I have a question. If I bought this phone outright, and sprint basically locked rooting it via boot loader version 5+, could another carrier flash it with "something special" to get it on the carriers firmware? If I own this, and Sprint locked a feature on me, wouldn't that make them liable for damages?
tonysak said:
I have a question. If I bought this phone outright, and sprint basically locked rooting it via boot loader version 5+, could another carrier flash it with "something special" to get it on the carriers firmware? If I own this, and Sprint locked a feature on me, wouldn't that make them liable for damages?
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Not really. You bought the phone to use specially on Sprint as a Sprint phone. When it came out, no one knew about the u firmware or using it on other carriers. There is a post on here about unlocking additional lte bands. If the phone is carrier unlocked, you will get some service on all carriers, but not all the bands will be unlocked.
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There are some galaxy s5 phones coming up on the local Craigslist that say factory unlocked. Would these have unlocked boot loaders?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using xda premium
Depends on if its the international one. Cause you can factory unlock an AT&T one. And that doesnt have an unlocked boot loader either way.
kettir said:
There are some galaxy s5 phones coming up on the local Craigslist that say factory unlocked. Would these have unlocked boot loaders?
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Verizon and ATT lock their bootloaders. Most if not all other North American S5's will have unlocked bootloaders. In most cases, The TMobile version is the most unrestricted and capable hansdset. Unless you need a CDMA phone (Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular).
"Unlocked" usually refers to SIM locks.
For completeness there are also Developer model phones for Verizon /ATT that do have unlocked bootloaders. You won't see those very often. They have a different part number and their own firmware. Samsung does not have a good history of providing timely firmware updates for Developer models.
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Has samsung announced that they will unlock the bootloader? was the s4 with locked bootloader also?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Verizon may be the only one with a locked bootloader.
I actually don't know... if it's only verizon then that's cool.. i am going to buy the unlocked carrier version.
edit: seeing no custom rom, I thought the bootloader was locked
Yea, I'm pretty sure it's just the Verizon model. Every other model has plenty of roms.
yeahman45 said:
Has samsung announced that they will unlock the bootloader? was the s4 with locked bootloader also?
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The bootloader is already unlocked. On my phone and most other S5's as well. You are apparently making some assumption about some particular S5 variant. A minority of carriers do lock bootloaders, but you didn't even tell us what model of S5 you have or are referring to. You should give some context so that we know what you are talking about.
edit: I see that you implied in a follow up post that you meant Verizon. The bootloader on a Verizon S5 is locked at the behest of Verizon, not Samsung. Samsung doesn't lock the bootloader for TMobile, Bell, Rogers, Telus or hundreds of other carriers. Pretty much just Verizon and ATT and a few sundry CDMA carriers that are that restrictive.
There are tons of custom ROMs for carriers that are more reasonable. You can use Safestrap to emulate a limited number of ROMs on Verizon but it's your choice of carrier that is hampering you here.
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ok thx guys I am getting the unlocked/carrier free version .. so should not be a problem thx
Hi folks
So i bought an used S7 Edge with sim lock but it says U in the model name. I dont know the carrier but i think its Verizon. Is there any way possible to unlock it. The IMEI is...
Thanks
Ravka90 said:
Hi folks
So i bought an used S7 Edge with sim lock but it says U in the model name. I dont know the carrier but i think its Verizon. Is there any way possible to unlock it. The IMEI is..............
Thanks
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Oh god don't post imei.. You should remove that
crixley said:
Oh god don't post imei.. You should remove that
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OK thanks for advice
Ravka90 said:
Hi folks
So i bought an used S7 Edge with sim lock but it says U in the model name. I dont know the carrier but i think its Verizon. Is there any way possible to unlock it. The IMEI is...
Thanks
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The seller didn't know either?
Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk
optimummind said:
The seller didn't know either?
Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk
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Nope.
What are my options or steps to take ?
u can try this rom https://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-s7-edge/development/rom-t3603231 select verzion while flashing if it doesn't boot then its surely tmobile or at&t, then goto to tmobile site n check imei status if it fails then its at&t
johngr77 said:
check model number on the back, might be a sprint model G935P flashed with G935U firmware
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Its Verizon.
The model is SM-G935V
I think the only solution is to change the logic board.
I tried almost every 3rd party unlock site, contacted Samsung and Verizon but no luck.
Ummmmmm I think the u firmware is carrier unlocked and nor does Verizon lock there phones so it should be unlocked dude
gurnsey101 said:
Ummmmmm I think the u firmware is carrier unlocked and nor does Verizon lock there phones so it should be unlocked dude
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Its fckd up, i opened the back and on the motherboard it says SM-G935A. So its AT&T but the software on the phone is SM-G935U.
Ravka90 said:
Hi folks
So i bought an used S7 Edge with sim lock but it says U in the model name. I dont know the carrier but i think its Verizon. Is there any way possible to unlock it. The IMEI is...
Thanks
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Click to collapse
The "U" model is the newer model that Samsung introduced on June 30 of 2016. It is UNLOCKED for North American carriers. It will run all of the big 4 (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, & T-Mo) based on which carrier's sim card you put in it. Samsung introduced similar to some of the Motorola models or the Nexus/Pixel models that can be taken from carrier to carrier. That is ONLY true of the 935U. If it does not say U, it is not the North American unlocked model. It was sold directly from Samsung, Best Buy, and other online electronics resellers. None of the four US carriers sold this model since they sold their own model. Because it is not carrier locked, there is very little bloatware. Now having said all that, the bootloader for the "U" version is absolutely locked by Samsung so it cannot be rooted or flashed at this point. That is everything I know at this point. Good luck. The product is reaching end of life, so you should pick one up soon if you want, but you can take it to any carrier in the US.
hodgestl said:
The "U" model is the newer model that Samsung introduced on June 30 of 2016. It is UNLOCKED for North American carriers. It will run all of the big 4 (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, & T-Mo) based on which carrier's sim card you put in it. Samsung introduced similar to some of the Motorola models or the Nexus/Pixel models that can be taken from carrier to carrier. That is ONLY true of the 935U. If it does not say U, it is not the North American unlocked model. It was sold directly from Samsung, Best Buy, and other online electronics resellers. None of the four US carriers sold this model since they sold their own model. Because it is not carrier locked, there is very little bloatware. Now having said all that, the bootloader for the "U" version is absolutely locked by Samsung so it cannot be rooted or flashed at this point. That is everything I know at this point. Good luck. The product is reaching end of life, so you should pick one up soon if you want, but you can take it to any carrier in the US.
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I opened the phone and it says on the motherboard SM-G935A which is AT&T but it is flashed with SM-G935U and its Sim locked. I will try to unlock it with a code from a third party :/
Ravka90 said:
I opened the phone and it says on the motherboard SM-G935A which is AT&T but it is flashed with SM-G935U and its Sim locked. I will try to unlock it with a code from a third party :/
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So you are asking about 935U software running on 935A hardware? That doesn't seem to be what the original post says. Everything I told you was about 935U hardware only. In reviewing your original post, it seems you are asking a hardware question. Nevertheless I wish you all the best with whatever device you have. Good luck.
Ravka90 said:
Its fckd up, i opened the back and on the motherboard it says SM-G935A. So its AT&T but the software on the phone is SM-G935U.
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If the motherboard says 935A, you have the AT&T version that was flashed with the unlocked U firmware. The U firmware can be flashed on any of the US carrier versions. Flashing the U firmware removes the carrier bloatware but it won't unlock the phone. If the phone was fully paid for and not blacklisted as lost or stolen, AT&T should unlock it, otherwise a 3rd party unlock service should be able to provided it's not blacklisted and you tell them it's a 935A, not a 935U.
Hi all. its probably T-MOBILE G935, then check out IMEIFIX.com, if not then Sprint G935P check out IMEIGURUS.
Hi everyone, title basically says it all. The phone was fully paid for and unlocked. Formally an At&t phone. I'm trying to use it on Sprint's network as it should support it but however I cannot get it to activate at all. Apparently it isn't even recognized by Sprint's system at all. Any advice?
Is it because Sprint is a cdma network and at&t is a gsm network?
I could be very wrong but I dont believe gsm unlocked phones dont play well with verizon/sprint even though they have all the bands.
Let someone wiser point you in the write direction but probably flashing sprint rom on the phone would probably help. There is a thread in rom section that has you flash the unlocked firmware and then flash carrier firmware. I did this with my att unlocked 10+ and now using as a tmobile device(for carrier stuff).
Take it to a store or call ... they're picky as to letting devices on the network that aren't in their system
Gotta flash the g975u1 firmware on it...
Hi,
I found that "unlockboot" can help me to unlock my S10+ SMG-G975U, that previusly UnlockUnit identify my device as Unavailable - CDMA and something like that topic.
Do you recommend unlockboot to unlock by 99USD?
Thank in advance!
Are you wanting to carrier unlock it or bootloader unlock it? The phone is already carrier unlocked, just insert your SIM. The bootloader cannot be unlocked on the G975U.
StoneyJSG said:
Are you wanting to carrier unlock it or bootloader unlock it? The phone is already carrier unlocked, just insert your SIM. The bootloader cannot be unlocked on the G975U.
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Hi,
No, there is a message that said "Sorry, your device can´t be activated on another carrier's..."
What carrier are you on? If you flash the U1 unlocked firmware and insert a SIM, it should work. If you don't want to flash then it looks like you need an unlock code, which is odd because from what I have read the G975U is already carrier unlocked.
StoneyJSG said:
What carrier are you on? If you flash the U1 unlocked firmware and insert a SIM, it should work. If you don't want to flash then it looks like you need an unlock code, which is odd because from what I have read the G975U is already carrier unlocked.
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Thanks, I will try to flash U1 fw. The cellphone is Verizon, and I am looking to move to Movistar (Telefonica) of Mexico.
StoneyJSG said:
What carrier are you on? If you flash the U1 unlocked firmware and insert a SIM, it should work. If you don't want to flash then it looks like you need an unlock code, which is odd because from what I have read the G975U is already carrier unlocked.
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Wait wait. So you're saying my Sprint S10+ is already unlocked? Just need to flash the U1 software?
If you purchased a carrier branded model new it doesn't normally come unlocked. You need to own the phone outright before a carrier will unlock it and some carriers require that the phone be used on their network for a minimum period of time (usually 1 or 2 months) even if you did purchase it outright from them.
You cannot flash U1 firmware on an S10+ unless it's carrier unlocked.
Hello,
I flashed this one: https://forum.xda-developers.com/s10-plus/how-to/sm-g975u-firmware-downloads-tmo-spr-att-t3908657. Everything goes ok, and the message of unlocking appears, requesting me the unlock code.
Any suggestion?
Thank you!
jhs39 said:
If you purchased a carrier branded model new it doesn't normally come unlocked. You need to own the phone outright before a carrier will unlock it and some carriers require that the phone be used on their network for a minimum period of time (usually 1 or 2 months) even if you did purchase it outright from them.
You cannot flash U1 firmware on an S10+ unless it's carrier unlocked.
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Actually you can flash U1 firmware anyway, but it will still be locked to the same carrier without the unlock code. Carrier locking is IMEI based, not software or device based.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
Have you tried calling the carrier and asking them to unlock it? Most carriers will unlock your phone once you've had it for 3 months.
Psedog said:
Have you tried calling the carrier and asking them to unlock it? Most carriers will unlock your phone once you've had it for 3 months.
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I cannot get contact with agent support, I need to have a Verizon number get into the call
jwarrior319 said:
Actually you can flash U1 firmware anyway, but it will still be locked to the same carrier without the unlock code. Carrier locking is IMEI based, not software or device based.
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Recently the firmware for the S10+ became all-inclusive like on the S9 models so I'm not sure if flashing U1 firmware over carrier firmware will get rid of the carrier apps anymore. They seem to get installed now automatically as part of the provisioning for the installed SIM card. If you have a network unlocked Verizon phone and insert a T-mobile SIM you end up with the T-mobile boot animation and T-mobile apps and all the Verizon stuff is gone. Maybe the U1 firmware doesn't work the same way.
I read in a different thread that you have to activate the phone with Verizon and wait 3 days. After that just put in another carrier SIM and the phone should auto unlock.
jhs39 said:
If you purchased a carrier branded model new it doesn't normally come unlocked. You need to own the phone outright before a carrier will unlock it and some carriers require that the phone be used on their network for a minimum period of time (usually 1 or 2 months) even if you did purchase it outright from them.
You cannot flash U1 firmware on an S10+ unless it's carrier unlocked.
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Click to collapse
this is incomplete and some is inaccurate..
his vzw device doesnt need to be paid off but does need to wait 60 days from activating on the verizon network before they unlock it..
also you can absolutely flash u1 firmware on a u device, it has literally nothing to do with the sim lock.. and no, flashing u1 on u doesnt magically unlock the sim..
pretty sure on U firmware vzw device will say message cannot be used on another carrier yet.. on u1 will i believe prompt for unlock code when a dif. carrier sim is inserted
https://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy
sprint however needs to be fully paid off and active at least 50 days and account needs to be in good standing to be eligible for sim unlock
StoneyJSG said:
I read in a different thread that you have to activate the phone with Verizon and wait 3 days. After that just put in another carrier SIM and the phone should auto unlock.
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its a 60 day period, not 3 days lmao
hackerjj22 said:
Hi,
I found that "unlockboot" can help me to unlock my S10+ SMG-G975U, that previusly UnlockUnit identify my device as Unavailable - CDMA and something like that topic.
Do you recommend unlockboot to unlock by 99USD?
Thank in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you trying to unlock the Sim or the bootloader? i have the same phone and was disappointed to find out i couldn't unlock my bootloader. no root no custom rom smh. but it's because Samsung removed the developer option to "oem unlock" which must be enabled to unlock. so done online service claiming to be able to do so is crap and waste of money. also if you're trying to unlock the Sim which I think that's what the site is claiming to be able to do because Sprint is a CDMA network if you unlock the SIM the only other service you can put it onto would be boost or Virgin Mobile which just use Sprint's towers. they're the only network still using CDMA. so pointless all the way around sorry buddy.
kw69747 said:
are you trying to unlock the Sim or the bootloader? i have the same phone and was disappointed to find out i couldn't unlock my bootloader. no root no custom rom smh. but it's because Samsung removed the developer option to "oem unlock" which must be enabled to unlock. so done online service claiming to be able to do so is crap and waste of money. also if you're trying to unlock the Sim which I think that's what the site is claiming to be able to do because Sprint is a CDMA network if you unlock the SIM the only other service you can put it onto would be boost or Virgin Mobile which just use Sprint's towers. they're the only network still using CDMA. so pointless all the way around sorry buddy.
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Thanks for your reply!
I am trying to unlock the sim, the cellphone was Verizon US, (refurbished by asurion). And wanted to use Movistar (Telefonica, from Mexico just GSM). I am searching to do a root and try to follow this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1693491. So what I understand, the site "Unlockboot" could do a CDMA unlock, and after 3 days of chatting with the person that is on service there, sounds that are possible, also is possible that I can continue using my GSM provider of Mexico. But it is very expensive 99$ USD is 2000$ MXN... Also, I do not trust a web service, also if there isn't a reference on this forum.
So that's the update...
kw69747 said:
are you trying to unlock the Sim or the bootloader? i have the same phone and was disappointed to find out i couldn't unlock my bootloader. no root no custom rom smh. but it's because Samsung removed the developer option to "oem unlock" which must be enabled to unlock. so done online service claiming to be able to do so is crap and waste of money. also if you're trying to unlock the Sim which I think that's what the site is claiming to be able to do because Sprint is a CDMA network if you unlock the SIM the only other service you can put it onto would be boost or Virgin Mobile which just use Sprint's towers. they're the only network still using CDMA. so pointless all the way around sorry buddy.
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you are wrong.. U variants will work on all us carriers once sim unlocked.. its been this way a few years now..
also, i can get oem unlock but youre still not missing anything because bl unlock doesnt work still lol
I think ibowtoandroid who maintains multiple Samsung device threads on XDA has an unlock service but I'm not sure what he charges.
---------- Post added at 01:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 AM ----------
Where I live there are multiple independent phone shops that sell SIM cards and phones and are not affiliated with a single carrier and also phone repair shops that offer to SIM unlock a phone as a walk in service. You can probably find a shop to do it if you don't trust an online service.
jhs39 said:
I think ibowtoandroid who maintains multiple Samsung device threads on XDA has an unlock service but I'm not sure what he charges.
---------- Post added at 01:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 AM ----------
Where I live there are multiple independent phone shops that sell SIM cards and phones and are not affiliated with a single carrier and also phone repair shops that offer to SIM unlock a phone as a walk in service. You can probably find a shop to do it if you don't trust an online service.
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Let me contact him, thanks!