rep needs to submit your IMEI to one of their highest level tech support engineers to be added into their "device distribution inventory system". This makes it look in their system that your phone was sold by T-Mobile and came out of their inventory. If they just try to whitelist your IMEI in the Unlock device app, that will not work. This needs to be done 100% on T-Mobiles end, Samsung will not be able to do anything, and you will want to bash your head into the wall after talking to them, totally useless.
There may be hope for everyone in the future, this one of the final responses I got from them:
14 hours later I tried the Unlock Device app and requested the permanent unlock and it was successfully permanently SIM unlocked.
Device is fully unlocked, tested with an AT&T SIM card and everything worked fine. After 2 reboots the Device Unlock app even disappeared from my phone. I'm so happy with how fast T-Mobile dealt with this. The more people that make a stink about this issue on social media hopefully T-Mobile will find a permanent fix for people buying a SIM locked at full price and have it easily unlocked under their standard procedure.
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Click to collapse
I bought the si from Samsung website (fully pay)and two days ago I called T-Mobile request sim unlock last night I got email from T-Mobile said my phone only can unlock is from T-Mobile unlock app but I try so many times using T-Mobile unlock app all show up said failed need to contact T-Mobile. Now what can I do?
paullu said:
I bought the si from Samsung website (fully pay)and two days ago I called T-Mobile request sim unlock last night I got email from T-Mobile said my phone only can unlock is from T-Mobile unlock app but I try so many times using T-Mobile unlock app all show up said failed need to contact T-Mobile. Now what can I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
contact them again...
paullu said:
I bought the si from Samsung website (fully pay)and two days ago I called T-Mobile request sim unlock last night I got email from T-Mobile said my phone only can unlock is from T-Mobile unlock app but I try so many times using T-Mobile unlock app all show up said failed need to contact T-Mobile. Now what can I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go though T-Force on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/TMobileHelp ) the phone reps seem to be totally clueless about this issue. It will ONLY work when your devices IMEI is added to their "device distribution inventory system" and not just whitelisted in the Unlock Device app. This makes it look to their system (and the app) that the phone was sold by them and came out of T-Mobiles inventory.
EDIT:
Got the phone unlocked, talked to them on Twitter direct messages, and after 24 hours i was able to use the Unlock APP and unlock the phone
I called T-mobile they said they can't unlock it , I have to use device on T-mobile for 40 days ,even though its fully paid off
I even asked them see if they can enter device information on " Device Distribution Center " but they said there is no possible way to do ... hmm
Oh well guess gotta wait 40 days.
Got phone unkocked !
Hi Wolfgart,
You said you had purchased this phone directly from Samsung.com or Ebay.com and not from Tmobile and then you were in Italy and not in USA but still were able to unlock it successfully, can you please share the exact steps/procedure you followed to successfully unlock our T-mobile branded Samsung S8 ? I am in the same situation as yours and would be helpful for others what you have gone through to unlock it. Thanks.
What the *&^%$# I have been "Bamboozled"
shahrit said:
Hi Wolfgart,
You said you had purchased this phone directly from Samsung.com or Ebay.com and not from Tmobile and then you were in Italy and not in USA but still were able to unlock it successfully, can you please share the exact steps/procedure you followed to successfully unlock our T-mobile branded Samsung S8 ? I am in the same situation as yours and would be helpful for others what you have gone through to unlock it. Thanks.
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LOL....maybe TMO doesn't think the folks in Italy are theevin white trash that voted for Trump..
shahrit said:
Hi Wolfgart,
You said you had purchased this phone directly from Samsung.com or Ebay.com and not from Tmobile and then you were in Italy and not in USA but still were able to unlock it successfully, can you please share the exact steps/procedure you followed to successfully unlock our T-mobile branded Samsung S8 ? I am in the same situation as yours and would be helpful for others what you have gone through to unlock it. Thanks.
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Click to collapse
Oh, i simply have called by phone TMO support and told them that i now i'm in Italy for the next 12 months cause Job and i have to rest in contact with my family in CA.
I've tried to call them a lot of time and always talked with dump operators. Last one guy was a really great guy and finally helped me to have device permanent unlocked.
wiseguyy said:
LOL....maybe TMO doesn't think the folks in Italy are theevin white trash that voted for Trump..
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ahhaha.
Really absurd that US People could vote for a Crazy man like Trump....
Oh my God
fragg3d said:
Go though T-Force on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/TMobileHelp ) the phone reps seem to be totally clueless about this issue. It will ONLY work when your devices IMEI is added to their "device distribution inventory system" and not just whitelisted in the Unlock Device app. This makes it look to their system (and the app) that the phone was sold by them and came out of T-Mobiles inventory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought my s8+ from ebay, but the guy bought it from samsung,
on the June 20, I went to the T-Mobile store on the 21 and added insurance and they're charging me 15 a month because I didn't buy it from them.
Got home and called T-Mobile to add the imei, they were gonna give me the run around and I said politely that samsung is gonna tell me to call tmo, she wait a moment and spoke to someone, and she sent the request in,
waited 3 days, and the device didn't unlock, checked the website and til today to check device status it doesn't have any info, but called T-Mobile and the rep transferred me to his supervisor, and he said he will take care of it, to wait at least 3 days for the email, and yesterday I tried the device unlocked, and it worked. Then later during the day I received the email from T-Mobile.
Be polite, and let them know u will be leaving the country, it sometimes it works, most of the time even buying from T-Mobile paying in full, they make me wait 40 days.
I also told them that is why I stopped buying from them directly,
Sent from my SM-G955U using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Hi,
So a friend of mine is bringing the Essential Phone to India from the USA. It is a Sprint model. Can anyone help me and tell me how can I go about unlocking the device so that I can use it with Indian carriers?
zaydenQ said:
Hi,
So a friend of mine is bringing the Essential Phone to India from the USA. It is a Sprint model. Can anyone help me and tell me how can I go about unlocking the device so that I can use it with Indian carriers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have your friend from the USA stay on a sprint account for 50 days then he can call them to unlock it for international as long as it's paid in full.
Unlock sprint
Hey. Can somebody help me with the unlock my essential phone pH 1
I had to send mine back. They have two types of UICC unlocks. One of them in for carriers inside the USA only and the other is for international carriers. The problem is that the international unlock is temporary. Even if the phone is paid in full their systems are relocking lots of phones when used on international carriers using the essential on USA carriers seems to be fine. Mine was paid in full with sprint and was unlocked for 1 month when I called Sprint they said that the international UUIC unlock is temporary so I needed to request it again. I decided to return the phone and once I got the refund and I purchased one directly from essential and my problems were solved.
Sprint is a CDMA network, so you need to check a few things before actually using the phone outside Sprint network.
CDMA networks use network-based white lists to verify their subscribers. That means you can only switch CDMA phones with your carrier’s permission. Details: https://www.unlockunit.com/blog/cdma-networks/
However, you might be able to use your phone with a local Indian GSM network. You must make sure that your phone has also GSM capabilities. you can check this on https://www.gsmarena.com/
And you can check your network's bands here: https://www.frequencycheck.com/
Jahdiel2011 said:
I had to send mine back. They have two types of UICC unlocks. One of them in for carriers inside the USA only and the other is for international carriers. The problem is that the international unlock is temporary. Even if the phone is paid in full their systems are relocking lots of phones when used on international carriers using the essential on USA carriers seems to be fine. Mine was paid in full with sprint and was unlocked for 1 month when I called Sprint they said that the international UUIC unlock is temporary so I needed to request it again. I decided to return the phone and once I got the refund and I purchased one directly from essential and my problems were solved.
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Was your phone unlocked after 50 days with Sprint? I'm only keeping Sprint for 50 days to get them to do the international unlock. After that I will cancel. My phone was automatically unlocked for US sims after I paid off the lease and I'm using it with a T-mobile sim now. I noticed that the UICC menu is gone with my T-mobile sim in the phone. Do you know if the phone can be relocked for international sims even if it doesn't have a Sprint sim in the phone?
DrvLikHell said:
Was your phone unlocked after 50 days with Sprint? I'm only keeping Sprint for 50 days to get them to do the international unlock. After that I will cancel. My phone was automatically unlocked for US sims after I paid off the lease and I'm using it with a T-mobile sim now. I noticed that the UICC menu is gone with my T-mobile sim in the phone. Do you know if the phone can be relocked for international sims even if it doesn't have a Sprint sim in the phone?
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Click to collapse
Mine was paid in full and was unlocked both domestically and internationally. I was not 50 days with Sprint. Since I had to travel abroad I asked for the International unlock which they granted as I had already paid for the phone. I started using the phone in South America and around one month later I got the Invalid SimCard message. When I called they said that the UUIC international unlock is temporary so I need to call Sprint and request it again. The domestic unlock is permanent not the same for the international (It made no sense) I called again yesterday to get info on their policies again and now I got different info the phone was supposedly unlocked according to their systems.
Besides this I've got info from trusted sources saying that even devices purchased Unlocked from essential are being locked by sprint when inserting sprint sim cards so stay away from those sim cards.
unlocked then relocked
My phone was unlocked by Sprint shortly after I paid it off, about two days after I received it. I was able to insert a Vietnamese SIM card and download all the Essential security updates.
Then somehow it got relocked. called Sprint to asked them to unlock it internationally, as I actually do travel internationally for work quite a bit. They responded with an email refusing to unlock it until it had been on the network for 50 days.
I have had the last three phones on Sprint unlocked internationally with less trouble than this one.
I guess I'll try again when the 50 days are up.
Jahdiel2011 said:
Mine was paid in full and was unlocked both domestically and internationally. I was not 50 days with Sprint. Since I had to travel abroad I asked for the International unlock which they granted as I had already paid for the phone. I started using the phone in South America and around one month later I got the Invalid SimCard message. When I called they said that the UUIC international unlock is temporary so I need to call Sprint and request it again. The domestic unlock is permanent not the same for the international (It made no sense) I called again yesterday to get info on their policies again and now I got different info the phone was supposedly unlocked according to their systems.
Besides this I've got info from trusted sources saying that even devices purchased Unlocked from essential are being locked by sprint when inserting sprint sim cards so stay away from those sim cards.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for that information. When you were in South America and got the invalid sim card message, were you on a non-US sim? Did you put the Sprint sim back in at any time before you got that message? I'm trying to figure out if they can relock the device without the Sprint sim card in it, because if so I'm not keeping this phone. I requested the international unlock on my phone as well, but they told me I had to wait until the phone was active for 50 days. They wouldn't budge on that at all. Maybe the 50 day policy is why yours got relocked?
huzordaddy said:
My phone was unlocked by Sprint shortly after I paid it off, about two days after I received it. I was able to insert a Vietnamese SIM card and download all the Essential security updates.
Then somehow it got relocked. called Sprint to asked them to unlock it internationally, as I actually do travel internationally for work quite a bit. They responded with an email refusing to unlock it until it had been on the network for 50 days.
I have had the last three phones on Sprint unlocked internationally with less trouble than this one.
I guess I'll try again when the 50 days are up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone was unlocked for domestic sims 48 hours after the lease was closed. US sims work in it now, but I put a European sim in it and it asked for an unlock code. Did your phone get relocked while it had the Vietnamese sim in it, or were you swapping between that and the Sprint sim?
Once my 50 days are up and I cancel Sprint, I really don't want to have a phone that can be randomly locked by a company that I no longer have any business with. If that's the case I'm going to get rid of this phone and go with another brand.
DrvLikHell said:
Thanks for that information. When you were in South America and got the invalid sim card message, were you on a non-US sim? Did you put the Sprint sim back in at any time before you got that message? I'm trying to figure out if they can relock the device without the Sprint sim card in it, because if so I'm not keeping this phone. I requested the international unlock on my phone as well, but they told me I had to wait until the phone was active for 50 days. They wouldn't budge on that at all. Maybe the 50 day policy is why yours got relocked?
My phone was unlocked for domestic sims 48 hours after the lease was closed. US sims work in it now, but I put a European sim in it and it asked for an unlock code. Did your phone get relocked while it had the Vietnamese sim in it, or were you swapping between that and the Sprint sim?
Once my 50 days are up and I cancel Sprint, I really don't want to have a phone that can be randomly locked by a company that I no longer have any business with. If that's the case I'm going to get rid of this phone and go with another brand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not even bring the Sprint Sim on my trip so I'd say Yes. They can relock it even with other sim card. I was using non US sims the whole time. I'm not sure if the issue is the 50 days policy but I did not want to have a phone I paid in full and cannot own as I should.
How can they lock the phone if it's not on their Network? Sounds like some funny business with firmware updates.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs
I got a Essential from an ebay reseller, I checked the IMEI before buying it , said it was clean... and thought that's all that mattered :/
It's locked to someone's sprint account or something, i can't use it on sprint even if I wanted! I have no way of contacting that owner... what can I do?
Can I put some other firmware on it or is there some unlocking service I can opt for?
When I contacted sprint they said the phone is clean/not stolen... so yeah... very frustrating.
Please help/advise.
Edwii said:
I got a Essential from an ebay reseller, I checked the IMEI before buying it , said it was clean... and thought that's all that mattered :/
It's locked to someone's sprint account or something, i can't use it on sprint even if I wanted! I have no way of contacting that owner... what can I do?
Can I put some other firmware on it or is there some unlocking service I can opt for?
When I contacted sprint they said the phone is clean/not stolen... so yeah... very frustrating.
Please help/advise.
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Click to collapse
If it's locked to someone elses Sprint account, and it's not sim unlocked so you can't use it on a GSM service, the only option you have is to return it to the eBay seller. If the seller said it was unlocked or otherwise ready to be activated, that was incorrect and you can do an "Item not as described" type of return, stating that it is not able to be used and you'll get your money back. eBay offers very good protection for this sort of thing.
avd said:
How can they lock the phone if it's not on their Network? Sounds like some funny business with firmware updates.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs
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Click to collapse
I'd like to know the same thing. From what I've learned the sim lock is a single bit somewhere that's nearly impossible to change without an unlock code. And I've never heard of a phone relocking. I don't know how they're doing it with the Essential. The interesting thing is that when you put in a non-sprint sim, the phone will then update to a newer firmware because sprint is behind on theirs, but it can still relock with the newer firmware. Also, with a non-sprint sim the UICC menu disappears, but then it comes back when you put a sprint sim back in. I don't know what its deal is.
Just the fact that it's possible for sprint to relock a phone remotely is enough to steer me away from this phone. I can't be in a situation where I'm relying on my phone for communication in another country and then, oops, sprint decided to relock my phone and now I can't contact anyone. I've been in situations where that could be very dangerous. If I stay with the PH1, I'll sell my sprint phones and get one directly from the company. Otherwise, I'm already looking at other phones.
Edwii said:
I got a Essential from an ebay reseller, I checked the IMEI before buying it , said it was clean... and thought that's all that mattered :/
It's locked to someone's sprint account or something, i can't use it on sprint even if I wanted! I have no way of contacting that owner... what can I do?
Can I put some other firmware on it or is there some unlocking service I can opt for?
When I contacted sprint they said the phone is clean/not stolen... so yeah... very frustrating.
Please help/advise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
File a claim.
Device different than specified.
So Far the PH-1 is a great option only if you buy it directly from essential and Never EVER put a Sprint Sim Card on it.
Edwii said:
I got a Essential from an ebay reseller, I checked the IMEI before buying it , said it was clean... and thought that's all that mattered :/
It's locked to someone's sprint account or something, i can't use it on sprint even if I wanted! I have no way of contacting that owner... what can I do?
Can I put some other firmware on it or is there some unlocking service I can opt for?
When I contacted sprint they said the phone is clean/not stolen... so yeah... very frustrating.
Please help/advise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
File a claim with eBay, they'll get your money back!
I have found that a lot of eBay sellers just put "Check IMEI" in their listing, with no other claim to being locked/unlocked, etc. So that it then becomes the buyer's responsibility to throughly check it before they buy. I checked the IMEI on Ting's website and they said it was good to go (vs. a phone that I have with a Bad ESN that they knew about and would understandably not accept - and no this is not a post about Bad ESN so back off wolfdroids!) I didn't bother filing a claim though because it makes an excellent WiFi Smartphone.
Still, I hate Sprint. No nonsense "Account Number and PIN" or we're not going to help you. I wanted to see about paying off the lease myself. Nope! They don't want my money.
atrac88 said:
I have found that a lot of eBay sellers just put "Check IMEI" in their listing, with no other claim to being locked/unlocked, etc. So that it then becomes the buyer's responsibility to throughly check it before they buy. I checked the IMEI on Ting's website and they said it was good to go (vs. a phone that I have with a Bad ESN that they knew about and would understandably not accept - and no this is not a post about Bad ESN so back off wolfdroids!) I didn't bother filing a claim though because it makes an excellent WiFi Smartphone.
Still, I hate Sprint. No nonsense "Account Number and PIN" or we're not going to help you. I wanted to see about paying off the lease myself. Nope! They don't want my money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Find someone that has a Sprint account and see if they can add it on so you can pay it off and use it. It's too good of a phone to be stuck at home being used as a mini-tablet
@Jahdiel2011 About how long did your international sim unlock last before it relocked on you?
30 days or so