Develop Bugs

[Q] How to determine which carrier I'm locked to when there are no bloatware apps?

I have a Canadian Bell S3 i747m which broke and I got some random guy to fix it for me. He frustratingly ended up installing a ROGERS circuit board(or so he says) without bothering to check the fact my phone was loaded with Bell bloatware or just asking me my carrier.
I now need to unlock the SIM in order to use it properly and I just want to be sure I have the correct information and I don't end up paying for an unlock code that will not work since I didn't provide the proper carrier.
My SIM card (not sure if that matters): BELL
My board/IMEI: ROGERS (Apparently)
I wanted to determine which carrier I was tied to but I see 0 bloatware in my phone which makes me think the guy is wrong/lying and it's not actually a Rogers board. Is there another way to determine which carrier my phone is tied to?

Cyclone112 said:
I have a Canadian Bell S3 i747m which broke and I got some random guy to fix it for me. He frustratingly ended up installing a ROGERS circuit board(or so he says) without bothering to check the fact my phone was loaded with Bell bloatware or just asking me my carrier.
I now need to unlock the SIM in order to use it properly and I just want to be sure I have the correct information and I don't end up paying for an unlock code that will not work since I didn't provide the proper carrier.
My SIM card (not sure if that matters): BELL
My board/IMEI: ROGERS (Apparently)
I wanted to determine which carrier I was tied to but I see 0 bloatware in my phone which makes me think the guy is wrong/lying and it's not actually a Rogers board. Is there another way to determine which carrier my phone is tied to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The carrier doesn't matter. Once unlocked, it's unlocked for every carrier (unless it's unlocked by code).
You could go check the APN to see which carrier it's from.

BWolf56 said:
The carrier doesn't matter. Once unlocked, it's unlocked for every carrier (unless it's unlocked by code).
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Click to collapse
Oh really? I was looking at the gsmliberty site for unlocking and it asks for a carrier. I can't post the link since I'm a new account but here it is split:
gsmliberty(dot)net/shop/samsung-galaxy-s3-unlock-codes-p-3528.html
I then went into their Terms of Service and it specifies that if I provide an incorrect carrier and the unlock code doesn't work then I won't get a refund. Does this mean this site is BS and I should avoid it and find another?
EDIT: Oh I see you added info about checking the APN. Don't know what that is but I'll Google it. Assuming I find it should I still avoid gsmliberty or should I give them a shot?

BWolf56 said:
The carrier doesn't matter. Once unlocked, it's unlocked for every carrier (unless it's unlocked by code).
You could go check the APN to see which carrier it's from.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went to Settings > Connections > More networks > Mobile Networks and it tells me this: Insert SIM card to access network services
EDIT: Ok I finally found the AP and CSC by dialing *#1234# and then comparing it to sammobiles firmware to find out which carrier it is tied to. Still worried about the fact I get the SIM error above but hopefully that will go away when I attempt to unlock it

Cyclone112 said:
I went to Settings > Connections > More networks > Mobile Networks and it tells me this: Insert SIM card to access network services
EDIT: Maybe I'm looking at the wrong spot. Here is my phone's about in case that helps:
View attachment 2807396
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Click to collapse
Umm I though you'd have access to it w/o a sim card.
I'm not sure how else you could determine which carrier the motherboard is locked to.

BWolf56 said:
Umm I though you'd have access to it w/o a sim card.
I'm not sure how else you could determine which carrier the motherboard is locked to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just ended up editing my last post a minute before you posted this. I did determine the carrier and it is in fact Rogers. I was planning on just getting an unlock code through a website. You mentioned that means it will only be unlocked for them which I'm fine with but I'm just concerned about the fact I have a Bell SIM. Will that cause any problems with the unlock process or future dealings with BELL?
Actually I have a better question. Can I just put Bell's firmware on my phone instead of Rogers using Odin and then get an unlock for Bell and theoretically I'll be back to where I was?

What bootloader is on the phone? If you have the 4.3 bootloader, you'll have to buy an unlock code. If you have the 4.1.1 bootloader and you are running a stock ROM (doesn't matter about the carrier), you can use the free method to unlock it. If you have the 4.1.2 bootloader, downgrade to the Rogers 4.1.1 ROM and unlock it using the free method.

audit13 said:
What bootloader is on the phone? If you have the 4.3 bootloader, you'll have to buy an unlock code. If you have the 4.1.1 bootloader and you are running a stock ROM (doesn't matter about the carrier), you can use the free method to unlock it. If you have the 4.1.2 bootloader, downgrade to the Rogers 4.1.1 ROM and unlock it using the free method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running 4.3 so I know I need an unlock code unfortunately. I have a Bell SIM card but have Rogers firmware. The site I was looking to buy an unlock code from asks for my carrier so I presume I need to use Rogers. Will that be fine or am I able to just throw Bell firmware on my phone and buy an unlock code specifying Bell as my carrier?

I am not sure of you can load the stock Bell firmware and change the phone so it is locked to Bell. If this were the case, owners could switch carriers by flashing different firmware.

Cyclone112 said:
I just ended up editing my last post a minute before you posted this. I did determine the carrier and it is in fact Rogers. I was planning on just getting an unlock code through a website. You mentioned that means it will only be unlocked for them which I'm fine with but I'm just concerned about the fact I have a Bell SIM. Will that cause any problems with the unlock process or future dealings with BELL?
Actually I have a better question. Can I just put Bell's firmware on my phone instead of Rogers using Odin and then get an unlock for Bell and theoretically I'll be back to where I was?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking is permanent and unlocks to every carrier. Knowing which one you're locked to only matters to get a unlock code, after that, it's free for all.

BWolf56 said:
Unlocking is permanent and unlocks to every carrier. Knowing which one you're locked to only matters to get a unlock code, after that, it's free for all.
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Click to collapse
Gotcha, so there's no point in flashing Bell firmware at all. I just need the correct one for getting an unlock code in the first place. Thanks for helping a noob out.

Possible to change n975ui to n975u?

I flashed att firmware on an unlocked note 10 plus but att still sees it as an unlocked phone. Is it possible to change the phone to completey read as an attvbranded model? I called to see if they could provision the IMEI of my phone and they were able to tell right away it was not one of theirs, even though it was running att firmware.

Nikkic87 said:
I flashed att firmware on an unlocked note 10 plus but att still sees it as an unlocked phone. Is it possible to change the phone to completey read as an attvbranded model? I called to see if they could provision the IMEI of my phone and they were able to tell right away it was not one of theirs, even though it was running att firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, because (as you found out) the IMEI number is not from an AT&T branded phone.

Nikkic87 said:
I flashed att firmware on an unlocked note 10 plus but att still sees it as an unlocked phone. Is it possible to change the phone to completey read as an attvbranded model? I called to see if they could provision the IMEI of my phone and they were able to tell right away it was not one of theirs, even though it was running att firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a GOOGLE unlocked phone. I flashed N975U firmware on my phone and also flashed ATT USER DATA at the same time.. When my phone booted up - it had all of the ATT BLOAT that comes on an Att phone - it booted up with the ATT LOGO - it shows ATT ICONS in the Status Bar for Data (5GE instead of showing LTE or 4G) and I have Wifi Calling and Video Calling working on my phone...
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=301224
That is all it took. I didn't have to call ATT - It all just worked - and it was not working that way BEFORE I flased Userdata.
YMMV but I have heard about others who had the same experience. Go tot he N975U Firmware thread and find the download for ATT USERDATA - That is where I found it....
Hope that helps you.....

Pixel and iPhones are supposedly able to do those things. I think that may be why it worked for you
Geekser said:
I have a GOOGLE unlocked phone. I flashed N975U firmware on my phone and also flashed ATT USER DATA at the same time.. When my phone booted up - it had all of the ATT BLOAT that comes on an Att phone - it booted up with the ATT LOGO - it shows ATT ICONS in the Status Bar for Data (5GE instead of showing LTE or 4G) and I have Wifi Calling and Video Calling working on my phone...
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=301224
That is all it took. I didn't have to call ATT - It all just worked - and it was not working that way BEFORE I flased Userdata.
YMMV but I have heard about others who had the same experience. Go tot he N975U Firmware thread and find the download for ATT USERDATA - That is where I found it....
Hope that helps you.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Do you know of any way to get them to recognize the IMEI as one of theirs?
scottusa2008 said:
No, because (as you found out) the IMEI number is not from an AT&T branded phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Nikkic87 said:
Do you know of any way to get them to recognize the IMEI as one of theirs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wish it was possible, but unfortunately no way exists.

If you have WiFi Callling, Video Calling and Volte working, why does it matter if ATT recognizes your phone as one of theirs or not? Just curious about what you are trying to accomplish ?

Question before purchase Note 10+

Samsung website have note 10+ $200 off and free buds. I want to purchase the unlocked model.
1. Is it simple as get the device then stick in tmobile sim? Or there is additional step to do.
2. I going to be travel to Asia within a month or so, i can use phone for sim from oversea correct?
3. Is unlocked model have wifi calling, volte?

I should get mine Tue or Wed, I'm on ATT, I plan on just trying my SIM card...I'll try to remember to report back later in the week..

Thank, I will wait for your answer. I heard from the other post that some feature won't work with tmobile? I don't plan to root or anything

OxyEthane said:
Samsung website have note 10+ $200 off and free buds. I want to purchase the unlocked model.
1. Is it simple as get the device then stick in tmobile sim? Or there is additional step to do.
2. I going to be travel to Asia within a month or so, i can use phone for sim from oversea correct?
3. Is unlocked model have wifi calling, volte?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.) - Yes it is that simple and it does work. I had done it with the U1 firmware and had no issues. If you want to ensure full compatibility (and video calling) then you will wanna consider flashing the Tmobile carrier firmware. Flashing carrier firmware onto the phone will not have any impact on the network/sim unlock status (in case if your wondering).
2.) - You will have to ask the carrier your going to use in Asia if it will be supported. Since the unlocked model has no sim/carrier lock on it you can use it with any provider that supports the phone.
3.) - Yes and No, depending on the carrier. Tmobile has been the most compatible with BYOD devices so yes to most of that. AT&T on the other hand not so much so, as they only provision things like WiFi calling, VOLTE, etc. on phones they have sold. Some people have tried to find work arounds to this AT&T restriction, so YMMV.
In Tmobile's case if I remember correctly WiFi calling should work just fine and VOLTE will. You may need to setup the APN manually, or at least make sure it is set up properly. Another option (and one I did to get video calling to work) is flashing the the firmware from Tmobile for the SM-N975U to ensure full carrier compatibility.

What do you mean full compatibly video call, isnt video go with facebook messenger or depend on apps?
I don't have to root in order to flash, right?
Is there any current issues that I need to know?
Is it worth get 5g at all?
Is there any guide or video guide to flash tmobile carrier firmware to note 10 plus unlocked? Please answer asap so i can purchase phone soon

OxyEthane said:
What do you mean full compatibly video call, isnt video go with facebook messenger or depend on apps?
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Click to collapse
Hopefully this will clear up any misunderstanding..
My reply was referring to carrier features and nothing more.
When I says "full compatibility" I mean any specific customization or tweaks the carrier makes to the firmware they release for the network they run. These tweaks would not be fully (or mostly) present on the U1 firmware. For example U1 firmware may not get the best speed or signal strength as opposed to the carrier released U firmware.
When I say "video calling" I am talking about starting a video call from the dialer app (same one you use to dial a random number on the telephone). This would not be present on the U1 firmware.
OxyEthane said:
I don't have to root in order to flash, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No
OxyEthane said:
Is there any current issues that I need to know?
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Click to collapse
No.. but I would suggest that you do some google searches and read up on how to do this. This way you have an understanding on what you will need odin for and how to use it.
OxyEthane said:
Is it worth get 5g at all?
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Click to collapse
IMHO in the USA I wouldn't just yet.. Not unless you want the shiny shiny to show off to your friends. It's not widely available and once it is I would still wait for them to work out all the kinks before spending the extra money. The LTE speeds I get as it is are sufficient enough for what I do, but eventually I will end up getting 5G after it gets fully released and the carriers get it stabilized.
OxyEthane said:
Is there any guide or video guide to flash tmobile carrier firmware to note 10 plus unlocked? Please answer asap so i can purchase phone soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes tutorials and videos are on the internet.
I would encourage you to put some effort into finding the answer. I will tell you that the steps to do this are the same for the S9+ and a person was just recently discussing flashing 975U firmware to the 975U1 firmware on this forum.

I wonder if this video good idea to follow
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...BMAJ6BAgHEAQ&usg=AOvVaw18C8vlQDueUAkGQjTDOMve

OxyEthane said:
I wonder if this video good idea to follow
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...BMAJ6BAgHEAQ&usg=AOvVaw18C8vlQDueUAkGQjTDOMve
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is pretty decent.. but here's a few more things you will want to do.
If you have a google account on the phone already be sure to factory data reset it to remove FRP lock.
If not already mentioned in the video use the CSC_*** file and not the home_csc file.
Flash the USERDATA file included with the tmobile firmware. You can easily see where to place the USERDATA file in tge odin flashing tool.
After you get done flashing the phone be sure to factory data reset it to ensure everything works (OTA, etc).

Sprint SM-A505U Odin flash T-mobile SM-A505U1

I am thinking about buying a SM-A505U that is locked to Sprint network. Anyone know if I can just use ODIN to flash SM-A505U1 T-mobile firmware to get it to work on T-mobile? I am hearing from other people that the Sprint variant currently does not work on T-Mobile out of box and that they are paying for carrier unlock services to get it to work. While I know carrier unlock is an option, I also reads somewhere that it may be possible to flash the t-mobile firmware and that would essentially turn it into a t-mobile phone and lock it to t-mobile (Which I am Okay with). Where as a carrier unlock service would allow me to use any sim.
Anyone know if this is feasible? Is there an actual hardware difference between the SM-505U and SM-505U1? Or is it purely software?

skim32 said:
I am thinking about buying a SM-A505U that is locked to Sprint network. Anyone know if I can just use ODIN to flash SM-A505U1 T-mobile firmware to get it to work on T-mobile? I am hearing from other people that the Sprint variant currently does not work on T-Mobile out of box and that they are paying for carrier unlock services to get it to work. While I know carrier unlock is an option, I also reads somewhere that it may be possible to flash the t-mobile firmware and that would essentially turn it into a t-mobile phone and lock it to t-mobile (Which I am Okay with). Where as a carrier unlock service would allow me to use any sim.
Anyone know if this is feasible? Is there an actual hardware difference between the SM-505U and SM-505U1? Or is it purely software?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm willing to try it .i have 2 a50 and 2 a10e i need to unlock from sprint and get them working on t-mobile.

Please let me know your findings.

skim32 said:
Please let me know your findings.
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Click to collapse
if you help me out with the steps i'll be happy to. i'm a little bit rusty when it comes to doing this it's been a very long time since i have done anything to a phone lol .

drinkhere said:
i'm willing to try it .i have 2 a50 and 2 a10e i need to unlock from sprint and get them working on t-mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
drinkhere said:
if you help me out with the steps i'll be happy to. i'm a little bit rusty when it comes to doing this it's been a very long time since i have done anything to a phone lol .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the link to firmwares. I recommend using the oldest one to minimize any major baseband updates.
https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-a50/firmware/SM-A505U1/TMB/
Here is a good tutorial on how to use Odin. YouTube can also be helpful .
https://samsungodin.com/how-to-use-odin/

So uh... It work?

skim32 said:
Here is the link to firmwares. I recommend using the oldest one to minimize any major baseband updates.
https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-a50/firmware/SM-A505U1/TMB/
Here is a good tutorial on how to use Odin. YouTube can also be helpful .
https://samsungodin.com/how-to-use-odin/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did this work at all? I have an a50 that I need to get my q-link to work on

Need help network unlocking, flashed to stock

I got a new phone, the LM-G820UM AT&T version. I followed this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tutorial-crossflash-bypass-opid-mismatched-error.4345963/ to flash the stock firmware. With my SIM card in it says "network locked", it doesn't prompt for the unlock code. I have the unlock code and I've tried the various unlock commands (2945#*71001# and 2945#*20001#), but nothing comes up when I do these. Do I need to get it back to the AT&T firmware to be able to unlock it? If so, how can I do this?

gunnerone007 said:
I got a new phone, the LM-G820UM AT&T version. I followed this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tutorial-crossflash-bypass-opid-mismatched-error.4345963/ to flash the stock firmware. With my SIM card in it says "network locked", it doesn't prompt for the unlock code. I have the unlock code and I've tried the various unlock commands (2945#*71001# and 2945#*20001#), but nothing comes up when I do these. Do I need to get it back to the AT&T firmware to be able to unlock it? If so, how can I do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow, yeah, that's unfortunate. First, yes, it's the at&t firmware that the unlock code works with, not any other firmware.
second, at&t doesn't make their kdz available, so you have no easy way to get back to their firmware.
you might get lucky and find someone who has backed up all their partitions from at&t. Then u would flash ea one back via qfil.
Important lesson: don't buy a locked phone. if u get a locked phone, don't to anything to the firmware until u unlock the phone.
cheers

@AsItLies would this phone work in it's current state with AT&T?

gunnerone007 said:
@AsItLies would this phone work in it's current state with AT&T?
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Click to collapse
To the best of my knowledge, no. At&t is one of the carriers that has restrictions for their networks. Last I read (have never used them personally), they only allow phones that have their IMEI (they check that), and it's using their ROM, to access volte and vowifi.
so, would it work? yes and no. Volte and Vowifi may or may not be important to you.
Additionally, I'm absolutely no expert with at&t, so u might just try and find out, my info could be outdated.