[Q] what's the meaning of carriers of phones in ebay? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

see many phones with a carrier such as t-mobile,att..., what's the difference from unlocked?
if i already have a sim card of t-mobile,can i buy a phone with the t-mobile carrier or i have to buy a new plan?

You should be able to buy any TMobile phone from ebay and use your current TMobile SIM card. But recently TMobile, AT&T, and a couple other GSM carriers got together and started a database of stolen devices, if the device you buy is listed in that database it could be trouble. Not sure if that database also includes phones people got subsidized and didn't fullfill their contract or not.
TMobile has always been good about letting people bring their own phones, their plans are way cheaper this way, http://explore.t-mobile.com/phone-sim-card

Related

Unlocked Tmobile Samsung Galaxy S5

I bought a Galaxy S5 (Tmobile) and Unlocked it, flash new ROM. if for some reasons, Tmobile blocked the IMEI, am I still able to use it because its unlocked?
Im asking this because I bought it off from Craiglists.
I am just curious why would t-mobile block the ime.
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app
i afraid they may in the future because of someone not making payment
If you didn't pay for the device and they blacklisted the IMEI, you will not likely be able to use it on either AT&T or T-Mobile as they have been said to share blacklist databases. You will likely only be able to use it internationally. Unlocking it doesn't matter, if it is blacklisted, it wont register on the network and you wont be able to use it.
risestar2 said:
If you didn't pay for the device and they blacklisted the IMEI, you will not likely be able to use it on either AT&T or T-Mobile as they have been said to share blacklist databases. You will likely only be able to use it internationally. Unlocking it doesn't matter, if it is blacklisted, it wont register on the network and you wont be able to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
of course you can use a blacklisted t-mobile phone on at&t network without any problems. just unlock it, insert your sim card and there. i have personally used them on at&t.
What Rom Did You Flash To Unlock SGS5 Tmobile?
T33H00 said:
I bought a Galaxy S5 (Tmobile) and Unlocked it, flash new ROM. if for some reasons, Tmobile blocked the IMEI, am I still able to use it because its unlocked?
Im asking this because I bought it off from Craiglists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What Rom Did You Flash To Unlock SGS5 Tmobile?
I am loathe to help you because you are talking about a stolen or fraudulently sold phone. And whether you were scammed or complicit in the fraud, it remains that the phone is stolen and helping anyone use a stolen phone spurs an ongoing demand for stolen phones.
I'll just say that TMB blacklisting the IMEI ought to prevent you from using the phone on another carrier. However, TMB is well known for being erratic in sharing their blacklist with other carriers. So provided that your phone is not re-activation OR SIM locked, you can probably use the handset on another carrier. For the moment anyway.
TMB has been promising lately to clean up their act in this regard and start sharing their blacklist with other carriers. So while you might be able to use that stolen handset today, it will stop working in two months, four months or whatever date TMB actually starts sharing their blacklist with other carriers.
.
T33H00 said:
I bought a Galaxy S5 (Tmobile) and Unlocked it, flash new ROM. if for some reasons, Tmobile blocked the IMEI, am I still able to use it because its unlocked?
Im asking this because I bought it off from Craiglists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Short answer: No you cannot.
Long answer:
As I believe a T-Mobile and ATT "contract" (not really a contract, more so an agreement) established a more global blacklist.. well, list, prevents the use on other networks. This is a new policy that has been created.
I even recall an instance where a Verizon S4 (most of Verizon's phone have both CDMA and GSM hardware) would not be allowed on T-Mobile's network.
However, brighter side of things, you could try Swappa.com to sell it as a blocked IMEI phone (i believe they are still usable overseas)
Or, what I would do, part the phone out and sell each part, you will probably get more for it. Screen display's aren't cheap, especially the entire digitizer and LCD still glued together.
For future purchases over Craigslist, ensure the transaction happens inside a T-Mobile store. They can transfer the phone serial and such to your account leaving the previous account holder phoneless. This also ensures that the phone is truly paid off in full. If the phone gets reported lost/stolen, you have proof that it was legally sold to you and not stolen.

[Q] Possible to Bypass Sprint Activation use it on GSM.

Hello,
I plan to buy (from ebay) a Sprint G3 and use it on GSM with a SIM card.
Is it possible ? Is it locked ot unlocked ? Is it possible to bypass sprint activation screen ?
Thanks.
hakkan said:
Hello,
I plan to buy (from ebay) a Sprint G3 and use it on GSM with a SIM card.
Is it possible ? Is it locked ot unlocked ? Is it possible to bypass sprint activation screen ?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
locked and no way that i know of changing it as sprint version doesnt have root yet.
From Sprint's unlock policy:
I am a former Sprint customer or was never a Sprint customer but have purchased a Sprint device from a third party other than Sprint. Can I get the MSL code?
For individuals owners who can provide the telephone number last associated with the device, Sprint may be able to provide the applicable MSL Code if the account associated with the device is in good standing (service or installment contract fulfilled, payments are current, no write-off balance, not associated with a phone sent to collections, phone not reported lost or stolen, etc.).
hakkan said:
Hello,
I plan to buy (from ebay) a Sprint G3 and use it on GSM with a SIM card.
Is it possible ? Is it locked ot unlocked ? Is it possible to bypass sprint activation screen ?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Important thing here is where are you located;
In US - Most probably not, until someone finds a hack for it. Sprint certainly doesn't want you to use their phone on GSM in US.
Outside US - You may get the SIM card slot unlocked from Sprint (done via OTA, not thru code) if some conditions are met like account should be in good standing, shouldn't be a bad ESN & phone should be 90 days old on the account (some people in past have been able to get past this requirement).
Apart from these, you also need to make sure that GSM/UMTS/LTE bands your carrier use are supported by Sprint G3.
I am in the same boat as you, looking to buy a Sprint G3 & use on GSM. Since I'm not in US, I can definitely use it once unlocked but the problem is how to ask Sprint for the unlock when you are not a customer & don't have an account with them.
---------- Post added at 09:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 AM ----------
BretonGirl said:
From Sprint's unlock policy:
I am a former Sprint customer or was never a Sprint customer but have purchased a Sprint device from a third party other than Sprint. Can I get the MSL code?
For individuals owners who can provide the telephone number last associated with the device, Sprint may be able to provide the applicable MSL Code if the account associated with the device is in good standing (service or installment contract fulfilled, payments are current, no write-off balance, not associated with a phone sent to collections, phone not reported lost or stolen, etc.).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP is talking about GSM unlock, MSL is not going to help.
jainanshal said:
I
OP is talking about GSM unlock, MSL is not going to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um, yes it is. You have to get the MSL from Sprint in order to unlock their phones for usage on GSM networks. It's all explained in their Unlock Policy on Sprint.com.
BretonGirl said:
Um, yes it is. You have to get the MSL from Sprint in order to unlock their phones for usage on GSM networks. It's all explained in their Unlock Policy on Sprint.com.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I say it again.. MSL has to do nothing with GSM slot unlocking for Int'l networks. For this, Sprint pushes an OTA to the phone which unlocks the SIM slot.
If you still think its explained in a different way (involving MSL) on the Sprint website, plz post the link.
Just wait until we have root and I will see if I can unlock it for everyone.
Sent from my LGLS990 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
jainanshal said:
Well, I say it again.. MSL has to do nothing with GSM slot unlocking for Int'l networks. For this, Sprint pushes an OTA to the phone which unlocks the SIM slot.
If you still think its explained in a different way (involving MSL) on the Sprint website, plz post the link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm talking about unlocking it for use on AT&T, T-Mobile, etc, here in the U.S. For that unlocking you need the MSL code.
Here's their unlock policy.
http://www.sprint.com/legal/unlocking_policy.html
Seriously though, why do people buy a phone designed for one carrier wanting to use it on another? It's ridiculous. Just buy what your carrier offers, simple.
BretonGirl said:
Here's their unlock policy.
http://www.sprint.com/legal/unlocking_policy.html
Seriously though, why do people buy a phone designed for one carrier wanting to use it on another? It's ridiculous. Just buy what your carrier offers, simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You tired of giving that link yet?
I think hidden key/hidden menu unlocking
BretonGirl said:
Here's their unlock policy.
http://www.sprint.com/legal/unlocking_policy.html
Seriously though, why do people buy a phone designed for one carrier wanting to use it on another? It's ridiculous. Just buy what your carrier offers, simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simply because Sprint phones are much cheaper than any other carrier if bought slightly used or from sites like swappa and ebay. However due to strict unlocking policies of sprint it is near impossible to unlock their devices if you are not a customer. Heck even if you are a customer they give you a hard time. Hence phones on Sprint tend to have much lower resale value for this very reason and hence the reason for people attracted to these devices because they do have the hardware capability of using gsm networks it's only sprint/software that's holding these phones back.
As of now i would hold off on buying a Sprint lg g3 if you plan to use on another network. The phone doesn't even have root yet for sim unlocking hacks to even be attempted. Check out the Sprint HTC m8 sim unlock hack is out for that phone and very capable device with much more development.
I get that I should buy a phone for a given carrier - However, if I were to buy a Sprint LG G3 that WAS unlocked, would I be able to use it on T-Mobile would I be able to have some reasonable expectation to have UTMS+/LTE connectivity?
(if I can buy an unlocked sprint phone for ~ $275 vs ~ $450 for a t-mobile version...)
scifan said:
I get that I should buy a phone for a given carrier - However, if I were to buy a Sprint LG G3 that WAS unlocked, would I be able to use it on T-Mobile would I be able to have some reasonable expectation to have UTMS+/LTE connectivity?
(if I can buy an unlocked sprint phone for ~ $275 vs ~ $450 for a t-mobile version...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will not get lte on it bands are not there.....
BretonGirl said:
Here's their unlock policy.
http://www.sprint.com/legal/unlocking_policy.html
Seriously though, why do people buy a phone designed for one carrier wanting to use it on another? It's ridiculous. Just buy what your carrier offers, simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Though this is old ill comment my idea of why. The very reason is , i believe anyway is that sprint phones' resale value is the cheapest overall ...why? Because of the sprint reputation as well as the old days it would not connect to gsm period. However today its global capabilities has began a big buy spree on this model mainly for price ..This is why you might see as example on craigslist, s4 175 as opposed to verizon 250 or T-Mobile etc. Sprint has always had cheaper or lower resale value. Not sure how much longer but ive bought many sprint devices for this reason ..also since sprint sells to more lower to no credit with the spending limit option they are more prone to blacklisted phones and or risk. Lol. So to me i believe this is why you see lots more sprint phones today trying to get on gsm or any. Peace.
Sent from rotary technology Phone
Most phones after 2012 using LTE have to have a Sim card slot.
Verizon had to unlock their phones because of the LTE bands they use.
Prior to that Sprint was using Clear as thier 4G provider using WiMAx. When they built up their network their network they had to use sim card slots
Just like Boost, Virgin, they lock down the sim using UCC.
By locking down the sim and the modem you cant access the service menus to take the lock off.
Currently the HTC One, One MAX, and M8 for Sprint are capable of gsm but man is it a pain.
There may be a way hopefully since yes Sprint phones are very cheap in resale value. I got a HTC One MAX for $150. Took me 3 days to unlock, s-off and figure out the instructions on the internet so I can use it on T-Mobile.
I came here to see if the LG G3 can be done as well...so far looks like a no go.
So far the Note 3, Mega and other Samsung phones can be unlocked.
I think it's a steal to get a 5.9" 1080p Quad Core phone for $150. Cheaper than the Desire 820 GSM which is only 720p for $350.
The sim can be unlocked ..... All you have to do is read.
jamesb85 said:
The sim can be unlocked ..... All you have to do is read.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please explain or point us in the right direction? Thanks.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using XDA Free mobile app
bypaass activation
blane73 said:
Can you please explain or point us in the right direction? Thanks.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i used that way with no problems sa far http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-lg-g3/general/unlock-sim-gsm-how-to-t2853594
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-lg-g3/orig-development/how-to-gsm-unlock-t2961099 check and this!
for disable activation go to system priv apps and find LgStartUpWizzard.apk and rename it to .bak save it, and you get rid of activation process

[Q] sprint via at&t

Ok so we all know why we got our gear s from at&t (100$) cheaper than sprint.so now after i unlock the phone is there a way to connect it so srint.if yes than how if no than state details why not and whats the best choice for unlocked at&t gear s device ....
Sprint version is CDMA. I think that is why it also cost more. ATT version is gsm version with a sim card. I dont think they will work.
In order to use any phone on a CDMA carrier, it must meet two conditions:
1. It must support CDMA. The AT&T and T-Mobile versions are GSM only, no CDMA support.
2. It must has ESN (each CDMA device has one) already in the carrier's database. There is no known (official) way to put foreign device ESN into the database other than carrier itself. That means you are pretty much limited to devices sold by Sprint only. Even though Verizon is CDMA as well, you can't use any Verizon devices.
Yeah. That's a tall order. Atleast to use all functionality of services. Pairing is fine and using the features of the marriage between your device and GS. But standalone, I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen.
Although. Maybe using Boost or Virgin Mobile may work? I believe they use sim cards. I could totally be wrong though. But i thought they did.
Sent from my SM-N910P
Boost and Virgin Mobile all run off of sprint network. The best thing would be to return the watch to att and just pick up a sprint version. Price wise it only 80 bucks more but then you know you can use it on your network.
billybkny said:
Ok so we all know why we got our gear s from at&t (100$) cheaper than sprint.so now after i unlock the phone is there a way to connect it so srint.if yes than how if no than state details why not and whats the best choice for unlocked at&t gear s device ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As the other posters have said CDMA = UICC CARD (SPRINT SOME VERIZON) GSM (T-MOBILE &AT&T
SPRINT & VERIZON
NO SIM CARD FOR YOU
T-MOBILE & AT&T
SIM CARD YES UNLOCK MAYBE BUT YOU CAN ONLY GO TO THESE CARRIERS
MOST ARE LOCKED (yOU CAN USE MVNO TO YOUR CARRIER WHILE LOCKED (IE H2O/CRICKET/STRAIGHTTALK ECT=AT&T
WHATEVER VERIZON IS .
You can use separately I for instance have Note 4 Sprint Gear S T-mobile
Ok as i come from sprint im really a noob about sim cards and the prepaid ones.can somebody please give me in details with sim cards will work unlocked fear s at&t .i want to put sim card with phone and text dont care about data ill use wifi mostly but dont want monthly subscibtion to any service.simple sim card that gonna let me talk and text till i finish my minutes...
the thing is that the price for a prepaid sim card is not worth the cost of the service. Most will be 30 a month. I think you may be better just trying to get service from att.
billybkny said:
Ok as i come from sprint im really a noob about sim cards and the prepaid ones.can somebody please give me in details with sim cards will work unlocked fear s at&t .i want to put sim card with phone and text dont care about data ill use wifi mostly but dont want monthly subscibtion to any service.simple sim card that gonna let me talk and text till i finish my minutes...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
H20/cricket/Net10/Red Pocket/Straight Talk/ ect locked AT&T :good:
T-mobile (you unlock sim it will work with these bootleg company's for t-mo)
Metropcs/Simple mobile/GoSmart/walmart plan/Red Pocket/Straight talk /net 10
theres more but these are ones people know
That wasn't confusing at all ...
Haha.
Sprint and Verizon sim cards are for LTE. This watch definitely does not support LTE.
There are definitely two versions that were tested by the FCC, those were the GSM and the CDMA models. I thought at first that it might have a universal radio (CDMA/GSM hybrid) because the Snapdragon 400 in the device supports that. But the FCC didn't license it that way, so #sadface ...
The ONLY benefit to buying on on your same carrier is to get a discount on the device (if you can call Verizon's $349 a discount), and to have a discounted plan ($5-10/mo) to use its independent phone and data ... but you'd be under contract for two years ... that's a long time and quite the commitment.
Most of us just paid AT&T 299 outright and walked out with the device. Some have had to contact AT&T to request unlock, I, for some reason have NOT ... my T-Mobile sim also works in it and did out of the box ... I believe I had a VERY knowledgeable customer service rep where I bought it, and she knew what was up!!!!!! (AT&T in Henderson Nevada by the Sunset Station Mall, I will never go anywhere else! they can have all the monies :good
sbrownla said:
Haha.
Sprint and Verizon sim cards are for LTE. This watch definitely does not support LTE.
There are definitely two versions that were tested by the FCC, those were the GSM and the CDMA models. I thought at first that it might have a universal radio (CDMA/GSM hybrid) because the Snapdragon 400 in the device supports that. But the FCC didn't license it that way, so #sadface ...
The ONLY benefit to buying on on your same carrier is to get a discount on the device (if you can call Verizon's $349 a discount), and to have a discounted plan ($5-10/mo) to use its independent phone and data ... but you'd be under contract for two years ... that's a long time and quite the commitment.
Most of us just paid AT&T 299 outright and walked out with the device. Some have had to contact AT&T to request unlock, I, for some reason have NOT ... my T-Mobile sim also works in it and did out of the box ... I believe I had a VERY knowledgeable customer service rep where I bought it, and she knew what was up!!!!!! (AT&T in Henderson Nevada by the Sunset Station Mall, I will never go anywhere else! they can have all the monies :good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was a good look.
I got mines at Sprint and just cashed out on it. Wasn't concerned about the price, nor the plan. Knew all about it prior to buying. I dont regret where/how I got it one bit. That $299 tag is a great deal though. Lol
Sent from my SM-T807P

I need help with network unlocking my HTC Desire 626s (T-Mobile) PLEASE HELP!

I know this is a little off topic, but I just bought this phone on T-Mobile prepaid last night, in hopes to pop in my Consumer Cellular SIM and use it. Well, that was shot down because it said the phone is network locked and it needs to have an unlock code to work on other GSM networks. I called and chatted with T-Mobile and they are refusing to give me the network unlock code until I start a prepaid plan with them, spend at least $100 on refill cards, and then they can "request" an unlock code from the appropriate department.
Does anyone know how to network unlock the device without doing it through T-Mobile? I don't know if I trust those cell unlocker websites for network codes that you have to pay money for.
Any other phone I've purchased, like an AT&T prepaid phone, they never require an unlock code. I also called Consumer Cellular and they don't have network unlock codes.
Gotta pay to play, unfortunately. Just use eBay, where you can see reviews and have some buyer protection. I help unlock phones at my job, and I know that blowfish and swiftunlocks.com have been reliable. HTC unlocks are usually done pretty quickly.

International SIM Card

I am looking for a phone that will work in the US and Brazil, I have my att sim card, and I have a coworker from Rio that is going to give me his active sim card for my travels...
I was thinking about another Galaxy s5. What do I need to do to Carrier Unlock an android device?
dzslacker said:
I am looking for a phone that will work in the US and Brazil, I have my att sim card, and I have a coworker from Rio that is going to give me his active sim card for my travels...
I was thinking about another Galaxy s5. What do I need to do to Carrier Unlock an android device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Usually, it's just a case of contacting the cellphone company you bought it from, though there may be a fee to pay if you're under contract. if you're buying a new phone, there are various places that sell phones unlocked (which is the natural state of a smartphone, it's not until it gets into the hands of an operator that the locks appear). If you're just going for a short trip, you might consider a second-hand phone, or even a cheap Android handset. There's a site called Telestial that specialises in travel solutions, they have unlocked Galaxy s5's as well as a range of other unlocked phones.

Categories

Resources