Hey guys. I just ordered my s9+ (att model) specifically with the intention of flashing TMobile firmware for use on their Network. I chose the att version because it was on sale for $200 off, and since I'm gonna trade in my s7 I'm getting $200 for that and i got the phone for $400 off so i couldn't pass it up.
My question is, not having an att sim, and no plans to activate in their Network, would i need to acquire a sim unlock first, either from att or 3rd party, and would flashing the T-Mobile firmware undo the lock or is the sim unlock not even required?
Phone is paid for from Samsung.com so nothing owed and is brand new. I don't know what att requirements are but i could buy an unlock pretty much anywhere. But if it is needed first, would i need just a sim unlock or a complete device unlock? And do i need to do the sim unlock before flashing another carrier firmware for it to work?
All info helps. Thanks!
Flashing the firmware is just another method of unlocking your phone. As far as I know, it will be useless to unlock the phone before flashing (however, I am not 100% sure).
RossTeagan said:
Flashing the firmware is just another method of unlocking your phone. As far as I know, it will be useless to unlock the phone before flashing (however, I am not 100% sure).
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Was told that sim unlock was at network level and had nothing to do with the Rom. So flashing wouldn't unlock it from the previous carrier. I flashed my s7 from Verizon to T-Mobile but it was previously sim unlocked. It worked like a charm and appears to be network locked to them. Device unlock all doesn't nothing and actually fails lol. Don't have another sim to test though. I'll play it safe and unlock first for the s9.
Related
Hi Forum. May be my first post. I just SIM unlocked LG V10 on T-Mobile. Here is what I can say about the process that might be helpful to others:
1-Phones can be SIM locked by manufacturers so that service providers ensure that phones can only be used on their network or certain countries. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock for more information.
2-The process of unlocking requires the service provider to request unlock codes from the manufacturer. The service provider may have requirements to unlock ( e.g. in my case I had to put $100 balance on T-Mobile prepaid card ). This process took 5 working days at which time T-Mobile emailed me to inform me that they were ready for me to initiate unlock on my device.
3-On my device, I ran a "Device Unlock" app which connected with somebody ( T-Mobile ? ) and verified my phone was actually unlock eligible and viola. I'm SIM unlocked.
What I would like to know is what has changed on my phone ( e.g. firmware, some information on some partition ) ? Does this mean I can now root, change ROMs and my phone will remain SIM unlocked ? Any links to information about what actually happens when device unlocked would be appreciated.
slomo2
What I can tell you is that, if you did unlock permanent it is going to be unlocked even after rooting and installing new roms etc.
Now, I want to ask in this forum if the phone can be unlocked if the t-mobile unlock app says it is not eligible to unlock. I bought my phone on eBay, called t-mobile the phone is clean, but they could not unlock it for me because needs an account... So now I'm stuck trying to find a 3rd party unlock website to do it, 2 already said they could not... So I have the phone but can't use it. Any suggestions?
Yes, I can confirm that on this LG V10 having performed a SIM unlock and then having switched ROMs the unlock remained in effect.
Hi guys,
I just need some general direction here.
I recently purchased a locked Sprint S9 Plus and I had successfully flashed the firmware to the unlocked version of the phone (Model number showing SM-G965U1 )
I had plugged in the sim card to the new phone, only to receive a message that says "Invalid Sim card." I also checked the system apps and it looks like there are some Sprint apps still on the phone. Any ideas?
eyewin said:
Hi guys,
I just need some general direction here.
I recently purchased a locked Sprint S9 Plus and I had successfully flashed the firmware to the unlocked version of the phone (Model number showing SM-G965U1 )
I had plugged in the sim card to the new phone, only to receive a message that says "Invalid Sim card." I also checked the system apps and it looks like there are some Sprint apps still on the phone. Any ideas?
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Click to collapse
You got confused about what "unlocked" means in various contexts. It's easy to do. The U1 firmware is for devices that are sold as "factory unlocked" from Samsung, Best Buy, and Amazon. But what that really means is "unbranded and unlocked". By flashing U1 firmware on a Sprint (SIM locked) device, you now have an unbranded device, but flashing U1 firmware cannot SIM unlock it. Those are different things. You still need a proper SIM unlock, regardless of what firmware happens to be running on it.
CrazyApe18 said:
You got confused about what "unlocked" means in various contexts. It's easy to do. The U1 firmware is for devices that are sold as "factory unlocked" from Samsung, Best Buy, and Amazon. But what that really means is "unbranded and unlocked". By flashing U1 firmware on a Sprint (SIM locked) device, you now have an unbranded device, but flashing U1 firmware cannot SIM unlock it. Those are different things. You still need a proper SIM unlock, regardless of what firmware happens to be running on it.
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Wow, and after 2 weeks of research - I thought I had it all together.
I've looked up a few options to SIM unlock the phone. They seem to be:
1) root the phone, then sim unlock it (is this possible?)
2) get a sim unlock code (any recommedations?)
OR
3) get a new unlocked or carrier-specific phone
Anyone have inputs for options 1 or 2?
eyewin said:
Wow, and after 2 weeks of research - I thought I had it all together.
I've looked up a few options to SIM unlock the phone. They seem to be:
1) root the phone, then sim unlock it (is this possible?)
2) get a sim unlock code (any recommedations?)
OR
3) get a new unlocked or carrier-specific phone
Anyone have inputs for options 1 or 2?
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Click to collapse
Can't discuss such things on XDA. Your carrier should unlock for you once you've met their requirements.
CrazyApe18 said:
Can't discuss such things on XDA. Your carrier should unlock for you once you've met their requirements.
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Unfortunately my family was going through a carrier switch where I purchased the phone before they changed their minds to go with Verizon. Now I'm stuck with a Sprint phone while my family went with Verizon.
I would gladly guidance from anyone, through PM or through this post, and is MUCH appreciated. Thank you in advance.
I purchased this phone today. It is network unlocked.. It was on T-Mobile, and now on Sprint.. What I find funny, when the phone was first turned on, up came the T-Mobile Splash screen. Then when I installed my sim card for Sprint, and had it activated, up came the Sprint Splash screen, and all of it's bloat glory.. I did get a great deal as it was new and perfect condition and it only cost me $288 with box accessories etc..
Under dev options, I do not see anything for OEM unlock so I can install either custom roms or debloat this phone of what I do not need.. Model number is SM-G965U. From what I gather that is not a valid Sprint Model number nor T-mobile.. I'm wondering if this was a factory unlocked version, first set to T-mobile, then Sprint when I activated it today.. Total call on this phone was Zero and very little data use..
doubledragon5 said:
I purchased this phone today. It is network unlocked.. It was on T-Mobile, and now on Sprint.. What I find funny, when the phone was first turned on, up came the T-Mobile Splash screen. Then when I installed my sim card for Sprint, and had it activated, up came the Sprint Splash screen, and all of it's bloat glory.. I did get a great deal as it was new and perfect condition and it only cost me $288 with box accessories etc..
Under dev options, I do not see anything for OEM unlock so I can install either custom roms or debloat this phone of what I do not need.. Model number is SM-G965U. From what I gather that is not a valid Sprint Model number nor T-mobile.. I'm wondering if this was a factory unlocked version, first set to T-mobile, then Sprint when I activated it today.. Total call on this phone was Zero and very little data use..
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They are multi carrier. Everytime a new sim is inserted it personalizes for a new carrier. All the us models are the same hardware. There is no OEM unlock. No custom roms locked bootloader permanently. you can root 8.0 only no 9 no 10. Look up extreme syndicate down in the snap dragon section. Please note your model is a g950u or g965u. Not to be confused with the g9600 or g9650 which are snapdragon but of other countries with unlocked bootloader. Cannot be interchanged.
TheMadScientist said:
They are multi carrier. Everytime a new sim is inserted it personalizes for a new carrier. All the us models are the same hardware. There is no OEM unlock. No custom roms locked bootloader permanently. you can root 8.0 only no 9 no 10. Look up extreme syndicate down in the snap dragon section. Please note your model is a g950u or g965u. Not to be confused with the g9600 or g9650 which are snapdragon but of other countries with unlocked bootloader. Cannot be interchanged.
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So I assume, that since it is network unlocked, and all the bloat is based off of each carrier.. Will a factory reset get rid of it all. Or do I have to go the adb route? I have no issue with it, but can not stand all the bloat I have always tried to stay away from.. And if you look at it.. It basically is no different than a carrier branded phone.. Once you pay off it, you and have the UICC unlocked, like this phone already is. Put if I had bought a international version, I'm sure it would never have worked here in the US...
doubledragon5 said:
So I assume, that since it is network unlocked, and all the bloat is based off of each carrier.. Will a factory reset get rid of it all. Or do I have to go the adb route? I have no issue with it, but can not stand all the bloat I have always tried to stay away from.. And if you look at it.. It basically is no different than a carrier branded phone.. Once you pay off it, you and have the UICC unlocked, like this phone already is. Put if I had bought a international version, I'm sure it would never have worked here in the US...
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You can either root 8.0 to debloat or adb to disable it. Factory reset wont get rid of none of it. The International version o believe supports every carrier except sprint dont have the proper bands. I'm pretty sure it can do verizon. You also have the option of flashing the us U1 firmware which is us unlocked version with no carrier bloat but it still has locked bootloader.
How come when using adb, and I type adb devices it come back with a series of numbers, and then says unauthorized.. I have used in the past and was very simple.. USB debugging it enabled.
Forget it. I figured it out. And debloated this thing just like I want.
doubledragon5 said:
How come when using adb, and I type adb devices it come back with a series of numbers, and then says unauthorized.. I have used in the past and was very simple.. USB debugging it enabled.
Forget it. I figured it out. And debloated this thing just like I want.
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Yea the authorization can be a pain sometimes
TheMadScientist said:
Yea the authorization can be a pain sometimes
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Even thought he bootloader is locked, at least the bloat is gone semi.. If I need it back ( will not) I can just do a factory reset. LOL Time to install youtube vanced.
Question cpu z says I have a Snapdragon845. To bad it would have been nice to tweak it, if the bootloader was unlockable.
doubledragon5 said:
Even thought he bootloader is locked, at least the bloat is gone semi.. If I need it back ( will not) I can just do a factory reset. LOL Time to install youtube vanced.
Question cpu z says I have a Snapdragon845. To bad it would have been nice to tweak it, if the bootloader was unlockable.
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Yea I got the g9650 unlocked bootloader snapdragon and it's right. Stout. and great battery life even though it's a older device
i recently bought a used N10 from ebay and while i checked the IMEI on tmobiles site (its clean), its sim locked.
i used @Paula2707cq awesome debloat script and was able to toggle the OEM unlock. i got the key and sent for the bootloader unlock token and hope to get it soon but i now have a question.
will unlocking the bootloader get rid of the sim lock? if not, do i have to go through tmo? i tried the phone with my mint mobile sim card and everything works but im going to wait to see if i can unlock the bootloader or im going to send the phone back. thanks for any and all help.
droidbot1337 said:
i recently bought a used N10 from ebay and while i checked the IMEI on tmobiles site (its clean), its sim locked.
i used @Paula2707cq awesome debloat script and was able to toggle the OEM unlock. i got the key and sent for the bootloader unlock token and hope to get it soon but i now have a question.
will unlocking the bootloader get rid of the sim lock? if not, do i have to go through tmo? i tried the phone with my mint mobile sim card and everything works but im going to wait to see if i can unlock the bootloader or im going to send the phone back. thanks for any and all help.
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Click to collapse
Simlock means the phone is locked to the network (tmo)..try what i said in other response
Even it's unlocked it wouldn't work on AT&T, a locked TMo phone(not Metro's) will work on TMo and it's MVNO just fine.
This phone was given to me by a friend, he says he got drunk, changed his lock code and doesn't remember. After a factory reset it just stays on a screen asking for a Tracfone SIM and he kept his SIM & moved halfway across the country.
I just wanna know if there is any means around this?
I called Tracfone, gave them the IMEI & they told me the phone will be eligible for unlock in about a month, I don't wanna wait as I can't root my S22 Ultra and I just wanna get back in the rooting scene, LOL
I know, call me impatient....
I apologize, I didn't notice a post w/ same issue but on a Cricket phone whereas mine is Tracfone but same situation.
AlphaTekk Epoch said:
This phone was given to me by a friend, he says he got drunk, changed his lock code and doesn't remember. After a factory reset it just stays on a screen asking for a Tracfone SIM and he kept his SIM & moved halfway across the country.
I just wanna know if there is any means around this?
I called Tracfone, gave them the IMEI & they told me the phone will be eligible for unlock in about a month, I don't wanna wait as I can't root my S22 Ultra and I just wanna get back in the rooting scene, LOL
I know, call me impatient....
I apologize, I didn't notice a post w/ same issue but on a Cricket phone whereas mine is Tracfone but same situation.
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What's the Model and build number? Is the bootloader locked or unlocked? Without knowing much detail I'd recommend finding the firmware that matches your phone and fastboot flash that or at least TWRP recovery if you can find one that works with yours and then you'd have more flexibility. This is all if your bootloader has been unlocked already though and if it hasn't I'd start looking through some threads on how to do that if you don't already know how to. If it's possible with your variant too I know carrier devices are pretty strict on unlocking the bootloader but Idk about tracphone variants.
It's not unlocked.
It's the Tracfone Moto G Power
Look up a thread here on xda about unlocking the bootloader for Motorola devices and come back here if you can unlock it. You'll have to do that before you can even flash anything such as partitions like a custom recovery.