Develop Bugs

Root and Unlock SIM

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

WOOHOO Phone unlocked

I told att that my phone was bought off non contract
they unlocked it!

djarpit said:
I told att that my phone was bought off non contract
they unlocked it!
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Click to collapse
LOL, thats funny! You shouldn't have had to even do that - I've been told/and have read, that they will unlock as long as your account is in good standing with them Still though - thats good to hear you got unlocked!

Yea.... i (and many others, as it seems) simply went onto their online chat support, and asked if i could get the unlock code for my phone, just in case the need arises where i have to use a SIM from a different carrier. Took two tries talking to different people, but got it unlocked. I don't think they're quite as strict with the idea of keeping your phone tied to them until the contract is up with other phones as they are with the iPhone in particular.

i got the unlock code from the 1st chat with the rep no problem. i havent been able to get it unlocked because i dont have a different sim.
is it even possible to unlock if i leave the att sim in?

It should be fine.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

polobreaka said:
i got the unlock code from the 1st chat with the rep no problem. i havent been able to get it unlocked because i dont have a different sim.
is it even possible to unlock if i leave the att sim in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may be an awful roundabout way of doing it at this point, but maybe if you can get your hands on one of the earlier builds of CM10. There used to be an issue where on the first boot after installing CM10, the unlock code prompt would come up. Don't remember exactly when that was, though....

I sold my sgs2 when I bought my sgs3.
Wanted an unlock code and att refused. I explained that I wasn't trying to cancel my contract and just wanted to give it to my dad since I got a sgs3..
Att still refused but credited my account 150 for my trouble?!?! Haha
Worked for me!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

I've been with AT&T for years. IMHO, they are very helpful, and will usually compensate you for your trouble. Case in point: Found out that AT&T will give you a 15% discount on your bill, if you were honorably discharged from the service. They could not "back date" my discount, but gave me a $350.00 credit towards my next bill(bills). I'm staying with AT&T.:good:

Canadian carriers
Hey,
Does anyone know if Canadian carriers are able to give the unlock codes? (Rogers to be specific)
Thanks

djaswal said:
Hey,
Does anyone know if Canadian carriers are able to give the unlock codes? (Rogers to be specific)
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can, but they wont usually do it while under contract. They seem to like to push to let them do it (if you're at the store) and charge you 50 dollars. This has been my experience at least

grunt0300 said:
I've been with AT&T for years. IMHO, they are very helpful, and will usually compensate you for your trouble. Case in point: Found out that AT&T will give you a 15% discount on your bill, if you were honorably discharged from the service. They could not "back date" my discount, but gave me a $350.00 credit towards my next bill(bills). I'm staying with AT&T.:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fwiw they will give almost any one who is in college or a graduate of college a discount too. Just need a edu email. Used my alumni address. I can't remember if it is 5 or 10%. they have a website to register. I believe that you get business class service from the csrs.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

djaswal said:
Hey,
Does anyone know if Canadian carriers are able to give the unlock codes? (Rogers to be specific)
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My buddy world for Rogers and they're not allowed to give out the unlock codes. You might get lucky and get a rep who doesn't care, but if they got caught Thats it for them. I've been trying to con my buddy when i rolled with black berry. I found it was v chapter and effort to pay the $1 on eBay and get one. I'm not sure on the unlock process with the S3 though. Is it more complicated?
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

I didnt know having an unlocked phone was that big of a deal. Thank goodness I purchased mine as "unlocked" to begin with. I got lucky!!

GSM Phone unlocking - the easy way....
To get a SIM unlock, all you have to say is that you will be traveling overseas and you need the phone unlocked so you can use a GSM sim local to the places you will be going.
In general, it doesn't really matter much if the SIM is unlocked locally.
Now, if you want the phone unlocked for loading new OS's, the i747 usually does allow loading of other OS's such as CM10 and other Android versions. While the BootLoader is still locked, there are sites where you can get it unlocked. Albeit I hear that you will loose your DRM information because of it.
My son is in the Army and I had a new phone unlocked for him. I explained that he will be deployed and needed something for local GSM coverage, without suffering the costs of AT&T International roaming. Got it unlocked by AT&T in one call.
Just my experience and $.02...

Just spoke to AT&T a few hours ago. They gave me the unlock code for my old Captivate which I had upgraded to an SGS3 a week ago for my wife. I asked about unlocking my SGS3 (1 month old) and was told that they would be able to givw me the code after I had had the phone for 90 days. They also said that I could have only five phones unlocked every 12 months.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747

Unlocking question

I recently bought an AT&T note 4 to use with my Simple Mobile (Tmobile) service. When I requested the unlock code from AT&T, it was denied because the previous owner still had payments to make on their service. So my question is will one of the paid unlocking services be able to provide the unlock code, and if so, is there a particular service that is recommended. A general search returns a vast number of different services with a broad range of fees.
Thanks in advance.

I have never used the service, but I see www.cellunlocker.net mentioned a lot. Worth emailing/calling them. They should guarantee their code works.

twithers said:
I recently bought an AT&T note 4 to use with my Simple Mobile (Tmobile) service. When I requested the unlock code from AT&T, it was denied because the previous owner still had payments to make on their service. So my question is will one of the paid unlocking services be able to provide the unlock code, and if so, is there a particular service that is recommended. A general search returns a vast number of different services with a broad range of fees.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More than likely they would not be able to do so as I am going through the same issue. Mine was denied by ATT and im currently going through a unlocking service but it doesn't look good. Ill keep you posted.

I tried a service called unlocunit.com this morning and I actually received an unlock code a few minutes ago. I haven't been able to try the code yet since I'm at work, but I paid $32 and they gave me the code, so maybe it will work for anyone else in the same situation.

ya i got a code for $25 form www.cellunlocker.net and it did not work for me. They are currently working to unlock it but dont know if i will be resolved if ATT cant do it

What I found out was that the ebay seller that I bought the phone off of is the original owner and I have to have him call ATT and he has to let them know that he sold the phone to me and then they can unlock it. @twithers did you try your unlock code???

I got my unlock code from
www.swiftunlocks.com
It worked, gave me the unlocked message but I haven't used it with another sim provider so I can't say it works for sure, I just did it to test and for fun, I'm stuck with at&t until I can pay all the installments ??

Unlocking Phone??? Totally Impossible?? YUP!!

If anyone can read this, this is a fact. Sprint will NOT unlock a Samsung Note 4. I have one, its paid off, i called numerous times to have it unlocked as they told me its unlockable approved. They give me a lot of non-sense, connect me with different people, the first 3 reps will say YES, the fourth will say NO. Why does Sprint not unlock my phone if its paid off. It's quite mind-racking and confusing. Anyone have any advice on this matter??? P.S THE CODE 104953 DOES NOT WORK....so MOVE ON!!!

I know they can and will unlock the sim for international use. You just have to tell them you are travelling to another country and want to pay for temporary service from a carrier in that country. they have to unlock the sim for that purpose. As for unlocking the sim for use on U.S. gsm networks i don't know about that one. I'm sure it can be done with the right tools but sprint doesn't offer this and most tech employees haven't a clue how to do it because it's not officially supported by sprint in the first place. Only international sim unlock can be achieved with the help of sprint. This is in their terms of service!

RickyDiamonds said:
If anyone can read this, this is a fact. Sprint will NOT unlock a Samsung Note 4. I have one, its paid off, i called numerous times to have it unlocked as they told me its unlockable approved. They give me a lot of non-sense, connect me with different people, the first 3 reps will say YES, the fourth will say NO. Why does Sprint not unlock my phone if its paid off. It's quite mind-racking and confusing. Anyone have any advice on this matter??? P.S THE CODE 104953 DOES NOT WORK....so MOVE ON!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just bought a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 with Sprint and was able to get it unlocked. I have AT&T service now and use a sprint Note 4 on it. No Sprint did not unlock it for me I paid idone.apps $40 to do it and sure enough it worked. The only issue I have had is my data speeds. My phone currently only allows a 3G data connection. I am currently looking for a solution however, it's not that slow so I may just keep it as is.
Here's the link to his page:
http://idoneapps.com/index.php?os=android

+1 for idoneapps
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Yeah they will unlock it for international use (it even works on all compatible US carriers too I was told when I asked). I it easy just go here (https://sprintworldwide.custhelp.com/app/chat/chat_launch/?ECID=vanity:swwsupport) feel out the page. You should be in touch with someone not long after and a few minutes later they will unlock your phone and tell you to restart your phone if it doesn't do it itself (mine did it itself)

Unlocking Moto Z 2 Force - Tmobile

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.