Bell Note 2 Factory Unlocked From Bell Store anyone else? - AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note II

Hey guys.
So I have a Bell Note 2 that I bought in full from my carriers store and they were from the first batch shipment to western Canada.
I've been poking around looking into how they might of setup the locks on the phone and what dialer codes work to do what. I decided to pop in a Telus sim card to check on the lock status of my phone and to my surprise the thing is already Factory Unlocked!
I'm curious if this was on purpose with Bell's Note 2's or did I somehow luck out with a factory unlocked one?
When searching around I've found that NCIX.com is planning on selling Bell Note 2's in Full and they have told me they are also Factory Unlocked as well.
Anyone else with a Bell phone can tell me if theirs is unlocked as well and also anyone with a Rogers and Telus ones too. I'm curious about this as its not like a carrier to sell you phones that are not locked to their network.
Even though Canadian carriers don't do this. I feel that if you buy a phone out in full they should offer you a free unlock code just as AT&T does in the states.
If this is legit and Bell has actually decided to sell their phones no longer locked to their network when buy in full this is a big Plus in my book with them and customer service towards people that pay full price for their phones.

dbzgod said:
Hey guys.
So I have a Bell Note 2 that I bought in full from my carriers store and they were from the first batch shipment to western Canada.
I've been poking around looking into how they might of setup the locks on the phone and what dialer codes work to do what. I decided to pop in a Telus sim card to check on the lock status of my phone and to my surprise the thing is already Factory Unlocked!
I'm curious if this was on purpose with Bell's Note 2's or did I somehow luck out with a factory unlocked one?
When searching around I've found that NCIX.com is planning on selling Bell Note 2's in Full and they have told me they are also Factory Unlocked as well.
Anyone else with a Bell phone can tell me if theirs is unlocked as well and also anyone with a Rogers and Telus ones too. I'm curious about this as its not like a carrier to sell you phones that are not locked to their network.
Even though Canadian carriers don't do this. I feel that if you buy a phone out in full they should offer you a free unlock code just as AT&T does in the states.
If this is legit and Bell has actually decided to sell their phones no longer locked to their network when buy in full this is a big Plus in my book with them and customer service towards people that pay full price for their phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, I`d like to test my Bell unit now but I don`t have another carriers Micro SIM to test.

dbzgod said:
Hey guys.
So I have a Bell Note 2 that I bought in full from my carriers store and they were from the first batch shipment to western Canada.
I've been poking around looking into how they might of setup the locks on the phone and what dialer codes work to do what. I decided to pop in a Telus sim card to check on the lock status of my phone and to my surprise the thing is already Factory Unlocked!
I'm curious if this was on purpose with Bell's Note 2's or did I somehow luck out with a factory unlocked one?
When searching around I've found that NCIX.com is planning on selling Bell Note 2's in Full and they have told me they are also Factory Unlocked as well.
Anyone else with a Bell phone can tell me if theirs is unlocked as well and also anyone with a Rogers and Telus ones too. I'm curious about this as its not like a carrier to sell you phones that are not locked to their network.
Even though Canadian carriers don't do this. I feel that if you buy a phone out in full they should offer you a free unlock code just as AT&T does in the states.
If this is legit and Bell has actually decided to sell their phones no longer locked to their network when buy in full this is a big Plus in my book with them and customer service towards people that pay full price for their phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should've checked mine before unlocking (USB service) it this afternoon.

My rogers note 2 was unlocked as well from what I have been told this was an oversight with the first batch. Not gonna complain though
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda premium

my rogers one has sim lock
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Does anyone know of an easy way to check and see if your phone is unlocked. ( I don't have a foreign SIM to use to check). Is there a dial pad code you can type to see? My Note 2 box does not have any indication on it that says it is for Roger so I am wondering if it came unlocked? For my S3 I can type *#7465625# and it will tell me the lock status but it won't work on the Note 2.

To the original poster, my rogers phone was locked when trying a Tmobile Sim.
Could be that Telus and Bell using same network so might work.
Same is true between rogers Fido

Canadoc said:
To the original poster, my rogers phone was locked when trying a Tmobile Sim.
Could be that Telus and Bell using same network so might work.
Same is true between rogers Fido
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, they do NOT use the same network, they only share towers. Each have their own MNC's. Telus/ Koodo share a network, Bell/Virgin share a network. Also check post 4, Rogers user with an unlocked unit.
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda premium

Sword Fish said:
Does anyone know of an easy way to check and see if your phone is unlocked. ( I don't have a foreign SIM to use to check). Is there a dial pad code you can type to see? My Note 2 box does not have any indication on it that says it is for Roger so I am wondering if it came unlocked? For my S3 I can type *#7465625# and it will tell me the lock status but it won't work on the Note 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was hoping those codes to check on the lock status were going to work too, seeing as how the NA Note II is running the same Exynos Processor as the international one and built the same. But it appears that since we are using the Qualcomm modem for our LTE support they have once again modified what codes work for our custom NA models :/
Looks like the only way to check on the lock status is by just inserting a Micro Sim from another carrier.

Anyone with a Telus Note II that has theirs factory unlocked as well? still curious about this.

slegrand said:
My rogers note 2 was unlocked as well from what I have been told this was an oversight with the first batch. Not gonna complain though
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mr mystery said:
No, they do NOT use the same network, they only share towers. Each have their own MNC's. Telus/ Koodo share a network, Bell/Virgin share a network. Also check post 4, Rogers user with an unlocked unit.
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stand somewhat corrected but Virgin/Bell
Rogers/Fido have often worked despite being locked because they operate on same network. thought maybe since Telus shares infrastructure for 3g with Bell that maybe that would explain it too.
I got one of first batch of Rogers and it certainly was locked

Canadoc said:
I stand somewhat corrected but Virgin/Bell
Rogers/Fido have often worked despite being locked because they operate on same network. thought maybe since Telus shares infrastructure for 3g with Bell that maybe that would explain it too.
I got one of first batch of Rogers and it certainly was locked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya doesnt really seem to be a patterm to it, just some lucked out. Some didnt.
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda premium

Sword Fish said:
Does anyone know of an easy way to check and see if your phone is unlocked. ( I don't have a foreign SIM to use to check). Is there a dial pad code you can type to see? My Note 2 box does not have any indication on it that says it is for Roger so I am wondering if it came unlocked? For my S3 I can type *#7465625# and it will tell me the lock status but it won't work on the Note 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I agree with you. I'd like to find a way to check the lock status as well as i don't have another micro sim card either and that code doesnt work for me.)
Anyone else?
Sent from my SGH-I317M using Tapatalk 2

Would like to know as well. Just got my Note 2 but I travel a lol. FYI if you travel a lot, look into a company called roam for US sim.
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda premium

Darn it, just paid $24.99 before checking!

No working code for the Canadian Note 2? I'm really considering picking up one from TELUS, but I would want/need to unlock it for all of my US work travel.
kevink15 said:
Would like to know as well. Just got my Note 2 but I travel a lol. FYI if you travel a lot, look into a company called roam for US sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looked them up. I think T-Mobile prepaid is still a better deal. $3/day for unlimited everything, and the first 200 MB/day at 4G (42 Mbps HSPA+) but still unlimited after that only at 2G speeds. Roam would be $4.95 for similar service (not unlimited data either, only 100 MB per day). The only bonus is if you SMS back to Canada a lot, as that seems free/included. Looking at their coverage map, it looks identical to T-Mobile, and given the max of 42 Mbps, I'd wager they are really just an MVNO on top of T-Mo to begin with. Personal preference, but I think you might as well go right to T-Mo instead.

I picked up a Bell Note II on a hardware upgrade in Vancouver on Monday. All Bell stores were sold out of the first batch but I managed to get one from The Source. Mine was definitely locked, both a British and Spanish SIM I use for travel gave an unauthorized SIM message. Bought an unlock code last night and now all is good.

everythingsablur said:
No working code for the Canadian Note 2? I'm really considering picking up one from TELUS, but I would want/need to unlock it for all of my US work travel.
Looked them up. I think T-Mobile prepaid is still a better deal. $3/day for unlimited everything, and the first 200 MB/day at 4G (42 Mbps HSPA+) but still unlimited after that only at 2G speeds. Roam would be $4.95 for similar service (not unlimited data either, only 100 MB per day). The only bonus is if you SMS back to Canada a lot, as that seems free/included. Looking at their coverage map, it looks identical to T-Mobile, and given the max of 42 Mbps, I'd wager they are really just an MVNO on top of T-Mo to begin with. Personal preference, but I think you might as well go right to T-Mo instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did unlock my phone with an unlock code from 1 of the online providers. So that Avenue does work for unlocking it. I was recently in Florida using a T mobile sim card on the prepaid. A word of warning the thing will work on edge data speeds but does not work on the 4g network there. There are very few 4g cell towers on the T Mobile network in the US that are compatible with Rogers phones. They work on a different frequency. The LTE bands would work in theory, however they have not yet been activated on the T Mobile network in the US.
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda app-developers app

Related

Duped on eBay??

Hi,
I just purchased this phone off ebay. The listing told me that it was a Sprint phone with a bad ESN that had been flashed to Vzw prepaid.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200904023202?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Well I got the phone and it is a t-mobile version and not Sprint!!
I dont even know if the phone has been flashed through VZW or not. everything ive read says that the tmobile version can be unlocked, but How can I tell if this phone is on verizon or not? will I also need a sim card?
Im scared I just purchased a giant wifi only paper weight :crying:
thanks so much guys n gals.
Chris
Email the seller maybe he sent the wrong phone .. u can always file a claim so your not totally screwed
Sent from my GT-T889 using xda app-developers app
^ +1. Also, if the seller doesn't wanna work out the issue with you, you can file a buyer's protection claim for item not as described. After all, the add said it was a sprint note 2 not a tmobile one.
Sent from my customized phablet
Verizon/Sprint = CDMA = NO SIM SLOT... if you have a SIM slot.. good luck trying to get it on Verizon. Someone correct me if i am wrong. Contact the seller!!!
MikeYuse0406 said:
^ +1. Also, if the seller doesn't wanna work out the issue with you, you can file a buyer's protection claim for item not as described. After all, the add said it was a sprint note 2 not a tmobile one.
Sent from my customized phablet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So IS there any hope for me flashing this to Verizon prepaid? I have emailed seller but no response yet. I do like the phone though. He may have sent the wrong one.
chris111690 said:
So IS there any hope for me flashing this to Verizon prepaid? I have emailed seller but no response yet. I do like the phone though. He may have sent the wrong one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The tmobile version is GSM whereas sprint/Verizon are CDMA. These are 2 totally different technologies. As far as I am concerned, there is no way to run a gsm device on the cdma network or viceversa. They use different frequencies, etc.
However, I may be wrong so let's wait to see if some with a better knowledge supports my claim.
Sent from my customized phablet
MikeYuse0406 said:
The tmobile version is GSM whereas sprint/Verizon are CDMA. These are 2 totally different technologies. As far as I am concerned, there is no way to run a gsm device on the cdma network or viceversa. They use different frequencies, etc.
However, I may be wrong so let's wait to see if some with a better knowledge supports my claim.
Sent from my customized phablet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My cousin(in his youthful stupidity) is with Verizon, he has a Motorola Droid(more stupidity) and for some strange reason it has a sim slot, and it is populated with a Verizon sim. I'm not sure why, maybe they do that so they can use phones that aren't normally CDMA? But then they'd need towers and spectrum for GSM. Who knows.
I actually sold an ATT S3, unlocked to someone on ebay and they tried to use it on vzw prepaid. Of course my ad said clearly it was ATT, and unlocked. I didn't think about needing to state it would NOT work on vzw. Your situation is a bit different however.
MikeYuse0406 said:
The tmobile version is GSM whereas sprint/Verizon are CDMA. These are 2 totally different technologies. As far as I am concerned, there is no way to run a gsm device on the cdma network or viceversa. They use different frequencies, etc.
However, I may be wrong so let's wait to see if some with a better knowledge supports my claim.
Sent from my customized phablet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about sprint but verizon note 2 does have sim card slot for the sim. It came unlocked. It does support gsm. i tried it on my tmobile and it worked.
check this thread for more info
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2044449&highlight=tmobile
chris111690 said:
Hi,
I just purchased this phone off ebay. The listing told me that it was a Sprint phone with a bad ESN that had been flashed to Vzw prepaid.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200904023202?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Well I got the phone and it is a t-mobile version and not Sprint!!
I dont even know if the phone has been flashed through VZW or not. everything ive read says that the tmobile version can be unlocked, but How can I tell if this phone is on verizon or not? will I also need a sim card?
Im scared I just purchased a giant wifi only paper weight :crying:
thanks so much guys n gals.
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just file a complaint with Ebay since he sent you the item you received is not a described in the add.. ebay will open up a claim ticket...
DataDork said:
Verizon/Sprint = CDMA = NO SIM SLOT... if you have a SIM slot.. good luck trying to get it on Verizon. Someone correct me if i am wrong. Contact the seller!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon/Sprint phones are CDMA but the new 4g LTE phones from them are using a sim card slot for the 4g LTE network ... (correct me if im wrong obviously)
on side note: wonder if anyone knows how to flash the phone to verizon unleased unlimited plan $50 unlimited everything ?
Yes, the New 4g LTE phones from Verizon and Sprint have SIM Slot, and can be unlocked to use with other Carriers just like just At&t and Tmobile phones. so Sprint/Verizon phones have both GSM and CDMA chip.
Why would you buy a bad ESN phone for $500?? BAD ESN means LOST or STOLEN Phone.
You buy a stolen phone from eBay and you're surprised you didn't get what you paid for?
Stupidity.
Well being the genius I am failed to open the phone and see the huge sprint logo there. :silly:
It seems he is just running a tmobile Jedi rom and i just looked up the device id from the phones properties.
My fault guys. But not that it is a sprint phone that has been flashed to vzw prepaid. How do I activate? the MEID number that is displayed after the #*06# does not work on the vzw site or over the phone.

Will T-Mobile S4 work on AT&T S4 LTE and HSPA networks and vice versa?

Hello,
I'm in a dilemma where I have personal T-Mobile service, and AT&T service with my work. I want to purchase the variant of the S4 that will have the best compatibility with both networks (including HSPA, HSPA+, LTE). T-Mobile LTE has also already gone live in my market.
It seems the international i9505 support's T-Mobile's LTE bands (AWS 1700 / 2100 MHz LTE)
However, AT&T's variant (SGH-i337) supports AT&T's LTE (LTE 700 MHz Class 17) and possibly the additional T-Mobile bands.
Can anyone confirm if the international model also supports AT&T's LTE 700 MHz Class 17 Network?
Thanks!
The T-Mobile version is pentaband. I cannot confirm LTE, but it should pick up AT&T bands. T-Mobile does use 850/1900 in some areas, primarily to support older iPhones, and you should be able to roam on their frequencies. The AT&T version does not support T-Mobile bands (AWS, also used by some Canadian carriers).
The T-Mobile version supports all of atts bands (including LTE) but adds support for AWS HSPA and LTE.
If you use an att S4 on T-Mobile, you will be locked to 1900 PCS only. No LTE, EDGE in most places, HSPA in refarm markets (but not DC-HSPA+ which means you will average 3-7 down)
It is much more advantageous to get the T-Mobile version than the att version as they are identical otherwise.
Sent from my SGH-T999
EtherealRemnant said:
It is much more advantageous to get the T-Mobile version than the att version as they are identical otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Save the critical bootloader difference.
Adam's teardown shows that the AT&T and T-Mobile versions are literally the same hardware. So it should be possible to unlock AWS on AT&T's model (might be as simple as flashing the T-Mo modem/firmware, as on the Note 2).
Thanks for all the responses. I bought the T-Mobile S4 and was happy to learn it is the pentaband variant. Since I travel abroad and also own an AT&T SIM through work.. it looks like I made the right choice!
ker0zene said:
Thanks for all the responses. I bought the T-Mobile S4 and was happy to learn it is the pentaband variant. Since I travel abroad and also own an AT&T SIM through work.. it looks like I made the right choice!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi!
Did it work with AT&T SIM? I'm assuming that the sim is locked but I was am wondering if T-Mobile (If you buy at full prize) makes the device SIM unlocked or not?
If this is the case, TMo would be a smarter choice right now to use in AT&T to avoid that bootloader BS.
keplenk said:
Hi!
Did it work with AT&T SIM? I'm assuming that the sim is locked but I was am wondering if T-Mobile (If you buy at full prize) makes the device SIM unlocked or not?
If this is the case, TMo would be a smarter choice right now to use in AT&T to avoid that bootloader BS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a T-Mobile S4 and I can confirm it does get LTE on AT&T. I got a SIM unlock pin from an online site and then the device accepted my AT&T SIM. The only thing I had to do after that was change the APN to use "phone" instead of "wap.cingular" and LTE is working great!
intrepresentation said:
I have a T-Mobile S4 and I can confirm it does get LTE on AT&T. I got a SIM unlock pin from an online site and then the device accepted my AT&T SIM. The only thing I had to do after that was change the APN to use "phone" instead of "wap.cingular" and LTE is working great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whelp... looks like I'm getting the tmobile variant after all
keplenk said:
Hi!
Did it work with AT&T SIM? I'm assuming that the sim is locked but I was am wondering if T-Mobile (If you buy at full prize) makes the device SIM unlocked or not?
If this is the case, TMo would be a smarter choice right now to use in AT&T to avoid that bootloader BS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah tmobile phones are network locked, and if you are doing the monthly pay plan, tmobile wont give you the unlock code until it is paid off.
im the kind of person who likes to unlock my phone regardless of me leaving or staying with a specific network or not.
i chatted with tmobile and they wouldn't give me my code, so i went to cellunlocker (dot) net and got my code in ~7 hours.
(im not affiliated with cellunlocker in any way)
intrepresentation said:
I have a T-Mobile S4 and I can confirm it does get LTE on AT&T. I got a SIM unlock pin from an online site and then the device accepted my AT&T SIM. The only thing I had to do after that was change the APN to use "phone" instead of "wap.cingular" and LTE is working great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The question I have is that if you plan to use the phone on AT&T's network all of the time, will AT&T add the T-Mobile's phone IMEI to your AT&T account so it reflects the correct device on your line for account and possible insurance purposes?
scott14719 said:
The question I have is that if you plan to use the phone on AT&T's network all of the time, will AT&T add the T-Mobile's phone IMEI to your AT&T account so it reflects the correct device on your line for account and possible insurance purposes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not a native at&t device so you won't get any help from at&t or Asurion. Its not even worth keeping the device insurance if you arent using an at&t branded device. Huge waste of money.
Sent from my SGH-T999
My plan is to just purchase Tmobile version of S4 (no contract), then purchase unlock code, then purchase squaretrade warranty ... Then use an AT&T sim.
My only question is, one you purchase the sim unlock code from a different company, will you purchase again if you (for example) flash CM, AOSP Roms - that includes modem firmware updates?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
If you are buying off contract, they should go ahead and give you unlock code or it may already be unlocked.
bookmonke said:
If you are buying off contract, they should go ahead and give you unlock code or it may already be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'd be surprised. There is apparently some confusion with T-Mobile as to what exactly their unlocking policies are. I purchased my S4 from T-Mobile's website at full retail price. According to their website (support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1588) if you purchase the phone at full retail price, they will unlock it provided only that you have an account in good standing.
However, when I tried to get it unlocked yesterday the rep I was chatting with online said I had to have service active for at least 40 days (I am switching over to T-Mobile from Sprint) so she wouldn't even submit an unlock request. I went to the store and while they submitted an unlock request but were told on the phone that the 40 day period may apply (even though it does not say that on their website).
I am supposed to find out by Monday if they will unlock it or not. If they don't I will just buy an unlock code from one of the unlocking websites. Kind of crazy T-Mobile makes you jump through these hoops when you can just buy a code for $25.
What T-Mobile's Sim Unlock Department answered to my request..
BillBurn said:
You'd be surprised. There is apparently some confusion with T-Mobile as to what exactly their unlocking policies are. I purchased my S4 from T-Mobile's website at full retail price. According to their website (support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1588) if you purchase the phone at full retail price, they will unlock it provided only that you have an account in good standing.
However, when I tried to get it unlocked yesterday the rep I was chatting with online said I had to have service active for at least 40 days (I am switching over to T-Mobile from Sprint) so she wouldn't even submit an unlock request. I went to the store and while they submitted an unlock request but were told on the phone that the 40 day period may apply (even though it does not say that on their website).
I am supposed to find out by Monday if they will unlock it or not. If they don't I will just buy an unlock code from one of the unlocking websites. Kind of crazy T-Mobile makes you jump through these hoops when you can just buy a code for $25.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I paid for the phone in full, and requested the unlocked code by phone. They told me it could take from 24 hours to 14 days.
This is the response they sent me thrue email yesterday"
"T-Mobile Sim Unlock Request
Sim Unlock Reference: *******
IMEI: **********************
Thank you for taking the time to contact T-Mobile. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide the unlock code at this time. After review of the account we have determined that the device is not in use with the corresponding mobile number. T-Mobile policies and procedures state that the device must be in use on the mobile number requesting the unlock code. If this is a new device please allow 3-4 business days prior to submitting a new request to allow your usage to update in our system.
Thank you,
SIM Unlock Department
Thank You,
Sim Unlock Department
T-Mobile USA, Inc."
scott14719 said:
The question I have is that if you plan to use the phone on AT&T's network all of the time, will AT&T add the T-Mobile's phone IMEI to your AT&T account so it reflects the correct device on your line for account and possible insurance purposes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Asurion (the company most USA cellular networks go thur) is too expensive...you should look into squaretrade, ensquared, or buy it thru BestBuy and get BestBuy's warranty
wavrunrx said:
yeah tmobile phones are network locked, and if you are doing the monthly pay plan, tmobile wont give you the unlock code until it is paid off.
im the kind of person who likes to unlock my phone regardless of me leaving or staying with a specific network or not.
i chatted with tmobile and they wouldn't give me my code, so i went to cellunlocker (dot) net and got my code in ~7 hours.
(im not affiliated with cellunlocker in any way)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
intrepresentation said:
I have a T-Mobile S4 and I can confirm it does get LTE on AT&T. I got a SIM unlock pin from an online site and then the device accepted my AT&T SIM. The only thing I had to do after that was change the APN to use "phone" instead of "wap.cingular" and LTE is working great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how'd you manage to add the APN? i'm in the same situation and cannot add the APN. i'm trying to use an AT&T iPhone5 SIM in my T-Mo unlocked Galaxy S4 ... getting phone service, but no data. am confused.
jerzyboy2421 said:
how'd you manage to add the APN? i'm in the same situation and cannot add the APN. i'm trying to use an AT&T iPhone5 SIM in my T-Mo unlocked Galaxy S4 ... getting phone service, but no data. am confused.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
on the stock Galaxy S4, you just open apps drawer, go to <SETTINGS> <CONNECTIONS><MORE NETWORKS><MOBILE NETWORKS><ACCESS POINT NAMES> then hit the "menu button" on your phone and choose "New APN" type in your data and hit the "menu button" again and choose "Save"

Are all note 2 models apn locked? Vzw says yes...

Greetings.
The wife wants to travel and live the next year plus In the philippines using a note 2.
We live in the USA and here are two very different versions of what we have been told we can do.
SAMSUNG SAYS:
(Rep is at the new Samsung store in best buy)
buy an $850 unlocked note 2, insert 4g lte carrier SIM in philippines, all is good. Do a happy dance.
Btw she says, you won't get the cdma vzw model but a gsm like tmo or att...
Vzw phones won't work on foreign networks properly
VERIZON SAYS:
buy the vzw carrier subsidized phone and its already unlocked. Talk and text no problem but DATA NOT GONNA WORK.
Just pop in a foreign SIM and boom.. just the apn settings are locked by Samsung.
They don't carrier lock them.
Vzw tells me Samsung lower level sales doesn't know this but higher up support does..
She recommends I get a razr or iPhone 5 as they apn isn't locked.
So which is true?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Get an unlocked gt n7100. Gsm model. And you can do much better than $850 easily. Without trying you should be able to get one for less than $600 after tax. You probably won't get lte in Philippines though
Sent from my GT-N7100
Okay interesting since the largest carrier there is claiming that their 4g is currently active.
They charge a amount for 21gb of data via a usb modem though (like $87 usd/month)
Thanks.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

LTE with TMO note 3 on AT&T network?

I have an unlocked TMO note 3 which I installed the AT&T fingerprint on. So it looks just like the AT&T version. However, for some reason I can't get LTE speeds on it, it just says 4G. I am wondering if someone is getting LTE on AT&T with a TMO phone. I went to the AT&T store and updated my SIM card and no luck. Also please state whether you're on a pay phone plan or not.
Thanks
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
sharl1987 said:
I have an unlocked TMO note 3 which I installed the AT&T fingerprint on. So it looks just like the AT&T version. However, for some reason I can't get LTE speeds on it, it just says 4G. I am wondering if someone is getting LTE on AT&T with a TMO phone. I went to the AT&T store and updated my SIM card and no luck. Also please state whether you're on a pay phone plan or not.
Thanks
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
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Do a search for user Mircury and his thread. I had this issue as I supplied a non ATT IMEI number to ATT, when I logged in my ATT wireless my data pack was no longer LTE but just 4G. In the end I had to supply a valid ATT IMEI number to get this working. Is this what you did?
Limeybastard said:
Do a search for user Mircury and his thread. I had this issue as I supplied a non ATT IMEI number to ATT, when I logged in my ATT wireless my data pack was no longer LTE but just 4G. In the end I had to supply a valid ATT IMEI number to get this working. Is this what you did?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have always had a non AT&T phone, so I don't have an AT&T IMEI, what can I do to fix this???
Search eBay for an AT&T Note 3 and find an auction where the seller foolishly posts a pic of the IMEI on the box. Note that down, and then call AT&T and apply it to your account. You'll then be provisioned for Android LTE in their system. Done it a million times with no harm yet.
MattMJB0188 said:
Search eBay for an AT&T Note 3 and find an auction where the seller foolishly posts a pic of the IMEI on the box. Note that down, and then call AT&T and apply it to your account. You'll then be provisioned for Android LTE in their system. Done it a million times with no harm yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or go to an ATT store and use one of their IMEI numbers. Then again, I think some of their phones do not have radios.
So if I purchase a t-mobile note 3 on ebay that has a bad imei can I still go to that website that will give you a unlock code if you have a bad imei?

LG G2 for Sprint gets no love of GSM unlocks

Hello,
So I currently have a Sprint LG G2 that I would like to unlock to be able to use it on AT&T or Tmobile. From what I'v read, even the Verizon G2 comes factory unlocked which Verizon's been known to keep locked in almost all of there phones. I called customer service and told them i would be traveling overseas (they didnt ask what country) and after about 24 hours emailed me asking permission to unlock the device, they told me to go and update me UICC Unlock which gave me a message saying "your SIM is now unlocked" but when I put in a Tmobile sim card to test it, the phone would not recognize it no matter if i changed the settings to gsm/umts or global mode. What do you suggest I do next, I am worried I payed so much for the phone and if 1 or 2 years from now I decide to move carriers or even country that I am visiting to next week and the phone bieng "unlocked" still wont unlock it to be used on local carriers or even abroad, that would really suck. Any suggestions?
sazeem said:
Hello,
So I currently have a Sprint LG G2 that I would like to unlock to be able to use it on AT&T or Tmobile. From what I'v read, even the Verizon G2 comes factory unlocked which Verizon's been known to keep locked in almost all of there phones. I called customer service and told them i would be traveling overseas (they didnt ask what country) and after about 24 hours emailed me asking permission to unlock the device, they told me to go and update me UICC Unlock which gave me a message saying "your SIM is now unlocked" but when I put in a Tmobile sim card to test it, the phone would not recognize it no matter if i changed the settings to gsm/umts or global mode. What do you suggest I do next, I am worried I payed so much for the phone and if 1 or 2 years from now I decide to move carriers or even country that I am visiting to next week and the phone bieng "unlocked" still wont unlock it to be used on local carriers or even abroad, that would really suck. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You really need to do some serious research.
Concerning Verizon, Verizon is required to have the GSM portion of their CDMA/LTE phones factory unlocked due to to a requirement by the FCC when they divested some spectrum a while back.
Now for Sprint, Sprint locks down (or locks out) the GSM portion of their LTE phones for domestic GSM use, so trying to use it with a domestic GSM carrier like AT&T, T-Mobile etc is out of the question by default. They'll unlock it for international GSM use (non U.S GSM carriers). Now there are some fine folks on XDA here that have been able to work around these restrictions on the Galaxy S4, but that's the exception so far.
If like you say, they emailed you that they've unlocked your phone, if you leave the country and insert a foreign SIM, it'll work with that international carrier.
Your right
your absolutly right. Now i need to find out how they did it in s4 because it has to be possible for this phone too then that case
LordLugard said:
You really need to do some serious research.
Concerning Verizon, Verizon is required to have the GSM portion of their CDMA/LTE phones factory unlocked due to to a requirement by the FCC when they divested some spectrum a while back.
Now for Sprint, Sprint locks down (or locks out) the GSM portion of their LTE phones for domestic GSM use, so trying to use it with a domestic GSM carrier like AT&T, T-Mobile etc is out of the question by default. They'll unlock it for international GSM use (non U.S GSM carriers). Now there are some fine folks on XDA here that have been able to work around these restrictions on the Galaxy S4, but that's the exception so far.
If like you say, they emailed you that they've unlocked your phone, if you leave the country and insert a foreign SIM, it'll work with that international carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sazeem said:
Hello,
So I currently have a Sprint LG G2 that I would like to unlock to be able to use it on AT&T or Tmobile. From what I'v read, even the Verizon G2 comes factory unlocked which Verizon's been known to keep locked in almost all of there phones. I called customer service and told them i would be traveling overseas (they didnt ask what country) and after about 24 hours emailed me asking permission to unlock the device, they told me to go and update me UICC Unlock which gave me a message saying "your SIM is now unlocked" but when I put in a Tmobile sim card to test it, the phone would not recognize it no matter if i changed the settings to gsm/umts or global mode. What do you suggest I do next, I am worried I payed so much for the phone and if 1 or 2 years from now I decide to move carriers or even country that I am visiting to next week and the phone bieng "unlocked" still wont unlock it to be used on local carriers or even abroad, that would really suck. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm, this is interesting, I am having a similar dilema, as far as I was aware, I thought that unlocking would be done on the cosumer end, they would give you a code, then you'd input that code in, I've just never heard of them unlocking it on their own. I got the LG G2 LS980 when I was in the US for a semester and moved to Brazil just a week ago, I haven't tried to fully make it work, but from the LS980 manual, it says that there is not even a sim lock on the phone(i'd put up a picture, but I have no idea how). And when I try to put in an old local(brazilian) SIM card, it doesn't ask for a unlock code, it just says no SIM card - Emergency calls only. I'm still researching it, but if you find anything, just post it here so I can keep up Thanks.
LordLugard said:
You really need to do some serious research.
Concerning Verizon, Verizon is required to have the GSM portion of their CDMA/LTE phones factory unlocked due to to a requirement by the FCC when they divested some spectrum a while back.
Now for Sprint, Sprint locks down (or locks out) the GSM portion of their LTE phones for domestic GSM use, so trying to use it with a domestic GSM carrier like AT&T, T-Mobile etc is out of the question by default. They'll unlock it for international GSM use (non U.S GSM carriers). Now there are some fine folks on XDA here that have been able to work around these restrictions on the Galaxy S4, but that's the exception so far.
If like you say, they emailed you that they've unlocked your phone, if you leave the country and insert a foreign SIM, it'll work with that international carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I will definitely have to wait for a workaround for the sprint LG G2 as I am not a sprint customer. I think the S4 and the HTC both have workarounds, but as far as I'm aware, these workarounds apply mostly for international use only (which is exactly what I need) meaning that ATT/TMOB is probably not going to work, or might have to wait a couple months until there is a lot more people working on the sprint version, the thing is, the phone wasn't released that long ago, so support in the forums is still low.
Back during the photon days they were able to achieve domestic gsm use by flashing the radio from the Japanese version of the photon. Well maybe not directly. It may have been a modified Japanese radio but it worked!! My daughters mother still uses the photon 4g as an att go phone. Would something like that still be possible for our devices? I know a lot of people lost interest in it because after the photon we got the photon q which had an embedded Sim. Even then people were able to take the phone apart and solder a Sim tray in and unlock it for other domestic carriers.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk
tsdeaton said:
Back during the photon days they were able to achieve domestic gsm use by flashing the radio from the Japanese version of the photon. Well maybe not directly. It may have been a modified Japanese radio but it worked!! My daughters mother still uses the photon 4g as an att go phone. Would something like that still be possible for our devices? I know a lot of people lost interest in it because after the photon we got the photon q which had an embedded Sim. Even then people were able to take the phone apart and solder a Sim tray in and unlock it for other domestic carriers.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk
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But I think first of all it needs to be unlocked for GSM or GSM part of the phone should be unlocked for any other thing to try.
st_7 said:
But I think first of all it needs to be unlocked for GSM or GSM part of the phone should be unlocked for any other thing to try.
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Click to collapse
As long as some foreign carrier has their g2 unlocked for international gsm use then it wouldn't matter right? With the KDDI radio on the photon we weren't able to use sprint service on it after flashing. Basically as if the phone thought it was the Japanese version of the photon.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk
tsdeaton said:
As long as some foreign carrier has their g2 unlocked for international gsm use then it wouldn't matter right? With the KDDI radio on the photon we weren't able to use sprint service on it after flashing. Basically as if the phone thought it was the Japanese version of the photon.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk
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This would be awesome if it worked, I'm still hopeful someone will find a way, because I don't use sprint anymore and I have since moved to brazil. Thank god this phone is awesome enough to not be useless with only wifi, but I'm still hopeful someone will find a way for me to catch Brazil's GSM signal, as the phone does have the right GSM bands for it.
Just like the HTC one, it took months for even Sprint themselves to figure out how they would unlock the HTC, what I want to know if there is anyone that has actually called Sprint and asked for the unlock, and confirmed it to be working.
Can the sprint lg g2 be unlocked for any carrier.
Im trying to change from sprint contract to straighttalk. Is there a way to get my LG G2 unlocked so I can switch?
Hathoid said:
Yeah I will definitely have to wait for a workaround for the sprint LG G2 as I am not a sprint customer. I think the S4 and the HTC both have workarounds, but as far as I'm aware, these workarounds apply mostly for international use only (which is exactly what I need) meaning that ATT/TMOB is probably not going to work, or might have to wait a couple months until there is a lot more people working on the sprint version, the thing is, the phone wasn't released that long ago, so support in the forums is still low.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I unlocked my GS2 Skyrocket recently as I'm about to sell it and pick up a G2 next week. I popped in a T-Mobile SIM and verified that it worked. However, I very seriously doubt the method I used would work on the G2. Here's the thread though:
unlock free proceed at your own risk!
Domestic sims are too small
sazeem said:
Hello,
So I currently have a Sprint LG G2 that I would like to unlock to be able to use it on AT&T or Tmobile. From what I'v read, even the Verizon G2 comes factory unlocked which Verizon's been known to keep locked in almost all of there phones. I called customer service and told them i would be traveling overseas (they didnt ask what country) and after about 24 hours emailed me asking permission to unlock the device, they told me to go and update me UICC Unlock which gave me a message saying "your SIM is now unlocked" but when I put in a Tmobile sim card to test it, the phone would not recognize it no matter if i changed the settings to gsm/umts or global mode. What do you suggest I do next, I am worried I payed so much for the phone and if 1 or 2 years from now I decide to move carriers or even country that I am visiting to next week and the phone bieng "unlocked" still wont unlock it to be used on local carriers or even abroad, that would really suck. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called the Sprint international department and they explained the situation somewhat.
Domestic sim cards such as on tmobile and att have too little memory to support the cdma function of the lg g2, so you will get an "invalid sim" message. The size of the sim must be at least 128k to work on the g2. Maybe there is a way to get domestic network data on a larger sim card.
Hope this helps.
severly said:
I called the Sprint international department and they explained the situation somewhat.
Domestic sim cards such as on tmobile and att have too little memory to support the cdma function of the lg g2, so you will get an "invalid sim" message. The size of the sim must be at least 128k to work on the g2. Maybe there is a way to get domestic network data on a larger sim card.
Hope this helps.
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Click to collapse
while the size thing may be true.. this is not why youre getting an invalid sim error. the invalid sim error comes from when u use ANY sim thats not Sprint. After you get Sprint to OTA SIM unlock your phone.. this invalid sim error goes away... gsm will work for intl.. and possibly domestic.. tho sprint may also have a block on domestic only.. after the intl unlock. if the phone is unlocked thru sprint and you pop a tmo sim in and get no signal(but no invalid sim error)... then that means the phone is unlocked properly but domestic is blocked.
this is usually my area of interest.. i did both the htc one and gs4 unlocks but I do not own a g2 unfortunately.
autoprime said:
while the size thing may be true.. this is not why youre getting an invalid sim error. the invalid sim error comes from when u use ANY sim thats not Sprint. After you get Sprint to OTA SIM unlock your phone.. this invalid sim error goes away... gsm will work for intl.. and possibly domestic.. tho sprint may also have a block on domestic only.. after the intl unlock. if the phone is unlocked thru sprint and you pop a tmo sim in and get no signal(but no invalid sim error)... then that means the phone is unlocked properly but domestic is blocked.
this is usually my area of interest.. i did both the htc one and gs4 unlocks but I do not own a g2 unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So are you saying if you did have a Sprint G2 you would be able to find a way to unlock it?
How the heck do they do this?
How can they unlock the phone for international SIMs and prevent them from working on local SIMs? Can't be some band that they check. Otherwise, it would not work on an international SIM using that band. Hardcode something in the kernel or the OS? In which would a custom ROM and/or kernel work? Can anyone point me to some links or posts that discuss this?
os2baba said:
How can they unlock the phone for international SIMs and prevent them from working on local SIMs? Can't be some band that they check. Otherwise, it would not work on an international SIM using that band. Hardcode something in the kernel or the OS? In which would a custom ROM and/or kernel work? Can anyone point me to some links or posts that discuss this?
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Click to collapse
I'm also interested in this as I have a LS980 and I am currently in Brazil, sprint has done nothing yet as far as unlocking it.(even for actualy customers, I have not seen anyone that actually has this thing unlocked). I popped in a Claro(local provider) SIM card, and the phone says "No SIM card- Emergency calls only", I've tried multiple SIMs to see if it was a problem with the actual SIM, but all of them read the same thing, while inside the phone I get a notification saying "Restricted Access Changed - Voice Service is Blocked". So it knows there is a SIM card in there, it's just blocking it.
Cleanser2012 said:
So are you saying if you did have a Sprint G2 you would be able to find a way to unlock it?
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Click to collapse
cant be 100% certain... but I'd say there'd be a good chance. Unlocked another Sprint phone this week.
Hopefully I'll get a G2 eventually.
autoprime said:
cant be 100% certain... but I'd say there'd be a good chance. Unlocked another Sprint phone this week.
Hopefully I'll get a G2 eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll pray every day that you do get one dood It would be a life saver because as of now I have a mini tablet G2 in brazil
autoprime said:
while the size thing may be true.. this is not why youre getting an invalid sim error. the invalid sim error comes from when u use ANY sim thats not Sprint. After you get Sprint to OTA SIM unlock your phone.. this invalid sim error goes away... gsm will work for intl.. and possibly domestic.. tho sprint may also have a block on domestic only.. after the intl unlock. if the phone is unlocked thru sprint and you pop a tmo sim in and get no signal(but no invalid sim error)... then that means the phone is unlocked properly but domestic is blocked.
this is usually my area of interest.. i did both the htc one and gs4 unlocks but I do not own a g2 unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will give 75 $ if you can buy a used set. That's my contribution. For the G2 unlock.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

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