Develop Bugs

Sprint gave me MSL when I asked for GSM Unlock??

So I just called Sprint to see if I could unlock my Galaxy Note 4 for international use.. The girl on the line after putting on hold a few times, comes back and says they can't unlock it but can give me the code to give to the other carrier and they will be able to unlock for GSM use.. I said ok and she gave me the MSL.
As I understand it, MSL is just for some menus in the phone and not useful in unlocking GSM/SIM use..
What are my options? ..
Edit:.. I called again, got the sprint international support number (888-226-7212) and these people seem to understand what GSM Unlock actually is LOL ..
anyway.. They tell me that the phone have to be active on my account for at least 90 days before they unlock it..
I did buy the phone used from EBay and to my understand it is paid for in full.. Sprint Rep also confirmed that.. It is also active and works fine on my account right now but I only activated it today..
So - What is this nonsense about having to wait 90 days?
One more EDIT: .. I called the international support # again. This time with some info I found on the sprint website.. (https://www.sprint.com/legal/unlocking_policy.html) .. They were telling me that the device have to be active on my account for 90 days.. but the site says this:
"The applicable device is currently active on a Sprint account and the applicable account has been active for at least 90 days. "
So, after reading this back to them, she went ahead.. although with frustration and I could tell she didn't like that.. but did unlock it for me

Sprint gave me an MSL, too, but so far it's been USELESS!
I bought my Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in April 2015.
I've been calling and dealing with Sprint since December 2015, trying to get them to unlock my Note 4 for use w/ ANY other carriers. (It does not seem to be possible.)
The 4 or 5 separate times I've called Sprint, the outcome has been the same. They put me on hold, and all I get in the end is an "MSL code" ... to be used by the new carrier to "unlock" the phone for use w/ other (domestic) carriers.
I've been told on a few of those initial calls to Sprint that my phone "unlock" was complete.
I've gone to Metro PCS (several times), T-Mobile, etc. So far no luck.
The phone still seems to be LOCKED for Sprint use ONLY.
I've tried the following SIMs on the phone, NONE have worked: Metro PCS, H2O, T-Mobile (1 live and 1 to be activated), SimpleMobile, and a friend's live SIM.
The message the on the phone is: Invalid SIM card.
My phone was purchased new, for Sprint, everything in good standing. Paid in full. No longer in contract. Not blacklisted, etc.
So, Mr. Q, basically, I find it hard to believe that your Sprint Note 4 was "unlocked."
However, I am going to call this number, and see what results I get. Especially since my phone was bought from Sprint and has been active and on Sprint since day 1.
P.S. You write that the lady did "unlock" your Sprint Note 4 for you. What exactly does this mean? Are you able to use other SIMs now?
Do tell. Please...
I await your reply!
Mr. Q 5 said:
So I just called Sprint to see if I could unlock my Galaxy Note 4 for international use.. The girl on the line after putting on hold a few times, comes back and says they can't unlock it but can give me the code to give to the other carrier and they will be able to unlock for GSM use.. I said ok and she gave me the MSL.
As I understand it, MSL is just for some menus in the phone and not useful in unlocking GSM/SIM use..
What are my options? ..
Edit:.. I called again, got the sprint international support number (888-226-7212) and these people seem to understand what GSM Unlock actually is LOL ..
anyway.. They tell me that the phone have to be active on my account for at least 90 days before they unlock it..
I did buy the phone used from EBay and to my understand it is paid for in full.. Sprint Rep also confirmed that.. It is also active and works fine on my account right now but I only activated it today..
So - What is this nonsense about having to wait 90 days?
One more EDIT: .. I called the international support # again. This time with some info I found on the sprint website.. (ht tps sprint com legal unlocking policy html) .. They were telling me that the device have to be active on my account for 90 days.. but the site says this:
"The applicable device is currently active on a Sprint account and the applicable account has been active for at least 90 days. "
So, after reading this back to them, she went ahead.. although with frustration and I could tell she didn't like that.. but did unlock it for me
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PRS247 said:
I bought my Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in April 2015. ...
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Here is how I understand it, for the Note 4, Sprint will only unlock it for International Use. Meaning we won't be able to use it on any other carrier here in the U.S. and even that, if you try to use the phone you will only get Voice/SMS and 3g internet.
I am not even sure yet if it's really unlocked and I can't try it until I go to another country.. However, they did sent some kind of update to the device and told me to go to the phone Settings, Update and then UICC Unlock. Now on the Sprint website there is a menu and have a selection that says "Unlock my phone" or something like that, it says Phone is already unlocked for International use.
So.. does not seem like you can GSM Unlock Note 4 for domestic use.
If you or others want my advice, it is to set aside some extra money and buy a real factory unlocked phone that will work in the U.S. and outside the U.S. on GSM.. and that phone is not going to be a Sprint one.
However, if you do still want to unlock GSM use inside the U.S. I think the option is to look here or on other websites for that.. I myself will need to do some more research and see if we can use a Sprint Note 4 on T-Mobile and other GSM.

Mr. Q 5 said:
However, if you do still want to unlock GSM use inside the U.S. I think the option is to look here or on other websites for that.. I myself will need to do some more research and see if we can use a Sprint Note 4 on T-Mobile and other GSM.
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Keep me posted and good luck!
Some guy on youtube, MN MobileGuy, claims to be able to "SIM unlock" this phone for GSM use.
He charges $60 and says his process takes about an hour to remotely unlock the phone.

I dont mean to sound rude, but a fair bit of reading would have probably led you to the fact that there is an app and a developer on here that produced a tool to unlock all sprint galaxy devices over several months ago. The original thread with the tool got edited so you have to go over to his website to get it done. Costs about $35 its pretty straight forward i've used it several times no hastle...
http://www.idoneapps.com/index.php?os=android

cRiMiNaL_Genius said:
I dont mean to sound rude, but a fair bit of reading would have probably led you to the fact that there is an app and a developer on here that produced a tool to unlock all sprint galaxy devices over several months ago. The original thread with the tool got edited so you have to go over to his website to get it done. Costs about $35 its pretty straight forward i've used it several times no hastle...
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what's the link to the original thread? why'd it get edited/deleted? was it posted as free?
I've seen a thread w/ a guy who posted a bunch of links and files. but i can't trust someone online i don't know.
like i said, there's a guy on youtube that claims to do the same thing. at least his face is on his videos making claims.
i guess i've come across too many that use scenarios like this to compromise other people's property.
if someone i knew, w/ the same phone, had a locked Sprint one day, and then next day they were on an unlocked GSM carrier, then i 'd go see the guy. otherwise, not.
i've seen way too many ppl. take advantage of others.
sucks. but, yeah... life.
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cRiMiNaL_Genius said:
I dont mean to sound rude, but a fair bit of reading would have probably led you to the fact that there is an app and a developer on here that produced a tool to unlock all sprint galaxy devices over several months ago. The original thread with the tool got edited so you have to go over to his website to get it done. Costs about $35 its pretty straight forward i've used it several times no hastle...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but thanks for the fyi...

Keyword to google search is idone. Well known fact around here; he's the trusted developer of Galaxy Tools.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

Sprint carrier locked bootloader is driving me nuts

So much I want to root my Pixel 3a but OEM unlocking is greyed out because it is carrier locked. I owe $250 to Sprint to pay it off. Would they allow it to be unlocked once it's payed? Or will I need to make up some excuse why I need it unlocked besides saying I want to root it?
Any help is appreciated, thanks

Gregbmil1 said:
So much I want to root my Pixel 3a but OEM unlocking is greyed out because it is carrier locked. I owe $250 to Sprint to pay it off. Would they allow it to be unlocked once it's payed? Or will I need to make up some excuse why I need it unlocked besides saying I want to root it?
Any help is appreciated, thanks
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My friend, it's killing me too, thinking of starting a bounty to get a work around...I just got my phone and from what I gather, once it's paid off, they will carrier unlock it and that should allow the bootloader to be unlocked as well
Would anyone be willing to throw in on a bounty to get someone to unlock it?

BakedTator said:
My friend, it's killing me too, thinking of starting a bounty to get a work around...I just got my phone and from what I gather, once it's paid off, they will carrier unlock it and that should allow the bootloader to be unlocked as well
Would anyone be willing to throw in on a bounty to get someone to unlock it?
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I highly doubt sim unlocking a phone would allow the bootloader to be unlocked. For example the Verizon Pixel 2 XL is sim unlocked out of the box, but the bootloader to this day is locked.
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

---------- Post added at 10:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 AM ----------
Gregbmil1 said:
So much I want to root my Pixel 3a but OEM unlocking is greyed out because it is carrier locked. I owe $250 to Sprint to pay it off. Would they allow it to be unlocked once it's payed? Or will I need to make up some excuse why I need it unlocked besides saying I want to root it?
Any help is appreciated, thanks
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Click to collapse
You can always ask to have it sim unlocked before it is payed off. The longer you have had their service, the more likely they may be to unlock it. Once it is payed off, they should unlock it for you.
Once it is sim card unlocked, the bootloader unlock button will start working.
daniel4653 said:
I highly doubt sim unlocking a phone would allow the bootloader to be unlocked. For example the Verizon Pixel 2 XL is sim unlocked out of the box, but the bootloader to this day is locked.
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk
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That because you have a Verizon phone. It's the only US carrier that bootlocks the Pixel phones.

You live in the Cleveland area(from your profile), so can you tell them you need a sim unlock because you got a job across the lake in Canada and want to use a Canadian carrier to cut down on costs - or even say your new(fake) employer has a work sim for you to use? It's a practical and believable excuse as people do commute across the border regularly for work.
& if the sim unlock gets you the OEM unlock option - BOOM: you're all set.
*It's just a little white lie to a giant corporation that lies to consumers all the time(sprint has the best service? my a**). You've got nothing to lose, so why not try?

Bob nesta said:
You live in the Cleveland area(from your profile), so can you tell them you need a sim unlock because you got a job across the lake in Canada and want to use a Canadian carrier to cut down on costs - or even say your new(fake) employer has a work sim for you to use? It's a practical and believable excuse as people do commute across the border regularly for work.
& if the sim unlock gets you the OEM unlock option - BOOM: you're all set.
*It's just a little white lie to a giant corporation that lies to consumers all the time(sprint has the best service? my a**). You've got nothing to lose, so why not try?
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Would saying I am going to visit Canada work?

Bob nesta said:
You live in the Cleveland area(from your profile), so can you tell them you need a sim unlock because you got a job across the lake in Canada and want to use a Canadian carrier to cut down on costs - or even say your new(fake) employer has a work sim for you to use? It's a practical and believable excuse as people do commute across the border regularly for work.
& if the sim unlock gets you the OEM unlock option - BOOM: you're all set.
*It's just a little white lie to a giant corporation that lies to consumers all the time(sprint has the best service? my a**). You've got nothing to lose, so why not try?
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Click to collapse
I called and said I will be visiting Canada soon. Sprint said I will have no problems using my phone out there, lol. I will have roaming charges is all. Then he tried upgrading my plan, lol.
I'll say I'm going to Australia for a while. If that don't work I will straight up ask what's a guy gotta do to get that bootloader unlocked:laugh:. I'm worried that paying it off still won't unlock it

Gregbmil1 said:
I called and said I will be visiting Canada soon. Sprint said I will have no problems using my phone out there, lol. I will have roaming charges is all. Then he tried upgrading my plan, lol.
I'll say I'm going to Australia for a while. If that don't work I will straight up ask what's a guy gotta do to get that bootloader unlocked:laugh:. I'm worried that paying it off still won't unlock it
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Maaaan... I guess my little plan failed then. Sorry to hear that. But it was worth a shot.
And I'm curious about the unlock after you pay it off too, but I have heard in the past on some devices Sprint does give you OEM unlock once it's fully paid for. Verizon is the main carrier where you are stuck no matter what...paid off or not.
I wish the you best & hope you find a solution sooner rather than later.:fingers-crossed:

Bob nesta said:
Maaaan... I guess my little plan failed then. Sorry to hear that. But it was worth a shot.
And I'm curious about the unlock after you pay it off too, but I have heard in the past on some devices Sprint does give you OEM unlock once it's fully paid for. Verizon is the main carrier where you are stuck no matter what...paid off or not.
I wish the you best & hope you find a solution sooner rather than later.:fingers-crossed:
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I called and straight asked what I need to do to enable OEM unlocking. She said all I need to do is pay it off and it will be no problem no matter the reason I want it unlocked. Sadly I have to wait at least 2 weeks before I can do that

Gregbmil1 said:
I called and straight asked what I need to do to enable OEM unlocking. She said all I need to do is pay it off and it will be no problem no matter the reason I want it unlocked. Sadly I have to wait at least 2 weeks before I can do that
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It's been 2 weeks... any status update? I can't seem to find anyone who has actually gotten the sim unlock and the bootloader unlocked with it, all people saying that is how it is, but nobody saying they did it.
Thanks,

Strawboy said:
any status update? I can't seem to find anyone who has actually gotten the sim unlock and the bootloader unlocked with it, all people saying that is how it is, but nobody saying they did it.
Thanks,
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Not sure what you mean. As long as we aren't talking about Verizon, there are plenty of people that have gotten their phones unlocked from the carriers and then had the bootloader unlock work. Google has simply tied the bootloader unlock to the SIM lock which makes sense because if you could bootloader unlock the phone, I'm sure there would be a way to SIM unlock it. There isn't anything special that Sprint needs to do other than SIM unlock the phone - the phone will automatically allow bootloader unlocking once the phone is SIM unlocked.
The Verizon models should be considered bootloader locked forever. There were some reports that people have been able to bootloader unlock the Verizon model, but I would chalk that up to early errors on Verizon's part vs a change in their company's policy.
If you are looking for a way to get Sprint to SIM unlock the phone, then that is another issue. Obviously the company policy is to only unlock phones that have been paid off unless there are special circumstance (ie you are traveling out of the country). I will say that calling the customer service line is the hardest method of getting a phone unlocked. The most success comes from people DM the carrier using Twitter. That must go into a different group and they seem to be much more likely to unlock a phone than the normal call center. But you are always at the mercy of the person handling the request because it is generally an exception to the rule.

sic0048 said:
Not sure what you mean. As long as we aren't talking about Verizon, there are plenty of people that have gotten their phones unlocked from the carriers and then had the bootloader unlock work. Google has simply tied the bootloader unlock to the SIM lock which makes sense because if you could bootloader unlock the phone, I'm sure there would be a way to SIM unlock it. There isn't anything special that Sprint needs to do other than SIM unlock the phone - the phone will automatically allow bootloader unlocking once the phone is SIM unlocked.
The Verizon models should be considered bootloader locked forever. There were some reports that people have been able to bootloader unlock the Verizon model, but I would chalk that up to early errors on Verizon's part vs a change in their company's policy.
If you are looking for a way to get Sprint to SIM unlock the phone, then that is another issue. Obviously the company policy is to only unlock phones that have been paid off unless there are special circumstance (ie you are traveling out of the country). I will say that calling the customer service line is the hardest method of getting a phone unlocked. The most success comes from people DM the carrier using Twitter. That must go into a different group and they seem to be much more likely to unlock a phone than the normal call center. But you are always at the mercy of the person handling the request because it is generally an exception to the rule.
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Sic,
Wow, this is fantastic, and exactly what I was looking for. I've been hesitant to pull the trigger on buying a 'sprint locked' Pixel 3 XL because I haven't seen anybody who has actually said "Yes, I've done this." Only folks who said stuff like you, but I think I'm gonna go for it. I'm very confident of getting sprint to SIM unlock it.
Thanks again for your help.

Couldn't you just buy a sim unlock code from a service other than your carrier, unlock it and problem solved??

2 questions cant unlock boot loader is the 32 GB Ver worth 110$?

I got this phone on amazon for 110$ us then seen it on ebay for around 65$ only after I orded it.
regardless the oem boot loader is grayed out.
its a gsm unlocked works fine with my tmobel sim.
came with stock 7.1 tryed to unlock then upgraded to 8.1 still grayed out and now 10.0 still grayed out.
If the boot loader cant be unlocked I most likely will send it back thanks for you time

Sounds like it is a Verizon/unlocked model and they indeed do have encrypted boatloaders. If you had stayed on the old version of android you were on when you got it I believe there's a Verizon unlock boatloader thread here on XDA but it has to be on an older version of Android to work.
I bought my XL off eBay for $135 new a few months ago. Its confusing because some people that aren't like us XDA peeps, they don't fully understand the whole unlocked deal and most don't know wth a bootloader is or if they have Verizon unlocked model or also over on pixel 2 and 2xl eveb the refurnished units from Google have encrypted boatloaders and the thing isn't even greyed out but it won't unlock because they're encrypted as well. I've seen several reports of this on here, reditt and on Google's own help site people tripping out because they received replacement devices that had the encrypted bootloaders. I'd be sooooooo pissed!! If you run some fastboot commands and it can't be unlocked, if you end up not being able to return it and want one that doesn't have the locked down bootloader od throw it on swappa and sell it and get one. Swappa is cool because many of the people there are here in the forums or have been and they known what they have. Good luck. Sorry that happened to you man. It gave me anxiety after I looked for a month for a decent deal and read all the reports all over the internet.
There are Verizon Pixel & XL that are carrier unlocked but still have the locked bootloader and work on some gsm carriers. This sounds like it may be the case with yours. I'd throw it on a cord and type in the unlock fastboot command anyway just to see.

flash713 said:
Sounds like it is a Verizon/unlocked model and they indeed do have encrypted boatloaders. If you had stayed on the old version of android you were on when you got it I believe there's a Verizon unlock boatloader thread here on XDA but it has to be on an older version of Android to work.
I bought my XL off eBay for $135 new a few months ago. Its confusing because some people that aren't like us XDA peeps, they don't fully understand the whole unlocked deal and most don't know wth a bootloader is or if they have Verizon unlocked model or also over on pixel 2 and 2xl eveb the refurnished units from Google have encrypted boatloaders and the thing isn't even greyed out but it won't unlock because they're encrypted as well. I've seen several reports of this on here, reditt and on Google's own help site people tripping out because they received replacement devices that had the encrypted bootloaders. I'd be sooooooo pissed!! If you run some fastboot commands and it can't be unlocked, if you end up not being able to return it and want one that doesn't have the locked down bootloader od throw it on swappa and sell it and get one. Swappa is cool because many of the people there are here in the forums or have been and they known what they have. Good luck. Sorry that happened to you man. It gave me anxiety after I looked for a month for a decent deal and read all the reports all over the internet.
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thanks for the update Im not longer getting phones that has the boot bootloader locked.
i figured something was up and all ready boxed the phone up about 30 mins ago and sending it back thanks

raven.warsong said:
thanks for the update Im not longer getting phones that has the boot bootloader locked.
i figured something was up and all ready boxed the phone up about 30 mins ago and sending it back thanks
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Np. All Android devices come with the bootloader locked and if the carrier that the device was sold on doesn't make their models to have the extra security, with an encrypted bootloader to where it's impossible to unlock the bootloader for anyone except the one who encrypted it, in this case the carrier.. I've never heard of a device that had the encrypted bootloader being unencrypted by request from user on whatever carrier the device came from. If they're encrypted, unless someone else finds a work around, and it would be here somewhere if they did,,, then they stay locked and can't be rooted.
Verizon devices that they sell CANNOT be bootloader unlocked because that's how they decided to sell their phones. Almost all Android's sold by USA carriers are that way these days with the exception of many Motorola/Lonovo devices and a few others in the mix here and there.
I had a moto g6 Play (Boost mobile) before my Pixel XL (which I named Jesus because it saved me ??) and my G6 Play had a quad core 1.4 GHz CPU while all other models of the same phone had an eight core chips Boost sold the runt and I was in a hurry the day I purchased it and the lady at Boost shook her head when I walked in the store and told her what I wanted she confirmed that it had an eight core CPU and me being in such a hurry that day grabbed it, paid and left only to find out later it was laggy and the lady in the store had no clue about what I said or wasn't paying attention just shook her head as I talked.. lol. So after I unlocked the BL and rooted it with good ole TWRP recovery & Magisk I was then able to debloat it and take off like 30-40 apps, all kinds of sales trash, then the lag almost went away and it made it at least usable thanks to the great work of PHH on GSI roms and everyone else who participates in the GSI development. So you gotta really watch for these CDMA USA carriers because they're the ones who have many phones with specs cut down in half like that.. I'll never buy anything but Pixel and OnePlus again! Too much headache and to me in my opinion those are the best devices.
It's become a real mission these days to purchase a good Android device that doesn't have an encrypted bootloader because that's the way most carriers sell them so the only way to go is buying factory unlocked and confirming that the device can indeed be bootloader unlocked before purchase. Thing is many people who sell phones online don't care to answer a question like that and they buy their phones in bulk and half of them don't know what the heck they have. lol.. A good phone salesman knows what we mean when we say the word "bootloader." They're like, "Aaaah hell another one of those xda rooting tech gurus." ?? Back in the day almost all Android's could be bootloader unlocked by user if they wanted to. Now it's a mess of confusion for those who want to mod their device.

Can I unlock a carrier locked bootloader (T-Mobile) by using the pixel factory flash

Hello. I just got a pixel 3a xl, but it is bootloader locked to T-Mobile, I see Google has a pixel repair tool to reflash the pixel to stock. My question is it asks for your carrier, if I change the carrier to a different carrier that doesn't lock the bootloader will o be able to unlock my bootloader to flash root.

While I could not say for sure, I suspect the answer would be 98 percent no.

Thanks I want to try but it's my only phone and if it is down for a while I have no phone and I need 2FA for work.
If I try I will post here
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

You cannot unlock it from T-Mobile or unlock the bootloader, even with the flash tool... The flash tool does not/cannot modify that part of the phone, if it was that simple people would be doing it all the time.
Only T-Mobile can unlock the SIM, once that is done you can unlock the bootloader. Your only other option is to go through a 3rd party unlock code service, which can be sketchy according to some people (I have done it a few times without issue though).

I want to verify this.
SO if I buy a used T-Mobile 3a XL that is paid in full, I should be able to get it SIM unlocked by the carrier correct and if its carrier SIM unlocked, I CAN unlock the bootloader?

kdoggy said:
I want to verify this.
SO if I buy a used T-Mobile 3a XL that is paid in full, I should be able to get it SIM unlocked by the carrier correct and if its carrier SIM unlocked, I CAN unlock the bootloader?
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As long as it is not the Verizon model 3a, then yes. You can bootloader unlock it once it is SIM card unlocked. Only the Verizon models permanently lock the bootloader.

Question 2...
SO lets say I buy a T-Mobile 3a XL and it works fine with a T-M SIM but is SIM locked... Can I pay someone to unlock it and then still unlock the boot loader?
Someone know has a new in the box T-Mobile Pixel 3a XL I can have for $225.00 but its never had service on it and it sounds like it has to be active on T-Mobile AND have had seriver for 40 days to get them to do it.

kdoggy said:
Question 2...
SO lets say I buy a T-Mobile 3a XL and it works fine with a T-M SIM but is SIM locked... Can I pay someone to unlock it and then still unlock the boot loader?
Someone know has a new in the box T-Mobile Pixel 3a XL I can have for $225.00 but its never had service on it and it sounds like it has to be active on T-Mobile AND have had seriver for 40 days to get them to do it.
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I've seen unlock services being advertised, but I have also seen people post that they don't work. It would require that someone hacked or has access to the T-Mobile locking software which isn't out of the realm of possibility, so it's possible some services do work.

Hello friends, I need your help! Who can help me raise my brick and make a full backup of my smartphone using qpst?

Update. So I ended up buying a T-Mobile Pixel 4 XL when they went on sale.
Search my name and look at the thread reply I just posted in the Pixel 4 XL forum about T-Mobile unlocking.
I included pictures.
I just purchased a Pixel 4 XL, I'm brand new T-Mobile subscriber, the phone is not paid off and I have it on a lease and I've only been on the service for 4 days.
I currently have the T-Mobile Pixel 4 XL with both a full SIM card unlock and OEM bootloader unlock.
I'm currently running the phone with an AT&T physical SIM and a T-Mobile eSIM.

acejavelin said:
You cannot unlock it from T-Mobile or unlock the bootloader, even with the flash tool... The flash tool does not/cannot modify that part of the phone, if it was that simple people would be doing it all the time.
Only T-Mobile can unlock the SIM, once that is done you can unlock the bootloader. Your only other option is to go through a 3rd party unlock code service, which can be sketchy according to some people (I have done it a few times without issue though).
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Have any recommendations? I have a brand new Pixel 4 that an online retailer lied about being unlocked & is T-Mobile carrier locked & they're completely unwilling to release the Sim from their network. I'll take the sketchy unlock service. I tried one in ATL friend gave me a number but most only do Samsung's or iPhones for obvious reasons.
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sic0048 said:
As long as it is not the Verizon model 3a, then yes. You can bootloader unlock it once it is SIM card unlocked. Only the Verizon models permanently lock the bootloader.
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Not just Verizon though right? I heard Sprint does too.

Nightshadex543 said:
Have any recommendations? I have a brand new Pixel 4 that an online retailer lied about being unlocked & is T-Mobile carrier locked & they're completely unwilling to release the Sim from their network. I'll take the sketchy unlock service. I tried one in ATL friend gave me a number but most only do Samsung's or iPhones for obvious reasons.
---------- Post added at 06:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------
Not just Verizon though right? I heard Sprint does too.
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Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.

sic0048 said:
Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
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I can confirm this. I'm on TMO and I reached out on Twitter and got results. I'm not a big Twitter fan nor do I really use it, but customer services seems to be more in the loop there. I told them that I wanted to try the dev preview of android 11 and I needed to bootloader unlock. For that to happen I needed them to permanently sim unlock my phone. (Technically you can install the preview with a locked BL, but since it's a preview you can't re-flash anything lower or rollback without the BL being unlocked). Hence the dev preview. Anyways, I was polite and truthful about my intentions and they got it sim unlocked, fairly quickly too.

sic0048 said:
Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
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Its bootloaders unlocked I was almost done rooting it but haven't; refrained because I don't want to violate the software warranty incase I need to return it, & find another way to do so for a refund. I called support multiple times same answer, & then Twitter dm'd last night they were again unable to do anything so they say.
They cite "privacy issues" but I know it's a ****ing money grab they don't want to unlock it unless you want to pay for one of their plans & get tied in a contract for a minimum amount of days first & I'm not going to ****ing do that. It's ridiculous to me carriers behave this way. This is why I believe in hacking because you can't trust companies for absolutely ****.

You got results? Look at my next post, can you tell me your secret because they're being serious assholes here. Not a single company involved with this situation is helping at all.

Nightshadex543 said:
You got results? Look at my next post, can you tell me your secret because they're being serious assholes here. Not a single company involved with this situation is helping at all.
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I'm a little confused. You say it's bootloader unlocked and you were about to root it but decided not because of warranty concerns correct?
Typically, whenever you unlock a bootloader your warranty is void then and there. That is in most cases and I assume is the same in this case, though I don't know that for a fact with a TMO Pixel 3a XL. I just assumed it was and most likely is. The reason being is you can flash anything you want, and there is no way to guarantee that whatever has happened to warrant a claim wasn't due to user error or unofficial software. A locked bootloader kind of guarantees that nothing unofficial was flashed and that's why warranties are usually based around their status and why a flag is marked when it is. So even if you re-lock it, the flag still shows it was unlocked at one point.
As for actually unlocking it via TMO, the phone uses a TMO app to actually unlock it. It basically checks your imei against their server to see if it is eligible for unlocking. As for citing privacy concerns, basically you have a TMO phone and no account it seems, and you want it unlocked. For all they know it could be stolen, and as far as proving it's yours legally without any account... probably more than they want to deal with and I'm sure they have liability reasons as well.
All I know is, I've had an account for quite some time. I've bought several phones through them, so no issues. Technically I'm still on installments with this phone, so they could have easily said no, not until it's paid off, but I like to think they said "Oh it's Airwalk... he's cool af, go ahead".

41rw4lk said:
Typically, whenever you unlock a bootloader your warranty is void then and there. The reason being is you can flash anything you want, and there is no way to guarantee that whatever has happened to warrant a claim wasn't due to user error or unofficial software. So even if you re-lock it, the flag still shows it was unlocked at one point.
As for actually unlocking it via TMO, the phone uses a TMO app to actually unlock it. It basically checks your imei against their server to see if it is eligible for unlocking. As for citing privacy concerns, basically you have a TMO phone and no account it seems, and you want it unlocked. For all they know it could be stolen, and as far as proving it's yours legally without any account... probably more than they want to deal with and I'm sure they have liability reasons as well.
All I know is, I've had an account for quite some time. I've bought several phones through them, so no issues.
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Only Sprint & Verizon manufacturers lock the bootloaders of their phones T-Mobile doesn't. TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's too busy with wife & kids to update so flashing is difficult until you root it first unless you feel like doing a tethered through ADB. I know Samsung has the "Knox" & figured it's similar to that. Unless it's tripped it's negligible.
I know how the unlocking app works. Also, It's not stolen my situation is similar to the below it's "super whitelisted" I've had multiple services run the IMEI & it's come back clean. The phone meets all the unlocking criteria of which is being legit paid for is one of them.
They're just not releasing from the network. I need a workaround, I'm not trying to go through an entire claims process & have it sent back when aside from "network lock" it works just fine.
****ing Greedy ass corporations.

Nightshadex543 said:
Only Sprint & Verizon manufacturers lock the bootloaders of their phones T-Mobile doesn't. I'm TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's to busy with wife & kids to update so flashing is difficult until you root it first unless you feel like doing a tethered through ADB. I know Samsung has the "Knox" & figured it's similar to that. Unless it's tripped it's negligible.
I know how the unlocking app works. Also, It's not stolen my situation is similar to the below it's "super whitelisted" I've had multiple services run the IMEI & it's come back clean. The phone meets all the unlocking criteria of which is being legit paid for is one of them.
They're just not releasing from the network. I need a workaround, I'm not trying to go through an entire claims process & have it sent back when aside from "network lock" it works just fine.
****ing Greedy ass corporations.
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Ah, Pixel 4 needs sim unlocked, I was confused because this is 3a XL and I wasn't paying enough attention. I see your frustration now. I don't know about that one, just (bonito) here and it was all easy for me. I suppose that if you don't meet their requirements it's all too easy to just lock you into their script. I can't help you here, sorry. I think you'll just have to be 'that guy' and persist with them. Good luck.

Nightshadex543 said:
TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's too busy with wife & kids to update....
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No quicker way to loose all goodwill and help from people than bad mouthing the generous developers.
Feel free to come up with your own TWRP solution. Until then, STFU.

sic0048 said:
Feel free to come up with your own TWRP solution. Until then, STFU.
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That isn't even the subject of the thread. If you're going to ignore everything else I was saying & completely miss the point to focus on a single cherry-picked remark that triggered you then you can take a hike. Don't respond. Go invest your frustrated energies elsewhere
You know what? Maybe I will take the source code & develop my own unofficial TWRP build for it. Hacking & Technological communities don't just stop because you want to "move on with your life" we still need these tools. You think journalists whistleblowers & Chinese protesters can "do without" Tor?

Question Pixel 6 pro carrier unlock

Hello everyone i just bought a pixel 6 pro from ebay and as it turns out its carrier locked to verizon. I found a workaround on XDA but again i was out of luck since this method does not work after latest update which I obviously installed after setting up the phone does anyone have any ideas what can i do?

That phone may not fully paid off and if I were you, return is the only choice I would pick.

Bartusha said:
Hello everyone i just bought a pixel 6 pro from ebay and as it turns out its carrier locked to verizon. I found a workaround on XDA but again i was out of luck since this method does not work after latest update which I obviously installed after setting up the phone does anyone have any ideas what can i do?
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As of 2019, Verizon automatically carrier unlocks after the device has been on their network and the account is in good standing for 60 days. That this one isn't leads me to think it could be stolen, in which case the IMEI will be logged as stolen and the unit will NEVER work on Verizon. Anyone looking to return the phone would have done so and would not have hung on to it after the return window was closed.
All this talk about the carrier unlock ignores the 800lb gorilla in the room: bootloader unlock. Verizon devices cannot be rooted, period. When people say they have a Verizon phone I tell them to run, not walk, and get their money back. I'm telling you to do just that as Verizon devices are simply a terrible deal.