Hi Everyone,
I'm a long time lurker and benefited greatly from the postings here at xda.
So I'd like to contribute something back.
After trying many methods and reading all the posts in the various S4 forums, I finally found a way for SIM unlock that works for me.
I have tested it, and it works on my T-Mobile S4.
Credit to these posts:
KaneHusky's post for the dialer code
This thread on how to unlock
chavxxx's post pointing to the right final step
FAQ:
Is this for real? Does it really unlock?
YES! Many people have tried it, and most people have successes.
If you are having problems with the unlock process, please read the rest of the FAQ.
Will this SIM unlock work on my model of Galaxy S4 that is not T-Mobile (SGH-M919)?
This unlock has been tried on the T-Mobile (USA) version of the phone, if you're coming from any other model, YMMV, it might or might not work.
That being said, many others have tried it on the AT&T model, and on the international I9505 with success.
Do I need to be on stock rom?
Yes, you need to be on stock rom for this to work.
One of the main causes of failure to unlock is people not flashing back to stock rom first. The reason is the special dial codes only work on stock roms.
Is the unlock permanent? Do the unlock last through reboot/reflash/etc.?
Yes, the unlock is permanent.
You can reflash a custom rom, or do anything you want to the phone, and the unlock will stay.
In step 7, my phone is already "SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[0]", what should I do?
Great, this is the setting you want.
It means your phone already allows you to make some settings changes, it DOES NOT mean your phone is already unlocked.
You should continue with the rest of the process until the last step.
In step 14, backup missing.
If the golden backup doesn't exist, try the work around found by GrndSers-Rcng:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=43172004&postcount=292
How do I know the unlock is successful?
If your phone is not unlocked, when you put in an unauthorized SIM card, a dialog pops up on your phone asking you to enter the unlock code.
If you're successful with this procedure, there would be no popup dialog asking for the unlock code when you put in any SIM card.
Here are the steps:
Goto phone dailer, and enter *#27663368378# for the debug service menu.
In "ServiceMode", select [1] UMTS
In "UMTS MAIN MENU", select [1] DEBUG SCREEN
In "DEBUG SCREEN", select [6] PHONE CONTROL
In "PHONE CONTROL", select [6] NETWORK LOCK
In "NETWORK LOCK", select [3] PERSO SHA256 OFF
It should show:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[1]
SHA256_OFF => SHA256_ON
Now touch the first line SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[1]
It should show:
MENU NOT EXIST
PRESS BACK KEY
Current Command is 116631
Now press the menu button and select "Back"
It should show:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[0]
SHA256_OFF => Not Change
Again, press the menu button and select "Back", and you're back in the "NETWORK LOCK" screen
Press the menu button and select "Back", and you're in the "PHONE CONTROL" screen
Press the menu button and select "Back", and you're in the "DEBUG SCREEN" screen
Finally, press the menu button and select "Back", and you're back in the "UMTS MAIN MENU" screen
Select [6] COMMON
In "COMMON" screen, select [6] NV REBUILD
Now you are in the "NV REBUILD" screen, you should see the following text:
------------------------------
Golden-Backup exist
You can Restore Cal/NV
------------------------------
Now for the final step.
In "NV REBUILD" screen, select [4] Restore Back-up
The button lights for menu and back should come on, and the phone will auto reboot in a few seconds.
Note: chavxxx's post of selecting "[1] Load default NV" DID NOT work for me.
Congratulations, your phone is now unlocked.
Stick in a sim card from a different carrier and try it out.
Please post followups of your experience with this unlock method.
Thanks, and good luck!
no way; is this for real ?
im already unlocked, can someone confirm this ?
rock on dude.
the last step, does it somehow reset your phone back to stock?
it tells me Back-up not exist cause I pressed erase back up by accident
I've gotta find someone with a SIM from another carrier first...
Will check back with update.
i just did this, it rebooted. I need to find a ATT sim ASAP
i have tried on my t-mobile galalxy s4,it works..thx for your help!!!
update, it did not work
---------- Post added at 11:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 AM ----------
nismo35 said:
update, it did not work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are u guys running the new baseband?
wavrunrx said:
no way; is this for real ?
im already unlocked, can someone confirm this ?
rock on dude.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes it works dude wow
---------- Post added at 07:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:26 PM ----------
kaleido said:
Hi Everyone,
I'm a long time lurker and benefited greatly from the postings here at xda.
So I'd like to contribute something back.
After trying many methods and reading all the posts in the various S4 forums, I finally found a way for SIM unlock that works for me.
I have tested it, and it works on my T-Mobile S4.
Credit to these posts:
KaneHusky's post for the dialer code
This thread on how to unlock
chavxxx's post pointing to the right final step
Here are the steps:
Goto phone dailer, and enter *#27663368378# for the debug service menu.
In "ServiceMode", select [1] UMTS
In "UMTS MAIN MENU", select [1] DEBUG SCREEN
In "DEBUG SCREEN", select [6] PHONE CONTROL
In "PHONE CONTROL", select [6] NETWORK LOCK
In "NETWORK LOCK", select [3] PERSO SHA256 OFF
It should show:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[1]
SHA256_OFF => SHA256_ON
Now touch the first line SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[1]
It should show:
MENU NOT EXIST
PRESS BACK KEY
Current Command is 116631
Now press the menu button and select "Back"
It should show:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[0]
SHA256_OFF => Not Change
Again, press the menu button and select "Back", and you're back in the "NETWORK LOCK" screen
Press the menu button and select "Back", and you're in the "PHONE CONTROL" screen
Press the menu button and select "Back", and you're in the "DEBUG SCREEN" screen
Finally, press the menu button and select "Back", and you're back in the "UMTS MAIN MENU" screen
Select [6] COMMON
In "COMMON" screen, select [6] NV REBUILD
Now you are in the "NV REBUILD" screen, you should see the following text:
------------------------------
Golden-Backup exist
You can Restore Cal/NV
------------------------------
Now for the final step.
In "NV REBUILD" screen, select [4] Restore Back-up
The button lights for menu and back should come on, and the phone will auto reboot in a few seconds.
Note: chavxxx's post of selecting "[1] Load default NV" DID NOT work for me.
Congratulations, your phone is now unlocked.
Stick in a sim card from a different carrier and try it out.
Please post followups of your experience with this unlock method.
Thanks, and good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you dude i was so close to buy the unlock code thanks again u rock
connection problem or invalid mmi code
thats the message i get when i dial the number in the first step
should i be on complete stock?
im running wicked version 2 right now
TheAtheistOtaku said:
connection problem or invalid mmi code
thats the message i get when i dial the number in the first step
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another way to get in to the service menu is *#0011#
See this tread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2282683
kaleido said:
Another way to get in to the service menu is *#0011#
See this tread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2282683
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also tried this code. still getting same message
Works
Thanks man it works
kaleido said:
Hi Everyone,
I'm a long time lurker and benefited greatly from the postings here at xda.
So I'd like to contribute something back.
After trying many methods and reading all the posts in the various S4 forums, I finally found a way for SIM unlock that works for me.
I have tested it, and it works on my T-Mobile S4.
Credit to these posts:
KaneHusky's post for the dialer code
This thread on how to unlock
chavxxx's post pointing to the right final step
Here are the steps:
Goto phone dailer, and enter *#27663368378# for the debug service menu.
In "ServiceMode", select [1] UMTS
In "UMTS MAIN MENU", select [1] DEBUG SCREEN
In "DEBUG SCREEN", select [6] PHONE CONTROL
In "PHONE CONTROL", select [6] NETWORK LOCK
In "NETWORK LOCK", select [3] PERSO SHA256 OFF
It should show:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[1]
SHA256_OFF => SHA256_ON
Now touch the first line SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[1]
It should show:
MENU NOT EXIST
PRESS BACK KEY
Current Command is 116631
Now press the menu button and select "Back"
It should show:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[0]
SHA256_OFF => Not Change
Again, press the menu button and select "Back", and you're back in the "NETWORK LOCK" screen
Press the menu button and select "Back", and you're in the "PHONE CONTROL" screen
Press the menu button and select "Back", and you're in the "DEBUG SCREEN" screen
Finally, press the menu button and select "Back", and you're back in the "UMTS MAIN MENU" screen
Select [6] COMMON
In "COMMON" screen, select [6] NV REBUILD
Now you are in the "NV REBUILD" screen, you should see the following text:
------------------------------
Golden-Backup exist
You can Restore Cal/NV
------------------------------
Now for the final step.
In "NV REBUILD" screen, select [4] Restore Back-up
The button lights for menu and back should come on, and the phone will auto reboot in a few seconds.
Note: chavxxx's post of selecting "[1] Load default NV" DID NOT work for me.
Congratulations, your phone is now unlocked.
Stick in a sim card from a different carrier and try it out.
Please post followups of your experience with this unlock method.
Thanks, and good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TheAtheistOtaku said:
also tried this code. still getting same message
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What can I say?
If you can't even get into the *#0011# menu, it's definitely something wrong with your rom.
Try flash back to stock, and repeat the unlock.
kaleido said:
Hi Everyone,
I'm a long time lurker and benefited greatly from the postings here at xda.
So I'd like to contribute something back.
After trying many methods and reading all the posts in the various S4 forums, I finally found a way for SIM unlock that works for me.
I have tested it, and it works on my T-Mobile S4.
Credit to these posts:
KaneHusky's post for the dialer code
This thread on how to unlock
chavxxx's post pointing to the right final step
Here are the steps:
Goto phone dailer, and enter *#27663368378# for the debug service menu.
In "ServiceMode", select [1] UMTS
In "UMTS MAIN MENU", select [1] DEBUG SCREEN
In "DEBUG SCREEN", select [6] PHONE CONTROL
In "PHONE CONTROL", select [6] NETWORK LOCK
In "NETWORK LOCK", select [3] PERSO SHA256 OFF
It should show:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[1]
SHA256_OFF => SHA256_ON
Now touch the first line SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[1]
It should show:
MENU NOT EXIST
PRESS BACK KEY
Current Command is 116631
Now press the menu button and select "Back"
It should show:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[0]
SHA256_OFF => Not Change
Again, press the menu button and select "Back", and you're back in the "NETWORK LOCK" screen
Press the menu button and select "Back", and you're in the "PHONE CONTROL" screen
Press the menu button and select "Back", and you're in the "DEBUG SCREEN" screen
Finally, press the menu button and select "Back", and you're back in the "UMTS MAIN MENU" screen
Select [6] COMMON
In "COMMON" screen, select [6] NV REBUILD
Now you are in the "NV REBUILD" screen, you should see the following text:
------------------------------
Golden-Backup exist
You can Restore Cal/NV
------------------------------
Now for the final step.
In "NV REBUILD" screen, select [4] Restore Back-up
The button lights for menu and back should come on, and the phone will auto reboot in a few seconds.
Note: chavxxx's post of selecting "[1] Load default NV" DID NOT work for me.
Congratulations, your phone is now unlocked.
Stick in a sim card from a different carrier and try it out.
Please post followups of your experience with this unlock method.
Thanks, and good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When i started the process mine said this at the beginning:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[0]
I believe that was the desired result, but i didn't have to do anything, mine is already set there (step 6) ....I don't have an Att Sim to try, but when my buddy gets home i am going to see if mine came factory unlocked....
spaided said:
When i started the process mine said this at the beginning:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[0]
I believe that was the desired result, but i didn't have to do anything, mine is already set there (step 6) ....I don't have an Att Sim to try, but when my buddy gets home i am going to see if mine came factory unlocked....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, Got to this part of the process and I'm already at SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[0].
spaided said:
When i started the process mine said this at the beginning:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[0]
I believe that was the desired result, but i didn't have to do anything, mine is already set there (step 6) ....I don't have an Att Sim to try, but when my buddy gets home i am going to see if mine came factory unlocked....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is same as yours & I won't be able to test mine out until the wkend when I see my GF since she's on AT&T. Do let use know your results when you are able to.
awesome.... next stop... AOSP direct from Google. in June, I believe? haha :good:
RMXO said:
Mine is same as yours & I won't be able to test mine out until the wkend when I see my GF since she's on AT&T. Do let use know your results when you are able to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should be able to try it in about 2 hours or so when i get home with the gf's att phone.
It works, confirmed. Placed an ATT sim in my t-mobile and made a call.. Awesome!
I already have root and have tried idones app to unlock, but for some reason, the unlock seems not to be working. The app says the phone is unlocked but when I insert a GSM sim card into the phone, it doesn't get any signal and the hands free activation loops. I was advised to go into settings -> mobile networks -> GSM, but the mobile networks setting disappears when I put in a GSM sim. It comes back if I put my Sprint sim is put back in. I also select GSM on that while my Sprint sim is in but when I take it out, that menu disappears. Is my phone unlocked or is it still locked? If its still locked, what steps can I take to unlock it given my current build and android version?
Idone should b able to help . Go to dialer, dial *#0011# ,
then in service mode press menu > back , then press menu > key input and type "Q" and press enter.
Then press menu > key input and type "0000" thats zero , 4 times .
The rest im copy n pasting from "jayfi" post iver at the us cellular forum
* - UE Settings & Info
- Settings
- Protocol
- NAS
- Network Control
- Band Selection
* Make these selections above
* *Make sure you use the more button in the upper right corner to go back if needed(Back Key on phone will exit menu)
* Choose choice 7 “LTE/GSM MODE ONLY”
* Reboot
* Go to settings/Wireless & networks/more and it will allow you to add the correct APN
* Change preferred network type to LTE
Let me know if you need clarification. I don’t have the phone in front of me currently but am pretty certain that is everything.
^^ after ding this itll go straigbg to gsm connection and bypass the cdma network. Let me know if you need help.
I have done all the steps up to 0000
After all those steps, the Service Mode Menu still looks the same, how do I get to the "UE Settings and Info"? It's not in my settings menu
Sent you a shortcut in pm . Let me know if u need help .
Can this work for the l720
After having a great deal of trouble getting my phone unlocked I've decided to post a short how-to in the hopes that I'll save some people from the same aggravation.
This was on stock Samsung ROM, and of course your IMEI must be clean. You will also need an active SIM card from another GSM carrier that can do LTE/4G.
First, go to the AT&T Device Unlock Portal and go through the steps. I didn't enter my real name. It's an automated system that will email you the unlock code.
You should get an email from AT&T fairly soon. It will have a link to check the status. Follow the link and if the status is complete you'll be shown the unlock code for your phone. Write it down if you're viewing this from the phone.
Shutdown your phone, open it up, remove the battery, and AT&T SIM. Put non-AT&T SIM in, replace battery and close it up.
Boot your phone and you should be prompted to enter the unlock code.
If the code works, then it will take you to the home screen and in the status bar it should not say there's an invalid SIM.
If the code does not work, then hit dismiss and do the following:
Dial *#197328640#
Tap the following: [1] UMTS > [1] Debugging screen > [8] Phone Control > [6] NETWORK LOCK
Tap [2] Perso Sha256 ON, and wait about 30 seconds
Reboot the phone.
You should be prompted for the unlock code again. Enter it and it should work this time (you should not see an invalid SIM icon in the status bar).
I'm anything but a phone expert so if these steps did not work for you, then I probably cannot help you, sorry.
+1 handful of threads on this from YEARS ago. You are missing out that this won't work unless you're on stock AND your modem needs to be a jellybean based one IRRC
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=34661189#post34661189
xBkKx said:
+1 handful of threads on this from YEARS ago. You are missing out that this won't work unless you're on stock AND your modem needs to be a jellybean based one IRRC
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=34661189#post34661189
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you linked was actually the very first thing I tried. However, the [4] NW Lock NV Data INITIALLIZ option was not there for me. It was RAT FREE SUPPORTING or something like that. The steps I posted were what worked for me.
I picked up a decent used SGH-i747 to use as a spare house phone. It was bone stock UCUFNE4, and I went through the rooting process, flashing TWRP, some custom ROMs, and restoring my nand backups. Yes, on a nearly decade old phone! I forgot how much I missed this phone after it took the splash.
DO THIS FIRST : Network / Carrier Unlock SIM
I was finally running my old system but then tried a Red Pocket SIM card...I didn't think ATT locked their SIMs. I don't remember having to unlock my old d2att, but I've slept since then. You'll most likely have to be on the stock OS to network unlock the SIM. *You get 5 attempts to enter the unlock PIN code.
Have your device and IMEI handy.
Follow the directions on ATTs unlock site https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/
Insert a non-ATT SIM card and turn on the phone.
After fully booting, enter 8 digit PIN unlock code you recieved from ATT.
If unlock is "unsuccessful", you'll have to go through extra steps.Extra Steps
Insert a non-ATT SIM card and turn on the phone.
After fully booting, cancel / dismiss the unlock code screen.
Open the Dialer and enter *#197328640# to enter the hidden Service Menu. If entering the numbers in the dialer does not open the hidden Service Menu, you'll need to return to stock firmware.
In the hidden Service Menu, navaigate to: [1] UMTS > [1] Debugging screen > [8] Phone Control > [6] NETWORK LOCK > [1] Perso Sha256 INFO
If the value for Sha256 is "0" and off, this is the problem why entering the 8 digit PIN code was "unsuccessful". We need to turn it on.
Touch your left capacitive Menu key opening a navigation menu, and touch the "Back" option. (not the right capacitive Back key, that will exit the Service Menu)
Select "[2] Perso Sha256 ON" (I'm not sure if it's actually on yet, or touching the item "Perso Sha256 ON" in the resulting cascaded menu turns it on, so I touch it also)
Touch your left capacitive Menu key and select "End" to close the Service Menu.
Reboot phone and now entering the unlock code should work.
Return to stock firmware
Assuming you have TWRP recovery version >= 3.0.2-0
Download bootloader-modem_I747UCUFNE4_4.4.zip to a micro SD card. (I've tried other bootloader-modem packages that didn't work)
Download I747UCUFNE4_Stock_Rooted_Deodex.zip to micro SD.
Backup or transfer to external storage anything you want to keep on internal storage. (*you might be able to skip internal storage wipe)
Make sure micro SD is properly mounted as portable storage in the device, and boot into recovery.
Backup system/data/etc. *optional
Wipe partitions: Dalvik, System, Data, Cache, and *Internal Storage
Install bootloader-modem_I747UCUFNE4_4.4.zip
Install I747UCUFNE4_Stock_Rooted_Deodex.zip
Reboot to system.
Root and/or flash TWRP with ODIN
[reserved]
Here is my SGH-i747 download archive. I never delete my shared files off Google Drive, so they'll be here. Everything you should need to bring this device under heel.
SGH-i747 d2att - Google Drive
drive.google.com
Hey, just want to say Thanks for this.
I had a Galaxy S III kicking around and wanted to put in back in action - just like you for a house phone. Up until about 1 year ago I had GBs of ROMs for the phone - and then did the housecleaning "Who will ever need this old stuff anyway???" and deleted the whole works. I realized the error in my ways when I started looking for the files this AM
So, you've got me back on track with your "One stop shop"
Cheers
PS. By the way - which of the ROM's did you find smoothest & most responsive to run?
xda_maddogdean said:
PS. By the way - which of the ROM's did you find smoothest & most responsive to run?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems like custom ROMs for this device were better than other droids I've had. I think Liquid Smooth was the best performer, but limited to KitKat apps.
ssurell said:
Seems like custom ROMs for this device were better than other droids I've had. I think Liquid Smooth was the best performer, but limited to KitKat apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips