Develop Bugs

Unlocked GSM Galaxy Nexus - No signal al all

Hello,
A bit about my Nexus: Bought it online, it's the Domoco version, unlocked, rooted and been using just fine with many custom ROMs.
So yesterday morning, I was talking on the phone with a friend without any problem. After hanging up for a few hours, when I was about to call someone else, I realized my phone didn't have any signal at all. And it has been like that until now, about 48 hours.
It happened so suddenly without any warning. The phone has never been dropped and everything else working just fine.
So here's what I have tried:
- Restart the phone (multiple times)
- Batter pull (multiple times)
- Factory reset the phone (multiple times)
- Wipe cache and dalvik cache in CWM (multiple times)
- Downloaded SetCPU and set the minimum to 700Mhz (instead of 350Mhz)
- Reflash the ROM and tried with other Custom ROMs (I tried Xenon, Xylon, PA, and Carbon ROMs)
- Reflash the Radio and tried with other Radios too (I tried UILH1, XXLH1, SC04DOMLE3 and some others ...)
- I also went to Tmobile and request a new sim card - same problem.
- I borrowed a sim card from another Tmobile customer to try it on my phone - no signal - but the sim card works just fine on his phone.
I ran out of thing to try and I dont understand what happened ... anyone has an idea or something else for me to try ?
Anyone experience this before ?

Welcome too my hell. I have a playstore one now but my first Gnex was an international one and it has this same issue. Its a PCB problem a warranty would fix. I'm near Chicago and a few people have told me there is an electrical engineer downtown that fixes stuff like this. I don't have a price but I think something like this is your only option. Mine sadly is still a battery charger:thumbdown:
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I know it sounds stupid, but have you tried toggling airplane mode? I run into the occasional loss of signal when im at work [fair to weak signal in the big metal box], and a reboot is the only thing that fixes it for me. Mines a play store model.

bodh said:
I know it sounds stupid, but have you tried toggling airplane mode? I run into the occasional loss of signal when im at work [fair to weak signal in the big metal box], and a reboot is the only thing that fixes it for me. Mines a play store model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yes, I actually did try that too but forgot to mention. I tried toggle airplane mode on and off, also the 2G only mode on and off. But it didn't help with anything.
Thanks for the suggestion.
JediDru said:
Welcome too my hell. I have a playstore one now but my first Gnex was an international one and it has this same issue. Its a PCB problem a warranty would fix. I'm near Chicago and a few people have told me there is an electrical engineer downtown that fixes stuff like this. I don't have a price but I think something like this is your only option. Mine sadly is still a battery charger:thumbdown:
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I guess I have to look for an electrician then, cause I have this phone just a little bit over a year so warranty is a no go for me.
Thanks for the idea.
PS: anyone else has more option for me ? I just wondered if I have bricked my phone ... cause I flashed lots of diff. ROMs to try out but never gotten a bricked phone before, could this be a bricked phone ?

Bricked refers to a phone that does what a brick does: nothing. It doesn't boot, it does not light or attempt to boot, it does nothing. This is a signal issue..I have no prior experience with docomo, but this thread came up on search: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1574018, maybe it'd be helpful. Have you converted it to yakju or takju and tried a google factory image?
And this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1554150. If it is a circuit board, it kinda looks like s.o.l., and im sad to say that to you.

I wanted to let you know that I experienced the same issue. I bought the unlocked Docomo Galaxy Nexus, and had it working fine on T-Mobile for half a year, and then suddenly had no signal on Tuesday. Nothing I did - factory reset, battery in and out, sim card in and out - could fix it. Have you tried using different sim cards in your phone to see what works and what doesn't?
I figured out that my phone will accept AT&T, and actually does connect to T-Mobile while roaming (I used an international sim card). But, my phone will say "Cannot find mobile network" when any T-Mobile sim card is inserted.

chowabbajack said:
I wanted to let you know that I experienced the same issue. I bought the unlocked Docomo Galaxy Nexus, and had it working fine on T-Mobile for half a year, and then suddenly had no signal on Tuesday. Nothing I did - factory reset, battery in and out, sim card in and out - could fix it. Have you tried using different sim cards in your phone to see what works and what doesn't?
I figured out that my phone will accept AT&T, and actually does connect to T-Mobile while roaming (I used an international sim card). But, my phone will say "Cannot find mobile network" when any T-Mobile sim card is inserted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have the same problem with the docomo phone. ATT Sim card works. Tried other's T-mobile sim cards and it doesn't work. I wonder if somehow the IMEI has been blocked by T-mobile.

wocman said:
I also have the same problem with the docomo phone. ATT Sim card works. Tried other's T-mobile sim cards and it doesn't work. I wonder if somehow the IMEI has been blocked by T-mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know others who bought their GNEX through the Play Store and those work just fine with T-mobile. I tried their sim cards in my phone and it doesn't work. I don't think T-mobile is intentionally blocking the docomo phones, because I'm getting T-mobile through roaming, when I use an international sim. My guess is they're doing something to the cell network that just somehow leaves our configuration out. Hopefully it's temporary, but who knows.
Worse case, I'll just purchase a Nexus 4, because I love 4G data for just $30/month with T-mobile. Anyone else got suggestions?

wocman said:
I also have the same problem with the docomo phone. ATT Sim card works. Tried other's T-mobile sim cards and it doesn't work. I wonder if somehow the IMEI has been blocked by T-mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, update on this and there' good news. I called Tmobile and they said my IMEI is actually Blocked. The reason, according to him, is that Tmobile usually sweep the network to clean up all "un-supported" devices, so my device is apparently one of them and therefore got blocked about 2 days ago.
So he said for this, he needs to escalate it to business support and they surely can unblock it for me, but I have to wait until Monday since they don't work on weekend. But well, that's surely a good news. phewwwwwwwwwwwwww !!!
So to all of you guys who are in the same situation, make sure you call Tmobile first before flashing crazy like I did LOL.
Thanks for all the help.

I'd love to know if you are able to get this unblocked and working as I have the same problem as of Tuesday. I was traveling and went into a TMO store, and they told me it was NOT IMEI blocked. In fact they looked at the IMEI and read the page and said 'it was not eligible for blocking'.

I called TMO to see if my phone is IMEI blocked, and through three levels of support the universal answer was no. I'm now fully confused because if it's a hardware issue, why did several people all have the same problem all on Tuesday. For those others who are having issues, can you see the TMO network but not connect to it? That's what I have, I can see TMO and AT&T but haven't been able to connect to either one since Tuesday.

simple23227 said:
Alright, update on this and there' good news. I called Tmobile and they said my IMEI is actually Blocked. The reason, according to him, is that Tmobile usually sweep the network to clean up all "un-supported" devices, so my device is apparently one of them and therefore got blocked about 2 days ago.
So he said for this, he needs to escalate it to business support and they surely can unblock it for me, but I have to wait until Monday since they don't work on weekend. But well, that's surely a good news. phewwwwwwwwwwwwww !!!
So to all of you guys who are in the same situation, make sure you call Tmobile first before flashing crazy like I did LOL.
Thanks for all the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll call up T-Mobile tomorrow and ask if they IMEI blocked my device. I had them reset my signal and give me a new SIM card, but didn't realize it could have been IMEI blocked. I'll give them a call on Monday and let you know what the result is. Maybe it won't be too late to cancel my order on that Nexus 4...

I'm quite confused. I've been told last Thursday in a TMO store and with tech support that I didn't have an IMEI block, and the same with three reps tonight. I know the Sim Card is good, and so I'm being told its a hardware issue. However, several of the same phones had the same issue on the same day, so I can't buy it's a hardware issue. Has anyone with this issue flashed a new or different radio into the phone, either before or after the service loss? I have not, running it as it came out of the box.

I just got off the phone with T-Mobile Support, and they told me the device is not blocked. The reason is that T-Mobile cannot block or unblock devices that are not registered to T-Mobile. So I'm back to square one on this.

chowabbajack - When did you first have a problem, last Tuesday? Did you prior to that do any flashing or radio changes to the phone?
We're in the same spot....

alexwinsberg said:
chowabbajack - When did you first have a problem, last Tuesday? Did you prior to that do any flashing or radio changes to the phone?
We're in the same spot....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not do any kind of flashing or radio changes prior to Tuesday, when I lost signal.

chowabbajack said:
I did not do any kind of flashing or radio changes prior to Tuesday, when I lost signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes me think its something to do with the radio software, because I am the same the problem overall doesn't seem as large as the number of phones I perceive were bought on the Docomo deal.

Ive been using the docomo version of the nexus as well on tmobile for almost a year and it was since last tuesday when it no longer recieved any singal. with some digging around and too many phone calls, I found that the imei number on the phone is not the same as the one under the battery. i have the generic 004999010640000 imei right now and it not sure how i got it. as i bought it unlocked.
what i have tried:
reboot, battery plug, reinsert sim, factory reset, root and flash, got a new sim card, relocked, unlocked
sim card works on other phones.
also i have called tmobile and samsung endlessly and this is what i got:
tmobile cannot unblock the imei since it is not from them.
samsung is redirecting me to their japan branch.
docomo i cannot reach.
my phone before last tuesday:
unrooted stock 4.2.1
been testing different things to see if there is any way to restore the imei
also using root explorer, i cannot find my efs folder....

I've got the same problem since last Tuesday with my GNex and T-Mobile.
Mine is not from docomo though, but the French phone provider SFR, unlocked through FDocomo apk.
Rooted phone, running 4.2.1., no changes whatsoever in the past month and it worked fine until Tuesday, so I don't think I'm responsible for having no signal.
Honestly, I am relieved to see we are quite a few to have this problem, and also very pissed at T-Mobile for causing all this. What should be the next step then? Is there any chances they fix the issue quickly? If not, I might just go to the competition. I've tried AT&T sim cards and they work fine.

vanessax17 said:
Ive been using the docomo version of the nexus as well on tmobile for almost a year and it was since last tuesday when it no longer recieved any singal. with some digging around and too many phone calls, I found that the imei number on the phone is not the same as the one under the battery. i have the generic 004999010640000 imei right now and it not sure how i got it. as i bought it unlocked.
what i have tried:
reboot, battery plug, reinsert sim, factory reset, root and flash, got a new sim card, relocked, unlocked
sim card works on other phones.
also i have called tmobile and samsung endlessly and this is what i got:
tmobile cannot unblock the imei since it is not from them.
samsung is redirecting me to their japan branch.
docomo i cannot reach.
my phone before last tuesday:
unrooted stock 4.2.1
been testing different things to see if there is any way to restore the imei
also using root explorer, i cannot find my efs folder....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the exact same generic IMEI number as you, which does not match the number under the battery. I'm not liking the news that you did flash and still no go. I'm a novice at this stuff so please keep us posted.

Verizon Galaxy Nexus no data or cell service / Possible hardware problem

Recently i have purchased a used Verizon Galaxy Nexus from a seller on ebay. It is in excellent shape and has no cosmetic damage to the phone. The persone i purchased it from was a reputable seller and had the feedback to back it up. Now with that said. The phone was listed as broken because the seller could not get the phone to connect to the Verizon cell network.
So i bought the phone thinking that maybe the phone had some deleted files on it that i could replace or better yet. Just flash all new software to the phone and remedy the problem. Thus i would have bought a phone for a quarter the price of a new one and have a fully functioning phone.
As far as flashing and roming goes. I am no novice. I have owned many Android phones, in fact thats all ive owned lol, but this one is causing me some frustration. So here is a list of the things i have done to remedy the problem to no avail...
1) Factory Reset- no go
2) Complete Re-Flash of the entire framework - Im talking everything. Careful fastboot flash of every elemet of the android ecosystem
3) Radio swapps from older versions to newer versions.
4) Multiple reboots and toggleing airplane mode over and over again.
5) Flashed several aftermarket roms.
6) Toggled the test mode in phone settings using the hidden menu (*#*#4636#*#*)
For a short period of time last night i was able to get the phone to display up to 3 bars of service using the method described in #6 I NEVER got data working and i could only temporarily call out. My girlfriend would see me calling in on her phone but immediately upon answering it would drop my call. The phone never rang on my end and it cannot receive calls. Also cannot send text messages.
I thought for sure i could fix this one, but for some reason it is being stubborn. Please Help me XDA!!! Your my only Hope!!!
P.S. As an aside i did take the phone apart and check to make sure nothing was damaged. All the components look top shape and all the little snap connectors are securely fastened. No metal contact prongs are bent and everything is clean of dirt and debris.

does it display your IMEI *#06#?
maybe some NV_DATA corrupted or it can be hardware issue

Does indeed show imei and I had it checked for lost / stolen / blacklist by Verizon. At the store now to get it checked out.
And that is actually meid that that code pulls.
Sent from my large and in charge GN2 using Forum Runner

And the verizon store could not do any good. Has anyone ever ordered a replacement back casing from ebay or anywhere else on the web? Im thinking it may be a ribbon cable somewhere. Maybe even the bottom board that houses the headphone jack and a series of winding antenna leads.
I am still open to suggestion though so anyone with any information on the matter please let me know.
EDIT: Been looking at Cell phone repair shop and they have the antenna / headphone replacement in stock. They also have the back mid frame with all the antennas on it as well.
I feel like this is a 50/50 shot in the dark as to which part i need to fix this problem. Gonna give them a call tomorrow and see.

I've ordered a new mid frame in the hopes that there is a torn ribbon cable somewhere in the old one. I'm still not certain that's what it is though.
Anyone with some insight please get back to me.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forum Runner

Bump.
Still need some help guys. This is a very perplexing problem that i would like to fix.

Anyone? Mods? Admins? Devs? I need some help here. Don't let me down xda!!!
Sent from my large and in charge GN2 using Forum Runner

sounds like a unconnected/torn radio cable to me.

Zepius said:
sounds like a unconnected/torn radio cable to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been all through the device and checked all the connections and hardware. Everything has a firm connection and is in top shape. I even replaced the back midframe cover with a brand spanking new (OEM Samsung) one. Its behaving like a software problem in that I can toggle between 3G and 4G and get 3G for a brief moment and can even call out, but the moment that someone answers the call it drops service and i have to start the process all over again.

UrbanDroid said:
I've been all through the device and checked all the connections and hardware. Everything has a firm connection and is in top shape. I even replaced the back midframe cover with a brand spanking new (OEM Samsung) one. Its behaving like a software problem in that I can toggle between 3G and 4G and get 3G for a brief moment and can even call out, but the moment that someone answers the call it drops service and i have to start the process all over again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try fastboot flashing the factory images from google.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

blackhand1001 said:
Try fastboot flashing the factory images from google.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've done this as well several times. 4.2.2 and 4.2.1 and yes i made sure i had the correct firmware for my version of the phone. Verizon toro.
Edit: Has anyone ever sent in their phone to Samsung for RMA? I called and talked to someone and tried to work through the problem and she came to the conclusion that I should send it in at no cost and that I wouldn't be charged anything unless I authorized them payment before. Essentially they will run through the phone and check everything out for free and see if it can be fixed.

UrbanDroid said:
I've done this as well several times. 4.2.2 and 4.2.1 and yes i made sure i had the correct firmware for my version of the phone. Verizon toro.
Edit: Has anyone ever sent in their phone to Samsung for RMA? I called and talked to someone and tried to work through the problem and she came to the conclusion that I should send it in at no cost and that I wouldn't be charged anything unless I authorized them payment before. Essentially they will run through the phone and check everything out for free and see if it can be fixed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the same thing. Bought one from ebay in good shape. Was told it functions. I have the HTC Rezound so the sim wouldnt fit. Went to Verizon and they put in the mini sim and no service. Reset the phone and even tried a new sim. I have since tried different roms and radios, but still no service. Luckily the seller has a 100% guarantee so looks like this one is going back. From what I have read, these are prone to radio issues.

Sir Lemmiwinks said:
I did the same thing. Bought one from ebay in good shape. Was told it functions. I have the HTC Rezound so the sim wouldnt fit. Went to Verizon and they put in the mini sim and no service. Reset the phone and even tried a new sim. I have since tried different roms and radios, but still no service. Luckily the seller has a 100% guarantee so looks like this one is going back. From what I have read, these are prone to radio issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. I've read multiple threads about radio issues, but here's the thing. Every one of them claiming to have signal issues also had the random reboot issue. They all were even having problems flashing any Roms or anything else for that matter.
I on the other hand have had zero problems flashing anything. Fastboot works 100%, Recovery flash works 100% and I can unlock and lock the boot loader without issue. Its an odd problem.
Sent from my large and in charge GN2 using Forum Runner

UrbanDroid said:
Yeah. I've read multiple threads about radio issues, but here's the thing. Every one of them claiming to have signal issues also had the random reboot issue. They all were even having problems flashing any Roms or anything else for that matter.
I on the other hand have had zero problems flashing anything. Fastboot works 100%, Recovery flash works 100% and I can unlock and lock the boot loader without issue. Its an odd problem.
Sent from my large and in charge GN2 using Forum Runner
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had an issue flashing, it would abort for no reason. I would also have issues getting into CWM. After playing around with it all night, I don't think its a software issue. I've been reading the antenna has given other people issues and some have even tried to replace them. a Rep from Verizon thought it was the sim reader. I don't believe that because the phone registers a sim and the number tied to it (which is my number). Under status, I does read different every time.
Network: searching for service
Signal strength is usually at: -120dBm 99asu
Mobile network type: (varies) CDMA - 1xRTT:7 or LTE: 13 or unavailable
Service state: out of service
Roaming: not roaming
Mobile network state: (varies) Disconnected or Connected
I've tried different combos such as CDMA and Home LTE Automatic and so on. I think its just a poor design. Seems to be only the CDMA devices tho.

Did OP ever arrive at a solution or at least pinpoint the cause of this problem? I am currently experiencing a pretty much identical problem to the one described (with the exception that I don't even get a 3G signal -- complete lack of signal). My problem started after a brief Airplane mode toggle yesterday and I haven't been able to get on the network since.
Thanks.

I think it's a hardware problem tbh.
I modded mine to work with the palm pre touchstone inductive charging kit. In the process wires were soldered, rear housings were mutilated and the phone was tortured a bit. I was never happy with Samsung's **** build quality so I eventually just ditched it altogether.
I decided to repair it and give it to a family member so I replaced the back housing and USB port with parts ordered off ebay. Ever since my repair work the thing cosmetically looks almost mint. However no OS will recognize it anymore (windows throws an "invalid descriptor" and won't install a driver) and 3G/4G/wifi reception is almost nonexistent. Switching roms or radios doesn't seem to help, and obviously I can't odin a factory image. Pretty much boned.

pbourdyk said:
Did OP ever arrive at a solution or at least pinpoint the cause of this problem? I am currently experiencing a pretty much identical problem to the one described (with the exception that I don't even get a 3G signal -- complete lack of signal). My problem started after a brief Airplane mode toggle yesterday and I haven't been able to get on the network since.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had a similar problem in regards to a lack of signal. It just completely gave out while driving a couple days ago (interestingly enough, the music I was streaming via Soundcloud stopped right as I passed the Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, which ironically is a 4G dead zone for Verizon). This was a refurbished replacement device that I got about 15 months ago, and was running the latest OmniMetal rom flawlessly for the last few months.
I arrived at this thread and followed all the steps that OP took to try and fix it. Ended up reverting to an earlier 4.2.2 rom and reflashed the radios thinking that might solve the problem. Upon reboot was able to connect to mobile data and make phone calls briefly, but about an hour later the same thing happened. Brought it to the store and swapped out the SIM card for a new one, no dice.
Fortunately VZW is doing open enrolment for phone insurance, so I added it for $10/month to get an extended warranty. Now I'm going to restore everything to stock, lock the bootloader and send it back for a new one. Assuming there are no problems with the replacement, I can cancel the insurance plan, bringing the cost of the replacement Gnex to just 10 bucks.
Was anyone out there able to successfully modify the radio hardware for cheap?

coltronathon said:
I think it's a hardware problem tbh.
I modded mine to work with the palm pre touchstone inductive charging kit. In the process wires were soldered, rear housings were mutilated and the phone was tortured a bit. I was never happy with Samsung's **** build quality so I eventually just ditched it altogether.
I decided to repair it and give it to a family member so I replaced the back housing and USB port with parts ordered off ebay. Ever since my repair work the thing cosmetically looks almost mint. However no OS will recognize it anymore (windows throws an "invalid descriptor" and won't install a driver) and 3G/4G/wifi reception is almost nonexistent. Switching roms or radios doesn't seem to help, and obviously I can't odin a factory image. Pretty much boned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the same mod, and other than losing my pc connection (which frankly is never needed) it's been great. You have to be very careful and take your time. I'm not even convinced that my pc connection issues are related to the Palm mod, I think they just happened to coincide. Either way, I don't need it so I never bothered tracing it down.

Signal drop

Hi all,
A couple of weeks back I had to have my z2 repaired since it suddenly lost service. Since I bought it abroad there's no local official support and I had to trust in unofficial service. They supposedly changed the antenna board or something like that (they were very non-specific on the description of the fix). The phone was working correctly afterwards.
However I started to notice that, when not on wifi, the phone looses signal periodically, not only internet but phone and sms as well.
I'm planning on sending it back for repair though I don't look forward to doing it so. It just occurred to me that maybe they put the replacement part from a different model (mine is xt1710-09) and that my current stock image has problems with this spare part, baseband configuration or something. Is this really possible? I've already wiped completely but it remains the same.
I'm thinking on flashing a different stock version for another model (retail us, or retail br). But don't know if that's a good idea though.
Any thoughts or ideas?
Thanks!

SIM unlock lost by LG repair - hard to get back

A small warning here for those who need to send a previously SIM unlocked H932 in for LG repair:
After breaking its glass back, I had to send my TMO V30+ in for repair at LG’s center in Texas. At the same time I asked them to replace the screen under warranty, since there was a small cluster of dead pixels just above the navigation bar. They did all that. Cost $88 (including free shipping) with 11 days turnaround.
They also managed to lose the SIM unlock which I had previously been granted by T-Mobile using their Device Unlock app. Realizing this could be a problem, I had included a letter to LG Repair where I begged them to preserve the SIM unlock. Needless to say, the phone is paid off and all bills were paid (including the extra month TMO auto-charged my credit card and refused to refund).
After receiving it back, my Red Pocket GSMA SIM (AT&T prepaid MVNO) only does 3G, not LTE. The TMO Device Unlock app says the phone is “network locked” and not eligible for unlock.
T-Mobile Customer Service first requested unlock instructions to be emailed to me. After 2 days I received an email saying I had to use the TMO Device Unlock app. Duh. After much experimenting on my own (including with my now inactive TMO SIM card) I went to the T-Mobile store where I bought the phone. They were keen to help, but unable to solve the problem. We did confirm that with an active TMO SIM, everything was fine.
I then called TMO Customer Service again, this time asking for Tier 2. Here they finally escalated the case and requested an unlock from LG and said to expect a solution within 72 hours.
Different from the issue reported by @michy21 in this thread mine is the SAME phone with the same IMEI; it was just wiped by LG repair in a way that lost the SIM unlock. OR it really is a new phone or motherboard and they transferred the IMEI.
I should add that there has been no pushback or reluctance to help from any T-Mobile staff. It’s just that the company has baked everything so hard into the Device Unlock app now, so no human is able to do anything.
The only lesson here is to never buy carrier devices -- as @ChazzMatt has been stressing all along, and as I had been practicing myself in my Nexus days. But unfortunately carrier devices are where the best deals are -- which is the only thing that made it possibly for me to buy this class of phone in the first place.
I'll update this thread with the final outcome. Fingers crossed. I’ll be traveling overseas soon, really hope to have it fixed before.

TheDannemand said:
A small warning here for those who need to send a previously SIM unlocked H932 in for LG repair:
After breaking its glass back, I had to send my TMO V30+ in for repair at LG’s center in Texas. At the same time I asked them to replace the screen under warranty, since there was a small cluster of dead pixels just above the navigation bar. They did all that. Cost $88 (including free shipping) with 11 days turnaround.
They also managed to lose the SIM unlock which I had previously been granted by T-Mobile using their Device Unlock app. Needles to say, the phone was paid off and all bills were paid (including the extra month TMO auto-charged my credit card and refused to refund). Realizing this could be a problem, I had included a letter to LG Repair where I begged them to preserve the SIM unlock.
After receiving it back, my Red Pocket GSMA SIM (AT&T prepaid MVNO) only does 3G, not LTE. The TMO Device Unlock app says the phone is “network locked” and not eligible for unlock.
T-Mobile Customer Service first requested unlock instructions to be emailed to me. After 2 days I received an email saying I had to use the TMO Device Unlock app. Duh. After much experimenting on my own (including with my now inactive TMO SIM card) I went to the T-Mobile store where I bought the phone. They were keen to help, but unable to solve the problem. We did confirm that with an active TMO SIM, everything was fine.
I then called TMO Customer Service again, this time asking for Tier 2. Here they finally escalated the case and requested an unlock from LG and said to expect a solution with 72 hours.
Different from the issue reported by @michy21 in this thread mine is the SAME phone with the same IMEI; it was just wiped by LG repair in a way that lost the SIM unlock. OR it really is a new phone or motherboard and they transferred the IMEI.
I should add that there has been no pushback or reluctance to help from any T-Mobile staff. It’s just that the company has baked everything so hard into the Device Unlock app now, so no human is able to do anything.
The only lesson here is to never buy carrier devices -- as @ChazzMatt has been stressing all along, and as I had been practicing myself in my Nexus days. But unfortunately carrier devices are where the best deals are -- which is the only thing that made it possibly for me to buy this class of phone in the first place.
I'll update this thread with the final outcome. Fingers crossed. I’ll be traveling overseas soon, really hope to have it fixed before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worst comes to worst, sell the phone on eBay while at the same time buying one of the mint LS998 V30+ for $320. Immediately convert to carrier unlocked US998, bootloader unlock and root.
In the eBay listing for this phone stress the T-Mobile band 71, blah, blah, blah -- which you don't need on AT&T MNVO, but would interest T-Mobile users.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+

ChazzMatt said:
Worst comes to worst, sell the phone on eBay while at the same time buying one of the mint LS998 V30+ for $320. Immediately convert to carrier unlocked US998, bootloader unlock and root.
In the eBay listing for this phone stress the T-Mobile band 71, blah, blah, blah -- which you don't need on AT&T MNVO, but would interest T-Mobile users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, Chazz!
I had a suspicion you might suggest that :laugh:
But yes, that would have to be the outcome if I cannot solve it. I'll probably file an FCC complaint first, which michy21 reported had solved her problem. But again, there is no pushback from anybody, which is a positive.
The only attachment I have to this particular phone is my 2 year warranty, which gives me peace of mind. A phone bought used wouldn't have that (or any warranty).
Thanks again!
Edit: Actually, it's not quite true that I have no other attachment to this H932: If/when T-Mobile rolls out B71 in this area, I'll probably give them another try, as they generally have far better network speeds. AT&T service here is acceptable (and widespread) but doesn't blow me away. We only switched because TMO couldn't reach through our concrete brick walls. Red Pocket supports all four carriers, so I can switch to TMO network on my current plan to take advantage of B71.
So my hope is I won't have to part with this phone. AND that @runningnak3d will release H932 root later this year

TheDannemand said:
A small warning here for those who need to send a previously SIM unlocked H932 in for LG repair:
After breaking its glass back, I had to send my TMO V30+ in for repair at LG’s center in Texas. At the same time I asked them to replace the screen under warranty, since there was a small cluster of dead pixels just above the navigation bar. They did all that. Cost $88 (including free shipping) with 11 days turnaround.
They also managed to lose the SIM unlock which I had previously been granted by T-Mobile using their Device Unlock app. Realizing this could be a problem, I had included a letter to LG Repair where I begged them to preserve the SIM unlock. Needless to say, the phone is paid off and all bills were paid (including the extra month TMO auto-charged my credit card and refused to refund).
After receiving it back, my Red Pocket GSMA SIM (AT&T prepaid MVNO) only does 3G, not LTE. The TMO Device Unlock app says the phone is “network locked” and not eligible for unlock.
T-Mobile Customer Service first requested unlock instructions to be emailed to me. After 2 days I received an email saying I had to use the TMO Device Unlock app. Duh. After much experimenting on my own (including with my now inactive TMO SIM card) I went to the T-Mobile store where I bought the phone. They were keen to help, but unable to solve the problem. We did confirm that with an active TMO SIM, everything was fine.
I then called TMO Customer Service again, this time asking for Tier 2. Here they finally escalated the case and requested an unlock from LG and said to expect a solution within 72 hours.
Different from the issue reported by @michy21 in this thread mine is the SAME phone with the same IMEI; it was just wiped by LG repair in a way that lost the SIM unlock. OR it really is a new phone or motherboard and they transferred the IMEI.
I should add that there has been no pushback or reluctance to help from any T-Mobile staff. It’s just that the company has baked everything so hard into the Device Unlock app now, so no human is able to do anything.
The only lesson here is to never buy carrier devices -- as @ChazzMatt has been stressing all along, and as I had been practicing myself in my Nexus days. But unfortunately carrier devices are where the best deals are -- which is the only thing that made it possibly for me to buy this class of phone in the first place.
I'll update this thread with the final outcome. Fingers crossed. I’ll be traveling overseas soon, really hope to have it fixed before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does not make sense at all. Has the device IMEI have changed at all? Was the actual logic board replaced? The answer is likely no. So why would the device be relocked by LG? You are giving them way too much credit.
More proof that the device should have remained unlocked is that you can access the device with your MNVO (ATT), if it was truly locked you would not able to get a signal or make a call under your MNVO at all. Sounds more like user error or a miss configuration of your carrier, or both.
Also you should not be trying to run a T-Mobile Specific device unlock app under a different carrier sim,
and it might just be reporting wrong information. Had this happen to me several times in the past, when the device was actually unlocked. You said yourself, you were able to use the device on (ATT)!

jblparisi said:
That does not make sense at all. Has the device IMEI have changed at all? Was the actual logic board replaced? The answer is likely no. So why would the device be relocked by LG? You are giving them way too much credit.
More proof that the device should have remained unlocked is that you can access the device with your MNVO (ATT), if it was truly locked you would not able to get a signal or make a call under your MNVO at all. Sounds more like user error or a miss configuration of your carrier, or both.
Also you should not be trying to run a T-Mobile Specific device unlock app under a different carrier sim,
and it might just be reporting wrong information. Had this happen to me several times in the past, when the device was actually unlocked. You said yourself, you were able to use the device on (ATT)!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I understand where you come from. And no offense taken
The problem IS a SIM lock (or "network lock" as they call it). But not in the same way you're thinking where nothing works with an alien SIM. Both T-Mobile and LG have confirmed that.
Some details I didn't mention in my opening post (I meant to warn people here, not argue the matter):
1) LG warned me before they began repair that the phone would come back SIM locked, even though I'd included a letter asking if they could avoid it. I also talked to T-Mobile before sending it in, who said to just request an unlock code if needed (obviously that person was clueless).
2) I've seen other XDA users report how SIM locked V30s could connect on different networks, but NOT get LTE. That's what I am seeing too. One of my goals with visiting the T-Mobile store was to verify that there wasn't a problem with the phone itself preventing LTE. But once an active TMO SIM was inserted, everything works flawlessly.
3) I thought the same thing about not running the TMO Device Unlock app with the alien SIM inserted, but TMO's wording in the instructions they sent me are: "Before completing the steps below to unlock your device you must be connected to the internet via a cellular network in order to complete the steps", not mentioning it must be on TMO. And I DO have 3G internet with my Red Pocket SIM. Nevertheless, my second goal with visiting the T-Mobile store was so we could try the Device Unlock app with an active TMO SIM. And regardless of which SIM is inserted, the app reports that the phone is currently network locked and not eligible for unlock. When running this app on an unlocked phone, it shows the date of unlock -- even after a factory reset. They are obviously storing the lock/unlock state on the vendor, modem or carrier partitions or some such place. And on my phone it is in a locked state.
4) There is not much room for user configuration error here: The phone has been factory reset 5-6 times while testing this, with the only configuration being a Red Pocket APN. That same SIM and same APN work flawlessly in my Nexus 5 as well as my wife's V30 (also H932). Even if I mis-typed the APN, I wouldn't have done so 5-6 times -- and I would have caught it during one of the many times I verified the APN.
So I have no doubt that there is some form of network lock in place that is causing this. And again, T-Mobile and LG agree and have promised to solve it.
You are right that LG had no reason to replace the mainboard. But they did replace both the screen and the glass cover. I think it is possible that they sent me a refurbished phone with my IMEI transferred -- which would explain both their warning that the phone would come back locked, and why the Device Unlock app gets confused when seeing a blank (still locked) phone, but T-Mobile's IMEI database claims that the device is already unlocked (as I saw on the screen in the store).
So, we'll see if they manage to solve it or I have to sell this phone as suggested by Chazz.

Would paying a 3rd party carrier unlocking do the trick? Or does even that seem out of the question now? Before Frankensteining was a thing I did that so I could use an H931 on T-mo. It was $10 well spent as far as I was concerned.

jaysus145 said:
Would paying a 3rd party carrier unlocking do the trick? Or does even that seem out of the question now? Before Frankensteining was a thing I did that so I could use an H931 on T-mo. It was $10 well spent as far as I was concerned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the suggestion. I'd have no objection to that at all, but various reports on here had given me the impression that 3rd parties aren't able to unlock the H932 because TMO locked it down so hard (as is the case with Sprint, but for different technical reasons). I could be wrong about that, so definitely something to try.
Thanks again!

Update: It's been four days since I talked to T-Mobile and they promised to escalate my problem and request that LG provide a solution. They said to expect a response within 72 hours, but I haven't heard back from them.
But yesterday, when I tried popping in my Red Pocket SIM (it's in my Nexus 5 until this is solved) everything suddenly worked: Instant LTE, which stayed all day, even as I drove an hour away across town and worked there for a few hours (using hotspot), went on several errands, and back home all last night. LTE Discovery Log showed how it had switched seamlessly between towers, without ever losing LTE. I was certain they had fixed it, and was much relieved.
Then this morning, it had locked itself again. Phone had been on all night, clearly T-Mobile must have pushed another lock. Or rather: One of the TMO services/apps locked it after pulling TMOs servers. No amount of Network Resets, reboot or toggling Mobile Network settings have worked to get it back. I promised T-Mobile not to make any more attempts with the Device Unlock app as it messes things up for them, but I am sure it it would still say "Ineligible for unlock" even though the IMEI is clear in TMO's database (and listed as already unlocked).
As always, the same SIM gives perfect LTE service in my Nexus 5 and on my wife's V30, with the same APN.
I called T-Mobile Customer Care and was unable to persuade them to transfer me to Tier 2. But they did says to expect a call within a day.
It is almost certain I'll have to go the FCC complaint route. It's sad because T-Mobile is otherwise not a bad company. Probably just a small handful of idiots who got this "bright idea" how to protect TMO phones -- which ends up causing so much trouble for legitimate customers.
@jaysus145: Which Unlock service did you use? The ones I looked at which support T-mobile unlock cost $75-150 -- and they don't seem to guarantee success.

TheDannemand said:
@jaysus145: Which Unlock service did you use? The ones I looked at which support T-mobile unlock cost $75-150 -- and they don't seem to guarantee success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used celllunlocker.net, it cost me $10 to unlock my AT&T version, and took less then a day to complete.

jaysus145 said:
I used celllunlocker.net, it cost me $10 to unlock my AT&T version, and took less then a day to complete.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
T-Mobile called me back yesterday and assured me they were still working on it and they would get this phone unlocked and please sit tight another day. They confirmed there was nothing on the phone's IMEI or my old account that should prevent it.
I'll check out unlocking services if it comes down to it.
Thanks again!

Final update on this (and solution):
T-Mobile solved the server side problem with a manager override, so that the Device Unlock app now says "Permanent Unlock approved". But it continued reporting "Unlock Failed" nevertheless. Some say because the phone is already unlocked, personally I think because the servers report the phone as previously unlocked. The app also says "Phone is currently network locked" when first running.
Notably, the connection problem persisted, and T-Mobile (after discussing with LG) said it had to be a bad SIM card or a problem with that SIM ICCID and my phone's ESN. As previously described, I get perfect connection and service using the same SIM in my Nexus 5 and in my wife's V30. T-Mobile said that was all they could do.
I then decided it was time to take the matter in my one hands. After much searching and countless Factory Resets and Network Settings Resets, I managed to get the phone working right with the following steps:
1) Remove Google account to disable Device Reset Protection.
2) Factory Reset from the Service Menu: *#546368#*932# (replace 932 with your model number, though this is likely a T-Mobile only problem). From there SVC Menu - Factory Reset (R&D Only). This takes quite a bit longer than normal Factory Reset.
3) Initial setup with WiFi, no Google account. No APN. Phone shows usual connection slowness.
4) Airplane mode, then WiFi on.
5) T-Mobile Device Unlock app, Permanent Unlock. Got the same "Unlock Failed, but Approved" message.
6) Enter APN.
7) Network Settings Reset (Android Settings - Reset menu). Wait for reset to complete. It may go straight to LTE already here.
8) Power off/on.
After this, everything is back to normal. Instant signal and LTE connection, even after subsequent Factory Reset. It's such a relief :laugh:
Edit: I should add that it is quite possible that not all of these steps are required. Probably the Service Menu Factory Reset was the key to undo what LG had done during the repair. I am merely listing all the steps which I used, and which brought my phone back to life.

Question T-Mobile Network Issue

Hello
Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction for help or assist.
I purchased a unlocked Galaxy Z Fold3 off of Swappa.com. Ive purchased many of phone off this site and had no issues including this Fold3. When I got the phone i placed my T-Mobile sim in the phone and all was fine since the phone was unlocked. When T-Mobile pushed the Android 12 update out we all know it caused issues with the phones network. Since i did not purchase the phone from T-Mobile i sent my phone to Samsung so they could fix the issue. Since they knew of the issue with T-Mobile they replaced the motherboard of the phone. Well that sim locked the phone to the original carrier which i found out was Spectrum Mobile. Spectrum states they cannot unlock the phone because they cannot see the IMEI on their network. T-Mobile sees the IMEI on their network from when i used the phone before the update, but they stated that since the original carrier is Spectrum, they have to unlock the phone. Samsung states that one or the other will have to unlock the device because they do not have carrier unlock codes even though they replaced the motherboard which cause the phone to lock again. After weeks of the back and forth i paid a site to give me a unlock code for the phone via Spectrum Mobile. the code they sent did not work and they refunded me my money. But now im stuck with a brick unless i get a Spectrum Mobile account. The phone works fine on their network but i refuse to get their internet service so i can get a mobile account just to use the phone.
Anyone have any advice as to how i can get the phone unlocked again? I reached out to the person i purchased the device from and they didnt have the unlock code. Also the IMEI is clean because Samsung, Spectrum, and T-Mobile checked it.

Right now, you can either pay for an unlocking service or, and this is the REALLY hard part, wait until Spectrum's IMEI Database is updated with the new IMEI for your device. This will come from Samsung when they Sync, but no telling how often that is.
The bad thing is, it can take weeks or a month or more. No one knows.
If you are in need RIGHT NOW, I would look for a good Unlock Service and pay them, but it can also take a while with how new these phones are.

Talderon said:
Right now, you can either pay for an unlocking service or, and this is the REALLY hard part, wait until Spectrum's IMEI Database is updated with the new IMEI for your device. This will come from Samsung when they Sync, but no telling how often that is.
The bad thing is, it can take weeks or a month or more. No one knows.
If you are in need RIGHT NOW, I would look for a good Unlock Service and pay them, but it can also take a while with how new these phones are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know of any good reliable unlock services?

MAC20 said:
Do you know of any good reliable unlock services?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest one, but I have not used one in so long I can't really suggest one. Sorry.

Talderon said:
I would suggest one, but I have not used one in so long I can't really suggest one. Sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks

MAC20 said:
Hello
Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction for help or assist.
I purchased a unlocked Galaxy Z Fold3 off of Swappa.com. Ive purchased many of phone off this site and had no issues including this Fold3. When I got the phone i placed my T-Mobile sim in the phone and all was fine since the phone was unlocked. When T-Mobile pushed the Android 12 update out we all know it caused issues with the phones network. Since i did not purchase the phone from T-Mobile i sent my phone to Samsung so they could fix the issue. Since they knew of the issue with T-Mobile they replaced the motherboard of the phone. Well that sim locked the phone to the original carrier which i found out was Spectrum Mobile. Spectrum states they cannot unlock the phone because they cannot see the IMEI on their network. T-Mobile sees the IMEI on their network from when i used the phone before the update, but they stated that since the original carrier is Spectrum, they have to unlock the phone. Samsung states that one or the other will have to unlock the device because they do not have carrier unlock codes even though they replaced the motherboard which cause the phone to lock again. After weeks of the back and forth i paid a site to give me a unlock code for the phone via Spectrum Mobile. the code they sent did not work and they refunded me my money. But now im stuck with a brick unless i get a Spectrum Mobile account. The phone works fine on their network but i refuse to get their internet service so i can get a mobile account just to use the phone.
Anyone have any advice as to how i can get the phone unlocked again? I reached out to the person i purchased the device from and they didnt have the unlock code. Also the IMEI is clean because Samsung, Spectrum, and T-Mobile checked it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an Unlocked Fold 3 also now using the T-Mobile network and keep experiencing network connectivity issues. In placed where I used to get good 5G signal now I only get LTE and sometimes my data connection drops to H or H+, sometimes just R for roaming.
So they believe the Android 12 update killed the Motherboard in our phones for T-Mobile? Also how long did it take to get your phone back from Samsung after the repair?

BigMosley said:
I have an Unlocked Fold 3 also now using the T-Mobile network and keep experiencing network connectivity issues. In placed where I used to get good 5G signal now I only get LTE and sometimes my data connection drops to H or H+, sometimes just R for roaming.
So they believe the Android 12 update killed the Motherboard in our phones for T-Mobile? Also how long did it take to get your phone back from Samsung after the repair?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung sent me a shipping label that was two day shiping to them. it took about a week or so to get back. Yes, something with the T-Mobile Android 12 update caused an issue where Samsung has been replacing the mother board of the phones. I found out when i was looking on T-Mobiles forums and a person stated that is what fixed theres. So i contacted Samsung and told them about the Andorid 12 update causing the issue and they had me send it in since they knew of the issue.

MAC20 said:
Samsung sent me a shipping label that was two day shiping to them. it took about a week or so to get back. Yes, something with the T-Mobile Android 12 update caused an issue where Samsung has been replacing the mother board of the phones. I found out when i was looking on T-Mobiles forums and a person stated that is what fixed theres. So i contacted Samsung and told them about the Andorid 12 update causing the issue and they had me send it in since they knew of the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply. I have had my Fold 3's screen fixed in the same day by going to a local UBreakiFix, any idea if they can also do the Motherboard swap out?

BigMosley said:
Thanks for the quick reply. I have had my Fold 3's screen fixed in the same day by going to a local UBreakiFix, any idea if they can also do the Motherboard swap out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im not sure. you may have to call them to see.

MAC20 said:
im not sure. you may have to call them to see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going your route and sending in the phone to Samsung. I even noted others online shared the same experience I am having and the motherboard was replaced.

Talderon said:
Right now, you can either pay for an unlocking service or, and this is the REALLY hard part, wait until Spectrum's IMEI Database is updated with the new IMEI for your device. This will come from Samsung when they Sync, but no telling how often that is.
The bad thing is, it can take weeks or a month or more. No one knows.
If you are in need RIGHT NOW, I would look for a good Unlock Service and pay them, but it can also take a while with how new these phones are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Talderon ive tried two unlock companies so far and neither have been able to unlock the phone. The person i bought it from wants me to mail it back so they can unlock it with a pc. Not going to happen so i won't get it back LOL. I think im just going to get on a friends Spectrum Mobile account and wait 30 so they can unlock it. Think thats my only choice.

If I'm on Google Fi (Which is T-Mobile) is it better for me to get the T-Mobile version of the phone off of Swappa/eBay so I don't run into these issues?

Just buy the samsung unlocked version and then flash the t mobile rom to I have the u1 one version I never had any issues with using t mobile on my z fold 3 and you need the rom bc its helps with towers bc I was using verzion rom on t mobile and I didn't get all the service or 5g uc always buy us unlocked version never buy carrier ones bc it's just easier to flash the rom you need than buy the carrier one bc it's can be relocked at any time bc when I bought t mobile version s21 it's locked the phone so beware

livejamie said:
If I'm on Google Fi (Which is T-Mobile) is it better for me to get the T-Mobile version of the phone off of Swappa/eBay so I don't run into these issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't buy off swappa you get better deal on ebay bc you have money back guarantee

MAC20 said:
Hello
Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction for help or assist.
I purchased a unlocked Galaxy Z Fold3 off of Swappa.com. Ive purchased many of phone off this site and had no issues including this Fold3. When I got the phone i placed my T-Mobile sim in the phone and all was fine since the phone was unlocked. When T-Mobile pushed the Android 12 update out we all know it caused issues with the phones network. Since i did not purchase the phone from T-Mobile i sent my phone to Samsung so they could fix the issue. Since they knew of the issue with T-Mobile they replaced the motherboard of the phone. Well that sim locked the phone to the original carrier which i found out was Spectrum Mobile. Spectrum states they cannot unlock the phone because they cannot see the IMEI on their network. T-Mobile sees the IMEI on their network from when i used the phone before the update, but they stated that since the original carrier is Spectrum, they have to unlock the phone. Samsung states that one or the other will have to unlock the device because they do not have carrier unlock codes even though they replaced the motherboard which cause the phone to lock again. After weeks of the back and forth i paid a site to give me a unlock code for the phone via Spectrum Mobile. the code they sent did not work and they refunded me my money. But now im stuck with a brick unless i get a Spectrum Mobile account. The phone works fine on their network but i refuse to get their internet service so i can get a mobile account just to use the phone.
Anyone have any advice as to how i can get the phone unlocked again? I reached out to the person i purchased the device from and they didnt have the unlock code. Also the IMEI is clean because Samsung, Spectrum, and T-Mobile checked it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See you shouldn't buy carrier phones don't do that bc you always have issues and it's hard to find unlocking service just resell the phone and just buy you unlocked us version off ebay and then flash t mobile rom and you be good and then you don't never have to worry about having a brick