[Q] Unlock USA Phone - Make a call? - Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking

Hi guys. I'm about to purchase a phone in Amazon (Samsung-Galaxy-G900M-Unlocked-Phone -can't post the link-) and the seller specified that in order to use it outside the US I have to make a 20 minute call while still in american soil. Is this absolutely necessary? I'm delivering the phone to a friend's hotel (he's on holiday there) and I wouldn't want to make him go through all the hassle of buying a prepaid sim-card and have him call some number for 20 minutes.
Thanks!

Related

Is there a way to unlock the LG Incite??

Hi,
I need to unlock an LG Incite (CT810) phone sim locked to at&t.
any body??
a code from at&t is needed to unlock your phone, the easiest way to do this is to call customer support on the terms of "international travel and prepaid sim cards"
Danni3 said:
a code from at&t is needed to unlock your phone, the easiest way to do this is to call customer support on the terms of "international travel and prepaid sim cards"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, is there a certain strategy to do so.
does this also mean that i can turn my contract into a prepaid account using this approach, I'm indeed going to travel for a long period (maybe 6 months)..??
thanks
If you poke around on eBay you can get a code in a couple hours for the price of around $5. I guess it depends on what your time is worth. I decided to give up a few bucks rather than waste a lot of time on the phone with AT&T, or searching the internet. The ct810 Incite is phone specific also when unlocking. This means there is not one code to unlock all Incites.
I buy the phone from Amazon, and i don't want to activate the line (i still didn't) ... will that cause any problems ??
if yes, can i activate the phone, then due to traveling abroad i convert the contract to prepaid account??
I once bought a prepaid package and i never activated the line... and the telephone still works till now without problems.. i'm not sure if this is the case with contract phones too ..
will the universal sim unlocker (here in the forum) work on the incite?
As here we dedicate only to HTC devices you won't get too much attention.
better to try here:
http://cellphoneforums.net/lg/
Good luck,

Note 3 overseas use

Hi Guys
I have a questions if anyone can help me out. I am with verizon and looking to jump ship to t-mobile. I travel extensively overseas to london due to work commitment ( almost every second month for 7-10 days) and they company want me to use the local sim cards.
I have a trip coming up at end of this month, does t-mobile phone unlocked for overseas use from the box like verizon ? or do i have to wait a certain time before i can unlock the phone for overseas use ? I understand t-mobile is sim-locked but does that also apply to overseas providers ?
KgTheraad1 said:
Hi Guys
I have a questions if anyone can help me out. I am with verizon and looking to jump ship to t-mobile. I travel extensively overseas to london due to work commitment ( almost every second month for 7-10 days) and they company want me to use the local sim cards.
I have a trip coming up at end of this month, does t-mobile phone unlocked for overseas use from the box like verizon ? or do i have to wait a certain time before i can unlock the phone for overseas use ? I understand t-mobile is sim-locked but does that also apply to overseas providers ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use the device on your T-Mobile line for 40 days and call in to get it unlocked. A stock T-Mobile N900T is carrier locked even if you throw use a foreign SIM, so get it unlocked.
Actually t-mobile has great international plans, check the details, but it is very reasonable and you can call US for free as long as you're on WiFi (and don't receive any calls). After 40 days, they will unlock it for you anyhow and I'm not sure how it works if you pay COD, in theory your phone would be yours and they should unlock it right away.
You can unlock it yourself see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2471742here
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app

No Calls on O2

Hi
Just upgraded from a Note 8 4G to a Galaxy S 10.5 LTE ( might I add this is the Octa-Core version and not a 2.3 Quadcore )
Anyway...my number has been transferred to the new sim as mine was a bit butchered when I used it in a micro sim slot and I get Data SMS and no Calls as of yet....there may be a longer delay in getting voice calls from and too this device but thought I would ask if anyone knows if this is blocked on purpose.
It has to be thee best screen ive ever seen plus 8 cores and 3 gig ram....fantastic spec!!! but I need it to make calls or it has to go back
Can anyone shed any light on this
if my SMS has been enabled does this mean Voice calls should have been, my tarrif specifies 0 minutes but surely I could clock up a small bill each month if i needed to make some calls..even the guys in the o2 shop said it will make calls??
Please help as i am loving this tablet!!!
Thanks
Lee
This must have something to do with your carrier. I have a Tab S 10.5 LTE (in Australia) and it makes calls perfectly. Take it in to O2 and ask them why it's not working.
I'm also on O2 with the same issue.
From what someone told me in another thread. It's down to the tariff, not the Tablet. O2 just haven't enabled calls for the sim.
Melnificent said:
I'm also on O2 with the same issue.
From what someone told me in another thread. It's down to the tariff, not the Tablet. O2 just haven't enabled calls for the sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mines going back tomorow...they told me in shop it would make calls....
Also what o2 do is split your bill so an amount pays for your device and the other amount pays for your tarrif....if they cant change this its going back
gutted!!
Calling, MMS, and data use require the tablet to be registered on a smartphone plan; at least here in the U.S. Cheaper "tablet" plans only support data.
You could always contact them in the morning and get calls enabled.
You won't get no voice calls on o2 tablet contracts. Text and Internet only.

How to unlock att s9 to use with another carrier?

What is the proper procedure to unlock an att s9 to use with another carrier?
Thanks.
Just to clarify. This phone was purchased from Samsung directly with the new $150 discount for Att branded phones.
RossTeagan said:
So the phone is bought from samsung but lock on att?
Try the following to check if your phone is network locked be sure you really need to unlock it (otherwise, I don't think you need to unlock it).
1. Insert a GSM SIM card from another network (a non-AT&T SIM, liek Cricket ot T-Mobile)
2. Try placing a call
If your phone manages to connect and make the call with this other SIM card, then you won't need to unlock it, as it's already unlocked. And if the phone is locked, I recommend you check with AT&T, given that this phone is not tight to a contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the phone yet (2 more days,) but I did an extensive Google search, and it seems like this particular phone will be sim locked. It's paid off outright, no contract or anything, but there were several heavy discounts like $150 off msrp and another $150 off for trading in S6.
My Google search gave me two possible options -
1) Talk to ATT and ask to unlock,
2) Use an unlock site, like DeviceUnlock, pay 20-50 dollars for them to obtain and send an unlock code to you.
As for #1, I saw a post where a guy complained that talking to ATT and Samsung was useless to him in a similar situation - each company sent him to the other one to get it unlocked, so he got nowhere with this option.
Also, I saw a few posts that said that a locked phone may have to be activated on ATT first and used for up to 40 days before ATT will unlock it for you. What would happen with this Samsung bought phone though?
And for #2, I just don't know how this kind of business works - you send them IMEI and the locked carrier info, pay money, and a few days later, they send you an unlock code that you can enter yourself.
Is it safe? How does it work exactly? What if there's a problem because the IMEI is not actually registered on ATT because the phone was sold by Samsung?
I have many more questions, just because I don't know what I am talking about, but the bottom line is this. What should I do?
Thanks.
AS your phone is paid off and there is no contract on it, you should stick with your first option: ask att to unlock it but as you said you will need an activated phone, so you will need to activate the phone with att, however, you should go to them immediately and not wait for 40 days. While Samsung locked the phone, the actual company who controls the lock and who has authority of unlocking it att. So don't let them fool you to go search the code somewhere else.
Also, there is a law in the US that forces operators to unlock your phone if there are no debts or contract on your device. So keep that in mind.
Regarding third parties, they are a shortcut and you just have to provide them the devices IMEI and network lock. They, in turn, will look for the unlocking code for you. And if there are issues, as you said, I think you can ask for a refund (so if you decide to go for such a service, first make sure they have a money back guarantee).
TLDR Go with att, they should (have to) provide the unlock for you
Hi nabbed,
did you manage to unlock it?
what did you do in the end?
Giskardors said:
Hi nabbed,
did you manage to unlock it?
what did you do in the end?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called ATT, spoke to tech support. The tech said that since I had no history/account with ATT, they had to make one to verify that the phone IMEI was clean. He created a new account - name, address, phone, email, imei etc info. He created a support ticket (and gave me its number) for sim unlock. He said that I should receive an email within 48 hours that would either tell me that I cannot unlock or will come with the unlock code (if it is decided that I should be able to unlock.)
I tried using their default web service for getting an unlock https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/unlockstep1 but that thing doesn't work - the Next button cannot be clicked.
If unsuccessful, I am considering going and talking to a retail ATT store representative directly. They probably don't know much, but perhaps they can be more convincing on the phone with ATT.
Third option is trying one of the unlock websites.
So I had to do this with my S9, same kind of situation as you (I have T-Mobile service, received an AT&T locked device).
As you know, the web portal won't work. AT&T never entered your IMEI in their database, so as far as THEY are concerned, your phone doesn't exist.
Call tier 2/advanced tech support and have them create a case with the Device Unlock Team. GET A CONFIRMATION NUMBER. You should receive an email confirming that the case was made.
48-72 hours later, you SHOULD have an unlock code. Should. This is AT&T, and they don't know their ass from their elbow. It took me 2 weeks.
Device unlock services didn't work, as the IMEI has to be in AT&T's database for it to work correctly. They'll just (hopefully) refund your money when it fails.
Don't go into an AT&T store. As a former AT&T retail employee, I can guarantee you, those employees are dumber than a bag of wet hammers, and have no way of helping you with this, whatsoever. In addition, since you're not BUYING anything, they're not going to help too much even if they could.
Good luck. It will work for you eventually.
entropism said:
So I had to do this with my S9, same kind of situation as you (I have T-Mobile service, received an AT&T locked device).
As you know, the web portal won't work. AT&T never entered your IMEI in their database, so as far as THEY are concerned, your phone doesn't exist.
Call tier 2/advanced tech support and have them create a case with the Device Unlock Team. GET A CONFIRMATION NUMBER. You should receive an email confirming that the case was made.
48-72 hours later, you SHOULD have an unlock code. Should. This is AT&T, and they don't know their ass from their elbow. It took me 2 weeks.
Device unlock services didn't work, as the IMEI has to be in AT&T's database for it to work correctly. They'll just (hopefully) refund your money when it fails.
Don't go into an AT&T store. As a former AT&T retail employee, I can guarantee you, those employees are dumber than a bag of wet hammers, and have no way of helping you with this, whatsoever. In addition, since you're not BUYING anything, they're not going to help too much even if they could.
Good luck. It will work for you eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
The tech guy didn't say what kind of a support ticket he created. It may have been a general support ticket, or maybe he referred me to the unlock team directly, I don't know. He seemed like he understood perfectly what I needed. Anyway, the ticket format is like this - cm10230128_122673352, does that look right?
I have received an email confirmation that the call was made, but not that the case was created yet. The call ended at 5:30pm CDT on a Friday night, so maybe it would take until Monday to get a confirmation?
nabbed said:
Thanks.
The tech guy didn't say what kind of a support ticket he created. It may have been a general support ticket, or maybe he referred me to the unlock team directly, I don't know. He seemed like he understood perfectly what I needed. Anyway, the ticket format is like this - cm10230128_122673352, does that look right?
I have received an email confirmation that the call was made, but not that the case was created yet. The call ended at 5:30pm CDT on a Friday night, so maybe it would take until Monday to get a confirmation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe it will take up to tuesday. That's the limit
Im going to the US for 2 weeks, I dont know if i'll be able to unlock it on time, but If I order it I'll get it on the 2nd week.
I really hope you can unlock it!
Keep us updated
Update:
Got the unlock code in an email. The instructions say "Please allow 24 hours upon receipt of this notification to complete the unlock process." Not sure what that means, gonna try to unlock tomorrow with a project fi sim.
Update2:
Phone unlocked fine with a Project FI sim card and connected to T-mobile.
We're on the same boat!
I'm also on Project Fi and I received my AT&T S9 today.
My IMEI was found in AT&T's database and I just submitted the unlock request.
Do you experience any issues when using S9 w/ Project Fi?
zenlifexxa said:
We're on the same boat!
I'm also on Project Fi and I received my AT&T S9 today.
My IMEI was found in AT&T's database and I just submitted the unlock request.
Do you experience any issues when using S9 w/ Project Fi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just used the Fi sim card to facilitate the unlock procedure (the S9 is not mine, it's for a friend, and I am just setting it up.) I just looked at sim status in the options to confirm that provider was T-Mobile. In my research, I read that using Project FI T-Mobile was no different from any other unlocked gsm phone using T-Mobile. You will lose all Project FI apps because they don't exist with non-Google phones. There will not be carrier switching between T-Mob, Sprint and US Cell, and there will not be wifi calling. But if your T-Mob service is already good, there shouldn't be a problem.
As as side note, my own FI service is kind of awful. Ever since Google introduced "preferred partner" feature, where a FI phone would connect not to the strongest signal carrier but rather to a particular carrier, in this case Sprint in my area, I have had really bad sound quality.
US Cellular has best towers in this area, with signal strength of -70-80 db or so, while Sprint has crappy towers with signal strength of less -100 db. Yet I am constantly connected to Sprint with crappy sound quality because they are the preferred partner here. I have to constantly to remind myself to manually switch to US Cell if I'm to make a lengthy phone call.
Good luck.

Purchased an Galaxy S9 from Europe and planning to use in USA?

Hi all,
I purchased my Galaxy S9 phone from Europe at a computer tech shop and the guys told me that it is Carrier Unlocked in which makes sense, because I paid the full price for the phone (about $750).
Do I need to make the call to an EU number from the US or before leaving to the US? That part I am confused about
On the box it says in order to use SIM cards from other regions, make a call for 5 minutes to a European region. But to which number and can I make the call before going to the US?
Do these required calls have to be 5 minutes per call or can I just call any number each day to add those 5 minutes up?
I can add those 5 minutes up to Region Unlock here in Europe and when I arrive to the US I should be fine?
So I can make these calls now here currently in Europe before going to the US, correct?
Would appreciate if someone can guide me in the exact process on this works to be exact.
I mean step-by-step details.
Thanks!
This is what Samsung said in one article I've seen.
If the device was purchased in the EU you need to make a 5-10 Min phone call in the country it was purchased using that region SIM card, Once your in the states you need to use the same SIM card to call back to that country for 5-10 mins again
This will region unlock the device.
I still don't quite understand this below:
European Model: This product should be activated with a SIM card issued from a mobile operator within Europe. (as defined EU/EEA, Switzerland and the following Non-EEA countries Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M), Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia and Vatican City.) To use SIM cards from other regions, a cumulative call over five minutes must first be made with the SIM card from European operators.
So before going to the States, I need to make a call with my EU SIM card for 5-10 minutes and then when I arrive to the States, I need to make a call to the EU using the same EU SIM card for 5-10 minutes?
My question is, what number to call? And what if someone for example doesn't have any family or friends to make these kind of calls in Europe or from the States?
However, I had been using my phone here in Europe for some time now getting close to adding up those 5 minutes. Should this mean that by the time I arrive to the USA, would my phone be Region Unlocked?
This is just my take. I think it means one continuous call for that time, not multiple calls adding up. Then from the US one continuous call using the same EU Sim card. For someone that doesn't know anyone to call for that long I guess they'd have to find some type of business they could BS for 5 minutes or so. LOL, call a random business and talk r_e_a_l_l_y r_e_a_l_l_y slow.
Call the local time telling service number - in Germany it's 0180 4 100 100 and tells current time every 10 seconds, charges are €0,42/minute.
Ok, so just again to confirm.
1. Before leaving to the USA, I call any local European number using my EU local SIM card for 5 minutes?
2. Then, I have to make the same call FROM the USA and try to talk for 5 minutes again and then finally I can use any US SIM card?
Is this correct?
In case the Region Unlock as described might not work, can I still use a local Wi-Fi in a hotel or coffee shop in the US even if my phone is still Region Locked?
I use my phone mostly for Internet usage even here in Europe. So maybe calling will not be such an issue since Wi-Fi is now everywhere these days.
That's the way I interpreted it. They did say 5 to 10 minutes so if at all possible I'd try for a little longer than 5 if possible. I would think wifi should work even with region lock
Let me do some more research on this because I also read that one needs to just only make a local EU call for 5 to 10 minutes and when arriving to the US, the second call from there are not needed.
My best bet, is to try to walk into (or even emailing) Samsung Support Center or even a Samsung shop and it might be worth asking them.
Thanks!
call me
I got in touch with Samsung Support chat and they told me that I do not need to make a second call from the USA using my EU SIM card to the EU region. So while still being here in the EU, I need to make a call for 5 to even 30 minutes (or even text) and I should be good to go with no additional actions once after I am in the USA.
They also said, to be sure, I need to receive calls or text to rack up those minutes as well.
So there you go.
I thought it would be best to have Samsung Support providing these details to get a more precise answer.
But with all respect here, thanks for the support!
Good to know, and hopefully it's right. What I posted was word for word from Samsung support also so let us know which method worked.
av_899 said:
I got in touch with Samsung Support chat and they told me that I do not need to make a second call from the USA using my EU SIM card to the EU region. So while still being here in the EU, I need to make a call for 5 to even 30 minutes (or even text) and I should be good to go with no additional actions once after I am in the USA.
They also said, to be sure, I need to receive calls or text to rack up those minutes as well.
So there you go.
I thought it would be best to have Samsung Support providing these details to get a more precise answer.
But with all respect here, thanks for the support!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would be interested in hearing how it all turns out. I'll be in Germany next week and toyed with the idea of purchasing an S9 there to use in the US once I return back home. I would assume they're bootloader unlocked in Germany. That would be the draw for me over the US models.

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