Database Users

[T-Mobile S8/S8+ Network Unlock] Reference thread

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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
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..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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

Galaxy S7 Free Unlock Code Through Samsung Canada Chat

How to unlock Galaxy S7 for Free Credits to: RedFlagDeals
Go to Samsung Canada website > Contact Us http://www.samsung.com/ca/info/contactus.html
Start Live Chat
Tell the rep that you would like to unlock your Galaxy S7
Rep will ask a few questions including your IMEI number and the carrier your S7 (only mention carrier if they ask) is currently locked to.
Within a few days, you will receive an email from Samsung with the unlock code.
Done!
Important Details
Note your Phone Model Number & IMEI before going in chat
Prepare the address of your Samsung Experience Store
Mention you got the phone on Samsung Experience Store or Costo in full
DO NOT mention you are in contract with a carrier.
Example message: (It worked for me)
I bought this phone Samsung S7 G930W8 from Samsung Experience Store at [insert address here, google location near you] few months ago. I'm flying in few days and I want to use my phone abroad while on Vacation. I just want to unlock this phone, that way I can use it for my travel. My IMEI is [insert IMEI here].
There are online during Canada - Pacific Time

Can confirm that this works. I've done it few months ago and again few days for a different phone.

My fiance traveled to Europe and her phone wasn't working with a local sim. She didn't know and input a few wrong codes, I think she tried twice so there was one attempt left. I attempted to contact Samsung and I gave them the Imei and told them it's from Costco.
The agent provided me with the code and my finance tried it once but it didn't work and now it says it requires a master code instead of a network code. The phone still works but network doesn't.
The Samsung agent said he will get me the master code but it'll take 3-5 days. Does anyone know how I can get this faster? I don't want her to be without a phone for that long.

This works perfectly! I've successfully unlocked 2 phones using this method.
Many thanks!

Would this work if my S7 is on AT&T? Wouldn't the Samsung Canada chat people say that they can't help US folks? I can't pretend that the phone is on a Canadian network as the model is GM-930A, correct?

agaurav said:
Would this work if my S7 is on AT&T? Wouldn't the Samsung Canada chat people say that they can't help US folks? I can't pretend that the phone is on a Canadian network as the model is GM-930A, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Samsung rep world know right away that it's a USA phone when they enter the IMEI into their system.
You could try it since it's free to chat with them.

audit13 said:
The Samsung rep world know right away that it's a USA phone when they enter the IMEI into their system.
You could try it since it's free to chat with them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried just now and they said they help only with Canadian devices. US support directs me to AT&T who say that the phone is locked to the previous owner. I bought it on Craigslist knowing it was locked. I used on AT&T but now want to switch away from AT&T so was trying to unlock. Guess I am stuck for now. Thanks.

agaurav said:
I tried just now and they said they help only with Canadian devices. US support directs me to AT&T who say that the phone is locked to the previous owner. I bought it on Craigslist knowing it was locked. I used on AT&T but now want to switch away from AT&T so was trying to unlock. Guess I am stuck for now. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you can buy an unlock code from eBay?
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/AT-T-ATT-UN...755573?hash=item4b071af9b5:g:Dx4AAOSwzQFZ70Y0

Thanks. I bought it for $0.99. Not sure if that would work as most charge $25. I have a feeling that this seller will just try to use the AT&T unlock service and get the code and forward that. I know AT&T will not unlock my phone so not hopeful but no worries on losing a buck.

Or you can just call your provider and get it unlocked on the spot. It's no longer legal in Canada for carriers to charge you for this

homeslixe said:
Or you can just call your provider and get it unlocked on the spot. It's no longer legal in Canada for carriers to charge you for this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There-in lies the issue. I didn't buy/lease it from AT&T directly. I bought it for $300 off Craiglist a year back and now want to use on T-mobile. However, when I called AT&T they said that the phone is still on someone's account and so they can't unlock it. I have no way of communicating with the seller as that was a Craigslist email address and I have no info and AT&T will not tell me the name/address of the seller (obviously and correctly so).

Did not work for me. They said that my IMEI is not in their system. Well, I didn't buy it there actually, but that was not explicitly stated as a prerequisite in this thread.

Sprint Essential Phone - Network outside US (Germany) ?

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?

Can't locate UICC

This might be a noob question (but i feel like not noob enough to warrant posting in the noob forum).
I bought a used essential ph-1 phone and got it shipped to Canada. The phone was originally with Sprint.
it is paid off and has not been reported stolen. I called in and got an unlock code...after multiple calls i finally was told the phone is already unlocked and they gave me a (6 digits majority being zeros).
I been trying to locate the UICC and can't find it. Its not at; About phone / OMADM updates / UICC unlock
1. Do I need a Sprint sim to see this option?? Also, if thats the case, once I get the sim in there, do i literally just click on that and type in the code?
My theory so far has been yes- so I created a sprint account, and requested a sim card (having it all shipped to Canada via friends is taking its sweet time). Now the latest rep tells me they can't unlock a phone unless its been in the system for a year- wtf?
I told him about the unlock code and he tells me any code with that many zeros is just a place holder and won't work!
Is that true?
I gave my friend my phone while she visits the USA. A Sprint sim is also being shipped to her via amazon. I figured ill get her to throw it in. Ill call Sprint, connect the SIM to my phone and then request them to unlock it. But at this point i feel like its just a waste...any opinions?!

agentnerdo said:
This might be a noob question (but i feel like not noob enough to warrant posting in the noob forum).
I bought a used essential ph-1 phone and got it shipped to Canada. The phone was originally with Sprint.
it is paid off and has not been reported stolen. I called in and got an unlock code...after multiple calls i finally was told the phone is already unlocked and they gave me a (6 digits majority being zeros).
I been trying to locate the UICC and can't find it. Its not at; About phone / OMADM updates / UICC unlock
1. Do I need a Sprint sim to see this option?? Also, if thats the case, once I get the sim in there, do i literally just click on that and type in the code?
My theory so far has been yes- so I created a sprint account, and requested a sim card (having it all shipped to Canada via friends is taking its sweet time). Now the latest rep tells me they can't unlock a phone unless its been in the system for a year- wtf?
I told him about the unlock code and he tells me any code with that many zeros is just a place holder and won't work!
Is that true?
I gave my friend my phone while she visits the USA. A Sprint sim is also being shipped to her via amazon. I figured ill get her to throw it in. Ill call Sprint, connect the SIM to my phone and then request them to unlock it. But at this point i feel like its just a waste...any opinions?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3720727
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

agentnerdo said:
This might be a noob question (but i feel like not noob enough to warrant posting in the noob forum).
I bought a used essential ph-1 phone and got it shipped to Canada. The phone was originally with Sprint.
it is paid off and has not been reported stolen. I called in and got an unlock code...after multiple calls i finally was told the phone is already unlocked and they gave me a (6 digits majority being zeros).
I been trying to locate the UICC and can't find it. Its not at; About phone / OMADM updates / UICC unlock
1. Do I need a Sprint sim to see this option?? Also, if thats the case, once I get the sim in there, do i literally just click on that and type in the code?
My theory so far has been yes- so I created a sprint account, and requested a sim card (having it all shipped to Canada via friends is taking its sweet time). Now the latest rep tells me they can't unlock a phone unless its been in the system for a year- wtf?
I told him about the unlock code and he tells me any code with that many zeros is just a place holder and won't work!
Is that true?
I gave my friend my phone while she visits the USA. A Sprint sim is also being shipped to her via amazon. I figured ill get her to throw it in. Ill call Sprint, connect the SIM to my phone and then request them to unlock it. But at this point i feel like its just a waste...any opinions?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try your Sim card. If it works I wouldn't worry about it.
If you don't have a Sprint or Verizon Sim in it then you won't see the UICC. My Sprint purchased phone has the UICC section in settings with the Sprint Sim, but after it was unlocked, once I put my freedom Pop Sim in it I don't have that option in settings anymore.

Do not put a Sprint Sim in! It will lock!!! Did you try your SIM first? If a no Sprint Sim works, then you're good to go.Putting a Sprint Sim in will lock your phone.
There are no unlock codes, it must be released by Sprint server side. Sprint will not unlock it.
It's probably already unlocked. Just out in your SIM and be happy!

NaterTots said:
Try your Sim card. If it works I wouldn't worry about it.
If you don't have a Sprint or Verizon Sim in it then you won't see the UICC. My Sprint purchased phone has the UICC section in settings with the Sprint Sim, but after it was unlocked, once I put my freedom Pop Sim in it I don't have that option in settings anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Ya I tried putting another SIM and had no luck. Ugh, feel like those Sprint sellers are screwin people over.
Do you think flashing it with the non-Sprint version would remove the UICC block??

agentnerdo said:
Thanks.
Ya I tried putting another SIM and had no luck. Ugh, feel like those Sprint sellers are screwin people over.
Do you think flashing it with the non-Sprint version would remove the UICC block??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, that will not unlock it.
It needs to be on Sprint for 50 days.

agentnerdo said:
Thanks.
Ya I tried putting another SIM and had no luck. Ugh, feel like those Sprint sellers are screwin people over.
Do you think flashing it with the non-Sprint version would remove the UICC block??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get your money back. Sprint Essential phones cannot be easily unlocked. Only way is being active on Sprint for 50 days.

How do I remove Sprint bloatware after Unlock?

I finally reached the 50 day finish line and will have my phone unlocked today or tomorrow. I want to sell this, but as "unlocked" on Swappa to make a bit more on it. How do I remove the Sprint Bloatware after unlock?

The variant you have technically will always be a Sprint variant. If you start up in bootloader mode, it will have variant - sprint not openus

I want to know the answer to this as well. I heard that factory resetting with a non sprint sim would take that stuff away. I am still 10 days out from the unlock.

runderekrun said:
I want to know the answer to this as well. I heard that factory resetting with a non sprint sim would take that stuff away. I am still 10 days out from the unlock.
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I don't think that will work. We switched my wife's from the Sprint stock rom to the openus stock rom for better updates and it's still showing Sprint variant. It is also unlocked. So I don't know. But our phones never had bloatware on them to begin with.

JoRocker said:
I finally reached the 50 day finish line and will have my phone unlocked today or tomorrow. I want to sell this, but as "unlocked" on Swappa to make a bit more on it. How do I remove the Sprint Bloatware after unlock?
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Yes it will always be a Sprint variant and can only be unlocked for domestic use. Please make sure buyers are aware if you sell it on Swappa.

Airwolf79 said:
Yes it will always be a Sprint variant and can only be unlocked for domestic use. Please make sure buyers are aware if you sell it on Swappa.
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That's 100% false.. I already talked to Sprint about this because I'm moving to Taiwan in February, and they said it will work anywhere in the world. I.E. International and domestic unlock. There is no Sprint Bloatware just a PRL manager when Sprint Sim is inserted..
I also received an email stating my phone has been "International and Domestic Unlocked".

JoRocker said:
That's 100% false.. I already talked to Sprint about this because I'm moving to Taiwan in February, and they said it will work anywhere in the world. I.E. International and domestic unlock. There is no Sprint Bloatware just a PRL manager when Sprint Sim is inserted..
I also received an email stating my phone has been "International and Domestic Unlocked".
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Correct.
I don't see any bloatware on my phone.
It will always be a Sprint variant but that is only for identification.

JoRocker said:
That's 100% false.. I already talked to Sprint about this because I'm moving to Taiwan in February, and they said it will work anywhere in the world. I.E. International and domestic unlock. There is no Sprint Bloatware just a PRL manager when Sprint Sim is inserted..
I also received an email stating my phone has been "International and Domestic Unlocked".
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Well Sprint doesn't say anything about unlocking it internationally. https://www.sprint.com/en/support/solutions/device/faqs-about-unlocking-your-sprint-device.html
Maybe you'll be lucky and it'll work for you, but I wouldn't take a chance taking a Sprint variant over seas with their track record of randomly relocking phones. There was a post here on the forum of a guy from Germany that bought an unlocked Sprint phone and couldn't use it over there. So until you actually try it, you won't know for sure. I still stand by my OP that the seller should disclose that it's a Sprint variant because it's not worth as much. There's plenty of regular unlocked ph1's on Swappa to choose from, so good luck trying to sell it for more than $300, if it's mint.

JoRocker said:
I finally reached the 50 day finish line and will have my phone unlocked today or tomorrow. I want to sell this, but as "unlocked" on Swappa to make a bit more on it. How do I remove the Sprint Bloatware after unlock?
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What Sprint bloatware are you referencing? I had my sprint installed but that was it. I keep it to pay my bill and track other things, but I was able to delete it just for kicks.

Airwolf79 said:
Well Sprint doesn't say anything about unlocking it internationally. https://www.sprint.com/en/support/solutions/device/faqs-about-unlocking-your-sprint-device.html
Maybe you'll be lucky and it'll work for you, but I wouldn't take a chance taking a Sprint variant over seas with their track record of randomly relocking phones. There was a post here on the forum of a guy from Germany that bought an unlocked Sprint phone and couldn't use it over there. So until you actually try it, you won't know for sure. I still stand by my OP that the seller should disclose that it's a Sprint variant because it's not worth as much. There's plenty of regular unlocked ph1's on Swappa to choose from, so good luck trying to sell it for more than $300, if it's mint.
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I just called Sprint again to make sure (spoke to international department) they said there will be no issues it is 100% unlocked. I don't know what happened with that guy from Germany, but I'd guess he was lied to about it being unlocked from whoever he bought it from. In fact unless the post is less than a couple weeks ago, I know that's the case, because I got mine the first week of the offer and just was able to get it unlocked late last week.
I went to Swappa and every mint selling for $340 is still locked to Sprint. In fact, every posting says "locked to Sprint, will be unlockable after 50 days". So I'd assume people are selling the unlocked Sprint variants on "Unlocked" section, because there's no Bloatware, and it is unlocked.

carterfalls said:
What Sprint bloatware are you referencing? I had my sprint installed but that was it. I keep it to pay my bill and track other things, but I was able to delete it just for kicks.
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That's what I meant, I figured out how to remove it. I actually don't have to, it gets installed with Sprint Sim it seems.

JoRocker said:
I just called Sprint again to make sure (spoke to international department) they said there will be no issues it is 100% unlocked. I don't know what happened with that guy from Germany, but I'd guess he was lied to about it being unlocked from whoever he bought it from. In fact unless the post is less than a couple weeks ago, I know that's the case, because I got mine the first week of the offer and just was able to get it unlocked late last week.
I went to Swappa and every mint selling for $340 is still locked to Sprint. In fact, every posting says "locked to Sprint, will be unlockable after 50 days". So I'd assume people are selling the unlocked Sprint variants on "Unlocked" section, because there's no Bloatware, and it is unlocked.
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People that got in on the early lease program were told that they wouldn't have to wait the whole 50 days, and many posted their devices were unlocked within a few days of being paid off. One guy even posted his contract, and it didn't say anything about being only DSU until 50 days of use. Obviously, Sprint caught on to this that people were cancelling their contracts as soon as they paid off the device.
My point is, sellers of a Sprint device that are trying to sell it as an unlocked device need to disclose that it's a Sprint variant because most people will gladly pay a little more for a true GSM unlocked device that they don't have to worry about getting randomly relocked. The cheapest PH1 on Swappa in the unlocked section is $389, and none of them say they are Sprint variants, but there are people who will lie and not tell someone it's a Sprint variant, so I just wanted to inform the OP. That's not right.

Airwolf79 said:
People that got in on the early lease program were told that they wouldn't have to wait the whole 50 days, and many posted their devices were unlocked within a few days of being paid off. One guy even posted his contract, and it didn't say anything about being only DSU until 50 days of use. Obviously, Sprint caught on to this that people were cancelling their contracts as soon as they paid off the device.
My point is, sellers of a Sprint device that are trying to sell it as an unlocked device need to disclose that it's a Sprint variant because most people will gladly pay a little more for a true GSM unlocked device that they don't have to worry about getting randomly relocked. The cheapest PH1 on Swappa in the unlocked section is $389, and none of them say they are Sprint variants, but there are people who will lie and not tell someone it's a Sprint variant, so I just wanted to inform the OP. That's not right.
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Look, I know you want to be right, but you just aren't... I ordered my phone day 3 of the deal. My phone was unlocked originally and then relocked a week later, because Sprint initially made a mistake and corrected it. It didn't affect me because I'm on the Sprint BYOD deal anyways. That's more than likely what happened to the German guy...
There is zero difference between the Unlocked and Sprint version. Usually with carrier specifics phones (note again I said usually) they alter the accepted frequencies to support that specific network and add carrier Bloatware, that's not the case with the Essential phone. Once the 50 days is up and you get it unlocked, it's unlocked forever. It's yours and you own it to use how you see fit. There is no Sprint Bloatware whatsoever or any carrier branding. It is now deemed "Unlocked" and can be advertised as such. I'll put in my listing that it was used on Sprint Network, but to say it will randomly relock is a ridiculous statement and has no chance of happening. It will accept all frequencies that any Essential phone is capable of using.

JoRocker said:
Look, I know you want to be right, but you just aren't... I ordered my phone day 3 of the deal. My phone was unlocked originally and then relocked a week later, because Sprint initially made a mistake and corrected it. It didn't affect me because I'm on the Sprint BYOD deal anyways. That's more than likely what happened to the German guy...
There is zero difference between the Unlocked and Sprint version. Usually with carrier specifics phones (note again I said usually) they alter the accepted frequencies to support that specific network and add carrier Bloatware, that's not the case with the Essential phone. Once the 50 days is up and you get it unlocked, it's unlocked forever. It's yours and you own it to use how you see fit. There is no Sprint Bloatware whatsoever or any carrier branding. It is now deemed "Unlocked" and can be advertised as such. I'll put in my listing that it was used on Sprint Network, but to say it will randomly relock is a ridiculous statement and has no chance of happening. It will accept all frequencies that any Essential phone is capable of using.
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You just completely contradicted yourself. Your phone was relocked "accidentally". LMAO. Ok buddy, you're right, I'm wrong.

JoRocker said:
Look, I know you want to be right, but you just aren't... I ordered my phone day 3 of the deal. My phone was unlocked originally and then relocked a week later, because Sprint initially made a mistake and corrected it. It didn't affect me because I'm on the Sprint BYOD deal anyways. That's more than likely what happened to the German guy...
There is zero difference between the Unlocked and Sprint version. Usually with carrier specifics phones (note again I said usually) they alter the accepted frequencies to support that specific network and add carrier Bloatware, that's not the case with the Essential phone. Once the 50 days is up and you get it unlocked, it's unlocked forever. It's yours and you own it to use how you see fit. There is no Sprint Bloatware whatsoever or any carrier branding. It is now deemed "Unlocked" and can be advertised as such. I'll put in my listing that it was used on Sprint Network, but to say it will randomly relock is a ridiculous statement and has no chance of happening. It will accept all frequencies that any Essential phone is capable of using.
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There are two sprint system apps installed onto the sprint variant. Once it's unlocked, it is close enough to unlocked to probably sell it as such but there is a slight differences.

Airwolf79 said:
You just completely contradicted yourself. Your phone was relocked "accidentally". LMAO. Ok buddy, you're right, I'm wrong.
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I didn't contradict myself... They relocked people because they hadn't had service on the phone for 50 days to fully own the device... I have now. It is unlocked internationally and Domestically. It will accept all carriers in the world without risk of relocking... You're trying to way too hard to be correct.
I have already removed the Sprint PRL manager, by flashing Essentials stock ROM, not that it actually shows unless there's a Sprint Sim in the phone in the first place, but still for others peace of mind. It is now an Unlocked Essential Phone. No difference from my phone to an Essential website or Amazon version...

Airwolf79 said:
You just completely contradicted yourself. Your phone was relocked "accidentally". LMAO. Ok buddy, you're right, I'm wrong.
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Sprint can't relock them if there's no Sprint sim in them anymore.
I bought 4 through the deal, only 1 got relocked, that was the one that still had a sprint sim (and that one is unlocked now as well since the 50 days are up).
2 of them I gave to my parents who live in Belgium (that's in Europe) and they've been working perfectly ever since.

Gambler_BE said:
Sprint can't relock them if there's no Sprint sim in them anymore.
I bought 4 through the deal, only 1 got relocked, that was the one that still had a sprint sim (and that one is unlocked now as well since the 50 days are up).
2 of them I gave to my parents who live in Belgium (that's in Europe) and they've been working perfectly ever since.
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Ok I'm glad it worked out for you. Then I guess the right thing to do if selling the phone in the unlocked section on Swappa is to state that the 50 days has passed and it's fully unlocked. I stand corrected.

RE: Thread comment related to domestic and international unlocks on PH-1 Sprint variant.
Both unlocks are applicable on PH-1.
Attached composite of screen captures from my unlocked PH-1's illustrating BOTH domestic AND international unlocks of one of my PH-1's as reference example.
Friends don't let friends insert Sprint SIM's into their Essential phones View attachment 4803126