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What is the proper procedure to unlock an att s9 to use with another carrier?
Thanks.
Just to clarify. This phone was purchased from Samsung directly with the new $150 discount for Att branded phones.
RossTeagan said:
So the phone is bought from samsung but lock on att?
Try the following to check if your phone is network locked be sure you really need to unlock it (otherwise, I don't think you need to unlock it).
1. Insert a GSM SIM card from another network (a non-AT&T SIM, liek Cricket ot T-Mobile)
2. Try placing a call
If your phone manages to connect and make the call with this other SIM card, then you won't need to unlock it, as it's already unlocked. And if the phone is locked, I recommend you check with AT&T, given that this phone is not tight to a contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the phone yet (2 more days,) but I did an extensive Google search, and it seems like this particular phone will be sim locked. It's paid off outright, no contract or anything, but there were several heavy discounts like $150 off msrp and another $150 off for trading in S6.
My Google search gave me two possible options -
1) Talk to ATT and ask to unlock,
2) Use an unlock site, like DeviceUnlock, pay 20-50 dollars for them to obtain and send an unlock code to you.
As for #1, I saw a post where a guy complained that talking to ATT and Samsung was useless to him in a similar situation - each company sent him to the other one to get it unlocked, so he got nowhere with this option.
Also, I saw a few posts that said that a locked phone may have to be activated on ATT first and used for up to 40 days before ATT will unlock it for you. What would happen with this Samsung bought phone though?
And for #2, I just don't know how this kind of business works - you send them IMEI and the locked carrier info, pay money, and a few days later, they send you an unlock code that you can enter yourself.
Is it safe? How does it work exactly? What if there's a problem because the IMEI is not actually registered on ATT because the phone was sold by Samsung?
I have many more questions, just because I don't know what I am talking about, but the bottom line is this. What should I do?
Thanks.
AS your phone is paid off and there is no contract on it, you should stick with your first option: ask att to unlock it but as you said you will need an activated phone, so you will need to activate the phone with att, however, you should go to them immediately and not wait for 40 days. While Samsung locked the phone, the actual company who controls the lock and who has authority of unlocking it att. So don't let them fool you to go search the code somewhere else.
Also, there is a law in the US that forces operators to unlock your phone if there are no debts or contract on your device. So keep that in mind.
Regarding third parties, they are a shortcut and you just have to provide them the devices IMEI and network lock. They, in turn, will look for the unlocking code for you. And if there are issues, as you said, I think you can ask for a refund (so if you decide to go for such a service, first make sure they have a money back guarantee).
TLDR Go with att, they should (have to) provide the unlock for you
Hi nabbed,
did you manage to unlock it?
what did you do in the end?
Giskardors said:
Hi nabbed,
did you manage to unlock it?
what did you do in the end?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called ATT, spoke to tech support. The tech said that since I had no history/account with ATT, they had to make one to verify that the phone IMEI was clean. He created a new account - name, address, phone, email, imei etc info. He created a support ticket (and gave me its number) for sim unlock. He said that I should receive an email within 48 hours that would either tell me that I cannot unlock or will come with the unlock code (if it is decided that I should be able to unlock.)
I tried using their default web service for getting an unlock https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/unlockstep1 but that thing doesn't work - the Next button cannot be clicked.
If unsuccessful, I am considering going and talking to a retail ATT store representative directly. They probably don't know much, but perhaps they can be more convincing on the phone with ATT.
Third option is trying one of the unlock websites.
So I had to do this with my S9, same kind of situation as you (I have T-Mobile service, received an AT&T locked device).
As you know, the web portal won't work. AT&T never entered your IMEI in their database, so as far as THEY are concerned, your phone doesn't exist.
Call tier 2/advanced tech support and have them create a case with the Device Unlock Team. GET A CONFIRMATION NUMBER. You should receive an email confirming that the case was made.
48-72 hours later, you SHOULD have an unlock code. Should. This is AT&T, and they don't know their ass from their elbow. It took me 2 weeks.
Device unlock services didn't work, as the IMEI has to be in AT&T's database for it to work correctly. They'll just (hopefully) refund your money when it fails.
Don't go into an AT&T store. As a former AT&T retail employee, I can guarantee you, those employees are dumber than a bag of wet hammers, and have no way of helping you with this, whatsoever. In addition, since you're not BUYING anything, they're not going to help too much even if they could.
Good luck. It will work for you eventually.
entropism said:
So I had to do this with my S9, same kind of situation as you (I have T-Mobile service, received an AT&T locked device).
As you know, the web portal won't work. AT&T never entered your IMEI in their database, so as far as THEY are concerned, your phone doesn't exist.
Call tier 2/advanced tech support and have them create a case with the Device Unlock Team. GET A CONFIRMATION NUMBER. You should receive an email confirming that the case was made.
48-72 hours later, you SHOULD have an unlock code. Should. This is AT&T, and they don't know their ass from their elbow. It took me 2 weeks.
Device unlock services didn't work, as the IMEI has to be in AT&T's database for it to work correctly. They'll just (hopefully) refund your money when it fails.
Don't go into an AT&T store. As a former AT&T retail employee, I can guarantee you, those employees are dumber than a bag of wet hammers, and have no way of helping you with this, whatsoever. In addition, since you're not BUYING anything, they're not going to help too much even if they could.
Good luck. It will work for you eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
The tech guy didn't say what kind of a support ticket he created. It may have been a general support ticket, or maybe he referred me to the unlock team directly, I don't know. He seemed like he understood perfectly what I needed. Anyway, the ticket format is like this - cm10230128_122673352, does that look right?
I have received an email confirmation that the call was made, but not that the case was created yet. The call ended at 5:30pm CDT on a Friday night, so maybe it would take until Monday to get a confirmation?
nabbed said:
Thanks.
The tech guy didn't say what kind of a support ticket he created. It may have been a general support ticket, or maybe he referred me to the unlock team directly, I don't know. He seemed like he understood perfectly what I needed. Anyway, the ticket format is like this - cm10230128_122673352, does that look right?
I have received an email confirmation that the call was made, but not that the case was created yet. The call ended at 5:30pm CDT on a Friday night, so maybe it would take until Monday to get a confirmation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe it will take up to tuesday. That's the limit
Im going to the US for 2 weeks, I dont know if i'll be able to unlock it on time, but If I order it I'll get it on the 2nd week.
I really hope you can unlock it!
Keep us updated
Update:
Got the unlock code in an email. The instructions say "Please allow 24 hours upon receipt of this notification to complete the unlock process." Not sure what that means, gonna try to unlock tomorrow with a project fi sim.
Update2:
Phone unlocked fine with a Project FI sim card and connected to T-mobile.
We're on the same boat!
I'm also on Project Fi and I received my AT&T S9 today.
My IMEI was found in AT&T's database and I just submitted the unlock request.
Do you experience any issues when using S9 w/ Project Fi?
zenlifexxa said:
We're on the same boat!
I'm also on Project Fi and I received my AT&T S9 today.
My IMEI was found in AT&T's database and I just submitted the unlock request.
Do you experience any issues when using S9 w/ Project Fi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just used the Fi sim card to facilitate the unlock procedure (the S9 is not mine, it's for a friend, and I am just setting it up.) I just looked at sim status in the options to confirm that provider was T-Mobile. In my research, I read that using Project FI T-Mobile was no different from any other unlocked gsm phone using T-Mobile. You will lose all Project FI apps because they don't exist with non-Google phones. There will not be carrier switching between T-Mob, Sprint and US Cell, and there will not be wifi calling. But if your T-Mob service is already good, there shouldn't be a problem.
As as side note, my own FI service is kind of awful. Ever since Google introduced "preferred partner" feature, where a FI phone would connect not to the strongest signal carrier but rather to a particular carrier, in this case Sprint in my area, I have had really bad sound quality.
US Cellular has best towers in this area, with signal strength of -70-80 db or so, while Sprint has crappy towers with signal strength of less -100 db. Yet I am constantly connected to Sprint with crappy sound quality because they are the preferred partner here. I have to constantly to remind myself to manually switch to US Cell if I'm to make a lengthy phone call.
Good luck.
A small warning here for those who need to send a previously SIM unlocked H932 in for LG repair:
After breaking its glass back, I had to send my TMO V30+ in for repair at LG’s center in Texas. At the same time I asked them to replace the screen under warranty, since there was a small cluster of dead pixels just above the navigation bar. They did all that. Cost $88 (including free shipping) with 11 days turnaround.
They also managed to lose the SIM unlock which I had previously been granted by T-Mobile using their Device Unlock app. Realizing this could be a problem, I had included a letter to LG Repair where I begged them to preserve the SIM unlock. Needless to say, the phone is paid off and all bills were paid (including the extra month TMO auto-charged my credit card and refused to refund).
After receiving it back, my Red Pocket GSMA SIM (AT&T prepaid MVNO) only does 3G, not LTE. The TMO Device Unlock app says the phone is “network locked” and not eligible for unlock.
T-Mobile Customer Service first requested unlock instructions to be emailed to me. After 2 days I received an email saying I had to use the TMO Device Unlock app. Duh. After much experimenting on my own (including with my now inactive TMO SIM card) I went to the T-Mobile store where I bought the phone. They were keen to help, but unable to solve the problem. We did confirm that with an active TMO SIM, everything was fine.
I then called TMO Customer Service again, this time asking for Tier 2. Here they finally escalated the case and requested an unlock from LG and said to expect a solution within 72 hours.
Different from the issue reported by @michy21 in this thread mine is the SAME phone with the same IMEI; it was just wiped by LG repair in a way that lost the SIM unlock. OR it really is a new phone or motherboard and they transferred the IMEI.
I should add that there has been no pushback or reluctance to help from any T-Mobile staff. It’s just that the company has baked everything so hard into the Device Unlock app now, so no human is able to do anything.
The only lesson here is to never buy carrier devices -- as @ChazzMatt has been stressing all along, and as I had been practicing myself in my Nexus days. But unfortunately carrier devices are where the best deals are -- which is the only thing that made it possibly for me to buy this class of phone in the first place.
I'll update this thread with the final outcome. Fingers crossed. I’ll be traveling overseas soon, really hope to have it fixed before.
TheDannemand said:
A small warning here for those who need to send a previously SIM unlocked H932 in for LG repair:
After breaking its glass back, I had to send my TMO V30+ in for repair at LG’s center in Texas. At the same time I asked them to replace the screen under warranty, since there was a small cluster of dead pixels just above the navigation bar. They did all that. Cost $88 (including free shipping) with 11 days turnaround.
They also managed to lose the SIM unlock which I had previously been granted by T-Mobile using their Device Unlock app. Needles to say, the phone was paid off and all bills were paid (including the extra month TMO auto-charged my credit card and refused to refund). Realizing this could be a problem, I had included a letter to LG Repair where I begged them to preserve the SIM unlock.
After receiving it back, my Red Pocket GSMA SIM (AT&T prepaid MVNO) only does 3G, not LTE. The TMO Device Unlock app says the phone is “network locked” and not eligible for unlock.
T-Mobile Customer Service first requested unlock instructions to be emailed to me. After 2 days I received an email saying I had to use the TMO Device Unlock app. Duh. After much experimenting on my own (including with my now inactive TMO SIM card) I went to the T-Mobile store where I bought the phone. They were keen to help, but unable to solve the problem. We did confirm that with an active TMO SIM, everything was fine.
I then called TMO Customer Service again, this time asking for Tier 2. Here they finally escalated the case and requested an unlock from LG and said to expect a solution with 72 hours.
Different from the issue reported by @michy21 in this thread mine is the SAME phone with the same IMEI; it was just wiped by LG repair in a way that lost the SIM unlock. OR it really is a new phone or motherboard and they transferred the IMEI.
I should add that there has been no pushback or reluctance to help from any T-Mobile staff. It’s just that the company has baked everything so hard into the Device Unlock app now, so no human is able to do anything.
The only lesson here is to never buy carrier devices -- as @ChazzMatt has been stressing all along, and as I had been practicing myself in my Nexus days. But unfortunately carrier devices are where the best deals are -- which is the only thing that made it possibly for me to buy this class of phone in the first place.
I'll update this thread with the final outcome. Fingers crossed. I’ll be traveling overseas soon, really hope to have it fixed before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worst comes to worst, sell the phone on eBay while at the same time buying one of the mint LS998 V30+ for $320. Immediately convert to carrier unlocked US998, bootloader unlock and root.
In the eBay listing for this phone stress the T-Mobile band 71, blah, blah, blah -- which you don't need on AT&T MNVO, but would interest T-Mobile users.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
ChazzMatt said:
Worst comes to worst, sell the phone on eBay while at the same time buying one of the mint LS998 V30+ for $320. Immediately convert to carrier unlocked US998, bootloader unlock and root.
In the eBay listing for this phone stress the T-Mobile band 71, blah, blah, blah -- which you don't need on AT&T MNVO, but would interest T-Mobile users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, Chazz!
I had a suspicion you might suggest that :laugh:
But yes, that would have to be the outcome if I cannot solve it. I'll probably file an FCC complaint first, which michy21 reported had solved her problem. But again, there is no pushback from anybody, which is a positive.
The only attachment I have to this particular phone is my 2 year warranty, which gives me peace of mind. A phone bought used wouldn't have that (or any warranty).
Thanks again!
Edit: Actually, it's not quite true that I have no other attachment to this H932: If/when T-Mobile rolls out B71 in this area, I'll probably give them another try, as they generally have far better network speeds. AT&T service here is acceptable (and widespread) but doesn't blow me away. We only switched because TMO couldn't reach through our concrete brick walls. Red Pocket supports all four carriers, so I can switch to TMO network on my current plan to take advantage of B71.
So my hope is I won't have to part with this phone. AND that @runningnak3d will release H932 root later this year
TheDannemand said:
A small warning here for those who need to send a previously SIM unlocked H932 in for LG repair:
After breaking its glass back, I had to send my TMO V30+ in for repair at LG’s center in Texas. At the same time I asked them to replace the screen under warranty, since there was a small cluster of dead pixels just above the navigation bar. They did all that. Cost $88 (including free shipping) with 11 days turnaround.
They also managed to lose the SIM unlock which I had previously been granted by T-Mobile using their Device Unlock app. Realizing this could be a problem, I had included a letter to LG Repair where I begged them to preserve the SIM unlock. Needless to say, the phone is paid off and all bills were paid (including the extra month TMO auto-charged my credit card and refused to refund).
After receiving it back, my Red Pocket GSMA SIM (AT&T prepaid MVNO) only does 3G, not LTE. The TMO Device Unlock app says the phone is “network locked” and not eligible for unlock.
T-Mobile Customer Service first requested unlock instructions to be emailed to me. After 2 days I received an email saying I had to use the TMO Device Unlock app. Duh. After much experimenting on my own (including with my now inactive TMO SIM card) I went to the T-Mobile store where I bought the phone. They were keen to help, but unable to solve the problem. We did confirm that with an active TMO SIM, everything was fine.
I then called TMO Customer Service again, this time asking for Tier 2. Here they finally escalated the case and requested an unlock from LG and said to expect a solution within 72 hours.
Different from the issue reported by @michy21 in this thread mine is the SAME phone with the same IMEI; it was just wiped by LG repair in a way that lost the SIM unlock. OR it really is a new phone or motherboard and they transferred the IMEI.
I should add that there has been no pushback or reluctance to help from any T-Mobile staff. It’s just that the company has baked everything so hard into the Device Unlock app now, so no human is able to do anything.
The only lesson here is to never buy carrier devices -- as @ChazzMatt has been stressing all along, and as I had been practicing myself in my Nexus days. But unfortunately carrier devices are where the best deals are -- which is the only thing that made it possibly for me to buy this class of phone in the first place.
I'll update this thread with the final outcome. Fingers crossed. I’ll be traveling overseas soon, really hope to have it fixed before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does not make sense at all. Has the device IMEI have changed at all? Was the actual logic board replaced? The answer is likely no. So why would the device be relocked by LG? You are giving them way too much credit.
More proof that the device should have remained unlocked is that you can access the device with your MNVO (ATT), if it was truly locked you would not able to get a signal or make a call under your MNVO at all. Sounds more like user error or a miss configuration of your carrier, or both.
Also you should not be trying to run a T-Mobile Specific device unlock app under a different carrier sim,
and it might just be reporting wrong information. Had this happen to me several times in the past, when the device was actually unlocked. You said yourself, you were able to use the device on (ATT)!
jblparisi said:
That does not make sense at all. Has the device IMEI have changed at all? Was the actual logic board replaced? The answer is likely no. So why would the device be relocked by LG? You are giving them way too much credit.
More proof that the device should have remained unlocked is that you can access the device with your MNVO (ATT), if it was truly locked you would not able to get a signal or make a call under your MNVO at all. Sounds more like user error or a miss configuration of your carrier, or both.
Also you should not be trying to run a T-Mobile Specific device unlock app under a different carrier sim,
and it might just be reporting wrong information. Had this happen to me several times in the past, when the device was actually unlocked. You said yourself, you were able to use the device on (ATT)!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I understand where you come from. And no offense taken
The problem IS a SIM lock (or "network lock" as they call it). But not in the same way you're thinking where nothing works with an alien SIM. Both T-Mobile and LG have confirmed that.
Some details I didn't mention in my opening post (I meant to warn people here, not argue the matter):
1) LG warned me before they began repair that the phone would come back SIM locked, even though I'd included a letter asking if they could avoid it. I also talked to T-Mobile before sending it in, who said to just request an unlock code if needed (obviously that person was clueless).
2) I've seen other XDA users report how SIM locked V30s could connect on different networks, but NOT get LTE. That's what I am seeing too. One of my goals with visiting the T-Mobile store was to verify that there wasn't a problem with the phone itself preventing LTE. But once an active TMO SIM was inserted, everything works flawlessly.
3) I thought the same thing about not running the TMO Device Unlock app with the alien SIM inserted, but TMO's wording in the instructions they sent me are: "Before completing the steps below to unlock your device you must be connected to the internet via a cellular network in order to complete the steps", not mentioning it must be on TMO. And I DO have 3G internet with my Red Pocket SIM. Nevertheless, my second goal with visiting the T-Mobile store was so we could try the Device Unlock app with an active TMO SIM. And regardless of which SIM is inserted, the app reports that the phone is currently network locked and not eligible for unlock. When running this app on an unlocked phone, it shows the date of unlock -- even after a factory reset. They are obviously storing the lock/unlock state on the vendor, modem or carrier partitions or some such place. And on my phone it is in a locked state.
4) There is not much room for user configuration error here: The phone has been factory reset 5-6 times while testing this, with the only configuration being a Red Pocket APN. That same SIM and same APN work flawlessly in my Nexus 5 as well as my wife's V30 (also H932). Even if I mis-typed the APN, I wouldn't have done so 5-6 times -- and I would have caught it during one of the many times I verified the APN.
So I have no doubt that there is some form of network lock in place that is causing this. And again, T-Mobile and LG agree and have promised to solve it.
You are right that LG had no reason to replace the mainboard. But they did replace both the screen and the glass cover. I think it is possible that they sent me a refurbished phone with my IMEI transferred -- which would explain both their warning that the phone would come back locked, and why the Device Unlock app gets confused when seeing a blank (still locked) phone, but T-Mobile's IMEI database claims that the device is already unlocked (as I saw on the screen in the store).
So, we'll see if they manage to solve it or I have to sell this phone as suggested by Chazz.
Would paying a 3rd party carrier unlocking do the trick? Or does even that seem out of the question now? Before Frankensteining was a thing I did that so I could use an H931 on T-mo. It was $10 well spent as far as I was concerned.
jaysus145 said:
Would paying a 3rd party carrier unlocking do the trick? Or does even that seem out of the question now? Before Frankensteining was a thing I did that so I could use an H931 on T-mo. It was $10 well spent as far as I was concerned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the suggestion. I'd have no objection to that at all, but various reports on here had given me the impression that 3rd parties aren't able to unlock the H932 because TMO locked it down so hard (as is the case with Sprint, but for different technical reasons). I could be wrong about that, so definitely something to try.
Thanks again!
Update: It's been four days since I talked to T-Mobile and they promised to escalate my problem and request that LG provide a solution. They said to expect a response within 72 hours, but I haven't heard back from them.
But yesterday, when I tried popping in my Red Pocket SIM (it's in my Nexus 5 until this is solved) everything suddenly worked: Instant LTE, which stayed all day, even as I drove an hour away across town and worked there for a few hours (using hotspot), went on several errands, and back home all last night. LTE Discovery Log showed how it had switched seamlessly between towers, without ever losing LTE. I was certain they had fixed it, and was much relieved.
Then this morning, it had locked itself again. Phone had been on all night, clearly T-Mobile must have pushed another lock. Or rather: One of the TMO services/apps locked it after pulling TMOs servers. No amount of Network Resets, reboot or toggling Mobile Network settings have worked to get it back. I promised T-Mobile not to make any more attempts with the Device Unlock app as it messes things up for them, but I am sure it it would still say "Ineligible for unlock" even though the IMEI is clear in TMO's database (and listed as already unlocked).
As always, the same SIM gives perfect LTE service in my Nexus 5 and on my wife's V30, with the same APN.
I called T-Mobile Customer Care and was unable to persuade them to transfer me to Tier 2. But they did says to expect a call within a day.
It is almost certain I'll have to go the FCC complaint route. It's sad because T-Mobile is otherwise not a bad company. Probably just a small handful of idiots who got this "bright idea" how to protect TMO phones -- which ends up causing so much trouble for legitimate customers.
@jaysus145: Which Unlock service did you use? The ones I looked at which support T-mobile unlock cost $75-150 -- and they don't seem to guarantee success.
TheDannemand said:
@jaysus145: Which Unlock service did you use? The ones I looked at which support T-mobile unlock cost $75-150 -- and they don't seem to guarantee success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used celllunlocker.net, it cost me $10 to unlock my AT&T version, and took less then a day to complete.
jaysus145 said:
I used celllunlocker.net, it cost me $10 to unlock my AT&T version, and took less then a day to complete.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
T-Mobile called me back yesterday and assured me they were still working on it and they would get this phone unlocked and please sit tight another day. They confirmed there was nothing on the phone's IMEI or my old account that should prevent it.
I'll check out unlocking services if it comes down to it.
Thanks again!
Final update on this (and solution):
T-Mobile solved the server side problem with a manager override, so that the Device Unlock app now says "Permanent Unlock approved". But it continued reporting "Unlock Failed" nevertheless. Some say because the phone is already unlocked, personally I think because the servers report the phone as previously unlocked. The app also says "Phone is currently network locked" when first running.
Notably, the connection problem persisted, and T-Mobile (after discussing with LG) said it had to be a bad SIM card or a problem with that SIM ICCID and my phone's ESN. As previously described, I get perfect connection and service using the same SIM in my Nexus 5 and in my wife's V30. T-Mobile said that was all they could do.
I then decided it was time to take the matter in my one hands. After much searching and countless Factory Resets and Network Settings Resets, I managed to get the phone working right with the following steps:
1) Remove Google account to disable Device Reset Protection.
2) Factory Reset from the Service Menu: *#546368#*932# (replace 932 with your model number, though this is likely a T-Mobile only problem). From there SVC Menu - Factory Reset (R&D Only). This takes quite a bit longer than normal Factory Reset.
3) Initial setup with WiFi, no Google account. No APN. Phone shows usual connection slowness.
4) Airplane mode, then WiFi on.
5) T-Mobile Device Unlock app, Permanent Unlock. Got the same "Unlock Failed, but Approved" message.
6) Enter APN.
7) Network Settings Reset (Android Settings - Reset menu). Wait for reset to complete. It may go straight to LTE already here.
8) Power off/on.
After this, everything is back to normal. Instant signal and LTE connection, even after subsequent Factory Reset. It's such a relief :laugh:
Edit: I should add that it is quite possible that not all of these steps are required. Probably the Service Menu Factory Reset was the key to undo what LG had done during the repair. I am merely listing all the steps which I used, and which brought my phone back to life.
I'm looking to get a Note 10+ phone that can be bootloader unlocked & rooted, but I'm tied to Verizon.
Anyone using either the N976F or N975F on VZW? Any issues or tricks in order to get them to accept something other than the "V" variant that is locked down and may never have root?
Trying to figure out which of these 3 Note 10+ phone variants to go with:
N975F
N976F
N9750/DS
TIA.
UPDATE: Not officially, but it seems possible. Keep reading below for my experience...
I'm on the n9750 on Verizon and it seems to be working well. I just got it so I haven't got to fully test quite yet.
Just for reference, I wanted to post this for others since I wasn't able to find true compatibility details other than VZW's ironfisted "certified" devices (ie the locked SM-N975U):
I recently purchased a Samsung Note 10+ (SM-N975F/DS) international variant online, and was able to get successfully attached to my VZW account. I have a grandfathered unlimited data plan, and was replacing an existing phone on my account.
Here's how it went down:
Initially when I tried to activate and attach the N10+ to my account via VZW website, it told me the phone couldn't be registered on their network.
Took my phone to a local VZW store.
Told the rep I bought a new phone and needed it attached to my account.
He validated my account details (he never asked for the IMEI of my new phone) & grabbed a new sim card, did his thing on the VZW tablet terminal and then popped the sim into my new phone.
At this point, the LTE data worked almost immediately, however the voice calling didn't work. Test calls just failed and quickly exited the phone app saying call failed/ended.
He said wait a couple minutes, sometimes it takes a bit, so we did. I think we also rebooted too. He was checking various things on my phone and the account.
He noticed that the VZW system said my phone couldn't be used on their network, but said there was something he could try...
He took the sim out of my phone and popped it into his already activated VZW phone. After a maybe 30 seconds, he made a test voice call, and it worked (my sim, his phone)
Then we swapped my newly activated sim back into my new phone and after about 30 seconds, I had both LTE data (as before) and now also had voice calling. A quick test call from my phone confirmed and I was good to go!
Obviously, YMMV, but it can be done, you just might need to find a VZW rep that is helpful and willing to go the extra mile to get the international version (SM-N975F/DS) activated onto the Verizon network.
Hello
Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction for help or assist.
I purchased a unlocked Galaxy Z Fold3 off of Swappa.com. Ive purchased many of phone off this site and had no issues including this Fold3. When I got the phone i placed my T-Mobile sim in the phone and all was fine since the phone was unlocked. When T-Mobile pushed the Android 12 update out we all know it caused issues with the phones network. Since i did not purchase the phone from T-Mobile i sent my phone to Samsung so they could fix the issue. Since they knew of the issue with T-Mobile they replaced the motherboard of the phone. Well that sim locked the phone to the original carrier which i found out was Spectrum Mobile. Spectrum states they cannot unlock the phone because they cannot see the IMEI on their network. T-Mobile sees the IMEI on their network from when i used the phone before the update, but they stated that since the original carrier is Spectrum, they have to unlock the phone. Samsung states that one or the other will have to unlock the device because they do not have carrier unlock codes even though they replaced the motherboard which cause the phone to lock again. After weeks of the back and forth i paid a site to give me a unlock code for the phone via Spectrum Mobile. the code they sent did not work and they refunded me my money. But now im stuck with a brick unless i get a Spectrum Mobile account. The phone works fine on their network but i refuse to get their internet service so i can get a mobile account just to use the phone.
Anyone have any advice as to how i can get the phone unlocked again? I reached out to the person i purchased the device from and they didnt have the unlock code. Also the IMEI is clean because Samsung, Spectrum, and T-Mobile checked it.
Right now, you can either pay for an unlocking service or, and this is the REALLY hard part, wait until Spectrum's IMEI Database is updated with the new IMEI for your device. This will come from Samsung when they Sync, but no telling how often that is.
The bad thing is, it can take weeks or a month or more. No one knows.
If you are in need RIGHT NOW, I would look for a good Unlock Service and pay them, but it can also take a while with how new these phones are.
Talderon said:
Right now, you can either pay for an unlocking service or, and this is the REALLY hard part, wait until Spectrum's IMEI Database is updated with the new IMEI for your device. This will come from Samsung when they Sync, but no telling how often that is.
The bad thing is, it can take weeks or a month or more. No one knows.
If you are in need RIGHT NOW, I would look for a good Unlock Service and pay them, but it can also take a while with how new these phones are.
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Do you know of any good reliable unlock services?
MAC20 said:
Do you know of any good reliable unlock services?
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I would suggest one, but I have not used one in so long I can't really suggest one. Sorry.
Talderon said:
I would suggest one, but I have not used one in so long I can't really suggest one. Sorry.
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Thanks
MAC20 said:
Hello
Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction for help or assist.
I purchased a unlocked Galaxy Z Fold3 off of Swappa.com. Ive purchased many of phone off this site and had no issues including this Fold3. When I got the phone i placed my T-Mobile sim in the phone and all was fine since the phone was unlocked. When T-Mobile pushed the Android 12 update out we all know it caused issues with the phones network. Since i did not purchase the phone from T-Mobile i sent my phone to Samsung so they could fix the issue. Since they knew of the issue with T-Mobile they replaced the motherboard of the phone. Well that sim locked the phone to the original carrier which i found out was Spectrum Mobile. Spectrum states they cannot unlock the phone because they cannot see the IMEI on their network. T-Mobile sees the IMEI on their network from when i used the phone before the update, but they stated that since the original carrier is Spectrum, they have to unlock the phone. Samsung states that one or the other will have to unlock the device because they do not have carrier unlock codes even though they replaced the motherboard which cause the phone to lock again. After weeks of the back and forth i paid a site to give me a unlock code for the phone via Spectrum Mobile. the code they sent did not work and they refunded me my money. But now im stuck with a brick unless i get a Spectrum Mobile account. The phone works fine on their network but i refuse to get their internet service so i can get a mobile account just to use the phone.
Anyone have any advice as to how i can get the phone unlocked again? I reached out to the person i purchased the device from and they didnt have the unlock code. Also the IMEI is clean because Samsung, Spectrum, and T-Mobile checked it.
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I have an Unlocked Fold 3 also now using the T-Mobile network and keep experiencing network connectivity issues. In placed where I used to get good 5G signal now I only get LTE and sometimes my data connection drops to H or H+, sometimes just R for roaming.
So they believe the Android 12 update killed the Motherboard in our phones for T-Mobile? Also how long did it take to get your phone back from Samsung after the repair?
BigMosley said:
I have an Unlocked Fold 3 also now using the T-Mobile network and keep experiencing network connectivity issues. In placed where I used to get good 5G signal now I only get LTE and sometimes my data connection drops to H or H+, sometimes just R for roaming.
So they believe the Android 12 update killed the Motherboard in our phones for T-Mobile? Also how long did it take to get your phone back from Samsung after the repair?
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Samsung sent me a shipping label that was two day shiping to them. it took about a week or so to get back. Yes, something with the T-Mobile Android 12 update caused an issue where Samsung has been replacing the mother board of the phones. I found out when i was looking on T-Mobiles forums and a person stated that is what fixed theres. So i contacted Samsung and told them about the Andorid 12 update causing the issue and they had me send it in since they knew of the issue.
MAC20 said:
Samsung sent me a shipping label that was two day shiping to them. it took about a week or so to get back. Yes, something with the T-Mobile Android 12 update caused an issue where Samsung has been replacing the mother board of the phones. I found out when i was looking on T-Mobiles forums and a person stated that is what fixed theres. So i contacted Samsung and told them about the Andorid 12 update causing the issue and they had me send it in since they knew of the issue.
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Thanks for the quick reply. I have had my Fold 3's screen fixed in the same day by going to a local UBreakiFix, any idea if they can also do the Motherboard swap out?
BigMosley said:
Thanks for the quick reply. I have had my Fold 3's screen fixed in the same day by going to a local UBreakiFix, any idea if they can also do the Motherboard swap out?
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im not sure. you may have to call them to see.
MAC20 said:
im not sure. you may have to call them to see.
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I'm going your route and sending in the phone to Samsung. I even noted others online shared the same experience I am having and the motherboard was replaced.
Talderon said:
Right now, you can either pay for an unlocking service or, and this is the REALLY hard part, wait until Spectrum's IMEI Database is updated with the new IMEI for your device. This will come from Samsung when they Sync, but no telling how often that is.
The bad thing is, it can take weeks or a month or more. No one knows.
If you are in need RIGHT NOW, I would look for a good Unlock Service and pay them, but it can also take a while with how new these phones are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Talderon ive tried two unlock companies so far and neither have been able to unlock the phone. The person i bought it from wants me to mail it back so they can unlock it with a pc. Not going to happen so i won't get it back LOL. I think im just going to get on a friends Spectrum Mobile account and wait 30 so they can unlock it. Think thats my only choice.
If I'm on Google Fi (Which is T-Mobile) is it better for me to get the T-Mobile version of the phone off of Swappa/eBay so I don't run into these issues?
Just buy the samsung unlocked version and then flash the t mobile rom to I have the u1 one version I never had any issues with using t mobile on my z fold 3 and you need the rom bc its helps with towers bc I was using verzion rom on t mobile and I didn't get all the service or 5g uc always buy us unlocked version never buy carrier ones bc it's just easier to flash the rom you need than buy the carrier one bc it's can be relocked at any time bc when I bought t mobile version s21 it's locked the phone so beware
livejamie said:
If I'm on Google Fi (Which is T-Mobile) is it better for me to get the T-Mobile version of the phone off of Swappa/eBay so I don't run into these issues?
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Don't buy off swappa you get better deal on ebay bc you have money back guarantee
MAC20 said:
Hello
Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction for help or assist.
I purchased a unlocked Galaxy Z Fold3 off of Swappa.com. Ive purchased many of phone off this site and had no issues including this Fold3. When I got the phone i placed my T-Mobile sim in the phone and all was fine since the phone was unlocked. When T-Mobile pushed the Android 12 update out we all know it caused issues with the phones network. Since i did not purchase the phone from T-Mobile i sent my phone to Samsung so they could fix the issue. Since they knew of the issue with T-Mobile they replaced the motherboard of the phone. Well that sim locked the phone to the original carrier which i found out was Spectrum Mobile. Spectrum states they cannot unlock the phone because they cannot see the IMEI on their network. T-Mobile sees the IMEI on their network from when i used the phone before the update, but they stated that since the original carrier is Spectrum, they have to unlock the phone. Samsung states that one or the other will have to unlock the device because they do not have carrier unlock codes even though they replaced the motherboard which cause the phone to lock again. After weeks of the back and forth i paid a site to give me a unlock code for the phone via Spectrum Mobile. the code they sent did not work and they refunded me my money. But now im stuck with a brick unless i get a Spectrum Mobile account. The phone works fine on their network but i refuse to get their internet service so i can get a mobile account just to use the phone.
Anyone have any advice as to how i can get the phone unlocked again? I reached out to the person i purchased the device from and they didnt have the unlock code. Also the IMEI is clean because Samsung, Spectrum, and T-Mobile checked it.
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Click to collapse
See you shouldn't buy carrier phones don't do that bc you always have issues and it's hard to find unlocking service just resell the phone and just buy you unlocked us version off ebay and then flash t mobile rom and you be good and then you don't never have to worry about having a brick
Hi guys, does anyone know if there is a solution to this kind of issue?
So I saw a listing of a used Verizon S22+ on OfferUp, asked for IMEI and used that IMEI to ask Verizon rep if the phone was clean and can be unlocked. To my surprise, the rep told me that the phone is clear and its already unlocked. So of course I bought the phone (got a good deal too, only $140 in great condition), but when I pop my MintMobile sim card in, it keeps saying "This phone cant be activated on another network" or something like that (I havent tried other SIM cards from other networks though). I contacted 3 other Verizon reps and of course they all told me that the phone is unlocked??????!!!! I have tried flashing different ROMs (U1/XAA, U1/VZW) and factory data reset with no luck. Anything else I can do in this case? Third party unlock is so expensive.
Thanks for reading
Have you taken it to a Verizon store?
gernerttl said:
Have you taken it to a Verizon store?
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No I haven't. Haven't had the time to stop by their store yet. Would they help me though? Since I'm not their customer
SKlamm said:
No I haven't. Haven't had the time to stop by their store yet. Would they help me though? Since I'm not their customer
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Probably. At least try to figure out why it is not working. If anything, they can pop a Verizon SIM to test it. If a Verizon SIM works, but other network SIMs don't, then the phone wasn't unlocked. Verizon unlocks its devices after 60 days. It is possible, that the device was unlocked by Verizon, but because it not on its network when at the time of unlocking, it may not have finished the unlocking process. If that makes any sense.
In a nutshell, if the IMEI is good on Verizon's end, then the phone may not have "gotten the memo" because it was offline at the time. That is probably a poor analogy.