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So I purchased my phone from Sprint and would like to do the domestic unlock. I have read around that if you insert another carriers sim card before turning the phone on initially it will be unlocked. I unfortunately did not do this.
My question is, if I were to re-flash the stock firmware (whenever that releases) would I be able to insert another carrier's sim card and reproduce the initial out of the box unlock process?
Just take it to Sprint and have them unlock it for all carpets. As I understand it, they are required by law to do so if asked.
mrcooter said:
Just take it to Sprint and have them unlock it for all carpets. As I understand it, they are required by law to do so if asked.
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Click to collapse
The problem is that I got the phone on the sprint lease and i'm paying it but would like to use it on a different carrier.
Droidz said:
The problem is that I got the phone on the sprint lease and i'm paying it but would like to use it on a different carrier.
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Click to collapse
That shouldn't matter as long as you don't cancel your Sprint service, otherwise then of course they would bill you for the remainder of the phone. If you look on your about phone settings, there is an option for UICC unlock where you would update the PRL etc. They put in a code which then allows other SIMs and activations, but you could switch back and forth after that even. Leased or not they should unlock this for you no questions asked if requested.
mrcooter said:
That shouldn't matter as long as you don't cancel your Sprint service, otherwise then of course they would bill you for the remainder of the phone. If you look on your about phone settings, there is an option for UICC unlock where you would update the PRL etc. They put in a code which then allows other SIMs and activations, but you could switch back and forth after that even. Leased or not they should unlock this for you no questions asked if requested.
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Click to collapse
Where is the UICC option? I remember seeing it when I was playing around with the phone but now I don't see it anymore?
I bought one off of craigslist, sprint "locked" I took a gamble thinking it would be able to be used on a different network. Unfortunately, I am unable to make it work with AT&T.
Anyone with ideas on how to unlock a sprint phone (clean IMEI) for AT&T?
PlasticsDoc said:
Where is the UICC option? I remember seeing it when I was playing around with the phone but now I don't see it anymore?
I bought one off of craigslist, sprint "locked" I took a gamble thinking it would be able to be used on a different network. Unfortunately, I am unable to make it work with AT&T.
Anyone with ideas on how to unlock a sprint phone (clean IMEI) for AT&T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About phone / OMADM updates / UICC unlock
Sprint will either need to put in the code for you, or they will give you the code. Haven't looked into it much since I'm staying with Sprint. Even if they aren't your carrier, probably would still do it when asked. Just go to local store front and try.
mrcooter said:
About phone / OMADM updates / UICC unlock
Sprint will either need to put in the code for you, or they will give you the code. Haven't looked into it much since I'm staying with Sprint. Even if they aren't your carrier, probably would still do it when asked. Just go to local store front and try.
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Click to collapse
Thank for your reply. Unfortunately, they won't unlock it. CSR said its common that people make fake accounts to get free phones and sell them. Is there any other possibilities?
PlasticsDoc said:
Thank for your reply. Unfortunately, they won't unlock it. CSR said its common that people make fake accounts to get free phones and sell them. Is there any other possibilities?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully someone else will know and comment. If it were me, I'd use the excuse of you travel and Sprint coverage isn't supported everywhere therefore you need to be able to swap SIMs. If it were me, I'd research the law requiring them to unlock it and see the best way getting this done, maybe a second tier rep over the phone would be another option to try, sometimes people in the store just say things thinking they know best. You could try a factory reset and put in the other SIM before 1st boot but not seeing that actually work in my opinion.
The only way I see working is flashing stock firmware and inserting another sim card at that point. A regular wipe wont work.
Also the international unlock doesn't allow it to work domestically, like with T-Mobile or Verizon.
Droidz said:
The only way I see working is flashing stock firmware and inserting another sim card at that point. A regular wipe wont work.
Also the international unlock doesn't allow it to work domestically, like with T-Mobile or Verizon.
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Click to collapse
Still no way to flash stock firmware is there?
So if you purchase a phone direct from essential but put the Sprint sim in it the phone will be locked to Sprint?
Final-Mac said:
So if you purchase a phone direct from essential but put the Sprint sim in it the phone will be locked to Sprint?
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Click to collapse
Doubt it.
Sprint locks the batch of phones they lease out. Just like anything you lease, it's not yours until you pay for it.
PlasticsDoc said:
Still no way to flash stock firmware is there?
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Click to collapse
nope, that's what I've been waiting for as well.
Droidz said:
nope, that's what I've been waiting for as well.
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Click to collapse
I just flashed stock firmware (NMJ20D) over my sprint locked phone, still locked...
Only way Sprint will unlock the devices is after 50 days and it's paid off.
---------- Post added at 04:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:35 AM ----------
Sprint.com/unlock
There has to be a way to unlock the phone through software. If they come unlocked out of the box before being activated, then it must be some sort of software switch.
This means that there must be a way to get the phone back to its out of the box state and have it unlock.
If there is anybody who can chime in on this and let me know otherwise it would be very much appreciated.
networx2002 said:
Only way Sprint will unlock the devices is after 90 days and it's paid off.
---------- Post added at 04:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:35 AM ----------
Sprint.com/unlock
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Click to collapse
Actually, it's 50 days. The device needs to be active on the Sprint network for 50 days and also fully paid off. You can then request the unlock.
So if you got in on the Sprint flex lease deal and ended up with a Sprint locked phone, your options are:
1) Sell it as a Sprint locked device
2) Use it on Sprint for 50 days, then request the unlock
3) Keep haggling Sprint CS to try and get it unlocked before 50 days (some users have had success with this)
Sprint customer support says hell no. I spent all day trying. All DAY. I talked to over 12 reps with no solution
I originally have att... Went and signed up with Sprint to take advantage of their price... Paid my phone off... And got them to unlock it a day later... You do NOT need to have the phone on 50 day service to get it unlocked...
What I think may be happening with the different outcomes is how people talk to the support... I don't think it helps if you're aggressive or not friendly.... Or course, this is just my weak guess.... The support gave me no issues getting it unlocked but did ask if I was keeping the service still... Which I said yes, but to be honest, Sprint LTE is slow.... So now I dunno if I want to keep the service...
joewoo said:
I originally have att... Went and signed up with Sprint to take advantage of their price... Paid my phone off... And got them to unlock it a day later... You do NOT need to have the phone on 50 day service to get it unlocked...
What I think may be happening with the different outcomes is how people talk to the support... I don't think it helps if you're aggressive or not friendly.... Or course, this is just my weak guess.... The support gave me no issues getting it unlocked but did ask if I was keeping the service still... Which I said yes, but to be honest, Sprint LTE is slow.... So now I dunno if I want to keep the service...
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Click to collapse
I didn't have issues either. I had it unlocked within 12 hours of receiving the phone. I'm assertive and speak like I know the rules, because I do. But I ALWAYS say yes sir or no sir, please, thank you, and talk to them like they're actual human beings. I almost never have issues with customer service.
Hi,
So a friend of mine is bringing the Essential Phone to India from the USA. It is a Sprint model. Can anyone help me and tell me how can I go about unlocking the device so that I can use it with Indian carriers?
zaydenQ said:
Hi,
So a friend of mine is bringing the Essential Phone to India from the USA. It is a Sprint model. Can anyone help me and tell me how can I go about unlocking the device so that I can use it with Indian carriers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have your friend from the USA stay on a sprint account for 50 days then he can call them to unlock it for international as long as it's paid in full.
Unlock sprint
Hey. Can somebody help me with the unlock my essential phone pH 1
I had to send mine back. They have two types of UICC unlocks. One of them in for carriers inside the USA only and the other is for international carriers. The problem is that the international unlock is temporary. Even if the phone is paid in full their systems are relocking lots of phones when used on international carriers using the essential on USA carriers seems to be fine. Mine was paid in full with sprint and was unlocked for 1 month when I called Sprint they said that the international UUIC unlock is temporary so I needed to request it again. I decided to return the phone and once I got the refund and I purchased one directly from essential and my problems were solved.
Sprint is a CDMA network, so you need to check a few things before actually using the phone outside Sprint network.
CDMA networks use network-based white lists to verify their subscribers. That means you can only switch CDMA phones with your carrier’s permission. Details: https://www.unlockunit.com/blog/cdma-networks/
However, you might be able to use your phone with a local Indian GSM network. You must make sure that your phone has also GSM capabilities. you can check this on https://www.gsmarena.com/
And you can check your network's bands here: https://www.frequencycheck.com/
Jahdiel2011 said:
I had to send mine back. They have two types of UICC unlocks. One of them in for carriers inside the USA only and the other is for international carriers. The problem is that the international unlock is temporary. Even if the phone is paid in full their systems are relocking lots of phones when used on international carriers using the essential on USA carriers seems to be fine. Mine was paid in full with sprint and was unlocked for 1 month when I called Sprint they said that the international UUIC unlock is temporary so I needed to request it again. I decided to return the phone and once I got the refund and I purchased one directly from essential and my problems were solved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was your phone unlocked after 50 days with Sprint? I'm only keeping Sprint for 50 days to get them to do the international unlock. After that I will cancel. My phone was automatically unlocked for US sims after I paid off the lease and I'm using it with a T-mobile sim now. I noticed that the UICC menu is gone with my T-mobile sim in the phone. Do you know if the phone can be relocked for international sims even if it doesn't have a Sprint sim in the phone?
DrvLikHell said:
Was your phone unlocked after 50 days with Sprint? I'm only keeping Sprint for 50 days to get them to do the international unlock. After that I will cancel. My phone was automatically unlocked for US sims after I paid off the lease and I'm using it with a T-mobile sim now. I noticed that the UICC menu is gone with my T-mobile sim in the phone. Do you know if the phone can be relocked for international sims even if it doesn't have a Sprint sim in the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine was paid in full and was unlocked both domestically and internationally. I was not 50 days with Sprint. Since I had to travel abroad I asked for the International unlock which they granted as I had already paid for the phone. I started using the phone in South America and around one month later I got the Invalid SimCard message. When I called they said that the UUIC international unlock is temporary so I need to call Sprint and request it again. The domestic unlock is permanent not the same for the international (It made no sense) I called again yesterday to get info on their policies again and now I got different info the phone was supposedly unlocked according to their systems.
Besides this I've got info from trusted sources saying that even devices purchased Unlocked from essential are being locked by sprint when inserting sprint sim cards so stay away from those sim cards.
unlocked then relocked
My phone was unlocked by Sprint shortly after I paid it off, about two days after I received it. I was able to insert a Vietnamese SIM card and download all the Essential security updates.
Then somehow it got relocked. called Sprint to asked them to unlock it internationally, as I actually do travel internationally for work quite a bit. They responded with an email refusing to unlock it until it had been on the network for 50 days.
I have had the last three phones on Sprint unlocked internationally with less trouble than this one.
I guess I'll try again when the 50 days are up.
Jahdiel2011 said:
Mine was paid in full and was unlocked both domestically and internationally. I was not 50 days with Sprint. Since I had to travel abroad I asked for the International unlock which they granted as I had already paid for the phone. I started using the phone in South America and around one month later I got the Invalid SimCard message. When I called they said that the UUIC international unlock is temporary so I need to call Sprint and request it again. The domestic unlock is permanent not the same for the international (It made no sense) I called again yesterday to get info on their policies again and now I got different info the phone was supposedly unlocked according to their systems.
Besides this I've got info from trusted sources saying that even devices purchased Unlocked from essential are being locked by sprint when inserting sprint sim cards so stay away from those sim cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that information. When you were in South America and got the invalid sim card message, were you on a non-US sim? Did you put the Sprint sim back in at any time before you got that message? I'm trying to figure out if they can relock the device without the Sprint sim card in it, because if so I'm not keeping this phone. I requested the international unlock on my phone as well, but they told me I had to wait until the phone was active for 50 days. They wouldn't budge on that at all. Maybe the 50 day policy is why yours got relocked?
huzordaddy said:
My phone was unlocked by Sprint shortly after I paid it off, about two days after I received it. I was able to insert a Vietnamese SIM card and download all the Essential security updates.
Then somehow it got relocked. called Sprint to asked them to unlock it internationally, as I actually do travel internationally for work quite a bit. They responded with an email refusing to unlock it until it had been on the network for 50 days.
I have had the last three phones on Sprint unlocked internationally with less trouble than this one.
I guess I'll try again when the 50 days are up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone was unlocked for domestic sims 48 hours after the lease was closed. US sims work in it now, but I put a European sim in it and it asked for an unlock code. Did your phone get relocked while it had the Vietnamese sim in it, or were you swapping between that and the Sprint sim?
Once my 50 days are up and I cancel Sprint, I really don't want to have a phone that can be randomly locked by a company that I no longer have any business with. If that's the case I'm going to get rid of this phone and go with another brand.
DrvLikHell said:
Thanks for that information. When you were in South America and got the invalid sim card message, were you on a non-US sim? Did you put the Sprint sim back in at any time before you got that message? I'm trying to figure out if they can relock the device without the Sprint sim card in it, because if so I'm not keeping this phone. I requested the international unlock on my phone as well, but they told me I had to wait until the phone was active for 50 days. They wouldn't budge on that at all. Maybe the 50 day policy is why yours got relocked?
My phone was unlocked for domestic sims 48 hours after the lease was closed. US sims work in it now, but I put a European sim in it and it asked for an unlock code. Did your phone get relocked while it had the Vietnamese sim in it, or were you swapping between that and the Sprint sim?
Once my 50 days are up and I cancel Sprint, I really don't want to have a phone that can be randomly locked by a company that I no longer have any business with. If that's the case I'm going to get rid of this phone and go with another brand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not even bring the Sprint Sim on my trip so I'd say Yes. They can relock it even with other sim card. I was using non US sims the whole time. I'm not sure if the issue is the 50 days policy but I did not want to have a phone I paid in full and cannot own as I should.
How can they lock the phone if it's not on their Network? Sounds like some funny business with firmware updates.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs
I got a Essential from an ebay reseller, I checked the IMEI before buying it , said it was clean... and thought that's all that mattered :/
It's locked to someone's sprint account or something, i can't use it on sprint even if I wanted! I have no way of contacting that owner... what can I do?
Can I put some other firmware on it or is there some unlocking service I can opt for?
When I contacted sprint they said the phone is clean/not stolen... so yeah... very frustrating.
Please help/advise.
Edwii said:
I got a Essential from an ebay reseller, I checked the IMEI before buying it , said it was clean... and thought that's all that mattered :/
It's locked to someone's sprint account or something, i can't use it on sprint even if I wanted! I have no way of contacting that owner... what can I do?
Can I put some other firmware on it or is there some unlocking service I can opt for?
When I contacted sprint they said the phone is clean/not stolen... so yeah... very frustrating.
Please help/advise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's locked to someone elses Sprint account, and it's not sim unlocked so you can't use it on a GSM service, the only option you have is to return it to the eBay seller. If the seller said it was unlocked or otherwise ready to be activated, that was incorrect and you can do an "Item not as described" type of return, stating that it is not able to be used and you'll get your money back. eBay offers very good protection for this sort of thing.
avd said:
How can they lock the phone if it's not on their Network? Sounds like some funny business with firmware updates.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to know the same thing. From what I've learned the sim lock is a single bit somewhere that's nearly impossible to change without an unlock code. And I've never heard of a phone relocking. I don't know how they're doing it with the Essential. The interesting thing is that when you put in a non-sprint sim, the phone will then update to a newer firmware because sprint is behind on theirs, but it can still relock with the newer firmware. Also, with a non-sprint sim the UICC menu disappears, but then it comes back when you put a sprint sim back in. I don't know what its deal is.
Just the fact that it's possible for sprint to relock a phone remotely is enough to steer me away from this phone. I can't be in a situation where I'm relying on my phone for communication in another country and then, oops, sprint decided to relock my phone and now I can't contact anyone. I've been in situations where that could be very dangerous. If I stay with the PH1, I'll sell my sprint phones and get one directly from the company. Otherwise, I'm already looking at other phones.
Edwii said:
I got a Essential from an ebay reseller, I checked the IMEI before buying it , said it was clean... and thought that's all that mattered :/
It's locked to someone's sprint account or something, i can't use it on sprint even if I wanted! I have no way of contacting that owner... what can I do?
Can I put some other firmware on it or is there some unlocking service I can opt for?
When I contacted sprint they said the phone is clean/not stolen... so yeah... very frustrating.
Please help/advise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
File a claim.
Device different than specified.
So Far the PH-1 is a great option only if you buy it directly from essential and Never EVER put a Sprint Sim Card on it.
Edwii said:
I got a Essential from an ebay reseller, I checked the IMEI before buying it , said it was clean... and thought that's all that mattered :/
It's locked to someone's sprint account or something, i can't use it on sprint even if I wanted! I have no way of contacting that owner... what can I do?
Can I put some other firmware on it or is there some unlocking service I can opt for?
When I contacted sprint they said the phone is clean/not stolen... so yeah... very frustrating.
Please help/advise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
File a claim with eBay, they'll get your money back!
I have found that a lot of eBay sellers just put "Check IMEI" in their listing, with no other claim to being locked/unlocked, etc. So that it then becomes the buyer's responsibility to throughly check it before they buy. I checked the IMEI on Ting's website and they said it was good to go (vs. a phone that I have with a Bad ESN that they knew about and would understandably not accept - and no this is not a post about Bad ESN so back off wolfdroids!) I didn't bother filing a claim though because it makes an excellent WiFi Smartphone.
Still, I hate Sprint. No nonsense "Account Number and PIN" or we're not going to help you. I wanted to see about paying off the lease myself. Nope! They don't want my money.
atrac88 said:
I have found that a lot of eBay sellers just put "Check IMEI" in their listing, with no other claim to being locked/unlocked, etc. So that it then becomes the buyer's responsibility to throughly check it before they buy. I checked the IMEI on Ting's website and they said it was good to go (vs. a phone that I have with a Bad ESN that they knew about and would understandably not accept - and no this is not a post about Bad ESN so back off wolfdroids!) I didn't bother filing a claim though because it makes an excellent WiFi Smartphone.
Still, I hate Sprint. No nonsense "Account Number and PIN" or we're not going to help you. I wanted to see about paying off the lease myself. Nope! They don't want my money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Find someone that has a Sprint account and see if they can add it on so you can pay it off and use it. It's too good of a phone to be stuck at home being used as a mini-tablet
@Jahdiel2011 About how long did your international sim unlock last before it relocked on you?
30 days or so
I finally reached the 50 day finish line and will have my phone unlocked today or tomorrow. I want to sell this, but as "unlocked" on Swappa to make a bit more on it. How do I remove the Sprint Bloatware after unlock?
The variant you have technically will always be a Sprint variant. If you start up in bootloader mode, it will have variant - sprint not openus
I want to know the answer to this as well. I heard that factory resetting with a non sprint sim would take that stuff away. I am still 10 days out from the unlock.
runderekrun said:
I want to know the answer to this as well. I heard that factory resetting with a non sprint sim would take that stuff away. I am still 10 days out from the unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think that will work. We switched my wife's from the Sprint stock rom to the openus stock rom for better updates and it's still showing Sprint variant. It is also unlocked. So I don't know. But our phones never had bloatware on them to begin with.
JoRocker said:
I finally reached the 50 day finish line and will have my phone unlocked today or tomorrow. I want to sell this, but as "unlocked" on Swappa to make a bit more on it. How do I remove the Sprint Bloatware after unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it will always be a Sprint variant and can only be unlocked for domestic use. Please make sure buyers are aware if you sell it on Swappa.
Airwolf79 said:
Yes it will always be a Sprint variant and can only be unlocked for domestic use. Please make sure buyers are aware if you sell it on Swappa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's 100% false.. I already talked to Sprint about this because I'm moving to Taiwan in February, and they said it will work anywhere in the world. I.E. International and domestic unlock. There is no Sprint Bloatware just a PRL manager when Sprint Sim is inserted..
I also received an email stating my phone has been "International and Domestic Unlocked".
JoRocker said:
That's 100% false.. I already talked to Sprint about this because I'm moving to Taiwan in February, and they said it will work anywhere in the world. I.E. International and domestic unlock. There is no Sprint Bloatware just a PRL manager when Sprint Sim is inserted..
I also received an email stating my phone has been "International and Domestic Unlocked".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct.
I don't see any bloatware on my phone.
It will always be a Sprint variant but that is only for identification.
JoRocker said:
That's 100% false.. I already talked to Sprint about this because I'm moving to Taiwan in February, and they said it will work anywhere in the world. I.E. International and domestic unlock. There is no Sprint Bloatware just a PRL manager when Sprint Sim is inserted..
I also received an email stating my phone has been "International and Domestic Unlocked".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well Sprint doesn't say anything about unlocking it internationally. https://www.sprint.com/en/support/solutions/device/faqs-about-unlocking-your-sprint-device.html
Maybe you'll be lucky and it'll work for you, but I wouldn't take a chance taking a Sprint variant over seas with their track record of randomly relocking phones. There was a post here on the forum of a guy from Germany that bought an unlocked Sprint phone and couldn't use it over there. So until you actually try it, you won't know for sure. I still stand by my OP that the seller should disclose that it's a Sprint variant because it's not worth as much. There's plenty of regular unlocked ph1's on Swappa to choose from, so good luck trying to sell it for more than $300, if it's mint.
JoRocker said:
I finally reached the 50 day finish line and will have my phone unlocked today or tomorrow. I want to sell this, but as "unlocked" on Swappa to make a bit more on it. How do I remove the Sprint Bloatware after unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What Sprint bloatware are you referencing? I had my sprint installed but that was it. I keep it to pay my bill and track other things, but I was able to delete it just for kicks.
Airwolf79 said:
Well Sprint doesn't say anything about unlocking it internationally. https://www.sprint.com/en/support/solutions/device/faqs-about-unlocking-your-sprint-device.html
Maybe you'll be lucky and it'll work for you, but I wouldn't take a chance taking a Sprint variant over seas with their track record of randomly relocking phones. There was a post here on the forum of a guy from Germany that bought an unlocked Sprint phone and couldn't use it over there. So until you actually try it, you won't know for sure. I still stand by my OP that the seller should disclose that it's a Sprint variant because it's not worth as much. There's plenty of regular unlocked ph1's on Swappa to choose from, so good luck trying to sell it for more than $300, if it's mint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just called Sprint again to make sure (spoke to international department) they said there will be no issues it is 100% unlocked. I don't know what happened with that guy from Germany, but I'd guess he was lied to about it being unlocked from whoever he bought it from. In fact unless the post is less than a couple weeks ago, I know that's the case, because I got mine the first week of the offer and just was able to get it unlocked late last week.
I went to Swappa and every mint selling for $340 is still locked to Sprint. In fact, every posting says "locked to Sprint, will be unlockable after 50 days". So I'd assume people are selling the unlocked Sprint variants on "Unlocked" section, because there's no Bloatware, and it is unlocked.
carterfalls said:
What Sprint bloatware are you referencing? I had my sprint installed but that was it. I keep it to pay my bill and track other things, but I was able to delete it just for kicks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I meant, I figured out how to remove it. I actually don't have to, it gets installed with Sprint Sim it seems.
JoRocker said:
I just called Sprint again to make sure (spoke to international department) they said there will be no issues it is 100% unlocked. I don't know what happened with that guy from Germany, but I'd guess he was lied to about it being unlocked from whoever he bought it from. In fact unless the post is less than a couple weeks ago, I know that's the case, because I got mine the first week of the offer and just was able to get it unlocked late last week.
I went to Swappa and every mint selling for $340 is still locked to Sprint. In fact, every posting says "locked to Sprint, will be unlockable after 50 days". So I'd assume people are selling the unlocked Sprint variants on "Unlocked" section, because there's no Bloatware, and it is unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People that got in on the early lease program were told that they wouldn't have to wait the whole 50 days, and many posted their devices were unlocked within a few days of being paid off. One guy even posted his contract, and it didn't say anything about being only DSU until 50 days of use. Obviously, Sprint caught on to this that people were cancelling their contracts as soon as they paid off the device.
My point is, sellers of a Sprint device that are trying to sell it as an unlocked device need to disclose that it's a Sprint variant because most people will gladly pay a little more for a true GSM unlocked device that they don't have to worry about getting randomly relocked. The cheapest PH1 on Swappa in the unlocked section is $389, and none of them say they are Sprint variants, but there are people who will lie and not tell someone it's a Sprint variant, so I just wanted to inform the OP. That's not right.
Airwolf79 said:
People that got in on the early lease program were told that they wouldn't have to wait the whole 50 days, and many posted their devices were unlocked within a few days of being paid off. One guy even posted his contract, and it didn't say anything about being only DSU until 50 days of use. Obviously, Sprint caught on to this that people were cancelling their contracts as soon as they paid off the device.
My point is, sellers of a Sprint device that are trying to sell it as an unlocked device need to disclose that it's a Sprint variant because most people will gladly pay a little more for a true GSM unlocked device that they don't have to worry about getting randomly relocked. The cheapest PH1 on Swappa in the unlocked section is $389, and none of them say they are Sprint variants, but there are people who will lie and not tell someone it's a Sprint variant, so I just wanted to inform the OP. That's not right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look, I know you want to be right, but you just aren't... I ordered my phone day 3 of the deal. My phone was unlocked originally and then relocked a week later, because Sprint initially made a mistake and corrected it. It didn't affect me because I'm on the Sprint BYOD deal anyways. That's more than likely what happened to the German guy...
There is zero difference between the Unlocked and Sprint version. Usually with carrier specifics phones (note again I said usually) they alter the accepted frequencies to support that specific network and add carrier Bloatware, that's not the case with the Essential phone. Once the 50 days is up and you get it unlocked, it's unlocked forever. It's yours and you own it to use how you see fit. There is no Sprint Bloatware whatsoever or any carrier branding. It is now deemed "Unlocked" and can be advertised as such. I'll put in my listing that it was used on Sprint Network, but to say it will randomly relock is a ridiculous statement and has no chance of happening. It will accept all frequencies that any Essential phone is capable of using.
JoRocker said:
Look, I know you want to be right, but you just aren't... I ordered my phone day 3 of the deal. My phone was unlocked originally and then relocked a week later, because Sprint initially made a mistake and corrected it. It didn't affect me because I'm on the Sprint BYOD deal anyways. That's more than likely what happened to the German guy...
There is zero difference between the Unlocked and Sprint version. Usually with carrier specifics phones (note again I said usually) they alter the accepted frequencies to support that specific network and add carrier Bloatware, that's not the case with the Essential phone. Once the 50 days is up and you get it unlocked, it's unlocked forever. It's yours and you own it to use how you see fit. There is no Sprint Bloatware whatsoever or any carrier branding. It is now deemed "Unlocked" and can be advertised as such. I'll put in my listing that it was used on Sprint Network, but to say it will randomly relock is a ridiculous statement and has no chance of happening. It will accept all frequencies that any Essential phone is capable of using.
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You just completely contradicted yourself. Your phone was relocked "accidentally". LMAO. Ok buddy, you're right, I'm wrong.
JoRocker said:
Look, I know you want to be right, but you just aren't... I ordered my phone day 3 of the deal. My phone was unlocked originally and then relocked a week later, because Sprint initially made a mistake and corrected it. It didn't affect me because I'm on the Sprint BYOD deal anyways. That's more than likely what happened to the German guy...
There is zero difference between the Unlocked and Sprint version. Usually with carrier specifics phones (note again I said usually) they alter the accepted frequencies to support that specific network and add carrier Bloatware, that's not the case with the Essential phone. Once the 50 days is up and you get it unlocked, it's unlocked forever. It's yours and you own it to use how you see fit. There is no Sprint Bloatware whatsoever or any carrier branding. It is now deemed "Unlocked" and can be advertised as such. I'll put in my listing that it was used on Sprint Network, but to say it will randomly relock is a ridiculous statement and has no chance of happening. It will accept all frequencies that any Essential phone is capable of using.
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Click to collapse
There are two sprint system apps installed onto the sprint variant. Once it's unlocked, it is close enough to unlocked to probably sell it as such but there is a slight differences.
Airwolf79 said:
You just completely contradicted yourself. Your phone was relocked "accidentally". LMAO. Ok buddy, you're right, I'm wrong.
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I didn't contradict myself... They relocked people because they hadn't had service on the phone for 50 days to fully own the device... I have now. It is unlocked internationally and Domestically. It will accept all carriers in the world without risk of relocking... You're trying to way too hard to be correct.
I have already removed the Sprint PRL manager, by flashing Essentials stock ROM, not that it actually shows unless there's a Sprint Sim in the phone in the first place, but still for others peace of mind. It is now an Unlocked Essential Phone. No difference from my phone to an Essential website or Amazon version...
Airwolf79 said:
You just completely contradicted yourself. Your phone was relocked "accidentally". LMAO. Ok buddy, you're right, I'm wrong.
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Sprint can't relock them if there's no Sprint sim in them anymore.
I bought 4 through the deal, only 1 got relocked, that was the one that still had a sprint sim (and that one is unlocked now as well since the 50 days are up).
2 of them I gave to my parents who live in Belgium (that's in Europe) and they've been working perfectly ever since.
Gambler_BE said:
Sprint can't relock them if there's no Sprint sim in them anymore.
I bought 4 through the deal, only 1 got relocked, that was the one that still had a sprint sim (and that one is unlocked now as well since the 50 days are up).
2 of them I gave to my parents who live in Belgium (that's in Europe) and they've been working perfectly ever since.
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Ok I'm glad it worked out for you. Then I guess the right thing to do if selling the phone in the unlocked section on Swappa is to state that the 50 days has passed and it's fully unlocked. I stand corrected.
RE: Thread comment related to domestic and international unlocks on PH-1 Sprint variant.
Both unlocks are applicable on PH-1.
Attached composite of screen captures from my unlocked PH-1's illustrating BOTH domestic AND international unlocks of one of my PH-1's as reference example.
Friends don't let friends insert Sprint SIM's into their Essential phones View attachment 4803126
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.
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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.
I bought this v35 off of eBay and turns out it hasn't been paid off and I can't pay it off because I don't have the old account info.
Can I still go through the online carrier unlock methods to get this unlocked? Is there any way to unlock it myself or otherwise?
You need to return it for a refund.
Ohitstarik said:
I bought this v35 off of eBay and turns out it hasn't been paid off and I can't pay it off because I don't have the old account info.
Can I still go through the online carrier unlock methods to get this unlocked? Is there any way to unlock it myself or otherwise?
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Sadly I can't. I tried to refund it on eBay and they sided with the seller on some bull****. The point I made was that I couldn't unlock it because it wasn't paid off (not that it wasn't paid off in the first place), and the seller said it was locked to at&t in the ad (but they didn't say anything about it not being paid off).
So, I'm stuck with this at&t phone in my hand. Apparently at&t users can use it though.
Also: the IMEI is clean
Ohitstarik said:
Sadly I can't. I tried to refund it on eBay and they sided with the seller on some bull****. The point I made was that I couldn't unlock it because it wasn't paid off (not that it wasn't paid off in the first place), and the seller said it was locked to at&t in the ad (but they didn't say anything about it not being paid off).
So, I'm stuck with this at&t phone in my hand. Apparently at&t users can use it though.
Also: the IMEI is clean
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Wow that seems outrageously bogus. Ebay sides with seller that is selling a phone, that isn't paid off? Hard to imagine how they justified that. You can't sell a used car that isn't paid off, unless paying the lien on it is part of the selling transaction, which it usually is. How is it justified selling a phone that isn't paid off, knowing that it can't be unlocked without it being paid for?
I guess that they indicated it was locked to at&t somehow mitigates this in ebays eyes? But it's not like you bought it from the seller knowing you'd have to now pay more to at&t to be able to pay it off and unlock it? that seems totally unfair.
That is crazy for all of the reasons already given. Unless you file an appeal or escalate in some other way, the best you can hope for is that it wasn't stolen, gets paid off, and stays off IMEI blacklists. You have a paperweight if the latter happens.
Ohitstarik said:
I bought this v35 off of eBay and turns out it hasn't been paid off and I can't pay it off because I don't have the old account info.
Can I still go through the online carrier unlock methods to get this unlocked? Is there any way to unlock it myself or otherwise?
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Click to collapse
It definitely is bull****.
Can't say I'm the most responsible person, if I pushed hard enough I might have been able to get something out of this back in the day. It still hasn't been paid off, this all happened 2 years ago. It really surprised me since ebay pretty much always sides with the buyer no matter what.
I've been lazy and have been using the phone lightly for ground control stuff for drones, but it's been sitting around for most of the time. I have a OnePlus 6T but was still thinking of switching to the V35 and selling the 6T. 2gb less ram, but the screen and cameras from what I see are worth it.
Its not possible though? Through bootloader unlock and flashing a new ROM? I guess the network & software side are a different, and the IMEI points to the network stuff. I guess I'll just try to sell it to some At&t user.
Ohitstarik said:
It definitely is bull****.
Can't say I'm the most responsible person, if I pushed hard enough I might have been able to get something out of this back in the day. It still hasn't been paid off, this all happened 2 years ago. It really surprised me since ebay pretty much always sides with the buyer no matter what.
I've been lazy and have been using the phone lightly for ground control stuff for drones, but it's been sitting around for most of the time. I have a OnePlus 6T but was still thinking of switching to the V35 and selling the 6T. 2gb less ram, but the screen and cameras from what I see are worth it.
Its not possible though? Through bootloader unlock and flashing a new ROM? I guess the network & software side are a different, and the IMEI points to the network stuff. I guess I'll just try to sell it to some At&t user.
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No, I don't think crossflashed or boot unlocked will matter. It's the IMEI that will be recognized, no disguising it. And that's too bad, as they are good phones. How much is owed on it? Even on at&t that might be a problem?
That's the thing, they won't even let me pay it off/figure out how much is left on the account. The people at At&t I talked to said you can still use it on the at&t network, but you just can't unlock it (which doesn't make sense). I wonder if there's other forces at play, e.g. this was a store model phone or something like that..
Ohitstarik said:
That's the thing, they won't even let me pay it off/figure out how much is left on the account. The people at At&t I talked to said you can still use it on the at&t network, but you just can't unlock it (which doesn't make sense). I wonder if there's other forces at play, e.g. this was a store model phone or something like that..
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Click to collapse
Here's how it makes sense...
AT&T can still make money by people using it on AT&T. If carrier unlocked then they don't. The person who didn't finish paying for it was probably reported for not paying a contracted debt. (Technically, it's still AT&T property.)
Probably one of those "buy one, get one free deals" -- but you have to maintain a new line for x number of months (6?, 12? 24?). That's the probably the "debt" they didn't pay, not the phone itself but probably the terms of the freebie deal where a new line is started and maintained.
We saw this a lot with T-Mobile V30. Tons sold on eBay that were "free" phones but with unpaid T-Mobile financial commitment attached.
AT&T have long since written this V35 off, but IF a rep let you pay off the deal:
1) Cost is probably more than the phone is worth. X number of monthly bills? What is X? Would you have to start a new line?
Is interest owed?
Too many questions.
2) It would supremely annoy AT&T's accountants, who have already reconciled 2018 books and would have to adjust their ledger.
3) The debt would no longer be outstanding and AT&T would have to go back and retract the black mark on the previous owner's credit reports. Because some stranger paid the bill? Easier for them to leave it just as it is.
I got you. It's definitely a bummer but that makes sense and at least gives some cleared up closure for me
I was just wondering how you know it has balance? Did AT&T rep said so? Have you run imei check on swappa and on imeipro.info? One of these sites would show if phone is still under obligation. There is a possibility that phone is paid off but just locked to AT&T. I feel this to be the case because too much time has passed for it to have not been paid off or it should have had bad imei by now. Let's assume that it was paid off but locked to AT&T, even then AT&T will not unlock it. I went through many V35 phones that AT&T wouldn't unlock because many of these AT&T branded phones were sold by third parties and mvnos where AT&T didn't have unlock info, or would just refuse to unlock the phone.
I am sure you can still get it unlocked. Go on eBay, search for "lg v35 unlock code". Look for $9.99 listing by seller uws-tech. He should be able to unlock this phone. In my case, over the years, AT&T refused to unlock 5 of lg v35 i tried, i even made complaint on BBB, but AT&T failed to unlock and third party unlock service like the above mentioned unlocked them for me. They worked fine on all carriers i tried them on afterwards.
I tried to unlock it through AT&Ts unlocking service online, and it said it wasn't paid off.
It's clean IMEI though, I ran it through some IMEI checkers online. I remember the seller online did say it was locked to AT&T but I just assumed that was because of the unpaid balance thing. I didn't realize phones would be forever locked to AT&T, even after 2 years. You think that's the case? I'll give a shot to the seller you're talking about if so.
Yes most carriers do not automatically unlock phones once the phone is paid off, although some carriers are starting to do that. Give the unlock service a try but make sure that you use the seller i suggested or the ones who offer premium service. When i quick searched ebay last night he seemed to be the only one but today found cheaper seller, universe.2018. Try this one if you haven't already ordered:. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Unlock-Cod...ium-Service-/283645621174?hash=item420a98b3b6
Just make sure the listing mentions premium service and that they support all imei because for V35 phones they have to look up special database that the cheaper services do not utilize.
Used the seller you noted last night, worked like a charm. V35 is now unlocked, thanks to everyone in the thread.
Ohitstarik said:
Used the seller you noted last night, worked like a charm. V35 is now unlocked, thanks to everyone in the thread.
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So I'm in the same situation as you except my phone is a cricket variant. Which seller did you use on Ebay? $7.50 one or $9.99 one? Thanks.
Ohitstarik said:
Used the seller you noted last night, worked like a charm. V35 is now unlocked, thanks to everyone in the thread.
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My phone isn't asking for an unlock code. It's just not connecting to any mobile network. It shows an error in "call services" app in the notification badge. Did your phone do this? Or did it ask for an unlock code?
intervalchange said:
My phone isn't asking for an unlock code. It's just not connecting to any mobile network. It shows an error in "call services" app in the notification badge. Did your phone do this? Or did it ask for an unlock code?
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Unlock procedure would be same for Cricket version and one of the sellers I pointed in my posts above will work for you. Is your phone on AT&T/Cricket firmware? (It will show AT&T logo on startup), if it has already been cross-flashed to another firmware such as ULM or Fi firmwares, it will not show the popup for unlock code. You can't reflash AT&T firmware back on V35 because AT&T don't release their firmwares.
You will need to use Dev patched LG UP that you can get from ChazzMatt's post here (make sure you thank the OP): https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76510671&postcount=168
to flash Mexican version of the software that you can get here: https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-lmv350awm-firmwares/
Then after phone setup, you can insert non-AT&T sim to enter the unlock code. After the phone is unlocked, you can flash any KDZ you like back and it will stay unlocked.
Android# said:
Unlock procedure would be same for Cricket version and one of the sellers I pointed in my posts above will work for you. Is your phone on AT&T/Cricket firmware? (It will show AT&T logo on startup), if it has already been cross-flashed to another firmware such as ULM or Fi firmwares, it will not show the popup for unlock code. You can't reflash AT&T firmware back on V35 because AT&T don't release their firmwares.
You will need to use Dev patched LG UP that you can get from ChazzMatt's post here (make sure you thank the OP): https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76510671&postcount=168
to flash Mexican version of the software that you can get here: https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-lmv350awm-firmwares/
Then after phone setup, you can insert non-AT&T sim to enter the unlock code. After the phone is unlocked, you can flash any KDZ you like back and it will stay unlocked.
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I have a non rooted V35 on Android 9. Will this method work on Pie?
intervalchange said:
I have a non rooted V35 on Android 9. Will this method work on Pie?
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Click to collapse
Your phone is unrooted but again as I asked above you need to make sure whether it is on AT&T firmware or not? This part is very important because if you are on AT&T version of firmware and not getting unlock pop-up, the person who sold you the phone may have used up all the 10 tries to enter the unlock code. After 10 failed tries the phone is permanently locked and you cannot unlock it even if you have an unlock code so no point in buying a code if it is hardlocked.
So to make it less confusing, if the phone shows AT&T logo when you restart, don't bother buying unlock code it won't work.
If phone doesn't show AT&T logo when you restart it, use the directions to flash Mexico region KDZ, finish setup after phone starts up, enter non-AT&T sim card in phone, a popup should appear, enter unlock code and phone will restart and will be unlocked.
Yes as long as you still have unlock tries left, this will work regardless of which firmware you are on. I think they only have Oreo on LG firmwares website for Mexico region but that doesn't matter, once you unlock phone, you can use LG UP to go back to your original firmware as the unlock itself is permanent. By the way use the DL partition option in LG UP when downgrading to Mexico region Oreo and then DL partition or Upgrade option to go back to your original firmware.
Android# said:
Your phone is unrooted but again as I asked above you need to make sure whether it is on AT&T firmware or not? This part is very important because if you are on AT&T version of firmware and not getting unlock pop-up, the person who sold you the phone may have used up all the 10 tries to enter the unlock code. After 10 failed tries the phone is permanently locked and you cannot unlock it even if you have an unlock code so no point in buying a code if it is hardlocked.
So to make it less confusing, if the phone shows AT&T logo when you restart, don't bother buying unlock code it won't work.
If phone doesn't show AT&T logo when you restart it, use the directions to flash Mexico region KDZ, finish setup after phone starts up, enter non-AT&T sim card in phone, a popup should appear, enter unlock code and phone will restart and will be unlocked.
Yes as long as you still have unlock tries left, this will work regardless of which firmware you are on. I think they only have Oreo on LG firmwares website for Mexico region but that doesn't matter, once you unlock phone, you can use LG UP to go back to your original firmware as the unlock itself is permanent. By the way use the DL partition option in LG UP when downgrading to Mexico region Oreo and then DL partition or Upgrade option to go back to your original firmware.
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Click to collapse
The phone is not on AT&T software. There's no logo of any carrier when it boots up. I have downloaded the LGUP software and am ready to go however I don't get the last part.
When flashing the KDZ, should I click on DL partition instead of the refurbish or upgrade option?