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You can't.
You can call Sprint and they can unlock it for you or you can purchase an already unlocked phone.
YES Sprint phones ARE international CAPABLE but have a CDMA CARD. Get it unlocked through SPRINT.
The carrier must unlock your SIM to have GSM capabilities. Period.
There's no magical code, no night gnome who can give you international capabilities, there is no work around. Your card defines your capabilities.
Glad we got that cleared up. Lets stop asking now, shall we? Please?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
babyshrimps said:
You can't.
You can call Sprint and they can unlock it for you or you can purchase an already unlocked phone.
YES Sprint phones ARE international CAPABLE but have a CDMA CARD. Get it unlocked through SPRINT.
The carrier must unlock your SIM to have GSM capabilities. Period.
There's no magical code, no night gnome who can give you international capabilities, there is no work around. Your card defines your capabilities.
Glad we got that cleared up. Lets stop asking now, shall we? Please?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
This is wrong. You can. Just won't work on AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Every other SIM(international) is unlocked for use as long as the SIM slot itself is unlocked.
Source: The Sprint GS4 in my hand.
Interesting. I'll let my co workers at Sprint know
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
autoprime said:
This is wrong. You can. Just won't work on AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Every other SIM(international) is unlocked for use as long as the SIM slot itself is unlocked.
Source: The Sprint GS4 in my hand.
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If that was the case more people would be saying "Go into settings and unlock UICC and bam all set international."
The very first releases from Samsung to Sprint - like mine - were actually international, however most of the employees scooped the oops devices. Those purchased at Best Buy still have intermittent unlocked devices 1:20). In the chance you got lucky then NO we don't need to unlock it but yes, for 90% of the S IV population yes, unfortunately there's a very good chance we do. If this was the case the threads would have ceased to continue resurfacing.
So either tell the people so they stop asking or continue ignoring them.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
babyshrimps said:
If that was the case more people would be saying "Go into settings and unlock UICC and bam all set international."
The very first releases from Samsung to Sprint - like mine - were actually international, however most of the employees scooped the oops devices. Those purchased at Best Buy still have intermittent unlocked devices 1:20). In the chance you got lucky then NO we don't need to unlock it but yes, for 90% of the S IV population yes, unfortunately there's a very good chance we do. If this was the case the threads would have ceased to continue resurfacing.
So either tell the people so they stop asking or continue ignoring them.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
after 90 days Sprint unlocks them when you ask the international department. My phone came sim locked. Had the invalid sim error and everything. It was then unlocked. I have had multiple GS4's unlocked. No more sim error. International sims confirmed working.
the issue is that not everyone asking has waited 90 days. There's a good number of people that have this phone and are't even using Sprint as their carrier. This is where most of the questions and confusion comes from.. those two groups. Then there are the last two groups... those who have been but (incorrectly flagged as unlocked but no true unlock was performed OTA... and those who are just like me that have unlocked and used the device overseas.
Since there's not a ton of Sprint users that have used their device overseas... after waiting 90 days... and being unlocked properly OTA... we arent seeing lots of posts about success... but they exist. Also, you aren't accounting for when the device's unlock method goes public and Sprint is no longer needed. That's the real goal behind all of the unlock questions. How can the phone be hacked to bypass the sim lock. Then everyone can unlock at their own free will. Then the next project will come... getting the unlocked GS4s working on ATT/TMO(something I've already started working on). If you've been paying attention to the HTC forums.. they have just figured out unlock method without needing Sprints help. This was after 80+ pages of people saying it wasnt possible and failed attempts.
You mention Best Buy devices... is there something in the system not allowing anyone that purchased a phone there to not be unlocked? You mention a first batch of phones maybe working... but my most recent GS4 is 2 weeks old.. so surely thats not from the first batch... yet still unlockable.
@autoprime
so if I want to check if my phone came unlocked as you say one of your many gs4's did. All I would have to do would be to buy an international sim from eBay, or amazon if available and pop it in. Then if I don't get the sim error notification, I am unlocked?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
daniel4653 said:
@autoprime
so if I want to check if my phone came unlocked as you say one of your many gs4's did. All I would have to do would be to buy an international sim from eBay, or amazon if available and pop it in. Then if I don't get the sim error notification, I am unlocked?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
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Click to collapse
none of my phones came unlocked out of the box. they were all unlocked after. then tested with GSM sims... unlock confirmed working. That was my point in responding in this thread... so people knew an unlock was possible.. despite what the OP suggests.
you can use any non-sprint sim card to test if you are unlocked... even AT&T or Tmobile. If you are unlocked.. you wont get a sim card error after booting up with the new sim in. if you get the error, youre not unlocked.
Mod Edit
As long as you are using Straight Talk "AT&T" nothing needs to be unlocked. You are still on AT&T, but just using a high-lag MNVO.
WHICH carrier is your Straight Talk SIM card using? Straight Talk resells service from all four major carriers.
If you're using Straight Talk "T-Mobile", then you've got a problem.
maxgibson said:
I have already pre-ordered Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ for me and my wife, will get it on 29th April. The both phones are from AT&T and I want to ask. Can I unlock them same day for Straight Talk carrier usage? I have a plan with straight talk with a cheap calls so I want to switch to them at the same day. found this this service where S8 already supported for sim unlocking. have somebody used this service before ? just want to be sure before making order there
Mod Edit
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Click to collapse
You probably dont need a pay service or any service at all to sim unlock it. AT&T has a website to unlock phones if they meet the criteria you just enter the info and they unlock it if you qualify.
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/
Should have bought a Verizon model in that case since they come sim unlocked.
They unlock it only if you do not owe any money of the phone
954wrecker said:
You probably dont need a pay service or any service at all to sim unlock it. AT&T has a website to unlock phones if they meet the criteria you just enter the info and they unlock it if you qualify.
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/
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Click to collapse
just a quick experience share. I've tried the service from the first post (Mod Edit). my s8+ was locked with a highest level of encryption (hard locked) by carrier, so delivery time was around 12 hours. price was 26 $ ( 13 $ first charge + 13 $ pending amount for hard locked phone). unlock code worked well from the first try and phone is unlocked now (switched from t-mobile to vodafone because they have better mobile data speed). thanks for the link. cheers
eldar4uk said:
just a quick experience share. I've tried the service from the first post (Mod Edit). my s8+ was locked with a highest level of encryption (hard locked) by carrier, so delivery time was around 12 hours. price was 26 $ ( 13 $ first charge + 13 $ pending amount for hard locked phone). unlock code worked well from the first try and phone is unlocked now (switched from t-mobile to vodafone because they have better mobile data speed). thanks for the link. cheers
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Did you just say t-mobile? They use their own device unlock app right? I wonder how you were able to unlock t-mobile Samsung Galaxy S8.
suyash1629 said:
Did you just say t-mobile? They use their own device unlock app right? I wonder how you were able to unlock t-mobile Samsung Galaxy S8.
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He's using T-Mobile Europe, not T-Mobile USA. Did you not see the Vodafone reference?
ChazzMatt said:
He's using T-Mobile Europe, not T-Mobile USA. Did you not see the Vodafone reference?
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Looks like I skipped that part
suyash1629 said:
Looks like I skipped that part
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Deutsche Telekom is the parent company of T-Mobile and that brand is used in some European countries, besides the U.S. At one point, 13 countries had "T-Mobile".
maxgibson said:
I have already pre-ordered Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ for me and my wife, will get it on 29th April. The both phones are from AT&T and I want to ask. Can I unlock them same day for Straight Talk carrier usage? I have a plan with straight talk with a cheap calls so I want to switch to them at the same day. found this this service where S8 already supported for sim unlocking. have somebody used this service before ? just want to be sure before making order there
Mod Edit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This really sucks for me. I contacted them before ordering sim Unlock for T-Mobile USA. They said since all the services are down for T-Mobile through the official app they are doing it differently where I will have to use an app made by them to enter the unlock code. Everything was fine until today when I got email from them with unlock code and Network Unlock app. I followed there instruction but their app does nothing. its useless, its like a dummy app.
App says "Connecting to server..." while it doesn't even have internet access permission. I checked by disabling the wifi and mobile data, it was still functional (as expected because it had no internet excess) it prompted me to enter unlock code but it does nothing except for saying Permanently Unlocked it literally does nothing else after entering the code. Later on I tried entering wrong codes as well and it would still say Permanently Unlocked. I have sent them multiple emails and messages but no reply yet.
I am guess the unlock code they provided might be correct but there is no way to enter it on phone since it is T-Mobile variant and only Device Unlock App can enter the unlock code.
I bought a ATT version on day one of release and paid full retail at Best buy. Figured I can unlock via their site. Nope, in fact the IMEI # wasn't coming up at all. Kept saying it was not in the system. I called ATT but they couldn't help so I returned it and bought the Verizon version and works fine on Tmo via MintSim. Only bad thing is I have to use desktop software to update since it's not on the Verizon network.
Mod Editis having a 2 day sale 30% off for $13 (vs $19). How can you tell if your phone is "hard locked"?
eldar4uk said:
just a quick experience share. I've tried the service from the first post (samsungsimunlock.com). my s8+ was locked with a highest level of encryption (hard locked) by carrier, so delivery time was around 12 hours. price was 26 $ ( 13 $ first charge + 13 $ pending amount for hard locked phone). unlock code worked well from the first try and phone is unlocked now (switched from t-mobile to vodafone because they have better mobile data speed). thanks for the link. cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
annulation said:
Mod Edit is having a 2 day sale 30% off for $13 (vs $19). How can you tell if your phone is "hard locked"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what they told me as well that New Samsung phones are Hard Locked
gqukyo said:
I bought a ATT version on day one of release and paid full retail at Best buy. Figured I can unlock via their site. Nope, in fact the IMEI # wasn't coming up at all. Kept saying it was not in the system. I called ATT but they couldn't help so I returned it and bought the Verizon version and works fine on Tmo via MintSim. Only bad thing is I have to use desktop software to update since it's not on the Verizon network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm assuming the VZW version is sim unlocked out of the box?
Correct, all their LTE phones are unlocked but they may not have the bands required for whichever provider one is looking to use it on. The S8 has the most bands that I read of the US releases though
Only cost £10 on eBay for a unlock code
I tried androidsimunlock.net who are my usual go to guys and they couldn't do it. So I paid at samsungsimunlock but haven't heard anything back yet. It's been over 12 hours, I've even emailed to follow up but heard nothing.
Anyone else used these guys successfully?
suyash1629 said:
Did you just say t-mobile? They use their own device unlock app right? I wonder how you were able to unlock t-mobile Samsung Galaxy S8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, my phone is from t-mobile. do you mean pre-installed t-mobile device unlock app? I have tried to unlock my phone using that app too but with no success. every time I hit the unlock button the phone just displayed an error.
samsungsimunlock com provided Network Unlock app and after I've completed all steps from the step by step guide it said "your device is permanently unlocked". I've rebooted the phone with my vodafone sim card and the phone accepted it. also I have tried orange and three carrier sim cards, they all are worked well also. 4g/LTE is working well too :victory:
eldar4uk said:
yes, my phone is from t-mobile. do you mean pre-installed t-mobile device unlock app? I have tried to unlock my phone using that app too but with no success. every time I hit the unlock button the phone just displayed an error.
samsungsimunlock com provided Network Unlock app and after I've completed all steps from the step by step guide it said "your device is permanently unlocked". I've rebooted the phone with my vodafone sim card and the phone accepted it. also I have tried orange and three carrier sim cards, they all are worked well also. 4g/LTE is working well too :victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed their steps too but no luck yet. I have no idea why it does not work for me. After I was frustrated I decided crack down their app a little bit. It doesn't have any phone permission, I am guessing it cant put Unlock Code for the phone and the other thing is I tried some random numbers and it still said Permanently Unlocked.
Do you need to have the app installed all the time or is it fine to remove afterwards?
My LG Stylo 2 Plus is carrier locked to T-mobile but my sim chip is with AT&T. I tried using the device unlock app to unlock the carrier but it didn't work with permanent option. Is there a custom Rom i can install that would allow me to use AT&T instead? I am not able to have the carrier unlocked by T-Mobile by normal means.
RemixDeluxe said:
My LG Stylo 2 Plus is carrier locked to T-mobile but my sim chip is with AT&T. I tried using the device unlock app to unlock the carrier but it didn't work with permanent option. Is there a custom Rom i can install that would allow me to use AT&T instead? I am not able to have the carrier unlocked by T-Mobile by normal means.
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Click to collapse
The SIM lock is a different creature. Since you're not a Tmobile customer you'll need to get a third party unlock code...
Sent from my SM-T820 using Tapatalk
Unfortunately no, like the other person said you'd likely have to buy the code to unlock it. To use the unlock app on your phone you usually have to have used 3-6 months (depending on carrier requirement) of service for it to work. If you install a room make sure you keep the app invade you need it later.
Before you buy the code you should call T-Mobile though to see if they can do it for you anyway, sometimes they're cool about it.
You have the same problem I have, except I have the T-Mobile variant. If you still have the device with no major physical damage we could work out a straight trade depending on our shipping costs. I need your variant, you want mine. This is truly a day for lazy Android customization indeed, and First Contact day to boot. Live long and message me.
JakeSnow said:
Unfortunately no, like the other person said you'd likely have to buy the code to unlock it. To use the unlock app on your phone you usually have to have used 3-6 months (depending on carrier requirement) of service for it to work. If you install a room make sure you keep the app invade you need it later.
Before you buy the code you should call T-Mobile though to see if they can do it for you anyway, sometimes they're cool about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called tmobile and gave them my imei # and they shot me an email about an hour later.. (TMobile did) I followed their directions and used TMobile unlock app on phone to get permanete unlock then I rooted with magisk. On metro now and all is good. I paid nothing ...
From personal experience i can tell you that anyone claiming to unlock your phone is scamming you. I had to get my credit card involved to get my $20 back. There are those that will GSM unlock with a computer but the moment you update your FW you'll lose that unlock.
Sprint devices NEVER unlock with a code. If you have a fully paid off device then Sprint will have to legally unlock it for you. You chat with their international team for some reason to get this done.
It's easier if you have a phone active with Sprint. Do not waste your money elsewhere. FYI.
if i dont update firmware it will work fine on gsm?
My LS997 its unlocked(came unlocked) and i have updated 2 times already
saba222 said:
if i dont update firmware it will work fine on gsm?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it is unloced then yes and if the unlock came directly from Sprint!
XsaucerX said:
My LS997 its unlocked(came unlocked) and i have updated 2 times already
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Click to collapse
If it came unlocked then most probably you got a phone that was unlocked by Sprint. You should be fine.
my phone is locked on sprint,do you know any method to unlock it? i wont update fimware
saba222 said:
my phone is locked on sprint,do you know any method to unlock it? i wont update fimware
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Click to collapse
If it is fully paid off with a good ESN then get in touch with Sprint international chat. They will unlock it for you for free.
They said its already unlocked, i bought it from ebay
saba222 said:
They said its already unlocked, i bought it from ebay
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Click to collapse
I don't get it. Are you saying they sold you a phone as "unlocked" but it is still "locked"? Did a GSM SIM card not work?
sprint says it is unlocked for both domestic and international use, but when i put gsm card it says invalid sim
saba222 said:
sprint says it is unlocked for both domestic and international use, but when i put gsm card it says invalid sim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this as it may work. Make sure the GSM SIM card is "live". INsert the GSM Card. Go into settings and System Updates. Update PRL, Profile and then UICC unlock. I had to do it on one of my V20s as Sprint instructed and it worked.
i tried several sims but none of them work
saba222 said:
i tried several sims but none of them work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you have enabled "Developers Options" and set the "OEM Unlock" to "On".
The only way you can truly unlock it is with the UICC unlock. Are you a Sprint customer? That helps. However if you are not and you phone is still fully paid off, go on the following website and initiate a chat:
https://sprintworldwide.custhelp.com/app/chat/chat_launch/
Tell them that you HAVE TO get it unlocked and ask them to reset and refresh the unlocking process from their end. I had to do this with an LG X Power. They made me wait for almost 10 minutes after which my phone rebooted by itself after they reset it. Once I restarted the phone and connected to wifi, I was able to UICC unlock it. Good Luck!
HD2FORNICK said:
Make sure you have enabled "Developers Options" and set the "OEM Unlock" to "On".
The only way you can truly unlock it is with the UICC unlock. Are you a Sprint customer? That helps. However if you are not and you phone is still fully paid off, go on the following website and initiate a chat:
https://sprintworldwide.custhelp.com/app/chat/chat_launch/
Tell them that you HAVE TO get it unlocked and ask them to reset and refresh the unlocking process from their end. I had to do this with an LG X Power. They made me wait for almost 10 minutes after which my phone rebooted by itself after they reset it. Once I restarted the phone and connected to wifi, I was able to UICC unlock it. Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried this the other night and they told me the online team no longer has authorization to do unlock.
Nickvanexel said:
I tried this the other night and they told me the online team no longer has authorization to do unlock.
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Click to collapse
That is BS on Sprint's part. I just helped my niece UICC unlock her V30 literally yesterday using that same link I provided. You have to keep trying and be patient with them.
Also, being a "current" Sprint customer helps. I just tell them I have to travel to places where Sprint offers spotty coverage and I don't want to lose my customers. YMMV!
HD2FORNICK said:
That is BS on Sprint's part. I just helped my niece UICC unlock her V30 literally yesterday using that same link I provided. You have to keep trying and be patient with them.
Also, being a "current" Sprint customer helps. I just tell them I have to travel to places where Sprint offers spotty coverage and I don't want to lose my customers. YMMV!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Spotty coverage isn't even a lie for me. I had a couple sprint phones. My house is in a absolute dead zone and my whole area is spotty at best, unless im smack dab in the middle of town not one bar. Im on the west coast and looking at theyre coverage map their network is almost non existent.
I don't have a sprint account period though. My other phones were on Sprint mvnos and like i said i bought this phone used and obviously have no contact with the seller. Sprint wants account pin. I don't know why they can't just keep resending the signal until its unlocked.
I asked on their support forum and the rep said when the phone becomes eligible for unlock they automatically send signal to unlock it once. If the phone is roaming or off at the time they sent the signal your sol.
saba222 said:
my phone is locked on sprint,do you know any method to unlock it? i wont update fimware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For all XDA User I can Unlock your Lg V20 from sprint for only 15usd
rich27a said:
For all XDA User I can Unlock your Lg V20 from sprint for only 15usd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Proof?
saba222 said:
sprint says it is unlocked for both domestic and international use, but when i put gsm card it says invalid sim
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Click to collapse
OK I forgot to add that when you chat on the link I provided before, ask them to Lock the phone again and then Unlock it. That should work 100%.
HD2FORNICK said:
OK I forgot to add that when you chat on the link I provided before, ask them to Lock the phone again and then Unlock it. That should work 100%.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am not sprint customer and i live outside u.s, it didnt work
---------- Post added at 07:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:30 PM ----------
Can you provide me infro of guy who temporary unlocked your phone?
Alright, got a pretty wacky situation here. Trying to see if anyone has any ideas of how to fix this.
I bought an S10+ Verizon firmware from Swappa a few days ago. I intended to use it with T-Mobile. Good deal, good transaction, all good right? Wrong...
It was my understanding that most Verizon phones were unlocked and that I could just flash the Unlocked or T-Mobile firmware to get full T-Mobile functionality.
On receiving the phone I got a "This phone is locked, contact Verizon at etc etc" message. I shrugged and flashed it over to unlocked firmware, where I was met with an "Invalid SIM card. Network locked SIM card inserted." and "PIN to unlock SIM service provider" window. So the phone was locked. Here's my troubleshooting steps from there.
Contacted Verizon support online. They said they lock all their phones for 60 days now as of late July. I said I'd bought it used, they said it had been bought at Walmart recently and there was nothing they could do.
Contacted the seller. He gave me his proof of purchase that the phone was bought new from Samsung.com back in March. I used a site to check the IMEI and the phone was legit from March, and not reported stolen or sketchy at all. Samsung.com specifically says they don't lock their phones and it was well before the 60 day policy anyway.
Contacted Verizon support where they said the phone was purchased as a Verizon phone so it can't be used with other networks. I should sign up for Verizon to enjoy all the features of my phone ? ....and also have it activated on the network so it could be cleared and unlocked. Alright...
I took the phone to a Verizon store where they put an active Verizon SIM in it. Verizon SIM worked great, T-Mobile still had an unlock code. The employee was confused and said they've never entered an Unlock PIN before so he sent me to corporate Verizon support store they had nearby.
Corporate Verizon store was a ton more helpful and the guy called up their god-tier upper support guys. Those guys took over an hour fiddling with things and along the way determined that the phone and it's IMEI were all clear, not stolen, and unlocked. The previous owner had a clean account and was in good standing. The store guy said he'd never seen anything like this and in his four years he'd never entered a SIM pin before. They additionally made sure I hadn't accidentally encrypted my SIM with a pin (I hadn't) and that all the default Verizon 000000, 123456, and 111111 codes weren't going to work. They recommended I contact Samsung support.
Samsung support thought I was an idiot and said that all the phones sold on their storefront are locked and I should contact Verizon to get it unlocked. I tried explaining all of the above but it was like talking to a brick wall.
So what have I tried?
Flashed the phone from Verizon to Unlocked to T-Mobile to Unlocked firmware using Frija and patched Odin. Verizon firmware throws a "contact Verizon" message and sometimes a code window, unlocked gives me code window, and T-Mobile just says it's locked and doesn't give me anything.
I have tried Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile SIMs from my friends. T-Mobile and AT&T work for a couple minutes completely normally on reboot. Connection establishes, data, text, and calls come in. Then it locks up and doesn't work. Verizon SIM works entirely normally, but doesn't unlock phone even after being left in for an hour.
Going forward I am going to try
Ask the internet for help. I've googled the living daylights out of this problem and I can't find anyone in my situation. Help?
[\LIST]
Flash the phone back to Verizon firmware. Perhaps the unlock mechanism works somewhere in the firmware and only when it's connected to the Verizon network. Take it to the store, have them pop a Verizon SIM in for a bit, and hope for the best. Flashing from Unlocked to VZW firmware isn't working right now for some odd reason though. It's going back to TMB instead and I'm confused about that to.
[\LIST]
Figure out how to get non-incompetent support out of Verizon (though I've mostly gotten there already) or Samsung and see if someone can help me. When I had to unlock my T-Mobile S8 I bought from Samsung, the IMEI numbers weren't passed to T-Mobile so the regular support people said it was impossible. Eventually I got in contact with someone who broke me out of idiot-land and directly contacted a network engineer who solved the problem in less than 10 minutes. Maybe I can find a network engineer at Verizon?
I could use a sketchy SIM unlock website. Is there any not-sketchy ones?
There's an XDA thread for S10+ U & U1 updates by the mod ibowtoandroid. I believe he has an unlock service that's legit but apparently not cheap. If you read through that thread you might find information helpful for your situation. But if you post a question that was previously answered you will likely be told to read through the thread even though the person who tells you that could have actually answered your question in the same amount of time. It's not the friendliest thread but you might find your answer.
There is a lot of discussion about switching carrier firmware. Since your phone shows up as locked by Verizon even though it shouldn't be you might need to use a Verizon SIM for 48 hours before the phone will revert back to unlocked status--at the time your phone was originally purchased it was necessary to use a Verizon SIM on their branded phones for 48 hours before they could be switched to another carrier.
It's possible you got that message when you purchased your phone because the 48 hour clock started over for some reason but that's only a guess--the ibowtoandroid guy is far more knowledgeable since he actually has a business that unlocks phones.
Are you sure the person who you bought your phone from actually unlocked it before selling it to you? Even if the phone shows up as a device that should be unlocked the previous owner who had the Verizon service might have needed to call Verizon to verify the phone's unlock status before selling it.
Sometimes people accidentally relock these phones when flashing carrier firmware. It doesn't sound like you did that based on your description but if the previous owner flashed firmware to completely reset the phone instead of just performing a factory reset he might have accidentally relocked your phone on the software end.
based on wat ur saying the phone definitely seems to b carrier locked. I got an A50 from verizon and it does the same ecact thing..
theres services online you can use or some boxes have methods as well.. my tmo a10e for example was locked but chimera tool has a neat feature called carrier relock.. it essentially locks it to up to 64 carriers instead of actually unlocking the sim..
one thing i suggest tho is dont try to do it urself unless ur a seasoned expert lol.. i tried on a n976v and after a few harmless at commands it completely killed my imei and cert and mipi etc etc
camwow13 said:
Alright, got a pretty wacky situation here. Trying to see if anyone has any ideas of how to fix this.
I bought an S10+ Verizon firmware from Swappa a few days ago. I intended to use it with T-Mobile. Good deal, good transaction, all good right? Wrong...
It was my understanding that most Verizon phones were unlocked and that I could just flash the Unlocked or T-Mobile firmware to get full T-Mobile functionality.
On receiving the phone I got a "This phone is locked, contact Verizon at etc etc" message. I shrugged and flashed it over to unlocked firmware, where I was met with an "Invalid SIM card. Network locked SIM card inserted." and "PIN to unlock SIM service provider" window. So the phone was locked. Here's my troubleshooting steps from there.
Contacted Verizon support online. They said they lock all their phones for 60 days now as of late July. I said I'd bought it used, they said it had been bought at Walmart recently and there was nothing they could do.
Contacted the seller. He gave me his proof of purchase that the phone was bought new from Samsung.com back in March. I used a site to check the IMEI and the phone was legit from March, and not reported stolen or sketchy at all. Samsung.com specifically says they don't lock their phones and it was well before the 60 day policy anyway.
Contacted Verizon support where they said the phone was purchased as a Verizon phone so it can't be used with other networks. I should sign up for Verizon to enjoy all the features of my phone ? ....and also have it activated on the network so it could be cleared and unlocked. Alright...
I took the phone to a Verizon store where they put an active Verizon SIM in it. Verizon SIM worked great, T-Mobile still had an unlock code. The employee was confused and said they've never entered an Unlock PIN before so he sent me to corporate Verizon support store they had nearby.
Corporate Verizon store was a ton more helpful and the guy called up their god-tier upper support guys. Those guys took over an hour fiddling with things and along the way determined that the phone and it's IMEI were all clear, not stolen, and unlocked. The previous owner had a clean account and was in good standing. The store guy said he'd never seen anything like this and in his four years he'd never entered a SIM pin before. They additionally made sure I hadn't accidentally encrypted my SIM with a pin (I hadn't) and that all the default Verizon 000000, 123456, and 111111 codes weren't going to work. They recommended I contact Samsung support.
Samsung support thought I was an idiot and said that all the phones sold on their storefront are locked and I should contact Verizon to get it unlocked. I tried explaining all of the above but it was like talking to a brick wall.
So what have I tried?
Flashed the phone from Verizon to Unlocked to T-Mobile to Unlocked firmware using Frija and patched Odin. Verizon firmware throws a "contact Verizon" message and sometimes a code window, unlocked gives me code window, and T-Mobile just says it's locked and doesn't give me anything.
I have tried Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile SIMs from my friends. T-Mobile and AT&T work for a couple minutes completely normally on reboot. Connection establishes, data, text, and calls come in. Then it locks up and doesn't work. Verizon SIM works entirely normally, but doesn't unlock phone even after being left in for an hour.
Going forward I am going to try
Ask the internet for help. I've googled the living daylights out of this problem and I can't find anyone in my situation. Help?
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Flash the phone back to Verizon firmware. Perhaps the unlock mechanism works somewhere in the firmware and only when it's connected to the Verizon network. Take it to the store, have them pop a Verizon SIM in for a bit, and hope for the best. Flashing from Unlocked to VZW firmware isn't working right now for some odd reason though. It's going back to TMB instead and I'm confused about that to.
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Figure out how to get non-incompetent support out of Verizon (though I've mostly gotten there already) or Samsung and see if someone can help me. When I had to unlock my T-Mobile S8 I bought from Samsung, the IMEI numbers weren't passed to T-Mobile so the regular support people said it was impossible. Eventually I got in contact with someone who broke me out of idiot-land and directly contacted a network engineer who solved the problem in less than 10 minutes. Maybe I can find a network engineer at Verizon?
I could use a sketchy SIM unlock website. Is there any not-sketchy ones?
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hi, did you manage to solve the problem? mine S10 also asks for an unlock code 5 minutes after turning it on.
wwwxxx1982 said:
hi, did you manage to solve the problem? mine S10 also asks for an unlock code 5 minutes after turning it on.
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Hello!
Yes I did solve the situation! Here's the steps that I used to unlock my Verizon Galaxy S10+
I had changed the firmware to unlocked firmware using Odin and Freya. This was premature.
Verizon does not do unlock codes. You need to have the Verizon firmware on the phone, a Verizon SIM card from a friend, access to the Verizon account, and like an hour of spare time.
Pop the Verizon SIM into your phone, you can get them from a friend, convince a Verizon store guy to help ya out, or just pay a few bucks for a prepaid plan. The phone has to be on the Verizon network for this to work.
Call up Verizon technical support. Tell them you've got a phone to unlock and have been working with their Tier 2 team to square things away. You have to be transferred to Tier 2.
Important to note that Verizon has instigated a 60 day locking policy to prevent theft and whatnot on their network. If the phone was purchased less than 60 days ago and activated on Verizon's network than you're outa luck. You got to wait. If you don't fall under this restriction, you should make sure the support people understand because they'll assume that's what's happening... a lot.
The Tier 2 people generally know what they're doing. They'll verify the device's IMEI and that it hasn't been stolen, is paid off, and that your Verizon account is in good standing. They'll need the PIN access code from the Verizon account holder or a two step verification with another one of their phones.
Once they run the unlock process you should get a text saying the phone is now unlocked. Leave the SIM in for another hour or two to allow the process to complete. I removed the SIM shortly after on the first try and it didn't work so I had to do it again.
After that the phone should be unlocked and you'll be able to flash whatever firmware you want and use it on whichever network. I've got mine running Unlocked firmware on T-Mobile, works great
If you don't have a Verizon S10+ that's locked to Verizon I dunno where to start. Contact the mod ibowtoandroid on here if you get really really stuck. He can get it unlocked but it will cost a ton. He's legit though.
camwow13 said:
Hello!
Yes I did solve the situation! Here's the steps that I used to unlock my Verizon Galaxy S10+
I had changed the firmware to unlocked firmware using Odin and Freya. This was premature.
.
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Click to collapse
thanks, but I upgraded the phone to another firmware with the code XAA and now I can’t get it back to Verezion
camwow13 said:
Hello!
Yes I did solve the situation! Here's the steps that I used to unlock my Verizon Galaxy S10+
I had changed the firmware to unlocked firmware using Odin and Freya. This was premature.
Verizon does not do unlock codes. You need to have the Verizon firmware on the phone, a Verizon SIM card from a friend, access to the Verizon account, and like an hour of spare time.
Pop the Verizon SIM into your phone, you can get them from a friend, convince a Verizon store guy to help ya out, or just pay a few bucks for a prepaid plan. The phone has to be on the Verizon network for this to work.
Call up Verizon technical support. Tell them you've got a phone to unlock and have been working with their Tier 2 team to square things away. You have to be transferred to Tier 2.
Important to note that Verizon has instigated a 60 day locking policy to prevent theft and whatnot on their network. If the phone was purchased less than 60 days ago and activated on Verizon's network than you're outa luck. You got to wait. If you don't fall under this restriction, you should make sure the support people understand because they'll assume that's what's happening... a lot.
The Tier 2 people generally know what they're doing. They'll verify the device's IMEI and that it hasn't been stolen, is paid off, and that your Verizon account is in good standing. They'll need the PIN access code from the Verizon account holder or a two step verification with another one of their phones.
Once they run the unlock process you should get a text saying the phone is now unlocked. Leave the SIM in for another hour or two to allow the process to complete. I removed the SIM shortly after on the first try and it didn't work so I had to do it again.
After that the phone should be unlocked and you'll be able to flash whatever firmware you want and use it on whichever network. I've got mine running Unlocked firmware on T-Mobile, works great
If you don't have a Verizon S10+ that's locked to Verizon I dunno where to start. Contact the mod ibowtoandroid on here if you get really really stuck. He can get it unlocked but it will cost a ton. He's legit though.
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Click to collapse
That was very helpful Thanks. I am pretty sure that my phone has passed that 60 days time frame and the device has a clean IMEI as well but I am not in the US. Do I have to be on the Verizon network or just a Verizon sim will work as well?
Tarar said:
That was very helpful Thanks. I am pretty sure that my phone has passed that 60 days time frame and the device has a clean IMEI as well but I am not in the US. Do I have to be on the Verizon network or just a Verizon sim will work as well?
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Can someone please help?
Tarar said:
Can someone please help?
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if its locked its locked.. meet verizons requirements to have it unlock or pay for a service that can unlock it for you..
theres no easy way to unlock the device.. if there was then itd be posted on xda.. and if it was that easy thered b no point in carriers locking them to begin with
Tarar said:
Can someone please help?
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elliwigy said:
if its locked its locked.. meet verizons requirements to have it unlock or pay for a service that can unlock it for you..
theres no easy way to unlock the device.. if there was then itd be posted on xda.. and if it was that easy thered b no point in carriers locking them to begin with
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Click to collapse
Its actually done through an android app modified by the carrier. The only way to get around it would be to have the carriers unique key as well as the private signing key so you could create your own version. Then you would need a way to modify the system image and successfully install it. After all that there's a good chance there's even more security server side. (Its Verizon, so you know...)
So yes, ultimately it isnt exactly possible.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
jwarrior319 said:
Its actually done through an android app modified by the carrier. The only way to get around it would be to have the carriers unique key as well as the private signing key so you could create your own version. Then you would need a way to modify the system image and successfully install it. After all that there's a good chance there's even more security server side. (Its Verizon, so you know...)
So yes, ultimately it isnt exactly possible.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
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yep.. exactly y i said he needs to unlock via official means or pay for a service.. theres plenty services out there.. of course they most likely have access to servers and some tend to be fairly expensive lol.. outside of that hes sol im afraid.
Sent from my SamPWND N976V or G975U
Verizon needs to unlock your phone if you don't want to pay a third-party service. I don't think you need to have a Verizon SIM inserted for them to unlock the phone as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
jhs39 said:
Verizon needs to unlock your phone if you don't want to pay a third-party service. I don't think you need to have a Verizon SIM inserted for them to unlock the phone as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
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I believe Verizon only unlocks automatically with a sim installed thats had service for 60 days(might be 30 now). I remember seeing someone say they put a friend's Verizon sim in and rebooted and it unlocked for him. I guess they dont verify IMEI to unlock just sim number.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
jhs39 said:
Verizon needs to unlock your phone if you don't want to pay a third-party service. I don't think you need to have a Verizon SIM inserted for them to unlock the phone as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
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I am outside the USA so no way to be on the Verizon network. I will however reinstall the original Verizon firmware and have some one call them for me. Let's see whether that works out or not. Thanks man.
Tarar said:
I am outside the USA so no way to be on the Verizon network. I will however reinstall the original Verizon firmware and have some one call them for me. Let's see whether that works out or not. Thanks man.
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Curious, how did you get a verizon device outside of the country?
To point out, this is the very reason Verizon changed their sim unlocking policy.. to help prevent fraud and theft as they would take vzw devices then sell them for profit to non vzw customers and theyd be unlocked..
Bcuz of this is why they implemented the device needing to be activated on the vzw network and a 60 day period before it will be unlocked.
I dont see them being able to manually override/bypass this as it is policy. That as well as most reps dont even kno the policy and will tell you its unlocked or "verizon doesnt lock devices" which is inaccurate lol
jwarrior319 said:
I believe Verizon only unlocks automatically with a sim installed thats had service for 60 days(might be 30 now). I remember seeing someone say they put a friend's Verizon sim in and rebooted and it unlocked for him. I guess they dont verify IMEI to unlock just sim number.
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Its not based on sim number lol..
elliwigy said:
Its not based on sim number lol..
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So any random Verizon sim thats active and has had service for 60 days or more will unlock it?
If thats the case someone could still make money off them by using there sim before selling it.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
jwarrior319 said:
So any random Verizon sim thats active and has had service for 60 days or more will unlock it?
If thats the case someone could still make money off them by using there sim before selling it.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
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No.. i didnt say that lol.. its not tied to the sim card.. device needs to be active on verizon for 60 days.. i always use my same sim card that ive had for years now in my new devices.. i still had to wait 60 days for it to be sim unlocked..
U cant just pop an old sim in and have it unlock.. the device itself needs to be active 60 days..
When checking if a device is sim unlocked or not u dont put the sim number into the checker, u put the imei.. this is bcuz its tied to the imei/device.. not sim card itself..
What i dont know however is if you only need to activate it once on vzw network or if it needs to remain on vzw the full 60 days.. then again u cant use it on other networks until its unlocked anyways
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
elliwigy said:
No.. i didnt say that lol.. its not tied to the sim card.. device needs to be active on verizon for 60 days.. i always use my same sim card that ive had for years now in my new devices.. i still had to wait 60 days for it to be sim unlocked..
U cant just pop an old sim in and have it unlock.. the device itself needs to be active 60 days..
When checking if a device is sim unlocked or not u dont put the sim number into the checker, u put the imei.. this is bcuz its tied to the imei/device.. not sim card itself..
What i dont know however is if you only need to activate it once on vzw network or if it needs to remain on vzw the full 60 days.. then again u cant use it on other networks until its unlocked anyways
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
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Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
---------- Post added at 02:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:20 AM ----------
elliwigy said:
No.. i didnt say that lol.. its not tied to the sim card.. device needs to be active on verizon for 60 days.. i always use my same sim card that ive had for years now in my new devices.. i still had to wait 60 days for it to be sim unlocked..
U cant just pop an old sim in and have it unlock.. the device itself needs to be active 60 days..
When checking if a device is sim unlocked or not u dont put the sim number into the checker, u put the imei.. this is bcuz its tied to the imei/device.. not sim card itself..
What i dont know however is if you only need to activate it once on vzw network or if it needs to remain on vzw the full 60 days.. then again u cant use it on other networks until its unlocked anyways
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
Urbbs said:
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
---------- Post added at 02:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:20 AM ----------
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
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Click to collapse
That's exactly what I said lmao.. u need to activate it on vzw then wait 60 days and it will be unlocked..
A quick Google search you can easily find vzw unlock policy:
https://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy