Develop Bugs

Unlock question for my At&T S3?

I've had my S3 about 5 months, I bought it retail from ebay from a seller that didn't unlock it, it is still tied to AT&T. I use Straight Talk as my service as at&t or T-moblie will work with out unlocking them. I want to unlock my phone now and have a question.
Beings that the micro sim in my phone is straight talk and is working, how do I unlock my phone? from what I've read about unlocking, you need to have a NON-WORKING sim to be able to unlock it. Or is there a way to unlock it with out a sim in it?
thanks for your time.

You actually need a Sim that is not att, to unlock. You will need the unlock code from att or you can buy them on the internet. I was able to get my unlock code for my S2 from att. You have to have the phone on their service for at least 6 months, you call them say you are going out of the county for a few weeks, and bam!, they give you the unlock code.
Once you have the code, you need to put in an activated sim from another provider other than att, when you turn the phone on you'll be asked to enter unlock code. Enter the code, hit enter, bam unlocked.
This won't work with a sim that is not active.
So if you have a straight talk sim in, and have for six months, and its working, and its a i747, then I think you have a unlocked phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

just to clarify, you do NOT have to have AT&T for any given amount of time before you receive an unlock code.
i was an AT&T customer for all of 10 days and got my unlock code for my Galaxy S3. it is VERY dependent on the agent you speak to for asking for an unlock code.
anyways, since you are using Straight Talk, you should have an unlocked phone. best way to test is try to put a different SIM card in it and see what happens.

I was told my device was "ineligible" to be unlocked. AT&T sucks.
If you don't want to waste time talking to a rep that may or may not help you, use this method, it's easy and free: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2014982 (it's for the Note II but it works on the AT&T S3). You don't need a non-working sim for this method to work, but you won't know if it worked until you put in a non-working sim.
Also, you'll likely only get Edge network on T-Mobile unless you happen to be one of the lucky few in an areas where you can get 3G or H+.
But as posted in other threads, if you're going to call AT&T, call their International Support line: 1-800-335-4685 (found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1962453&page=16 )

skrambled said:
I was told my device was "ineligible" to be unlocked. AT&T sucks.
If you don't want to waste time talking to a rep that may or may not help you, use this method, it's easy and free: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2014982 (it's for the Note II but it works on the AT&T S3). You don't need a non-working sim for this method to work, but you won't know if it worked until you put in a non-working sim.
Also, you'll likely only get Edge network on T-Mobile unless you happen to be one of the lucky few in an areas where you can get 3G or H+.
But as posted in other threads, if you're going to call AT&T, call their International Support line: 1-800-335-4685 (found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1962453&page=16 )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the great info, I'll give these a try.

not registered on network!

ok, tmobile gs3.. just bought the phone used off craigslist. i have a working tmobile micro sim card in the phone verified by putting it in another phone it works fine. everything about the gs3 works except i cant make calls, texts or no internet except if im on wifi. whenever i try to make a call i get a pop up saying "not registered on network". i have full signal bars, airplane mode is not on , in mobile networks under APN's, tmobile US is owing and checked.. networks is set to auto.. i called tmobile and they verified my sim and refreshed the network , they also verified the phone is not stolen or blocked but he did say the imei# is not showing in his system as a tmobile gs3?? only way i can verify this is a real tmobile gs3 is for 1 the back cover says tmobile and when i first got it it had all the normal tmobile bloat.. kinda confused about what else to do, i tried using another known working tmobile sim and it does the same thing. ive reset it many times, even completely flashed a new rom and same thing, " not registered on network"!

You may have to unlock the phone. And make sure the Apn reads epc.tmobile.com

yes it does read epc.tmobile.com.. guess ill try to unlock it and see. any free ways to unlock this phone or gotta pay?

Your phone have been blacklisted. Call Tmobile to confirm.

i did call tmobile, they said my imei# isnt even showing up in there system. guy with customer support told me it isnt being reported lost or stolen cause the imei# isnt even showing?

Where did you get the imei number? From the phone's menu system or the back of the phone. Tmobile should have the IMEI in their system or else you won't be able to make a call. If it is not in their system then there is definitely something fishy with your phone.

called tmobile again and told them i thought it was blacklisted, lady checked my imei# .. yep! said its blocked and couldnt tell me why other then id have to have the person i got it from call and they arent answering there phone, hmmmm..wander why. said they either didnt pay the bill or reported it lost or stolen. never realized tmobile phones could be blocked so anyone out there about to buy a tmobile phone, check out the imei with tmobile first and make sure there not on a installment plan. cause if they are and they leave tmobile or dont pay there bill they can shut the phone down from being used on there network.

AT&T Unlock Code

Hello everyone,
I just received an unlock code from AT&T and it stats to power off the Samsung S3, insert a non AT&T sim card which I did (used a t-mobile) and input the pass code when prompt. I was never prompt to put in the unlock passcode.
I did noticed I had two signal arrows and a voicemail from t-mobile and the APN was already filled out with t-Mobiles network info.
I am not trying to use t-mobile, just want to unlock it so I can sell it.
Is my phone already unlocked?

Sounds like it

yup
yup...your unlocked now.

Is there a way to find out for sure?

Yes If it is not giving an invalid sim error then it is already unlocked

make
SanFranGiants said:
Is there a way to find out for sure?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try making a call with that non att sim card you entered.

cwhitney24 said:
try making a call with that non att sim card you entered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried but was prompt by t-mobile to go through some setup steps so I just ended the call.

Did you buy the phone new?

I bought the phone off someone but he never used it so its new per the guy I bought it from.

Sprint Note 4 weird when I put in a AT&T SIM Card. Help!

OK, so this weekend I decided to try my AT&T SIM Card with my Note 4 from Sprint. I thought it would ask me for a SIM unlock code or something but it recognized the card and showed "3G". However, I got the card icon which said "Invalid SIM Card".
Any idea why I did not get the prompt to input unlock code? Thanks!

HD2FORNICK said:
OK, so this weekend I decided to try my AT&T SIM Card with my Note 4 from Sprint. I thought it would ask me for a SIM unlock code or something but it recognized the card and showed "3G". However, I got the card icon which said "Invalid SIM Card".
Any idea why I did not get the prompt to input unlock code? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The sim inside the sprint note 4 is only to access the LTE network. So since you took the sprint sim out, you would be only receiving 3g. That is why you are receiving the invalid sim card error, because its not using it.

davnav899 said:
The sim inside the sprint note 4 is only to access the LTE network. So since you took the sprint sim out, you would be only receiving 3g. That is why you are receiving the invalid sim card error, because its not using it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I am getting that error because the SIM card is not using LTE? I don't get it. If the phone is unlocked, shouldn't it ask for an unlock code?

HD2FORNICK said:
So I am getting that error because the SIM card is not using LTE? I don't get it. If the phone is unlocked, shouldn't it ask for an unlock code?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's been plenty of discussion in this forum about bringing SM-N910P to other networks. I'm no expert, haven't done it myself but what I read repeatedly posted is that radios in this version did not allow LTE on domestic carriers when unlocked. Seems a common issue with phones made for CDMA carriers; taking them to another carrier may not meet your expectations. If the limitations are acceptable, maybe you consider going ahead and weigh your options.
Again, there's plenty of threads in this forum discussing this but here's one that I found that may help. To me, it's been rare for @idone to post these days but he posted here.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=61789140
And here too:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=65149970&postcount=321
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

samep said:
There's been plenty of discussion in this forum about bringing SM-N910P to other networks. I'm no expert, haven't done it myself but what I read repeatedly posted is that radios in this version did not allow LTE on domestic carriers when unlocked. Seems a common issue with phones made for CDMA carriers; taking them to another carrier may not meet your expectations. If the limitations are acceptable, maybe you consider going ahead and weigh your options.
Again, there's plenty of threads in this forum discussing this but here's one that I found that may help. To me, it's been rare for @idone to post these days but he posted here.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=61789140
And here too:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=65149970&postcount=321
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Yeah I am aware that the Sprint Note 4 would give me 3G or H+ but not LTE which is fine by me. I was wondering why the phone did not ask me for the Unlock code to begin with when I threw a GSM card in there.

HD2FORNICK said:
Thanks for the reply. Yeah I am aware that the Sprint Note 4 would give me 3G or H+ but not LTE which is fine by me. I was wondering why the phone did not ask me for the Unlock code to begin with when I threw a GSM card in there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you find your answer? Or still asking?
It's likely Sprint will give you a MSL number but not unlock the phone to use on domestic carriers. I think you still need to unlock it for that purpose. But the developer I referred you to can do this with or without the MSL. His tools are capable; his service is a full unlock for domestic. I don't think you need the unlock for carriers outside the U.S. the way the phone is currently. Sprint may clear a phone for domestic carrier use but not unlock it or help you activate it. You'll likely find no carrier to help you unlock it either.
I'm sure there are ways to do it yourself but it's gotten more complex with Lollipop and Marshmallow. I'm just not sure how it's done because I haven't fully done it. Only walked through it partially back in KitKat but kept Sprint SIM and service. Didn't try another SIM card.
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

samep said:
Did you find your answer? Or still asking?
It's likely Sprint will give you a MSL number but not unlock the phone to use on domestic carriers. I think you still need to unlock it for that purpose. But the developer I referred you to can do this with or without the MSL. His tools are capable; his service is a full unlock for domestic. I don't think you need the unlock for carriers outside the U.S. the way the phone is currently. Sprint may clear a phone for domestic carrier use but not unlock it or help you activate it. You'll likely find no carrier to help you unlock it either.
I'm sure there are ways to do it yourself but it's gotten more complex with Lollipop and Marshmallow. I'm just not sure how it's done because I haven't fully done it. Only walked through it partially back in KitKat but kept Sprint SIM and service. Didn't try another SIM card.
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I'm still looking for an answer. I have messaged idone on their website and sent a PM. I need this unlocked and take it to H2O. Sprint gave me the MSL code to be given to a GSM carrier but I call BS on that. Strange thing is the damn phone recognizes the AT&T SIM card as a 3G card all right but still says "Invalid SIM Card".

HD2FORNICK said:
No I'm still looking for an answer. I have messaged idone on their website and sent a PM. I need this unlocked and take it to H2O. Sprint gave me the MSL code to be given to a GSM carrier but I call BS on that. Strange thing is the damn phone recognizes the AT&T SIM card as a 3G card all right but still says "Invalid SIM Card".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No expert here, but dont you need an AT&T SIM card that has your phone unique ID info programmed into it so it registers on AT&Ts network?
I thought the MSL would just unlock an area in the phone where you would change DNS type info to AT&T's towers/network.

Verizon SIM in CARRIER UNLOCKED T-Mobile s8+ not working

Hi
I have a carrier unlocked T-Mobile s8+ and need to use a Verizon SIM in it and am getting errors trying to use a verizon SIM. The Verizon SIM is from another phone and is already registered. I put the IMEI number of the phone into Verizons web portal to test compatibility and it failed. Does that mean there is no way to get this combination to work? Does the IMEI need to be in the VZW database for this to work? Will flashing XAA guarantee this to work? Thanks for any help and advice.

sideswipe said:
Hi
I have a carrier unlocked T-Mobile s8+ and need to use a Verizon SIM in it and am getting errors trying to use a verizon SIM. The Verizon SIM is from another phone and is already registered. I put the IMEI number of the phone into Verizons web portal to test compatibility and it failed. Does that mean there is no way to get this combination to work? Does the IMEI need to be in the VZW database for this to work? Will flashing XAA guarantee this to work? Thanks for any help and advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do u have a tmobile phone, it is different than the carrier unlocked phone, those are 2 different models,
the carrier unlocked.. the sim is unlocked..
the tmobile is not carrier unlocked, and by flashing the firmware of the unlocked version, will NOT unlock the sim.. u will need to device unlock app with the tmobile phone 1st... and usually tmobile will NOT unlock unless u have paid it off and using on their system for 40 days..
others like me had it unlocked with days of service, cause we are tmobile customers for years already... I on the other hand bought the phone on ebay from someone who bought it from Samsung and the imei was not added to tmobile system and I had to call tmobile to add the imei which took about 3 days, then to call back to request the sim unlock which took another 3 days, the device unlock app unlocked the phone instantly...
that was my process for me to get the sim unlock... but if urs it not unlocked and is paid off, another way to get it unlocked it to give it to someone u know, let them use it and call tmobile to start the above process...
Hope that sums up what must be done...

mdiaz33685 said:
do u have a tmobile phone, it is different than the carrier unlocked phone, those are 2 different models,
the carrier unlocked.. the sim is unlocked..
the tmobile is not carrier unlocked, and by flashing the firmware of the unlocked version, will NOT unlock the sim.. u will need to device unlock app with the tmobile phone 1st... and usually tmobile will NOT unlock unless u have paid it off and using on their system for 40 days..
others like me had it unlocked with days of service, cause we are tmobile customers for years already... I on the other hand bought the phone on ebay from someone who bought it from Samsung and the imei was not added to tmobile system and I had to call tmobile to add the imei which took about 3 days, then to call back to request the sim unlock which took another 3 days, the device unlock app unlocked the phone instantly...
that was my process for me to get the sim unlock... but if urs it not unlocked and is paid off, another way to get it unlocked it to give it to someone u know, let them use it and call tmobile to start the above process...
Hope that sums up what must be done...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi thanks for the explanation, I am pretty familiar with the differences between carrier (SIM) unlock and unlocked firmware as I have flashed Android in the past. I had the phone carrier (SIM) unlocked by T-Mobile through their app and I was still not able to use the Verizon SIM in my phone (not registered error). It turns out (and I found this out by reading through the many messages in this forum) that T-Mobile firmware apparently disables some frequencies that other carriers may use. Once I flashed the XAA unlocked *firmware*, I popped in my Verizon SIM and it worked like a charm. I hope this info is useful to someone at some time and I thank all of you for your contributions to getting this working. KUDOS!

sideswipe said:
Hi thanks for the explanation, I am pretty familiar with the differences between carrier (SIM) unlock and unlocked firmware as I have flashed Android in the past. I had the phone carrier (SIM) unlocked by T-Mobile through their app and I was still not able to use the Verizon SIM in my phone (not registered error). It turns out (and I found this out by reading through the many messages in this forum) that T-Mobile firmware apparently disables some frequencies that other carriers may use. Once I flashed the XAA unlocked *firmware*, I popped in my Verizon SIM and it worked like a charm. I hope this info is useful to someone at some time and I thank all of you for your contributions to getting this working. KUDOS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know, but sound weird, thought T-Mobile phones work for all gsm Sims just needing to change apn,
But now cdma merging with gsm, that's so much better as far as phones go, use any phone now from any provider.
Look how the s8 plus is all the same software and the same hardware, just different carrier stuff..

mdiaz33685 said:
Good to know, but sound weird, thought T-Mobile phones work for all gsm Sims just needing to change apn,
But now cdma merging with gsm, that's so much better as far as phones go, use any phone now from any provider.
Look how the s8 plus is all the same software and the same hardware, just different carrier stuff..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it was weird too. Busted my head for a couple of days trying to figure it out. Is Verizon still CDMA? *scratches head*

Yes, their 3g and 2g networks are CDMA.

If you insert Verizon sim into T-mobile phone, you'll get LTE data, but you won't be able to make calls. Only data will work. T-mobile firmware support band 2, 4 and 13, so you should have data, but not phone service. If you don't have data icon, you'll need add Verizon apn.

FYI
Flashing the phone with G955U1 firmware fixed this issue. I am now able to use this successfully on Verizon.