Develop Bugs

Sim Unlock Method for T999L (LTE version) (4.1.2 Only)

I didnt see this on the other thread about sim unlock for the original t-mobile S3 so my apologies if this method has been posted before.
I have tested this on SGH-T999L aka theLTE version of the S3 for T-Mobile. I did this on 4.1.2 and it will more likely not work on 4.3. I havent tested it on T999N (Metro PCS version) but if someone does and it works, let us know
1. Go to https://towelroot.com/ and download towelroot. Install it and run it. Now you are rooted.
2. Install RegionLock Away
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2470551
3. Run it and grant root and reboot and now you are unlocked.
Optional step
4. Update through Kies to 4.3 and it will work despite being rooted (Device Status shows "Official" if rooted through towelroot). Update fails if you do it through the settings so this is the only to update besides odin/flashing
I test it an AT&T Straight Talk and everything was working with LTE

Thanks! I had run Region Lock Away to confirm it was safe to try a while back, but was never able to test if it actually SIM unlocked the device. If it worked on 4.1.2, I think there is a good chance it would also work on 4.3. This needs confirmation though.
Also, SIM unlocking is permanent, so it should remain unlocked regardless of how you update or if you flash any custom roms.

It may also be possible to unlock 4.3 this way, I suggested a couple people to try this but they never replied with any feedback so don't know if it worked or not. This method works on the S4 with 4.3 but I think you have to downgrade the modem if I remember correctly, or it may only be needed for 4.4.2. The same might apply here

I am guessing that you need to have a stock based ROM. I attempted it with Carbon ROM and got "Could not locate CSC data!"

Yup, gotta be stock to unlock, whether you are using a dialer code or any other methods.

DocHoliday77 said:
Yup, gotta be stock to unlock, whether you are using a dialer code or any other methods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, StockMod or S3Rx should work?

Not sure tbh. The dialer has to be unmodified stock. And I'm not certain if one of the system apps like keystring or factoryapp, or one of the others would be needed. Some custom roms debloated these, not sure about those two. (They probably didnt, but I can't say for sure. ) you could try it, but if it doesn't take, try flashing stock with Odin. Root66 should be ok if you do

DocHoliday77 said:
Not sure tbh. The dialer has to be unmodified stock. And I'm not certain if one of the system apps like keystring or factoryapp, or one of the others would be needed. Some custom roms debloated these, not sure about those two. (They probably didnt, but I can't say for sure. ) you could try it, but if it doesn't take, try flashing stock with Odin. Root66 should be ok if you do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll give it a try just to see if it works and give feedback,

The patch returns with Successful on S3Rx. I will have to wait til I get home to test it with another Sim card to see if it actually works.

DocHoliday77 said:
Thanks! I had run Region Lock Away to confirm it was safe to try a while back, but was never able to test if it actually SIM unlocked the device. If it worked on 4.1.2, I think there is a good chance it would also work on 4.3. This needs confirmation though.
Also, SIM unlocking is permanent, so it should remain unlocked regardless of how you update or if you flash any custom roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does not work on 4.3 build NC1.
I get a hold of alot of phones and work at cell phone repair shop so i always try to find ways to unlock them instead of wasting money on unlock codes. On the S4 you have to downgrade the modem and sometimes roms on 4.3/4.4 to unlocked them. So if we can downgrade the modem, i think we can unlock on 4.3.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

Well, it wont brick, but downgrading the modem simply just doesnt work. No signal or anything. That's why the free unlock no longer works on 4.3.

kali323 said:
So if we can downgrade the modem, i think we can unlock on 4.3.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try it, I know downgrading modem to unlock works with the S4 but don't know about the S3, we haven't found anyone willing to do it, or provide the feedback
edit: well I meant unlocking with regionunlock

kali323 said:
1. Go to https://towelroot.com/ and download towelroot. Install it and run it. Now you are rooted.
2. Install RegionLock Away http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2470551
3. Run it and grant root and reboot and now you are unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm it works. Thanx. I just followed your steps and unlocked my cousin's S3 T999 running:
Stock Android 4.1.2
Baseband T999UVDMD5

[Q] SGH-M919 Modem/BootLoader Question

Hey Everyone,
I'm currently running a Knox (Warranty VOID) bootloader, and M919UVUFNB4 Modem Firmware/Baseband on a Rooted T-Mobile SGH-M919 Galaxy S4, Running 5.0.1. Sometimes I get Emergency Calls Only/Insert Sim, and the only thing fixing this is a reboot.
I'm looking to update the Modem to Fix the Issue.
I Need a recommendation as to which Modem/Bootloader or Both do I need, that you know for a fact works.
What do I load 1st BootLoader or Modem and How to do both?
Sorry for Noob Question. Just don't want to screw things up.
Thanks.

Keep in mind that the SGH-M919 (Android 4.4.4 - M919UVUFNB4) has a restricted bootloader.
Can anyone else provide the steps on flashing the bootloader that would allow the OP to either upgrade ONLY the bootloader to Android 4.4.4 (M919UVUFNH7) or downgrade to Android 4.2.2 (M919UVUAMDL)?
I am particularly interested in how one would flash the bootloader to an older version; specifically, Android 4.2.2. (M919UVUAMDL).

No Sim detected after flashing Custom ROM

Hey guys... Been a LONG time since messing with an S3, and I don't want to brick it... SO, figured I'd reach out and ask before doing anything...
I downgraded a friend's S3 to UVDLJC to sim unlock it and it seemed to work fine on stock ROM. I then rooted the rom, flashed TWRP and factory reset the device and then flashed a custom ROM (this version is SlimKat but I had tried CM13 as well.. both have the same issue, no SIM detected)...
Anyway, I assume that it is a modem/radio issue and I should just be able to flash the modem firmware and be fine.. Problem I'm having is I'm not sure what to use... The phone is a T-999L Which, as I understand it, is the LTE GS3, but the software that was on it was based on the non LTE version (not sure if I'm correct about this)...
Anyway, looking to get this phone working for the friend's daughter (it was supposed to be a christmas present )...
Any and all help is appreciated.
Additional Info:
Phone model is T-999L
Boot loader is T999UVDLJC
Build version reports 4.4.4
Rom is currently SlimKat
Unified tools reports model as SGH-T999, type as d2tmo
Not sure what other info can help, but happy to provide.

RBThompsonV said:
Hey guys... Been a LONG time since messing with an S3, and I don't want to brick it... SO, figured I'd reach out and ask before doing anything...
I downgraded a friend's S3 to UVDLJC to sim unlock it and it seemed to work fine on stock ROM. I then rooted the rom, flashed TWRP and factory reset the device and then flashed a custom ROM (this version is SlimKat but I had tried CM13 as well.. both have the same issue, no SIM detected)...
Anyway, I assume that it is a modem/radio issue and I should just be able to flash the modem firmware and be fine.. Problem I'm having is I'm not sure what to use... The phone is a T-999L Which, as I understand it, is the LTE GS3, but the software that was on it was based on the non LTE version (not sure if I'm correct about this)...
Anyway, looking to get this phone working for the friend's daughter (it was supposed to be a christmas present )...
Any and all help is appreciated.
Additional Info:
Phone model is T-999L
Boot loader is T999UVDLJC
Build version reports 4.4.4
Rom is currently SlimKat
Unified tools reports model as SGH-T999, type as d2tmo
Not sure what other info can help, but happy to provide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin'ed back to LJC original firmware... still shows no Sim card.

The latest custom ROMs require the latest bootloader and modem to function properly so the phone probably needs an update. Once the phone is running a 4.3 or higher bootloader means the bootloader cannot be downgraded in the future.
I don't see the LJC firmware for the T999L: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-T999L/
I see LJC for teh T999: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-T999/

audit13 said:
The latest custom ROMs require the latest bootloader and modem to function properly so the phone probably needs an update. Once the phone is running a 4.3 or higher bootloader means the bootloader cannot be downgraded in the future.
I don't see the LJC firmware for the T999L: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-T999L/
I see LJC for teh T999: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SGH-T999/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm thinking the phone is a T999, not a T999L. In my best estimation, the motherboard was swapped to a T999L case/screen. The sticker shows T-999L, the phone reports T-999. Additionally, under settings, the IMEI differs from the IMEI reported on the sticker. (Neither He, nor I was the original owner of the phone... so who knows it's history... For all I know, I really am working with a T-999L and someone flashed a different IMEI (worst case scenario I guess).
Is there any way to know for absolute sure? and should I go ahead and just flash 4.3? is there any downside to doing it other than that the boot loader can't be rolled back afterwards?

Personally, I would go by the model # shown with the phone in download mode.
Did it ever detect a sim card after unlocking restoring to stock?

It detected a sim when we got it (on 4.1.2), it detected a sim when i downgraded to 4.1.1, it detected a sim when i unlocked the sim, it did not detect a sim after flashing CM13, it did not detect a sim on SlimKat, and now it does not detect a sim after 4.1.1 (flashed via Odin) (LJC) and Download mode shows T-999 (NOT T-999L).
audit13 said:
Personally, I would go by the model # shown with the phone in download mode.
Did it ever detect a sim card after unlocking restoring to stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

The 4.1.1 firmware came from sammobile? The baseband under settings is also LJC?

audit13 said:
The 4.1.1 firmware came from sammobile? The baseband under settings is also LJC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct and correct.

This is bizarre because I don't understand why it would suddenly stop working. Did it say SGH-T999 on the download screen before flashing to 4.1.1?
I assume the stock ROM boots without issue?
Also try this: download and install the Samsung Phone Info from the play store to confirm the bootloader and baseband currently on the phone.
When flashing from a custom ROM to stock 4.1.1, did you perform a factory wipe?

audit13 said:
This is bizarre because I don't understand why it would suddenly stop working. Did it say SGH-T999 on the download screen before flashing to 4.1.1?
I assume the stock ROM boots without issue?
Also try this: download and install the Samsung Phone Info from the play store to confirm the bootloader and baseband currently on the phone.
When flashing from a custom ROM to stock 4.1.1, did you perform a factory wipe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock rom boots without issue...
Yes i did a factory wipe between flashes. (Although, first flash of CM13 I did not, it ran weird, i rebooted, factory reset, flashed again then it worked fine minus the sim card issue).
Phone Info confirms SGH-T999, type: d2tmo
Boot loader: T999UVDLJC, Baseband: T999UVDLJC

Not sure what else to suggest other than reflashing the LJC ROM and performing a factory wipe from stock recovery before the phone's first boot of LJC.

audit13 said:
Not sure what else to suggest other than reflashing the LJC ROM and performing a factory wipe from stock recovery before the phone's first boot of LJC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope...no go.

Hmm, I'm out of suggestions because you did everything I would do other than either flashing the latest stock 4.3 since the phone is now sim unlocked or running OTA updates. on a stock ROM.
The sim card in the phone works properly in another phone? Is it possible the sim reader was damaged in some manner? I know it can happen when using micro/nano sim card adapters.

audit13 said:
Hmm, I'm out of suggestions because you did everything I would do other than either flashing the latest stock 4.3 since the phone is now sim unlocked or running OTA updates. on a stock ROM.
The sim card in the phone works properly in another phone? Is it possible the sim reader was damaged in some manner? I know it can happen when using micro/nano sim card adapters.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh... adapters is a good suggestion. Yes, when I originally unlocked the phone, I used an adapter as my sim is a nano sim... Whats the damage look like? and is it fixable? I'm assuming just bent pins?
Is flashing an LTE Rom a possible solution? or is that a hard brick result?

You could try flashing TWRP and an older build of CM that will work with a 4.1.1 bootloader and modem just to see if the sim card is detected.
The metal housing on top of the sim pins is difficult to remove so it may be easier to just buy a replacement sim/sd card reader.

audit13 said:
You could try flashing TWRP and an older build of CM that will work with a 4.1.1 bootloader and modem just to see if the sim card is detected.
The metal housing on top of the sim pins is difficult to remove so it may be easier to just buy a replacement sim/sd card reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The posts aren't real specific... do you know which CM is 4.1.1 friendly?

I would try the latest cm10 or cm10.1.
https://download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=d2tmo&type=snapshot

dang you rock @audit13. as always :thumbup: , aint enuff. happy good new year for you and yours sir.
"all i can really do is stay out of my own way and let the will of heaven be done"

Any luck getting the phone to recognize the sim card?
@mrrocketdog, thanks

audit13 said:
Any luck getting the phone to recognize the sim card?
@mrrocketdog, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the delayed response... Yes, I finally got it to recognize (last night) ordered a new sim card tray.. interesting way to mount it by the way...
Anyway, seems as if the guess at the adapter damaging the original was correct... new one seems to be good to go.

SGH-M919N

Hi. i have a Galaxy S4 SGH-M919N version 4.2.2 From Metro PCS.
I live in Denmark. I cannot use the phone here because it's locked to Metro PCS' network
So how can i unlock it?
Can i install the latest U.S. firmware for the phone, or is there any way to install a Nordic firmware through Odin?
If there are any Nordic Firmwares for the phone that are compatible with this phone i would be so thrilled if you would share the solution with me.
:fingers-crossed:

You can just try calling MetroPCS for an unlock code, which they should give if the phone meets the requirements:
https://www.metropcs.com/terms-conditions/phone-unlock-policy.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Unlock-a-MetroPCS-Phone
Since you're on 4.2.2 I believe there might be another way to do it, maybe try
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2283068
or
http://www.brainchamber.com/2013/10/14/sim-unlock-galaxy-s4-t-mobile-sgh-m919-att-sgh-i337/

I have a small problem. I by mistake upgraded to 4.4.4 KitKat
And all i can find on the internet is version 4.3
Are there any chance that you know where i can find the 4.2.2 firmware for my phone again so that i can downgrade it through odin.
I think that theres a difference between the SGH-M919 and the SGH-m919N versions.
I tried to enter the system menu by dialing *#0011# but the menu that shows up are not the right one, then i tried to write Q1 instead, then i got into the UMTS menu but when i try to do changes it goes right back to the main screen.

Patrickhtx53 said:
I have a small problem. I by mistake upgraded to 4.4.4 KitKat
And all i can find on the internet is version 4.3
Are there any chance that you know where i can find the 4.2.2 firmware for my phone again so that i can downgrade it through odin.
I think that theres a difference between the SGH-M919 and the SGH-m919N versions.
I tried to enter the system menu by dialing *#0011# but the menu that shows up are not the right one, then i tried to write Q1 instead, then i got into the UMTS menu but when i try to do changes it goes right back to the main screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you'll be able to downgrade because 4.4.4 likely has a knox bootloader, but I could be wrong. I personally have a T-Mobile M919 but am assuming hardware is same.
Perhaps try setting up a US-based VOIP number via google voice or ring.to or the like, and try calling MetroPCS for the code during business hours. As long as the phone was originally used on their service for 90 days you should be ok.

I searched the internet, and for what i can see the SGH-M919N came with 4.2.2 so any chance that you or anyone else in here know where i can get the 4.2.2 stock rom? Will it maybe help to flash a custom rom to my phone, will that remove the network limits?

And by the way. YOu wrote that i couldn't downgrade because of the Knox Bootloader, if i can manage to root my phone Knox will automatically be deactivated on the phone, shouldn't it then be possible to downgrade?

Patrickhtx53 said:
And by the way. YOu wrote that i couldn't downgrade because of the Knox Bootloader, if i can manage to root my phone Knox will automatically be deactivated on the phone, shouldn't it then be possible to downgrade?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Knox won't be deactivated; it will be "tripped" and you can never go back to "untripped" knox. But that won't matter; the thing is, your Bootloader now has Knox, and as I understand it, you cannot downgrade from a Knox bootloader to a non-knox bootloader. Doing so will possibly brick the phone. I'm fairly certain about this..
Knox won't affect your ability to unlock the phone in the traditional way (i.e. getting the unlock code from the original carrier). Honestly, you should just try calling MetroPCS first, if you can get an unlock code that way then you won't have to worry about any of this other stuff.
You can also just buy an unlock code for like $14 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unlock-Code...-M819N-SGH-T599N-T399N-MetroPCS-/221595996855 which is worth it if you're going to spend more than an hour trying to figure this out. Because I assume an hour of your time is worth more than $14
If you want to do things the hard way, this forum likely contains all the knowledge you need to figure out how to solve your problem. Just do some searching in general, Q&A, and development sections.

I need 4.1.1 firmware for Koodo i-317M

Hello guys,
For some reason, my phone shows that my SIM is locked ( I was on RR 6.0). I need to flash the 4.1.1 firmware for Koodo to unlock the SIM.
Can anyone send me a link for this firmware?
Thank you!

You don't need Koodo to unlock the sim. Just flash the stock LJ2 firmware with Odin and use the dialler menu to permanently network unlock the phone.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2014982
Maybe this will work: http://rapidgator.net/file/0207e341...yos.com/samsung-galaxy-note-2-stock-firmware/

I know it's been a long time, but did this procedure actually WORK? AFAIK, Koodo Note 2s never came with less than KitKat, and we all know that Samsung has blocked downgrading though its bootloader starting then.
The reason I ask is I'm looking for a spare phone for mine as a backup and can't seem to find one on which I can load my Jellybean 4.1.2 CM based phone image.

Well this an interesting post, I have a similar problem, I have 2 exact Note 2 phones one with custom firmware (4.1.1) one without, I would like to copy/clone the stock firmware to my other (as I somehow managed to delete the stock firmware on it)
Now I have made a backup with TWRP and copied it to the other phone but TWRP refuses to install it, it tries to install and gets most of the way but at the very end I get the 255 error "install failed"
Why can't I copy/ install this backup?
Do I need to to use some other recovery software or make a backup some other way.
Thanks

Old faithful said:
I know it's been a long time, but did this procedure actually WORK? AFAIK, Koodo Note 2s never came with less than KitKat, and we all know that Samsung has blocked downgrading though its bootloader starting then.
The reason I ask is I'm looking for a spare phone for mine as a backup and can't seem to find one on which I can load my Jellybean 4.1.2 CM based phone image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The note 2 sgh-i317m was used by Telus, Rogers, and Bell.
This downgrade method works. I've used it to network unlock four note 2 models.
The stock 4.1.1 firmware from sammobile.com did not contain a bootloader file which allowed me to flash it using Odin on a phone running a stock 4.4.2 rom.

audit13 said:
The note 2 sgh-i317m was used by Telus, Rogers, and Bell.
This downgrade method works. I've used it to network unlock four note 2 models.
The stock 4.1.1 firmware from sammobile.com did not contain a bootloader file which allowed me to flash it using Odin on a phone running a stock 4.4.2 rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, if this really works it's going to solve all my problems. Are you saying you can flash the 4.1.x ROM on top of the the 4.4.2 bootloader (presumably one could deselect the bootloader from the 4.1.x ROM if it was included - sorry I'm quite rusty at this, haven't used Odin in years), so that the phone may be running ICS or JB despite having a 4.4.2 encrypted (locked) bootloader?
The idea is being able to load Clockworkmod recovery and from it, the rooted 4.1.2 backup on my external sd card...
Sorry if it's been asked before and if I may be confused - Thing is, I haven't done this type of tweaking in 5 years

I could flash a stock 4.1.1 ROM from sammobile.com on top of a stock 4.4.2 ROM because the stock 4.1.1 ROM didn't contain a bootloader. I did this to use the menu method to network unlock the sgh-i317m; however, the phone cannot stay on a stock 4.1.1 ROM with a 4.4.2 bootloader because the phone cannot connect to a cellular network with this 4.1.1 ROM/4.4.2 bootloader combination. After I unlocked the phone, I either re-flashed a stock 4.4.2 ROM or a new custom ROM.
The bootloader on the Canadian Note 2 was never locked the way it was with some USA carriers.

audit13 said:
The bootloader on the Canadian Note 2 was never locked the way it was with some USA carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying the Koodo/Rogers.... 4.4.2 Note 2 bootloader is NOT locked on our phones, ergo, that I could downgrade to 4.1.1 including its bootloader successfully?! If so I'm set, I could purchase a used one on kijiji and simply reload my old Bell based ROM backup on it I simply look for a way to load my 5 year old Rooted ROM onto a newer version of the phone. I have on it apps that won't run on 4.4.2 that I sorely miss on my tablet (which runs 4.4.4)

The bootloader is not locked which allows for the installation of TWRP and cwm but it cannot be downgraded.

audit13 said:
The bootloader is not locked which allows for the installation of TWRP and cwm but it cannot be downgraded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In other words it does allow for installing the 4.1.1 ROM for unlocking the phone, but it can't can't actually be used with the 4.1.1 ROM... What if I simply reinstalled the 4.4.2 modem, wouldn't that work?
I now I'm asking quite a lot - but in my case if I haven't been able to find a used phone that hadn't been at some point 'upgraded' and consequently became shackled (I've been looking for over a year now) in which case I might as well mourn it and move on to a new phone and start the fight for freedom all over again Honestly, I've grown tired of having to fight for the basic right of ownership against the relentless push for slavery that is the general trend in technology, to force people away from freedom of using the software they prefer and force them into a system where they must follow the dictates of corporate giants so perfectly exemplified by the cell phone, computer and browser based service industry.
Like Frederick Douglass famously said "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never had and never will"... In other words if you want freedom and true control, you MUST FIGHT the providers and the manufacturers whose prime interest is to keep you enslaved

Installing the 4.4.2 modem will install but the stock 4.1.1 dialer doesn't work with a 4.4.2 modem and 4.4.2 bootloader from what I recall. It's been a long time since I had a note 2.