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So finally fed up with Tmo, not by fault of their own but Asurant insurance is destroying me and I have a $500+ phone bill for the second time in a year.. Not really trying to stand for that anymore so I am trying to attempt my first unlock.
Pretty comfortable with rooting romming etc but with unlocking I keep hitting walls. Main one being not having a non knox rom.. I have tried http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2780006 but still cant get the right rom and every old school one I try doesn't have the proper "PERSO SHA256 OFF" options in the debug menu...
Sorry if this is a little long winded and I am open to any suggestions anyone might have if I'm coming off noobish and there is another way..
Thanks
Update 1 : Found the odin firmwares (happy to share if anyone needs for whatever).. Still open to suggestion or input if anyone has some..
blaze413 said:
So finally fed up with Tmo, not by fault of their own but Asurant insurance is destroying me and I have a $500+ phone bill for the second time in a year.. Not really trying to stand for that anymore so I am trying to attempt my first unlock.
Pretty comfortable with rooting romming etc but with unlocking I keep hitting walls. Main one being not having a non knox rom.. I have tried http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2780006 but still cant get the right rom and every old school one I try doesn't have the proper "PERSO SHA256 OFF" options in the debug menu...
Sorry if this is a little long winded and I am open to any suggestions anyone might have if I'm coming off noobish and there is another way..
Thanks
Update 1 : Found the odin firmwares (happy to share if anyone needs for whatever).. Still open to suggestion or input if anyone has some..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm at a bit of a loss as to what you are wanting to do; if insurance is killing you, then opt out.
If you're looking to change carriers, from what I remember a law was recently (within the last few years) making if illegal for carriers to charge to unlock a device (after all, its yours).
Sent from my Galaxy S4 using XDA Free mobile app
I was unaware of this law
but currently making so much progress and headway with getting this thing unlocked.. I have it down to stock and I am working out the debug alright getting closer..
All I'm trying to do is get my phone working on net10 (any suggestions on other good carriers?)
I was a G1 homie, been away from this for a bit but having a lot of fun diving back in..
Update : pretty sure im unlocked now, is there any way to check without another carriers sim? I don't have one handy and don't wanna buy into net10 and get a sim if my previous mission wasn't successful
This app ought to do it: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.romkenet.imeiinfo
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
---------- Post added at 03:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:33 PM ----------
Got it from this thread: http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/288401-how-find-out-if-my-galaxy-s4-unlocked.html
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
blaze413 said:
but currently making so much progress and headway with getting this thing unlocked.. I have it down to stock and I am working out the debug alright getting closer..
All I'm trying to do is get my phone working on net10 (any suggestions on other good carriers?)
I was a G1 homie, been away from this for a bit but having a lot of fun diving back in..
Update : pretty sure im unlocked now, is there any way to check without another carriers sim? I don't have one handy and don't wanna buy into net10 and get a sim if my previous mission wasn't successful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think without another carrier's SIM you can't be completely sure. I say that because, if I remember right, back when I unlocked I had all the right info in all the right places in the service menu. When I put my Net10 SIM card in it was still locked. I ended up having to buy an unlock code and revert the settings back to the "out of the box" state before the unlock code would actually work.
On a related note; Net10 has done me pretty well so far; been with them a little over a year now. Been all over NW Florida, Alabama, and most every state between here and Minnesota; only dead spot I really hit and stayed in was about an hour on the interstate between Iowa and Missouri. I am running off AT&T's towers, so wherever AT&T has LTE, I also have it.
With auto-renew set, Net10 is almost exactly the same price as Straight Talk; and I still get unlimited everything; though I've never gone much over 2GB of data, so I can't say if they definitely throttle or cut data off completely after a certain point. Speeds vary between 15-30Mbps down and about 10-15Mbps up on LTE, but lets be honest; unless you're using your mobile data as a hotspot or routinely download large files, do you really notice a difference on a mobile device?
thanks geiss
Thanks for the info.. I just ordered a "Tmobile micro sim on ATT network" from net10.. I think at the end of the day I'll go with the $50 plan.. I use my phone for music in the car but that aside from browsing reddit I don't use bandwidth..
As for IMEI checker, my phone is not blacklisted BUT I don't think its working accurately considering I am not getting service from Tmo.. I told them I was gonna jump ship and my phone was cut off maybe an hour later.. Really sucks cause I like Tmo (compared to VZ etc)..
blaze413 said:
Thanks for the info.. I just ordered a "Tmobile micro sim on ATT network" from net10.. I think at the end of the day I'll go with the $50 plan.. I use my phone for music in the car but that aside from browsing reddit I don't use bandwidth..
As for IMEI checker, my phone is not blacklisted BUT I don't think its working accurately considering I am not getting service from Tmo.. I told them I was gonna jump ship and my phone was cut off maybe an hour later.. Really sucks cause I like Tmo (compared to VZ etc)..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NET10? lol you couldve got the newly priced prepaid $40 a month unlimithed everything plan from T-Mobile... unlimithed talk, txt, and internet, 500MB at LTE speed then throtted down to 2G but still unlimithed... no tax.. $40 flat...
and your IMEI will be blocked, it takes up to 2 weeks to get blacklisted.. something that sucks because thays how people steal/find phomes and still are able to sell on craigslist before they get blocked.. search craigslist for IMEI repair arrownd you when that happens, itll cost you $40-$50.. people are able to flash that now days..
What is the proper procedure to unlock an att s9 to use with another carrier?
Thanks.
Just to clarify. This phone was purchased from Samsung directly with the new $150 discount for Att branded phones.
RossTeagan said:
So the phone is bought from samsung but lock on att?
Try the following to check if your phone is network locked be sure you really need to unlock it (otherwise, I don't think you need to unlock it).
1. Insert a GSM SIM card from another network (a non-AT&T SIM, liek Cricket ot T-Mobile)
2. Try placing a call
If your phone manages to connect and make the call with this other SIM card, then you won't need to unlock it, as it's already unlocked. And if the phone is locked, I recommend you check with AT&T, given that this phone is not tight to a contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the phone yet (2 more days,) but I did an extensive Google search, and it seems like this particular phone will be sim locked. It's paid off outright, no contract or anything, but there were several heavy discounts like $150 off msrp and another $150 off for trading in S6.
My Google search gave me two possible options -
1) Talk to ATT and ask to unlock,
2) Use an unlock site, like DeviceUnlock, pay 20-50 dollars for them to obtain and send an unlock code to you.
As for #1, I saw a post where a guy complained that talking to ATT and Samsung was useless to him in a similar situation - each company sent him to the other one to get it unlocked, so he got nowhere with this option.
Also, I saw a few posts that said that a locked phone may have to be activated on ATT first and used for up to 40 days before ATT will unlock it for you. What would happen with this Samsung bought phone though?
And for #2, I just don't know how this kind of business works - you send them IMEI and the locked carrier info, pay money, and a few days later, they send you an unlock code that you can enter yourself.
Is it safe? How does it work exactly? What if there's a problem because the IMEI is not actually registered on ATT because the phone was sold by Samsung?
I have many more questions, just because I don't know what I am talking about, but the bottom line is this. What should I do?
Thanks.
AS your phone is paid off and there is no contract on it, you should stick with your first option: ask att to unlock it but as you said you will need an activated phone, so you will need to activate the phone with att, however, you should go to them immediately and not wait for 40 days. While Samsung locked the phone, the actual company who controls the lock and who has authority of unlocking it att. So don't let them fool you to go search the code somewhere else.
Also, there is a law in the US that forces operators to unlock your phone if there are no debts or contract on your device. So keep that in mind.
Regarding third parties, they are a shortcut and you just have to provide them the devices IMEI and network lock. They, in turn, will look for the unlocking code for you. And if there are issues, as you said, I think you can ask for a refund (so if you decide to go for such a service, first make sure they have a money back guarantee).
TLDR Go with att, they should (have to) provide the unlock for you
Hi nabbed,
did you manage to unlock it?
what did you do in the end?
Giskardors said:
Hi nabbed,
did you manage to unlock it?
what did you do in the end?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called ATT, spoke to tech support. The tech said that since I had no history/account with ATT, they had to make one to verify that the phone IMEI was clean. He created a new account - name, address, phone, email, imei etc info. He created a support ticket (and gave me its number) for sim unlock. He said that I should receive an email within 48 hours that would either tell me that I cannot unlock or will come with the unlock code (if it is decided that I should be able to unlock.)
I tried using their default web service for getting an unlock https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/unlockstep1 but that thing doesn't work - the Next button cannot be clicked.
If unsuccessful, I am considering going and talking to a retail ATT store representative directly. They probably don't know much, but perhaps they can be more convincing on the phone with ATT.
Third option is trying one of the unlock websites.
So I had to do this with my S9, same kind of situation as you (I have T-Mobile service, received an AT&T locked device).
As you know, the web portal won't work. AT&T never entered your IMEI in their database, so as far as THEY are concerned, your phone doesn't exist.
Call tier 2/advanced tech support and have them create a case with the Device Unlock Team. GET A CONFIRMATION NUMBER. You should receive an email confirming that the case was made.
48-72 hours later, you SHOULD have an unlock code. Should. This is AT&T, and they don't know their ass from their elbow. It took me 2 weeks.
Device unlock services didn't work, as the IMEI has to be in AT&T's database for it to work correctly. They'll just (hopefully) refund your money when it fails.
Don't go into an AT&T store. As a former AT&T retail employee, I can guarantee you, those employees are dumber than a bag of wet hammers, and have no way of helping you with this, whatsoever. In addition, since you're not BUYING anything, they're not going to help too much even if they could.
Good luck. It will work for you eventually.
entropism said:
So I had to do this with my S9, same kind of situation as you (I have T-Mobile service, received an AT&T locked device).
As you know, the web portal won't work. AT&T never entered your IMEI in their database, so as far as THEY are concerned, your phone doesn't exist.
Call tier 2/advanced tech support and have them create a case with the Device Unlock Team. GET A CONFIRMATION NUMBER. You should receive an email confirming that the case was made.
48-72 hours later, you SHOULD have an unlock code. Should. This is AT&T, and they don't know their ass from their elbow. It took me 2 weeks.
Device unlock services didn't work, as the IMEI has to be in AT&T's database for it to work correctly. They'll just (hopefully) refund your money when it fails.
Don't go into an AT&T store. As a former AT&T retail employee, I can guarantee you, those employees are dumber than a bag of wet hammers, and have no way of helping you with this, whatsoever. In addition, since you're not BUYING anything, they're not going to help too much even if they could.
Good luck. It will work for you eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
The tech guy didn't say what kind of a support ticket he created. It may have been a general support ticket, or maybe he referred me to the unlock team directly, I don't know. He seemed like he understood perfectly what I needed. Anyway, the ticket format is like this - cm10230128_122673352, does that look right?
I have received an email confirmation that the call was made, but not that the case was created yet. The call ended at 5:30pm CDT on a Friday night, so maybe it would take until Monday to get a confirmation?
nabbed said:
Thanks.
The tech guy didn't say what kind of a support ticket he created. It may have been a general support ticket, or maybe he referred me to the unlock team directly, I don't know. He seemed like he understood perfectly what I needed. Anyway, the ticket format is like this - cm10230128_122673352, does that look right?
I have received an email confirmation that the call was made, but not that the case was created yet. The call ended at 5:30pm CDT on a Friday night, so maybe it would take until Monday to get a confirmation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe it will take up to tuesday. That's the limit
Im going to the US for 2 weeks, I dont know if i'll be able to unlock it on time, but If I order it I'll get it on the 2nd week.
I really hope you can unlock it!
Keep us updated
Update:
Got the unlock code in an email. The instructions say "Please allow 24 hours upon receipt of this notification to complete the unlock process." Not sure what that means, gonna try to unlock tomorrow with a project fi sim.
Update2:
Phone unlocked fine with a Project FI sim card and connected to T-mobile.
We're on the same boat!
I'm also on Project Fi and I received my AT&T S9 today.
My IMEI was found in AT&T's database and I just submitted the unlock request.
Do you experience any issues when using S9 w/ Project Fi?
zenlifexxa said:
We're on the same boat!
I'm also on Project Fi and I received my AT&T S9 today.
My IMEI was found in AT&T's database and I just submitted the unlock request.
Do you experience any issues when using S9 w/ Project Fi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just used the Fi sim card to facilitate the unlock procedure (the S9 is not mine, it's for a friend, and I am just setting it up.) I just looked at sim status in the options to confirm that provider was T-Mobile. In my research, I read that using Project FI T-Mobile was no different from any other unlocked gsm phone using T-Mobile. You will lose all Project FI apps because they don't exist with non-Google phones. There will not be carrier switching between T-Mob, Sprint and US Cell, and there will not be wifi calling. But if your T-Mob service is already good, there shouldn't be a problem.
As as side note, my own FI service is kind of awful. Ever since Google introduced "preferred partner" feature, where a FI phone would connect not to the strongest signal carrier but rather to a particular carrier, in this case Sprint in my area, I have had really bad sound quality.
US Cellular has best towers in this area, with signal strength of -70-80 db or so, while Sprint has crappy towers with signal strength of less -100 db. Yet I am constantly connected to Sprint with crappy sound quality because they are the preferred partner here. I have to constantly to remind myself to manually switch to US Cell if I'm to make a lengthy phone call.
Good luck.
A small warning here for those who need to send a previously SIM unlocked H932 in for LG repair:
After breaking its glass back, I had to send my TMO V30+ in for repair at LG’s center in Texas. At the same time I asked them to replace the screen under warranty, since there was a small cluster of dead pixels just above the navigation bar. They did all that. Cost $88 (including free shipping) with 11 days turnaround.
They also managed to lose the SIM unlock which I had previously been granted by T-Mobile using their Device Unlock app. Realizing this could be a problem, I had included a letter to LG Repair where I begged them to preserve the SIM unlock. Needless to say, the phone is paid off and all bills were paid (including the extra month TMO auto-charged my credit card and refused to refund).
After receiving it back, my Red Pocket GSMA SIM (AT&T prepaid MVNO) only does 3G, not LTE. The TMO Device Unlock app says the phone is “network locked” and not eligible for unlock.
T-Mobile Customer Service first requested unlock instructions to be emailed to me. After 2 days I received an email saying I had to use the TMO Device Unlock app. Duh. After much experimenting on my own (including with my now inactive TMO SIM card) I went to the T-Mobile store where I bought the phone. They were keen to help, but unable to solve the problem. We did confirm that with an active TMO SIM, everything was fine.
I then called TMO Customer Service again, this time asking for Tier 2. Here they finally escalated the case and requested an unlock from LG and said to expect a solution within 72 hours.
Different from the issue reported by @michy21 in this thread mine is the SAME phone with the same IMEI; it was just wiped by LG repair in a way that lost the SIM unlock. OR it really is a new phone or motherboard and they transferred the IMEI.
I should add that there has been no pushback or reluctance to help from any T-Mobile staff. It’s just that the company has baked everything so hard into the Device Unlock app now, so no human is able to do anything.
The only lesson here is to never buy carrier devices -- as @ChazzMatt has been stressing all along, and as I had been practicing myself in my Nexus days. But unfortunately carrier devices are where the best deals are -- which is the only thing that made it possibly for me to buy this class of phone in the first place.
I'll update this thread with the final outcome. Fingers crossed. I’ll be traveling overseas soon, really hope to have it fixed before.
TheDannemand said:
A small warning here for those who need to send a previously SIM unlocked H932 in for LG repair:
After breaking its glass back, I had to send my TMO V30+ in for repair at LG’s center in Texas. At the same time I asked them to replace the screen under warranty, since there was a small cluster of dead pixels just above the navigation bar. They did all that. Cost $88 (including free shipping) with 11 days turnaround.
They also managed to lose the SIM unlock which I had previously been granted by T-Mobile using their Device Unlock app. Needles to say, the phone was paid off and all bills were paid (including the extra month TMO auto-charged my credit card and refused to refund). Realizing this could be a problem, I had included a letter to LG Repair where I begged them to preserve the SIM unlock.
After receiving it back, my Red Pocket GSMA SIM (AT&T prepaid MVNO) only does 3G, not LTE. The TMO Device Unlock app says the phone is “network locked” and not eligible for unlock.
T-Mobile Customer Service first requested unlock instructions to be emailed to me. After 2 days I received an email saying I had to use the TMO Device Unlock app. Duh. After much experimenting on my own (including with my now inactive TMO SIM card) I went to the T-Mobile store where I bought the phone. They were keen to help, but unable to solve the problem. We did confirm that with an active TMO SIM, everything was fine.
I then called TMO Customer Service again, this time asking for Tier 2. Here they finally escalated the case and requested an unlock from LG and said to expect a solution with 72 hours.
Different from the issue reported by @michy21 in this thread mine is the SAME phone with the same IMEI; it was just wiped by LG repair in a way that lost the SIM unlock. OR it really is a new phone or motherboard and they transferred the IMEI.
I should add that there has been no pushback or reluctance to help from any T-Mobile staff. It’s just that the company has baked everything so hard into the Device Unlock app now, so no human is able to do anything.
The only lesson here is to never buy carrier devices -- as @ChazzMatt has been stressing all along, and as I had been practicing myself in my Nexus days. But unfortunately carrier devices are where the best deals are -- which is the only thing that made it possibly for me to buy this class of phone in the first place.
I'll update this thread with the final outcome. Fingers crossed. I’ll be traveling overseas soon, really hope to have it fixed before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worst comes to worst, sell the phone on eBay while at the same time buying one of the mint LS998 V30+ for $320. Immediately convert to carrier unlocked US998, bootloader unlock and root.
In the eBay listing for this phone stress the T-Mobile band 71, blah, blah, blah -- which you don't need on AT&T MNVO, but would interest T-Mobile users.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
ChazzMatt said:
Worst comes to worst, sell the phone on eBay while at the same time buying one of the mint LS998 V30+ for $320. Immediately convert to carrier unlocked US998, bootloader unlock and root.
In the eBay listing for this phone stress the T-Mobile band 71, blah, blah, blah -- which you don't need on AT&T MNVO, but would interest T-Mobile users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, Chazz!
I had a suspicion you might suggest that :laugh:
But yes, that would have to be the outcome if I cannot solve it. I'll probably file an FCC complaint first, which michy21 reported had solved her problem. But again, there is no pushback from anybody, which is a positive.
The only attachment I have to this particular phone is my 2 year warranty, which gives me peace of mind. A phone bought used wouldn't have that (or any warranty).
Thanks again!
Edit: Actually, it's not quite true that I have no other attachment to this H932: If/when T-Mobile rolls out B71 in this area, I'll probably give them another try, as they generally have far better network speeds. AT&T service here is acceptable (and widespread) but doesn't blow me away. We only switched because TMO couldn't reach through our concrete brick walls. Red Pocket supports all four carriers, so I can switch to TMO network on my current plan to take advantage of B71.
So my hope is I won't have to part with this phone. AND that @runningnak3d will release H932 root later this year
TheDannemand said:
A small warning here for those who need to send a previously SIM unlocked H932 in for LG repair:
After breaking its glass back, I had to send my TMO V30+ in for repair at LG’s center in Texas. At the same time I asked them to replace the screen under warranty, since there was a small cluster of dead pixels just above the navigation bar. They did all that. Cost $88 (including free shipping) with 11 days turnaround.
They also managed to lose the SIM unlock which I had previously been granted by T-Mobile using their Device Unlock app. Realizing this could be a problem, I had included a letter to LG Repair where I begged them to preserve the SIM unlock. Needless to say, the phone is paid off and all bills were paid (including the extra month TMO auto-charged my credit card and refused to refund).
After receiving it back, my Red Pocket GSMA SIM (AT&T prepaid MVNO) only does 3G, not LTE. The TMO Device Unlock app says the phone is “network locked” and not eligible for unlock.
T-Mobile Customer Service first requested unlock instructions to be emailed to me. After 2 days I received an email saying I had to use the TMO Device Unlock app. Duh. After much experimenting on my own (including with my now inactive TMO SIM card) I went to the T-Mobile store where I bought the phone. They were keen to help, but unable to solve the problem. We did confirm that with an active TMO SIM, everything was fine.
I then called TMO Customer Service again, this time asking for Tier 2. Here they finally escalated the case and requested an unlock from LG and said to expect a solution within 72 hours.
Different from the issue reported by @michy21 in this thread mine is the SAME phone with the same IMEI; it was just wiped by LG repair in a way that lost the SIM unlock. OR it really is a new phone or motherboard and they transferred the IMEI.
I should add that there has been no pushback or reluctance to help from any T-Mobile staff. It’s just that the company has baked everything so hard into the Device Unlock app now, so no human is able to do anything.
The only lesson here is to never buy carrier devices -- as @ChazzMatt has been stressing all along, and as I had been practicing myself in my Nexus days. But unfortunately carrier devices are where the best deals are -- which is the only thing that made it possibly for me to buy this class of phone in the first place.
I'll update this thread with the final outcome. Fingers crossed. I’ll be traveling overseas soon, really hope to have it fixed before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does not make sense at all. Has the device IMEI have changed at all? Was the actual logic board replaced? The answer is likely no. So why would the device be relocked by LG? You are giving them way too much credit.
More proof that the device should have remained unlocked is that you can access the device with your MNVO (ATT), if it was truly locked you would not able to get a signal or make a call under your MNVO at all. Sounds more like user error or a miss configuration of your carrier, or both.
Also you should not be trying to run a T-Mobile Specific device unlock app under a different carrier sim,
and it might just be reporting wrong information. Had this happen to me several times in the past, when the device was actually unlocked. You said yourself, you were able to use the device on (ATT)!
jblparisi said:
That does not make sense at all. Has the device IMEI have changed at all? Was the actual logic board replaced? The answer is likely no. So why would the device be relocked by LG? You are giving them way too much credit.
More proof that the device should have remained unlocked is that you can access the device with your MNVO (ATT), if it was truly locked you would not able to get a signal or make a call under your MNVO at all. Sounds more like user error or a miss configuration of your carrier, or both.
Also you should not be trying to run a T-Mobile Specific device unlock app under a different carrier sim,
and it might just be reporting wrong information. Had this happen to me several times in the past, when the device was actually unlocked. You said yourself, you were able to use the device on (ATT)!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I understand where you come from. And no offense taken
The problem IS a SIM lock (or "network lock" as they call it). But not in the same way you're thinking where nothing works with an alien SIM. Both T-Mobile and LG have confirmed that.
Some details I didn't mention in my opening post (I meant to warn people here, not argue the matter):
1) LG warned me before they began repair that the phone would come back SIM locked, even though I'd included a letter asking if they could avoid it. I also talked to T-Mobile before sending it in, who said to just request an unlock code if needed (obviously that person was clueless).
2) I've seen other XDA users report how SIM locked V30s could connect on different networks, but NOT get LTE. That's what I am seeing too. One of my goals with visiting the T-Mobile store was to verify that there wasn't a problem with the phone itself preventing LTE. But once an active TMO SIM was inserted, everything works flawlessly.
3) I thought the same thing about not running the TMO Device Unlock app with the alien SIM inserted, but TMO's wording in the instructions they sent me are: "Before completing the steps below to unlock your device you must be connected to the internet via a cellular network in order to complete the steps", not mentioning it must be on TMO. And I DO have 3G internet with my Red Pocket SIM. Nevertheless, my second goal with visiting the T-Mobile store was so we could try the Device Unlock app with an active TMO SIM. And regardless of which SIM is inserted, the app reports that the phone is currently network locked and not eligible for unlock. When running this app on an unlocked phone, it shows the date of unlock -- even after a factory reset. They are obviously storing the lock/unlock state on the vendor, modem or carrier partitions or some such place. And on my phone it is in a locked state.
4) There is not much room for user configuration error here: The phone has been factory reset 5-6 times while testing this, with the only configuration being a Red Pocket APN. That same SIM and same APN work flawlessly in my Nexus 5 as well as my wife's V30 (also H932). Even if I mis-typed the APN, I wouldn't have done so 5-6 times -- and I would have caught it during one of the many times I verified the APN.
So I have no doubt that there is some form of network lock in place that is causing this. And again, T-Mobile and LG agree and have promised to solve it.
You are right that LG had no reason to replace the mainboard. But they did replace both the screen and the glass cover. I think it is possible that they sent me a refurbished phone with my IMEI transferred -- which would explain both their warning that the phone would come back locked, and why the Device Unlock app gets confused when seeing a blank (still locked) phone, but T-Mobile's IMEI database claims that the device is already unlocked (as I saw on the screen in the store).
So, we'll see if they manage to solve it or I have to sell this phone as suggested by Chazz.
Would paying a 3rd party carrier unlocking do the trick? Or does even that seem out of the question now? Before Frankensteining was a thing I did that so I could use an H931 on T-mo. It was $10 well spent as far as I was concerned.
jaysus145 said:
Would paying a 3rd party carrier unlocking do the trick? Or does even that seem out of the question now? Before Frankensteining was a thing I did that so I could use an H931 on T-mo. It was $10 well spent as far as I was concerned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the suggestion. I'd have no objection to that at all, but various reports on here had given me the impression that 3rd parties aren't able to unlock the H932 because TMO locked it down so hard (as is the case with Sprint, but for different technical reasons). I could be wrong about that, so definitely something to try.
Thanks again!
Update: It's been four days since I talked to T-Mobile and they promised to escalate my problem and request that LG provide a solution. They said to expect a response within 72 hours, but I haven't heard back from them.
But yesterday, when I tried popping in my Red Pocket SIM (it's in my Nexus 5 until this is solved) everything suddenly worked: Instant LTE, which stayed all day, even as I drove an hour away across town and worked there for a few hours (using hotspot), went on several errands, and back home all last night. LTE Discovery Log showed how it had switched seamlessly between towers, without ever losing LTE. I was certain they had fixed it, and was much relieved.
Then this morning, it had locked itself again. Phone had been on all night, clearly T-Mobile must have pushed another lock. Or rather: One of the TMO services/apps locked it after pulling TMOs servers. No amount of Network Resets, reboot or toggling Mobile Network settings have worked to get it back. I promised T-Mobile not to make any more attempts with the Device Unlock app as it messes things up for them, but I am sure it it would still say "Ineligible for unlock" even though the IMEI is clear in TMO's database (and listed as already unlocked).
As always, the same SIM gives perfect LTE service in my Nexus 5 and on my wife's V30, with the same APN.
I called T-Mobile Customer Care and was unable to persuade them to transfer me to Tier 2. But they did says to expect a call within a day.
It is almost certain I'll have to go the FCC complaint route. It's sad because T-Mobile is otherwise not a bad company. Probably just a small handful of idiots who got this "bright idea" how to protect TMO phones -- which ends up causing so much trouble for legitimate customers.
@jaysus145: Which Unlock service did you use? The ones I looked at which support T-mobile unlock cost $75-150 -- and they don't seem to guarantee success.
TheDannemand said:
@jaysus145: Which Unlock service did you use? The ones I looked at which support T-mobile unlock cost $75-150 -- and they don't seem to guarantee success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used celllunlocker.net, it cost me $10 to unlock my AT&T version, and took less then a day to complete.
jaysus145 said:
I used celllunlocker.net, it cost me $10 to unlock my AT&T version, and took less then a day to complete.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
T-Mobile called me back yesterday and assured me they were still working on it and they would get this phone unlocked and please sit tight another day. They confirmed there was nothing on the phone's IMEI or my old account that should prevent it.
I'll check out unlocking services if it comes down to it.
Thanks again!
Final update on this (and solution):
T-Mobile solved the server side problem with a manager override, so that the Device Unlock app now says "Permanent Unlock approved". But it continued reporting "Unlock Failed" nevertheless. Some say because the phone is already unlocked, personally I think because the servers report the phone as previously unlocked. The app also says "Phone is currently network locked" when first running.
Notably, the connection problem persisted, and T-Mobile (after discussing with LG) said it had to be a bad SIM card or a problem with that SIM ICCID and my phone's ESN. As previously described, I get perfect connection and service using the same SIM in my Nexus 5 and in my wife's V30. T-Mobile said that was all they could do.
I then decided it was time to take the matter in my one hands. After much searching and countless Factory Resets and Network Settings Resets, I managed to get the phone working right with the following steps:
1) Remove Google account to disable Device Reset Protection.
2) Factory Reset from the Service Menu: *#546368#*932# (replace 932 with your model number, though this is likely a T-Mobile only problem). From there SVC Menu - Factory Reset (R&D Only). This takes quite a bit longer than normal Factory Reset.
3) Initial setup with WiFi, no Google account. No APN. Phone shows usual connection slowness.
4) Airplane mode, then WiFi on.
5) T-Mobile Device Unlock app, Permanent Unlock. Got the same "Unlock Failed, but Approved" message.
6) Enter APN.
7) Network Settings Reset (Android Settings - Reset menu). Wait for reset to complete. It may go straight to LTE already here.
8) Power off/on.
After this, everything is back to normal. Instant signal and LTE connection, even after subsequent Factory Reset. It's such a relief :laugh:
Edit: I should add that it is quite possible that not all of these steps are required. Probably the Service Menu Factory Reset was the key to undo what LG had done during the repair. I am merely listing all the steps which I used, and which brought my phone back to life.
This is very long and I was going to reply to the thread "Unlocked V30 & Verizon... all bands?" but I figured some people would get upset so I gave this it's own thread. If you're trying to bring an LS998 to a non-Sprint carrier this story may be of interest to you.
As expected, despite the previous Verizon agent telling me they have no problem offering me service and sending me a SIM card, I called Verizon (800 225 5499) today and they said won't do it, based on the IMEI of the LS998.
Last time I called ATT prepaid support (800 901 9878) they told me I needed to call regular sales support (888 333 6651) to get a SIM card for prepaid service, which I thought was weird. This time I called the regular number and was told they aren't allowed to send out SIM cards anymore. They said that maybe the prepaid support could do it but regular sales cannot.
So I called ATT prepaid support today and now they've suddenly changed their story too. After waiting 18 minutes to speak to someone, I was told once again that the regular sales department support is the only one who can give me help. I explained that they told me this less than a week ago and just now before I called the prepaid support and now he's telling me prepaid support can't send out SIMs. Why does it even matter by the way? Why can't they all just do it? What a ridiculous and inefficient setup. He told me he's giving me the "online support phone number" instead, since they "told me the wrong information".
As instructed by prepaid support, I called the "online support" number (866 267 4510) and the horrible voice detection failed miserably then hung up on me (I'm actually calling from the internet using a high quality mic so it's even better than what would usually come through a phone line..it even failed several times to understand the word "yes" when given the options of "yes" and "no"). I called it again and wasn't able to speak to anyone because it kept asking for all this nonsense and wouldn't actually let me speak to a real person in any way.. so yeah, that outsourced moron who could barely speak English gave me a useless number, as I expected.
So instead of calling Sales for the 2nd time today and 3rd time this week, I decided to call regular ATT wireless support (800 331 0500). I waited on hold for 17.5 minutes until I was finally able to speak to a person, who I explained to that I just want a nano SIM card. I found out she's from the prepaid support.. so despite calling the regular support number I was sent to the prepaid support, which was probably the reason I was on hold for so long once again. Anyways she told me she could send me a card and when I gave her my number and 4 digit ATT code/password she said I have to go pick it up at a store LOL.
She said I have to go to a "big" store and I asked her to explain herself because that's a subjective term and she asked for my ZIP code. I don't understand this because in 2013 when I first became their customer they were fine sending SIM cards for two phones in the mail and about 2 months ago they were fine sending one out in the mail for someone else (though this was never gone through with) and less than a week ago they told me it was fine too. All of the sudden, it's a big deal and they just can't send SIM cards in the mail? what??
I had already planned to call my local Verizon store and ATT store to see if they could handle this simple task but once she told me that I decided to just accept the SIM she wants to give me. She never asked me for the phone's IMEI but due to the course of the conversation I eventually explained the situation with the phone.
She told me to call Sprint and make sure it's unlocked, which I already planned to do actually. After suggesting I try putting my old SIM in my new phone I explained the old one is a micro and new one is a nano so I told her I might cut it if I can't get them to give me one. She actually said she had done that once; pretty funny.
I called Sprint (888 211 4727) to ask about the phone and make sure it's unlocked. They asked for my number in the automated thing but I pressed "#" as instructed since I don't have one. After speaking to someone finally, they asked for my full name and I only gave my first name and explained that I'm not a customer. I was then asked for my phone number and once again explained I'm not a customer. They asked why I was calling and I explained and after a brief moment on hold was told it's already unlocked. They didn't bother trying to keep me on their network AT ALL, which I was very surprised about. It was the fastest of any call, totaling under 5 minutes where all the others so far have taken me over an hour (mostly due to waiting on hold).
So I called Verizon again (800 922 0204) [wow they have too many support numbers at these places] to ask WHY they won't give me a sim since Sprint says it's unlocked. The sassy black lady had a terrible attitude when she realized I wasn't going to accept "the system says it won't work" because "it isn't compatible with Verizon network" as an answer...after having already explained that it's unlocked by Sprint and it supports the Verizon network. All I did was say "well there has to be a reason it isn't compatible, do you have any information?" and she got an attitude with me. Eventually she told me she'd get me over to tech support so they can look into it if I'd like and I accepted (anything to get away from her + they're probably more knowledgeable about this than the ordinary, lowest tier customer support representative). I was instead sent to an automated system asking for a phone number and got past it eventually and was put on hold once again while I await a new CSR from tech support.
Line quality was horrible and was asked for my first and last name and I explained I'm not a customer and gave my first name. I asked if it's tech support and was told it's new line support.... so that rude lady didn't even transfer me properly. What a surprise. I was given the number to their tech support (866 271 7585, option 2) and then transferred to it by the lady with the poor line quality.
At this point I've been talking with the carriers and waiting on hold for at least 2 hours and on this call with Verizon for 28 minutes... most of it on hold. I heard random voices come through the hold music a few times and just now it happened again and the call was disconnected. Thanks for hanging up on me again, Verizon.
So now I'm calling the Verizon tech support number I was given (866 271 7585) by the last person I spoke with, since I was hung up on. Option 2, which I was told to press is for SPANISH, not anything related to my call... so I pressed 1 (also it makes no sense for an American company to do that. We speak English here). The automated system asked for a phone number and I didn't have one so I just waited and they said the usual about call being monitored/recorded and I'm once again on hold...
This lady was VERY friendly (she sounded a little older) but this was NOT tech support. I explained the entire ordeal to her after she asked what problem I'm experiencing. After I got to the part about why I was trying to reach tech support (their agent told me to) she told me she would actually get me there. So I'm on hold again...
...She came back and asked which phone it is then told me she'd get me straight over to tech support and put me back on hold. She came back once again and asked me for clarification or something and I explained the situation with the LS998 and that it DOES work on the network and Sprint says it IS unlocked so there's no reason for it not to work. It's a matter of it being cheaper than the unlocked one and me choosing to put software on that allows it to take advantage of the available hardware in the phone. She said she was thinking of transferring me to tele-sales but she will bring me to tech support (what? she already said at least two times she would transfer me to tech support... if I ask for tech support - give me tech support. I didn't ask for her opinion on where to transfer me). She's very nice but not very good at transferring customers to where they try to go, it seems.
So I actually got tech support this time. I explained the situation. He seemed from the start like he did have more of an idea what he's talking about. He seemed like he was capable of following along with what I was saying. His initial suggestion was to have a friend or family member on Verizon let me try their SIM in the phone to make sure it works. I explained that's not an option and we had a bit more of a discussion about the topic.
I asked about a real tech support number because the one I was given didn't get me to tech support and he told me it's a queue system and that's why I got customer service instead of real tech support. He said they can only send me a SIM if I have a live account but at the store they can sell one for $10-15 (like Walmart or Sam's Club). A corporate/official store would give it for free. This must be what the ATT lady was referring to earlier...
He said the store would setup the SIM with a dummy phone number to make sure it works then I can port my ATT number over later.
I asked him to check the IMEI to make sure there are no other issues with it (since he may have some kind of superior access or information compared to a tier 1 CSR) and he was checking on it and kept coming back to let me know he's still there and it's taking a moment. Very professional... very satisfied with his attitude.
He said it didn't come up in the system but it should work since the V30 (non-plus) does and reiterated his statement about going to the store and making sure the employee doesn't test it while WiFi is enabled.
It was so refreshing to speak to someone with a powerful enough mind and who was well-spoken and polite.. didn't waste any time and helped me out. It's always better talking to tier 2 and above support with these phone and internet companies...
To sum up these companies:
I don't like T-Mobile and Sprint is merging with them (Sprint wasn't too great for me in the past either). However, when calling to ask about unlock status of the device it was the call with the best line quality and quickest resolution.
ATT's regular numbers have decent line quality usually, but the prepaid line quality is always bad.
Verizon's support often has bad line quality.
The outsourced people who barely speak English at ATT are either useless wastes of my time or incredibly friendly and somewhat helpful.
Verizon has a mixed bag when it comes to politeness of agents.
All of the above companies seem to be convoluted when it comes to giving out SIM cards as well as the system they've setup for contacting them via phone. There's no reason for this to be so complicated.
As expected, Verizon and ATT assured me there'd be no issue with this and there are issues with it.
So far, this entire thing has taken me at least 3 hours of speaking on the phone with mostly ATT and Verizon and I haven't even gone to a store to pick up a SIM yet... more as the story develops...
So now I need to go to my local "big store" (ATT) to get an ATT sim OR just cut my old sim and take the risk of something going wrong. I really want to switch to Verizon but I just paid for ATT a few days ago so I have a month left of that.
For now, I'm waiting on the phone to arrive so I can convert it to a US998. Also considering staying on ATT and just knowing that I can use Verizon later if something goes wrong.
If it doesn't work out I either have to argue with the carriers until they give me what I want, or use an unlocking service (though I'm not sure those are legit/worth it)... or return the phone, which I really don't want to do.
sneak310 said:
A corporate/official store would give it for free. This must be what the ATT lady was referring to earlier...
He said the store would setup the SIM with a dummy phone number to make sure it works then I can port my ATT number over later.
If it doesn't work out I either have to argue with the carriers until they give me what I want, or use an unlocking service (though I'm not sure those are legit/worth it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing to unlock. When you convert LS998 to US998 firmware the phone is carrier unlocked, even if Sprint never unlocked it.
You just need a SIM card.
The only problem you would have is if the IMEI is blacklisted for some reason.
____
I warned you about Verizon -- that you would need something like an original US998, original VS996, or an already-activated Verizon SIM card. . They are very finnicky about phones with Sprint IMEI.
By the way, all AT&T SIM cards are the same. The only difference is internal accounting, whether it's Prepaid or Postpaid. Even with a Prepaid logo on it, it's STILL just a regular AT&T SIM card. You can switch from one to the other without actually changing SIM cards.
Had a friend who bought new Samsung Galaxy phone and they made him sign up with AT&T Postpaid to buy the phone. They wouldn't let him pay in full upfront. Once he signed the contract, he pulled out his credit card, made the full payment to pay off the phone -- then IMMEDIATELY switched to AT&T Prepaid (which is what he really wanted). They never touched his SIM card when they switched him over from Postpaid to Prepaid. And this was back when Prepaid division was confusingly called "GoPhone". STILL the same SIM card.
I have AT&T Prepaid, as do several friends, family members.
ChazzMatt said:
Nothing to unlock. When you convert to US998 firmware the phone is carrier unlocked, even if Sprint never unlocked it.
You just need a SIM card.
The only problem you would have is if the IMEI is blacklisted for some reason.
____
I warned you about Verizon.
By the way, all AT&T SIM cards are the same. The difference is internal accounting, whether it's Prepaid or Postpaid. You can switch from one to the other without changing SIM cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I only asked him to check the IMEI for that reason you stated.. the blacklisting. They won't just send me a SIM... I have to go physically to a store for some reason instead of having them just mail me one like how I got my SIM from ATT in 2013.
Both Verizon and ATT are giving me identical trouble. They both require me to go to a store to get a SIM card and won't just send me a SIM card and give me service.
Due to the "if it ain't broke" thing, I'll probably just stick with ATT for now so I don't have to end up trying Verizon and liking it less than I used to/less than ATT then ultimately switching back to ATT... plus it should be easier to just get a new SIM instead of having to setup a whole new line of service with a new company... and finally I'm already pretty familiar with how ATT does things.
Phone should arrive on Thursday but Type C cable on Friday so I can probably go to an ATT store over the weekend.
PS - $238 is an amazing price ;D
sneak310 said:
Yeah I only asked him to check the IMEI for that reason you stated.. the blacklisting. They won't just send me a SIM... I have to go physically to a store for some reason instead of having them just mail me one like how I got my SIM from ATT in 2013.
Both Verizon and ATT are giving me identical trouble. They both require me to go to a store to get a SIM card and won't just send me a SIM card and give me service.
Due to the "if it ain't broke" thing, I'll probably just stick with ATT for now so I don't have to end up trying Verizon and liking it less than I used to/less than ATT then ultimately switching back to ATT... plus it should be easier to just get a new SIM instead of having to setup a whole new line of service with a new company... and finally I'm already pretty familiar with how ATT does things.
Phone should arrive on Thursday but Type C cable on Friday so I can probably go to an ATT store over the weekend.
PS - $238 is an amazing price ;D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wal-Mart also has AT&T Prepaid SIMs.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/AT-T-PREPAID-SIM-Starter-Kit/44938608
https://www.walmart.com/ip/AT-T-PREPAID-SIM-Kit/129539926
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
ChazzMatt said:
Wal-Mart also has AT&T Prepaid SIMs.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v30/development/us998-lg-v30-us998-us99820a040330-kdz-t3786337
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah and according to these carriers they charge you for it. I'd also rather deal directly with the carrier than some random person at Walmart AND get it for free.
sneak310 said:
Yeah and according to these carriers they charge you for it. I'd also rather deal directly with the carrier than some random person at Walmart AND get it for free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, I understand. I also edited to put in the correct link.
You need to go to "corporate" owned AT&T store to get free SIM card. "Franchise" stores, which look almost identical, will charge you.
ChazzMatt said:
Sure, I understand. I also edited to put in the correct link.
You need to go to "corporate" owned AT &T store to get free SIM card. "Franchise" stores, which look almost identical, will charge you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hah, yea.. I was wondering why you sent me that original link. And yeah, they told me specifically which store is corporate.
So I'm curious to see if you switch to Verizon and your results. I'm currently on Verizon and I'm trying to get a V30+ so if you go with them I'd like to know how it worked out.
Hyperbomb64 said:
So I'm curious to see if you switch to Verizon and your results. I'm currently on Verizon and I'm trying to get a V30+ so if you go with them I'd like to know how it worked out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will have no issues since you have an already-activated Verizon SIM card. Just take your SIM card out, put it in new phone.
ChazzMatt said:
You will have no issues since you have an already-activated Verizon SIM card. Just take your SIM card out, put it in new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. Now I just have to actually get the phone and I should be good to go.
ChazzMatt said:
You will have no issues since you have an already-activated Verizon SIM card. Just take your SIM card out, put it in new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im also on verizon and just got this model online brand new it says its unlocked. do i need to avoid updating it when i get it?
Bamaboi89 said:
im also on verizon and just got this model online brand new it says its unlocked. do i need to avoid updating it when i get it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, don't update when you first get it, as you will possibly making your life harder, by having to downgrade to what you need for bootloader unlock and rooting. You can update after that.
Hyperbomb64 said:
So I'm curious to see if you switch to Verizon and your results. I'm currently on Verizon and I'm trying to get a V30+ so if you go with them I'd like to know how it worked out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ended up just sticking with ATT for now. Mostly one of those "if it ain't broke" things. I also realized (once I got to the ATT store) that I actually already HAD a nano SIM in my Nexus 5 with a converter. It was 2013 when I put that SIM in and I haven't messed with it so I completely forgot.
TLDR: I was able to get my unlock code from Codes2Unlock (even with my phone having an unpaid balance).
Go to Codes2Unlock website, choose any microsoft lumia device, put in the IMEI for the Duo, once you get a confirmation email, forward it to their support rep telling them that its a surface duo and that there was no option for a Surface Duo on their website, Play the waiting game, and Enjoy once they send it over.
I (probably like you) for the longest time wanted to get my surface unlocked but couldnt because at the time i was paying on my device AT&T gave me the run around with unlock codes, and so did microsoft. Because of the area i lived in the duo was basically useless on AT&T and i literally only switched from tmobile for that phone.
I checked website after website and nobody was able to do it. I happened to remember Codes2Unlock.com from years ago when I got an unlock code from them for my Galaxy S4. So i emailed them, asked if they supported unlocking the surface duo. they said yes-- strange thing was on their site theres no option for the surface duo even though if you google it, theres a link saying they do.
So the support rep (who replies fast af lol) messaged me back asking if my device asks for an unlock pin--i said yes-- the support person said it should be no problem.
I mentioned to them that theres no option for the surface Duo and that only Lumia devices show-- they said just select any Microsoft Lumia device, send the confirmation email with the IMEI and let them know its a surface duo and they'll update it on their end. they also mentioned (after asking) that an unpaid device doesnt matter and they can still get an unlock code.
I forwarded the same Rep the confirmation email and 5 days later (this morning) i woke up with my unlock code and now my Duo runs on T-Mobile.
If theres any doubts ill reply with screenshots but im at work rn so it was just easier to type all this out first. Hope this helps anyone stuck on AT&T
I have been told by both Microsoft and AT&T to pound sand. Open an account and use the phone on a paid plan. Just tried your method and I'm waiting a response with my code. They did reply to my updated device info within 5 minutes. Super fast. Thanks thanks for the suggestion, hope this works better than then dialing AT&T or Microsoft support. I will update to confirm this works. Sorry for posting in two threads.
carortruck80 said:
I have been told by both Microsoft and AT&T to pound sand. Open an account and use the phone on a paid plan. Just tried your method and I'm waiting a response with my code. They did reply to my updated device info within 5 minutes. Super fast. Thanks thanks for the suggestion, hope this works better than then dialing AT&T or Microsoft support. I will update to confirm this works. Sorry for posting in two threads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Youre fine haha, im just glad I was able to help someone
Microsoft and AT&T can kick rocks. I cant wait for some custom roms to get released
@carortruck80 were you able to unlock with this service? Ive been waiting at att/unlock for more than a week now. status still on "IN PROGRESS" since 18th of May!
Tbaba said:
@carortruck80 were you able to unlock with this service? Ive been waiting at att/unlock for more than a week now. status still on "IN PROGRESS" since 18th of May!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you email them like I mentioned in the post?
Good morning all. I would like to report back that I Did get this thing unlocked. However, and that is a Big however, AT&T nor the mentioned supplier was able to confirm the existence of the imei Without the phone first being registered on the AT&T network. I had to buy a prepaid plan to get the phone to work. Then, magically, 18 hours later I got the confirmation from AT&T after emails saying "we are further investigating your request.". The mentioned supplier also said that it didn't exist till then. I canceled my request after AT&T finally came through. BE Warned! Even tried redpocket (AT&T mvno) and they couldn't even do the initial activation.
(deleted-combined post)
carortruck80 said:
Good morning all. I would like to report back that I Did get this thing unlocked. However, and that is a Big however, AT&T nor the mentioned supplier was able to confirm the existence of the imei Without the phone first being registered on the AT&T network. I had to buy a prepaid plan to get the phone to work. Then, magically, 18 hours later I got the confirmation from AT&T after emails saying "we are further investigating your request.". The mentioned supplier also said that it didn't exist till then. I canceled my request after AT&T finally came through. BE Warned! Even tried redpocket (AT&T mvno) and they couldn't even do the initial activation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? did you never have the phone up and running on AT&T network?
none24 said:
Huh? did you never have the phone up and running on AT&T network?
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Click to collapse
I had to buy a prepay plan for them to unlock it because without putting it on att first, it didn't exist to them. Yes, activated on att to get unlock code, got code, swapped Sim, entered code and unlocked. That was the final resolution to getting it unlocked.
carortruck80 said:
I had to buy a prepay plan for them to unlock it because without putting it on att first, it didn't exist to them. Yes, activated on att to get unlock code, got code, swapped Sim, entered code and unlocked. That was the final resolution to getting it unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oof yeah that's because they don't register the IMEI in their system until the phone is activated. Which is likely why codes2unlock couldn't find it either
none24 said:
Oof yeah that's because they don't register the IMEI in their system until the phone is activated. Which is likely why codes2unlock couldn't find it either
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, that being said.... To update everyone, IF YOU BUY A NEW SEALED IN THE BOX PHONE, it cannot be unlocked unless first actually being registered/activated on the network it is locked to. Silly me bought a new sealed device and tried to unlock it without paying the man first. Really wish there was some direction on this before I bought it. Oh well. I figured there would be a record somewhere since the DID assign it an IMEI.
none24 said:
Did you email them like I mentioned in the post?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I havent tried codes2unlock yet. I'm still waiting on the att unlock site i filled.
carortruck80 said:
So, that being said.... To update everyone, IF YOU BUY A NEW SEALED IN THE BOX PHONE, it cannot be unlocked unless first actually being registered/activated on the network it is locked to. Silly me bought a new sealed device and tried to unlock it without paying the man first. Really wish there was some direction on this before I bought it. Oh well. I figured there would be a record somewhere since the DID assign it an IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This may be a HUGE problem for me. Cause i got the sealed one form amazon. not currently in the US, and dont have an att sim card. do I have a brick on my hands now?
Tbaba said:
This may be a HUGE problem for me. Cause i got the sealed one form amazon. not currently in the US, and dont have an att sim card. do I have a brick on my hands now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it is an att model, it has the att Sim in it. Not sure about activation overseas. I don't understand why nobody mentions this. I have never bought a sealed locked phone just to unlock it so I didn't know. To me, it sounds like there is no master list or database of what phones and imei's got made. It doesn't exist until it is activated. I hope you don't, but sounds like you do. I bought it originally to test to see if I wanted to trade it in with Ms for the duo 2, so it wasn't a deal breaker...but if I didn't like it, I would have been stuck with it.
carortruck80 said:
If it is an att model, it has the att Sim in it. Not sure about activation overseas. I don't understand why nobody mentions this. I have never bought a sealed locked phone just to unlock it so I didn't know. To me, it sounds like there is no master list or database of what phones and imei's got made. It doesn't exist until it is activated. I hope you don't, but sounds like you do. I bought it originally to test to see if I wanted to trade it in with Ms for the duo 2, so it wasn't a deal breaker...but if I didn't like it, I would have been stuck with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As it it now, I have to get a prepaid AT&T when i get back in the country.... oh, well...
I just tried to go through codes2unlock and after more than double the 7 working days and two support request emails going unanswered I would strongly warn against using codes2unlock. Seems I've been scammed out of the 35usd fee, buyer beware.
Anyone tried this service recently?