Related
I bought an almost new S3 LTE SGH-T999L for my son off CL. It checked OK on swappa and it worked for a week, then unable to connect to network. Swappa now says blacklisted. DOH!
It sucks to have a $350 paper weight! I tried to contact the seller with no luck.
Couple questions...
Any way to fix it?
Can this model be downgraded to 4.1.1 to use free unlock method and even then will it possibly work on anther carrier is the US. I know it will work outside the US if unlocked.
I contacted T-Mobile and they said nothing I can do, only the original owner can have the blacklist lifted.
Any help or advice much appreciated!
Also let this be a lesson to all...just because it works when you buy it, don't mean it wont go belly-up in a week. :crying:
Sorry I didn't answer your PM before. Wasn't ignoring you. Unfortunately your options are extremely limited.
You will have to pay for an unlock code online (see the last couple pages of the unlock thread), and then sell overseas. Just please be honest about it to whoever you sell it to in case they plan on bringing it to the states.
Personally, I'd also file a police report. May not come to anything, but if the guy gets arrested for anything else, or enough people file a report against him for similar stuff, you may then have some recourse against him. But he has twice committed fraud, or theft by deception (or something like that). First against T-Mobile, then against you.
Once unlocked, it might work on other carriers here, but not for long. I'm told all US carriers will be sharing the same blacklist by year's end. I've also heard it may also be shared with Canadian carriers as well.
Sorry to hear that happened to you. You're definitely not alone! This happens all the time, unfortunately.
Never buy used unless you make the transaction in person at a T-Mobile store where the seller can prove they have paid for the device in full and are allowed to sell it. Also, have a note made on both accounts (preferably by a manager) that the sale is made so they can't report it stolen a few weeks later.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4
I hear you, but it never goes down like that. I've bought and sold 30 or 40 smartphones. First time I've ever got burnt. I make small profit along, but this one is a stinger. I've had people want to meet me at Verizon, ATT and T-Mobile and every time I met them there all the store employees would say is if the sim card works it's ok.
Of course you could ask for a receipt...but what if it's a reseller like myself? I've had one receipt the whole time. Most of the time you can spot a fraud and steer clear. I check esn on swappa and/or Verizon site. I guess it's just a risky thing and I've been very lucky so far.
I did get a guy on ebay to unlock the phone for $10 last night. It works with a Lycamobile sim(T-Mobile reseller) and also works with a new LTE ATT Straight Talk sim...recieves LTE even. Maybe not for long...but it works fine now and it's been blacklisted about a month.
Guy on ebay unlocks clean phones for $5 & blacklisted for $10, he does remote into your pc to do it, but it only takes 2-3 minutes. He gave me the code, but it was never needed.
I'm a PagePlus dealer and I do alot of carrier flashing, not to beat blacklist, but to get more use from older 3G devices. Anytime I sell a phone I always give a 2 days return policy if they change their mind.
The seller of the phone should be able to get some sort of confirmation off of his own account showing he is not currently making payments on it. If the employees are only saying to see if the SIM works, they are just being lazy or ignorant! With the owners permission they can look it up, or call support from the phone and have him ask them to verify on speaker so you can hear. I'm just trying to say there's other ways to get the info before buying.
I'd say that if you've bought that many you are pretty lucky. But for the blacklisted one that worked on other carriers...expect it not to on AT&T very soon and all other US carriers around the end of the year. Right now T-Mobile and AT&T share their lists, but don't use the same one, so it'll often take a few weeks to catch up. As I understand it, once the national list is in place, all carriers will be using the same one so it'll be more instant.
I have spoken to a few people who bought their phone used and all seemed good, but then nearly 2 months later it got blacklisted! Some people are apparently selling it, but then waiting a month or two to report it stolen!
I just hope that if one of your customers gets blacklisted a few weeks after buying from you, you will be willing to at least exchange it.
But before you try and sell this one, please consider that it's practically a given that it's not gonna work for very long.
Also, (and I'm not sure of the ramifications here) keep in mind that you are knowingly in possession of stolen property. That by itself is probably not a big deal for you, legally speaking, since it happens to so many people and hardly no one knows what they are buying when this happens to them. But if you sell it, you will be knowingly selling stolen goods. If one of your customers gets blacklisted, you could be the one held liable.
Don't take it wrong, I'm just trying to help!
And I'm just curious, what do you mean by "carrier flashing"?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4
I understand where you're coming from and I will not sell this phone except to one particular customer who takes them outside the country. My son is using it now on LycaMobile which is a UK based reseller using T-Molile towers. We will see how long it lasts...strange circumstance there since the provider is not from the US, will they also adhere to universal blacklist? I dunno...time will tell. At $30 per month they are cheapest unlimited I know of(Only 50MB 4G data, then 2G/3G).
I run a legitimate part time business and have rarely had phones returned, but always made the customer happy. Happy customers come back and most of my profit is selling refills and flashing/rooting/unlocking...not the actual phone sales.
Carrier flashing: Mainly I've flashed older Metro phones to work on PagePlus and GS3's from Sprint or Verizon must be flashed for pageplus because they don't yet allow 4G phones. I never do any ESN changes. I'm an old techie and I go way back to Nextel mods in mid 90's. lol
BTW I installed CM 10.1.2 RC2 right from the phone yesterday after originally flashing the CM10 linked in Doc's T999L thread. It flashed perfect right through CM update utility automatically and seems to run perfectly.
Has anyone had any luck pre-ordering an S6 Edge from T-Mobile USA on a pre-paid plan?
There doesn't seem to be any way to do this on their website. I went to 2 different stores and they both said I would have to wait until a couple months (!) after launch before I could get one on a prepaid plan. I complained about this on twitter and a t-mo rep said that I should be able to get one on launch day so I guess we'll see about that.
I don't care about financing (I'd actually prefer to buy it outright) so I figured there must be a way to get one, but it doesn't look like it.
I put in a pre-order at gsmnation.com but I don't have a ton of faith anything will come of that.
Other options I've considered:
1. Signing up for a post-paid plan and then cancelling it right away. Kind of a pain, plus it means paying $50 for the first month of service and $15 for the sim card (I can't believe they actually charge you for the sim card when you're signing up for a plan. Total rip).
2. Buying one from AT&T and then getting them to unlock it immediately (they say they'll do it - https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/). The AT&T price is $35 more than T-Mo and it doesn't include the "free" year of Netflix that T-Mobile is offering.
I might end up doing one of those two but I just feel like I'm getting ripped off. Anyone have any better suggestions?
I went the tmobile route. Paid the 870 plus the 50 and the 15 and the 62 for tax. Bought it outright to use with cricket wireless. Just waiting on the unlock code to be delivered hopefully sometime soon. Will likely not be able to get a prepaid one unless you get the metro pcs or the cricket wireless s6
Sent from my SM-G925T using Tapatalk
I tried this very thing. I called TMO and they would not budge on it. The only option i can find is to do what @osmosizzz suggested.
smaskell said:
Has anyone had any luck pre-ordering an S6 Edge from T-Mobile USA on a pre-paid plan?
There doesn't seem to be any way to do this on their website. I went to 2 different stores and they both said I would have to wait until a couple months (!) after launch before I could get one on a prepaid plan. I complained about this on twitter and a t-mo rep said that I should be able to get one on launch day so I guess we'll see about that.
I don't care about financing (I'd actually prefer to buy it outright) so I figured there must be a way to get one, but it doesn't look like it.
I put in a pre-order at gsmnation.com but I don't have a ton of faith anything will come of that.
Other options I've considered:
1. Signing up for a post-paid plan and then cancelling it right away. Kind of a pain, plus it means paying $50 for the first month of service and $15 for the sim card (I can't believe they actually charge you for the sim card when you're signing up for a plan. Total rip).
2. Buying one from AT&T and then getting them to unlock it immediately (they say they'll do it - https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/). The AT&T price is $35 more than T-Mo and it doesn't include the "free" year of Netflix that T-Mobile is offering.
I might end up doing one of those two but I just feel like I'm getting ripped off. Anyone have any better suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will AT&T unlock it right away? What's with the part under prepaid that says it must be active for 60 days before unlocking? I'm also T-Mo prepaid ($30 plan) but am unable to buy it at full retail price without buying a simple choice plan. In the end the extra $35.00 would be cheaper than the $50.00 deposit plus $15.00 sim card with the simple choice contact-free plan. But I wouldn't want to use it for 2 months on AT&T lol.
DanRyb said:
Will AT&T unlock it right away? What's with the part under prepaid that says it must be active for 60 days before unlocking? I'm also T-Mo prepaid ($30 plan) but am unable to buy it at full retail price without buying a simple choice plan. In the end the extra $35.00 would be cheaper than the $50.00 deposit plus $15.00 sim card with the simple choice contact-free plan. But I wouldn't want to use it for 2 months on AT&T lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T's site says this
Non-AT&T Mobility Customers
You’ve never had an AT&T wireless account and you meet the General Requirements for unlock requests.
Not sure how that works if you previously had an account that you cancelled but that doesn't apply to me. You should be able to just buy the phone outright and then get it unlocked immediately. The 60 day thing only applies to current AT&T customers.
Oh I didn't even see that! I just tried to buy it for retail price but even AT&T's website won't let me purchase just the phone. They want me to select a plan. Did you try or are you just going the T-Mobile route?
DanRyb said:
Oh I didn't even see that! I just tried to buy it for retail price but even AT&T's website won't let me purchase just the phone. They want me to select a plan. Did you try or are you just going the T-Mobile route?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, that sucks. I haven't decided what I want to do yet. Probably going to wait until the 10th and see if anything changes.
Mine came with an app called device unlock from tmobile and I just tapped unlock and it unlocked for my phone. No unlock codes needed.
Sent from my SM-G920T using XDA Free mobile app
iPathik said:
Mine came with an app called device unlock from tmobile and I just tapped unlock and it unlocked for my phone. No unlock codes needed.
Sent from my SM-G920T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tested it at&t sim card? and did you purchase it at full price as a t-mobile customer?
Be Careful with Unlocked Flagship Phones on Different Carriers
On Tmobile Flagships you will have VoLTE and WiFi calling.
IF you get an AT&T Device and unlock it - and use on Tmobile or another Carrier you may not have VoLTE so phone will drop to 3G on calls and may interrupt temporarily your Internet Data and Connection..
Your speed on a fast Network like Tmo may be slower with a non carrier optimized Device.
Your speed and performance on a Flagship Device on ANY Network is unlikely to be equal to a Device Software Optimized for that Network.
If you are buying a Powerhouse Phone for a specific Carrier - you need the Carrier Software to get ALL the features and speed.
The exceptions to this are rare.
All the info about BYOD and all the Internet Articles about Bands and Towers and etc. do NOT mention this.
For example is there ANY DEVICE that has VoLTE across multiple Carriers ?
Or even VoLTE on AT&T and Tmobile ?
robertkoa said:
On Tmobile Flagships you will have VoLTE and WiFi calling.
IF you get an AT&T Device and unlock it - and use on Tmobile or another Carrier you may not have VoLTE so phone will drop to 3G on calls and may interrupt temporarily your Internet Data and Connection..
Your speed on a fast Network like Tmo may be slower with a non carrier optimized Device.
Your speed and performance on a Flagship Device on ANY Network is unlikely to be equal to a Device Software Optimized for that Network.
If you are buying a Powerhouse Phone for a specific Carrier - you need the Carrier Software to get ALL the features and speed.
The exceptions to this are rare.
All the info about BYOD and all the Internet Articles about Bands and Towers and etc. do NOT mention this.
For example is there ANY DEVICE that has VoLTE across multiple Carriers ?
Or even VoLTE on AT&T and Tmobile ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good info, but I'm doubting most people who are doing this care about carrier optimizations. Most are buying T-mobile devices for the unlocked bootloader so they can run custom ROMs that likely wouldn't have this software anyways.
I went to a T-mobile store this morning and they refused to sell me one. They said I could order one from Samsung but that's just not true. This is so annoying.
smaskell said:
I went to a T-mobile store this morning and they refused to sell me one. They said I could order one from Samsung but that's just not true. This is so annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Went to another store after work and they sold me one. I don't know what the deal is here but I'm happy I got one.
Hey everyone - just a quick question. I purchased my phone directly from Samsung, the Verizon version of course and was curious if after it arrived I would have to go into the store to activate it or, if I could simply throw in my old Sim from my HTC. I purchased the n7 outright rather than using my upgrade (saving it for q1 2017).
I'm assuming that I can just pop in the old sim but wanted to double check I wouldn't lose any features/functions from doing so.
Thanks in advance!
As long as the old Sim is a nanosim then yes you can just pop in the new one. Typically the phone will include a sim card with it and you can activate it online or over the phone using another device to activate your Note 7. If you don't feel like going through with the manual activation, swapping it over should work just fine.
Cheers I figure it would be simply! Thanks cad!
Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk
Chikenbok said:
Hey everyone - just a quick question. I purchased my phone directly from Samsung, the Verizon version of course and was curious if after it arrived I would have to go into the store to activate it or, if I could simply throw in my old Sim from my HTC. I purchased the n7 outright rather than using my upgrade (saving it for q1 2017).
I'm assuming that I can just pop in the old sim but wanted to double check I wouldn't lose any features/functions from doing so.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a slight problem buying outright from Verizon, as I was not upgrade eligible. They would NOT let me pre-order without changing to the "new" Verizon plan. I, too, ordered directly from Samsung, so appreciate your question, and might just switch Sims. Have you had any news on Samsung shipping? It sounds like TMobile is already shipping?
kat3k said:
I had a slight problem buying outright from Verizon, as I was not upgrade eligible. They would NOT let me pre-order without changing to the "new" Verizon plan. I, too, ordered directly from Samsung, so appreciate your question, and might just switch Sims. Have you had any news on Samsung shipping? It sounds like TMobile is already shipping?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is something I posted on another thread I had made -- I spoke with about 7 different reps until I finally got this answer:
"I actually called back a couple of times to get some kind of statistical honesty... Yeah I know.
Finally I spoke to someone high enough up the ladder who said, "the only people who know when the phones from Samsung will ship, are the corporate execs. Despite what anyone tells you, only carriers can release early, as the manufacturer, we just wait. However, if you did preorder early, you will get your phone around the 19th as we've been told."
It only took me 5 phone calls to get some honesty... Albeit bizarre honesty. ALL I WANTED WAS TO HEAR 'Hey man, I'm gonna ship your phone on Monday!"
This was after 2 people told me the phones were shipping Mid-September and I was trying to cancel my order to pick one up in store...
BTW I also went with coral blue, ordered on 8/3
Chikenbok said:
This is something I posted on another thread I had made -- I spoke with about 7 different reps until I finally got this answer:
"I actually called back a couple of times to get some kind of statistical honesty... Yeah I know.
Finally I spoke to someone high enough up the ladder who said, "the only people who know when the phones from Samsung will ship, are the corporate execs. Despite what anyone tells you, only carriers can release early, as the manufacturer, we just wait. However, if you did preorder early, you will get your phone around the 19th as we've been told."
It only took me 5 phone calls to get some honesty... Albeit bizarre honesty. ALL I WANTED WAS TO HEAR 'Hey man, I'm gonna ship your phone on Monday!"
This was after 2 people told me the phones were shipping Mid-September and I was trying to cancel my order to pick one up in store...
BTW I also went with coral blue, ordered on 8/3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much. That's what I was looking for. It's like pulling teeth to get anything out of them, isn't it? So it appears that phones ordered from carriers will be received sooner than Samsung orders? Oh well.
Maybe, maybe not.. It's like a magic 8 ball.. I figure well have them this week assuming you ordered somewhat early.
Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk
kat3k said:
I had a slight problem buying outright from Verizon, as I was not upgrade eligible. They would NOT let me pre-order without changing to the "new" Verizon plan. I, too, ordered directly from Samsung, so appreciate your question, and might just switch Sims. Have you had any news on Samsung shipping? It sounds like TMobile is already shipping?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's BS. You can keep your old plan and put the new phone on device payments. I did it in June when I got a new S7E. This rule was instituted last November to "lessen" the blow of the additional $20 price hike for grandfathered UDPs but applies to all old plans.
Of course my old device was already paid for. If yours isn't, don't know what the deal is then. You may have to pay it off, then trade it in to get a new device and keep your old plan.
GeoFX said:
That's BS. You can keep your old plan and put the new phone on device payments. I did it in June when I got a new S7E. This rule was instituted last November to "lessen" the blow of the additional $20 price hike for grandfathered UDPs but applies to all old plans.
Of course my old device was already paid for. If yours isn't, don't know what the deal is then. You may have to pay it off, then trade it in to get a new device and keep your old plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on a "loyalty" plan, which has a good rate, and as I understand it, I have a plan commitment, but the phone is free to go anytime - not locked like they used to be. So I was unable to order online (paying full price outright) without accepting the new plan, and when I called in I got the same information - could not pre-order without changing the plan since I was still under contract. You know you can call 5 times and get 5 different answers. Since it was the 19th, I was on hold a long time and someone finally said they would transfer me to someone who could probably do it. By that time I decided to go through Samsung, which I did online with no problem. Like all of us, can't wait to get it!
As long as it is a nano sim just pop in and you are good to go.
markwebb said:
As long as it is a nano sim just pop in and you are good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm assuming that's what I have in my HTC 10 [emoji12] so I'll give it a shot! Thanks! Now just to wait for Samsung to ship the damned device..
Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk
I'm still on the note 3 and I love it due to the rooting/customization I have, but I think it's about time for an upgrade. I am currently on a UDP line, does the best buy method work anymore or will I have to buy this phone at full price to keep my UDP. I am on a the same bill as a few family members that have an upgrade but they are thinking of switching providers so I'm not sure I can use their upgrade to grab the phone at a discounted price.
If you look at the bottom of the page on best buys website they have a disclaimer about unlimited data.
Also if you buy phone at full price you will not have a issues last I heard.
I didn't preorder. Just went to Best Buy on release day , bought it full retail and popped my sim into the phone. Hassle free.
Is the Sprint version unlocked for use in GSM/UMTS networks outside US? And what about bootloader unlock possibility?
T-Mobile and Sprint Z2 can have their bootloader unlocked.
As for unlocking the Sim that I have no idea.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
I think as far as a sim unlocked device for u.s carriers the one from Verizon has the best combo of CDMA and GSM radios. I always buy Verizon. Usually works on anything I put in it. More radios means more options and possible matches for outside u.s
I am on AT&T and wanted to jump ship when I found out the bootloader was locked. After speaking with some employees and being assured it would work I bought a T-Mobile model outright from ebay. Despite the device having a clean imei and not being linked to any account I can't sim unlock it until 40 days after its been activated on T-Mobile's network, rendering the device useless to me. I even tried cellunlocker.net to no avail.
I am pretty sure sprint has a similar rule, perhaps even more strict. I think unless you can confirm in writing that it can be unlocked then and there you're better off passing. If you do go that route and it works, please let me know, I still have 12 days to return and cancel with AT&T.
filthyfnj24 said:
I am on AT&T and wanted to jump ship when I found out the bootloader was locked. After speaking with some employees and being assured it would work I bought a T-Mobile model outright from ebay. Despite the device having a clean imei and not being linked to any account I can't sim unlock it until 40 days after its been activated on T-Mobile's network, rendering the device useless to me. I even tried cellunlocker.net to no avail.
I am pretty sure sprint has a similar rule, perhaps even more strict. I think unless you can confirm in writing that it can be unlocked then and there you're better off passing. If you do go that route and it works, please let me know, I still have 12 days to return and cancel with AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't need to be active for 40 days. The account needs to be 40 days. All you need is for one person who has an account that is older than 40 days use the phone for a day or two to make sure the system sees it. Viola unlocked after that.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Tidbits said:
It doesn't need to be active for 40 days. The account needs to be 40 days. All you need is for one person who has an account that is older than 40 days use the phone for a day or two to make sure the system sees it. Viola unlocked after that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure? I still have the phone. This might be worth a try.
filthyfnj24 said:
Are you sure? I still have the phone. This might be worth a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've unlocked roughly 20 devices. Some the day I bought them. If it was 40 days I would have returned them and bought the unlocked version. I think I posted on the S7E forums I unlocked the very next day I got it. Others have as well, and that 40 day timeline was still there. Unless T-Mobile changed something recently. Now the catch if you do this and it works that person has the power to lock your phone if reported lost or stolen.
I am on JOD with this phone and don't feel like paying it off until I see how support for Oreo from Lenovo and also developer support happens.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Tidbits said:
I've unlocked roughly 20 devices. Some the day I bought them. If it was 40 days I would have returned them and bought the unlocked version. I think I posted on the S7E forums I unlocked the very next day I got it. Others have as well, and that 40 day timeline was still there. Unless T-Mobile changed something recently. Now the catch if you do this and it works that person has the power to lock your phone if reported lost or stolen.
I am on JOD with this phone and don't feel like paying it off until I see how support for Oreo from Lenovo and also developer support happens.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jod? I'm not sure I know anyone on T-Mobile, I had it over 10 years ago and the reception was garbage in my area. Most people here have AT&T or Verizon. Ideally I could buy a black sprint one and have it unlocked for AT&T and unlock the bootloader and wait for development.
I have been slowly getting used to not having root or finding work arounds to things I frequently used...but I'd like to have my cake and eat it too.
filthyfnj24 said:
Jod? I'm not sure I know anyone on T-Mobile, I had it over 10 years ago and the reception was garbage in my area. Most people here have AT&T or Verizon. Ideally I could buy a black sprint one and have it unlocked for AT&T and unlock the bootloader and wait for development.
I have been slowly getting used to not having root or finding work arounds to things I frequently used...but I'd like to have my cake and eat it too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jump on Demand. It's their leasing program. I can switch devices every 30 days if I wanted to. Of course may have to put a down payment and taxes every time I do, but some devices I buy outright mainly for my wife, and kids. They are not like me always willing to try the new. Saves me time trying to sell poorly supported devices.
Too bad you don't live near me. I haven't unlocked a device device this year. I could have tried to help you out but would need the device physically for a couple days.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
That's brilliant. I think AT&T has something similar but I think it's every 6 months, not every 30 days.
filthyfnj24 said:
That's brilliant. I think AT&T has something similar but I think it's every 6 months, not every 30 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile used to be 3 times a year. They switched it to 30 days recently.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
I'm in the same situation. Outright purchased the device, and the only way I can get it unlocked reasonably soon, is to activate a prepaid account and add at least $100 to the prepaid balance. Not sure if I'm reading it right, so correct me if I'm wondering, but according to the unlock bill passed in 2015, it sounds like they are required under federal law to unlock a device that is In good standing (no contract, no balance owed on the device or account). Which is why it's easy to unlock a device on literally any other US carrier.
Jaysonvstel said:
I'm in the same situation. Outright purchased the device, and the only way I can get it unlocked reasonably soon, is to activate a prepaid account and add at least $100 to the prepaid balance. Not sure if I'm reading it right, so correct me if I'm wondering, but according to the unlock bill passed in 2015, it sounds like they are required under federal law to unlock a device that is In good standing (no contract, no balance owed on the device or account). Which is why it's easy to unlock a device on literally any other US carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are not reading it correctly. You have to be a CURRENT or FORMER customer to get it unlocked provided you met the criteria.
If you were never a customer you can have additional conditions or costs.
I have not to date at my work place able to unlock an AT&T phone out of box without first activating it with our company account.
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/cell-phone-unlocking-faqs
Will I be charged fees to unlock my device?
Participating providers may not charge existing or former customers additional fees to unlock a device if it is eligible to be unlocked. Providers may charge a fee to unlock eligible devices for non-customers and former customers
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Update to a strange, but fortunate series of events. So I put the T-Mobile model up for sale when I found out I couldn't easily have it unlocked for AT&T. I put it up on eBay, priced to sell and was clear in my listing it is locked to T-Mobile.
The phone sold the same day. Now I've been buying and selling online since 2009 and have learned the number one rule the hard way...never mail anything until payment is clear. Sure enough, the buyer STILL has not paid. It's been 4 days. He has until tomorrow evening to pay or eBay will step in and from my understanding I get to keep the phone and eBay pays the final sale price.
Now I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch, but if this goes down the way I think it will I will be desperately trying to unlock the T-Mobile one and will be returning the AT&T model.
At this point I'm pretty invested in the Moto z ecosystem. Today my wife's birthday present came in. I got her a white and gold z force locked to Verizon. Next I think I'll be getting some mods.
filthyfnj24 said:
Update to a strange, but fortunate series of events. So I put the T-Mobile model up for sale when I found out I couldn't easily have it unlocked for AT&T. I put it up on eBay, priced to sell and was clear in my listing it is locked to T-Mobile.
The phone sold the same day. Now I've been buying and selling online since 2009 and have learned the number one rule the hard way...never mail anything until payment is clear. Sure enough, the buyer STILL has not paid. It's been 4 days. He has until tomorrow evening to pay or eBay will step in and from my understanding I get to keep the phone and eBay pays the final sale price.
Now I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch, but if this goes down the way I think it will I will be desperately trying to unlock the T-Mobile one and will be returning the AT&T model.
At this point I'm pretty invested in the Moto z ecosystem. Today my wife's birthday present came in. I got her a white and gold z force locked to Verizon. Next I think I'll be getting some mods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if you get the cash and you can keep the phone just start a $100 prepaid account and unlock the phone. Keep the $100 account in a ppu and just drop like $3 every so often and use it to keep the account active. Then at any time you need to unlock a phone just pop that Sim in first use it once then let it sit.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Tidbits said:
Well if you get the cash and you can keep the phone just start a $100 prepaid account and unlock the phone. Keep the $100 account in a ppu and just drop like $3 every so often and use it to keep the account active. Then at any time you need to unlock a phone just pop that Sim in first use it once then let it sit.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I do that won't I have the bogus 40 day waiting period?
filthyfnj24 said:
If I do that won't I have the bogus 40 day waiting period?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe so. Let me double check the customer forums. I am pretty sure you don't have to wait the 40 days. Just a couple days for the system to register the phone. I remember reading it on their forums that what a lot of them do.
40 day is for post paid as I believe their gross profit is $100 if a person is locked I to paying for 2 months of service. But yah checking their forums for the threads.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 07:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:21 PM ----------
Ok yep you don't have to wait 40 days. That's for postpaid requirements. Buy a sim kit, then put in $100 refill and viola you can request an unlock. Bad thing you'd have to put in $100 for every device you want to unlock.
https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1588
Unlock eligibility for Pay in Advance (Prepaid) phones, tablets, and mobile Internet devices
The device on the requesting line has been active for more than one year on the T-Mobile network.
If the device has been active for less than one year on the requesting line, the Pay in Advance account associated with the device must have had more than $100 in refills since device first use date. $100 in total refills is required for each device that is requested to be unlocked and does not include the initial activation payment.
It's an informative post but leaves no solution to my situation.
I bought an T-mobile Z2 Force, never activated, from eBay. I don't have a T-mobile account and I live outside of US. The phone is on the way shipping to my country and I am afraid I have no means to unlock it
oushouseki said:
It's an informative post but leaves no solution to my situation.
I bought an T-mobile Z2 Force, never activated, from eBay. I don't have a T-mobile account and I live outside of US. The phone is on the way shipping to my country and I am afraid I have no means to unlock it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yah the thing that sucks with Any US carrier devices need to be activated in order to unlock. Most people even in the US don't even know that.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Tidbits said:
Yah the thing that sucks with Any US carrier devices need to be activated in order to unlock. Most people even in the US don't even know that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will have to try some of the unlock service provider listed on eBay...any good ones you experienced before?
I was looking to get it from Samsung. com and wanted to make sure if it will work fine (all the bands) on T-Mobile. I checked with Verizon and they said I wouldn't have to unlock it and it should be already unlocked.
My verizon version arrived today and I want to use it on Cricket. Fist boot looks positive showing LTE and 3 bars, but halfway through initial setup LTE disappears and prompt shows that alternate SIMS cannot be used at this time. From the little I have researched looks like since a few months ago Verizon phones no longer come unlocked out of box and require you to activate on their network. Upon activation the phone should automatically be unlocked within 48 hours.
I jumped on xda to see if there was an unlocked firmware i can flash to avoid that, and if I find something... if i dont update it means I never did and probably asked a family member whose on Verizon to use my phone for a few days until its unlocked.
*update/edit*
Just to clarify, my first boot had an alternate sim in(Mint mobile). Next boot I tried with the provided Verizon sim, and got through the initial setup screens choosing to skip the Verizon account setup. Then tried switching the sims, which prompted me to restart. Upon restart I again see LTE and 3 bars while booting. Once booting is complete I see the gray antenna mark with the "x" again. So still no good. Havent seen a release of an unlocked firmware yet, except for one paid service ($4). Not willing to pay for something that should be free... yet. SO I will keep looking
Similar issue, did you ever find a solution? Third party unlocks via ebay also do not support the Verizon or Sprint version it seems.
Ended up biting the bullet and paying for a month, but its prorated so I figure should get 90% of the money back -$20 fee for opening the line. Also rakuten has $75 cashback for opening a new verizon line. So not too bad. Might even make money in the end.
Anyway here is my process:
1. Get a plan - $55 single device plan is the cheapest you can get
2. Stick sim in and it will activate fairly quickly (less than 10 minutes, likely less that 5)
3. Wait 12-24 hours. Might not be necessary but I did this anyway
3. Create Verizon online account and login
4. Chat with agent and ask them to unlock the phone (do not call, it takes longer and they are worthless)
I did this, and immediately swapped out the sim and put it in another Verizon A50 bought from samsung and it quickly activated, Waited 12 hours and chatted with another agent. Now I have two unlocked, and if I get that $75 cashback the cost will be under $15.
($55 + $20 activation fee + tax = ~$90) - $75 cashback = $15 + prorated return on the $55
Thanks, may try that if flashing to the canadian version A-505W fails. Usually Canadian and US samsung phones are the same hardware and firmware compatible. This seems more like a software lock on Verizon firmware than a true SIM lock as those would not register any signal from a different provider for any length of time (which these do) and ask for an unlock code which in the case of these is no where to be found or entered.
Would activating on a prepaid Verizon plan works or does it have to be post pay?
moku160 said:
My verizon version arrived today and I want to use it on Cricket. Fist boot looks positive showing LTE and 3 bars, but halfway through initial setup LTE disappears and prompt shows that alternate SIMS cannot be used at this time. From the little I have researched looks like since a few months ago Verizon phones no longer come unlocked out of box and require you to activate on their network. Upon activation the phone should automatically be unlocked within 48 hours.
I jumped on xda to see if there was an unlocked firmware i can flash to avoid that, and if I find something... if i dont update it means I never did and probably asked a family member whose on Verizon to use my phone for a few days until its unlocked.
*update/edit*
Just to clarify, my first boot had an alternate sim in(Mint mobile). Next boot I tried with the provided Verizon sim, and got through the initial setup screens choosing to skip the Verizon account setup. Then tried switching the sims, which prompted me to restart. Upon restart I again see LTE and 3 bars while booting. Once booting is complete I see the gray antenna mark with the "x" again. So still no good. Havent seen a release of an unlocked firmware yet, except for one paid service ($4). Not willing to pay for something that should be free... yet. SO I will keep looking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol i dont think u will get an "unlocked" firmware on the A50 since it is a exynos chipset and the "unlocked" firmware you speak of assuming you mean U1 firmware ive only ever seen on qualcomm..
to add, it sounds like ur device is probably unlocked but u need to set the apns and network mode.. vzw typically uses LTE/CDMA/UMTS or something rather whereas tmo uses GSM n other modes..
on my A10e from tmo it works with vzw and tmo and spr etc etc but usually i need to play with the modes and apns to get it just right..
to add, if it was still locked itd tell you.. usually something about using a non vzw sim or simply say the device is locked etc etc
undertaker2k14 said:
Thanks, may try that if flashing to the canadian version A-505W fails. Usually Canadian and US samsung phones are the same hardware and firmware compatible. This seems more like a software lock on Verizon firmware than a true SIM lock as those would not register any signal from a different provider for any length of time (which these do) and ask for an unlock code which in the case of these is no where to be found or entered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correct.. wat ppl r describing in here seems to me the devices r unlocked lol.. wat i noticed on my tmo a10e is that it seems the carrier configs are not switching over properly at times so it might seem like its locked but it isnt..
then again my tmo a10e is sim/carrier locked.. chimera tool is pretty good.. they have a paid feature they recently added called carrier relock.. instead of unlocking the sim they lock the device to up to 64 carriers which works the same as a sim unlock without actually sim unlocking lol.. quite clever i must say..
i get a vzw a50 tomorrow and will b testing it out on tmo and will try to remember to report back here..
romeo0119 said:
Would activating on a prepaid Verizon plan works or does it have to be post pay?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
id research that if i were u.. go to vzw site and view the device unlock policy.. sometimes prepaid has different policies.. if its purchased for vzw postpaid then might need to b activated on postpaid.. prepaid might require a longer timeframe possibly as most prepaid carriers have a time frame such as 50 days or somethin
elliwigy said:
id research that if i were u.. go to vzw site and view the device unlock policy.. sometimes prepaid has different policies.. if its purchased for vzw postpaid then might need to b activated on postpaid.. prepaid might require a longer timeframe possibly as most prepaid carriers have a time frame such as 50 days or somethin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea seems like it’s 60 days for prepaid, I might just open a line and cancel after a month.
romeo0119 said:
Yea seems like it’s 60 days for prepaid, I might just open a line and cancel after a month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked the question about unlocking at my local Xfnity store. They said they want to see it activated for 60-90 days (she wasn't sure exactly how long) on the Xfinity mobile plan (postpaid only available) before they will entertain any unlock requests. They only sell the phone if you bundle it with some sort of plan. I believe the US carriers with the A50 (Sprint, Verizon, Xfinity) will want you to activate it on their network first for a specific length of time before they will unlock it. She said it will work on any US carrier after unlocking, but she was unsure whether the phone will automatically rebrand like the higher end Samsung phones.
As far as I can tell the only out-of-the-box unlocked phones available in the USA are grey market. Their specs are not identical to the multi-CSC A505U version that is sold in the US that support the domestic carrier bands (and features like wifi calling.)
I asked Verizon and they said 60 days, doesn’t matter post or prepaid. I think it will depend on the rep. I activated mine on the cheapest prepaid plan, will try to chat in a few days and ask them to unlock the phone. I don’t think it will be a problem.
Why Switch...
occams-razor said:
I asked the question about unlocking at my local Xfnity store. They said they want to see it activated for 60-90 day on the Xfinity mobile plan before they will entertain any unlock requests.. She said it will work on any US carrier after unlocking, but she was unsure whether the phone will automatically rebrand like the higher end Samsung phones.
As far as I can tell the only out-of-the-box unlocked phones available in the USA are grey market. specs are not identical to the multi-CSC A505U version that is sold in the US
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just sent back an Overpriced (IMO) Galaxy S9+ ($600.00) after tax (Amazon..) after using it for 14 days once I seen this deal at Xfinity for the Galaxy A50..
How The Hell can you beat $385.00 (Out The Door) with a $250.00 rebate after 3-4 Months using the service.. ?
$0.00 down.. and after making four $14.58 payments and applying the $250.00 rebate to the balance.. you throw $75.00 on top of that and your done.. for only $135.00 out of your pocket.. :angel:
And to top it off... Xfinity still has the cheapest Unlimited Plan That I see in the U.S.A. @ $45.00 a month.. Hell I was paying $50.00 on MetroPCS for the same thing.. and get better and faster coverage with Xfinity using Verizon's Towers.. :good:
The coverage may not be as good as using other carrier's for some of you.. I get that.. but, the price is consistent across the U.S.
This device is equal to the S9+ I just sent back minus the stereo speakers.. battery is superior.
For a Brand New device that has Samsung Pay and only cost the buyer $135.00 bucks.. This is a STEAL.
RaiderWill said:
I just sent back an Overpriced (IMO) Galaxy S9+ ($600.00) after tax (Amazon..) after using it for 14 days once I seen this deal at Xfinity for the Galaxy A50..
How The Hell can you beat $385.00 (Out The Door) with a $250.00 rebate after 3-4 Months using the service.. ?
$0.00 down.. and after making four $14.58 payments and applying the $250.00 rebate to the balance.. you throw $75.00 on top of that and your done.. for only $135.00 out of your pocket.. :angel:
And to top it off... Xfinity still has the cheapest Unlimited Plan That I see in the U.S.A. @ $45.00 a month.. Hell I was paying $50.00 on MetroPCS for the same thing.. and get better and faster coverage with Xfinity using Verizon's Towers.. :good:
The coverage may not be as good as using other carrier's for some of you.. I get that.. but, the price is consistent across the U.S.
This device is equal to the S9+ I just sent back minus the stereo speakers.. battery is superior.
For a Brand New device that has Samsung Pay and only cost the buyer $135.00 bucks.. This is a STEAL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was even a bigger steal before August 1st. You could buy the phone outright from XFinity with their "free" unlimited calling and text plan and not use any mobile data (it was $12/gig rounded up if you used it). Leave the plan after a couple of months and then you have an unlocked phone and $250. As of August 1st, the minimum charge per month changed to $12 after Xfinity realized what was going on. Only issue for some was the need to be an xfinity internet customer. So outright robbery is now just theft.
I Mean.. Really...
occams-razor said:
It was even a bigger steal before August 1st. You could buy the phone outright from XFinity with their "free" unlimited calling and text plan and not use any mobile data (it was $12/gig rounded up if you used it). Leave the plan after a couple of months and then you have an unlocked phone and $250. As of August 1st, the minimum charge per month changed to $12 after Xfinity realized what was going on. Only issue for some was the need to be an xfinity internet customer. So outright robbery is now just theft.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What You Are Stating Is Not Entirely Correct..
You still can NOT use Data.. and just pay the Sir-Charges..
These A50's ( Verizon's Sprint's and Xfinity's ) all released at: $349.00 + Tax..
In what State did someone sell you one for only $250.00 + Tax ???
Even with NOT using data.... and only using Wi-Fi for your connection to the Internet.. ( Which Most People Cannot Do.. ) you still have Sir-Charges of a few dollars a Month.
Finally... Please Tell Us....
What United States "U-Version" A50 Do You Have That Came With A "Carrier Unlocked Bootloader" ..
Every version I've seen does not even have the option in Developer Settings... So, you're saying you just Pop In any old Sim and it works for "You" ? :victory:
If Xfinity sold you a GSM / CDMA "Unlocked" version of this device ( ) AND you only paid $250.00 for it.. AND you can use it on any CDMA / GSM Carrier.. Then *Bully!* for you.
RaiderWill said:
What You Are Stating Is Not Entirely Correct..
You still can NOT use Data.. and just pay the Sir-Charges..
These A50's ( Verizon's Sprint's and Xfinity's ) all released at: $349.00 + Tax..
In what State did someone sell you one for only $250.00 + Tax ???
Even with NOT using data.... and only using Wi-Fi for your connection to the Internet.. ( Which Most People Cannot Do.. ) you still have Sir-Charges of a few dollars a Month.
Finally... Please Tell Us....
What United States "U-Version" A50 Do You Have That Came With A "Carrier Unlocked Bootloader" ..
Every version I've seen does not even have the option in Developer Settings... So, you're saying you just Pop In any old Sim and it works for "You" ? :victory:
If Xfinity sold you a GSM / CDMA "Unlocked" version of this device ( ) AND you only paid $250.00 for it.. AND you can use it on any CDMA / GSM Carrier.. Then *Bully!* for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You completely misunderstood me. The phone was $349 + local sales tax at Xfinity. The $250 is the gift card they give you back after you port your number, activate the phone, and stay on the plan for a few months. Before August 1st you could get away without being charged the minimum $12 per month for being on the "by-the-gig" plan. Use no data and you just pay the telecom taxes and fees if you bought the phone before August 1st (effectively a free plan). After you meet the minimum requirements for being on the Xfinity mobile plan, the phone is yours and unlocked + the $250 dollar visa gift card or whatever it is. This deal is still available but the cheapest "by-the-gig" plan now is $12 +taxes because they don't want you getting a free plan.
Since only xfinity internet have access to this deal, any decently populated area should have enough access to their hotspots so lack of mobile data is not a deal killer for many. Kids, grandmas, and the like will probably be ok with this if all they need is a way to call and text mom and dad from the mall or school.
And I did not participate in this deal since I already have the verizon version.
Time To Close This Out..
occams-razor said:
You completely misunderstood me. The phone was $349 + local sales tax at Xfinity. The $250 is the gift card they give you back after you port your number, activate the phone, and stay on the plan for a few months. Before August 1st you could get away without being charged the minimum $12 per month for being on the "by-the-gig" plan. Use no data and you just pay the telecom taxes and fees if you bought the phone before August 1st (effectively a free plan). After you meet the minimum requirements for being on the Xfinity mobile plan, the phone is yours and unlocked + the $250 dollar visa gift card or whatever it is. This deal is still available but the cheapest "by-the-gig" plan now is $12 +taxes because they don't want you getting a free plan.
Since only xfinity internet have access to this deal, any decently populated area should have enough access to their hotspots so lack of mobile data is not a deal killer for many. Kids, grandmas, and the like will probably be ok with this if all they need is a way to call and text mom and dad from the mall or school.
And I did not participate in this deal since I already have the verizon version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A Lot To Unpack Here...
AS I AM A BUYER WHO "DID PURCHASE THE DEVICE UNDER THIS PROMO".... Let me explain the FACTS to you. :angel:
FACT 1 ) Xfinity Gives You * 100 mb of data* FOR FREE.. If One Can Use That To Quickly Check Their Mail, Tweets.. Whatever.. And Somehow Stay Strictly on Wi-Fi.. Then Their Bill Is NOT A MINIMUM OF $12.00...
It Will Consist Of Regulatory / 911 / Misc Fees.. Totaling Less Than $5.00 A Month.
August 1st Had Nothing To Do With Changing That.. That's All Day Every Day.. Standard Fare With Xfinity. :victory:
FACT 2 ) You're Thinking Of Yourself... Maybe All You Do Is Call Mommy & Daddy... But, Most Of Us Adults Need And Want Internet Access *When We Want It* And Are Not Going To Drive / Walk / Bus Or Bike Their Way Around Towns Looking For A Wi-Fi Connection.
If You Have The Funds / Credit To Purchase A $350.00 Phone.... Then You Have The Means To Pay A Monthly Cellular Bill.. :victory:
Fact 3 ) The A50 Through Xfinity Will Cost $100.00 + Tax @ Whatever A Person's County Tax Rate Is... PERIOD.. After The $250.00 Rebate Which Indeed Comes Around The 4th Month Of Service.
And Finally,
So... You Think Your CDMA Verizon A50 ( Or Xfinity's And / Or Sprint's ) Has All The Bands.. And Is Ready For You To Unlock It And Run It On ANY Carrier's Network You Choose?
I'd Like To See That...
By All Means.. Hit Me Up.. with A Pic Showing Your Verizon A50 Running On T-Mo , Cricket, MetroPCS Or AT&T..
You'd Certainly Be The 1st To Do So..... :victory:
I got one from Verizon and it is GSM unlocked.
Hi,
Has anyone found a solution to use the Verizon A50 on other carriers. Some where I read that the device can be used on international Sim, but when I tried the international Sim, it's not working
Any suggestions?
Thanks
As of today after unlocking from xfinity, an Xfinity a50 works on the T-Mobile mvno mint and att postpaid plans. I tried various flavors of gsm Sims including FreedomPop and they are all working. Only issue is sprint and their mvnos. Sprint still uses their IMEI whitelist and the Xfinity branded phones are not in their database. Maybe a corporate cs can add it if you beg.