Firstly, I'll say I'm new to XDA so thanks to all those who offer people like me somewhere to turn to. So, a little back-story, I recently got the root itch after my last ATT upgrade and it would seem it couldn't have come at a worse. For I had just recieved my ATT Galaxy s6 Edge Plus two days prior to being introduced to this site. Needless to say, I put too much effort in finding other devices essentially to "play" (root, flash, etc..) then I should. Which brings me to this...I came across this Sprint HTC 10 still with the plastic on it for a price I couldn't refuse. While trying to go about Unlocking the SIM I've encountered two issues: one being I paid to get an unlock code (actually double due to "high level of security") which ends up saying unlocked from network in a pop up but when I reboot with different carrier SIM, it still says SIMlock Enabled. So, Secondly, I figured try my chances calling Sprint even though I didn't have any of the sellers information. Only to find out, according to her, that phones aren't even elligible to be SIM Unlocked unless they have been active with the carrier for atleast 50 days. I would reallly appreciate if someone could shed light on this and let me know, since I bought it out the box and don't have Sprint, did I just buy an expensive paperweight? Also, if anyone could point in the direction of an effective SIM unlock method, it would be appreciated. And lastly, would rooting it make it easier or expand my options of SIM Unlocking? Thanks for any input.
I haven't tried sim-unlocking this phone but I usually get unlock codes from reputable sellers on eBay. If the code you received doesn't work, I would ask for my money back or ask the seller to help me troubleshoot the issue.
The source seemed to be a reputable and were extremely professional, (HTCunlockingservice.com), and said they got the code straight from Sprint server. I just don't understand why the code won't work. Any knowledge of how factual the service reps statement that if it hasnt been active for 50 days, it cant be unlocked?
I'm trying to figure out why the Verizon S9 is $80 more than the unlocked one. I used to have the unlocked S7 on Verizon and I understand that some carrier features such as VVM and VoLTE will not work. You also lose some of the Verizon specific apps that are preinstalled. I'm trying to find out if the unlocked phone will support all frequency bands used by Verizon for the best speed and coverage. I tried contacting Samsung through thier web site and here is my conversation:
Murtuza MD, SAMSUNG Care Pro
Them - Please excuse us for the long hold. We have had an unusually high volume of chats coming in. I would be happy to assist you with any questions you have about our products.
Me - What are the drawbacks to buying the unlocked S9 to use on Verizon. I understand that VVM will not work but will the phone support all of the bands used by Verizon to get the best call reception and data speeds?
Them - Please give me a few minutes to review the information you have shared.
Them - I see that the Unlocked S9 phone will be compatible with all the carrier's including Verizon.
Me - I understand that it will be compatible but will it perform the same as the Verizon branded S9? Why is the Verizon S9 $80 more expensive? What does the additional $80 buy for me?
Them - It will get you the Verizon specific feature's and applications that will be Pre installed on the phone.
Them - Please let me know if you have any more questions or queries for me.
Me - So the unlocked S9 will support all available Verizon radio bands?
Them - Yes, you are right.
Me - OK Thank you.
So it appears that the unlocked phone will work properly. Do anyone else find it ridiculous that the carrier locked phone would cost more? I would expect it to cost less unless there is some advantage to the carrier branded phone I am missing. Can anyone think of any other drawbacks to buying the unlocked phone? I could also note that the updates for the unlocked S7 were actually slower than the Verizon branded S7's updates.
unlocked bootloader is the must as well as aosp !!
usa and Canada will get the worst version again !!
I used a prepaid Verizon SIM on an Verizon S8 and lost VVM and WiFi calling but had HD Calling and I then purchased the unlocked Unlocked Pixel 2 XL directly from Google and it worked with with the Verizon prepaid SIM with the same downfalls of no VVM or WiFi calling but again I had HD calling. Not sure if this info helps but I WILL be buying the unlocked version S9 because I don't gain anything due to me using my prepaid SIM.
I don't think we can find such details early on. On websites like GSMarena and Phonearena the S9 doesn't have yet the model specific features (such as for Verizon and Unlocked version) so you should wait a bit more.
For those that had HD calling still usable with the unlocked versions of other devices, were you able to take calls and browse the web at the same time? I used an unlocked S7 with Verizon service for a while, but every time I was on a call I was not able to browse the web at the same time. Unfortunately for the kind of work I do I need to be able to do both.
That may be a drawback from not having the Verizon version of the S9 on their network.
So if you order the unlocked S9 on samsung you don't get visual voicemail ? Even if I use a sim from a verizon S8 model?
xgman said:
So if you order the unlocked S9 on samsung you don't get visual voicemail ? Even if I use a sim from a verizon S8 model?
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Click to collapse
If it is a Verizon postpaid (contract) SIM? Yes
If it is a Verizon prepaid SIM? NO
Everything I have seen on the web indicates that no matter what sim or contract (full here) that you simply can't get the visual voicemail app with an unlocked Galaxy. That is so unreasonable so they get the extra $100 and you are stuck with the bloatware. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is the case.
xgman said:
Everything I have seen on the web indicates that no matter what sim or contract (full here) that you simply can't get the visual voicemail app with an unlocked Galaxy. That is so unreasonable so they get the extra $100 and you are stuck with the bloatware. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is the case.
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No Sir. A Verizon prepaid SIM on a Verizon S8 will not allow use of VVM
Throwinrocks said:
No Sir. A Verizon prepaid SIM on a Verizon S8 will not allow use of VVM
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Click to collapse
It is not a pre paid sim. It is a contract sim, but it won't make any difference. VVM won't work on a locked Verizon phone since the actual app won't even be on the phone and can't even be downloaded from the app store apparently.
When you put that post paid SIM into a Verizon S8 the VVM will appear on that phone along with 2 or 3 other apps plus Verizon phones aren't locked. My Verizon S8 had the VVM icon on my phone but it would not let me use it because I have a prepaid SIM. I have that icon on my phone.
There are two levels of VVM one is free with postpaid and the other is premium that cost $2.99 a month
Try this. Log in:
My Verizon>My Plans and Services>Blocks>Block Services>Block Visual Voice Mail>ON
Reboot and try a test call
I have the premium. I have not heard of anyone with premium or otherwise being able to get the visual voicemail with the slider etc working on an unlocked phone. I can't try the test because I don't have an unlocked phone to test it on yet plus it's on a work acct which I don't have admin access to. I don't know why they make it so difficult for such a mainstream feature.
xgman said:
I have the premium. I have not heard of anyone with premium or otherwise being able to get the visual voicemail with the slider etc working on an unlocked phone. I can't try the test because I don't have an unlocked phone to test it on yet plus it's on a work acct which I don't have admin access to. I don't know why they make it so difficult for such a mainstream feature.
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I agree. You'd think no matter if it's locked or unlocked phone or a post paid or prepaid SIM they would want to keep you as a customer and allow us to have a simple feature. I still remember when you had to buy text messaging like minutes. LOL
---------- Post added at 12:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:59 AM ----------
RossTeagan said:
I don't think we can find such details early on. On websites like GSMarena and Phonearena the S9 doesn't have yet the model specific features (such as for Verizon and Unlocked version) so you should wait a bit more.
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Click to collapse
Wait for what? What details and specific features are you talking about?
I talked to Verizon tech support regarding the differences between the unlocked S9 and the Verizon branded S9. She seemed to be very knowledgeable on the subject and confirmed to me that you will not be able to use VVM on the unlocked phone just like I expected. She went as far as to say that since Verizon doesn't control the software updates that there is no guarantee that the phone would continue to work on their network. We all know that Samsung would never send out an update that would break the Verizon service but I could possibly see future software related network speed improvements not getting passed on to this phone. I'm really tossed up on which phone to buy. Are the Verizon tweaks and VVM worth $80?
skiddingus said:
I talked to Verizon tech support regarding the differences between the unlocked S9 and the Verizon branded S9. She seemed to be very knowledgeable on the subject and confirmed to me that you will not be able to use VVM on the unlocked phone just like I expected. She went as far as to say that since Verizon doesn't control the software updates that there is no guarantee that the phone would continue to work on their network. We all know that Samsung would never send out an update that would break the Verizon service but I could possibly see future software related network speed improvements not getting passed on to this phone. I'm really tossed up on which phone to buy. Are the Verizon tweaks and VVM worth $80?
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Click to collapse
Verizon are a bunch of liars and crooks. Verizon tweaks nothing. They just make sure all their products and services work with the phone, that is all. I wouldn't pay $100 more for a phone that only has bloatware from Verizon. Not to mention Verizon phones are locked from factory now
Josh LaCelle said:
Verizon are a bunch of liars and crooks. Verizon tweaks nothing. They just make sure all their products and services work with the phone, that is all. I wouldn't pay $100 more for a phone that only has bloatware from Verizon. Not to mention Verizon phones are locked from factory now
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From what I'm hearing Verizon hasn't started locking them yet but what difference does it make? AT&T and Sprint have been doing it for years. Once you activate the phone you can unlock it and in some cases they unlock once activated. They are locking them so when people steal them they're unable to use them. There's a ton of articles explaing why and I can't understand why everyone gets upset about it.
Now I take everything samsung says with a grain of salt and some hot sauce but the lady I just talked to (I recorded it) said that the snapdragon verizon s9+ had a unlockable bootloader (but she highly recommended against it). Has anyone else called samsung and asked them?
I can't say how true this actually is, but a vz rep just confirmed that all features will work exactly the same on both versions... see below for convo
Verizon: Thank you for contacting the Verizon Wireless Chat Team regarding your account. How can we help you today?
You: hi
You: what is the difference between the verizon S9 and the version of the S9 straight from samsung?
Meghann: Hello!
Meghann: There is no difference between the phones.
You: all features will work on both versions?
Meghann: Correct.
You: wifi calling, etc? We will just get software updates straight from samsung as oppose to from vz?
You: Please pardon my confusion here, but i was wondering what made the samsung version $80 cheaper!
Meghann: We do not make the phone, the difference is that Samsung sells us the phone and then we sell it to you. If you buy it straight from Samsung, you can use it on any carrier.
You: yes i am aware of that!
You: but i have heard that wifi calling doesn't work if international, mobile hotspot may not work, and we won't have access to some verizon features
You: is any of that true for this version of the phone?
Meghann: No, the device will still work the same.
Meghann: That would be true if you bought the phone from say Sprint and then brought it to us.
You: ok perfect!!
You: thanks for your help!
droideris1 said:
I can't say how true this actually is, but a vz rep just confirmed that all features will work exactly the same on both versions... see below for convo
Verizon: Thank you for contacting the Verizon Wireless Chat Team regarding your account. How can we help you today?
You: hi
You: what is the difference between the verizon S9 and the version of the S9 straight from samsung?
Meghann: Hello!
Meghann: There is no difference between the phones.
You: all features will work on both versions?
Meghann: Correct.
You: wifi calling, etc? We will just get software updates straight from samsung as oppose to from vz?
You: Please pardon my confusion here, but i was wondering what made the samsung version $80 cheaper!
Meghann: We do not make the phone, the difference is that Samsung sells us the phone and then we sell it to you. If you buy it straight from Samsung, you can use it on any carrier.
You: yes i am aware of that!
You: but i have heard that wifi calling doesn't work if international, mobile hotspot may not work, and we won't have access to some verizon features
You: is any of that true for this version of the phone?
Meghann: No, the device will still work the same.
Meghann: That would be true if you bought the phone from say Sprint and then brought it to us.
You: ok perfect!!
You: thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was told something similar by the first person I talked to at Verizon. When I started to ask specific questions, they transferred me to tech support and then I was told the opposite. The tech confirmed that VVM will not be available on the unlocked version. I guess we will find out for sure in a couple weeks.
Find me one person with an unlocked S8 on Verizon that has normal visual voice mail? S9 is no different. I need the VVM for my business, don't need or want a new activation, so I have no choice but to pay the ransom.
I just received an SM-G960 for my birthday from my parents. They bought it off ebay a couple of months ago and have had it for a couple of months in the box. When I opened the box I found a T-Mobile S9 (I have a verizon plan). The phone however has an unpaid balance to t-mobile so I am unable to unlock the phone in order to use the verizon network. If any of you can help me I would really appreciate it, thank you.
TheRedPandaS9 said:
I just received an SM-G960 for my birthday from my parents. They bought it off ebay a couple of months ago and have had it for a couple of months in the box. When I opened the box I found a T-Mobile S9 (I have a verizon plan). The phone however has an unpaid balance to t-mobile so I am unable to unlock the phone in order to use the verizon network. If any of you can help me I would really appreciate it, thank you.
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Click to collapse
Going thru T-Mobile for the sim unlock code is out of the question, you'll have to go elsewhere.
I'm not exactly aware on what the SnapDragon model development is like. Best I can assume is you'll be very limited and won't have access to whatever the Verizon model software offers.
Best you can do is make sure is whatever phone you're using now that features like VoLTE is enabled on the line. If you do get it sim unlocked hopefully sms and VoLTE works. Stuff like WiFi Calling would be out of the question.
Unless someone else has more Information.
Been using Moto X (2013) for 6 years, finally decided to upgrade. As a fan of smaller phones instantly fell in love with this on amazon. Does anyone know if I can unlock it to work with a local carrier (in Azerbaijan)? Looking at question and answers on Amazon got me really confused.
Edit: Also, how much would it cost to unlock it?
Edit2: After "researching" what unlocked means (haven't used carrier plan phones ever), seems like it can get locked after an update. Does anyone have experience with the phone I linked? Also, I found this which says "T-Mobile GSM Unlocked". Wth does that mean? Is it usable worldwide/any carrier, or only with T-Mobile, or is unlocked by T-Mobile officially and is somehow more reliable or something? Sorry but I'm completely uneducated in this matter. Hope I'll get some help before it runs out of stock.
Thanks!
Hi guys, I hope you are all doing well and that everyone is staying safe and healthy. I am incredibly frustrated. I spent a ton of $ on the S20 Ultra and i was told that they unlocked it for me since I was with verizon but after the pandemic, I had to switch carrier because my work was no longer paying the monthly fees. I opened acct with Tmobile and i have not been able to use S20 with Tmobile. I have been in a tug-of-war between Verizon TMobile and Samsung, literally hours upon hours spent on phone, on chat, you name it, i have tried. So Here I am 60 days (approximately) later and no resolution. They took my money #Samsung but now they refuse to help me. I am so disgusted that I am considering just getting another phone, i.e. Apple 11 Pro. I dont want to but #Samsung #Verizon and #TMobile have left me no choice . I turn on phone and get message: Change Carrier
Sorry, your device can't be activated on another carrier's network right now. For help, contact Verizon at (800) 922-0204 or ...... I cannot do anything at this point, despite fact that Verizon says the phone is not locked. Samsung says it is and TMobile, well they are just billing me happily every month. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks and please stay safe... These companies #Samsung #Verizon and #TMobile have been useless and I am in a very rough situation now. Financially I cannot afford to drop another $1.000 dollars for a new phone. Is it fair to me when I just bought the phone in February on Pre-Order. I have been loyal to samsung, since they released their first phone, years ago. I am so over this situation and would appreciate your help, please...
Wow, no need for hash tags.
Verizon hasn't unlocked the phone, Samsung and T-mobile won't be able to do anything.
I assume you've tried factory testing the phone? Have you tried connecting it to Verizon's network? You have verified with Verizon that the IMEI matches in their system?
This is 100% Verizon's fault.
This has nothing to do with Samsung or T-Mobile. This is all on Verizon. Did you get a code from them to unlock the device? If not, then it's not unlocked. Keep talking to tech support until they figure it out.