[HELP] How to Unlock Dual Sim Samsung S8 SM-G950FD? - Samsung Galaxy S8 Questions and Answers

Hi XDA,
I was wondering if there is a way to unlock/openline both sim card slot in other networks.
My Samsung s8 is lock in Smart carrier network here in Philippines.
I am aware of the flashing but i not a tech guy so I might need step by step procedure and the resources needed to do so because i do not know which firmware to use and to be sure not to kill my phone. Hehe
I searched for openline precedures for SM-G950FD variant here but no luck what i found are for other variants.
Hope you can help me.
Thanks in advance!

Have you tried contacting your network carrier to do the unlocking for you?
As a side note, I don't recommend trying to unlock this phone via unlocking codes as Dual SIM devices are usually problematic when it comes to this sort of unlocking.

RossTeagan said:
Have you tried contacting your network carrier to do the unlocking for you?
As a side note, I don't recommend trying to unlock this phone via unlocking codes as Dual SIM devices are usually problematic when it comes to this sort of unlocking.
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Click to collapse
Sorry but I dont not recall that there are such services offered in our network carriers here, thats why people like me we seek help in forums and service shop that dont have 100% asurance of good result.
Thats to bad, so i will be unable to use the 2nd sim card slot anymore but can still use it as memory card slot? Anyways thats fine with me because 2nd sim card slot is also locked in the same carrier.
I dont know the point of locking both sim card slot, what would i even do with the 2 sim card with the same network? Hahahaha

up on this one. thanks

Networks lock the whole device, so they don't care if the device at hand is a single or dual SIM.
However, this becomes an issue only when trying to unlock the phone by unlocking codes. But, bear in mind that you could still unlock the phone but by other means. You could try an unlock via USB in your local phone repair shop.
You have to try.
Also, can you let me know where are you trying to use this phone (with what SIM card)?

RossTeagan said:
Networks lock the whole device, so they don't care if the device at hand is a single or dual SIM.
However, this becomes an issue only when trying to unlock the phone by unlocking codes. But, bear in mind that you could still unlock the phone but by other means. You could try an unlock via USB in your local phone repair shop.
You have to try.
Also, can you let me know where are you trying to use this phone (with what SIM card)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright! I should just unlock it as a whole.
Is there a way i could just do it myself, i dont really trust those repair shop because of bad experience.
I am new to this unlock thing but i rooted several phones way back and flash in odin, so i think i might able do it.
The phone is Smart Communications locked an i also want to use it in Globe Telecoms.

Check other forum threads, I am sure you will find information on how to do it yourself.

Smart said that the 2nd sim slot is open to all networks as long as you have sim 1 as smart or sun. I emailed their support. So it may be trustworthy. Have you tried yet?

how did you resolve this problem sir? i have the same scenario but the difference is my phone is globe locked and i want it unlocked to use smart i have the code for unlocking the sim and when i did unlocked it i can use different sims now but the problem is i cannot use the data. it is greyed out. any inputs?

Related

Problem with unlocking Rogers x10a

Hi all, I'm new here and before I tell you the problem, I appreciate all the info on these forums and the work that is put into everything. Thank you in advance.
So, I have a locked Rogers branded X10a, and I was unable to get the SIM unlock pin. So, I got the network unlock code, but whatever sim I put in, the screen always reads "no sim card" in the phone and then the activating screen loads and continues to load forever. Under settings (without a sim in the phone), there is the option for sim unlock pin, but that is the code that I am unable to get after numerous tries on different sites.
How can I get to the screen to enter the sim network unlock code if the phone in not recognizing any sim cards that I put in? Btw, I'm using AT&T. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the length of this post and thank you.
I had similar issue my w580i. I had it after putting the unlocking code it stop recoganising SIM, havn't solution till now
Did you try using a different Rogers sim?
I don't have a rogers SIM, only AT&T. I bought the phone locked and just figured I would be able to get an unlock code like all the other phones I've had before, but no dice.
Check your pm
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
I just tried to put in my deactivated Rogers SIM card from long time ago, and I am also getting "No SIM Card" ... Not sure if your problem has anything to do with Rogers Wireless used to be "Rogers AT&T" before
If you have any friends has SIM card from different carriers, try to put those in and see if you experience "No SIM Card" issue.
Regards
Mabye it does.. I'll try and find someone with a Tmobile sim I guess.. thanks for the advice though..
Please keep me updated on this, I'm trying to unlock my X10, I got the code from cellunlock.net through the manufacturer and keeps telling me after I enter the code that it was unsuccessful.
I still can't unlock my phone either but I'm not sure about the SIM unlock code you're talking about. Are you talking about the IMEI? or the actual code that's used to unlock the phone? I've tried Mobileincanada.com but they couldn't unlock my phone and gave me a refund and I'm still waiting for this dealer on ebay. Good luck dude, keep us posted
junkk29 said:
I still can't unlock my phone either but I'm not sure about the SIM unlock code you're talking about. Are you talking about the IMEI? or the actual code that's used to unlock the phone? I've tried Mobileincanada.com but they couldn't unlock my phone and gave me a refund and I'm still waiting for this dealer on ebay. Good luck dude, keep us posted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got an unlock code, www.cellunlock.net
Make sure to pick the Sony Ericsson Manufacturer code it's 34.99 but well worth it. It works now.
the manufacturer unlock code is the one I got, but I just don't get the option to put it in because the phone doesn't recognize the AT&T sims that I've put into it...
Jikenda said:
the manufacturer unlock code is the one I got, but I just don't get the option to put it in because the phone doesn't recognize the AT&T sims that I've put into it...
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Click to collapse
How old are the sim cards? If they are old, get new ones. Also, try re-installing the firmware through seus and then putting in your sim card. I never had that issue, I just had a hard time finding the code.
I had a real old one from cingular, but then I just went to AT&T and got a brand new one, but same issue. I'll try updating and see if that helps, but will the phone update without a valid sim inserted?
Jikenda said:
Hi all, I'm new here and before I tell you the problem, I appreciate all the info on these forums and the work that is put into everything. Thank you in advance.
So, I have a locked Rogers branded X10a, and I was unable to get the SIM unlock pin. So, I got the network unlock code, but whatever sim I put in, the screen always reads "no sim card" in the phone and then the activating screen loads and continues to load forever. Under settings (without a sim in the phone), there is the option for sim unlock pin, but that is the code that I am unable to get after numerous tries on different sites.
How can I get to the screen to enter the sim network unlock code if the phone in not recognizing any sim cards that I put in? Btw, I'm using AT&T. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the length of this post and thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had that same problem. Call AT&T or go to your AT&T account online and get the PUK number. Also, did you call AT&T and told them you have a new phone? They need your phone's new IMEI number.
RumpleStealthSkin said:
I had that same problem. Call AT&T or go to your AT&T account online and get the PUK number. Also, did you call AT&T and told them you have a new phone? They need your phone's new IMEI number.
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Click to collapse
I'm sorry, what is the PUK number for and also, why does AT&T need my IMEI number? I mean, the phone is still locked to rogers right now regardless, right?
Lots of noob questions, sorry.
Also, i already spoke to AT&T, Rogers and Sony Ericsson about the issue, but none of them are any help of course. The PUK did nothing for me either. I feel like I am running out of options here...
welcome to the club
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=717414&highlight=phone+stuck
so far no solution
So, I tried repairing through PC Companion and then I also ran the update and go the newest firmware installed now, but still same problem. Phone does not recognize the AT&T when inserted and therefore, no option to enter the network unlock code. Any others have any luck/make any progress??
wow... i guess i'm in the club as well. I just got back from the Rogers store and they wouldn't let me replace the phone anymore. I've bought the manufacturer's code which is suppose to work 100% but it didn't...so desperate
Sorry to hear that...
You said the code you got didn't work? In what way? did you try to get a refund by providing video evidence?
On a side note, does anyone know how to access a keypad on the x10 that enables you to imput the left arrow, *, * left arrow method to input the code? I realize I need to have a valid rogers sim inserted in order for this to work, but I do not see how to input the arrow keys. Any suggestions? As I've said, I'm new to android and to a device with no physical keyboard, so maybe this is very simple...
thanks and good luck to others in the same spot as me right now..

LG Optimus Unlock -- Strange Security?

Hey guys, strange problem:
Got a Telus LG Optimus 7. Want to unlock it to Rogers. Got the unlock code, however when I use my Rogers SIM the Optimus asks for a 'PUK' number.
Long story short, I called Rogers, they gave me the PUK for my SIM. When I enter it I get 'SIM Error'. So I went to a Rogers store and got a new SIM card with a new PUK--same error. Tried someone else's Roger's SIM--still asks for PUK.
I called around, no one has any idea what's going on. Google can barely help. Telus tells me I have to pay $50 to get it off their network, but I can't trust the rep knew what the problem was and they won't just give me an unlock code I already have. A 'cell phone repair shop' tells me LG phones are impossible to unlock anyway (? really?). So my question is:
How do I unlock this phone? What kind of security is this (could the PUK refer to someother other than a SIM's PUK)? Anyone have experience unlocking a Telus Optimus? Can I flash this thing and see if it'll bypass the PUK part?
Any help would be deeply appreciated. Other wise I have to try and resell this phone.
So, I re-flashed the phone anyway, just to see if it works.
Now it's a little different. Now it asks for a PUK and once I enter that it tells me to create a PIN. When I do it says SIM ERROR! So while I can get a little farther it still errors out!
I've tried both the Telus flash and the Mexico flash.
So if it's not the firmware, what could be causing this?!
PIN & PUK security depends on SIM card functionality, in this case phone software is transparent and does not verify PIN. IMHO it looks like incompatibility between SIM card and WP7 phone or strange configured SIM card. Try on another non-WP7 phone, maybe if you set or disable PIN code card will function on WP7 phone.
Thanks for the tip elektryk. I think you're on to something.
I have tried the SIM in a non-WP7 phone. It works fine. I put it in both an iPhone and BB. Using the iPhone I created a PIN then tried the Optimus. It now asks for a SIM pin--which I input, then goes back to the PUK screen which still fails.
It seems to be a very strange incompatibility with the SIM, even though I've read reports of Telus Optimus being unlocked for Rogers SIMs.
Bad luck I suppose?
I have exactly the same problem. I put a SIM with PIN security enabled, and after I enter the correct PIN requests the PUK!! and if I disable the PIN secure, request inmediatly for the PUK. The Phone say: Your phone is Blocked. Contact the Service provider for an unlock code.--- the only problem is that I don't use the AT&T service, so I can't contact them!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!
Fabian, I could not find a way around the problem so I sold the phone. Luckily there was another e900h which was unlocked for sale. The guy followed the same steps I did but it never asked for a PUK. Weird how some phones do and others don't (especially considering both phones were from the same provider).
EDIT: Hey, try this, see if it works: Try without sim card for enter the unlock code. and type 2945#*900# for enter the unlock menu
BakedGoodsX said:
Fabian, I could not find a way around the problem so I sold the phone. Luckily there was another e900h which was unlocked for sale. The guy followed the same steps I did but it never asked for a PUK. Weird how some phones do and others don't (especially considering both phones were from the same provider).
EDIT: Hey, try this, see if it works: Try without sim card for enter the unlock code. and type 2945#*900# for enter the unlock menu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, start the phone without sim card, but no unlock code required, no where to type.
I've a E900h where none of the 5 unlock codes provided worked for some reason. Haven't ask for PUK yet but lost as to what to do right now.
Typing 2945#*900# just produces a failed msg - top left hand corner is a file icon with lock on the left.
In our country ones you buy a sim from network provider.
they give us a card with a PUK code for the sim we buy.
Try to contact your service provider.
Unlock codes is For unlocking SIm Only.
you can switch different SIM f u have unlock codes.
it is different with SIm Pin Code.
You can get Ur PUK Code to your service Provider.
what country were u from??
PRESS THANKS IF I HELP!!

Urgent AT&T network problem: Atrix 4G Android

I am urgently in need of someone who can solve this network problem I have been having. Right now I can not access any mobile network with this phone.
I am using an Atrix 4g unlocked and rooted.
Basically, my problem is that my phone has been asking me for a "SIM network unlock PIN" every since my time in Italy.
I recently went to Italy 2 weeks ago, and came back yesterday. On my first day in Italy I bought an Italian SIM card from the Mobile Network company Tre, a company similar to AT&T. When I replaced my AT&T network card with the Tre one, it asked for the SIM network unlock pin. Seeing that I did not have a code on me at the time, and after trying several numbers given to my by Tre, I replaced the tre card with my original AT&T SIM card. I later learned that my phone was not international and I unfortunately did not call AT&T ahead to unlock it, causing the phone to lock network access. I learned that this is a security feature in case your phone is stolen.
I'm asking for your help because I spent literally over an hour with tier one and tier two support of both AT&T and Motorola technical support all telling me the same BS.
Before calling any support numbers, I went to an AT&T branch, and I told them the situation. They replaced my AT&T SIM card with a new one, yet the phone still asked for the SIM network unlock PIN. They then told me to call support and ask them about a subsidy unlock code. AT&T phone support gave me multiple codes to unlock the phone, but none of them worked. All of the SIM and IMEP numbers on the phone were correct in their systems too. After telling me exactly the same thing as tier 1 support, AT&T tier 2 then transferred me to common Motorola support tier 1 support. Motorola only told me to hard reset the phone, which I do multiple times every time I update your firmware anyway. The last hard reset I did to my device was literally 30 minutes before I called technical support. They then told me that the only thing I could do is to replace the phone under warranty with either motorola or AT&T.
However, I am in a pickel becuase my phone is completly unlocked, rooted, has CFW/kernel, etc...and I think that wards the warranty.
I have been using this same firmware ever since I got this phone during the last summer, and it has been working perfectly. After I put in the Italian SIM card, the network locks. I have no where else to turn but to an expert here on xda.
Is there anything I can do? The only thing I can think of is to tell my story to a nonobservant AT&T guy over at a store and ask him to replace it. However, I don't know what would happen if they found out my phone is unlocked and they gave me a new phone under warranty before realizing this...
Thanks
eurosport360 said:
I am urgently in need of someone who can solve this network problem I have been having. Right now I can not access any mobile network with this phone.
I am using an Atrix 4g unlocked and rooted.
Basically, my problem is that my phone has been asking me for a "SIM network unlock PIN" every since my time in Italy.
I recently went to Italy 2 weeks ago, and came back yesterday. On my first day in Italy I bought an Italian SIM card from the Mobile Network company Tre, a company similar to AT&T. When I replaced my AT&T network card with the Tre one, it asked for the SIM network unlock pin. Seeing that I did not have a code on me at the time, and after trying several numbers given to my by Tre, I replaced the tre card with my original AT&T SIM card. I later learned that my phone was not international and I unfortunately did not call AT&T ahead to unlock it, causing the phone to lock network access. I learned that this is a security feature in case your phone is stolen.
I'm asking for your help because I spent literally over an hour with tier one and tier two support of both AT&T and Motorola technical support all telling me the same BS.
Before calling any support numbers, I went to an AT&T branch, and I told them the situation. They replaced my AT&T SIM card with a new one, yet the phone still asked for the SIM network unlock PIN. They then told me to call support and ask them about a subsidy unlock code. AT&T phone support gave me multiple codes to unlock the phone, but none of them worked. All of the SIM and IMEP numbers on the phone were correct in their systems too. After telling me exactly the same thing as tier 1 support, AT&T tier 2 then transferred me to common Motorola support tier 1 support. Motorola only told me to hard reset the phone, which I do multiple times every time I update your firmware anyway. The last hard reset I did to my device was literally 30 minutes before I called technical support. They then told me that the only thing I could do is to replace the phone under warranty with either motorola or AT&T.
However, I am in a pickel becuase my phone is completly unlocked, rooted, has CFW/kernel, etc...and I think that wards the warranty.
I have been using this same firmware ever since I got this phone during the last summer, and it has been working perfectly. After I put in the Italian SIM card, the network locks. I have no where else to turn but to an expert here on xda.
Is there anything I can do? The only thing I can think of is to tell my story to a nonobservant AT&T guy over at a store and ask him to replace it. However, I don't know what would happen if they found out my phone is unlocked and they gave me a new phone under warranty before realizing this...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, perm SIM locked.
Pretty sure that has to go back to the manufacturer to be fixed, if it can be fixed at all.
Just go ask for a replacement, they shouldn't be able to unlock it anyways.
Longcat14 said:
Ahh, perm SIM locked.
Pretty sure that has to go back to the manufacturer to be fixed, if it can be fixed at all.
Just go ask for a replacement, they shouldn't be able to unlock it anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the reply.
However, two things:
1) I thought it might be permanent, but I was not sure. Back in Italy I remember the phone giving me a certain number of try's, so I now that I think of it I might have exceeded that, causing it to perm lock. Is there any other way in telling if it's perm locked?
2) Also, one of my concerns is that AT&T will see that my phone is unlocked and rooted and all of that, thus warding the warranty and the replacement. I'm thinking that maybe after I give them this phone and I get a new one, they look at the old phone in the future and will see that its rooted and unlocked. Is this possible or what?
eurosport360 said:
thanks for the reply.
However, two things:
1) I thought it might be permanent, but I was not sure. Back in Italy I remember the phone giving me a certain number of try's, so I now that I think of it I might have exceeded that, causing it to perm lock. Is there any other way in telling if it's perm locked?
2) Also, one of my concerns is that AT&T will see that my phone is unlocked and rooted and all of that, thus warding the warranty and the replacement. I'm thinking that maybe after I give them this phone and I get a new one, they look at the old phone in the future and will see that its rooted and unlocked. Is this possible or what?
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Click to collapse
1) Just putting your sim card in and having the phone not respond pretty much sums up the sim lock.
2) I would at least revert the phone back to stock. AFAIK, unlocking the bootloader burned some sort of efuse so returning it back to a true factory state is "technically" impossible, but I do remember seeing that you could at least relock(?) and removed the unlocked notification at boot. I believe you should still be able to access the phone even when the sim has been locked, just start it without a sim card in place. If you can bring it back to an AT&T build, I think you'll be okay if you're still under warranty.
Just remember that next time you travel, either have an unlocked GSM phone or get a sim subsidy code from the carrier that the phone is linked to.
Would getting a code from cellunlock.net work? Or is their code the same as the ones given to me by AT&T tech support?
AT&T tech support gave me three '8 digit numbers', which were randomly generated. None of those worked. DO you think a cellunlock number would work?
Also, I am reading up on some forums saying that people in my situation (who's phone does not accept any SIM card and still askes for the code), can get the phone to accept some codes by reverting to stock firmware and radio. This is by .sbf though....
If things haven't changed, I believe the sim subsidy unlock would only clear the phone for the next foreign sim card placed in the phone whereas a real unlock code would completely unlock the code. Once your phone has been locked though, I don't think that code will be of use anymore.
It wouldn't hurt to try to sbf back to a stock build provided you follow the proper instructions to not get the x1000 hard bricks. Aside from trying that, I would think your best bet would be to just get the phone exchanged under warranty.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
SIM lock
Looks like you have locked your SIM. Since you have rooted your phone you voided your warranty , best bet is look for SIM unlock code from online probably ebay will give you cheaper options, try them if worked great if not then there is a tool to root/unroot any android device, I will post the download link once i find. restore the device to factory settings if it permits and unroot back . then claim for replacement.
Hi i just unlock my device after hours of investigation. You have to change the baseband. Here is what you have to do. Flash the baseband to the ones from brazil (search in google sbf not the zip ones), after the process you can put it back to the usa at&t radio. Ones you change to tha brazil radio (wipe always before changes radio), put one sim card of another provider and voila, the code will work. You need to have your phone with no registration of motoblur at all.
I hope it will help you.
Enviado desde mi MB860 usando Tapatalk 2
kemoli said:
Hi i just unlock my device after hours of investigation. You have to change the baseband. Here is what you have to do. Flash the baseband to the ones from brazil (search in google sbf not the zip ones), after the process you can put it back to the usa at&t radio. Ones you change to tha brazil radio (wipe always before changes radio), put one sim card of another provider and voila, the code will work. You need to have your phone with no registration of motoblur at all.
I hope it will help you.
Enviado desde mi MB860 usando Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey this metod works with an lg p930 too?

What is that "UICC Unlock" menu item?

It is in the software update are? What does it relate to in S4?
General info in UICC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UICC
It deals with the GSM SIM card.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
cellfreak said:
It deals with the GSM SIM card.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you be more specific?
sim card
Sprint rep said you can lock your sim. So it cant be used by someone else.
---------- Post added at 12:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:28 AM ----------
The UICC are Sprint cards they are not like the AT&T SIM cards. But they both can have PIN locks put on them to keep your data on them a little safer.
cellfreak said:
Sprint rep said you can lock your sim. So it cant be used by someone else.
---------- Post added at 12:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:28 AM ----------
The UICC are Sprint cards they are not like the AT&T SIM cards. But they both can have PIN locks put on them to keep your data on them a little safer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for info
any info on how to lock it??
alexd51 said:
any info on how to lock it??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow.. this is sort of an old thread for google to be leading me to.. but uh... i think everyone here has a total missunderstanding of Sprint's SIM cards... They're UICC... Which, I guess some people on here already can see that it is. But, what they don't seem to understand, is that this style of SIM card does NOT contain ANY personal information about you... there is NO NEED TO LOCK IT... because its ALREADY LOCKED... UICC SIM cards, are simply there to give you access to LTE, nothing more, nothing less. They have a 'personalized code' that is linked to your device, and will ONLY work on that device. You CAN NOT take the SIM card, and put it into another device, even if its the same exact model, and expect it to work. They are locked to your device PERMANENTLY. No ifs, ands, or buts. You can however, unlock your DEVICE to work with other SIM cards. So yes, you CAN put an AT&T SIM card into the phone, and have it work, but ONLY if your DEVICE is unlocked by the carrier and thus be allowed to access other networks. Though, I'm pretty sure you have to get a UICC SIM from them, which unless things have changed within the last few years, I hear is kind of difficult to get from GSM carriers.
So, to answer Alex's question: you do not need to lock it, for it is already locked permanently to your device. There is no personal information stored on the UICC SIM card, so there is nothing to be gained by someone who somehow gains physical access to the SIM card. Not only will it simply just not work unless they are using the physical linked device, but there is no information to be retrieved from it what so ever. Your phone number is not saved on it, text messages aren't saved on it, contacts aren't saved on it, email addresses are not saved on it. It is basically just a 'security chip' to allow Sprint and other UICC SIM card using carriers to make sure only authentic devices are allowed to use their LTE networks.
This can also be demonstrated by people who have bought sprint phones off of ebay and people don't include the UICC SIM card that came with the device. They most likely wont ever be able to use LTE on that device unless they somehow convince the people at a sprint store to trade the device in for one with a UICC SIM, or on more rarer cases: have them contact someone who can order a replacement and be able to 'link' it to the device. My brother has had this happen twice to him. He'd buy a phone off of Ebay, and it wont have the SIM. not thinking it was a big deal, he just tried to activate it via the Sprint website, and with one, it simply wouldn't activate, and the other just wouldnt' get LTE. He had to take it into the store, and they luckily were willing to exchange the device for one with a UICC SIM, and for the one that just wouldnt' connect to LTE, they managed to have a blank one in the store and they had to ship the phone and the SIM off to some place to have them 'linked'. Its a hard coded issue, not simply a software issue...
SO, bottom line: Don't worry about 'locking' the UICC SIMs.... they wont really 'lock', because they already are, and there is no real reason/gain to do so anyway.
the menu item is to unlock the uicc slot for international sims OTA... thats how we originally unlocked the S4, by using an meid that was unlocked already, hitting that menu option, and going back to our meid.......
Almost Not Quite
HikariNoKitsune said:
Wow.. this is sort of an old thread for google to be leading me to.. but uh... i think everyone here has a total missunderstanding of Sprint's SIM cards... They're UICC... Which, I guess some people on here already can see that it is. But, what they don't seem to understand, is that this style of SIM card does NOT contain ANY personal information about you... there is NO NEED TO LOCK IT... because its ALREADY LOCKED... UICC SIM cards, are simply there to give you access to LTE, nothing more, nothing less. They have a 'personalized code' that is linked to your device, and will ONLY work on that device. You CAN NOT take the SIM card, and put it into another device, even if its the same exact model, and expect it to work. They are locked to your device PERMANENTLY. No ifs, ands, or buts. You can however, unlock your DEVICE to work with other SIM cards. So yes, you CAN put an AT&T SIM card into the phone, and have it work, but ONLY if your DEVICE is unlocked by the carrier and thus be allowed to access other networks. Though, I'm pretty sure you have to get a UICC SIM from them, which unless things have changed within the last few years, I hear is kind of difficult to get from GSM carriers.
So, to answer Alex's question: you do not need to lock it, for it is already locked permanently to your device. There is no personal information stored on the UICC SIM card, so there is nothing to be gained by someone who somehow gains physical access to the SIM card. Not only will it simply just not work unless they are using the physical linked device, but there is no information to be retrieved from it what so ever. Your phone number is not saved on it, text messages aren't saved on it, contacts aren't saved on it, email addresses are not saved on it. It is basically just a 'security chip' to allow Sprint and other UICC SIM card using carriers to make sure only authentic devices are allowed to use their LTE networks.
This can also be demonstrated by people who have bought sprint phones off of ebay and people don't include the UICC SIM card that came with the device. They most likely wont ever be able to use LTE on that device unless they somehow convince the people at a sprint store to trade the device in for one with a UICC SIM, or on more rarer cases: have them contact someone who can order a replacement and be able to 'link' it to the device. My brother has had this happen twice to him. He'd buy a phone off of Ebay, and it wont have the SIM. not thinking it was a big deal, he just tried to activate it via the Sprint website, and with one, it simply wouldn't activate, and the other just wouldnt' get LTE. He had to take it into the store, and they luckily were willing to exchange the device for one with a UICC SIM, and for the one that just wouldnt' connect to LTE, they managed to have a blank one in the store and they had to ship the phone and the SIM off to some place to have them 'linked'. Its a hard coded issue, not simply a software issue...
SO, bottom line: Don't worry about 'locking' the UICC SIMs.... they wont really 'lock', because they already are, and there is no real reason/gain to do so anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought a Galaxy Note 3 which did not have any SIM card, I simply went into the local sprint store and they gave me a UICC SIM free of charge. Then after a little time with tech support on the line figuring out that they had incorrectly linked my new SIM to the old account and correctly linking it to the proper account for the Note 3 my LTE was up and running. Although I have heard as well that some locations they do run short on the SIM cards but keep calling some local stores and one can definitely be found at least from my prior experience.
On a less contradictory note, excellent explanation of the UICC SIM card usage in regards to accessing LTE
HikariNoKitsune said:
Wow.. this is sort of an old thread for google to be leading me to.. but uh... i think everyone here has a total missunderstanding of Sprint's SIM cards... They're UICC... Which, I guess some people on here already can see that it is. But, what they don't seem to understand, is that this style of SIM card does NOT contain ANY personal information about you... there is NO NEED TO LOCK IT... because its ALREADY LOCKED... UICC SIM cards, are simply there to give you access to LTE, nothing more, nothing less. They have a 'personalized code' that is linked to your device, and will ONLY work on that device. You CAN NOT take the SIM card, and put it into another device, even if its the same exact model, and expect it to work. They are locked to your device PERMANENTLY. No ifs, ands, or buts. You can however, unlock your DEVICE to work with other SIM cards. So yes, you CAN put an AT&T SIM card into the phone, and have it work, but ONLY if your DEVICE is unlocked by the carrier and thus be allowed to access other networks. Though, I'm pretty sure you have to get a UICC SIM from them, which unless things have changed within the last few years, I hear is kind of difficult to get from GSM carriers.
So, to answer Alex's question: you do not need to lock it, for it is already locked permanently to your device. There is no personal information stored on the UICC SIM card, so there is nothing to be gained by someone who somehow gains physical access to the SIM card. Not only will it simply just not work unless they are using the physical linked device, but there is no information to be retrieved from it what so ever. Your phone number is not saved on it, text messages aren't saved on it, contacts aren't saved on it, email addresses are not saved on it. It is basically just a 'security chip' to allow Sprint and other UICC SIM card using carriers to make sure only authentic devices are allowed to use their LTE networks.
This can also be demonstrated by people who have bought sprint phones off of ebay and people don't include the UICC SIM card that came with the device. They most likely wont ever be able to use LTE on that device unless they somehow convince the people at a sprint store to trade the device in for one with a UICC SIM, or on more rarer cases: have them contact someone who can order a replacement and be able to 'link' it to the device. My brother has had this happen twice to him. He'd buy a phone off of Ebay, and it wont have the SIM. not thinking it was a big deal, he just tried to activate it via the Sprint website, and with one, it simply wouldn't activate, and the other just wouldnt' get LTE. He had to take it into the store, and they luckily were willing to exchange the device for one with a UICC SIM, and for the one that just wouldnt' connect to LTE, they managed to have a blank one in the store and they had to ship the phone and the SIM off to some place to have them 'linked'. Its a hard coded issue, not simply a software issue...
SO, bottom line: Don't worry about 'locking' the UICC SIMs.... they wont really 'lock', because they already are, and there is no real reason/gain to do so anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really inaccurate. You can switch the UICC SIM buddy. Even when you're doing the swap yourself over sprint.com you'll get a pop up alerting you the device uses a sim and if you want to use the original one that came with device or use another. Hope no one bought a sim less device on ebay and read this, you probably gave them a heart attack..
Also when the Note 4 and Note Edge where having signal problems many service centers were swapping out the SIM cards. I don't know why your brother was giving such runaround, a new sim would had his device up and running with lte. Sounds like your sprint store is ran by reps who know nothing.
Sent from my SM-N915P using XDA Free mobile app
AndroiBoi420 said:
I bought a Galaxy Note 3 which did not have any SIM card, I simply went into the local sprint store and they gave me a UICC SIM free of charge. Then after a little time with tech support on the line figuring out that they had incorrectly linked my new SIM to the old account and correctly linking it to the proper account for the Note 3 my LTE was up and running. Although I have heard as well that some locations they do run short on the SIM cards but keep calling some local stores and one can definitely be found at least from my prior experience.
On a less contradictory note, excellent explanation of the UICC SIM card usage in regards to accessing LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RayTrue04 said:
This is really inaccurate. You can switch the UICC SIM buddy. Even when you're doing the swap yourself over sprint.com you'll get a pop up alerting you the device uses a sim and if you want to use the original one that came with device or use another. Hope no one bought a sim less device on ebay and read this, you probably gave them a heart attack..
Also when the Note 4 and Note Edge where having signal problems many service centers were swapping out the SIM cards. I don't know why your brother was giving such runaround, a new sim would had his device up and running with lte. Sounds like your sprint store is ran by reps who know nothing.
Sent from my SM-N915P using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AndroiBoi420 Now-a-days it depends on the device. If the carrier has a blank SIM, most phones 'now' will allow you to put it in. My brother's cases were back when LTE for sprint was just then becoming a 'thing'.
As for RayTrue04... I'm sorry, but that's completely accurate... you CAN NOT take the SIM card out of, say, a Galaxy S6 and put it into a Galaxy Note 5... It WILL, NOT, WORK. I've tried it, plenty of other people have tried it. IT. DOES. NOT. WORK. The SIMs are LOCKED to ONE device and ONLY that device. You CAN however, go off and get a BLANK SIM card and shove them in and they will work.
But in any case, my posting was about why locking the SIM card does absolutely nothing, because nothing personally identifiable is stored on them. So, if you sold the phone on eBay, and left the SIM in it, you're 100% fine, because the only thing that SIM card has on it, is the HEX key that allows the device to be identified by the network. But taking that SIM card out with hopes of just shoving it into your 'next device' will not work, and will just leave you frustrated and upset when you try everything you can to get it working. Every device that uses this type of SIM, has to have its OWN card, NOT some other device's card. Replacing it with a blank one is perfectly viable. But it just depends on your device, and if they have any around in stock to just throw at you anyway. Most sales/service reps are generally nice and will just give you the card if that's the case. But I do know of some who do everything 'by the book' and will charge you for the SIM AND its activation because that is what they are technically 'supposed to do'.
HikariNoKitsune said:
As for RayTrue04... I'm sorry, but that's completely accurate... you CAN NOT take the SIM card out of, say, a Galaxy S6 and put it into a Galaxy Note 5... It WILL, NOT, WORK. I've tried it, plenty of other people have tried it. IT. DOES. NOT. WORK. The SIMs are LOCKED to ONE device and ONLY that device. You CAN however, go off and get a BLANK SIM card and shove them in and they will work.
But in any case, my posting was about why locking the SIM card does absolutely nothing, because nothing personally identifiable is stored on them. So, if you sold the phone on eBay, and left the SIM in it, you're 100% fine, because the only thing that SIM card has on it, is the HEX key that allows the device to be identified by the network. But taking that SIM card out with hopes of just shoving it into your 'next device' will not work, and will just leave you frustrated and upset when you try everything you can to get it working. Every device that uses this type of SIM, has to have its OWN card, NOT some other device's card. Replacing it with a blank one is perfectly viable. But it just depends on your device, and if they have any around in stock to just throw at you anyway. Most sales/service reps are generally nice and will just give you the card if that's the case. But I do know of some who do everything 'by the book' and will charge you for the SIM AND its activation because that is what they are technically 'supposed to do'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2937387
I've also successfully activated an LG G2's SIM on my Note Edge. They're not locked to one device. It just needs to be a Sprint registered SIM and deactivated at the moment of activating whatever device you plan on using. One thing is though, not all SIM cards are interchangeable with certain devices.
Sent from my SM-N915P using XDA Free mobile app
HikariNoKitsune said:
Wow.. this is sort of an old thread for google to be leading me to.. but uh... i think everyone here has a total missunderstanding of Sprint's SIM cards... They're UICC... Which, I guess some people on here already can see that it is. But, what they don't seem to understand, is that this style of SIM card does NOT contain ANY personal information about you... there is NO NEED TO LOCK IT... because its ALREADY LOCKED... UICC SIM cards, are simply there to give you access to LTE, nothing more, nothing less. They have a 'personalized code' that is linked to your device, and will ONLY work on that device. You CAN NOT take the SIM card, and put it into another device, even if its the same exact model, and expect it to work. They are locked to your device PERMANENTLY. No ifs, ands, or buts. You can however, unlock your DEVICE to work with other SIM cards. So yes, you CAN put an AT&T SIM card into the phone, and have it work, but ONLY if your DEVICE is unlocked by the carrier and thus be allowed to access other networks. Though, I'm pretty sure you have to get a UICC SIM from them, which unless things have changed within the last few years, I hear is kind of difficult to get from GSM carriers.
So, to answer Alex's question: you do not need to lock it, for it is already locked permanently to your device. There is no personal information stored on the UICC SIM card, so there is nothing to be gained by someone who somehow gains physical access to the SIM card. Not only will it simply just not work unless they are using the physical linked device, but there is no information to be retrieved from it what so ever. Your phone number is not saved on it, text messages aren't saved on it, contacts aren't saved on it, email addresses are not saved on it. It is basically just a 'security chip' to allow Sprint and other UICC SIM card using carriers to make sure only authentic devices are allowed to use their LTE networks.
This can also be demonstrated by people who have bought sprint phones off of ebay and people don't include the UICC SIM card that came with the device. They most likely wont ever be able to use LTE on that device unless they somehow convince the people at a sprint store to trade the device in for one with a UICC SIM, or on more rarer cases: have them contact someone who can order a replacement and be able to 'link' it to the device. My brother has had this happen twice to him. He'd buy a phone off of Ebay, and it wont have the SIM. not thinking it was a big deal, he just tried to activate it via the Sprint website, and with one, it simply wouldn't activate, and the other just wouldnt' get LTE. He had to take it into the store, and they luckily were willing to exchange the device for one with a UICC SIM, and for the one that just wouldnt' connect to LTE, they managed to have a blank one in the store and they had to ship the phone and the SIM off to some place to have them 'linked'. Its a hard coded issue, not simply a software issue...
SO, bottom line: Don't worry about 'locking' the UICC SIMs.... they wont really 'lock', because they already are, and there is no real reason/gain to do so anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So after reading all the answers, best thing to do is ask Sprint b4 buying one off ebay
Thank you!!! This was most helpful & very well stated/Explained!!! Good job?
Just a bit more info on sim swapping, some sim swaps are compatable and some are not...if you swap a sim just call in to tech support for your provider and have your IMEI(essentially vin number of your phone) updated in there systems to avoid any confusion in provisioning or features, a common issue is inibility to access data on your device.
Sim cards are free of charge to replace through some providers such as AT&T.
Just a tid bit of info from your friendly neighborhood tier 3 tech support agent.
Uicc unlock??
HikariNoKitsune said:
Wow.. this is sort of an old thread for google to be leading me to.. but uh... i think everyone here has a total missunderstanding of Sprint's SIM cards... They're UICC... Which, I guess some people on here already can see that it is. But, what they don't seem to understand, is that this style of SIM card does NOT contain ANY personal information about you... there is NO NEED TO LOCK IT... because its ALREADY LOCKED... UICC SIM cards, are simply there to give you access to LTE, nothing more, nothing less. They have a 'personalized code' that is linked to your device, and will ONLY work on that device. You CAN NOT take the SIM card, and put it into another device, even if its the same exact model, and expect it to work. They are locked to your device PERMANENTLY. No ifs, ands, or buts. You can however, unlock your DEVICE to work with other SIM cards. So yes, you CAN put an AT&T SIM card into the phone, and have it work, but ONLY if your DEVICE is unlocked by the carrier and thus be allowed to access other networks. Though, I'm pretty sure you have to get a UICC SIM from them, which unless things have changed within the last few years, I hear is kind of difficult to get from GSM carriers.
So, to answer Alex's question: you do not need to lock it, for it is already locked permanently to your device. There is no personal information stored on the UICC SIM card, so there is nothing to be gained by someone who somehow gains physical access to the SIM card. Not only will it simply just not work unless they are using the physical linked device, but there is no information to be retrieved from it what so ever. Your phone number is not saved on it, text messages aren't saved on it, contacts aren't saved on it, email addresses are not saved on it. It is basically just a 'security chip' to allow Sprint and other UICC SIM card using carriers to make sure only authentic devices are allowed to use their LTE networks.
This can also be demonstrated by people who have bought sprint phones off of ebay and people don't include the UICC SIM card that came with the device. They most likely wont ever be able to use LTE on that device unless they somehow convince the people at a sprint store to trade the device in for one with a UICC SIM, or on more rarer cases: have them contact someone who can order a replacement and be able to 'link' it to the device. My brother has had this happen twice to him. He'd buy a phone off of Ebay, and it wont have the SIM. not thinking it was a big deal, he just tried to activate it via the Sprint website, and with one, it simply wouldn't activate, and the other just wouldnt' get LTE. He had to take it into the store, and they luckily were willing to exchange the device for one with a UICC SIM, and for the one that just wouldnt' connect to LTE, they managed to have a blank one in the store and they had to ship the phone and the SIM off to some place to have them 'linked'. Its a hard coded issue, not simply a software issue...
SO, bottom line: Don't worry about 'locking' the UICC SIMs.... they wont really 'lock', because they already are, and there is no real reason/gain to do so anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So i asked sprint for an unlock. They said they granted the unlock for iphone6 an galaxy gs6. Gs6 says uicc now able to accept international sim, but when said sim put in nothing happens.
Thank you for the DETAILED answer to help those of us who do not understand a lot of the technological terms that most products come with nowadays and makes it difficult for regular people without a college degree to comprehend and even some like me who have an extensive college degree (but just wasn't my thing)! (A lot of regular people THINK they are knowledgable that really are not and then they get mad when the language isn't down to their level because it then becomes even MORE difficult for them to understand the technical product they want all their friends to think that they "know all about".)
For all the tl;dr out there...
UICC Sim Unlock is an option provided to unlock the sim slot for use outside of the US and is only prevalent on Sprint devices (and its prepaid subsidiaries) to provide LTE service while using a Sprint account.
Older UICC Sim Cards are only tied to the device they are activated with and are not usually to be swapped between phones. They carry only your access to the LTE network and do not hold any account or phone information. Newer UICC cards can be passed across devices for the same purpose if the new device is linked to the same account the sim was activated on from the original device. In most cases the sim is actually blank and only calls to the tower to allow LTE service because its more convenient than activating/reactivating a sim.
Selecting UICC Unlock sends a request to Sprint to unlock the sim slot for use with GSM carriers outside of the US, providing you have properly closed the associated account and paid off the phone (or else your still SOL) and cannot be used to grant access to US based GSM carriers because Sprint locked the sim slot and the phones capabilities out of the US GSM band spectrum. That is unless you search hard enough on XDA on how to do it properly, which since LP is hit or miss and nobody seems to have simple enough answers like "yes" or "no" to the questions about Baseband version (in the latest GSM unlock attempts anyway).
Still tl;dr for you? Basically its an almost useless security feature to stop you from jumping ship from Sprint service to their competitors. Unless your moving outside of North America or sending your (ELIGIBLE!) device across seas, don't worry about it because it is of no use to you
Yet you can take your sim out and use it on a Nexus 6
This is illegal, companies are no longer allowed to lock the sim to their own devices. Thus the unlock messages everyone is getting on their devices.

[Q] Does "CASUAL Root, Recovery for the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4" unlock network?

[Q] Does "CASUAL Root, Recovery for the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4" unlock network?
I am going to Europe in a few days and want to take my new AT&T GS4 and buy a SIM in Italy and France. It is not possible for me to test the other unlock methods now because I do not have an unauthorized SIM.
If "CASUAL Root, Recovery for the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4" does not unlock the network, is there another way to do this without having a SIM to test with?
From Adam in the "Casual" Thread:
This will install root and recovery for your Qualcomm based Samsung Galaxy S4.
This installs drivers
This troubleshoots problems
This single java executable works on Linux, Windows and Mac
This can be kill-switched on the fly (in case of auto-bootloader update from Samsung)
This can be updated on the fly
This will auto-log your problems to pastebin if an error is encountered so you can paste it here.
This uses a GUI and no command line
This give you Root and Recovery in a single click
This is easier/noob friendly/much more difficult to screw up.
This will check before doing things to make sure it doesn't damage a device it was not intended for.
I don't see that he listed anything about Sim Unlock.
Here is a thread that has a method that works for some for sim unlocking, if it doesn't work you will need to obtain a sim unlock code from AT&T or buy it from a sim unlock company. The thread lists some of those companies in the discussions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2285431
As far as I know, you will not be able to verify if any of it works to sim unlock your phone until you put another networks sim card in your phone.
The "search" function can help you to answer many of the questions you might still have. Good luck.
**EDIT**
Depending on where you live you can purchase a T-Mobile micro sim at some Walmarts, at your local mall, at many Best Buys, or many other places. Again, depending on where you live it usually costs between $10 - $20 for the prepaid T-Mobile sim, just make sure they activate it for you. Or maybe you can borrow another networks sim from friends or family for free.
scott14719 said:
From Adam in the "Casual" Thread:
This will install root and recovery for your Qualcomm based Samsung Galaxy S4.
This installs drivers
This troubleshoots problems
This single java executable works on Linux, Windows and Mac
This can be kill-switched on the fly (in case of auto-bootloader update from Samsung)
This can be updated on the fly
This will auto-log your problems to pastebin if an error is encountered so you can paste it here.
This uses a GUI and no command line
This give you Root and Recovery in a single click
This is easier/noob friendly/much more difficult to screw up.
This will check before doing things to make sure it doesn't damage a device it was not intended for.
I don't see that he listed anything about Sim Unlock.
Here is a thread that has a method that works for some for sim unlocking, if it doesn't work you will need to obtain a sim unlock code from AT&T or buy it from a sim unlock company. The thread lists some of those companies in the discussions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2285431
As far as I know, you will not be able to verify if any of it works to sim unlock your phone until you put another networks sim card in your phone.
The "search" function can help you to answer many of the questions you might still have. Good luck.
**EDIT**
Depending on where you live you can purchase a T-Mobile micro sim at some Walmarts, at your local mall, at many Best Buys, or many other places. Again, depending on where you live it usually costs between $10 - $20 for the prepaid T-Mobile sim, just make sure they activate it for you. Or maybe you can borrow another networks sim from friends or family for free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks alot for your help

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