My friend had service with TMobile a while ago. He no longer has service with them anymore, but still has his B&W TMobile Sidekick. I know its possible to unlock phones, but realize it might be different in this case because its not exactly a regular phone. He uses it for the organizer, im not sure if he'd want to go online with it or not. Would it be possible for him to sign up with AT&T prepaid since he wouldn't use it as much, take the sim card out of the phone that it comes with with the prepaid service and use it in the sidekick? I assume the sidekick would have to be unlocked first (is that even possible) so it can be used across networks?
If its possible what would i need to do it?
Just wondering if its possible, tryin to help a friend out,
Thanks,
~J
Send the phone to me, I will unlock it for you!
Related
I've been trying to research this for a while now but can't seem to get straight answers. I am hoping the community here can help me especially if you guys have done it, or something similar.
I want to purchase the S3 and have it connected on prepaid, pay as you go with either ATT or Tmobile. I am leaning more towards Tmobile. I dont need any data packages mostly because i am around Wifi 95% of the time. All i need is to be able to get the cheapest pay per minute rate to make and receive calls and use the rest of the phones powers via Wifi. Seems like i can get the Pay as you go sim card from tmobile for free, but can i use that SIM card for the S3? i am pretty sure i need to cut it to size,but can it be done? do i need to get an unlocked GSM S3 for it to work, or will a tmobile S3 work? how about an tmobile S3 unlocked? I've read in some sites (conflicting reports) that if ATT or Tmobile find out you are using a smart phone on their pay as you go they can suspend your line?
please anyone with some concrete info let me know.
thanks!!!
mischief316 said:
I've been trying to research this for a while now but can't seem to get straight answers. I am hoping the community here can help me especially if you guys have done it, or something similar.
I want to purchase the S3 and have it connected on prepaid, pay as you go with either ATT or Tmobile. I am leaning more towards Tmobile. I dont need any data packages mostly because i am around Wifi 95% of the time. All i need is to be able to get the cheapest pay per minute rate to make and receive calls and use the rest of the phones powers via Wifi. Seems like i can get the Pay as you go sim card from tmobile for free, but can i use that SIM card for the S3? i am pretty sure i need to cut it to size,but can it be done? do i need to get an unlocked GSM S3 for it to work, or will a tmobile S3 work? how about an tmobile S3 unlocked? I've read in some sites (conflicting reports) that if ATT or Tmobile find out you are using a smart phone on their pay as you go they can suspend your line?
please anyone with some concrete info let me know.
thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the SGSIII requires a premium data plan on both networks. If you tried to use a pay as you go SIM, they'd probably blacklist your IMEI. I would contact both carriers and ask to be sure.
Hi,
I would like to unlock my T989. Although I've bought it at full price from Walmart I've got an email from T-mobile saying that "The device was not purchased from a T-Mobile USA retail store or authorized T-Mobile retailer." and I've decided not to battle them for 3 months and just do it myself.
I'm a newbie and the following questions might be silly.
1) I understand there is a software by z3x that unlocks the phone. Do I need an extra hardware for it (what is the z3x-box)? If so, what kind?
2) If I root the phone, will it be immediately unlocked?
3) Is there a free method to unlock this phone (assuming I'll root it successfully)?
Thanks!
bloodymeli said:
Hi,
I would like to unlock my T989. Although I've bought it at full price from Walmart I've got an email from T-mobile saying that "The device was not purchased from a T-Mobile USA retail store or authorized T-Mobile retailer." and I've decided not to battle them for 3 months and just do it myself.
I'm a newbie and the following questions might be silly.
1) I understand there is a software by z3x that unlocks the phone. Do I need an extra hardware for it (what is the z3x-box)? If so, what kind?
2) If I root the phone, will it be immediately unlocked?
3) Is there a free method to unlock this phone (assuming I'll root it successfully)?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Option 3!
You can do it yourself, just follow the simple instructions :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024514
Sent from my SGH-T989D using xda premium
You could always just take the simple way and tell Tmobile your taking a trip to mexico in 3 weeks (Cuz itll take 2 weeks at the max for the manufacturer to send the code to tmobile) and you want to use a prepaid service down there but dont want to buy a new phone. I just did this today, but act like you dont know much about sim unlocking to be on the safe side. The lady tried to get my to buy a new phone from tmobile down in mexico or just let my phone roam and get international charges and i told her "Well im trying to use the same phone with a prepaid service down in mexico so i wont have to have any additional charges when i come back, I herd something about most phones being locked so will i be able to use the prepaid sim on my current phone?" and after that she mentioned sending me an unlock code.. She tried to play me like i didnt know anything about sim unlocking by telling me my options were buying a new phone down there or letting the charges rack up. Then tried to cut the conversation off short this was in the online chat. But if you keep asking questions and explaining you dont want a new phone or to let them add charges theyll eventually tell you about unlocking your phone and ask for you imei and email then youll have to wait for 2 weeks.
Hope i helped a few people, I tried the method above and it didnt work for me. So i took the longer route that will forsure unlock your phone. :good:
Curiously enough, I'm currently abroad.
I don't have a t-mobile account. I don't even need one according to their website. It's just annoying. But I feel like I'm tilting at windmills.
"If you paid full retail price for a device, you qualify to have the SIM subsidy unlock code provided you meet the following requirements:
The device must have been purchased at a T-Mobile retail store or authorized T-Mobile retailer.
The device must be paid for completely. You must be able to fax the proof of purchase to T-Mobile."
In any case, as I didn't get an answer in the other thread, do you happen to know
1) How do I boot into recovery mode? and how do I choose to flash a radio? Do I need to install a specific recovery software? I would really appreciate if somoeone will able to post a detailed "unlocking for dummies" guide, starting from an unrooted phone. A medal of honor will be given if the guide will start from a stock, unrooted phone.
2) I understand the latest version of the radio is UVLI. Should I use it or use the one that comes with my phone? (I would like as few problems as possible)?
TwoStax said:
You could always just take the simple way and tell Tmobile your taking a trip to mexico in 3 weeks (Cuz itll take 2 weeks at the max for the manufacturer to send the code to tmobile) and you want to use a prepaid service down there but dont want to buy a new phone. I just did this today, but act like you dont know much about sim unlocking to be on the safe side. The lady tried to get my to buy a new phone from tmobile down in mexico or just let my phone roam and get international charges and i told her "Well im trying to use the same phone with a prepaid service down in mexico so i wont have to have any additional charges when i come back, I herd something about most phones being locked so will i be able to use the prepaid sim on my current phone?" and after that she mentioned sending me an unlock code.. She tried to play me like i didnt know anything about sim unlocking by telling me my options were buying a new phone down there or letting the charges rack up. Then tried to cut the conversation off short this was in the online chat. But if you keep asking questions and explaining you dont want a new phone or to let them add charges theyll eventually tell you about unlocking your phone and ask for you imei and email then youll have to wait for 2 weeks.
Hope i helped a few people, I tried the method above and it didnt work for me. So i took the longer route that will forsure unlock your phone. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have step by step details in the post mentioned by DupleX01.
- install recovery
- install radio SGH-T989_UVLE1_radio
- unlock the phone
- done
- you can change the radio again (look in the dev area for several radio packages that work with T989) - optional if the phone works well
Here is a direct link to the post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=36417242&postcount=145
Thank mr_guan for his post if it helped.
so, i recently bought this phone new in box. opened the box, inserted my sim and it does not recognize it. now i should mention that i use walmart family mobile as my carrier. could that be my problem? i'm told that t-mobile phones work since there a branch of t-mobile but so far no luck. im going from a captivate to this phone, so the sim was bigger. i used the template deal and cut it down to the micro sim size which i thought could be my problem but the sim happily works in the captivate. any help with this would be greatly appreciated. i will answer all questions to my greatest abilities and i apologize in advance if im the 18th person to ask this today like other questions
joehein said:
so, i recently bought this phone new in box. opened the box, inserted my sim and it does not recognize it. now i should mention that i use walmart family mobile as my carrier. could that be my problem? i'm told that t-mobile phones work since there a branch of t-mobile but so far no luck. im going from a captivate to this phone, so the sim was bigger. i used the template deal and cut it down to the micro sim size which i thought could be my problem but the sim happily works in the captivate. any help with this would be greatly appreciated. i will answer all questions to my greatest abilities and i apologize in advance if im the 18th person to ask this today like other questions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can not swap SIM cards from one provider to another unless your phone is unlocked..
You need to purchase a T-Mobile SIM card kit...
Zaphodspeaks said:
You can not swap SIM cards from one provider to another unless your phone is unlocked..
You need to purchase a T-Mobile SIM card kit...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but this works with other t-mobile phones and i know this because i have done it without an unlock, but those were older older phones like the s1 and s2. does the t999l specifically pick a fight? maybe a quirk of 4.1.2?
joehein said:
but this works with other t-mobile phones and i know this because i have done it without an unlock, but those were older older phones like the s1 and s2. does the t999l specifically pick a fight? maybe a quirk of 4.1.2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe in order for this to work on this device, you would need to unlock it..
I'm no expert, but this is my personal experience..
In order for me to test this, I would have to have both devices and YOUR sim card..
Zaphodspeaks said:
I believe in order for this to work on this device, you would need to unlock it..
I'm no expert, but this is my personal experience..
In order for me to test this, I would have to have both devices and YOUR sim card..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well a man can hope right? and from my extensive research i have found that because of the fancy L the only way to unlock this is via a dude on ebay, or a code directly from t-mobile. i doubt t-mobile would do this for a non-contract phone though. it certainly does suck to suck.
Esn?
~SanaDrate + LTE
"Doesn't recognize it" please explain what exactly what is happening. If it is still asking for a SIM to be inserted, you will need a new SIM, but if it is asking for a Unlock PIN Code or similar, then you will need to unlock the phone to use with a non-TMo provider. Personally, I think that since you cut the SIM and it is not lining up. You should get a new (factory made, not cut) Micro-SIM. Also, I believe that it should work with Simple, Straight Talk and Walmart Family on any TMo phone.
If anyone can read this, this is a fact. Sprint will NOT unlock a Samsung Note 4. I have one, its paid off, i called numerous times to have it unlocked as they told me its unlockable approved. They give me a lot of non-sense, connect me with different people, the first 3 reps will say YES, the fourth will say NO. Why does Sprint not unlock my phone if its paid off. It's quite mind-racking and confusing. Anyone have any advice on this matter??? P.S THE CODE 104953 DOES NOT WORK....so MOVE ON!!!
I know they can and will unlock the sim for international use. You just have to tell them you are travelling to another country and want to pay for temporary service from a carrier in that country. they have to unlock the sim for that purpose. As for unlocking the sim for use on U.S. gsm networks i don't know about that one. I'm sure it can be done with the right tools but sprint doesn't offer this and most tech employees haven't a clue how to do it because it's not officially supported by sprint in the first place. Only international sim unlock can be achieved with the help of sprint. This is in their terms of service!
RickyDiamonds said:
If anyone can read this, this is a fact. Sprint will NOT unlock a Samsung Note 4. I have one, its paid off, i called numerous times to have it unlocked as they told me its unlockable approved. They give me a lot of non-sense, connect me with different people, the first 3 reps will say YES, the fourth will say NO. Why does Sprint not unlock my phone if its paid off. It's quite mind-racking and confusing. Anyone have any advice on this matter??? P.S THE CODE 104953 DOES NOT WORK....so MOVE ON!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just bought a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 with Sprint and was able to get it unlocked. I have AT&T service now and use a sprint Note 4 on it. No Sprint did not unlock it for me I paid idone.apps $40 to do it and sure enough it worked. The only issue I have had is my data speeds. My phone currently only allows a 3G data connection. I am currently looking for a solution however, it's not that slow so I may just keep it as is.
Here's the link to his page:
http://idoneapps.com/index.php?os=android
+1 for idoneapps
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
Yeah they will unlock it for international use (it even works on all compatible US carriers too I was told when I asked). I it easy just go here (https://sprintworldwide.custhelp.com/app/chat/chat_launch/?ECID=vanity:swwsupport) feel out the page. You should be in touch with someone not long after and a few minutes later they will unlock your phone and tell you to restart your phone if it doesn't do it itself (mine did it itself)
So, the main issue is that I need to get it away from Tracfone T-Mobile because their service is terrible in my area. I can't seem to get either a Tracfone AT&T or Tracfone Verizon SIM to work yet the phone is compatible (according to the websites respectively) with Cricket wireless (AT&T) and US Cellular (cdma). I don't understand... That is why I brought this question to all of you. I live and work in a rural area and it may sound crazy but all I want to do is make stinking phone calls. Oh and I checked the IMEI and it is not locked by any carrier.
You guys suck...
I know most of you on here probably don't care about my problem cause I'm not looking to root or flash or whatever cause I'm not into that. I JUST WANT A PHONE THAT HAS SERVICE. From what I've read it was probably one of you on these forums that "sim unlocked" this phone in the first place back before you really knew the right way and then when you moved on you sold it as "new in box" to a sucker like me. And now for some reason it will only work with a Tracfone Tmobile sim in it which according to them isn't going to work at all come 01/2021 because they are upgrading the network. Well I also know from wasting endless hours trying to figure out how to [email protected]$ck this phone that it is capable of everything I need it to do, like simply switch it to a different "brand" of sim so I can get better service or operate on VoLTE because apparently that's what most carriers are going to switch to and convince most of the general public to buy a new phone based on the misguided notion that their phone has somehow become obsolete when in fact it isn't.
So if you all would stop passing over my post because my technology knowledge level is down there with an 75-year-old and help me I would appreciate it.
I will pay to send this to someone to "fix" or whatever but I refuse to replace a perfectly good phone because some yutz who didn't know what they were doing when they sim unlocked this phone messed it up and somehow turned a US Cellular version (VMX) into a who knows what that only works on Tmobile, and maybe Cricket (we'll see, the sim is in the mail).
No nead to start two threds about the same thing.
NO your phone will mot stop working... Just chill
Turnhoo said:
I know most of you on here probably don't care about my problem cause I'm not looking to root or flash or whatever cause I'm not into that. I JUST WANT A PHONE THAT HAS SERVICE. From what I've read it was probably one of you on these forums that "sim unlocked" this phone in the first place back before you really knew the right way and then when you moved on you sold it as "new in box" to a sucker like me. And now for some reason it will only work with a Tracfone Tmobile sim in it which according to them isn't going to work at all come 01/2021 because they are upgrading the network. Well I also know from wasting endless hours trying to figure out how to [email protected]$ck this phone that it is capable of everything I need it to do, like simply switch it to a different "brand" of sim so I can get better service or operate on VoLTE because apparently that's what most carriers are going to switch to and convince most of the general public to buy a new phone based on the misguided notion that their phone has somehow become obsolete when in fact it isn't.
So if you all would stop passing over my post because my technology knowledge level is down there with an 75-year-old and help me I would appreciate it.
I will pay to send this to someone to "fix" or whatever but I refuse to replace a perfectly good phone because some yutz who didn't know what they were doing when they sim unlocked this phone messed it up and somehow turned a US Cellular version (VMX) into a who knows what that only works on Tmobile, and maybe Cricket (we'll see, the sim is in the mail).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maydayind said:
No nead to start two threds about the same thing.
NO your phone will mot stop working... Just chill
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is correct. Read my post I wrote in the other thread about the VOLTE issue.
If the phone supports VOLTE, you need a SIM that is compatible with it!
----------
I have some information that might make all of you guys happy.
I was told by Safelink Wireless that VOTLE is a function of BOTH the phone *AND* the sim card.
Basically, if the phone itself is VOLTE compatible but the sim card is not, then the phone will be reported on their system as not compatible, and will ask you to upgrade your phone.
However if a VOLTE compatible SIM is inserted, if the phone does in fact support VOLTE, it will then work. That's because it's provisioned on the carrier via the sim card itself.
If you purchased a sim via the "Buy your own sim" package, e.g. online or from Best Buy, etc, awhile ago, then that sim is not compatible. You simply need to call Tracphone/Safelink and ask to buy a VOLTE compatible SIM (which costs 99 cents). Then when you get it, call their tech department to have them transfer the phone service and phone number to the new SIM.
You can dial the phone's service menu and go to the VOLTE/GPRI menu and if the options are there, then the phone supports it.
Turnhoo said:
I know most of you on here probably don't care about my problem cause I'm not looking to root or flash or whatever cause I'm not into that. I JUST WANT A PHONE THAT HAS SERVICE. From what I've read it was probably one of you on these forums that "sim unlocked" this phone in the first place back before you really knew the right way and then when you moved on you sold it as "new in box" to a sucker like me. And now for some reason it will only work with a Tracfone Tmobile sim in it which according to them isn't going to work at all come 01/2021 because they are upgrading the network. Well I also know from wasting endless hours trying to figure out how to [email protected]$ck this phone that it is capable of everything I need it to do, like simply switch it to a different "brand" of sim so I can get better service or operate on VoLTE because apparently that's what most carriers are going to switch to and convince most of the general public to buy a new phone based on the misguided notion that their phone has somehow become obsolete when in fact it isn't.
So if you all would stop passing over my post because my technology knowledge level is down there with an 75-year-old and help me I would appreciate it.
I will pay to send this to someone to "fix" or whatever but I refuse to replace a perfectly good phone because some yutz who didn't know what they were doing when they sim unlocked this phone messed it up and somehow turned a US Cellular version (VMX) into a who knows what that only works on Tmobile, and maybe Cricket (we'll see, the sim is in the mail).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey buddy, xda forum does not allow unlocking sims related stuff. You are complaining in the wrong forum.... There are other forums that do that.