Develop Bugs

[WIP] How to enable Tmobile AWS 1700 band on S3 I747 and I747M (NV backup method)

At the moment this mod is not sticking after a reboot. I'll keep working on it to see if it can be fixed.
This mod will enable your I747 or I747M to connect to Tmobile's AWS 1700 band. You are doing this at your own risk, and none of the parties involved with creating this mod are responsible for any negative results you might have. If for some reason something does go wrong please post in this thread, and I'm sure plenty of people will be willing to help out. Follow the instructions and enjoy!
SETUP
1. Download one of the NV Data backup files from one of the links below. (Mirrors are welcome if you want to add one.) Thanks to MotoDefier for supplying and editing the T999L backup.
2. Download and install: QPST v2.7.378.zip Thanks to lyriquidperfection for keeping this handy and giving me an already great guide to quote.
3. Dial *#7284# on your phone to access PhoneUtil and select 'Qualcomm USB Settings' at the bottom. Now select 'RNDIS + DM + MODEM' and press 'OK' to return to the previous screen. Now press your 'Back' key to exit PhoneUtil. Your phone is now in DIAG Mode.
4. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
5. Start "QPST Configuration" and select the "Ports" tab. Then click on "Add New Port".
6. Select the COM Port that has "USB/QC Diagnostic" next to it and click ok. You should now see your phone in the "Ports" tab.
7. Click the "Start Clients" menu at the top and choose "Software download". QPST software download application should open.
NV DATA BACKUP
1. In QPST Software Download select the "Backup" tab.
2.Press the "Browse" button next to the QCN file pull down and choose a save location for your backup file.
3.Press the "Start" button and wait for it to finish. Once it's done you'll have a backup of your phone's NV Data and IMEI.
Write NV Data
1. In QPST Software Download select the "Restore" tab.
2. Press the "Browse" button next to the QCN file pull down and locate the NV backup you downloaded in the setup section.
3. Press the "Start" button and wait for it to finish. If QPST says that it failed to restart your device just reboot it yourself manually.
4. That's it! You're done!
Restore USB Settings after Backup / Restore:
Dial *#7284# on your phone to access PhoneUtil and select 'Qualcomm USB Settings' at the bottom. Now select 'MTP + ADB' and press 'OK' to return to the previous screen. Now press your 'Back' key to exit PhoneUtil. Your phone is now back to default USB operation.
If you'd like to make sure you are able to use the 1700 band.
1. In your dialer press *#2263# (*#BAND#)
2. Press WCDMA Band Preference then WCDMA 1700.
3. Press the menu key and then select back. You should have an asterisk next to WCDMA 1700 now, and after a few seconds your data connection should start on that band. Enjoy!
4. To revert to full bandwidth: Press the menu key, select back, and then in the service mode menu select automatic.
DOWNLOADS
QPST v2.7.378.zip: http://d-h.st/8vN
Both of these NV Data backup files do the same thing. They just come from different sources.
NV Data backup from T999L: T999LNVData.qcn - 275.50 KB
NV Data backup from I747 using Eng Modem and CSC: I747NV with AWS.qcn - 252.00 KB
CREDITS AND THANKS!
MotoDefier (Huge thank you for giving us this file and teaching me to hate Windows 8!)
DocHoliday77 (Thank you for letting us muck up your awesome T999L thread while we worked this out! Sorry about that!)
Product F(RED) (For sharing this idea)
athlonxp2300 (For getting the ball rolling)
achmedkb01 (For his NV file)
lyriquidperfection )For already having a great QPST guide that helped me write this one, and hosting the QPST download)
sjravi (For starting this with his Note 2 thread and answering my questions about editing the QCN file)
Pat on the back to myself for only mispelling 1 word in this whole op.

Mine!
Got it!
Let me know if I missed anything!

Thanks everyone for their involvement on this mod and of course the op for taking his/her time to write this guide.
PS: any advantage of using one backup or the other ?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

jblparisi said:
Thanks everyone for their involvement on this mod and of course the op for taking his/her time to write this guide.
PS: any advantage of using one backup or the other ?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome!
They're both the exact same file. MotoDefier wasn't sure if he'd keep his up very long, and you never know if and when Dev-host will shut one down for having too many downloads. The more mirrors, the merrier...

Whoops! Wrong button! Nevermind....

Thanks to everyone working on this and the guide. I have a couple of questions. This requires a stock touchwiz rom? The other threads leading up to this one says yes but I didn't see anything mentioned in the guide. I have a unlocked phone via a code from AT&T customer support. Should the unlock remain intact after the qcn restore is done? These might be stupid questions but it's safer to ask now than be sorry later. Cheers.

lensgrabber said:
Thanks to everyone working on this and the guide. I have a couple of questions. This requires a stock touchwiz rom? The other threads leading up to this one says yes but I didn't see anything mentioned in the guide. I have a unlocked phone via a code from AT&T customer support. Should the unlock remain intact after the qcn restore is done? These might be stupid questions but it's safer to ask now than be sorry later. Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock Rom? I don't think so... Although, I think I've read in similar threads that having a stock dialer is important for the ussd code that lets you get to Qualcomm settings. Good catch! I'll have to look that up and add it to the op. I'm pretty sure there's an app you can dl for a workaround. Both phones I did this on were running rooted stock, so I didn't think about it.
You should not lose your unlock. I unlocked with this method and did not lose it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2176721
If somehow it goes away, the above method has worked for me 4 out of 4 times already on 4 different phones.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

lensgrabber said:
Thanks to everyone working on this and the guide. I have a couple of questions. This requires a stock touchwiz rom? The other threads leading up to this one says yes but I didn't see anything mentioned in the guide. I have a unlocked phone via a code from AT&T customer support. Should the unlock remain intact after the qcn restore is done? These might be stupid questions but it's safer to ask now than be sorry later. Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
upncoming said:
Stock Rom? I don't think so... Although, I think I've read in similar threads that having a stock dialer is important for the ussd code that lets you get to Qualcomm settings. Good catch! I'll have to look that up and add it to the op. I'm pretty sure there's an app you can dl for a workaround. Both phones I did this on were running rooted stock, so I didn't think about it.
You should not lose your unlock. I unlocked with this method and did not lose it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2176721
If somehow it goes away, the above method has worked for me 4 out of 4 times already on 4 different phones.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, yes stock rom is required, or at least one with the dialer codes in it which are touchwiz roms. Not being as familiar with samsung touchwiz I could not tell you if there are roms based on it that would still have the dialer codes.
Second this will not change the sim lock statues of the phone, I am glad that you linked to the unlock thread though, might want to add it to the OP because really if you want to do this mod its because you want to run on tmo right?

upncoming said:
Guide is ready to go. Let me know if anybody sees anything I missed. Should be good.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=43100050#post43100050
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this is true...
upncoming said:
This mod will enable your I747 or I747M to connect to Tmobile's AWS 1700 band.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think some i747M owners owe some bounty to moto and upncoming. Maybe a little to product f(red) for suggesting it too.
Thanks for your work! And taking the risk. I'll try tomorrow.
Edit... sorry I meant to post this in the original thread.

What if I want to install a non tw rom like cm10.1? Will the nv settings remain intact?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

cdsu23 said:
What if I want to install a non tw rom like cm10.1? Will the nv settings remain intact?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as your not flashing a modem, and most roms do not have a modem included, there should be no problem, it should stick after the new rom is running.
I dont have mine yet to do testing but I like stock like roms, such as cm roms, so I will be testing this extensively when my phone gets here, probably wed.

upncoming said:
Guide is ready to go. Let me know if anybody sees anything I missed. Should be good.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=43100050#post43100050
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this is true...
upncoming said:
This mod will enable your I747 or I747M to connect to Tmobile's AWS 1700 band.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think some i747M owners owe some bounty to moto and upncoming. Maybe a little to product f(red) for suggesting it too.
Op should probably be updated to reflect it too.
Thanks for your work! And taking the risk. I'll try tomorrow.

Is it just me or is the mod wiping after reboot?
Someone please verify this.

jblparisi said:
Is it just me or is the mod wiping after reboot?
Someone please verify this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm testing this right now, and I'm afraid you might be right.... I'll work on it and see what I can see.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

jblparisi said:
Is it just me or is the mod wiping after reboot?
Someone please verify this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what's happening to me

jblparisi said:
Is it just me or is the mod wiping after reboot?
Someone please verify this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here...

The first reboot after the nv flash was good. Second reboot lost it. This might also explain why some were having problems trying to flash other roms.

I updated the op. I'll try working on it later to see if it can be fixed.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

hmm, I can not wait for my phone to get here so I can test it out.
By the way I can host a mirror of that .qcn file if you want to add it to the first post, but be warned this is just on my home server and is subject to going down at the wim of well anything, loss of power at home internet outage, what ever, though the server is running 24/7 so it should be good.
http://localserver.no-ip.biz/Public/T999L NV Backup.qcn

jblparisi said:
Is it just me or is the mod wiping after reboot?
Someone please verify this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's sticking....
i'm not rooted stock 4.1.2...

[Q] Help, unable to unlock phone.

Hey Guys,
First of all, I want to say I search all the threads but didn't find anything relating to my post.
Some background:
I got an S3 from Telus last year, rooted it and was using mostly CM on it. I recently got the S4 and decided to give the S3 to my GF.
I knew the phone was locked when I tried to use it overseas. Before attempting to do any unlocks, I flashed carrier stock ROM on it.
I tried the following:
1) Free method - did not work since the options the guide described were not on my screen (I do have 4.1.1)
(Did my mucking around here do something to the phone? Is there a way to reset these settings?)
2) FastGSM - did not work, got an error
3) quickphoneunlock.com - Gave these guys my IMEI and they gave me a code that doesn't work. I called them and the kid who answered the phone said that it didn't work because my phone has been previously rooted. He further guranteed me that the code I got from him would be the same code I would get from my carrier.
I'm at a loss what to do now. I already switched my GF to the new SIM so no she's phoneless.
I'd appreciate any help.

Can you be a bit more specific as to which options were not on your screen? I OTA'd my Telus GS3 to 4.1.2 before I realized you could unlock your phone. I Odin flashed back to stock 4.1.1 and tried the unlock and it was successful. Mind you my phone was never rooted before (but shouldn't matter if you're going back to a stock rom?).

Hw4ng3r said:
Can you be a bit more specific as to which options were not on your screen? I OTA'd my Telus GS3 to 4.2.1 before I realized you could unlock your phone. I Odin flashed back to stock 4.1.1 and tried the unlock and it was successful. Mind you my phone was never rooted before (but shouldn't matter if you're going to back to a stock rom?).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After selecting the [3] OFF option, option [4] is not my screen.
I am also not sure if flashing recovery / ROMs affects this menu.
Do you mind sharing the specific ROM you used?

vitalious said:
After selecting the [3] OFF option, option [4] is not my screen.
I am also not sure if flashing recovery / ROMs affects this menu.
Do you mind sharing the specific ROM you used?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest you flash this in odin:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426
Then try the code. If it still doesn't work you could try to flash the stock .tar from the sammobile site that is unrooted

hednik said:
I would suggest you flash this in odin:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426
Then try the code. If it still doesn't work you could try to flash the stock .tar from the sammobile site that is unrooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help.
I'm not sure why you want me to flash the rooted stock first, but I'm downloading the sammobile one and will flash it at home when I get back from work.

vitalious said:
Thanks for the help.
I'm not sure why you want me to flash the rooted stock first, but I'm downloading the sammobile one and will flash it at home when I get back from work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the sammobile one. Its just place stock firmware you can flash in odin and you should be just fine with the code then.

hednik said:
Try the sammobile one. Its just place stock firmware you can flash in odin and you should be just fine with the code then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope it will work.
The thing is, my current ROM is a 4.1.1 Telus as well.
I will let you know tonight how it went.
In the meanwhile, I need to prove with a video to those cellphoneunlock clowns that their code didn't work.

Are you using the instructions from here? http://www.redmondpie.com/permanentl...w-to-tutorial/ and if you are when it says wait.. you really do have to wait otherwise it will not work....

Still doesn't work
I don't see option [4] after waiting 30 seconds.

vitalious said:
Still doesn't work
I don't see option [4] after waiting 30 seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay so you say you don't get to option 4 in Step 5. When you do step 4, the menu key they are talking about is the physical menu key on the phone. I have a Telus phone also and I have done this a few times. The only thing is you need to watch the code when your doing this...
MENU NOT EXIST
PRESS BACK KEY
Current Command is 118640
If you get current command is 118630 then you have likely relocked it
Check here, I have 2 posts, one with screen shots.... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2176719&page=3
Step 3: In the Options screen, choose [3] Perso SHA256 OFF. Wait for 30 seconds after making this selection.
Step 4: Go back one step by pressing the menu key, and then back once. You should now again be in [6] Network Lock
Step 5: Here, now choose [4]NW Lock NV Data INITIALLIZ. Wait for one minute after making the choice.
Step 6: After a minute has passed, reboot

Thanks for everyone's help.
Here is what worked at the end for me:
I downloaded the following 4.1.1 Telus ROM:
After I flashed, the phone was going through endless FC. I did a Factory Reset via the recovery and the FC went away.
After flashing the ROM, the free unlock method worked.
Hooray.

[Q] Factory Unlock on 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 does NOT work!

Okay I have a Galaxy S3 theT-Mobile version, SGH-T999 and Im trying to unlock it by the Service Mode, (dial *#197328640# then UMTS, Debug Screen, Phone Control, Network Lock, Persho sha256 off) but that option [4] does not show, either way, I click on option [3] SHA256_ENABLE_FLAG[0], then I see "menu does not exist" "press back key" and "current command is 118630", Then I wait 30 seconds, press the menu key and select back, I do it again to be in that Ntwork Lock page again, BUT still that option [4] does not appear, which is the one that I am suppose to click and wait for a minute to get it unlocked. Yes, I have done my research;
I already downgraded my Android version to 4.1.1 since I had 4.1.2 and still no luck.
I have tried it with a T-Mobile SIM, Simple Mobile SIM and Aio Wireless SIM and still does not work. Can anyone help me please.

juanhouston713 said:
Okay I have a Galaxy S3 theT-Mobile version, SGH-T999 and Im trying to unlock it by the Service Mode, (dial *#197328640# then UMTS, Debug Screen, Phone Control, Network Lock, Persho sha256 off) but that option [4] does not show, either way, I click on option [3] SHA256_ENABLE_FLAG[0], then I see "menu does not exist" "press back key" and "current command is 118630", Then I wait 30 seconds, press the menu key and select back, I do it again to be in that Ntwork Lock page again, BUT still that option [4] does not appear, which is the one that I am suppose to click and wait for a minute to get it unlocked. Yes, I have done my research;
I already downgraded my Android version to 4.1.1 since I had 4.1.2 and still no luck.
I have tried it with a T-Mobile SIM, Simple Mobile SIM and Aio Wireless SIM and still does not work. Can anyone help me please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just did it an hour ago for a friend. TMobile Galaxy S3... Downgraded to root66_VTR_T999VVLALH2.7z .... Did the unlock, confirmed working with new SIM (Family Mobile). Reinstalled TWRP, and reflashed his custom ROM back to 4.1.1... All is working perfectly...

How dId you downgrade? Did you include the modem in that? Your probably still using the MD5 modem.
Sent from my SGH-T999L using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I dont know if I did any of that, I just put clockwork mod or something like that and put that 4.1.1 update in there. What should I do next.? How do check if im still usind that MD5 modem.? And I dnt think you have to unlock a tmobile phone to use it whith family mobile, its like simple mobile and tmobile..

juanhouston713 said:
I dont know if I did any of that, I just put clockwork mod or something like that and put that 4.1.1 update in there. What should I do next.? How do check if im still usind that MD5 modem.? And I dnt think you have to unlock a tmobile phone to use it whith family mobile, its like simple mobile and tmobile..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you not know what you flashed? And what exactly are you referring to by "that 4.1.1 update"?
All of the firmware info is listed in Settings. Why go through the trouble if you think you can use it without unlocking? Dont take it the wrong way, but if you don't know what you are flashing, or how to even check what you are running, you might consider stopping while you still have a functional device. People brick their phones all the time because they don't take the time to understand what it is they are doing.
Sent from my SGH-T999L using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

DocHoliday77 said:
How do you not know what you flashed? And what exactly are you referring to by "that 4.1.1 update"?
All of the firmware info is listed in Settings. Why go through the trouble if you think you can use it without unlocking? Dont take it the wrong way, but if you don't know what you are flashing, or how to even check what you are running, you might consider stopping while you still have a functional device. People brick their phones all the time because they don't take the time to understand what it is they are doing.
Sent from my SGH-T999L using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just followed this guy's instruction;
youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_154955&feature=iv&src_vid=kEokH8q4rt0&v=GdlTVeTRhwM[/url]
and
youtube.com/watch?v=kEokH8q4rt0[/url]
And I didn't have the phone with me, but I have it now and yeah I still do have T999UVDMD5. And I am not a pro at this but I do have a little understanding of what I am doing. So do you have any suggestions on what to do to unlock it, cause my At&t month is running and I have no phone to use it with :/

Just flash an older modem and follow the instructions in the main unlock thread in General. Should work fine.
Sent from my SGH-T999L using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

DocHoliday77 said:
Just flash an older modem and follow the instructions in the main unlock thread in General. Should work fine.
Sent from my SGH-T999L using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't find the thread :/

juanhouston713 said:
I can't find the thread :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
must be referring to this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2023709 :good:
modems thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1880987

need help I deleted my sim register

I used xda and found out how to unlock my s3 i747 after following the instructions I thought I had unlocked it but when I put my sim back in it wouldn't read it... I have tryed other sims but none will work n when I use the code *#0197328640# and look at the sim data everything say none.. I contacted at&t and they said Samsung had to fix it but when I contacted Samsung they said at&t had to fix it.. I bout the phone without a contract and it cost a lot and u really love my phone does anyone know how I can fix it?

There quite a few things you could screw up from that menu. Any idea what options you hit?
Just to take a shot in the dark, you might have set your phone to work as cdma.
Try this:
-In the dialer, dial *#2263#
-Press wcdma band preference
-Press wcdma 1900
-Press the menu key
-Press end
See if it gives you a signal. It should take less than a minute. After that, be sure to go back into the menu (*#2263#) and choose "automatic" so you're not stuck on just the 1900 band.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

I used the *#197328640# method And thought I had followed the instructions Correctly so I'm not sure...
I tryed ur suggestion but it didn't work... thanks for trying to help any other suggestions will be very appreciated

If this will help at all in service mode in sim info reads following
General info:
Sim phase:0
Card capability:0
Sim_pb:removed 3035
Sim_pb:removed 3035
Usim_pb_global_ pub:removed 30
Usim_local_pb:removed 30
First_inst_class:gsm
Sim voltage class:3v
Sim none
Qmi him status:
Card_state:error
Card_error:no_art_received
App_type:none
App_state:unknown
Perso_state:unknown
Perso_ feature:nw
Pin1_state:not_initialized
Pin1_number(0),puk1_num(0)
Pin2_state: not_initialized
Pin_num(0),puk2_num(0)

Did you find a solution?
Hey, I have the same problem that you had.
Did you ever end up finding a solution?

curzpemmel said:
Hey, I have the same problem that you had.
Did you ever end up finding a solution?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you use the same method? You're on 4.1.1?

audit13 said:
Did you use the same method? You're on 4.1.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was on 4.2.2 and turned off the persosha256 to see if that would unlock my phone. I then upgraded to 4.3 and now I can no longer find the menu to turn it back on.

curzpemmel said:
I was on 4.2.2 and turned off the persosha256 to see if that would unlock my phone. I then upgraded to 4.3 and now I can no longer find the menu to turn it back on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The dialer combination you used only works on stock 4.1.1 with a 4.1.1 bootloader. In order for the combination to work, you would have needed to downgrade everything to 4.1.1 from 4.2.2.
Now that you are on 4.3, you cannot downgrade the bootloader, only the ROM.
You could try using mobile Odin to downgrade the ROM back to 4.2.2 and reverse what you originally did.
The only solution may be to have the phone Jtagged back to stock 4.1.1 if possible.

audit13 said:
The dialer combination you used only works on stock 4.1.1 with a 4.1.1 bootloader. In order for the combination to work, you would have needed to downgrade everything to 4.1.1 from 4.2.2.
Now that you are on 4.3, you cannot downgrade the bootloader, only the ROM.
You could try using mobile Odin to downgrade the ROM back to 4.2.2 and reverse what you originally did.
The only solution may be to have the phone Jtagged back to stock 4.1.1 if possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only problem is that this is a new phone. I am scared of losing my warranty if I root it. Do you know if you root the phone if you will automatically lose the warranty?

curzpemmel said:
The only problem is that this is a new phone. I am scared of losing my warranty if I root it. Do you know if you root the phone if you will automatically lose the warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure which methods will or will not trip the counter as I never updated my phone beyond 4.1.2.
Can you get the phone fixed for free under warranty?

no i havent found a solution for fixing deleting my sim reader... but for the other question rooting my phone didnt void the warrenty... my prob came after i softbricked my first one n being a noob and didnt know how to fix it and the number code works with 4.1 and 4.2 ... i got my 2nd one rooted n when i went to unlock it is where my prob began..

Is it still possible to unlock S3 - SGH-I747M

Currently the phone is running Android 4.3. The phone is currently locked to Fido.
Baseband version: I747MVKUEMK5
Is it possible to unlock this phone? If not, is there unlock codes like for Blackberry on ebay that are 99cents?

Only if you have an unlock code. You can usually get one from the carrier or buy one online. Yes, you can find them on ebay.

Thanks for the help! Ill look on ebay seems like its about 13-15$ to unlock the phone.

DHeffernan said:
Thanks for the help! Ill look on ebay seems like its about 13-15$ to unlock the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That may seem expensive but not compared to the Bell version of the i747m.

Really? Wasn't that long ago I heard about people doing this for less than $5. Ill see if I cant find it later. Think it was in the T-Mobile General sections unlock thread if you want to search through it yourself.

audit13 said:
That may seem expensive but not compared to the Bell version of the i747m.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well this is a FIDO one. You got a better and cheaper source?
DocHoliday77 said:
Really? Wasn't that long ago I heard about people doing this for less than $5. Ill see if I cant find it later. Think it was in the T-Mobile General sections unlock thread if you want to search through it yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well there was a free way until android 4.3 came which blocked that. The current one I tried tonight ($13) just emailed me back and said he couldn't find a code for my IMEI.. Wtf.
Can either of you help me with a better source?

Sorry, I don't have a cheaper source. I was able to unlock my phones using the free method. I was lucky enough to find three i747m phones from Bell that were all running 4.1.2.

No worries. I think I might have found another few sources that are around 13-15$.

When I was searching around for the GPS fix(GPS tends to break when you switch from TouchWiz to AOSP or vice versa a bunch of times, and for me as a crack flasher this would be a bummer) I found out about the same service menu you guys use to unlock the phones. I was unable to even reach the menu, but surprisingly enough it worked perfectly with one ROM I flashed. The last step(which is used to initialize the NV data or something similar) doesn't exist in the menu, but there is an option to rebuild the NV data, which might be a perfect substitute. So it might be theoretically possible to unlock the S3, even on 4.3! Can someone please try the steps below and report back? (you will be flashing another ROM, so be prepared to do a full wipe)
1-) Download StockMOD ROM located in the Android development section, not sure if you should use 4.4 or 4.3, please try both and report.
2-) Flash the zip file using the custom recovery of your choice. Make sure to do a full wipe.
3-) Open the dialer of your phone and enter the code *#197328640#, it will open the Service Mode Menu.
4-) In the Service Mode Menu, select [1] UMTS. If you select the wrong option by mistake, press the menu button of your device and select back.
5-) In the menu under UMTS, select the [1] DEBUG SCREEN.
6-) In the Debug Screen, select [8] PHONE CONTROL.
7-) In the Network Lock Screen, select [3] PERSO SHA256 OFF and wait for 30 seconds. Then press the Menu button and select back.
Now, if you're lucky, there might be an option called [4] NW Lock NV Data INITIALLIZ, I personally couldn't find it, and this method itself is untested(can't test it myself, my only phone is hardbricked from the KitKat update and I already unlocked it on 4.1.1). If you're lucky, press that option, wait for a couple of minutes, reboot the phone and you're done! If you're not, look for the NV Rebuild option somewhere in the menus, I can't give direct instructions because I don't own a phone at the moment. If you find it, wait a minute and reboot. If it's unlocked, please report back.

CBKarabudak said:
When I was searching around for the GPS fix(GPS tends to break when you switch from TouchWiz to AOSP or vice versa a bunch of times, and for me as a crack flasher this would be a bummer) I found out about the same service menu you guys use to unlock the phones. I was unable to even reach the menu, but surprisingly enough it worked perfectly with one ROM I flashed. The last step(which is used to initialize the NV data or something similar) doesn't exist in the menu, but there is an option to rebuild the NV data, which might be a perfect substitute. So it might be theoretically possible to unlock the S3, even on 4.3! Can someone please try the steps below and report back? (you will be flashing another ROM, so be prepared to do a full wipe)
1-) Download StockMOD ROM located in the Android development section, not sure if you should use 4.4 or 4.3, please try both and report.
2-) Flash the zip file using the custom recovery of your choice. Make sure to do a full wipe.
3-) Open the dialer of your phone and enter the code *#197328640#, it will open the Service Mode Menu.
4-) In the Service Mode Menu, select [1] UMTS. If you select the wrong option by mistake, press the menu button of your device and select back.
5-) In the menu under UMTS, select the [1] DEBUG SCREEN.
6-) In the Debug Screen, select [8] PHONE CONTROL.
7-) In the Network Lock Screen, select [3] PERSO SHA256 OFF and wait for 30 seconds. Then press the Menu button and select back.
Now, if you're lucky, there might be an option called [4] NW Lock NV Data INITIALLIZ, I personally couldn't find it, and this method itself is untested(can't test it myself, my only phone is hardbricked from the KitKat update and I already unlocked it on 4.1.1). If you're lucky, press that option, wait for a couple of minutes, reboot the phone and you're done! If you're not, look for the NV Rebuild option somewhere in the menus, I can't give direct instructions because I don't own a phone at the moment. If you find it, wait a minute and reboot. If it's unlocked, please report back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read through some of the other threads and the 4.1.1 modem is required to get the unlock option but the 4.1.1 modem will not work on a 4.3 bootloader. Users have even loaded a completely stock 4.1.1 ROM onto a 4.3 bootloader without any luck.

audit13 said:
I read through some of the other threads and the 4.1.1 modem is required to get the unlock option but the 4.1.1 modem will not work on a 4.3 bootloader. Users have even loaded a completely stock 4.1.1 ROM onto a 4.3 bootloader without any luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ROM I mentioned about is a 4.3 ROM(there's even a 4.4 version if I remember correctly) but for some odd reason the service menu opens perfectly on it, so if you haven't unlocked yet, can you please try the instructions I posted and report back?

CBKarabudak said:
The ROM I mentioned about is a 4.3 ROM(there's even a 4.4 version if I remember correctly) but for some odd reason the service menu opens perfectly on it, so if you haven't unlocked yet, can you please try the instructions I posted and report back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't try it since all of my phones have already been unlocked. The stock mod ROM needs the i747 bootloader and my phones are three i747m.

audit13 said:
I can't try it since all of my phones have already been unlocked. The stock mod ROM needs the i747 bootloader and my phones are three i747m.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an i747M and I installed it perfectly, i747 and i747M ROM's are perfectly interchangeable, just make sure you do NOT install any sorts of bootloaders/modems/anything, that will brick your phone. As long as you only flash the zip file, you shouldn't have any problems, at least I didn't.

Well I just ordered the unlock code $8.99. We will see if it works.

audit13 said:
I read through some of the other threads and the 4.1.1 modem is required to get the unlock option but the 4.1.1 modem will not work on a 4.3 bootloader. Users have even loaded a completely stock 4.1.1 ROM onto a 4.3 bootloader without any luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should also mention that downgrading from the 4.3 bootloaders will brick their device.

CBKarabudak said:
I have an i747M and I installed it perfectly, i747 and i747M ROM's are perfectly interchangeable, just make sure you do NOT install any sorts of bootloaders/modems/anything, that will brick your phone. As long as you only flash the zip file, you shouldn't have any problems, at least I didn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason I mentioned the fact that I have an i747m is that I could not load the stock mod ROM because I do not have an i747 bootloader and I would never attempt to load an i747 bootloader onto an i747m.

BWolf56 said:
Should also mention that downgrading from the 4.3 bootloaders will brick their device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I read when I further googled some stuff.. lots of people reporting bricking phones if they downgrade.. and it's just not worth it to me considering the unlock code was $9...
I'll report back if this unlock code comes through, the last place I purchased it from $13 they emailed me back and said they couldn't find a code for it and refunded me the money. So crossing my fingers on this place.

StockMod should run just fine on the I747M. You may need to update your firmware for it to flash, but it would work just fine on that model.

So the second place got back to me.. also informing me that they can't get a unlock code for the phone. WTF is the deal with this?
Are Samsung's difficult to unlock or what?

DHeffernan said:
So the second place got back to me.. also informing me that they can't get a unlock code for the phone. WTF is the deal with this?
Are Samsung's difficult to unlock or what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not so much about Samsung's phone but being a Canadian variant. Canadian carriers are a pita when it comes to unlocking.