Hi, I bought my phone from my carrier on a two years contract. It's locked to my carrier only and the model is Samsung I9195- Galaxy S4 Mini. Now, will I be able to install Philz CWM and root this device and that install custom roms?
I read many guides and they all point out that when installing clockworkmod, ones phone should be internationally unlocked.
We recommend NOT to try our guides if your phone is locked to a carrier
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Does this mean I'm doomed to a regular Sammy firmware for the next two years?
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?
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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
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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
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
I have a general question for my note 2 possibly moving to a note 4. Can someone tell me the difference between unlocking a phone ans rooting. My note 2 is att and rooted and have it on the straight talk Sim. I picked up a new note 4 for 300 bucks can rooting it do the same as unlocking it.
I'm not in USA but believe I can help clarify. Unlocking relates to the ability to use your phone
on a different network than what it's locked to.
Rooting is completely different, it gives you total control over your device. However be aware that ATT version of N4 is locked up tight and cannot be rooted at the moment. May I spontaneously combust if my facts are wrong.
Hahaha OK well thank you I'll get it unlocked for starters. Straight talk runs on the ATT network so I'll get it unlocked to safe
What is the best way to unlock a phone? Is it a similar to do like flashing via Odin?
You purchase a code, then you put in a different carrier sim card, then type in the code, and the phone is carrier unlocked. No flashing necessary.
Rooting means gaining access to the file system of your phone to install apps, delete files, etc.
If you have no warranty on your phone, you may be able to downgrade to 4.1.1, unlock, and run OTA updates to get back to KK.
I have the Canadian version (sgh-i317m) of the Note 2 that was running the latest 4.4.2. I used Odin to flash back to stock 4.1.1 which tripped the knox counter, unlocked, and flashed back to stock 4.4.2.
I have an AT&T Galaxy S3 (Model SGH-i747) that I have unlocked and am using on Tmobile. Since it was originally an AT&T device, am I able to use Odin and simply replace the ROM with the Tmobile version (t999 I believe)? The phone is totally stock with the exception of being unlocked with a code from AT&T. It is running Android 4.1.2 Kernel Version 3.0.31-1300972. I downloaded a ROM for the Tmobile t999 with Android 4.3 and when I tried to install it Odin gave me an error: Secure check fail sbl2. I really don't like the AT&T boot screen and AT&T bloatware, and I'd like to run the factory Tmobile setup. Is this doable or are the 2 models of Galaxy S3 different enough to prevent it?
Flashing a stock T999 ROM will also try to flash a bootloader and modem that are not compatible with your i747 and may hard brick your phone.
Thank you, I appreciate the help. Do you know what options are available if I want to get rid of the AT&T boot screen and bloatware (Specifically the AT&T contacts book) while maintaining all the functionality of the device? I have been searching around on this site and google and I've been having a hard time finding information specific to this situation.
You could try a custom ROM but before flashing anything, it's a good idea to verify your bootloader and modem version.
If you are running an old bootloader and modem, you'll have to decide if you want to upgrade to use the latest custom ROMs or stick with your current bootloader and modem.
I bougth a second hand s6 edge t-mobile version 64 gb. No issues with the smartphone until i checked for an update.It said the devise have been modified and connect......
I searched and searched about this and when i went to system status,it said custom. I thougth the devise migth have a custom rom but for no reason i openned the unlock device app for t-mobile and it showed my devise was locked yet i had no carrier problems. It even said permenant or temporary unlock . Both of them failed.
Im thinking of taking this phone back to the seller but i want to be sure if its actually locked or some other issue. I think a custom rom was installed on this devise to unlock it before i purchased it. Any ways to know if phone is locked or not?