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Hey guys.
My girlfriend pain-puked on her Galaxy Nexus, so I'm gifting her my old Z1s. Her carrier and T-Mobile use nearly identical wireless bands, so it'll be perfectly compatible. Unfortunately, it's T-Mobile locked, and she's on Wind Mobile (Canada).
I bought the phone used, and the old owner hasn't paid off their balance on the phone, so T-Mobile is being completely worthless.
There's all sorts of options for buying an unlock code, but these places want to charge me $40 for a code, which I think is pretty ridiculous.
Is there any way to unlock the Z1s without having one of these codes?
Define "pain-puked"?
KoscheiTheDeathless said:
Define "pain-puked"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Oh, I don't need to go to the hospital for this impossible lower back pain, it'll pass.".
Threw up out of pain, went to the hospital, found out she had a kidney infection and definitely shouldn't have waited.
SOLVED:
T-Mobile was happier to SIM unlock it under the guise of 'international travel'.
Try that!
Unlocked?
Zak Jones! said:
SOLVED:
T-Mobile was happier to unlock it under the guise of 'international travel'.
Try that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They unlocked your Z1s? Did you lose any of the features? Are you able to install a custom kernel?
TallGuyJones said:
They unlocked your Z1s? Did you lose any of the features? Are you able to install a custom kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mine is unlocked, no loss of features, and no , im not able to install a custom kernel, to the op, you could always use
Metro Pcs
Straight Talk
Net10
Simple Mobile
without unlocking the device.
---------- Post added at 08:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:35 PM ----------
LifeHacks said:
mine is unlocked, no loss of features, and no , im not able to install a custom kernel, to the op, you could always use
Metro Pcs
Straight Talk
Net10
Simple Mobile
without unlocking the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can basically use anything from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_mobile_virtual_network_operators
thats under the "T-Mobile" host network
unlocking the Z1s c6916
I have the Z1s unlocked and it is very good phone but i did it using the unlock code , Though I didnt want to hold responsibility so i made my friend do the job .
See if a local mobile services shop can unlock it for you BTW you have limited attempts so be careful after you use them up no other way of unlocking available .
hi, i think i should tell this to people who wish to use your phone in other region. PLEASE READ STICKER ON THE BOX. My mom live in germany so my phone was bought from germany,full paid.when I got it I put my Argentina simcard in and it's locked.we contacted T-Mobile and Samsung and I got this info.
to unlock region :
at your first time put your region simcard in the phone ( your simcard must be in the region as the phone) , do the setting. When you are done , Make a call for 5 minute to prove your region and done.(Now your phone is free to go.)
update unlocked proved (Dec 12)
I did factory reset. Put region simcard (germany) in to my phone (germany).mom made a call with her germany simcard to her friend in germany for 10 mins,after that I tried my Argentina simcard and it's unlocked !!! Now my note 4 is region unlocked at first I wasn't sure if it will unlock but we tried and it's worked.
Bunnydollies said:
hi, i think i should tell this to people who wish to use your phone in other region. PLEASE READ STICKER ON THE BOX. My mom live in germany so my phone was bought from germany,full paid.when I got it I put my Argentina simcard in and it's locked.we contacted T-Mobile and Samsung and I got this info.
to unlock region :
at your first time put your region simcard in the phone ( your simcard must be in the region as the phone) , do the setting. When you are done , Make a call for 5 minute to prove your region and done.(Now your phone is free to go.)
update unlocked proved (Dec 12)
I did factory reset. Put region simcard (germany) in to my phone (germany).mom made a call with her germany simcard to her friend in germany for 10 mins,after that I tried my Argentina simcard and it's unlocked !!! Now my note 4 is region unlocked at first I wasn't sure if it will unlock but we tried and it's worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there anything written on the box that it is locked or unlocked? I'll buy a phone from germany, and i live in another country. I'm not if the phone is lovked or unlocked. How can i understand?
TraNe15 said:
Is there anything written on the box that it is locked or unlocked? I'll buy a phone from germany, and i live in another country. I'm not if the phone is lovked or unlocked. How can i understand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It all region locked. You can check your phone by put simcard from your country. You will see that it ask for Pin , your simcard can't be use ,it's mean your phone is locked . if you live in other region and already have a phone with you. Please try my methods by buy prepaid simcard of germany or use EU simcard if you have one and make a call to germany number or your friends in EU for 5 mins or more,after that it should unlocked.
I know it has a lot of unlocked website that you can try but i also saw many people got some funcions problem after unlocked . I think what I did is safest way to do or try.
work lte 4g in argentina? which model?
You need to make a minimum of a five minute phone call on a local sim prior to it going abroad, sorry to say that it's common knowledge but... it's common knowledge. There's a massive sticker on the side of the box.
Stupid idea.. So what happens if you buy the phone duty free at an airport? Does iPhone do this or HTC etc
Silly question, can't you just buy an unlock code for the device and voila, region unlocked?
If anyone could help to buy the region unlock code for N910F :/
magichoward said:
Stupid idea.. So what happens if you buy the phone duty free at an airport? Does iPhone do this or HTC etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No just Samsung. It's quite simple, you get the phone you make a local phone call for five minutes, you rebox the phone, I think it's to stop people reselling them overseas.
---------- Post added at 08:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 PM ----------
nidhish91 said:
If anyone could help to buy the region unlock code for N910F :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
910f, UK phone, send it to someone in the UK, get them to make a phone call for five minutes, send it back to you. Done.
dladz said:
No just Samsung. It's quite simple, you get the phone you make a local phone call for five minutes, you rebox the phone, I think it's to stop people reselling them overseas.
---------- Post added at 08:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 PM ----------
910f, UK phone, send it to someone in the UK, get them to make a phone call for five minutes, send it back to you. Done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is impossible coz I am in India. But I am Going to US and will be having a 2 hour lay off at UK so I might get a sim and use it. Will that work?
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Free mobile app
If it was originally from the UK yes it will, I'm not sure if it's the UK or the entire European region. I'll find out, more to the point what does the box say? AFAIK you buy the phone then you make a five min phone call then it'll be unlocked, has to be on a local network
zero80 said:
work lte 4g in argentina? which model?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Argentina still not fully support 4g. Model n910f
you can also unlock it by visiting a samsung service center in your country. luckily the good models of note 4 like 910U dont come with that stupid sticker.
Thank you for posting this as i'm currently in a similar situation and i've been searching the web for unlocking experiences of people from Argentina or at least South America. I live in Argentina too but i'm currently in France visiting my bf i am thinking in buying a Note 4 or S5 here, so according to what you said i could buy just whichever version here in France (carrier free ofc) and to get it unlocked i need to make a 5 or 10 min call with my bf's sim (from France) right?. I so worry about getting it locked by mistake and then having my head ripped off by Samsung when paying for the unlocking in Buenos Aires xD
Wilherly said:
Thank you for posting this as i'm currently in a similar situation and i've been searching the web for unlocking experiences of people from Argentina or at least South America. I live in Argentina too but i'm currently in France visiting my bf i am thinking in buying a Note 4 or S5 here, so according to what you said i could buy just whichever version here in France (carrier free ofc) and to get it unlocked i need to make a 5 or 10 min call with my bf's sim (from France) right?. I so worry about getting it locked by mistake and then having my head ripped off by Samsung when paying for the unlocking in Buenos Aires xD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy the phone with free carrier and use your bf simcard to make a call to unlock region. Good luck ☺ have a nice holiday
Have u guys tried this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2470551
Sent from my SM-N910C using XDA Free mobile app
I have 910c and just unlocked it by calling a local number for five minutes. What keeps me worried is if I flash a new firmware or update to lollipop it will be locked again?
Any idea?
I'm not sure. im not really expert about this . Sorry, but I did rooted and unroot my phone often. It does not effect region unlock.
I guess you already know this, but for those arriving here via Google: no, the phone won't get locked again after a firmware update. I bought a Note 4 SM-N910F in UK and region unlocked it there with a local SIM. Later moved to other countries and received plenty of OTA firmware updates, and always could use any SIM cards from any country. Even a firmware rewrite with Odin didn't cause any issues.
alirezaircn said:
I have 910c and just unlocked it by calling a local number for five minutes. What keeps me worried is if I flash a new firmware or update to lollipop it will be locked again?
Any idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added at 12:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:09 PM ----------
---------- Post added at 12:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:42 PM ----------
---------- Post added at 12:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:47 PM ----------
Does anyone know where in the phone is located the region lock information (e.g., what partition)? And/or how to back it up & restore it if necessary?
Also: to unlock my SM-N910F from UK in another region, can I ask a friend to send me an activated UK SIM and make an international call to UK?
I pre-ordered my S8+ for AT&T (which should be SM-G955A) with the Fully Immersive Bundle directly from Samsung and received everything yesterday. The phone is actually a SM-G955U with the AT&T firmware. I'm wondering if someone with an S8+ bought from the AT&T store could check their phone and report their model info back. If and when the unlocked version comes out I'm thinking I could Odin that ones firmware onto this phone how we did the S7 Edge and loose all the AT&T bloatware and have an unlocked version.
I'm not a 100% sure, however, I think all (if not most) of the US models are the SM-G955U variant.
Again, not 100% sure but pretty certain that's the case.
I ended up purchasing an international model because I hate US carriers and what they do to these beautiful devices -> so I wouldn't be able to double check for you.
Unlocked versions have a locked bootloader. Unlocked and unlocked bootloader arent the same thing
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
johnwayne27 said:
Unlocked versions have a locked bootloader. Unlocked and unlocked bootloader arent the same thing
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Completely understand that. Not looking to unlock the bootloader at all. More interested in having a de-bloated phone. I know I can disable and/or hide these apps but they still waste storage space.
jnrdata said:
I pre-ordered my S8+ for AT&T (which should be SM-G955A) with the Fully Immersive Bundle directly from Samsung and received everything yesterday. The phone is actually a SM-G955U with the AT&T firmware. I'm wondering if someone with an S8+ bought from the AT&T store could check their phone and report their model info back. If and when the unlocked version comes out I'm thinking I could Odin that ones firmware onto this phone how we did the S7 Edge and loose all the AT&T bloatware and have an unlocked version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a couple threads on this over in the regular s8 section. All US phones are U models flashed with carriers firmware. The BL are locked and the word on the street is that the phone locks to the sim carrier it's first booted on, if this is true I'm not sure. I received mine today and haven't even booted it up yet. Doing some research first and my S7E is running like a champ rooted so I figured why rush. I pretty much turned my s7e into a s8 anyways lol
Sent from my SM-G950U using XDA-Developers Legacy app
jnrdata said:
I pre-ordered my S8+ for AT&T (which should be SM-G955A) with the Fully Immersive Bundle directly from Samsung and received everything yesterday. The phone is actually a SM-G955U with the AT&T firmware. I'm wondering if someone with an S8+ bought from the AT&T store could check their phone and report their model info back. If and when the unlocked version comes out I'm thinking I could Odin that ones firmware onto this phone how we did the S7 Edge and loose all the AT&T bloatware and have an unlocked version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I preordered from At&t and I have the SM-G955U
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Quickvic30 said:
There's a couple threads on this over in the regular s8 section. All US phones are U models flashed with carriers firmware. The BL are locked and the word on the street is that the phone locks to the sim carrier it's first booted on, if this is true I'm not sure. I received mine today and haven't even booted it up yet. Doing some research first and my S7E is running like a champ rooted so I figured why rush. I pretty much turned my s7e into a s8 anyways lol
Sent from my SM-G950U using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought a att one and didnt even put the att card in it. I put my cricket sim in(owned by att) and worked perfectly. Att bloat is still there so the myth that the sim card determines what bloat gets installed is out the window(heard alot of people say on here that if you factory reset and put a different carrier sim card in it installs that bloat lol)
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
johnwayne27 said:
I bought a att one and didnt even put the att card in it. I put my cricket sim in(owned by att) and worked perfectly. Att bloat is still there so the myth that the sim card determines what bloat gets installed is out the window(heard alot of people say on here that if you factory reset and put a different carrier sim card in it installs that bloat lol)
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it has to be a major carrier, not really sure how big cricket is but I did see a video of this actually happening.
Sent from my SM-G950U using XDA-Developers Legacy app
---------- Post added at 02:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:35 AM ----------
Here it is
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cc53y9omw5m0720/20170414_090651.mp4?dl=0
Sent from my SM-G950U using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Quickvic30 said:
I think it has to be a major carrier, not really sure how big cricket is but I did see a video of this actually happening.
Sent from my SM-G950U using XDA-Developers Legacy app
---------- Post added at 02:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:35 AM ----------
Here it is
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cc53y9omw5m0720/20170414_090651.mp4?dl=0
Sent from my SM-G950U using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
I preordered through Costco, they DONT charge SALES TAX!!!
And if youre on verizon, just call 611 to get your activation fee either waived or partially refunded
johnwayne27 said:
Unlocked versions have a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No they don't, none of the US snapdragon phones have an unlocked bootloader.
I'm on AT&T, same model number
I am a developer for a package disabler and looking at the stats, I can confirm that Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T all show SM-G955U as device model.
They just moved the carrier letters to the end it doesn't mean all the carriers are the same models just because last year the U after the number meant the unlocked version. For this year you need the XAA to have the sim unlocked 4 carrier version.
T-Mobile
SM-G950UZKATMB
Verizon
SM-G950UZKAVZW
Sprint
SM-G950UZKASPR
AT&T
SM-G950UZKAATT
Sim unlocked version
SM-G950UZKAXAA
954wrecker said:
They just moved the carrier letters to the end it doesn't mean all the carriers are the same models just because last year the U after the number meant the unlocked version. For this year you need the XAA to have the sim unlocked 4 carrier version.
T-Mobile
SM-G950UZKATMB
Verizon
SM-G950UZKAVZW
Sprint
SM-G950UZKASPR
AT&T
SM-G950UZKAATT
Sim unlocked version
SM-G950UZKAXAA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i believe you are incorrect.. my device does not say anywhere on it that it is a verizon device outside of course of the vzw bloat..
the only thing that differentiates the different carriers in all of the firmwares available is the user data partition, other than that they all appear identical with the same model number and build numbers
---------- Post added at 08:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:09 PM ----------
also to add, you dont need the unlocked variant to have it unlocked.. vzw is unlocked by default and other carriers can also unlock it if all requirements are met of course
---------- Post added at 08:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 PM ----------
peachpuff said:
No they don't, none of the US snapdragon phones have an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol.... he clearly said unlocked versions have a LOCKED bootloader
elliwigy said:
i believe you are incorrect.. my device does not say anywhere on it that it is a verizon device outside of course of the vzw bloat..
the only thing that differentiates the different carriers in all of the firmwares available is the user data partition, other than that they all appear identical with the same model number and build numbers
---------- Post added at 08:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:09 PM ----------
also to add, you dont need the unlocked variant to have it unlocked.. vzw is unlocked by default and other carriers can also unlock it if all requirements are met of course
---------- Post added at 08:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 PM ----------
lol.... he clearly said unlocked versions have a LOCKED bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wake me up when someone successfully transforms a Sprint to a T-Mobile or an AT&T to a Verizon. Its a great theory you guys have but its a big $$$ risk to have to hope it happens.
954wrecker said:
Wake me up when someone successfully transforms a Sprint to a T-Mobile or an AT&T to a Verizon. Its a great theory you guys have but its a big $$$ risk to have to hope it happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol.. you can flash the same firmware on any device.. like i said, they all have the same model number and only the userdata partition is carrier specific
maybe you can tell me where to find my verizon specific model number in my s8+?
elliwigy said:
lol.. you can flash the same firmware on any device.. like i said, they all have the same model number and only the userdata partition is carrier specific
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aside from the bloat each carrier has you can easily see what phone you have in less than 30 seconds.
https://android.gadgethacks.com/how...-s8-into-recovery-mode-download-mode-0177223/
Let me know when you flash that vzn model to a tmb model.
954wrecker said:
Aside from the bloat each carrier has you can easily see what phone you have in less than 30 seconds.
https://android.gadgethacks.com/how...-s8-into-recovery-mode-download-mode-0177223/
Let me know when you flash that vzn model to a tmb model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lmao your picture confirms its the exact same model bro that my vzw variant and every other carrier device shows..
i am telling you, the only difference is the user data partition.. THE MODEL IS THE EXACT SAME ON EVERY US VARIANT.. how is that hard to understand when you yourself just proved it lmao
Did I make a mistake getting the "UNLOCKED" version from samsung.com? I use AT&T and
I use ATT and verizon.. and i noticed when the phone restart it doesnt add the bootloader for either carriers which also noticed no wifi calling .. and voice over data with ATT is trash for some reason .. when i hung up the phone my data just goes completely away then comes back as "LTE+" ,,, this is sad.. my last year S9+ when i put ANY sim card in it, it restarts the phone and loads the correct "bootloader" for the correct carrier with all features such as wifi calling/voice over data. etc etc... thats my first ordering a true unlocked samsung phone from the mother company. am i doing something wrong where i missed something in the setting? i looked also for OEM option under developer options, its not there .
some advice would be greatly appreciated .. yes i dont mind the extra carrier stuff when i put sim for verizon or att .
i got the S10+ 1TB version.
iKenta said:
I use ATT and verizon.. and i noticed when the phone restart it doesnt add the bootloader for either carriers which also noticed no wifi calling .. and voice over data with ATT is trash for some reason .. when i hung up the phone my data just goes completely away then comes back as "LTE+" ,,, this is sad.. my last year S9+ when i put ANY sim card in it, it restarts the phone and loads the correct "bootloader" for the correct carrier with all features such as wifi calling/voice over data. etc etc... thats my first ordering a true unlocked samsung phone from the mother company. am i doing something wrong where i missed something in the setting? i looked also for OEM option under developer options, its not there .
some advice would be greatly appreciated .. yes i dont mind the extra carrier stuff when i put sim for verizon or att .
i got the S10+ 1TB version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The BYOD firmware isn't available for the S10 yet but when it is I'm pretty sure you will have to flash the carrier U firmware to take advantage of that when it's available. For now I think you have to flash each carrier separately to get their features because a simple sim swap dosen't do it. The U1 firmware witch the unlocked version from Samsung has shouldn't get the carrier bloat otherwise that would make it just like the carriers versions witch would defeat the purpose of purchasing the unlocked from Samsung. I have two unlocked Note8's from Samsung here and they don't have any carrier bloat like the Verizon U versions and what not.
I had the unlocked Samsung S8+ directly from Samsung and my only complaint was all the carriers would receive the updates before I did.
Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk
anyone got a direct link where i can be guided how to install a ATT firmware then? that'll be better for me i believe
I got an unlocked version of the s10 plus and thought I made the mistake also. I seem to be getting everything my tmobile s8 plus did like wifi calling and hotspot. I believe I can even surface the web while on the phone like I could do before switching. The unlocked version just doesnt have the boot splash screen that I hated. I think I will try and buy unlocked from now on
---------- Post added at 09:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:43 PM ----------
iKenta said:
anyone got a direct link where i can be guided how to install a ATT firmware then? that'll be better for me i believe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to return your phone for a carrier through Samsung or sell it. Someone would rather have an unlocked version compared to a carrier version. One just sold on Ebay today for 1,000. Hell I was thinking about selling mine and getting another one from Samsung
Sonin66 said:
. I believe I can even surface the web while on the phone like I could do before switching. The unlocked version just doesnt have the boot splash screen that I hated. I think I will try and buy unlocked from now on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tmobile carried simultaneous voice+data forever. It's standard for GSM networks with 3G or greater. Even the 1st android phone could do it. So you must've used Sprint before, where they gained that feature recently.
Unlocked models receive OS updates last, but seem to get consistent security patches.
Ace42 said:
Tmobile carried simultaneous voice+data forever. It's standard for GSM networks with 3G or greater. Even the 1st android phone could do it. So you must've used Sprint before, where they gained that feature recently.
Unlocked models receive OS updates last, but seem to get consistent security patches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol that's funny cause I actually did, blew my mind the first time i used it. Still find it amazing
Alright, got a pretty wacky situation here. Trying to see if anyone has any ideas of how to fix this.
I bought an S10+ Verizon firmware from Swappa a few days ago. I intended to use it with T-Mobile. Good deal, good transaction, all good right? Wrong...
It was my understanding that most Verizon phones were unlocked and that I could just flash the Unlocked or T-Mobile firmware to get full T-Mobile functionality.
On receiving the phone I got a "This phone is locked, contact Verizon at etc etc" message. I shrugged and flashed it over to unlocked firmware, where I was met with an "Invalid SIM card. Network locked SIM card inserted." and "PIN to unlock SIM service provider" window. So the phone was locked. Here's my troubleshooting steps from there.
Contacted Verizon support online. They said they lock all their phones for 60 days now as of late July. I said I'd bought it used, they said it had been bought at Walmart recently and there was nothing they could do.
Contacted the seller. He gave me his proof of purchase that the phone was bought new from Samsung.com back in March. I used a site to check the IMEI and the phone was legit from March, and not reported stolen or sketchy at all. Samsung.com specifically says they don't lock their phones and it was well before the 60 day policy anyway.
Contacted Verizon support where they said the phone was purchased as a Verizon phone so it can't be used with other networks. I should sign up for Verizon to enjoy all the features of my phone ? ....and also have it activated on the network so it could be cleared and unlocked. Alright...
I took the phone to a Verizon store where they put an active Verizon SIM in it. Verizon SIM worked great, T-Mobile still had an unlock code. The employee was confused and said they've never entered an Unlock PIN before so he sent me to corporate Verizon support store they had nearby.
Corporate Verizon store was a ton more helpful and the guy called up their god-tier upper support guys. Those guys took over an hour fiddling with things and along the way determined that the phone and it's IMEI were all clear, not stolen, and unlocked. The previous owner had a clean account and was in good standing. The store guy said he'd never seen anything like this and in his four years he'd never entered a SIM pin before. They additionally made sure I hadn't accidentally encrypted my SIM with a pin (I hadn't) and that all the default Verizon 000000, 123456, and 111111 codes weren't going to work. They recommended I contact Samsung support.
Samsung support thought I was an idiot and said that all the phones sold on their storefront are locked and I should contact Verizon to get it unlocked. I tried explaining all of the above but it was like talking to a brick wall.
So what have I tried?
Flashed the phone from Verizon to Unlocked to T-Mobile to Unlocked firmware using Frija and patched Odin. Verizon firmware throws a "contact Verizon" message and sometimes a code window, unlocked gives me code window, and T-Mobile just says it's locked and doesn't give me anything.
I have tried Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile SIMs from my friends. T-Mobile and AT&T work for a couple minutes completely normally on reboot. Connection establishes, data, text, and calls come in. Then it locks up and doesn't work. Verizon SIM works entirely normally, but doesn't unlock phone even after being left in for an hour.
Going forward I am going to try
Ask the internet for help. I've googled the living daylights out of this problem and I can't find anyone in my situation. Help?
[\LIST]
Flash the phone back to Verizon firmware. Perhaps the unlock mechanism works somewhere in the firmware and only when it's connected to the Verizon network. Take it to the store, have them pop a Verizon SIM in for a bit, and hope for the best. Flashing from Unlocked to VZW firmware isn't working right now for some odd reason though. It's going back to TMB instead and I'm confused about that to.
[\LIST]
Figure out how to get non-incompetent support out of Verizon (though I've mostly gotten there already) or Samsung and see if someone can help me. When I had to unlock my T-Mobile S8 I bought from Samsung, the IMEI numbers weren't passed to T-Mobile so the regular support people said it was impossible. Eventually I got in contact with someone who broke me out of idiot-land and directly contacted a network engineer who solved the problem in less than 10 minutes. Maybe I can find a network engineer at Verizon?
I could use a sketchy SIM unlock website. Is there any not-sketchy ones?
There's an XDA thread for S10+ U & U1 updates by the mod ibowtoandroid. I believe he has an unlock service that's legit but apparently not cheap. If you read through that thread you might find information helpful for your situation. But if you post a question that was previously answered you will likely be told to read through the thread even though the person who tells you that could have actually answered your question in the same amount of time. It's not the friendliest thread but you might find your answer.
There is a lot of discussion about switching carrier firmware. Since your phone shows up as locked by Verizon even though it shouldn't be you might need to use a Verizon SIM for 48 hours before the phone will revert back to unlocked status--at the time your phone was originally purchased it was necessary to use a Verizon SIM on their branded phones for 48 hours before they could be switched to another carrier.
It's possible you got that message when you purchased your phone because the 48 hour clock started over for some reason but that's only a guess--the ibowtoandroid guy is far more knowledgeable since he actually has a business that unlocks phones.
Are you sure the person who you bought your phone from actually unlocked it before selling it to you? Even if the phone shows up as a device that should be unlocked the previous owner who had the Verizon service might have needed to call Verizon to verify the phone's unlock status before selling it.
Sometimes people accidentally relock these phones when flashing carrier firmware. It doesn't sound like you did that based on your description but if the previous owner flashed firmware to completely reset the phone instead of just performing a factory reset he might have accidentally relocked your phone on the software end.
based on wat ur saying the phone definitely seems to b carrier locked. I got an A50 from verizon and it does the same ecact thing..
theres services online you can use or some boxes have methods as well.. my tmo a10e for example was locked but chimera tool has a neat feature called carrier relock.. it essentially locks it to up to 64 carriers instead of actually unlocking the sim..
one thing i suggest tho is dont try to do it urself unless ur a seasoned expert lol.. i tried on a n976v and after a few harmless at commands it completely killed my imei and cert and mipi etc etc
camwow13 said:
Alright, got a pretty wacky situation here. Trying to see if anyone has any ideas of how to fix this.
I bought an S10+ Verizon firmware from Swappa a few days ago. I intended to use it with T-Mobile. Good deal, good transaction, all good right? Wrong...
It was my understanding that most Verizon phones were unlocked and that I could just flash the Unlocked or T-Mobile firmware to get full T-Mobile functionality.
On receiving the phone I got a "This phone is locked, contact Verizon at etc etc" message. I shrugged and flashed it over to unlocked firmware, where I was met with an "Invalid SIM card. Network locked SIM card inserted." and "PIN to unlock SIM service provider" window. So the phone was locked. Here's my troubleshooting steps from there.
Contacted Verizon support online. They said they lock all their phones for 60 days now as of late July. I said I'd bought it used, they said it had been bought at Walmart recently and there was nothing they could do.
Contacted the seller. He gave me his proof of purchase that the phone was bought new from Samsung.com back in March. I used a site to check the IMEI and the phone was legit from March, and not reported stolen or sketchy at all. Samsung.com specifically says they don't lock their phones and it was well before the 60 day policy anyway.
Contacted Verizon support where they said the phone was purchased as a Verizon phone so it can't be used with other networks. I should sign up for Verizon to enjoy all the features of my phone ? ....and also have it activated on the network so it could be cleared and unlocked. Alright...
I took the phone to a Verizon store where they put an active Verizon SIM in it. Verizon SIM worked great, T-Mobile still had an unlock code. The employee was confused and said they've never entered an Unlock PIN before so he sent me to corporate Verizon support store they had nearby.
Corporate Verizon store was a ton more helpful and the guy called up their god-tier upper support guys. Those guys took over an hour fiddling with things and along the way determined that the phone and it's IMEI were all clear, not stolen, and unlocked. The previous owner had a clean account and was in good standing. The store guy said he'd never seen anything like this and in his four years he'd never entered a SIM pin before. They additionally made sure I hadn't accidentally encrypted my SIM with a pin (I hadn't) and that all the default Verizon 000000, 123456, and 111111 codes weren't going to work. They recommended I contact Samsung support.
Samsung support thought I was an idiot and said that all the phones sold on their storefront are locked and I should contact Verizon to get it unlocked. I tried explaining all of the above but it was like talking to a brick wall.
So what have I tried?
Flashed the phone from Verizon to Unlocked to T-Mobile to Unlocked firmware using Frija and patched Odin. Verizon firmware throws a "contact Verizon" message and sometimes a code window, unlocked gives me code window, and T-Mobile just says it's locked and doesn't give me anything.
I have tried Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile SIMs from my friends. T-Mobile and AT&T work for a couple minutes completely normally on reboot. Connection establishes, data, text, and calls come in. Then it locks up and doesn't work. Verizon SIM works entirely normally, but doesn't unlock phone even after being left in for an hour.
Going forward I am going to try
Ask the internet for help. I've googled the living daylights out of this problem and I can't find anyone in my situation. Help?
[\LIST]
Flash the phone back to Verizon firmware. Perhaps the unlock mechanism works somewhere in the firmware and only when it's connected to the Verizon network. Take it to the store, have them pop a Verizon SIM in for a bit, and hope for the best. Flashing from Unlocked to VZW firmware isn't working right now for some odd reason though. It's going back to TMB instead and I'm confused about that to.
[\LIST]
Figure out how to get non-incompetent support out of Verizon (though I've mostly gotten there already) or Samsung and see if someone can help me. When I had to unlock my T-Mobile S8 I bought from Samsung, the IMEI numbers weren't passed to T-Mobile so the regular support people said it was impossible. Eventually I got in contact with someone who broke me out of idiot-land and directly contacted a network engineer who solved the problem in less than 10 minutes. Maybe I can find a network engineer at Verizon?
I could use a sketchy SIM unlock website. Is there any not-sketchy ones?
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hi, did you manage to solve the problem? mine S10 also asks for an unlock code 5 minutes after turning it on.
wwwxxx1982 said:
hi, did you manage to solve the problem? mine S10 also asks for an unlock code 5 minutes after turning it on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello!
Yes I did solve the situation! Here's the steps that I used to unlock my Verizon Galaxy S10+
I had changed the firmware to unlocked firmware using Odin and Freya. This was premature.
Verizon does not do unlock codes. You need to have the Verizon firmware on the phone, a Verizon SIM card from a friend, access to the Verizon account, and like an hour of spare time.
Pop the Verizon SIM into your phone, you can get them from a friend, convince a Verizon store guy to help ya out, or just pay a few bucks for a prepaid plan. The phone has to be on the Verizon network for this to work.
Call up Verizon technical support. Tell them you've got a phone to unlock and have been working with their Tier 2 team to square things away. You have to be transferred to Tier 2.
Important to note that Verizon has instigated a 60 day locking policy to prevent theft and whatnot on their network. If the phone was purchased less than 60 days ago and activated on Verizon's network than you're outa luck. You got to wait. If you don't fall under this restriction, you should make sure the support people understand because they'll assume that's what's happening... a lot.
The Tier 2 people generally know what they're doing. They'll verify the device's IMEI and that it hasn't been stolen, is paid off, and that your Verizon account is in good standing. They'll need the PIN access code from the Verizon account holder or a two step verification with another one of their phones.
Once they run the unlock process you should get a text saying the phone is now unlocked. Leave the SIM in for another hour or two to allow the process to complete. I removed the SIM shortly after on the first try and it didn't work so I had to do it again.
After that the phone should be unlocked and you'll be able to flash whatever firmware you want and use it on whichever network. I've got mine running Unlocked firmware on T-Mobile, works great
If you don't have a Verizon S10+ that's locked to Verizon I dunno where to start. Contact the mod ibowtoandroid on here if you get really really stuck. He can get it unlocked but it will cost a ton. He's legit though.
camwow13 said:
Hello!
Yes I did solve the situation! Here's the steps that I used to unlock my Verizon Galaxy S10+
I had changed the firmware to unlocked firmware using Odin and Freya. This was premature.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, but I upgraded the phone to another firmware with the code XAA and now I can’t get it back to Verezion
camwow13 said:
Hello!
Yes I did solve the situation! Here's the steps that I used to unlock my Verizon Galaxy S10+
I had changed the firmware to unlocked firmware using Odin and Freya. This was premature.
Verizon does not do unlock codes. You need to have the Verizon firmware on the phone, a Verizon SIM card from a friend, access to the Verizon account, and like an hour of spare time.
Pop the Verizon SIM into your phone, you can get them from a friend, convince a Verizon store guy to help ya out, or just pay a few bucks for a prepaid plan. The phone has to be on the Verizon network for this to work.
Call up Verizon technical support. Tell them you've got a phone to unlock and have been working with their Tier 2 team to square things away. You have to be transferred to Tier 2.
Important to note that Verizon has instigated a 60 day locking policy to prevent theft and whatnot on their network. If the phone was purchased less than 60 days ago and activated on Verizon's network than you're outa luck. You got to wait. If you don't fall under this restriction, you should make sure the support people understand because they'll assume that's what's happening... a lot.
The Tier 2 people generally know what they're doing. They'll verify the device's IMEI and that it hasn't been stolen, is paid off, and that your Verizon account is in good standing. They'll need the PIN access code from the Verizon account holder or a two step verification with another one of their phones.
Once they run the unlock process you should get a text saying the phone is now unlocked. Leave the SIM in for another hour or two to allow the process to complete. I removed the SIM shortly after on the first try and it didn't work so I had to do it again.
After that the phone should be unlocked and you'll be able to flash whatever firmware you want and use it on whichever network. I've got mine running Unlocked firmware on T-Mobile, works great
If you don't have a Verizon S10+ that's locked to Verizon I dunno where to start. Contact the mod ibowtoandroid on here if you get really really stuck. He can get it unlocked but it will cost a ton. He's legit though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was very helpful Thanks. I am pretty sure that my phone has passed that 60 days time frame and the device has a clean IMEI as well but I am not in the US. Do I have to be on the Verizon network or just a Verizon sim will work as well?
Tarar said:
That was very helpful Thanks. I am pretty sure that my phone has passed that 60 days time frame and the device has a clean IMEI as well but I am not in the US. Do I have to be on the Verizon network or just a Verizon sim will work as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can someone please help?
Tarar said:
Can someone please help?
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Click to collapse
if its locked its locked.. meet verizons requirements to have it unlock or pay for a service that can unlock it for you..
theres no easy way to unlock the device.. if there was then itd be posted on xda.. and if it was that easy thered b no point in carriers locking them to begin with
Tarar said:
Can someone please help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
elliwigy said:
if its locked its locked.. meet verizons requirements to have it unlock or pay for a service that can unlock it for you..
theres no easy way to unlock the device.. if there was then itd be posted on xda.. and if it was that easy thered b no point in carriers locking them to begin with
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its actually done through an android app modified by the carrier. The only way to get around it would be to have the carriers unique key as well as the private signing key so you could create your own version. Then you would need a way to modify the system image and successfully install it. After all that there's a good chance there's even more security server side. (Its Verizon, so you know...)
So yes, ultimately it isnt exactly possible.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
jwarrior319 said:
Its actually done through an android app modified by the carrier. The only way to get around it would be to have the carriers unique key as well as the private signing key so you could create your own version. Then you would need a way to modify the system image and successfully install it. After all that there's a good chance there's even more security server side. (Its Verizon, so you know...)
So yes, ultimately it isnt exactly possible.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
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Click to collapse
yep.. exactly y i said he needs to unlock via official means or pay for a service.. theres plenty services out there.. of course they most likely have access to servers and some tend to be fairly expensive lol.. outside of that hes sol im afraid.
Sent from my SamPWND N976V or G975U
Verizon needs to unlock your phone if you don't want to pay a third-party service. I don't think you need to have a Verizon SIM inserted for them to unlock the phone as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
jhs39 said:
Verizon needs to unlock your phone if you don't want to pay a third-party service. I don't think you need to have a Verizon SIM inserted for them to unlock the phone as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
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Click to collapse
I believe Verizon only unlocks automatically with a sim installed thats had service for 60 days(might be 30 now). I remember seeing someone say they put a friend's Verizon sim in and rebooted and it unlocked for him. I guess they dont verify IMEI to unlock just sim number.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
jhs39 said:
Verizon needs to unlock your phone if you don't want to pay a third-party service. I don't think you need to have a Verizon SIM inserted for them to unlock the phone as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am outside the USA so no way to be on the Verizon network. I will however reinstall the original Verizon firmware and have some one call them for me. Let's see whether that works out or not. Thanks man.
Tarar said:
I am outside the USA so no way to be on the Verizon network. I will however reinstall the original Verizon firmware and have some one call them for me. Let's see whether that works out or not. Thanks man.
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Click to collapse
Curious, how did you get a verizon device outside of the country?
To point out, this is the very reason Verizon changed their sim unlocking policy.. to help prevent fraud and theft as they would take vzw devices then sell them for profit to non vzw customers and theyd be unlocked..
Bcuz of this is why they implemented the device needing to be activated on the vzw network and a 60 day period before it will be unlocked.
I dont see them being able to manually override/bypass this as it is policy. That as well as most reps dont even kno the policy and will tell you its unlocked or "verizon doesnt lock devices" which is inaccurate lol
jwarrior319 said:
I believe Verizon only unlocks automatically with a sim installed thats had service for 60 days(might be 30 now). I remember seeing someone say they put a friend's Verizon sim in and rebooted and it unlocked for him. I guess they dont verify IMEI to unlock just sim number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not based on sim number lol..
elliwigy said:
Its not based on sim number lol..
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Click to collapse
So any random Verizon sim thats active and has had service for 60 days or more will unlock it?
If thats the case someone could still make money off them by using there sim before selling it.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
jwarrior319 said:
So any random Verizon sim thats active and has had service for 60 days or more will unlock it?
If thats the case someone could still make money off them by using there sim before selling it.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.. i didnt say that lol.. its not tied to the sim card.. device needs to be active on verizon for 60 days.. i always use my same sim card that ive had for years now in my new devices.. i still had to wait 60 days for it to be sim unlocked..
U cant just pop an old sim in and have it unlock.. the device itself needs to be active 60 days..
When checking if a device is sim unlocked or not u dont put the sim number into the checker, u put the imei.. this is bcuz its tied to the imei/device.. not sim card itself..
What i dont know however is if you only need to activate it once on vzw network or if it needs to remain on vzw the full 60 days.. then again u cant use it on other networks until its unlocked anyways
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
elliwigy said:
No.. i didnt say that lol.. its not tied to the sim card.. device needs to be active on verizon for 60 days.. i always use my same sim card that ive had for years now in my new devices.. i still had to wait 60 days for it to be sim unlocked..
U cant just pop an old sim in and have it unlock.. the device itself needs to be active 60 days..
When checking if a device is sim unlocked or not u dont put the sim number into the checker, u put the imei.. this is bcuz its tied to the imei/device.. not sim card itself..
What i dont know however is if you only need to activate it once on vzw network or if it needs to remain on vzw the full 60 days.. then again u cant use it on other networks until its unlocked anyways
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
---------- Post added at 02:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:20 AM ----------
elliwigy said:
No.. i didnt say that lol.. its not tied to the sim card.. device needs to be active on verizon for 60 days.. i always use my same sim card that ive had for years now in my new devices.. i still had to wait 60 days for it to be sim unlocked..
U cant just pop an old sim in and have it unlock.. the device itself needs to be active 60 days..
When checking if a device is sim unlocked or not u dont put the sim number into the checker, u put the imei.. this is bcuz its tied to the imei/device.. not sim card itself..
What i dont know however is if you only need to activate it once on vzw network or if it needs to remain on vzw the full 60 days.. then again u cant use it on other networks until its unlocked anyways
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
Urbbs said:
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
---------- Post added at 02:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:20 AM ----------
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I said lmao.. u need to activate it on vzw then wait 60 days and it will be unlocked..
A quick Google search you can easily find vzw unlock policy:
https://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy