T-Mobile LG V20 help with unlocking or rooting - LG V20 Questions & Answers

Hey all I'm new at all this and I'm trying to unlock or root my T-Mobile LG V20. I've never done any of this stuff, but I want to be able to use this phone on a network other than T-Mobile. Can anyone give this rookie ( me) some help?
T-Mobile won't unlock it for me. The day there is a balance owed on it. And when I tried the unlock app. It say failure in processing the request. Please reboot and try again.. If you can walk me through this it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all!
It's a h91810t
Please help if you can. If you need to look at my phone via computer I'm willing to do whatever needs to be done.

Does no one know how to help me? I just want to be able to either fix it So I can get it unlocked or root it if possible so I can get it to work outside my house. Please help!

Network unlock is different from root or system unlock. You'll need to work with T-Mobile to network unlock to use the phone on another network. There may be other resources on the internet, but I don't know if they work.

T-Mobile will not unlock it for me. There is a balance due from the previous owner and they refuse to help. I've ask some of these 3 party people and either they don't do the phones with the device unlock app. or they say they can't unlock it because the message I get when I click permanent unlock which is failure in processing the request. Please reboot and try again. And I did a little research on that and people were being told to check they're memory on the device. That it may be using too much memory or too many app's. Not sure which one. But I did a factory reset as well as looked to see how much ram was being used, before and after. And it's only using 1.7 gigs of the 4 gigs of ram it has. And 19.62 gigs of storage of the 94 gigs it can take. So I don't know what I can do to get rid of the message and get the right one. I thought that maybe someone has figured a way to fix it or get around it. Thanks for the response though. Can you maybe point me in the right direction? See I'm on permanent disability and don't get much from social security and I can't afford to pay the people that want over $40 to unlock it and I've asked some of the higher priced ones but was afraid to ask the people who want over $100. I can't afford it. My small check pays for me and my wife to survive in this dump of a state CA ( thanks to Jerry Brown ). Anyways if someone can help it would be highly appreciated. Thanks!

motormadness said:
T-Mobile will not unlock it for me. There is a balance due from the previous owner and they refuse to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly you should try to return it and get your money back from the previous owner if they won't immediately pay it off so it can be network unlocked. If the old owner stops paying T-Mobile for it and since he no longer has the phone T-Mobile could flat out blacklist it as basically a stolen phone from ever working on any network.
Also the unlock app checks with T-Mobile if it's paid off and otherwise in good condition to be unlocked as well.

I bought it from a pawnshop and all sales are final. They won't take it back and they won't give me any information on the previous owner. So I don't know what to do. Oh well I guess I waisted $150.00 on a piece of junk I can't use. Thanks!

"Oh well I guess I waisted $150.00"
Yes you did. If there is money owed on the phone, then the IMEI is blacklisted, and unless you were planning on using it outside of the USA, then that blacklist is shared with all the major carriers.
$150 is a good deal even now as long as the phone is in good condition. Why don't you pay off the balance? It won't be as good a deal, but a mint condition H918 is still going for between $350 and $400 bucks.
Anytime you buy a phone used that has no return policy, always check the IMEI.
Oh, lastly, yes you can root it, and then you can SIM unlock it -- but again, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile (obviously), nor any of their MVNOs will activate it while it is blacklisted.
-- Brian

There's a unlocked method but it requires root

As far as I know, the only way to network unlock it is with the tmo app. And it doesn't work on a rooted phone. I tried.

Did the pawn shop sell as unlocked?

If the pawn shop says all sales final, then I'd assume it's final. I wouldn't expect one to make any exceptions at all.
What is the physical condition of the phone? If it's in excellent condition, I would just settle for getting most of your money back by reselling it on eBay for $125-150. Many recent completed auctions for a bad IMEI H918 in good shape have gone for $130-140.

Related

Note 3 blocked by T-Mobile, need advice

Hey guys, i've got a problem and I need some advice/options.
Long story short, as some of you may know, I bought my T-Mobile branded Note 3 on Swappa in November. Of course, Swappa says that they check IMEIs and the seller assured me that the phone was fully paid for, but a few days ago my Note 3 was blocked/blacklisted (whatever you call it) by T-Mobile for non-payment of EIP.
I have tried to resolve the issue through communicating with the seller and Swappa, but there's really nothing to be done. The seller won't refund my money, Swappa is powerless, and Paypal says the transaction is past their 45 day dispute period. The phone isn't even unlocked, so I can't even try and use it on another carrier right now.
So at this point i'm trying to minimize my losses. I am open to any suggestions as to how I can either:
1. find a way to get the phone unlocked and use it on another carrier (I know that when a T-Mobile phone is blocked or blacklisted, they share that info now with AT&T, but i'm hoping I can use it on Simple Mobile or Straight Talk or Walmart's service)
or
2. sell the phone internationally (with full disclosure of the fact that the phone is blocked on T-Mobile/AT&T of course, but it shouldn't matter if someone wants to use it outside of the US, right?)
or
3. sell the phone as a 'dev' device (at a substantial loss i'm sure), but I have no idea how to do this or even whether a dev would want a phone that is blocked (don't they need to test network stuff?).
I'm trying to find a way to make the best of a bad situation. Any one who reads this post and wants to give me some decent advice is welcome. But if you just want to start trolling PLEASE JUST GO AWAY. I have enough problems as it is right now.
In any case, i've learned my lesson. No more Craigslist, no more Negri, no more Swappa. I'm just gonna pony up the money and get my phones directly from T-Mobile. The money I thought I was saving doesn't look like such a deal anymore.
Ah damn, yeah seems a lot of people have fallen into the same trap you have unfortunately.
Well you could try another network. . However the chances are high that it'll be blocked all over the US. - yes you could sell it internationally and disclose the issue but the frequency has a different range(?) - this would probably be your best option.
If not then you'd just have to take the hit on it, toss it away or use as a media device. And put it down to a very bad lesson learnt the hard way :-/
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
radicalisto said:
Ah damn, yeah seems a lot of people have fallen into the same trap you have unfortunately.
Well you could try another network. . However the chances are high that it'll be blocked all over the US. - yes you could sell it internationally and disclose the issue but the frequency has a different range(?) - this would probably be your best option.
If not then you'd just have to take the hit on it, toss it away or use as a media device. And put it down to a very bad lesson learnt the hard way :-/
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Appreciate the response, but now way I could toss $650 away. It took me a few months to save that up. That's why i'm trying to salvage whatever I can of this situation.
Perhaps there's a Canadian carrier uses the same frequencies as T-Mobile? Anyone know a site that would help me compare GSM bands/frequencies to see which countries would be the best option for reselling?
You could have a scan on gsmarena they detail frequencies on the different models.
Yeah it's definitely an expensive error for sure, assume T - Mobile aren't too keen to help at all then?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
radicalisto said:
You could have a scan on gsmarena they detail frequencies on the different models.
Yeah it's definitely an expensive error for sure, assume T - Mobile aren't too keen to help at all then?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, T-Mobile won't give me any info because i'm not the original account holder for the phone. T-Mobile will probably go after that person, but it's probably just a tax write off for them.
Try RegionLock away on Play store or buy an unlock code then try with a pre-paid service. GL
RMXO said:
Try RegionLock away on Play store or buy an unlock code then try with a pre-paid service. GL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Won't help.... Phone has been blacklisted...
Unless you can get the carrier to take it off the blacklist it won't be allowed to connect to any network in that country (theoretically)...
Just a thought though - if the phone hasn't been paid for to the carrier, it's on the blacklist and you are caught trying to use it, you may find yourself charged with possession of stolen goods... Unless you have a receipt that states it was sold to you. Either way though you will loose the phone...
Techngro said:
Hey guys, i've got a problem and I need some advice/options.
Long story short, as some of you may know, I bought my T-Mobile branded Note 3 on Swappa in November. Of course, Swappa says that they check IMEIs and the seller assured me that the phone was fully paid for, but a few days ago my Note 3 was blocked/blacklisted (whatever you call it) by T-Mobile for non-payment of EIP.
I have tried to resolve the issue through communicating with the seller and Swappa, but there's really nothing to be done. The seller won't refund my money, Swappa is powerless, and Paypal says the transaction is past their 45 day dispute period. The phone isn't even unlocked, so I can't even try and use it on another carrier right now.
So at this point i'm trying to minimize my losses. I am open to any suggestions as to how I can either:
1. find a way to get the phone unlocked and use it on another carrier (I know that when a T-Mobile phone is blocked or blacklisted, they share that info now with AT&T, but i'm hoping I can use it on Simple Mobile or Straight Talk or Walmart's service)
or
2. sell the phone internationally (with full disclosure of the fact that the phone is blocked on T-Mobile/AT&T of course, but it shouldn't matter if someone wants to use it outside of the US, right?)
or
3. sell the phone as a 'dev' device (at a substantial loss i'm sure), but I have no idea how to do this or even whether a dev would want a phone that is blocked (don't they need to test network stuff?).
I'm trying to find a way to make the best of a bad situation. Any one who reads this post and wants to give me some decent advice is welcome. But if you just want to start trolling PLEASE JUST GO AWAY. I have enough problems as it is right now.
In any case, i've learned my lesson. No more Craigslist, no more Negri, no more Swappa. I'm just gonna pony up the money and get my phones directly from T-Mobile. The money I thought I was saving doesn't look like such a deal anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bad luck for you.
But i can tell you a thing or 2 about selling phone internationally.
your t-mobile fone can be used here in SEA region and for the N3 its probably multi band.so selling it internationally shouldn't be an issue for you.but you'll probably want to sell it at a huge discount.
from past experience,t-mobile's GSM frequency is the same as those in my country and i have no issues using T-mo fone here.my signature should tell you what t-mo fones i had.but i cannot say if the 4g band is the same though.so dun worry about the GSM band being compatible or not,that's the buyer's responsibility.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM_frequency_bands)
i am not sure if there is a way to sim unlock your fone without having to buy a unlock code(i noe the sensation 4g had a way to remove sim lock altogether),if you do find a way,there is no harm testing to see if you can still use the fone on other networks.
take it as a hard lesson learned bro but dun give up trying other ways to use your fone,i am pretty sure the journey is educational.like how i tried to make t-mo fones work in my country.
I might be wrong but its only blacklisted IMEI NUMBER? in UK its illegal to change it. But I think you end up selling it OK on ebay
with NO RETURNS OR REFUND!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
ultramag69 said:
Won't help.... Phone has been blacklisted...
Unless you can get the carrier to take it off the blacklist it won't be allowed to connect to any network in that country (theoretically)...
Just a thought though - if the phone hasn't been paid for to the carrier, it's on the blacklist and you are caught trying to use it, you may find yourself charged with possession of stolen goods... Unless you have a receipt that states it was sold to you. Either way though you will loose the phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I do have a receipt from both Paypal and Swappa. But I think would only work if it has been reported lost or stolen by the original owner. I don't think that's the case. T-Mobile said it was blocked for non-payment of EIP. Guess the guy just flipped the phone as soon as he signed the contract. People suck.
frostmore said:
bad luck for you.
But i can tell you a thing or 2 about selling phone internationally.
your t-mobile fone can be used here in SEA region and for the N3 its probably multi band.so selling it internationally shouldn't be an issue for you.but you'll probably want to sell it at a huge discount.
from past experience,t-mobile's GSM frequency is the same as those in my country and i have no issues using T-mo fone here.my signature should tell you what t-mo fones i had.but i cannot say if the 4g band is the same though.so dun worry about the GSM band being compatible or not,that's the buyer's responsibility.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM_frequency_bands)
i am not sure if there is a way to sim unlock your fone without having to buy a unlock code(i noe the sensation 4g had a way to remove sim lock altogether),if you do find a way,there is no harm testing to see if you can still use the fone on other networks.
take it as a hard lesson learned bro but dun give up trying other ways to use your fone,i am pretty sure the journey is educational.like how i tried to make t-mo fones work in my country.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, very educational. I used to buy my phone on Craigslist. I never once got scammed. But then Craigslist turned into Scam Central Station. So I went to Swappa because they use Paypal and I thought that would give me some protection. Turns out, the only way to ensure that you won't get a phone that will be blocked or blacklisted later is to get it directly from the source. It's turning out to be an expensive lesson. :crying:
How much of a discount do you normally get when you purchase a T-Mobile phone? I don't want to lose $200. It would make more sense to just get a cheap 4G phone and tether it to my Note 3 and use it as a little tablet.
jowett69 said:
I might be wrong but its only blacklisted IMEI NUMBER? in UK its illegal to change it. But I think you end up selling it OK on ebay
with NO RETURNS OR REFUND!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I would have to do it that way, but i'm worried now about losing too much money trying to sell it. If I sell it internationally, I don't see why I should lose that much, since the T-Mobile block only applies to the US.
Another option?
I really don't want to lose my $30 5GB plan. I've been looking on Amazon and saw that they have some cheap T-Mobile 4G phones like this Nokia Lumia 521: http://goo.gl/KgvOgR
My thought is, I can purchase that, tether my Note 3 to it and keep using it. 90% of what I do on my Note 3 is data/browsing, gaming, etc. So if I can tether to the Lumia, I guess it would work.
Any thoughts?
Was the Paypal transaction a credit card one? If so, I would contact them directly (you may have recourse for up to 3 months?). I use Paypal but always use my credit card to pay for items and never my bank account because Paypal will not stand behind the purchase if they have a way out.
FedUpx2 said:
Was the Paypal transaction a credit card one? If so, I would contact them directly (you may have recourse for up to 3 months?). I use Paypal but always use my credit card to pay for items and never my bank account because Paypal will not stand behind the purchase if they have a way out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, unfortunately, it was a bank account. Sigh...
UPDATE
So here's an update on my situation.
After considering my options, I ordered a Straight Talk AT&T sim card a few days ago. It was only $7 with free shipping, so I figured I might as well give it a try. It got here today, so I got Chainfire's RegionLock Away app and followed the instructions here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2471742) to unlock my Note 3 using the Straight Talk sim card. Didn't have a single problem getting it unlocked. Total cost to unlock ~ $10.
Once it was unlocked, I signed up for the $45 Straight Talk plan (which ends up around $50 with taxes/fees), and after a couple of reboots, I have service. The service seems pretty fast, but I don't want to do a speedtest because it's just a waste of my limited data allotment. It shows as being 4G LTE, but I don't know if that's the case.
So, I pay $20 more for half the data, and I have a Note 3 that is worth considerably less than what I paid for it only a couple of months ago on Swappa. I've definitely learned a valuable lesson here. But at least I have a working phone, so there's that.
Thanks for all of the suggestions guys.
That's awesome and glad you are able to use the phone normally.
Techngro said:
So here's an update on my situation.
After considering my options, I ordered a Straight Talk AT&T sim card a few days ago. It was only $7 with free shipping, so I figured I might as well give it a try. It got here today, so I got Chainfire's RegionLock Away app and followed the instructions here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2471742) to unlock my Note 3 using the Straight Talk sim card. Didn't have a single problem getting it unlocked. Total cost to unlock ~ $10.
Once it was unlocked, I signed up for the $45 Straight Talk plan (which ends up around $50 with taxes/fees), and after a couple of reboots, I have service. The service seems pretty fast, but I don't want to do a speedtest because it's just a waste of my limited data allotment. It shows as being 4G LTE, but I don't know if that's the case.
So, I pay $20 more for half the data, and I have a Note 3 that is worth considerably less than what I paid for it only a couple of months ago on Swappa. I've definitely learned a valuable lesson here. But at least I have a working phone, so there's that.
Thanks for all of the suggestions guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hear about your problems. Even though a couple people had the same issue with phones from Negri Electronics, mine purchased from Negri still says that the IMEI is not recognized when checked and it works fine on T-Mobile or AT&T (tested with sister's T-Mobile SIM and daily use with AT&T grandfathered Unlimited) with LTE. I am very happy. T-Mobile was going to make me spend $791 + at least 45 days of unwanted service before I could even request an unlock and they have 7 days to respond (52 days of unwanted service?). That's not a deal.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
CZroe said:
Sorry to hear about your problems. Even though a couple people had the same issue with phones from Negri Electronics, mine purchased from Negri still says that the IMEI is not recognized when checked and it works fine on T-Mobile or AT&T (tested with sister's T-Mobile SIM and daily use with AT&T grandfathered Unlimited) with LTE. I am very happy. T-Mobile was going to make me spend $791 + at least 45 days of unwanted service before I could even request an unlock and they have 7 days to respond (52 days of unwanted service?). That's not a deal.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, i'm glad that Negri made someone happy. There were plenty of people on this forum who felt they were getting scammed by them and had to cancel preorders after waiting 3 weeks for a shipment that never happened.
You might feel you're getting a deal, and maybe you are, and i'm glad for you. But for me, as I said, I learned a very expensive lesson from my experiences with both Negri and Swappa. It's only a deal when it works out the way you want it to. When you get screwed like I did, it stops being a deal. Not only did my phone get blocked, I now pay more money for less service. The extra $100 in savings isn't worth the risk for me anymore.

Unlocked S7 Edge?

Anyone know if these Tmobile S7 Edge is unlocked? Or how do you get them unlocked? Thx/
There locked, you can go to eBay and purchase an unlock code for under $20. Doesn't matter if the IMEI is blocked, lost/stolen, financed, etc.
T Mobile never unlock their device , doesnt matter if you paid in full .
If you paid in full , you need to use you device with your line for 40 days to qualified for unlocked.
Or you can try cellunlocker.net to buy unlock with T Mobile unlock app , it will cost you $39.99 and processing time in 1-3 days.
Just purchased today and now waitting for email when unlock completely done.
Please let us know when you receive your unlock code. Did you use cellunlocker or ebay? How much did it cost you?
T-mobile might disagree (apparently they do... sketchy) but there legally obligated to unlock a fully paid off device provided that 1) You've been a customer for over a year and 2) Your account's in good standing. Here's the full deal (all US carriers signed and agreed to implement these terms), as well as where/how to file a complaint if they don't respond to your request within 2 days: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/cell-phone-unlocking-faqs
If I were trying to get a phone unlocked knowing that I was eligible, I would try to get escalated at the first hint of being jerked around, then make sure that they knew I knew the law/my rights... that I play golf with Tom Wheeler on Thursdays ya know, whatever's pertinent... and if they try to fault some bs "policy", i.e. "you can only unlock x devices/year" (something that I just read on a Tmo site) I'd try to stay cool but firm, and make sure that they know that you know what you're talking about. You may have to file a complaint with the FCC but hopefully that will get results.... I'm actually planning on paying off my current phone (Note 4) and keeping it, so I'm glad that you asked about 'official' unlocking because I hadn't really though about that :good: I want to pay this thing off and call them up to see what happens now! I actually started writing up a "script" of what I'd say to the highest level rep I could get connected to if the gave me any (illegal, as of 2/15) grief. It was getting lengthy so I cut it from this post, but let me know if you think it might help and I can finish it up and post.
I highly recommend that you write down the names of anyone you talk to, and if you live in a single-party consent state and have the means, it couldn't hurt to record the call either (not quite sure how it would help, but if you're on a custom ROM with it built in, might as well). Good luck! I'm interested to hear how it goes
kendu2412 said:
T Mobile never unlock their device , doesnt matter if you paid in full .
If you paid in full , you need to use you device with your line for 40 days to qualified for unlocked.
Or you can try cellunlocker.net to buy unlock with T Mobile unlock app , it will cost you $39.99 and processing time in 1-3 days.
Just purchased today and now waitting for email when unlock completely done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They did unlock my s5 last yr and wasnt fully paid. I asked for them to unlock it since i will be using it in another country
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
I have an agreement where they unlock my phones period in case of military deployment. Literally bought the phone Saturday night on JoD, and Monday at noon, it was unlocked. If you have good enough reason to be outside of the terms, they will unlock it, otherwise, I have never had a problem getting a phone unlocked through T-Mo as long as I was within their guidelines.

Anyway to unlock lg v20 t-mobile?

I have been looking all over the place to unlock my v20, the places I have see charge a lot of money just to unlock it. I bought the phone from ebay its in perfect condition, I guess the original owner did not pay off their account. So I'm trying to find a way to unlock it any ideas?
Green Ranger 54 said:
I have been looking all over the place to unlock my v20, the places I have see charge a lot of money just to unlock it. I bought the phone from ebay its in perfect condition, I guess the original owner did not pay off their account. So I'm trying to find a way to unlock it any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is that if there's a balance owed to t-mobile then even the commercial unlock services won't be able to unlock ? it
If I root will that unlock it? I'm on firmware 10s
Green Ranger 54 said:
If I root will that unlock it? I'm on firmware 10s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you're probably screwed honestly.
Was the phone advertised as unlocked? You might be able to get it refunded with paypal if you file a dispute and it was falsely advertised.
I'd recommend sticking to sites like Swappa for used phone purchases, it's not 100% but they at least check IMEIs prior to listing so you know if it checked out.
I know If I flash a new rom on it, I know that should at least do something for me to unlock it
Green Ranger 54 said:
I know If I flash a new rom on it, I know that should at least do something for me to unlock it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a different rom won't unlock your phone
You need the tmo app to unlock it. It won't work if the bootloader is unlocked.
Is your provider tmo? You might be able to sweet talk them into resuming data use since you are a customer. If you are not, then contact paypal and file a dispute to get your money back.
Checking an IMEI before purchase may not help because it can take tmo 6 months to shut down service after non payment.
If the IMEI is blacklisted then you are screwed.
I checked the imei it's clean. It's just the previous owner left a balance
Green Ranger 54 said:
I checked the imei it's clean. It's just the previous owner left a balance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what do you mean its locked then? What can't you do?
I'm trying to unlock the phone to use in another carrier, I'm not a t-mobile customer I just bought the phone from ebay. But the phone is still locked in t-mobiles network because of the bill. I checked at multiple sites the imei is clean
You can check your phone's IMEI status here: https://www.t-mobile.com/verifyIMEI.aspx
Your LG unlocks through the Device Unlock App, so it's quite expensive comparing with other unlocking services.
I would suggest to check the phone's IMEI and if it's blocked, try to get your money back because it's not worth it.
There's a site that unlocks it but you need root tho
gsmzambia.com
It was mentioned in one of the unlocking thread awhile back I'm planning to try it out at the end of the month
ki11aprime said:
There's a site that unlocks it but you need root tho
gsmzambia.com
It was mentioned in one of the unlocking thread awhile back I'm planning to try it out at the end of the month
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
was it a success?
So I bought alos off eBay. Lg v20 I was able to get with t-mobile app temporary unlocked for a month.once I got it I flash new rom . Then I try with different sim still working .need to wait a month to see if it will stay unlocked .

Sprint One Year Free - Essential Phone?

Hi,
has anyone used the BYOD one year of free service on sprint? I'm currently with USmobile, and apparently that makes me eligible for this plan. That'd basically pay for the phone in savings, which sounds great, but I'm wondering if anyone else has used it? Anything that one would have to take into account taking the unlocked Essential Phone to Sprint?
i have the bYOD free year using sprint and now with the essential phone. I switched over from my pixel.
I am however getting a terrible signal and non existent 4g speeds, currently researching to see if i can do anything about this! Right now, i wish i had my pixel still...
i did byod with an essential phone... and it must have relocked it. when going into settings to unlock (while on the free plan and after waiting the required time frame) it would not unlock. i tried contacting customer support and it said it could only be unlocked by the original owner. then after more back and forth said it was already unlocked. so what i determined was putting it back on sprint RE-locked it, but their system was so messy that it showed it as unlocked.
x000x said:
i did byod with an essential phone... and it must have relocked it. when going into settings to unlock (while on the free plan and after waiting the required time frame) it would not unlock. i tried contacting customer support and it said it could only be unlocked by the original owner. then after more back and forth said it was already unlocked. so what i determined was putting it back on sprint RE-locked it, but their system was so messy that it showed it as unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yikes, that's some ****ed up ****... I'm on the sprint plan now, how do I figure out whether they locked my phone? Also, how is that even possible, wth?
dsip said:
Yikes, that's some ****ed up ****... I'm on the sprint plan now, how do I figure out whether they locked my phone? Also, how is that even possible, wth?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there was a sale, sprint was selling them for $150, and you could pay it off early, unlock them and leave sprint. a lot of people did that, and then later sprint changed the terms of having to wait x amount of days to unlock them. my first one was probably one of these (got it off ebay). It might only involve those that were sold at that greatly discounted price. easiest way to tell if it is still unlocked is to put a different carrier sim and see what happens, otherwise look for something called uicc unlock. i think if it is relocked you have to wait 45 days to unlock it. I eventually gave up asking sprint customer support, and just did this https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75994498&postcount=360 to unlock it

t-mobile samsung s8 need help unlocking

hello everyone. im not sure if im using the search function here correctly or not but i couldnt find anything. (probably didnt use it correctly) but i have a samsung s8 from tmobile. i own the phone and was with t-mobile for a long time. until a week ago. the phone isnt paid off yet and i plan on going back to t-mobile once i situate the money issue with them. but for nowi would love to still use it. and i cant unlock it as its not paid yet. is there any way to unlock it to use on metro. i have to reiterate this, the phone is mine, i was paying monthly for it. until i fell behind on some of the bills and couldnt make them any more. so its not stolen, i can prove its mine. i would just love to still use it as it is a good phone. any positive feed back would be greatly appreciated. thanks again guys and gals.
ron608 said:
hello everyone. im not sure if im using the search function here correctly or not but i couldnt find anything. (probably didnt use it correctly) but i have a samsung s8 from tmobile. i own the phone and was with t-mobile for a long time. until a week ago. the phone isnt paid off yet and i plan on going back to t-mobile once i situate the money issue with them. but for nowi would love to still use it. and i cant unlock it as its not paid yet. is there any way to unlock it to use on metro. i have to reiterate this, the phone is mine, i was paying monthly for it. until i fell behind on some of the bills and couldnt make them any more. so its not stolen, i can prove its mine. i would just love to still use it as it is a good phone. any positive feed back would be greatly appreciated. thanks again guys and gals.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Online services is the only way and most charge around i thin a 100 for tmobile
metro is a subsidiary of tmobile are they not?
Most carrier devices will allow subsidiary sims in them
biggest thing is black list due to non payment....
This is about the most help you will get since you havnt paid your device off
HoosierDaddy said:
Online services is the only way and most charge around i thin a 100 for tmobile
metro is a subsidiary of tmobile are they not?
Most carrier devices will allow subsidiary sims in them
biggest thing is black list due to non payment....
This is about the most help you will get since you havnt paid your device off
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes they are. but i tried sticking my metro sim in my tmobile phone and it said "phone not allowed" couldnt make any calls. it said it wasnt on a network or something everytime i tried to make a call.
I've unlocked about 10 phones from T-Mobile, and I'm from Canada. We don't even have T-Mobile ??. I just use a PC running a program called IMEI Gurus LLC Service Tool. They have aan option to specifically unlock T-Mobile for free..
Sassiest said:
I've unlocked about 10 phones from T-Mobile, and I'm from Canada. We don't even have T-Mobile . I just use a PC running a program called IMEI Gurus LLC Service Tool. They have aan option to specifically unlock T-Mobile for free..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well they changed it. I know the owner personally and as of 6 months ago it was 110. I pay samkey.com for unlock credits on mobile and it is most def not free.
But that's not the point. The point is pay your device off and they'll do it for free
HoosierDaddy said:
Well they changed it. I know the owner personally and as of 6 months ago it was 110. I pay samkey.com for unlock credits on mobile and it is most def not free.
But that's not the point. The point is pay your device off and they'll do it for free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i havent paid off my device and they put in a request to unlock it. while on the phone with them i got curious and clicked on the t-mobile unlock app, ticked on perm unlock and it worked. restarted the phone and it has since been unlocked. the unlock app disappeard and everything. the only thing is now that when i stick a metro sim i get the error MM and when i try and make a call it says it is not on a registered network. ill take it up to metro and see whats up. i appreciate all the comments.
just stuck the sim from my work phone (sprint iphone) and it tried to go through the motions of setting it up but it wouldnt finish. im thinking it is the phone itself. sucks.

Resources