Develop Bugs

[Q] How to unlock SGH-i747m

How do I unlock the phone? I currently have Cm11 on it.
I want to ditch rogers (terrible service) so what do I need to do to unlock it?
side note, when I got the phone it was via future-shop warranty and they gave me a fido version and put my rogers sim in it, did they unlock it then?

SpacePotato said:
How do I unlock the phone? I currently have Cm11 on it.
I want to ditch rogers (terrible service) so what do I need to do to unlock it?
side note, when I got the phone it was via future-shop warranty and they gave me a fido version and put my rogers sim in it, did they unlock it then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since Fido is really owned by Rogers, your Rogers SIM may work in the phone if it was originally locked to Fido. To check whether it's unlocked or not, try putting in a non-compatible SIM (like Bell or Telus) and see whether it prompts you for an unlock code. If it does, you would need to purchase a code online or request one from the carrier. If it wasn't on Android 4.3 prior to the CM11 installation, you may be able to install stock Android 4.1.1 and free unlock. Either way, whether you are free unlocking or using an unlock code, you have to be on a stock ROM for it work. You can check your phone's settings and see what baseband and bootloader versions you have. This will tell us know whether you should flash stock 4.1.1 or 4.3

Larry2999 said:
Since Fido is really owned by Rogers, your Rogers SIM may work in the phone if it was originally locked to Fido. To check whether it's unlocked or not, try putting in a non-compatible SIM (like Bell or Telus) and see whether it prompts you for an unlock code. If it does, you would need to purchase a code online or request one from the carrier. If it wasn't on Android 4.3 prior to the CM11 installation, you may be able to install stock Android 4.1.1 and free unlock. Either way, whether you are free unlocking or using an unlock code, you have to be on a stock ROM for it work. You can check your phone's settings and see what baseband and bootloader versions you have. This will tell us know whether you should flash stock 4.1.1 or 4.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Baseband is I747MVLUEMK5 bootloader I have no idea, I just used odin to flash CWM.
I'm open to flashing 4.1 to get a free unlock then going back to CM11

SpacePotato said:
Baseband is I747MVLUEMK5 bootloader I have no idea, I just used odin to flash CWM.
I'm open to flashing 4.1 to get a free unlock then going back to CM11
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I747MVLUEMK5 is ver. 4.3 and you almost certainly have the 4.3 bootloader as well. With this, unfortunately, you can't downgrade to 4.1.1 where the free unlock option is available as any attempt to do this could brick your phone. You would need to request an unlock code from the carrier, if eligible, or purchase one online. There have been reports also that the unlock codes don't work when you are on a custom ROM so if you buy one online and it doesn't work, you will have to flash stock 4.3.

Larry2999 said:
I747MVLUEMK5 is ver. 4.3 and you almost certainly have the 4.3 bootloader as well. With this, unfortunately, you can't downgrade to 4.1.1 where the free unlock option is available as any attempt to do this could brick your phone. You would need to request an unlock code from the carrier, if eligible, or purchase one online. There have been reports also that the unlock codes don't work when you are on a custom ROM so if you buy one online and it doesn't work, you will have to flash stock 4.3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, which carrier would I have to talk to, it was a fido phone as mentioned previously. Also is their a possibility I could downgrade to 4.1, or is it a guaranteed brick?

SpacePotato said:
ok, which carrier would I have to talk to, it was a fido phone as mentioned previously. Also is their a possibility I could downgrade to 4.1, or is it a guaranteed brick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would need to contact Fido since it was originally on their network. I'm afraid nobody has yet posted a method to allow you successfully downgrade to 4.1.1 and still preserve the free unlock functionality. You could follow some instructions posted in this forum to downgrade to 4.1.1. However, this wouldn't allow you downgrade the bootloader/modem which is required for the unlock.

Larry2999 said:
You would need to contact Fido since it was originally on their network. I'm afraid nobody has yet posted a method to allow you successfully downgrade to 4.1.1 and still preserve the free unlock functionality. You could follow some instructions posted in this forum to downgrade to 4.1.1. However, this wouldn't allow you downgrade the bootloader/modem which is required for the unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok thanks.

Larry2999 said:
I747MVLUEMK5 is ver. 4.3 and you almost certainly have the 4.3 bootloader as well. With this, unfortunately, you can't downgrade to 4.1.1 where the free unlock option is available as any attempt to do this could brick your phone. You would need to request an unlock code from the carrier, if eligible, or purchase one online. There have been reports also that the unlock codes don't work when you are on a custom ROM so if you buy one online and it doesn't work, you will have to flash stock 4.3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found a way to downgrade from 4.3 to 4.1.1 or 4.0.4 stock. (for Bell).
I bought and used Mobile Odin (available on the play store). Anyhow, it flashes the stock rom and not the old bootloaders. Once you're on 4.1.1 or 4.0.4 the problem is that *#197328640# no longer works. Basically when you type that ServiceMode comes up, but all the options are gone. I believe this is because they locked those features on the new bootloader (which is still on the phone after the Mobile Odin downgrade...)
Unlocking this phone has become a major pain in the ass.

htc_softbank said:
I found a way to downgrade from 4.3 to 4.1.1 or 4.0.4 stock. (for Bell).
I bought and used Mobile Odin (available on the play store). Anyhow, it flashes the stock rom and not the old bootloaders. Once you're on 4.1.1 or 4.0.4 the problem is that *#197328640# no longer works. Basically when you type that ServiceMode comes up, but all the options are gone. I believe this is because they locked those features on the new bootloader (which is still on the phone after the Mobile Odin downgrade...)
Unlocking this phone has become a major pain in the ass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are quite right. Sam and the networks are winning this time. You can indeed use Mobile Odin to downgrade the system (ROM). However, there hasn't been any reports of a successful downgrade of the bootloader. Therefore, even if you downgrade without bricking the phone, you can't free unlock. Tough but you will need a carrier unlock code.

Sim unlock 4.4.2

Is it possible to Sim unlock 4.4.2? Maybe by flashing a 4.1.1 modem?

blu422 said:
Is it possible to Sim unlock 4.4.2? Maybe by flashing a 4.1.1 modem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive flashed over 24 gn2 and s3's through old modems and menu. There's a sticky about it.

blu422 said:
Is it possible to Sim unlock 4.4.2? Maybe by flashing a 4.1.1 modem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By Sim unlock, do you mean you want to use an AT&T phone on another carrier? If that's what you are looking for, give me a few minutes to test something.

creepyncrawly said:
By Sim unlock, do you mean you want to use an AT&T phone on another carrier? If that's what you are looking for, give me a few minutes to test something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't that what a sim unlock is? Correct me if I have it wrong.

emeianoite said:
Isn't that what a sim unlock is? Correct me if I have it wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, of course.
But I am fairly new to the note 2 so I don't have much stored up information. I now see a post that indicates that flashing a certain 4.1.1 modem, MJ2 I think, gives the user a service menu where you can change the unlock setting. So now the OP's question makes sense. Only he should have been able to find the same post I did.
In a minute, as soon as my wife lets me borrow her phone, I'm going to test an unlock tool I know about to see if it works on 4.4.2 stock.

creepyncrawly said:
Yes, of course.
But I am fairly new to the note 2 so I don't have much stored up information. I now see a post that indicates that flashing a certain 4.1.1 modem, MJ2 I think, gives the user a service menu where you can change the unlock setting. So now the OP's question makes sense. Only he should have been able to find the same post I did.
In a minute, as soon as my wife lets me borrow her phone, I'm going to test an unlock tool I know about to see if it works on 4.4.2 stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but that's for 4.1.2 idk if it will work with 4.4.2 I just don't wanna accidentally ruin my phone. And I think you mean LJ2 not MJ2 and thanks that'd be great if you could keep me posted

emeianoite said:
Ive flashed over 24 gn2 and s3's through old modems and menu. There's a sticky about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were any of them on 4.4.2?

blu422 said:
Were any of them on 4.4.2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The dialer codes that worked on 4.1.1 to unlock the phone via the hidden menu. Does not work on 4.4.2 anymore. And being you took the ota update, there's no way of downgrading you firmware...
Sorry to tell you..
Another way is to contact AT&T by email, about unlocking the phone. Can't remember what the exact name is, but goggle search it. They'll send you the SIM code, if the phone is out of contact!!! Takes about 2-3 days when I did my skyrocket to run on TMO.
Just my 2¢®™
Sent from my T889 N2/N3/S5..

At one time, there was a free app on XDA called GalaxSim Unlock. For some reason, the developer pulled the free app download, and the only version then available was the paid version on Play. I have a copy of the free one from before it was pulled, and it works on the Captivate and the Galaxy S II, and some other galaxy phones, not sure which ones. So I tried it tonight on my wife's Note 2 which is running Stock NE5 with TWRP recovery and has the MC3 boot loader. However, the unlock failed, saying unable to read nvdata. So it's apparently a no go on this phone.

Bajanman said:
The dialer codes that worked on 4.1.1 to unlock the phone via the hidden menu. Does not work on 4.4.2 anymore. And being you took the ota update, there's no way of downgrading you firmware...
Sorry to tell you..
Another way is to contact AT&T by email, about unlocking the phone. Can't remember what the exact name is, but goggle search it. They'll send you the SIM code, if the phone is out of contact!!! Takes about 2-3 days when I did my skyrocket to run on TMO.
Just my 2¢®™
Sent from my T889 N2/N3/S5..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That only works if the contract the phone was in was not defaulted, and or you are the original owner of the phone.

re: sim unlock
I recently bought a soft bricked SGH-I317 (stuck on "firmware upgrade encountered and issue"). I tried flashing LJ2 firmware and got it to change to being hung on the "Samsung Note II" logo. I think this is when it changed as I was trying all sorts of flashing trying to get off the "firmware upgrade encountered an issue" screen (also Kies would not recognize that the phone was connected). Tried different recoveries and firmware without making any progress until I flashed the 4.4.2 (I317UCUCNE5) bootloader. The phone booted into Philz recovery after that. I then flashed the stock LJ2 firmware w/ LJ2 modem, sim unlocked the phone and then flashed Skynote Air 4.3 along with the 4.4.2 (NE5) modem. This is the setup that I am using on T-Mobile now with no problems except that the Knox counter is tripped. Hope this helps shed some light on the problem.
I discovered a problem with Skynote 4.3 with the 4.4.2 bootloader. If I try to charge it with the phone turned off, the phone will freeze at the empty battery symbol and requires a battery pull to get the phone to turn on. Everything else seems to work okay.

jsdad said:
I recently bought a soft bricked SGH-I317 (stuck on "firmware upgrade encountered and issue"). I tried flashing LJ2 firmware and got it to change to being hung on the "Samsung Note II" logo. I think this is when it changed as I was trying all sorts of flashing trying to get off the "firmware upgrade encountered an issue" screen (also Kies would not recognize that the phone was connected). Tried different recoveries and firmware without making any progress until I flashed the 4.4.2 (I317UCUCNE5) bootloader. The phone booted into Philz recovery after that. I then flashed the stock LJ2 firmware w/ LJ2 modem, sim unlocked the phone and then flashed Skynote Air 4.3 along with the 4.4.2 (NE5) modem. This is the setup that I am using on T-Mobile now with no problems except that the Knox counter is tripped. Hope this helps shed some light on the problem.
I discovered a problem with Skynote 4.3 with the 4.4.2 bootloader. If I try to charge it with the phone turned off, the phone will freeze at the empty battery symbol and requires a battery pull to get the phone to turn on. Everything else seems to work okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My sister sell her note 2 to me because she's gonna upgrade to samsung galaxy S5. It was an att and I'm using T-mobile.
I did check the baseband ver and It was i317UCUCNE5 (4.4.2 OTA). the question is it is safe to flash base band ver i317UCALJ2 using ODIN?
Can you do the step by step process and also links of the files and software did you use please? thanks

emeianoite said:
Isn't that what a sim unlock is? Correct me if I have it wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a network unlock, so you are free to use any GSM carrier. You can lock your sim card -- then a pin is required for your phone to connect to your carrier. It's the old skool method to stop unauthorized use, from the days before a lock screen pin.

I bought a SGH-I317M today off someone. It was locked to Bell Canada. I did the dumb thing by letting Kies update the firmware. And as i've read I'm pretty screwed for downgrading it. I tried unlocking it but the hidden menu didn't give me the 4th option in the network lock path. So i tried bunch of things which at one point required me installing Kies for drivers and thats when I i let it slip and update. So now I'm still searching for a method to unlock my phone. I've gotten philstouch recovery on and Skynote working. I just tried flashing the rogers_j2 modem.. hoping this will work.. you think I should just pay one of those sites or a retailer for the sim unlock ccode?

trunks10k said:
I bought a SGH-I317M today off someone. It was locked to Bell Canada. I did the dumb thing by letting Kies update the firmware. And as i've read I'm pretty screwed for downgrading it. I tried unlocking it but the hidden menu didn't give me the 4th option in the network lock path. So i tried bunch of things which at one point required me installing Kies for drivers and thats when I i let it slip and update. So now I'm still searching for a method to unlock my phone. I've gotten philstouch recovery on and Skynote working. I just tried flashing the rogers_j2 modem.. hoping this will work.. you think I should just pay one of those sites or a retailer for the sim unlock ccode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please let me know if it works. mine is galaxy note 2 4.4.2 NE5 baseband and I've done some research and they said that if you upload your firmware thru OTA there is a possibility that it will soft brick you phone due to unknown security reason.
I'm just waiting for conformation from some one that it's safe to flash J2 modem on a NE5 OTA

in the US, if your phone is more than 6 months old and your contract is in good standing you can ask for the unlock code. I don't know if Canada is similar.

I was going to post the same question about unlocking I317 4.4.2, and found this post which is similar to what I'm looking for so just want to add to pump the question.
It's been a while but I have done unlocking for other At&t models (S3, S4) and learned that later versions don't with the option in hidden menu to unlock, and the work around is to downgrade. However with devices that have OTA updates, it's not possible to downgrade the bootloader.
Is this the same for Note 2 I317? If so, any other method available to unlock this device to use it on other GSM networks? (I just bought one and it's on Kitkat 4.4.2 UCUCNE5, and looking for unlock...)

It's only the modem that needs to be flashed. So whatever bootloader you're on doesn't matter.

I wanted to unlock my phone today. ATT website wouldn't let me do it until my contract was fufilled, so I did some web searching.
Started with 4.4.2 and NE5 baseband. Loaded original baseband via recovery, and used the debug menu to unlock the sim. After that, updated the baseband back to the latest. Tmobile sim seems to be working just fine.

dmrfresh said:
I wanted to unlock my phone today. ATT website wouldn't let me do it until my contract was fufilled, so I did some web searching.
Started with 4.4.2 and NE5 baseband. Loaded original baseband via recovery, and used the debug menu to unlock the sim. After that, updated the baseband back to the latest. Tmobile sim seems to be working just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What bootloader were u on?
Sent from the TermiNOTEr 2! ?

SIM unlocking T999L

Hey I recently got an S 3 on the T-Mobile network, and need to switch over to Verizon. I've looked around on here for different SIM unlocking methods, and just had a few questions:
1 can I just flash a Verizon ROM onto the phone in order to use my Verizon SIM card on it? (Something tells me this is a no)
2 if the above is not possible, and I have to get an unlock code, will I still be able to use a cyanogenmod ROM, or would I have to revert back to a stock ROM?
Thanks for your patience! Sorry if this a dumb question or if I posted in the wrong place!
I'm running:
TWRP 2.8.6.0
CM 12.1 d2tmo
SGH -T999L

If the phone is running a 4.1.1 or 4.1.2 bootloader, you could be flashed to stock 4.1.1 and sim unlocked using the free method. After unlocking, I would run ota updates until, the phone is running the latest stock rom. Once updated, I would install twrp and flash a stock rom.
If the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader, it would be best to be running a stock rom in order to enter the unlock code.

Please help it's urgent

My friend's AT&T Galaxy S3 (SGH-I747) was unlocked at 4.1.1 stock and now I installed Resurrection Remix (7.1.1). Now when I insert my sim there is no network but it recognises that there's a SIM but no carrier or whatsoever
Is my phone now locked or unlocked?
I live in India
Baseband - I747UCDLK3
Bootloader - I747UCDLK3
I have to return the phone by 10th March

I'm a novice, however in my experience once the phone is unlocked it stays unlocked no matter what rom you install. Perhaps another rom may work better in your situation. LineageOS seem to work well for my needs (with unlocked phone) and you should give it (or others) a try.

You may have lost the IMEI and will have to ODIN back to stock to try to get it back. Also, you can search for IMEI in the forums.
Check in about phone status under settings to confirm you lost the IMEI before all this.

I would flash it back to stock 4.1.1 from Sammobile.com with Odin.
7.1.1 roms will require the latest bootloader and modem to work.

It may be too late now but your main reason for lack of success is your "bootloader_modem" you are currently 5 or 6 places behind the latest release! Its very old and these ROMs require the latest bootloaders: I747UCUFNJ2 for Android version 4.4.2. Check out "enewmam17" threads on XDA for how-to and links to .zip files. Hope this is not too late to help in any case it's good for future reference.
Edit: added a link : https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3-att/general/ucuemjb-to-ucufne4-firmware-update-t2808654

i747m upgrading checklist

i have an i747m phone on rogers network (locked). it is still on original firmware version, although it is rooted.
i recently flashed lineageos.
since then the sim card is not recognised (no network). i am unsure what the issue IS, but i have been further educating myself for the last four days on this topic and am still unclear on some things. i wonder if you could answer some questions and give a bit of guidance.
here's what i know:
===============
made nandroid backup before upgrading to lineageos
phone worked fine before the update to lineageos
android version was 4.0.4
the bootloader and modem has not to my knowledge been changed since purchase -- i am the original owner.
the phone was rooted shortly after purchase by me
baseband is I747MVLLE8
bootloader is i747MVLALE8
os is now lineageos 14.1-20170828-nightly-d2att
### i can receive calls. phone does not ring, but there is visual notification and i can answer and talk.
### (update) i reinstalled lineageos and now incoming DOES ring. on the screen it says "incoming call via emergency network". i do not see any way to answer the call now, and even after hanging up the initiating call it continues to ring until reboot.
### (update2) i have been able to answer the "incoming call via emergency network" and it seems to connect normally. is this a glitch, or are "incoming emergency calls" a "thing"?
===============
i read that one of the likely reasons is "out of date baseband/modem/bootloader"
here's what i am unsure of:
===============
probable cause of "no sim"
should i upgrade bootloader? if so to what version and how?
should i upgrade modem? if so to what version and how?
anything else that should be updated?
what does "d2att" stand for and represent? is it part of the hardware/model of the phone? e.g. what is the difference between d2att and d2can?
is d2att the correct "thing" for the rogers network in canada for an i747m?
can i use heimdall and the images from sammobile.com to upgrade ONLY the modem and/or bootloader? if so, what files do i use (which one's are which?)?
if i use heimdall to flash the WHOLE sammobile "firmware" what happens? do i need to flash them all incrementally (v4.1, v4.2, v4.3 etc), or can i go from 4.0.4 straight to 4.4.2?
what is the minimum baseband/modem/bootloader that will work with lineageos 14.1 (android 7?)?
what are the drawbacks associated with upgrading the baseband/modem/firmware?
should i flash an older baseband first and try to unlock my sim or is that problematic in other ways?
===============
i am tech savvy and can follow complex instructions. i am not afraid of SOFT bricks as long as there is some way for me to revert. what IS holding me up is the fact that there are no clear directions (that i could find so far) for doing what i am trying to do, no clear indications of what the dangers are (that i could find so far), and (seemingly) conflicting information abounds. i understand (more than ever now) that this is a very complex topic and everything in this realm is unofficial. i would be very grateful if you could bring me up to speed on this topic a bit more, help me to understand things in more depth.
my goal is to update the phone the the newest lineageos (if that is possible and recommended), and to have full functionality. IF lineageos 14.1 is not to my liking, being able to revert to SOMETHING else would be great!
thanks so much!

The phone needs to be running the latest bootloader and modem to run the latest Lineage.
d2att is the moniker for the AT&T s3. The d2can is the Canadian version used by Canadian carriers other than Wind/Freedom, Videotron, and Shaw. The d2lte is the international version of the s3, although the d2att and d2lte ROMs may work on the d2can.

audit13 said:
The phone needs to be running the latest bootloader and modem to run the latest Lineage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok great to know!
do you know if i can update just the bootloader and modem and if so how? i have the file
I747MVLUFOB3_I747MOYAFOB3_RWC.zip
from sammobile.com (for the i747m rogers) which contains around ten files. which one is the bootloader and which one the modem (or does it work like that?)? there is a post here
ohthehugemanatee <dot> org/blog/2015/04/04/how-and-why-to-update-the-modem-slash-baseband-firmware-on-a-samsung-phone/
that talks about the theory (if not the exact practice for my exact phone) of how to do it. can you verify this would work as demonstrated using heimdall?
is it advised to do any of this with a locked sim? i am on the rogers network and would be flashing files/firmware (presumably) for the rogers network.
audit13 said:
d2att is the moniker for the AT&T s3. The d2can is the Canadian version used by Canadian carriers other than Wind/Freedom, Videotron, and Shaw. The d2lte is the international version of the s3, although the d2att and d2lte ROMs may work on the d2can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
since you did not list rogers there does that mean that i would have the d2can then? i used the d2att version of TWRP (as well as lineageos) -- do you think that is going to cause problems?
thanks very much for your reply!

Rogers, Telus, and Bell s3 are the d2can.
You unzip the file from sammobile.com only once to get a tar.md5 file that you flash in the pda/ap slot of Odin. Sim card is not required to be in the phone when flashing.
Using twrp and lineage for the d2att shouldn't be an issue since the att version of the s3 uses the same hardware as the Rogers s3.

audit13 said:
Rogers, Telus, and Bell s3 are the d2can.
You unzip the file from sammobile.com only once to get a tar.md5 file that you flash in the pda/ap slot of Odin. Sim card is not required to be in the phone when flashing.
Using twrp and lineage for the d2att shouldn't be an issue since the att version of the s3 uses the same hardware as the Rogers s3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool ok.
do you think i can go straight from 4.0.4 firmware to 4.4.2 (latest i think?)? is it recommended?

It should be no problem to flash the 4.4.2 stock rom over the existing 4.0x ROM.
Is the phone network unlocked? If not, flash the stock 4.1.1 ROM and use the free method to network unlock the phone. The unlock will be permanent.

audit13 said:
It should be no problem to flash the 4.4.2 stock rom over the existing 4.0x ROM.
Is the phone network unlocked? If not, flash the stock 4.1.1 ROM and use the free method to network unlock the phone. The unlock will be permanent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool. couple of questions:
1/ do i need to use a sim from a network other than my own (rogers) in order to complete the free unlock? many of the "free unlock" tutorials mention inserting "the new sim" in order to do the unlock.
2/ will this image (rogers 4.1.1) work for getting me the free unlock or do i have to use a pristine one?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426
the reason i ask is that sammobile seems to require a premium account to get that older 4.1.1 image.
cheers!

You don't need a SIM card from another carrier to unlock on 4.1.1 but you need a SIM from another carrier to verify that the phone is unlocked.
Try updato.com for a stock Canadian 4.1.1 rom
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2529200
Don't flash beyond 4.1.1 until the phone is sim unlocked.

audit13 said:
You don't need a SIM card from another carrier to unlock on 4.1.1 but you need a SIM from another carrier to verify that the phone is unlocked.
Try updato.com for a stock Canadian 4.1.1 rom
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2529200
Don't flash beyond 4.1.1 until the phone is sim unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when i search for "i747m" on updato.com, the only 4.1.1 firmware they list is
GALAXY S III (Canada) SGH-I747M 4.1.1 December 21, 12 Puerto Rico (PCT) I747MUMBLL1
is that one suitable, being "region/carrier = puerto rico" or do i NEED rogers carrier?

Is your phone still locked to Rogers?

audit13 said:
Is your phone still locked to Rogers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have not tried the unlock yet (because of the carrier/region question) but yes i believe it is locked to rogers.
i guess i don't really understand what the differences are on my phone -- what they are for.
i believe that the i747 is a different hardware than i474m.
but i don't know if d2att is different HARDWARE than d2can for example.
and the "rogers" part, vs "telus" or "sprint" or whatever. i am guessing that that signifies the PROGRAMMING in the OS or perhaps the FIRMWARE as well -- but not the hardware... but i could be wrong.
when i "unlock" the phone from rogers network, when i dial the "special number," do i need a network connection or is that number something internal to the phone (no rogers network (or any other) needed)? in other words, can i "unlock" my rogers locked phone using the non-rogers firmware upgrade 4.1.1 ?

The hardware for the ATT s3 (d2att) and Rogers/Telus/Bell s3 (d2can) is identical except the US version uses different boot loaders and modem from the Canadian version.
The Sprint and Verizon versions of the s3 are CDMA, not GSM like the ATT and Rogers version.
Neither a network connection, SIM card, or SD card is not needed to use the menu method to unlock the phone. You will need a non-Rogers SIM card to test the phone after it is unlocked. Do not upgrade beyond 4.1.1 until the phone is network unlocked. Upgrading beyond stock 4.1.1 will permanently lock you out of the dialler unlock menu and you will have to buy an unlock code if you want to network unlock the phone.
You can use any 4.1.1 stock ROM from Bell, Telus, Koodo, Rogers, or Fido to access the dialler unlock menu.
Use Odin 3.07 and the original Samsung USB cable to flash the ROM in the PDA slot of Odin.
Make sure you have a backup of your data as things can go wrong during any flash process that may cause you to lose your data.
All of the information I have provided is something that I have personally done. I can provide no guarantee that you won't encounter a problem or brick your phone. Proceed at your own risk.

Any updates?

audit13 said:
Any updates?
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yes i have updates! i finally got around to doing this today and...
i updated to 4.1.1 bell stock that you suggested. i used heimdall to do the flash instead of odin using this guide:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Heimdall
other than that i followed your advice to the T
success.
i then did the menu unlock procedure (a few times). i don't know if it worked or not because i am unable to test with a different network sim yet.
i then went to version 4.4.2 from sammobile using heimdall again -- all went well.
i then installed the (for me) non-working lineageos from last week and it now works -- i assume due to the upgraded baseband you suggested. i am able to make and receive calls as normal now.
i then updated to lineageos 14.1 20170904 with gapps nano. and i can report that all is working extremely well.
thank you so much audit13 for working this through with me. i have learned a ton of new stuff, and not a single brick.
thanks again!

That's great news. Thanks for the update.
We're all here to help and learn