Develop Bugs

Help with an USA mobile phone

Hi guys,
a friend of mine had bought a HTC in USA last month (he live in Italy) and he would know what he has to do to use the phone here.
I don't know if this mobile phone is "under contract", he told me not but i'm not sure of it.
So i would know what i have to do with this mobile phone.
I don't know the model of the phone, i know it's not a smartphone and it has got a QWERTY keyboard..
Thank to everyone who could help me..

if the phone is sim unlocked, then you just have to change the sim and you're good to go
if it is sim locked, then you can either a) contact the original provider and get an unlock code, or b) go to the specific forum for the device and use the unlocker made for it

XtreMe_G said:
if the phone is sim unlocked, then you just have to change the sim and you're good to go
if it is sim locked, then you can either a) contact the original provider and get an unlock code, or b) go to the specific forum for the device and use the unlocker made for it
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Click to collapse
He Said it's not a smart phone. I doubt there is an unlocker for that here. Somewhere maybe, but probably not XDA.

MetroPCS Sends Unlocking Codes for My S4 -- with No Instructions

So I've owned my S4 for 90 days and paid my bills on time. As other S4 owners on MetroPCS will tell you, that made me eligible for unlocking codes -- as the MetroPCS salesperson who convinced me to buy the phone assured me it would.
Sure enough, after requesting the code, I received a ticket number and, three days later, was sent a "network code" and a "service provider code" -- and no instructions whatsoever on how to use them.
Since then, I've called MetroPCS and gotten customer service people with no idea what to do -- "ask your new carrier to do it" was the common answer. Eventually, I called the corporate office in Harlem and was subjected to one of the rudest women I've ever encountered. When I explained that I had a ticket number for the request, she chanted "MetroPCS doesn't unlock phones!" loudly and at a continually escalating volume -- it was like being stuck in a room with the most obnoxious character in a reality show about career alcoholics. When I tried to tell her to look up my account, and that MetroPCs had in fact sent me the code she said was "illegal," she continued to yell the words until she hung up on me.
This is a process I was promised from the first day I bought the phone. I hadn't even been interested in changing carriers just yet (though that woman is making me reconsider!). All I want is to be able to swap the SIM when I leave the country and root my phone while using it on the GSM carrier of my choice. As long as the phone I bought outright is locked, I can't do either thing.
I realize that discussions about unlocking phones without permission is forbidden on these forums, but MetroPCS gave me permission! They just don't seem to know how to do the thing they gave me permission to do!
I was on the phone with MetroPCS for a solid hour today. I'd rather give myself a home vasectomy than go through that again.

You simply put in a SIM card from a different carrier and the phone will popup a window that requests you to input an unlock code, which I'm guessing is what MetroPCS gave you.

Exel said:
You simply put in a SIM card from a different carrier and the phone will popup a window that requests you to input an unlock code, which I'm guessing is what MetroPCS gave you.
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People who have tried to root MetroPCS S4s have been unable to do so because the phone is locked. Will unlocking the SIM unlock that capability as well?

Reignogleph MMXI said:
People who have tried to root MetroPCS S4s have been unable to do so because the phone is locked. Will unlocking the SIM unlock that capability as well?
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SIM unlocking and rooting is two totally different thing.

baseballfanz said:
SIM unlocking and rooting is two totally different thing.
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Click to collapse
As I thought.
The two codes offered by MetroPCS were a service provider code and a network code.
A few people who tried to root the phone reported being stopped by a restriction which prevented it (I'll link to the thread on XDA which contains those posts later tonight -- I'm about to go to sleep before work).
I wondered whether either of the two codes sent by MetroPCS might have any effect on that restriction. As I say, I'll be more specific later tonight.

Reignogleph MMXI said:
As I thought.
The two codes offered by MetroPCS were a service provider code and a network code.
A few people who tried to root the phone reported being stopped by a restriction which prevented it (I'll link to the thread on XDA which contains those posts later tonight -- I'm about to go to sleep before work).
I wondered whether either of the two codes sent by MetroPCS might have any effect on that restriction. As I say, I'll be more specific later tonight.
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Click to collapse
I believe you're talking about the KNOX thing, where it sees root it "blocks" it due to how KNOX functions.
But as someone said before, rooting and unlocking are two different things. Unlocking does not require root nor any file changes. Simply input the unlock code as I said earlier.

Exel said:
I believe you're talking about the KNOX thing, where it sees root it "blocks" it due to how KNOX functions.
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Click to collapse
I'd love to know more about "the KNOX thing" -- specifically what it is and whether it can be defeated.
I'll do a search on XDA and google the term as well, but any other help would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to be able to customize my S4.
Edit: Aha! You're talking about this: "The KNOX thing."

By the way, since you were given TWO codes, perhaps we can clarify. The unluck code is probably the Network code, probably denoted "NCK". The other code is in case the phone is also locked by the Service Provide (MetroPCS in your case), in which case you'll also need to put this one in. But use the Network code first.

WhosAsking said:
By the way, since you were given TWO codes, perhaps we can clarify. The unluck code is probably the Network code, probably denoted "NCK". The other code is in case the phone is also locked by the Service Provide (MetroPCS in your case), in which case you'll also need to put this one in. But use the Network code first.
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Thank you, WhosAsking -- that's exactly what I was asking about!
My understanding is that, once you unlock the SIM option, you need never worry about unlocking it again even if you go back to using the original SIM (as it were).
Is the same thing true of the provider code? Will unlocking it have no effect on one's service with that provider or is unlocking it something that is only done when one changes providers?
BTW: This is the message I meant to look up before. Given what the two of you have said, I think I misunderstood the message and that it applies only to changing the SIM.
I realize these questions make me sound like a diaper-clad novice, but I think it's better (and more honest) to get the help one really needs in depth than to pretend to be knowledgeable and not quite understand what one is doing.

Reignogleph MMXI said:
Thank you, WhosAsking -- that's exactly what I was asking about!
My understanding is that, once you unlock the SIM option, you need never worry about unlocking it again even if you go back to using the original SIM (as it were).
Is the same thing true of the provider code? Will unlocking it have no effect on one's service with that provider or is unlocking it something that is only done when one changes providers?
BTW: This is the message I meant to look up before. Given what the two of you have said, I think I misunderstood the message and that it applies only to changing the SIM.
I realize these questions make me sound like a diaper-clad novice, but I think it's better (and more honest) to get the help one really needs in depth than to pretend to be knowledgeable and not quite understand what one is doing.
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Those instructions are if you don't have an unlock code.

Exel said:
Those instructions are if you don't have an unlock code.
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Click to collapse
Ah, but there's the irony -- there haven't been any instructions. That person was talking about the impasse he reached because he didn't have codes to unlock the SIM but thought there might be a deeper issue.
The reason I don't feel too stupid about this is because I note that when one pays for unlock codes, they're accompanied by actual instructions for the person who's doing it all for the first time (and since I've been on non-GSM carriers until now, that would be me).
Anyway, thanks.

I thought like what was already suggested that you put other carriers sim in and it'll ask for said codes?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

futty said:
I thought like what was already suggested that you put other carriers sim in and it'll ask for said codes?
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WhosAsking answered the question, which is why I thanked that member.
On the other hand, the email that contained the codes and reps of the carrier -- MetroPCS -- not only offered no instructions but couldn't give any. As I mentioned above, one of them even screamed repeatedly that what I was asking for was illegal and then hung up the phone in mid-scream. That MetroPCS Harlem corporate store -- classy!
BTW: I've been reading about the region prompt and I wonder whether the lock isn't imposed by MetroPCS at all but is rather the region lock we've been associating with the Note 3. Perhaps the only difference is that T-Mobile gives you the code right away and MetroPCS, a pay-as-you-go variant, makes you wait to ensure that three months.
See this article.
Samsung shed further light on its region-locking policies on Friday, explaining that the locks only affect users the first time they activate the handset. The manufacturer also said the locks apply not only to the new Galaxy Note 3, as we reported on Thursday, but also to units of the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S4 mini, Galaxy Note II and Galaxy S III that were produced after July.
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Here at last is an article that details the differences between the region lock and carrier lock which are particular to the Note 3 in general and to the Galaxy S4 sold (like mine, technically) after July 2013:
The article and video
And by the way: This article is reason enough for me to have hesitated before using various codes. MetroPCS users appear to have gotten locked S4s, so this might be a good read for anyone who did:
How to Avoid Regional SIM Lock Problems

[Q] sim lock Vs phone lock under sprint

Hi,
I have an HTC that is Sprint lock
I wanted to understand if the fact that the device is Sprint lock is the same as SIM lock?
Thanks

"Sprint lock" is not a typical term. You might mean "locked to Sprint" or "carrier locked", which yes that would be the same as SIM locked.
You can easily find out if its SIM locked, by putting in another carrier's (besides Sprint) SIM. If it asks for an unlock code, its SIM locked. If it just works (gets at least voice service and SMS) than its not SIM locked.
If its Sprint branded, and not factory unlocked or otherwise modified, I believe it should be SIM locked.
Also, questions belong in the Q&A section. So I'll ask the mods to move this thread.

redpoint73 said:
"Sprint lock" is not a typical term. You might mean "locked to Sprint" or "carrier locked", which yes that would be the same as SIM locked.
You can easily find out if its SIM locked, by putting in another carrier's (besides Sprint) SIM. If it asks for an unlock code, its SIM locked. If it just works (gets at least voice service and SMS) than its not SIM locked.
If its Sprint branded, and not factory unlocked or otherwise modified, I believe it should be SIM locked.
Also, questions belong in the Q&A section. So I'll ask the mods to move this thread.
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Click to collapse
so, basically, all the videos about how to sim unlock htc one m8 will work for me?

hanzibar said:
so, basically, all the videos about how to sim unlock htc one m8 will work for me?
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Click to collapse
I have no idea what "all the videos" means.
If you mean the free mod (with s-off) the XDA thread specifically says it doesn't work for Sprint: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2708572
But you may be able to use a paid service to SIM unlock.

redpoint73 said:
I have no idea what "all the videos" means.
If you mean the free mod (with s-off) the XDA thread specifically says it doesn't work for Sprint: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2708572
But you may be able to use a paid service to SIM unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw that thread, it seem to be :
1. not work for Sprint
2. HTC closed that "hole" and now this won't work.
I guess I will have to find another way

hanzibar said:
I saw that thread, it seem to be :
1. not work for Sprint
2. HTC closed that "hole" and now this won't work.
I guess I will have to find another way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) I already stated that the method won't work for Sprint.
2) It depends on the hboot number, it may still work for older hboots on non-Sprint devices that have not been updated (and a good number of users are still on older hboots).
3) You can try a paid online unlock service. Many services will only charge if the unlock is successful. So its worth looking into, and often costs less than $10 US.

N900T Blacklist

Hi, I own Note 3 N900T bought from T-Mobile US and I'm using it in Macedonia with Chainfire's RegionLock Away App on Android 4.3. And now I want to update to Lollipop and do a factory reset but I checked my IMEI and it's Blacklisted. My question is can I unlock my phone with unlock code in Macedonia if I do a factory reset or I need to activate with T-Mobile SIM card?
Thanks in advance

Blacklisted IMEI.... ouch.
Yeah, you will need to have it unlocked somehow. I'm not sure if T-Mobile will do this for you, however. Give them a call.
Also, I thought that blacklisted IMEI's were only devices that people hadn't paid off, or something along those lines. You did in fact buy the device directly from T-Mobile? How long have you owned it now? Did you pay it off?
I only ask for the sake of connecting the pieces here to try and give you the appropriate advice.

411y0ur8453 said:
Blacklisted IMEI.... ouch.
Yeah, you will need to have it unlocked somehow. I'm not sure if T-Mobile will do this for you, however. Give them a call.
Also, I thought that blacklisted IMEI's were only devices that people hadn't paid off, or something along those lines. You did in fact buy the device directly from T-Mobile? How long have you owned it now? Did you pay it off?
I only ask for the sake of connecting the pieces here to try and give you the appropriate advice.
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I bought it from a guy in the US and maybe he is not paying the bills there, I don't know. I will buy the unlock code from ebay but I don't know if I can insert it after factory reset. Do I need to activate the phone after factory reset?

stavrov said:
I bought it from a guy in the US and maybe he is not paying the bills there, I don't know. I will buy the unlock code from ebay but I don't know if I can insert it after factory reset. Do I need to activate the phone after factory reset?
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Honestly man, this really sucks. It sounds like he ripped you off.
T-Mobile blacklists IMEI's that are associated with an unpaid balance on a device. They do this to prevent people from getting a discounted phone, then taking it somewhere else.
You will need to call T-Mobile and talk to them about it. Not good. Usually they don't "unlist" them after they have been flagged.

411y0ur8453 said:
Honestly man, this really sucks. It sounds like he ripped you off.
T-Mobile blacklists IMEI's that are associated with an unpaid balance on a device. They do this to prevent people from getting a discounted phone, then taking it somewhere else.
You will need to call T-Mobile and talk to them about it. Not good. Usually they don't "unlist" them after they have been flagged.
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Click to collapse
As I heard you cannot use the phone in the US but you can use it in other countries, but I'm not sure. And now I don't know if I should perform a factory reset, if I need to activate the phone in the US (or with T-Mobile SIM card) I will end up with unusable phone.

stavrov said:
As I heard you cannot use the phone in the US but you can use it in other countries, but I'm not sure. And now I don't know if I should perform a factory reset, if I need to activate the phone in the US (or with T-Mobile SIM card) I will end up with unusable phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're confusing a Carrier lock with a Region lock. There is no region lock on the N900T, just carrier lock. You can purchase an unlock code from some place like cellunlocker.net and follow their instructions to unlock and use it with any carrier's sim.

toastido said:
You're confusing a Carrier lock with a Region lock. There is no region lock on the N900T, just carrier lock. You can purchase an unlock code from some place like cellunlocker.net and follow their instructions to unlock and use it with any carrier's sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I purchase an unlock code I can use the phone in my country?

stavrov said:
So if I purchase an unlock code I can use the phone in my country?
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Click to collapse
You should be able to, yes. There is no region lock, only Carrier/SIM lock, so an unlock code should allow it to operate anywhere, and it would be a permanent unlock, so you can factory reset even and not worry about it getting re-locked to tmo usa.

The region lock away app seems to also remove the sim lock, so I don't think you'll need an unlock code...

toastido said:
You should be able to, yes. There is no region lock, only Carrier/SIM lock, so an unlock code should allow it to operate anywhere, and it would be a permanent unlock, so you can factory reset even and not worry about it getting re-locked to tmo usa.
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I would say this is bad advice.
Why would you purchase anything without first giving them a call and finding out what is going on. IMEI stands for... ready....
INTERNATIONAL mobile equipment identity... not carrier specific. If T-Mobile flags a GSM device for "theft", as in, somebody not paying it off, it is essentially the property of T-Mobile's, and I promise you they have gone through the hoops to protect themselves from a product sales perspective.
It would be simple to give them a call. You should do it, and not spend any more of your money until A) You know why it was blacklisted, B) Know whether or not T-Mobile can fix this problem for you (maybe it was a mistake, but I doubt it), C) You call that idiot back that sold you the phone and find out why he sold you a device that was blacklisted (he knew).
That's all I really can say about it. And I hate to say it, but I think you are going to be SOL man. Sorry.

411y0ur8453 said:
I would say this is bad advice.
Why would you purchase anything without first giving them a call and finding out what is going on. IMEI stands for... ready....
INTERNATIONAL mobile equipment identity... not carrier specific. If T-Mobile flags a GSM device for "theft", as in, somebody not paying it off, it is essentially the property of T-Mobile's, and I promise you they have gone through the hoops to protect themselves from a product sales perspective.
It would be simple to give them a call. You should do it, and not spend any more of your money until A) You know why it was blacklisted, B) Know whether or not T-Mobile can fix this problem for you (maybe it was a mistake, but I doubt it), C) You call that idiot back that sold you the phone and find out why he sold you a device that was blacklisted (he knew).
That's all I really can say about it. And I hate to say it, but I think you are going to be SOL man. Sorry.
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No, it's not bad advice
It's a widely known FACT that tmo USA and AT&T, who share blacklists) ONLY blacklist within the USA.
OP it's up to you, but based on others experiences (Google is your friend) and KNOWN FACTS, you should be fine

toastido said:
No, it's not bad advice
It's a widely known FACT that tmo USA and AT&T, who share blacklists) ONLY blacklist within the USA.
OP it's up to you, but based on others experiences (Google is your friend) and KNOWN FACTS, you should be fine
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Click to collapse
I would assume that if they had blocked an IMEI, it would be borked indefinitely. If not, good for you OP.
If you have heard of somebody having a blocked IMEI, toastido, and then taking a device to another country and successfully using it, then there is hope for him.

stavrov said:
Hi, I own Note 3 N900T bought from T-Mobile US and I'm using it in Macedonia with Chainfire's RegionLock Away App on Android 4.3. And now I want to update to Lollipop and do a factory reset but I checked my IMEI and it's Blacklisted. My question is can I unlock my phone with unlock code in Macedonia if I do a factory reset or I need to activate with T-Mobile SIM card?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the chainfire region lock away only works on 4.3... so if you update the phone to Lollipop or any other 4.4, I do believe it won't work for you anymore....
if you get the sim unlock from ebay or anyone else, you can use it anywhere except Tmobile USA...
I do not think tmobile cares enough to feel sorry that you got ripped off, but sometimes, only sometimes, I heard they have pardon 1 or 2 people..

411y0ur8453 said:
I would assume that if they had blocked an IMEI, it would be borked indefinitely. If not, good for you OP.
If you have heard of somebody having a blocked IMEI, toastido, and then taking a device to another country and successfully using it, then there is hope for him.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's blocked in the USA, then they are borked in the USA indefinitely, but fine outside of it. Now I can't speak for the European Union or Asia, but unless they have been blacklisted in the region they're trying to use it, should be good to go once it's unlocked - add long as its outside the us of a.

In Macedonia they can unlock it for you some small shops not Tmobile stores, it's like $10 and try One the carrier, you got nothing to loose, i srekno. IMEI is only blocked in USA.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Free mobile app

LG G7 Thinq (G710TM) Carrier Unlocking

Hi. I have some LG G7 ThinQ (G710TM). It has the unlock app installed, and to my knowledge, both are clean (not reported stolen, blacklisted, etc.). Is there a way to unlock the phone without the carrier unlock app? I don't know the original owner, or the original T-Mobile account, so asking T-Mobile for an unlock is out of the question. And traditional unlock codes don't work with T-Mobile's new carrier unlock app. I've found a service from CellularUnlock (cellunlocker.net/t-mobile-unlock-app) that seems to be able to do this, but can anyone confirm that this works? And also, what other options would I have?
Thanks.

Only real way would be to flash a new imei which requires jtag unless you secretly have the msl code.
So most of that other stuff is out of the question.

loonycgb2 said:
Only real way would be to flash a new imei which requires jtag unless you secretly have the msl code.
So most of that other stuff is out of the question.
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Click to collapse
Including CellUnlocker? I'm not sure how they do it, so I'm assuming it's bs but they seem like a reputable company based on reviews... (and other companies like DoctorSIM)
Also, side question: can you check if a phone is unlocked by its IMEI number?
Anyways, thanks.

skang188144 said:
Including CellUnlocker? I'm not sure how they do it, so I'm assuming it's bs but they seem like a reputable company based on reviews... (and other companies like DoctorSIM)
Also, side question: can you check if a phone is unlocked by its IMEI number?
Anyways, thanks.
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Click to collapse
Things might of changed since they sometines have connects..
But no imei cannot be checked for unlock status.. That requires putting a new sim in to check