A small warning here for those who need to send a previously SIM unlocked H932 in for LG repair:
After breaking its glass back, I had to send my TMO V30+ in for repair at LG’s center in Texas. At the same time I asked them to replace the screen under warranty, since there was a small cluster of dead pixels just above the navigation bar. They did all that. Cost $88 (including free shipping) with 11 days turnaround.
They also managed to lose the SIM unlock which I had previously been granted by T-Mobile using their Device Unlock app. Realizing this could be a problem, I had included a letter to LG Repair where I begged them to preserve the SIM unlock. Needless to say, the phone is paid off and all bills were paid (including the extra month TMO auto-charged my credit card and refused to refund).
After receiving it back, my Red Pocket GSMA SIM (AT&T prepaid MVNO) only does 3G, not LTE. The TMO Device Unlock app says the phone is “network locked” and not eligible for unlock.
T-Mobile Customer Service first requested unlock instructions to be emailed to me. After 2 days I received an email saying I had to use the TMO Device Unlock app. Duh. After much experimenting on my own (including with my now inactive TMO SIM card) I went to the T-Mobile store where I bought the phone. They were keen to help, but unable to solve the problem. We did confirm that with an active TMO SIM, everything was fine.
I then called TMO Customer Service again, this time asking for Tier 2. Here they finally escalated the case and requested an unlock from LG and said to expect a solution within 72 hours.
Different from the issue reported by @michy21 in this thread mine is the SAME phone with the same IMEI; it was just wiped by LG repair in a way that lost the SIM unlock. OR it really is a new phone or motherboard and they transferred the IMEI.
I should add that there has been no pushback or reluctance to help from any T-Mobile staff. It’s just that the company has baked everything so hard into the Device Unlock app now, so no human is able to do anything.
The only lesson here is to never buy carrier devices -- as @ChazzMatt has been stressing all along, and as I had been practicing myself in my Nexus days. But unfortunately carrier devices are where the best deals are -- which is the only thing that made it possibly for me to buy this class of phone in the first place.
I'll update this thread with the final outcome. Fingers crossed. I’ll be traveling overseas soon, really hope to have it fixed before.
TheDannemand said:
A small warning here for those who need to send a previously SIM unlocked H932 in for LG repair:
After breaking its glass back, I had to send my TMO V30+ in for repair at LG’s center in Texas. At the same time I asked them to replace the screen under warranty, since there was a small cluster of dead pixels just above the navigation bar. They did all that. Cost $88 (including free shipping) with 11 days turnaround.
They also managed to lose the SIM unlock which I had previously been granted by T-Mobile using their Device Unlock app. Needles to say, the phone was paid off and all bills were paid (including the extra month TMO auto-charged my credit card and refused to refund). Realizing this could be a problem, I had included a letter to LG Repair where I begged them to preserve the SIM unlock.
After receiving it back, my Red Pocket GSMA SIM (AT&T prepaid MVNO) only does 3G, not LTE. The TMO Device Unlock app says the phone is “network locked” and not eligible for unlock.
T-Mobile Customer Service first requested unlock instructions to be emailed to me. After 2 days I received an email saying I had to use the TMO Device Unlock app. Duh. After much experimenting on my own (including with my now inactive TMO SIM card) I went to the T-Mobile store where I bought the phone. They were keen to help, but unable to solve the problem. We did confirm that with an active TMO SIM, everything was fine.
I then called TMO Customer Service again, this time asking for Tier 2. Here they finally escalated the case and requested an unlock from LG and said to expect a solution with 72 hours.
Different from the issue reported by @michy21 in this thread mine is the SAME phone with the same IMEI; it was just wiped by LG repair in a way that lost the SIM unlock. OR it really is a new phone or motherboard and they transferred the IMEI.
I should add that there has been no pushback or reluctance to help from any T-Mobile staff. It’s just that the company has baked everything so hard into the Device Unlock app now, so no human is able to do anything.
The only lesson here is to never buy carrier devices -- as @ChazzMatt has been stressing all along, and as I had been practicing myself in my Nexus days. But unfortunately carrier devices are where the best deals are -- which is the only thing that made it possibly for me to buy this class of phone in the first place.
I'll update this thread with the final outcome. Fingers crossed. I’ll be traveling overseas soon, really hope to have it fixed before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worst comes to worst, sell the phone on eBay while at the same time buying one of the mint LS998 V30+ for $320. Immediately convert to carrier unlocked US998, bootloader unlock and root.
In the eBay listing for this phone stress the T-Mobile band 71, blah, blah, blah -- which you don't need on AT&T MNVO, but would interest T-Mobile users.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
ChazzMatt said:
Worst comes to worst, sell the phone on eBay while at the same time buying one of the mint LS998 V30+ for $320. Immediately convert to carrier unlocked US998, bootloader unlock and root.
In the eBay listing for this phone stress the T-Mobile band 71, blah, blah, blah -- which you don't need on AT&T MNVO, but would interest T-Mobile users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, Chazz!
I had a suspicion you might suggest that :laugh:
But yes, that would have to be the outcome if I cannot solve it. I'll probably file an FCC complaint first, which michy21 reported had solved her problem. But again, there is no pushback from anybody, which is a positive.
The only attachment I have to this particular phone is my 2 year warranty, which gives me peace of mind. A phone bought used wouldn't have that (or any warranty).
Thanks again!
Edit: Actually, it's not quite true that I have no other attachment to this H932: If/when T-Mobile rolls out B71 in this area, I'll probably give them another try, as they generally have far better network speeds. AT&T service here is acceptable (and widespread) but doesn't blow me away. We only switched because TMO couldn't reach through our concrete brick walls. Red Pocket supports all four carriers, so I can switch to TMO network on my current plan to take advantage of B71.
So my hope is I won't have to part with this phone. AND that @runningnak3d will release H932 root later this year
TheDannemand said:
A small warning here for those who need to send a previously SIM unlocked H932 in for LG repair:
After breaking its glass back, I had to send my TMO V30+ in for repair at LG’s center in Texas. At the same time I asked them to replace the screen under warranty, since there was a small cluster of dead pixels just above the navigation bar. They did all that. Cost $88 (including free shipping) with 11 days turnaround.
They also managed to lose the SIM unlock which I had previously been granted by T-Mobile using their Device Unlock app. Realizing this could be a problem, I had included a letter to LG Repair where I begged them to preserve the SIM unlock. Needless to say, the phone is paid off and all bills were paid (including the extra month TMO auto-charged my credit card and refused to refund).
After receiving it back, my Red Pocket GSMA SIM (AT&T prepaid MVNO) only does 3G, not LTE. The TMO Device Unlock app says the phone is “network locked” and not eligible for unlock.
T-Mobile Customer Service first requested unlock instructions to be emailed to me. After 2 days I received an email saying I had to use the TMO Device Unlock app. Duh. After much experimenting on my own (including with my now inactive TMO SIM card) I went to the T-Mobile store where I bought the phone. They were keen to help, but unable to solve the problem. We did confirm that with an active TMO SIM, everything was fine.
I then called TMO Customer Service again, this time asking for Tier 2. Here they finally escalated the case and requested an unlock from LG and said to expect a solution within 72 hours.
Different from the issue reported by @michy21 in this thread mine is the SAME phone with the same IMEI; it was just wiped by LG repair in a way that lost the SIM unlock. OR it really is a new phone or motherboard and they transferred the IMEI.
I should add that there has been no pushback or reluctance to help from any T-Mobile staff. It’s just that the company has baked everything so hard into the Device Unlock app now, so no human is able to do anything.
The only lesson here is to never buy carrier devices -- as @ChazzMatt has been stressing all along, and as I had been practicing myself in my Nexus days. But unfortunately carrier devices are where the best deals are -- which is the only thing that made it possibly for me to buy this class of phone in the first place.
I'll update this thread with the final outcome. Fingers crossed. I’ll be traveling overseas soon, really hope to have it fixed before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does not make sense at all. Has the device IMEI have changed at all? Was the actual logic board replaced? The answer is likely no. So why would the device be relocked by LG? You are giving them way too much credit.
More proof that the device should have remained unlocked is that you can access the device with your MNVO (ATT), if it was truly locked you would not able to get a signal or make a call under your MNVO at all. Sounds more like user error or a miss configuration of your carrier, or both.
Also you should not be trying to run a T-Mobile Specific device unlock app under a different carrier sim,
and it might just be reporting wrong information. Had this happen to me several times in the past, when the device was actually unlocked. You said yourself, you were able to use the device on (ATT)!
jblparisi said:
That does not make sense at all. Has the device IMEI have changed at all? Was the actual logic board replaced? The answer is likely no. So why would the device be relocked by LG? You are giving them way too much credit.
More proof that the device should have remained unlocked is that you can access the device with your MNVO (ATT), if it was truly locked you would not able to get a signal or make a call under your MNVO at all. Sounds more like user error or a miss configuration of your carrier, or both.
Also you should not be trying to run a T-Mobile Specific device unlock app under a different carrier sim,
and it might just be reporting wrong information. Had this happen to me several times in the past, when the device was actually unlocked. You said yourself, you were able to use the device on (ATT)!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I understand where you come from. And no offense taken
The problem IS a SIM lock (or "network lock" as they call it). But not in the same way you're thinking where nothing works with an alien SIM. Both T-Mobile and LG have confirmed that.
Some details I didn't mention in my opening post (I meant to warn people here, not argue the matter):
1) LG warned me before they began repair that the phone would come back SIM locked, even though I'd included a letter asking if they could avoid it. I also talked to T-Mobile before sending it in, who said to just request an unlock code if needed (obviously that person was clueless).
2) I've seen other XDA users report how SIM locked V30s could connect on different networks, but NOT get LTE. That's what I am seeing too. One of my goals with visiting the T-Mobile store was to verify that there wasn't a problem with the phone itself preventing LTE. But once an active TMO SIM was inserted, everything works flawlessly.
3) I thought the same thing about not running the TMO Device Unlock app with the alien SIM inserted, but TMO's wording in the instructions they sent me are: "Before completing the steps below to unlock your device you must be connected to the internet via a cellular network in order to complete the steps", not mentioning it must be on TMO. And I DO have 3G internet with my Red Pocket SIM. Nevertheless, my second goal with visiting the T-Mobile store was so we could try the Device Unlock app with an active TMO SIM. And regardless of which SIM is inserted, the app reports that the phone is currently network locked and not eligible for unlock. When running this app on an unlocked phone, it shows the date of unlock -- even after a factory reset. They are obviously storing the lock/unlock state on the vendor, modem or carrier partitions or some such place. And on my phone it is in a locked state.
4) There is not much room for user configuration error here: The phone has been factory reset 5-6 times while testing this, with the only configuration being a Red Pocket APN. That same SIM and same APN work flawlessly in my Nexus 5 as well as my wife's V30 (also H932). Even if I mis-typed the APN, I wouldn't have done so 5-6 times -- and I would have caught it during one of the many times I verified the APN.
So I have no doubt that there is some form of network lock in place that is causing this. And again, T-Mobile and LG agree and have promised to solve it.
You are right that LG had no reason to replace the mainboard. But they did replace both the screen and the glass cover. I think it is possible that they sent me a refurbished phone with my IMEI transferred -- which would explain both their warning that the phone would come back locked, and why the Device Unlock app gets confused when seeing a blank (still locked) phone, but T-Mobile's IMEI database claims that the device is already unlocked (as I saw on the screen in the store).
So, we'll see if they manage to solve it or I have to sell this phone as suggested by Chazz.
Would paying a 3rd party carrier unlocking do the trick? Or does even that seem out of the question now? Before Frankensteining was a thing I did that so I could use an H931 on T-mo. It was $10 well spent as far as I was concerned.
jaysus145 said:
Would paying a 3rd party carrier unlocking do the trick? Or does even that seem out of the question now? Before Frankensteining was a thing I did that so I could use an H931 on T-mo. It was $10 well spent as far as I was concerned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the suggestion. I'd have no objection to that at all, but various reports on here had given me the impression that 3rd parties aren't able to unlock the H932 because TMO locked it down so hard (as is the case with Sprint, but for different technical reasons). I could be wrong about that, so definitely something to try.
Thanks again!
Update: It's been four days since I talked to T-Mobile and they promised to escalate my problem and request that LG provide a solution. They said to expect a response within 72 hours, but I haven't heard back from them.
But yesterday, when I tried popping in my Red Pocket SIM (it's in my Nexus 5 until this is solved) everything suddenly worked: Instant LTE, which stayed all day, even as I drove an hour away across town and worked there for a few hours (using hotspot), went on several errands, and back home all last night. LTE Discovery Log showed how it had switched seamlessly between towers, without ever losing LTE. I was certain they had fixed it, and was much relieved.
Then this morning, it had locked itself again. Phone had been on all night, clearly T-Mobile must have pushed another lock. Or rather: One of the TMO services/apps locked it after pulling TMOs servers. No amount of Network Resets, reboot or toggling Mobile Network settings have worked to get it back. I promised T-Mobile not to make any more attempts with the Device Unlock app as it messes things up for them, but I am sure it it would still say "Ineligible for unlock" even though the IMEI is clear in TMO's database (and listed as already unlocked).
As always, the same SIM gives perfect LTE service in my Nexus 5 and on my wife's V30, with the same APN.
I called T-Mobile Customer Care and was unable to persuade them to transfer me to Tier 2. But they did says to expect a call within a day.
It is almost certain I'll have to go the FCC complaint route. It's sad because T-Mobile is otherwise not a bad company. Probably just a small handful of idiots who got this "bright idea" how to protect TMO phones -- which ends up causing so much trouble for legitimate customers.
@jaysus145: Which Unlock service did you use? The ones I looked at which support T-mobile unlock cost $75-150 -- and they don't seem to guarantee success.
TheDannemand said:
@jaysus145: Which Unlock service did you use? The ones I looked at which support T-mobile unlock cost $75-150 -- and they don't seem to guarantee success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used celllunlocker.net, it cost me $10 to unlock my AT&T version, and took less then a day to complete.
jaysus145 said:
I used celllunlocker.net, it cost me $10 to unlock my AT&T version, and took less then a day to complete.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
T-Mobile called me back yesterday and assured me they were still working on it and they would get this phone unlocked and please sit tight another day. They confirmed there was nothing on the phone's IMEI or my old account that should prevent it.
I'll check out unlocking services if it comes down to it.
Thanks again!
Final update on this (and solution):
T-Mobile solved the server side problem with a manager override, so that the Device Unlock app now says "Permanent Unlock approved". But it continued reporting "Unlock Failed" nevertheless. Some say because the phone is already unlocked, personally I think because the servers report the phone as previously unlocked. The app also says "Phone is currently network locked" when first running.
Notably, the connection problem persisted, and T-Mobile (after discussing with LG) said it had to be a bad SIM card or a problem with that SIM ICCID and my phone's ESN. As previously described, I get perfect connection and service using the same SIM in my Nexus 5 and in my wife's V30. T-Mobile said that was all they could do.
I then decided it was time to take the matter in my one hands. After much searching and countless Factory Resets and Network Settings Resets, I managed to get the phone working right with the following steps:
1) Remove Google account to disable Device Reset Protection.
2) Factory Reset from the Service Menu: *#546368#*932# (replace 932 with your model number, though this is likely a T-Mobile only problem). From there SVC Menu - Factory Reset (R&D Only). This takes quite a bit longer than normal Factory Reset.
3) Initial setup with WiFi, no Google account. No APN. Phone shows usual connection slowness.
4) Airplane mode, then WiFi on.
5) T-Mobile Device Unlock app, Permanent Unlock. Got the same "Unlock Failed, but Approved" message.
6) Enter APN.
7) Network Settings Reset (Android Settings - Reset menu). Wait for reset to complete. It may go straight to LTE already here.
8) Power off/on.
After this, everything is back to normal. Instant signal and LTE connection, even after subsequent Factory Reset. It's such a relief :laugh:
Edit: I should add that it is quite possible that not all of these steps are required. Probably the Service Menu Factory Reset was the key to undo what LG had done during the repair. I am merely listing all the steps which I used, and which brought my phone back to life.
Related
Hi y'all - just want to let Telus customers know that I have successfully unlocked my TP2 for 3rd party sims. In case it was one of those "should be possible, but I'd like to wait to buy until I know..." questions for some of you.
You may have seen the youtube vid, but I can confirm its true.
Also - Telus would NOT give out the sim unlock code for free. They got all squirrelly and weird and said they DO NOT support this, and they dont even have the unlock code even if they wanted to give it. They also said that they're locked at the factory which I argued is completely false as before you activate the phone, it says "SIM unlocked", and locks immediately afterwards.
Strangely, the first guy I spoke to was understanding, pleasant and said that I had to contact HTC, that they didn't actually have the code but I could definitely get it from HTC, and that he used to work for HTC in Canada before the dollar rose and they had to move elsewhere. Called HTC and they were confused and said "no, you have to get it from your telco, or a 3rd party".
That's what I thought. Canadian cell companies are waaaay to tight-fisted to give an inch on their overpriced bs.
$35 with popular canadian cell unlocking site - took 2.5 days.
So what did you have to do exactly? I'd love to have the Telus version, but being in Mex I was dubious about the simlock. And you can do it all online, right?
yes what did you do, or give us a link, plz, People gonna be need this as I am.
wouldnt a custom ROM accomplish the same thing?
Perhaps if you bought it without activating it, you could put on a custom ROM and then keep the SIM unlocked. I think, however, that they will be unlikely to be inclined to sell the TP2 without attaching it to Telus first. Once its locked by Telus, I think its locked in a part of memory that flashing won't overwrite. I could be very wrong - someone please enlighten if they know better... When you bought your Fuze and then flashed a cust rom, did it unlock the phone?? I've always been a CDMA customer in NA, with the occasional GSM blackberry overseas - but I bought them unlocked too.
www.mobileincanada.com is where I got my code. They told me that the Touch Pro 2 takes much more time to create code than other phones, hence the almost 3 day wait.
Tested: prior to unlocking a soft reset after sim install would elicit "SIM detected, not a Telus SIM - phone switching to CDMA only" or something like that.
Afterwards, SIM detected, switching to Global. I double checked that it could read my Optus SIM and get phone numbers off of it. It didn't complain at all and even tried to connect to Rogers - couldn't, of course, with a deactivated Optus SIM...
Update
Found an unused Rogers SIM kicking around... Will detect the network manually, but will not register on it. HTC did say that they locked out the NA GSM service providers as a service to the NA CDMA companies. Perhaps a flashed ROM would fix this... obviously the radio bands are compatible or it wouldnt detect it at all, no?
Huh, if it's not working then it really isn't unlocked...
Wonder if a Mexican sim would work (technically it's part of North America though culturally and economically speaking it isn't).
I don't understand why they'd lock out all North American gsm providers. Wouldn't the gsm providers of the same country be enough? After all, who'd want to be roaming all the time in Canada with a US provider's sim, it'd be much more expensive than any local plan.
Well, the SIM I tried has never been activated. It doesn't even work in my ROgers BB, it turns out. So I need to try an activated one.
Anyway, I do remember reading that HTC's compromise to the NA CDMA carriers was that they would disable using NA GSM companies in order that you would have to use your provider's CDMA roaming services throughout NA, even on an unlocked phone. Will do my best to test.
My main concern was getting it to worked on a 3rd party sim in Oz and Europe.
It is definitely "unlocked" however. The Settings/Security screen says "This phone is SIM unlocked", and now it will read any sim card I install. Before unlocking it wouldnt let you go near a non-telus SIM.
I ordered my unlock code through the same site, too. But they refund my money the next day saying my IMEI isn't in their database, thus unable to provide an unlock code for my phone.
this is one of those "are you sure its plugged in" questions so I apologise, but did you make triple sure you gave them the right IMEI code? Sometimes there are more than 15 digits, although I've been told its only the first 15 that matter...
Ok. I'd love to have the Telus version, what with the added bands, the cdma mode, the 3.5mm jack, and case very faithful to the original, and even the nostalgia factor (I remember when Telus was only for home phones) But I am not going to risk looking for an importer, buying it and all that if there's a chance that I would be unable to get the unlock codes. That'd be TRULY frustrating and a waste of money.
well, there are more than 15 digits on the back of the phone behind the battery, while there are 17 digits in Device Information. And since they only asks for first 15 digits, I just gave them that. Asked them to double check, still came back with IMEI not found. I'm pretty frustrated now...because I paid the the full price for the phone as I'm not qualified for upgrade yet as I got the Diamond for free last Sept. And since I got it from Telus store and there's no return, I feel pretty much got rip-off as I was in hope of using it in HK, where I travel to every year.
Travelling to HK
B"H
I believe that these units are SIM-Unlocked for INTERNATIONAL use, like in HK -- so you shouldn't have a problem (according to what's been posted here).
-Dovid
www.htcphones.com
I purchased an unlock code from the site recommended by chopsxxx, but got a refund after 24 hours, saying they could not generate, after googling for sometime, purchase and unlock code from imeiunlock.info did receive the code its 8 digits in length. I try to enter the code after pressing ##778# but its only giving an option to key in 6 digits, can anyone help me with this?
This is for HTC Touch Pro 2 HTC TP2 from Sprint USA, its both CDMA and GSM version
Thanks
What is the proper procedure to unlock an att s9 to use with another carrier?
Thanks.
Just to clarify. This phone was purchased from Samsung directly with the new $150 discount for Att branded phones.
RossTeagan said:
So the phone is bought from samsung but lock on att?
Try the following to check if your phone is network locked be sure you really need to unlock it (otherwise, I don't think you need to unlock it).
1. Insert a GSM SIM card from another network (a non-AT&T SIM, liek Cricket ot T-Mobile)
2. Try placing a call
If your phone manages to connect and make the call with this other SIM card, then you won't need to unlock it, as it's already unlocked. And if the phone is locked, I recommend you check with AT&T, given that this phone is not tight to a contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the phone yet (2 more days,) but I did an extensive Google search, and it seems like this particular phone will be sim locked. It's paid off outright, no contract or anything, but there were several heavy discounts like $150 off msrp and another $150 off for trading in S6.
My Google search gave me two possible options -
1) Talk to ATT and ask to unlock,
2) Use an unlock site, like DeviceUnlock, pay 20-50 dollars for them to obtain and send an unlock code to you.
As for #1, I saw a post where a guy complained that talking to ATT and Samsung was useless to him in a similar situation - each company sent him to the other one to get it unlocked, so he got nowhere with this option.
Also, I saw a few posts that said that a locked phone may have to be activated on ATT first and used for up to 40 days before ATT will unlock it for you. What would happen with this Samsung bought phone though?
And for #2, I just don't know how this kind of business works - you send them IMEI and the locked carrier info, pay money, and a few days later, they send you an unlock code that you can enter yourself.
Is it safe? How does it work exactly? What if there's a problem because the IMEI is not actually registered on ATT because the phone was sold by Samsung?
I have many more questions, just because I don't know what I am talking about, but the bottom line is this. What should I do?
Thanks.
AS your phone is paid off and there is no contract on it, you should stick with your first option: ask att to unlock it but as you said you will need an activated phone, so you will need to activate the phone with att, however, you should go to them immediately and not wait for 40 days. While Samsung locked the phone, the actual company who controls the lock and who has authority of unlocking it att. So don't let them fool you to go search the code somewhere else.
Also, there is a law in the US that forces operators to unlock your phone if there are no debts or contract on your device. So keep that in mind.
Regarding third parties, they are a shortcut and you just have to provide them the devices IMEI and network lock. They, in turn, will look for the unlocking code for you. And if there are issues, as you said, I think you can ask for a refund (so if you decide to go for such a service, first make sure they have a money back guarantee).
TLDR Go with att, they should (have to) provide the unlock for you
Hi nabbed,
did you manage to unlock it?
what did you do in the end?
Giskardors said:
Hi nabbed,
did you manage to unlock it?
what did you do in the end?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called ATT, spoke to tech support. The tech said that since I had no history/account with ATT, they had to make one to verify that the phone IMEI was clean. He created a new account - name, address, phone, email, imei etc info. He created a support ticket (and gave me its number) for sim unlock. He said that I should receive an email within 48 hours that would either tell me that I cannot unlock or will come with the unlock code (if it is decided that I should be able to unlock.)
I tried using their default web service for getting an unlock https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/unlockstep1 but that thing doesn't work - the Next button cannot be clicked.
If unsuccessful, I am considering going and talking to a retail ATT store representative directly. They probably don't know much, but perhaps they can be more convincing on the phone with ATT.
Third option is trying one of the unlock websites.
So I had to do this with my S9, same kind of situation as you (I have T-Mobile service, received an AT&T locked device).
As you know, the web portal won't work. AT&T never entered your IMEI in their database, so as far as THEY are concerned, your phone doesn't exist.
Call tier 2/advanced tech support and have them create a case with the Device Unlock Team. GET A CONFIRMATION NUMBER. You should receive an email confirming that the case was made.
48-72 hours later, you SHOULD have an unlock code. Should. This is AT&T, and they don't know their ass from their elbow. It took me 2 weeks.
Device unlock services didn't work, as the IMEI has to be in AT&T's database for it to work correctly. They'll just (hopefully) refund your money when it fails.
Don't go into an AT&T store. As a former AT&T retail employee, I can guarantee you, those employees are dumber than a bag of wet hammers, and have no way of helping you with this, whatsoever. In addition, since you're not BUYING anything, they're not going to help too much even if they could.
Good luck. It will work for you eventually.
entropism said:
So I had to do this with my S9, same kind of situation as you (I have T-Mobile service, received an AT&T locked device).
As you know, the web portal won't work. AT&T never entered your IMEI in their database, so as far as THEY are concerned, your phone doesn't exist.
Call tier 2/advanced tech support and have them create a case with the Device Unlock Team. GET A CONFIRMATION NUMBER. You should receive an email confirming that the case was made.
48-72 hours later, you SHOULD have an unlock code. Should. This is AT&T, and they don't know their ass from their elbow. It took me 2 weeks.
Device unlock services didn't work, as the IMEI has to be in AT&T's database for it to work correctly. They'll just (hopefully) refund your money when it fails.
Don't go into an AT&T store. As a former AT&T retail employee, I can guarantee you, those employees are dumber than a bag of wet hammers, and have no way of helping you with this, whatsoever. In addition, since you're not BUYING anything, they're not going to help too much even if they could.
Good luck. It will work for you eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
The tech guy didn't say what kind of a support ticket he created. It may have been a general support ticket, or maybe he referred me to the unlock team directly, I don't know. He seemed like he understood perfectly what I needed. Anyway, the ticket format is like this - cm10230128_122673352, does that look right?
I have received an email confirmation that the call was made, but not that the case was created yet. The call ended at 5:30pm CDT on a Friday night, so maybe it would take until Monday to get a confirmation?
nabbed said:
Thanks.
The tech guy didn't say what kind of a support ticket he created. It may have been a general support ticket, or maybe he referred me to the unlock team directly, I don't know. He seemed like he understood perfectly what I needed. Anyway, the ticket format is like this - cm10230128_122673352, does that look right?
I have received an email confirmation that the call was made, but not that the case was created yet. The call ended at 5:30pm CDT on a Friday night, so maybe it would take until Monday to get a confirmation?
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Click to collapse
Maybe it will take up to tuesday. That's the limit
Im going to the US for 2 weeks, I dont know if i'll be able to unlock it on time, but If I order it I'll get it on the 2nd week.
I really hope you can unlock it!
Keep us updated
Update:
Got the unlock code in an email. The instructions say "Please allow 24 hours upon receipt of this notification to complete the unlock process." Not sure what that means, gonna try to unlock tomorrow with a project fi sim.
Update2:
Phone unlocked fine with a Project FI sim card and connected to T-mobile.
We're on the same boat!
I'm also on Project Fi and I received my AT&T S9 today.
My IMEI was found in AT&T's database and I just submitted the unlock request.
Do you experience any issues when using S9 w/ Project Fi?
zenlifexxa said:
We're on the same boat!
I'm also on Project Fi and I received my AT&T S9 today.
My IMEI was found in AT&T's database and I just submitted the unlock request.
Do you experience any issues when using S9 w/ Project Fi?
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Click to collapse
I just used the Fi sim card to facilitate the unlock procedure (the S9 is not mine, it's for a friend, and I am just setting it up.) I just looked at sim status in the options to confirm that provider was T-Mobile. In my research, I read that using Project FI T-Mobile was no different from any other unlocked gsm phone using T-Mobile. You will lose all Project FI apps because they don't exist with non-Google phones. There will not be carrier switching between T-Mob, Sprint and US Cell, and there will not be wifi calling. But if your T-Mob service is already good, there shouldn't be a problem.
As as side note, my own FI service is kind of awful. Ever since Google introduced "preferred partner" feature, where a FI phone would connect not to the strongest signal carrier but rather to a particular carrier, in this case Sprint in my area, I have had really bad sound quality.
US Cellular has best towers in this area, with signal strength of -70-80 db or so, while Sprint has crappy towers with signal strength of less -100 db. Yet I am constantly connected to Sprint with crappy sound quality because they are the preferred partner here. I have to constantly to remind myself to manually switch to US Cell if I'm to make a lengthy phone call.
Good luck.
Hey all,
So I'm learning more and more about this phone. Turns out, if someone finances their phone through T-mobile and fails to pay it off, you will not be able to unlock the phone for free. You still can apparently unlock it by paying for a code. If the code doesn't work, I'm only out ten dollars.
I got it for $110 so it was a steal, but the listing said it had a bad IMEI. I looked it up and it said the IMEI wasn't flagged whatseover (Financed Sprint phones will be flagged, but for some reason this T-mobile one wasn't.) So I get the phone and do all the rooting and realize that's not how to carrier unlock this phone, even though it works for the h930.
So I had to unroot it and try through the T-mobile app. I got an "unlock failed, device not eligible." I called T-mobile and they said they couldn't help me and I had to go to the T-mobile store.
Went to the T-mobile store and it came up as the original user didn't pay their bills.
Anyway, I re-rooted it and noticed that when I put in my red pocket sim card, I get a prompt to put in an unlock code. Curiously, my old T-mobile SIM seems to work, I would just need to pay for service.
We'll see if the unlock code works. Worst comes to worst, it goes back up on eBay and I lost ten dollars.
I've got four more hours left to wait on the code.
Yeah, just as I assumed from the discussion in the other thread:
ChazzMatt said:
For the sake of discussion the comments below assume it has a bad IMEI...
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If it does have a bad IMEI, then T-Mobile is not going to unlock it for you. You may need to try unlocking service. Good luck.
Here's the caveat... Even if you do get it carrier unlocked by unlocking service (and it still has the same IMEI), you will not know if the unlocking is successful until you try a non-U.S. SIM card outside the United States. Because all U.S. carriers will still have the phone blacklisted due to the bad IMEI.
As you know, "bad IMEI" is when people either don't finish paying for the phone or don't pay for their contracted term of service. Or the phone is reported lost or stolen.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+
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Click to collapse
I've seen many bad IMEI and it often is because of financing or Buy One Get One Free deals (BOGO). T-mobile had a bunch of those on the V30 when it was introduced, and while it was indeed buy one get one free, you had to open a new line, keep it open for a period of time, blah blah blah. Same with Sprint. People go to the store, get the two phones, try to sell one or both on eBay and walk away from their contractual commitment. Thus the bad IMEI. It's not always going to show up as just "financing" as the situation gets complicated than just financing.
How did the seller know it was bad IMEI when it doesn't show up for you that way in the databases? Or they knew it had bad IMEI because they are the one who walked away?
I'm also curious if the 3rd party unlocker code will actually let it be used with U.S. carriers. Will it still be on some bad IMEI database? Carrier unlocking and bad IMEI are two different things.
At least with Sprint, you can convert to US998 with Frankenstein to carrier unlock it and carriers outside the U.S. don't care about the "bad IMEI" report:
crumbling9999 said:
Bought a bad IMEI LS998 for cheap when eBay had the sitewide 10% off, did the usual (converted to US998 to carrier unlock), works fine in Australia.
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Whereas with T-mobile H932, you can't do that. T-mobile still has full control, unless a 3rd party unlocker can do it AND (for inside the U.S.) it's still not on some "bad IMEI" database.
ChazzMatt said:
Yeah, just as I assumed from the discussion in the other thread:
I've seen many bad IMEI and it often is because of financing or Buy One Get One Free deals (BOGO). T-mobile had a bunch of those on the V30 when it was introduced, and while it was indeed buy one get one free, you had to open a new line, keep it open for a period of time, blah blah blah. Same with Sprint. People go to the store, get the two phones, try to sell one or both on eBay and walk away from their contractual commitment. Thus the bad IMEI. It's not always going to show up as just "financing" as the situation gets complicated.
How did the seller know it was bad IMEI when it doesn't show up for you that way in the databases? Or they knew it had bad IMEI because they are the one who walked away?
I'm also curious if the 3rd party unlocker code will actually let it be used with U.S. carriers. Will it still be on some bad IMEI database? Carrier unlocking and bad IMEI are two different things.
At least with Sprint, you can convert to US998 with Frankenstein to carrier unlock it and carriers outside the U.S. don't care about the "bad IMEI" report. With T-mobile H932, you can't do that. T-mobile still has full control, unless a 3rd party unlocker can do it AND (for inside the U.S.) it's still not on some "bad IMEI" database.
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My guess is they knew it was financed. When it came in the mail, it was on the 10d firmware so it was ready to root. I imagine they tried to do it through T-Mobile and T-Mo said the original account owner had a balance to pay off. I actually asked the seller why it said Bad IMEI when the database says it's clean and they said "It will be a bad IMEI soon." The phone still doesn't show up in the database as bad IMEI, but it's in T-Mobile's database as financed so I can't use their unlocker.
I'm curious if the phone would actually work on T-Mobile's network. I'm guessing not, but I did get full bars when I put in my T-Mobile sim. I'm not going to spend $30 on a month of activation to test it, however.
It seems to still be on a global whitelist. I imagine all the 3rd party service does is brute force a code and send it to me (somehow). That said I should have paid for the better service (that was $15 at another site) instead of this one because I'm still waiting for a code. But once I get that code, I can't see the phone not working on Red Pocket/AT&T.
Anyway, I guess this keeps me occupied for the time being. Even for bad IMEI phones, there's quite the market on eBay. There's probably a lot of people with those Octopus boxes.
Nah, its more for international buyers. IMEI blacklist are only country-wide, and they're a great way to get a cheap phone, even accounting for shipping and import charges. Its kinda unethical, but the phone is already stolen, and if you don't buy it someone else will so /shrug. H932 never sells, because there aren't any reliable way to unlock them, compared to the rest of the lines.
Runningnak3d over in the V20 forum gave cracking the T-Mobile unlocking system a shot, but no dice. It seems to drop some sort of file, which is read by the modem firmware on boot to trigger the unlock. Someone can dump their partitions, relock the phone then reflash it to unlock it. But the same partition dump can't unlock a different phone, which suggest the file is generated on the fly on T-Mobile server on the app's request, then dropped by the app. 3rd party T-Mobile unlock services presumably has a backdoor into T-Mobile service to change their database and approve unlocking for blocked/financed devices
crumbling9999 said:
Nah, its more for international buyers. IMEI blacklist are only country-wide, and they're a great way to get a cheap phone, even accounting for shipping and import charges. Its kinda unethical, but the phone is already stolen, and if you don't buy it someone else will so /shrug. H932 never sells, because there aren't any reliable way to unlock them, compared to the rest of the lines.
Runningnak3d over in the V20 forum gave cracking the T-Mobile unlocking system a shot, but no dice. It seems to drop some sort of file, which is read by the modem firmware on boot to trigger the unlock. Someone can dump their partitions, relock the phone then reflash it to unlock it. But the same partition dump can't unlock a different phone, which suggest the file is generated on the fly on T-Mobile server on the app's request, then dropped by the app. 3rd party T-Mobile unlock services presumably has a backdoor into T-Mobile service to change their database and approve unlocking for blocked/financed devices
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Click to collapse
So I bought the codes but can't figure out where to put them. I put in an ATT Sim and it asks me for a code. It accepts the code but doesn't do anything, it seems
Please move it to correct forum if this is not the right one.
I bought Samsung Galaxy Note Plus 10 5G in Oct 2019 from Verizon (all paid). I ported my number from Verizon to AT&T 5 days ago (after 9 months of using it with Verizon). My account is disconnected from Verizon and I have received the port is completed e-mail from them. AT&T has confirmed that the sim is fully activated.
But Guess what, When I put the sim in mobile it says another carrier is not allowed to be used on this phone ! For last 4 days I have wasted more than 10 hours staying in Verizon store and on call with customer care and they have no idea what is going on ! Customer care says the phone is fully unlocked. After 3 days of constant trying one of the representative said you have to reactivate the old account again and then try unlock again from the backend (which I have no control of !) . And, guess what, none of those good people are reactivating the account.
Verizon store guy doesn't help, just says talk to customer care and customer care says its unlocked so they can't do anything.
What should I do ?
About the only things I can suggest are:
If you have flashed firmware that is not the Verizon carrier firmware then flash it back to Verizon carrier firmware.
If you have disabled any carrier applications on the phone please re-enable them.
Make sure they are attempting to unlock the phone while you are within native Verizon coverage
I am not sure if a non-carrier branded firmware exists for the Note 10+ 5G, but non-carrier firmware has caused network unlocking issues before. The second idea is just in case you may have used a package disabler and disabled something necessary for network unlocking the phone. Last one is from past experiences where I wasn't able to complete phone activation because I wasn't within Verizon's native coverage area. The coverage I was in, while not roaming (or extended area) was not actually native Verizon coverage... I would tend to believe this would possibly be the same for network unlocking the phone.
Otherwise get a hold of Verizon and hound them to get it unlocked. Not much else can be done really... If the phone qualifies for being unlocked they should unlock it.
Filed fcc complaint
I have filed FCC complaint. I never changed anything in the mobile (didn't even know firmware flash was a thing until now when I started looking for solutions), used it for general purpose. I am in the same area where I bought it. Verizon store guy tried everything from simple reset to factory reset wiping everything out but nothing worked.
I have also ordered a prepaid Verizon sim. I will put that in and will try to get the phone unlocked.
I will post my results after 2-3 days.
Thanks for the quick reply !
scottusa2008 said:
About the only things I can suggest are:
If you have flashed firmware that is not the Verizon carrier firmware then flash it back to Verizon carrier firmware.
If you have disabled any carrier applications on the phone please re-enable them.
Make sure they are attempting to unlock the phone while you are within native Verizon coverage
I am not sure if a non-carrier branded firmware exists for the Note 10+ 5G, but non-carrier firmware has caused network unlocking issues before. The second idea is just in case you may have used a package disabler and disabled something necessary for network unlocking the phone. Last one is from past experiences where I wasn't able to complete phone activation because I wasn't within Verizon's native coverage area. The coverage I was in, while not roaming (or extended area) was not actually native Verizon coverage... I would tend to believe this would possibly be the same for network unlocking the phone.
Otherwise get a hold of Verizon and hound them to get it unlocked. Not much else can be done really... If the phone qualifies for being unlocked they should unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it resolved.
Final Update:
Since I had filed FCC complaint online, Verizon Executive Relations department contacted me and She was able to unlock from her side with the help of 'Technical Management' employee on call.
dagarwal82 said:
I have filed FCC complaint. I never changed anything in the mobile (didn't even know firmware flash was a thing until now when I started looking for solutions), used it for general purpose. I am in the same area where I bought it. Verizon store guy tried everything from simple reset to factory reset wiping everything out but nothing worked.
I have also ordered a prepaid Verizon sim. I will put that in and will try to get the phone unlocked.
I will post my results after 2-3 days.
Thanks for the quick reply !
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Click to collapse
Well since I have found zero threads about AT&T bootloader unlock. Does anyone have any solution? Whenever I put in any other sim, it just says that unable to use any other sim apart from AT&T. So I just factory resetted my phone and blocked the device setup app from accessing the internet via the Netguard app. That's allowed me to use any SIM card apart from AT&T however it's not a permanent solution but I'd like to know my options. Any chance of me working around a carrier unlock or possibly bootloader unlock? I bought this phone outside the US, and to my stupidity I never factored in that this was also a possibility that it's carrier locked, that too with a bad standing. I tried unlocking online but it just says that there's payments overdue and that I should log into my AT&T account. Tried calling their customer service, however they're useless and unhelpful. Learned the hard way, depressed that I've kinda wasted my money. Can there possibly be a way to carrier unlock my device and bootloader unlock?
Can you return the phone? The seller should have disclosed that information and the phone will technically only be used on AT&T until it's paid off, and currently on AT&T (for 60 or 90 days before they will sim unlock)
I tried going back to the shop, they just said that there's no way that they offer returns and that I should just contact AT&T for this issue. I'm running out of options and patience. I'm basically stuck with this phone. There's really no check and balance here when it comes to these matters