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Recently bought a new, factory sealed Galaxy Nexus GSM i9250 through a retailer on Amazon. Build number ITL41F (yakju). All labels, both on the product listing and the device box, indicate that it is an "UNLOCKED" phone.
But, when I slip in my T-Mobile SIM card, the phone demands a SIM Unlock PIN.
T-Mobile isn't being much help so far with giving me the unlock code. They seem to believe that the phone is locked to another carrier.
Has anyone else run into a similar problem? How can one find out which carrier the GN is locked to?
On principle, I can't see paying another $20+ to unlock this "unlocked" phone through a third party (via eBay or what have you) since I already paid close to $500 for the frackin' thing. Of course, I'll probably do it if there are no other options.
Any help? Huge thanks in advance!
Haven't tried it myself, but this thread provides a tool to SIM-unlock your Galaxy Nexus. Users with GSM phones have reported it works fine. Could give it a go if you don't want to spend $20.
If all else fails, return it to where you bought it. It's supposed to be unlocked, the only unlocked phone is the docomo one. All other Gsm Galaxy Nexus device should be unlocked.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I just bought a Gnex unlocked from Amazon. I hope I don't have this issue. From my understanding all the GSM nexus phones are supposed to be unlocked. When I bough my first Gnex from Handtec it was unlocked.
I believe that the sim unlock pin is a pin to unlock the sim card and not the phone. It's a security measure that can be implemented on the sim so that it can't be used in another phone.
If you can, try a different sim card and see if it works.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
well, it does look like you have a PIN on your SIM card. try a different sim card or try that sim card in a different phone and see if it says the same thing.
i did unlock my samsung phone a while back with this service for like $21.00, maybe they can get you an unlock code if you need one.
https://guaranteecellular.com/unlocking/
i used the samsung usa service at the bottom but you might have to use a different one if its not from usa.
Same as me. Bought same unlocked phone from amazon, and had it for almost a year with my prepaid at&t sim inserted. Suddenly, It wants some sort of network unlock pin. Didn't change anything before this happened. At&t also thinks it's locked to some other carrier....which it's not. Took it to At&t store today and they checked my sim on another phone... worked fine. So now what?
so this is my first Android phone where unlocking the SIM card is possible. i've been with Verizon and Sprint so long that i never bothered looking up the unlocking abilities/procedures. the only unlocking experience i've had in the past have been with iPhones, where the jailbreaking software has an option to unlock the SIM card as well.
and i didn't know that you have to ride out your 2 year contract before AT&T will unlock your phone. i've tried searching around here, but i couldn't get a good answer. i kept finding threads in regard to a Canadian carrier where you dial a number + an unlock code, but then some ROMS didn't allow the dialing of that number to work (or something like that).
is there a method to unlock the SIM card of the AT&T version without waiting out the 2 year contract?
yes, just keep asking. use online chat. i got both my devices unlocked, one after 25 days of owning and one after 2 days. you do not need to wait out your contact, that only applied to the iPhone.
p.s. the other two larger unlock Sim threads in this board detail all this for you.
Sent from my Galaxy S III
ATT will unlock the SGS3 after owning it for 15 days, and as long as your last months bill is paid in full.
call them, or chat them and ask for it :laugh:
thanks for the info. i totally missed the Q&A section somehow.
in related to other threads i found, should i try to unlock the SIM card first before rooting/flashing a custom ROM?
They are mutually exclusive items to do on your phone. One does not affect the other. So to answer your question you can do whichever task you want to have done first.
That said, I like knowing my phone is carrier-lock free asap, so I'd unlock first to get that done.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda app-developers app
thank you for the info!
just got off the Web Chat with an agent. all i did was simply ask for an unlock and he gave me the unlock code to use once inserting a non-AT&T SIM card.
i didn't have to provide a reason or anything.
now all i have to do is locate a non-AT&T SIM card to test the unlock, and then i can proceed to rooting this. hopefully the stable AOKP will be part of today's release.
I just dropped by Bestbuy and bought the phone out-right. Un-activated phones and phones without the stock ROM have to use a diff carrier's SIM to activate the unlock screen.
Pick one up on ebay. you can get a T-Mobile micro SIM for like $2. The only thing it's good for is unlocking your phone.
Like the one I bought:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/16086619163...NX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_500wt_1414
If u got it from best buy you overpaid. Phones are marked up from ATT cost. They are 549.99 with ATT and 700 with BBY.
OP
You can go to cellunlocker.net and put in your IMEI and get a unlock code. Great site. I use them all the time.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium
pussyliquor said:
If u got it from best buy you overpaid. Phones are marked up from ATT cost. They are 549.99 with ATT and 700 with BBY.
OP
You can go to cellunlocker.net and put in your IMEI and get a unlock code. Great site. I use them all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bestbuy does price match. So I got it for $549 plus the $10 in BB rewards.
Why are you telling the OP to pay for it when he doesn't have to?
Guess i'll have to try another time later. Not to mention the guy i chatted with didn't seem too bright. Asked if i could have the SIM Unlock code for my phone, and he said that AT&T sim cards cannot be unlocked.
Told me that it can't be unlocked because it is still contracted to AT&T. Told him i read that people have been getting them unlocked after a couple days of purchasing the device, on contract or not, and he said apparently i was misinformed. haha
mrhomiec said:
thank you for the info!
just got off the Web Chat with an agent. all i did was simply ask for an unlock and he gave me the unlock code to use once inserting a non-AT&T SIM card.
i didn't have to provide a reason or anything.
now all i have to do is locate a non-AT&T SIM card to test the unlock, and then i can proceed to rooting this. hopefully the stable AOKP will be part of today's release.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe you can hit me up with a thanks
elementaldragon said:
Guess i'll have to try another time later. Not to mention the guy i chatted with didn't seem too bright. Asked if i could have the SIM Unlock code for my phone, and he said that AT&T sim cards cannot be unlocked.
Told me that it can't be unlocked because it is still contracted to AT&T. Told him i read that people have been getting them unlocked after a couple days of purchasing the device, on contract or not, and he said apparently i was misinformed. haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lulz;
try a new chat rep, or call them.
like ive said a million times already:
as long as you've had your phone for 15 days or more, and your last months bill is paid in full, you will get an unlock code.
now hook me up with some thanks :silly:
If you're not in a position to call to get the code from AT&T (like me, who got from Ebay and lives in NZ), then cellunlocker.net worked for me in terms of getting a code. Just thought I would mention that for people who see this thread and come to find out about SIM unlocking.
yea, i bought my phone on July 26, so it's been 26 days, and since i just started my contracts with AT&T (new customer), i didn't have a last month's bill to pay. and yet the agent i had unlocked it for me with no questioning.
btw, would i be able to use the LTE SIM card from my old Verizon Galaxy Nexus as a "non-AT&T" SIM card?
If you're waiting on a sim like I was... just install the cm10 nightly for the 21st. It will show the unlock screen upon reboot. I didn't need a dialer code or sim. This bug allowed me to use the code I got from att to successfully unlock my phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
NZtechfreak said:
If you're not in a position to call to get the code from AT&T (like me, who got from Ebay and lives in NZ), then cellunlocker.net worked for me in terms of getting a code. Just thought I would mention that for people who see this thread and come to find out about SIM unlocking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is why I listed that site. Cause it works and not everyone has ATT. And sometimes they takes days to get a unlock code. Cellunlocker.net does it within minutes.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium
WOO! Actually got my unlock code this time.
i just bought a s3 and i have tmobile . how could i get it unlocked the cheapest way? and what service would be good to switch to non contract in central valley in california. any good sugestions
THIS
EDIT:
Use at your own risk I have not tried it on our model
jebise101 said:
THIS
EDIT:
Use at your own risk I have not tried it on our model
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DO NOT USE THIS! It's for the 9300 international model, NOT the US models. Seriously, why would you recommend that someone try this?
---------- Post added at 09:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 AM ----------
valleyboss209 said:
i just bought a s3 and i have tmobile . how could i get it unlocked the cheapest way? and what service would be good to switch to non contract in central valley in california. any good sugestions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After 2-3 months T-Mobile should unlock it for you upon request. Just call them.
So I finally took the time to see if the SIM card from my old Verizon Galaxy Nexus would work.
I turned off my S3, put in the Verizon SIM, and started up. After I unlocked the screen, I was promoted to input unlock code or dismiss. I typed the code in and after a few minutes I was taken to my home screen.
I guess it's safe to say my S3 is now unlocked? If I really want to make sure, I would have to have a working SIM to put in my S3?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Hi,
I would like to unlock my T989. Although I've bought it at full price from Walmart I've got an email from T-mobile saying that "The device was not purchased from a T-Mobile USA retail store or authorized T-Mobile retailer." and I've decided not to battle them for 3 months and just do it myself.
I'm a newbie and the following questions might be silly.
1) I understand there is a software by z3x that unlocks the phone. Do I need an extra hardware for it (what is the z3x-box)? If so, what kind?
2) If I root the phone, will it be immediately unlocked?
3) Is there a free method to unlock this phone (assuming I'll root it successfully)?
Thanks!
bloodymeli said:
Hi,
I would like to unlock my T989. Although I've bought it at full price from Walmart I've got an email from T-mobile saying that "The device was not purchased from a T-Mobile USA retail store or authorized T-Mobile retailer." and I've decided not to battle them for 3 months and just do it myself.
I'm a newbie and the following questions might be silly.
1) I understand there is a software by z3x that unlocks the phone. Do I need an extra hardware for it (what is the z3x-box)? If so, what kind?
2) If I root the phone, will it be immediately unlocked?
3) Is there a free method to unlock this phone (assuming I'll root it successfully)?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Option 3!
You can do it yourself, just follow the simple instructions :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024514
Sent from my SGH-T989D using xda premium
You could always just take the simple way and tell Tmobile your taking a trip to mexico in 3 weeks (Cuz itll take 2 weeks at the max for the manufacturer to send the code to tmobile) and you want to use a prepaid service down there but dont want to buy a new phone. I just did this today, but act like you dont know much about sim unlocking to be on the safe side. The lady tried to get my to buy a new phone from tmobile down in mexico or just let my phone roam and get international charges and i told her "Well im trying to use the same phone with a prepaid service down in mexico so i wont have to have any additional charges when i come back, I herd something about most phones being locked so will i be able to use the prepaid sim on my current phone?" and after that she mentioned sending me an unlock code.. She tried to play me like i didnt know anything about sim unlocking by telling me my options were buying a new phone down there or letting the charges rack up. Then tried to cut the conversation off short this was in the online chat. But if you keep asking questions and explaining you dont want a new phone or to let them add charges theyll eventually tell you about unlocking your phone and ask for you imei and email then youll have to wait for 2 weeks.
Hope i helped a few people, I tried the method above and it didnt work for me. So i took the longer route that will forsure unlock your phone. :good:
Curiously enough, I'm currently abroad.
I don't have a t-mobile account. I don't even need one according to their website. It's just annoying. But I feel like I'm tilting at windmills.
"If you paid full retail price for a device, you qualify to have the SIM subsidy unlock code provided you meet the following requirements:
The device must have been purchased at a T-Mobile retail store or authorized T-Mobile retailer.
The device must be paid for completely. You must be able to fax the proof of purchase to T-Mobile."
In any case, as I didn't get an answer in the other thread, do you happen to know
1) How do I boot into recovery mode? and how do I choose to flash a radio? Do I need to install a specific recovery software? I would really appreciate if somoeone will able to post a detailed "unlocking for dummies" guide, starting from an unrooted phone. A medal of honor will be given if the guide will start from a stock, unrooted phone.
2) I understand the latest version of the radio is UVLI. Should I use it or use the one that comes with my phone? (I would like as few problems as possible)?
TwoStax said:
You could always just take the simple way and tell Tmobile your taking a trip to mexico in 3 weeks (Cuz itll take 2 weeks at the max for the manufacturer to send the code to tmobile) and you want to use a prepaid service down there but dont want to buy a new phone. I just did this today, but act like you dont know much about sim unlocking to be on the safe side. The lady tried to get my to buy a new phone from tmobile down in mexico or just let my phone roam and get international charges and i told her "Well im trying to use the same phone with a prepaid service down in mexico so i wont have to have any additional charges when i come back, I herd something about most phones being locked so will i be able to use the prepaid sim on my current phone?" and after that she mentioned sending me an unlock code.. She tried to play me like i didnt know anything about sim unlocking by telling me my options were buying a new phone down there or letting the charges rack up. Then tried to cut the conversation off short this was in the online chat. But if you keep asking questions and explaining you dont want a new phone or to let them add charges theyll eventually tell you about unlocking your phone and ask for you imei and email then youll have to wait for 2 weeks.
Hope i helped a few people, I tried the method above and it didnt work for me. So i took the longer route that will forsure unlock your phone. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have step by step details in the post mentioned by DupleX01.
- install recovery
- install radio SGH-T989_UVLE1_radio
- unlock the phone
- done
- you can change the radio again (look in the dev area for several radio packages that work with T989) - optional if the phone works well
Here is a direct link to the post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=36417242&postcount=145
Thank mr_guan for his post if it helped.
I recently paid off my Note II in full and I am ready to sell it. I am a bit confused about the unlocking process, so I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction.
I've put the unlock code request in with T-Mobile. Once I receive the e-mail with the code, what do I do with it if I want to sell the device? Do I put it up on Ebay and say "Comes with unlock code", or is there a way I can unlock it myself to sell?
I ask this, because from what I see, I have to put a different carrier's SIM in the phone to unlock it. Since I only use T-Mobile, I don't have another SIM. I looked on Ebay and I see a lot of TMobile Note 2's that already come unlocked, so I guess I am wondering how I can offer a pre-unlocked phone without manually shipping them the code to do it themselves. I don't want to have any questions about me trying to cheat any buyer.
Any tips would be appreciated. Search function is down, or else I would have used that first.
Or should I not worry about it at all and let the buyer deal with the unlocking? The phone has zero account issues.
craighwk said:
I recently paid off my Note II in full and I am ready to sell it. I am a bit confused about the unlocking process, so I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction.
I've put the unlock code request in with T-Mobile. Once I receive the e-mail with the code, what do I do with it if I want to sell the device? Do I put it up on Ebay and say "Comes with unlock code", or is there a way I can unlock it myself to sell?
I ask this, because from what I see, I have to put a different carrier's SIM in the phone to unlock it. Since I only use T-Mobile, I don't have another SIM. I looked on Ebay and I see a lot of TMobile Note 2's that already come unlocked, so I guess I am wondering how I can offer a pre-unlocked phone without manually shipping them the code to do it themselves. I don't want to have any questions about me trying to cheat any buyer.
Any tips would be appreciated. Search function is down, or else I would have used that first.
Or should I not worry about it at all and let the buyer deal with the unlocking? The phone has zero account issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get a friends sim card and unlock the phone. Take a screen shot of it working with att and tmo and post both pics so the buyer is reassured that its actually unlocked. Once u unlock it, put ur tmo sim back in. It should work fine.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using XDA Premium HD app
So the unlock isn't restricted to the SIM? Once it's unlocked, it's then free and clear to use any sim you throw at it without needing the code?
craighwk said:
So the unlock isn't restricted to the SIM? Once it's unlocked, it's then free and clear to use any sim you throw at it without needing the code?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An IMEI unlock is permanent , similar to buying a " factory unlocked" device. Once its complete find a friend with a SimpleMobile ot ATT micro sim and take photos of the phone on both carriers and list it for sale.
Awesome. Thanks for the help!
Hi Everyone,
I've seen some posts about unlocking this but I'm curious as to whether I can unlock a T-Mobile branded phone purchased outright that has never been activated.
What have you all found to be the easiest way to unlock it? I've already reached out to TM via FB to no avail.
Let me know what you guys think.
Thanks!
Bootloader unlock is done via Motorola. To unlock your device for all carriers you must actively use the phone for 7 days. If you can't unlock it yourself after 7 days using the builtin app, then go in to a store. They can call in and help get it unlocked, but only after you've used the phone for 7 days.
papadelogan said:
Bootloader unlock is done via Motorola. To unlock your device for all carriers you must actively use the phone for 7 days. If you can't unlock it yourself after 7 days using the builtin app, then go in to a store. They can call in and help get it unlocked, but only after you've used the phone for 7 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, that is my question.
The phone is brand new - no sim. I'm trying to get it to a prepaid wireless service and need it unlocked to do so. What you're saying is that I would need to activate it for 7 days for the bootloader to work, correct?
Tmobile themselves offer unlocking but only after 40 days of service which is a no go in my current situation.
Thanks again for any help. No other programs or apps out there that can unlock it more quickly without the amount of work?
You guys are awesome!
ponzpo said:
Ok, that is my question.
The phone is brand new - no sim. I'm trying to get it to a prepaid wireless service and need it unlocked to do so. What you're saying is that I would need to activate it for 7 days for the bootloader to work, correct?
Tmobile themselves offer unlocking but only after 40 days of service which is a no go in my current situation.
Thanks again for any help. No other programs or apps out there that can unlock it more quickly without the amount of work?
You guys are awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. You are matching the two things together. Let me be a little bit simpler about this. All use different paragraph so you don't get confused.
BOOTLOADER unlock can be done about 1 minute after you buy the phone. You contact Motorola directly. Search this forum and you'll get tons of information on it
CARRIER Unlocking a T-Mobile phone to be able to use with any carrier can be done after 7 Days of use on a T-Mobile plan. If they recently bumped it up to 40 and that's what customer service told you, then go with that. I've been with them for a few years now and only needed 7 days, but then I was in the store working with one of the sales people and they called in about it. I may have gotten special consideration given the amount of time my wife has had an account with T-Mobile, but I did a carrier unlock after only 7 days.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
I picked up a New tmo z2 force and started it with prepaid. The prepaid balance has to be at least 100$ and active for 14 days before they will unlock it.
noXcape said:
I picked up a New tmo z2 force and started it with prepaid. The prepaid balance has to be at least 100$ and active for 14 days before they will unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that T-Mobile specific prepaid?
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Yes. Tmo prepaid
Also that's what the tmo rep told me. I still have like 10 days to wait...so I'll report back when it's done
Decided to call and try my luck with another rep. They escalated the unlock for me and did it with the hour.
Unlock app says permanently unlocked now!
You don't need to have it 7 days or whatever. Buy the phone full price, insert the tmobile sim, boot up and carrier unlock right away with the unlock app. Bootloader unlock is with motorola. That's it.
First, you need to activate your phone with a T-Mobile SIM card (you don't need to possess the SIM card, you can even borrow one for a few minutes) and a non-T-Mobile SIM to check if the phone is network locked.
You can check by following these steps:
1. Insert the “non-accepted SIM card” on the phone (Please check if your new SIM Card is activated, if not contact your Mobile Operator in order to activate it).
2. Wait for the phone to load
3. Insert the SIM’s PIN code (4 digits), if asked.
4. Read the message your phone displays, if you need the unlock code or to unlock via the Device Unlock App.
Mod Edit
Based on the message you have, you can contact T-Mobile again and ask them to unlock. Or you can use a third party unlocking service.
RossTeagan said:
First, you need to activate your phone with a T-Mobile SIM card (you don't need to possess the SIM card, you can even borrow one for a few minutes) and a non-T-Mobile SIM to check if the phone is network locked.
You can check by following these steps:
1. Insert the “non-accepted SIM card” on the phone (Please check if your new SIM Card is activated, if not contact your Mobile Operator in order to activate it).
2. Wait for the phone to load
3. Insert the SIM’s PIN code (4 digits), if asked.
4. Read the message your phone displays, if you need the unlock code or to unlock via the Device Unlock App.
Mod Edit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This doesnt work.. It says unlock failed.. tried permanent and temporary. Tmobile says theres an unpaid balance but the phones imei is not lost or stolen. The way to request an unlock is the previous owner and the imei # has to make a request. ugh and theres some dude who says he can do it for a fee (clean the imei) im trying to use this on metro and cannot because of the whole tmobile unpaid balance bullcrap
Correct me if I'm wrong. No T-Mobile phone is eligible for unlock unless it's paid off in full and remained on the network for 45 days after. I've unlocked plenty of them after they were paid off and this was almost always the case.
I unlocked my bootloader right after getting my phone. It's not paid off, as I upgraded via JUMP.
sabrdawg said:
I unlocked my bootloader right after getting my phone. It's not paid off, as I upgraded via JUMP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thinking the OP is talking about carrier unlock.
Check what your IMEI's status is in the T-Mobile network with their service here: https://www.t-mobile.com/verifyIMEI.aspx
Note that if the result doesn't with "Congratulations..." you might not be able to unlock your phone.
20degrees said:
Thinking the OP is talking about carrier unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, got it. It's tricky when "unlock" has multiple meanings, lol! In that case, no, you can't carrier unlock until your phone is paid off
I posted a similar question before I realised there was a thread already on this topic. Can anybody confirm that if you buy a tmo version from Motorola, then what are the conditions for having it unlocked? Is it $100 credit balance (for me that would add $100 to the cost) or immediately on insertion of a TMO SIM or some other conditions? Does anybody have any experiences they can report? Thanks
I can tell you I just tried getting a tmobile variant unlocked (375 outright, I have AT&T) and had a buddy with a tmobile account make the purchase and put his active sim in it and they would not unlock it. Stated it had to be on tmobile network for 40 days. He called multiple times and argued it's already paid off but they wouldn't budge. So I returned it. Had to eat a 50 fee for returning it. I chalk it to a lesson learned.
I was going to buy the phone from the Motorola website for $500 so $375 is a good deal. The problem is while I have a tmobile SIM card on a prepaid account I don't live in the US and while I'm travelling there soon I won't be on the network for 40 days. so I guess it won't be unlockable while I'm there and certainly not once I'm gone.
I wonder what the unlocking Services online are like? Has anybody had any experiences to relate
lchiu7 said:
I was going to buy the phone from the Motorola website for $500 so $375 is a good deal. The problem is while I have a tmobile SIM card on a prepaid account I don't live in the US and while I'm travelling there soon I won't be on the network for 40 days. so I guess it won't be unlockable while I'm there and certainly not once I'm gone.
I wonder what the unlocking Services online are like? Has anybody had any experiences to relate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is also a temp unlock through the unlock app. Still fully sim unlocked but for only a short time. Then if you do come back to the US for 40+ days you can try for the permanent unlock.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using XDA Labs
OK _ just got off both a phone call and chat session with TMO support. Basically the phone has to be on their network for 2 billing cycles and then you can call them to unlock it. That applies even apparently to the $3/month plan. I do have somebody who could do that but they would have to send the phone to me and I am not sure you can do that with its LiOn battery inside.