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I bought an S2 on craigslist (probably sounds familiar) for $100 only to find out that it was too good to be true. The phone wasn't stolen (I later confirmed this with sprint), but the jackass didn't pay his bill. Anyways, I'm somewhat familiar with rooting (rooted my E3D), so I was curious what steps I would have to take in order to get this bad boy working (sorry someone else was irresponsible sprint, but I'm not). I have a couple of junk sprint phones laying around the house, so I'm ready to experiment. Also, does anyone think it would be possible to flash it over to US Cellular? Any advice would be appreciated!
Flash it to Cricket or Metro, it's not getting activated on Sprint until the bill is paid.
I think Boost mobile is another option too.
There are posts here and there about porting the E4GT over to third party carriers, some are very detailed. Search for 'E4GT Boost Mobile' or whatever carrier and see what comes up.
---------- Post added at 11:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 PM ----------
Or you could resell to one of the developers here so they can test software without having to fry their own phone.
corys00 said:
Flash it to Cricket or Metro, it's not getting activated on Sprint until the bill is paid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it possible to flash to US cell?
AndroidBeatsIos said:
Is it possible to flash to US cell?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt it. I didn't have to search hard to NOT find a single thing linked to this phone and US Cell so bets are that they are not a CDMA carrier.
tdunham said:
I doubt it. I didn't have to search hard to NOT find a single thing linked to this phone and US Cell so bets are that they are not a CDMA carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found this on multiple sources; US Cellular (3G - CDMA2000 800/1900 MHz)
I'm thinking it would be possible since they're on the same frequencies, but I'm a noob when it comes to flashing.
AndroidBeatsIos said:
I found this on multiple sources; US Cellular (3G - CDMA2000 800/1900 MHz)
I'm thinking it would be possible since they're on the same frequencies, but I'm a noob when it comes to flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got me there then. But, there still isn't any information concerning porting a Sprint E4GT over to US Cellular that I can find. Unless you can find a howto guide out there somewhere, it's going to be next to impossible to do. Maybe somebody will chip in here and let you know.
tdunham said:
Got me there then. But, there still isn't any information concerning porting a Sprint E4GT over to US Cellular that I can find. Unless you can find a howto guide out there somewhere, it's going to be next to impossible to do. Maybe somebody will chip in here and let you know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The lack (ok, extinction of) results on google is what prompted me to post on here. Glad it's got some attention, hopefully someone has a solution for me...
Please tread very lightly when talking about flashing cdma to another carrier. I know it can be done and is done everyday but talk about esn spoofing and such is illegal and can not be discussed on xda.
I know someone has a blog relating to the matter.. but linking or discussing the matter is forbidden on xda..
AndroidBeatsIos said:
I bought an S2 on craigslist (probably sounds familiar) for $100 only to find out that it was too good to be true. The phone wasn't stolen (I later confirmed this with sprint), but the jackass didn't pay his bill. Anyways, I'm somewhat familiar with rooting (rooted my E3D), so I was curious what steps I would have to take in order to get this bad boy working (sorry someone else was irresponsible sprint, but I'm not). I have a couple of junk sprint phones laying around the house, so I'm ready to experiment. Also, does anyone think it would be possible to flash it over to US Cellular? Any advice would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend boost i have mine on it n im down to 35 a month unlimited everything n u will be on the sprint network
Just bought via ebay Gnex Verizon but really need some answers here..
1. Please info if Verizon Gnex is an inject type or RUIM type? because there is microSIM slot available
2. I'm checking through adb shell using "su getprop" that the parameter
[ro.cdma.home.operator.alpha]: [Verizon]
[ro.cdma.home.operator.numeric]: [310004]
Anyone know if this mean the operator is locked? and please someone help me how to change these to match my local operator.
Thanks a lot.
really need help here...any links related or anything that sounds similar would be very much appreciated. thanks
vzw stays on vzw.
sorry you can only activate it on vzw.
I may be wrong here, but as long as your CDMA operator is willing to activate a device that is not their own (which doesn't happen at all any longer in any North American carrier), then I think it may be possible.
efrant said:
I may be wrong here, but as long as your CDMA operator is willing to activate a device that is not their own (which doesn't happen at all any longer in any North American carrier), then I think it may be possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the carrier has to be willing to also flash/change a bunch of items on the phone itself (which they arent anymore really). to do this, you have to have a expensive piece of software ($99) to even complete the process.
Zepius said:
the carrier has to be willing to also flash/change a bunch of items on the phone itself (which they arent anymore really). to do this, you have to have a expensive piece of software ($99) to even complete the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These guys here have made progress. From what I read, phone and text work fine on other carriers, but they are still working on data.
@Zepius @efrant, dunno if it will work or not...but it is a start.
many thanks to you guys...and xda
I was wondering since both the AT&T and Tmobile phones are the same I could possibly flash a stock firmware from AT&T on to my T-mobile SGS III and then use an AT&T sim? I'm trying to use an AT&T sim card. Thought this might be an alternative to unlocking the phone. thanks.
I doubt that it would work
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
JoJo2211 said:
I was wondering since both the AT&T and Tmobile phones are the same I could possibly flash a stock firmware from AT&T on to my T-mobile SGS III and then use an AT&T sim? I'm trying to use an AT&T sim card. Thought this might be an alternative to unlocking the phone. thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no
Can you guys elaborate please.
NOooooo
JoJo2211 said:
Can you guys elaborate please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because you flash an att rom doesn't mean its gonna unlock the phone to use it on a different carrier. If you try that it will brick or crash. DON'T DO IT! Seriously, if you want to use it for another carrier you can request a subsidy unlock from Tmobile if you have an account in good standing every 90 days. If you bought it threw a third party try another method to get the device unlocked. Or if you bought it right out full price from Tmobile they can process the subsidy unlock request as well. Once you have your unlock code it should come with instructions or if not you can go to Tmobile.com support section for your phone the Samsung T999.
hucesar1017 said:
Just because you flash an att rom doesn't mean its gonna unlock the phone to use it on a different carrier. If you try that it will brick or crash. DON'T DO IT! Seriously, if you want to use it for another carrier you can request a subsidy unlock from Tmobile if you have an account in good standing every 90 days. If you bought it threw a third party try another method to get the device unlocked. Or if you bought it right out full price from Tmobile they can process the subsidy unlock request as well. Once you have your unlock code it should come with instructions or if not you can go to Tmobile.com support section for your phone the Samsung T999.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just curious why would it brick the phone? Both of these phones are the SAME hardware wise. Even under the IMEI sticker of my tmobile s3 it says i747..
Radios are different, kernel I believe is slightly different. Just not a good idea unless a dev specifically says its safe.
It also wont help with the unlock. Thats not ROM dependent.
Also, the phones are NOT the same. I don't know why some seem to think they must be the same. What are they basing this on? They are very similar yes, and perhaps the ROM from AT&T will work. I don't know. However, sometimes very similar phones may have some very important differences, like a kernel, radio, or one or more partition/s that may be offset by one perhaps because of some aforementioned reason. Or any combination of those. Don't assume the phones are identical because the Internet says so. If you are confident that the phones are in fact identical, then by all means, flash away. Just let us know how it turns out. It may work.
Do a "getprop" in terminal and you may note some very important differences in there, besides the device name/model, etc. Has anyone seen the ril.modem.board or crypto values from an AT&T SGSIII?
If the mount points are different, which they probably are, you copuld end uup with a very expensive paper weight unless you know how to make the needed changes to the updater-script, which you would have to hack to even flash the rom in the forst place because the ro.device props will be different.
Unlocking a phone has nothing to do with the ROM, most phones give you 10 chances to enter a correct unlock code until the phone it carrier locked with whatever carrier the phone is for.
The unlocking of the phone is usually hard flashed and if you exhaust all attempts, you have to send it in to get reflashed from the carrier.
T-Mobile will generally offer you a free unlock code after 60-90 days of a phone purchase, but that does not mean you can flash ATT on T-Mobile and vice versa.
They are on different bands and have different setups, if they were the same they would just have one phone for both carriers.
OP should try it for the lulz. Phones are SAME! XD
Chances are a repartitions flash in Odin would fix it, but i'm jot sure about that. It's just a bad idea.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Hi
I don't know if I am asking in the right place but if someone knows the answer I would really appreciate it.
I found a good deal on a Note ll that would save me a lot of money, only thing is I'm with Windmobile/Canada (which uses 1700/2100 frequency/bands and AWS network similar to T-Mobile in the USA as some of you know) but the phone isn't (works with Rogers, Bell, Fido...).
Now, I'm just dying to know, is there ANYTHING I can do to make the phone work with Wind? I've read and read and read I can't find a definitive answer. Some people selling Note ll phones on Craigslist claim their phones work with any carrier including Wind or Mobilicity. But some people say no way in hell that's possible.
So, please, can someone give me an answer to my question? Yes or no?
Thanks.
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Electroman365 said:
Hi
I don't know if I am asking in the right place but if someone knows the answer I would really appreciate it.
I found a good deal on a Note ll that would save me a lot of money, only thing is I'm with Windmobile/Canada (which uses 1700/2100 frequency/bands and AWS network similar to T-Mobile in the USA as some of you know) but the phone isn't (works with Rogers, Bell, Fido...).
Now, I'm just dying to know, is there ANYTHING I can do to make the phone work with Wind? I've read and read and read I can't find a definitive answer. Some people selling Note ll phones on Craigslist claim their phones work with any carrier including Wind or Mobilicity. But some people say no way in hell that's possible.
So, please, can someone give me an answer to my question? Yes or no?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is possible. There is an unlock method before upgrading to 4.1.2. When the Note II came out with 4.1.1, there is a method used (go to the general forums to find more about this) without rooting the device.
If I were you, though, I would not trust online purchases of the Note II. Some people claim it stolen after you buy it so they get compensation for it if they have insurance for their phone.
Sent from my SGH-T889V using xda app-developers app
Caveat emptor. There are stolen devices out there, and fraudulent sellers.
With this disclaimer out of the way, your sellers with I317Ms claiming they'll work on Wind and Mobilicity have simply applied the mod outlined in this thread which you could do yourself.
If I were to buy another Note 2 via classifieds now, I'd pick a locked I317M (I'd avoid a locked BMA3 running T889V due to its modem-related bootloop issues), flash its initial release modem with Odin, unlock, update, and apply the AWS mod. (Granted I'm using Virgin Mobile, but having AWS could come in handy stateside with a T-Mobile prepaid SIM.)
Thanks kennyglass for moving my question to the right place. I wasn't sure where to ask because I'm not a frequent user of this site.
Thanks a million to Crinkypops and Darkshado for answering my question. I appreciate that. The good news is that now I know it is possible to make the phone work on an AWS network. The bad news is I have no clue how to do any of that stuff myself. I have zero experience or knowledge in this stuff, which means l'll probably have to get someone else with the necessary expertise to do this for me.....if l can find one.
Now a couple of things, if I get a new phone (factory unlocked) and it's already 4.1.2, would it be possible to change it to the older 4.1.1 ?
Is doing all the stuff you guys told me about involve rooting or whatever? I really don't want to mess up the phone with changing all kinds of things on it because I don't want to get stuck without a phone if something goes wrong and like I said I don't know anything about this stuff.
So, what if I buy a phone that was made to work with Wind or T-Mobile, would it be possible to modify it to make it work with other companies too? I really don't know why things have to be this complicated.
You have to start somewhere, it'll take a fair amount of reading, but it can be done.
Aside from their previous Nexus models, as of writing these lines, there's no such thing as a "factory unlocked" phone for Samsung Canada. All the SIM-unlocked devices you encounter were sold through carriers, and originally locked. Some sellers might also have grey market imports that were indeed never locked, but that's beyond the scope of this discussion, since we're interested in the North American variants of the Note 2.
You can downgrade the ROM back to 4.1.1 on all Canadian Note 2 variants, although I wouldn't try it on the T889V because it's been known to cause issues. Seems like there's a bug specific to this model.
You said you didn't want to be stuck without a phone if things went wrong, how about having a backup phone? The nice thing with two Android phones is that it's easy to keep their contacts and calendars synchronized.
The downgrade-to-unlock procedure can be done entirely using official (leaked) Samsung ROM images and tools, and does not require root. Done properly it will not trip the custom flash counter.
The AWS mod uses hidden factory built-in menus with leaked (QPST/QXDM) or reverse engineered tools (NV reader-writer / CDMA Workshop / EFS Pro). Again, it doesn't involve root and won't trip the flash counter. I317Ms that have had the AWS HSPA mod applied still work with their original carriers as before.
Thanks again, darkshadow.
Quick question. How do I know if the phone is I317M or BMA3 and running T889V ? Is l317M or BMA3 written on the back (once the cover is removed)?
Electroman365 said:
Thanks again, darkshadow.
Quick question. How do I know if the phone is I317M or BMA3 and running T889V ? Is l317M or BMA3 written on the back (once the cover is removed)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can check it at the bottom of the box with the IMEI. I would advise you to actually go on the phone, though, and go to settings>about phone and then you'll see the IMEI, baseband, and model number in there. Make sure that the IMEI matches with the box. Some people steal phones and then just buy boxes so beware.
Good luck on your purchase!
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Crinkypops said:
You can check it at the bottom of the box with the IMEI. I would advise you to actually go on the phone, though, and go to settings>about phone and then you'll see the IMEI, baseband, and model number in there. Make sure that the IMEI matches with the box. Some people steal phones and then just buy boxes so beware.
Good luck on your purchase!
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, crinkypops. I appreciate it and thanks for the info. If I buy a used phone I'll ask for the receipt and the box too.
Electroman365 said:
Thanks, crinkypops. I appreciate it and thanks for the info. If I buy a used phone I'll ask for the receipt and the box too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just trying to help a fellow Canadian PM me how the purchase goes.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Thanks again, crinkypops. I will. I first have to find out if the phone the guy can get me is an i317m and I'll go from there.
Well, looks like the only option I have is to buy a used Note II on CL. My "friend" who was going to hook me up with a new phone through a buddy of his is an unreliable scum bag of a "friend" and I'm not going to bother with him any more.
So now I'm looking on CL but I'm trying not to buy any phone unless the seller has the sales receipt to make sure I'm not buying something that's stolen.However, some sellers don't want to give the receipt -although willing to show it- because it has their personal information and my question is, would the receipt have the ID # (if that's what it's called) of the particular phone printed on it? If the phone is still under warranty, would it be possible to get it repaired (if there's a need) without a receipt?
Any other advice on how to avoid getting scammed buying a phone on CL?
Thanks.
Which city are you from? I am in vancouver and might consider selling if the price is right. I have the box and receipt. Phone is rooted running x14 with wind. Its still locked though.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I don't know what the problem is. I tried to send private messages to vseslija and crinkypops but I don't think they went through.
vseslija, was your phone purchased from Wind?
---
I'm a bit confused. Some guy is telling me I need to get the T889 and not the i317m if I want to use my phone with Wind, but from the answers here and from what I see on CL that can't be correct. Am I right? He says the i317m will be slow and unstable. Speed of T889 vs i317m : 42 mbps vs 21 mbps. Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Yup mine was purchased directly from wind.
That guy is bsing you
Sent from SGH-T889v Canadian Wind Mobile
Hmm, the guy isn't completely wrong, but he's not completely right either...
The (Canadian) T889V and I317M as well as the (US) T889 and I317 are all capable of 42 Mbps DC-HSPA. The 21 Mbps numbers you might have seen are due to AT&T's HSPA network not supporting dual channel operation, unlike most (all?) Canadian HSPA networks.
The T889 and T889V work on AWS HSPA carriers like Wind, Mobilicity, Videotron or T-Mobile USA out of the box. (The T889V won't work on LTE if you decide to switch back to Robellusfivirkoo, but that's another story, and there's also a way to enable that.)
The I317 and I317M won't, but are very easy to modify in order to enable the AWS HSPA you'll need. There have been a handful of reports of flaky connections on the AWS mod thread, but the ratio is so low that I'm lead to wonder if: there's an undocumented hardware revision for which the mod won't work, their phones or cellular networks had other issues, or if those trying to apply it did something wrong along the way.
I haven't checked Kijiji or CL for phones in a while, but I do recall the T889V commanding a slight premium over the I317M at one point because they were rarer.
Thanks again guys for replying. Man this has given me a lot of headache. Get a Wind Note and get it over with or get an i317m and mod it (have someone do it for me) to get it to work with AWS? I guess listening to what you guys had to say, plus asking a local cell phone shop is making me feel confident that it IS possible to get an i317m work on the AWS without any problems. Now, I think I'm going to take my chances and look for one on CL. In the worst case scenario if for some reason it gives me a headache I'm assuming I can have the process reversed (restore it to its original system) and I'll just sell it and get me a Note that was made specifically for Wind.
To those who helped me and answered my questions, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Just noticed the i317. So I guess there's an i317 and an i317m. Did some reading but the only difference I can see is that the "M" model is for the Canadian market. Am I right? Does an i317 work in Canada just fine?
The AT&T I317 should work just fine. But, (there's always one, isn't it?) its baseband has some "annoying" limitations (RAT lock is the term you'll want to search) that prevent you from toggling between network modes easily, i.e. you can't switch it between GSM only, WCDMA only, GSM/WCDMA/LTE like you can the Canadian model. Plus there are all the import related considerations you have to keep in mind (taxes and brokerage fees), plus buying something expensive sight-unseen.
The other differences are more benign and software-related. Nothing that can't be fixed with some ROM-flashing, like non-Robellusfivirkoo CSC settings.
Darkshado said:
The AT&T I317 should work just fine. But, (there's always one, isn't it?) its baseband has some "annoying" limitations (RAT lock is the term you'll want to search) that prevent you from toggling between network modes easily, i.e. you can't switch it between GSM only, WCDMA only, GSM/WCDMA/LTE like you can the Canadian model. Plus there are all the import related considerations you have to keep in mind (taxes and brokerage fees), plus buying something expensive sight-unseen.
The other differences are more benign and software-related. Nothing that can't be fixed with some ROM-flashing, like non-Robellusfivirkoo CSC settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply and the info. I just got an i317m. Finally.
So I've owned my S4 for 90 days and paid my bills on time. As other S4 owners on MetroPCS will tell you, that made me eligible for unlocking codes -- as the MetroPCS salesperson who convinced me to buy the phone assured me it would.
Sure enough, after requesting the code, I received a ticket number and, three days later, was sent a "network code" and a "service provider code" -- and no instructions whatsoever on how to use them.
Since then, I've called MetroPCS and gotten customer service people with no idea what to do -- "ask your new carrier to do it" was the common answer. Eventually, I called the corporate office in Harlem and was subjected to one of the rudest women I've ever encountered. When I explained that I had a ticket number for the request, she chanted "MetroPCS doesn't unlock phones!" loudly and at a continually escalating volume -- it was like being stuck in a room with the most obnoxious character in a reality show about career alcoholics. When I tried to tell her to look up my account, and that MetroPCs had in fact sent me the code she said was "illegal," she continued to yell the words until she hung up on me.
This is a process I was promised from the first day I bought the phone. I hadn't even been interested in changing carriers just yet (though that woman is making me reconsider!). All I want is to be able to swap the SIM when I leave the country and root my phone while using it on the GSM carrier of my choice. As long as the phone I bought outright is locked, I can't do either thing.
I realize that discussions about unlocking phones without permission is forbidden on these forums, but MetroPCS gave me permission! They just don't seem to know how to do the thing they gave me permission to do!
I was on the phone with MetroPCS for a solid hour today. I'd rather give myself a home vasectomy than go through that again.
You simply put in a SIM card from a different carrier and the phone will popup a window that requests you to input an unlock code, which I'm guessing is what MetroPCS gave you.
Exel said:
You simply put in a SIM card from a different carrier and the phone will popup a window that requests you to input an unlock code, which I'm guessing is what MetroPCS gave you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People who have tried to root MetroPCS S4s have been unable to do so because the phone is locked. Will unlocking the SIM unlock that capability as well?
Reignogleph MMXI said:
People who have tried to root MetroPCS S4s have been unable to do so because the phone is locked. Will unlocking the SIM unlock that capability as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SIM unlocking and rooting is two totally different thing.
baseballfanz said:
SIM unlocking and rooting is two totally different thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I thought.
The two codes offered by MetroPCS were a service provider code and a network code.
A few people who tried to root the phone reported being stopped by a restriction which prevented it (I'll link to the thread on XDA which contains those posts later tonight -- I'm about to go to sleep before work).
I wondered whether either of the two codes sent by MetroPCS might have any effect on that restriction. As I say, I'll be more specific later tonight.
Reignogleph MMXI said:
As I thought.
The two codes offered by MetroPCS were a service provider code and a network code.
A few people who tried to root the phone reported being stopped by a restriction which prevented it (I'll link to the thread on XDA which contains those posts later tonight -- I'm about to go to sleep before work).
I wondered whether either of the two codes sent by MetroPCS might have any effect on that restriction. As I say, I'll be more specific later tonight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you're talking about the KNOX thing, where it sees root it "blocks" it due to how KNOX functions.
But as someone said before, rooting and unlocking are two different things. Unlocking does not require root nor any file changes. Simply input the unlock code as I said earlier.
Exel said:
I believe you're talking about the KNOX thing, where it sees root it "blocks" it due to how KNOX functions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd love to know more about "the KNOX thing" -- specifically what it is and whether it can be defeated.
I'll do a search on XDA and google the term as well, but any other help would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to be able to customize my S4.
Edit: Aha! You're talking about this: "The KNOX thing."
By the way, since you were given TWO codes, perhaps we can clarify. The unluck code is probably the Network code, probably denoted "NCK". The other code is in case the phone is also locked by the Service Provide (MetroPCS in your case), in which case you'll also need to put this one in. But use the Network code first.
WhosAsking said:
By the way, since you were given TWO codes, perhaps we can clarify. The unluck code is probably the Network code, probably denoted "NCK". The other code is in case the phone is also locked by the Service Provide (MetroPCS in your case), in which case you'll also need to put this one in. But use the Network code first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, WhosAsking -- that's exactly what I was asking about!
My understanding is that, once you unlock the SIM option, you need never worry about unlocking it again even if you go back to using the original SIM (as it were).
Is the same thing true of the provider code? Will unlocking it have no effect on one's service with that provider or is unlocking it something that is only done when one changes providers?
BTW: This is the message I meant to look up before. Given what the two of you have said, I think I misunderstood the message and that it applies only to changing the SIM.
I realize these questions make me sound like a diaper-clad novice, but I think it's better (and more honest) to get the help one really needs in depth than to pretend to be knowledgeable and not quite understand what one is doing.
Reignogleph MMXI said:
Thank you, WhosAsking -- that's exactly what I was asking about!
My understanding is that, once you unlock the SIM option, you need never worry about unlocking it again even if you go back to using the original SIM (as it were).
Is the same thing true of the provider code? Will unlocking it have no effect on one's service with that provider or is unlocking it something that is only done when one changes providers?
BTW: This is the message I meant to look up before. Given what the two of you have said, I think I misunderstood the message and that it applies only to changing the SIM.
I realize these questions make me sound like a diaper-clad novice, but I think it's better (and more honest) to get the help one really needs in depth than to pretend to be knowledgeable and not quite understand what one is doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those instructions are if you don't have an unlock code.
Exel said:
Those instructions are if you don't have an unlock code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, but there's the irony -- there haven't been any instructions. That person was talking about the impasse he reached because he didn't have codes to unlock the SIM but thought there might be a deeper issue.
The reason I don't feel too stupid about this is because I note that when one pays for unlock codes, they're accompanied by actual instructions for the person who's doing it all for the first time (and since I've been on non-GSM carriers until now, that would be me).
Anyway, thanks.
I thought like what was already suggested that you put other carriers sim in and it'll ask for said codes?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
futty said:
I thought like what was already suggested that you put other carriers sim in and it'll ask for said codes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WhosAsking answered the question, which is why I thanked that member.
On the other hand, the email that contained the codes and reps of the carrier -- MetroPCS -- not only offered no instructions but couldn't give any. As I mentioned above, one of them even screamed repeatedly that what I was asking for was illegal and then hung up the phone in mid-scream. That MetroPCS Harlem corporate store -- classy!
BTW: I've been reading about the region prompt and I wonder whether the lock isn't imposed by MetroPCS at all but is rather the region lock we've been associating with the Note 3. Perhaps the only difference is that T-Mobile gives you the code right away and MetroPCS, a pay-as-you-go variant, makes you wait to ensure that three months.
See this article.
Samsung shed further light on its region-locking policies on Friday, explaining that the locks only affect users the first time they activate the handset. The manufacturer also said the locks apply not only to the new Galaxy Note 3, as we reported on Thursday, but also to units of the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S4 mini, Galaxy Note II and Galaxy S III that were produced after July.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here at last is an article that details the differences between the region lock and carrier lock which are particular to the Note 3 in general and to the Galaxy S4 sold (like mine, technically) after July 2013:
The article and video
And by the way: This article is reason enough for me to have hesitated before using various codes. MetroPCS users appear to have gotten locked S4s, so this might be a good read for anyone who did:
How to Avoid Regional SIM Lock Problems