Years ago, I had a Note 3, and a few China brand tablets. I learned to root them. For the tablets, I was interested in learning how to make them the most compatible for Deaf - understand this was years and years ago. (My parents are Deaf). So I have some understanding - but it's been awhile.
I've been buying a few used android phones in the interest of having loaners and was toying with the idea of repairing phones as a hobby/pin money kinda thing. I'm a veteran and now living on my disability retirement. I've been working in technology - most notably repairing PCs - software and hardware but I've had a few years here and there, networks, databases, security, etc. My resume is wide but shallow.
One of the phones I bought was a Verizon Moto G6Play (obviously I'm here). And I've come to the conclusion I'm an idiot for not researching it closer. My current provider is Verizon and I just naively thought if I put my daughter's verizon sim in it - it would work. I paid no attention to the warning on the back of the box about purchasing up to 50.00 of prepaid in order for Verizon to recoup their money invested in the cheap prices offered for the phones. To be honest, I bought this phone off of "shopgoodwill.com" auction for 6.95. I don't have a lot of money invested in and not sure I even know how much it goes for right now. I don't honestly care. When I put the verizon sim in it - at first it showed 1X - I rebooted and was looking at rooting options but had not gotten real far. I also forgot to pay my bill like always - and got online and caught it up. When I did that - it looked like the sim card updated to 4G and texting was working. But I wrongly assumed calling was not working because I had wrongly assumed in the first place it was not dialing out because I thought I let my bill lapse. (I do this all the time. I'm an idiot).
So, long story, short - I called Verizon and asked why my phone was working but hers wasn't - we got into the discussion of prepaid, etc. The help person said, I wasn't going to get around the prepaid prerequisite - but I might get away with 30.00 instead of 50.00. Ok. Fine - I give. My daughter was willing to pay 30.00+ for a new screen for the other Motorola she had wrecked (E3). I was just trying to get her out of my hair. She is very OCD/Annoying while at the same time always breaking her phones. I told her the skinny on the phone. I told her to take it to Verizon store - tell them you want to go pre-paid cheapest plan - 30.00 and bring it back home. I removed the TWRP and Terminal Emu from the phone and she took it there with her instructions - but somehow muffed it all up. The salesperson claimed it was already activated to our account. In retrospect, I thought I had seen the G6 Play as the model for her phone line. But I told her that was not possible since it didn't work. Right? So a manager came over - and told her the phone was phu(ked I do believe she told my daughter "bricked" and that she'd have to buy a new one. Needless to say I told my daughter to get out of there - they were not interested in helping - they just wanted her to buy a phone. Prior to sending her to the store - I had run through the steps here or where-ever I was - and found the codes needed to determine if I could unlock this phone and was told, nope, nope, nope.
I reset the phone completely from the Fastboot Flash Mode (sorry, if I'm not using the right term - I always want to call it bios, ). As far as I know, it was successful...
So here is the thing. Looks like I'm stuck with it - and I'd like to try my hardest to crack it anyway. I don't care if I brick it or not. I'm looking at practice here. Do I absolutely need the unlock code to get started? Can I just jump over that step and flash a new OS to the phone? Bearing in mind that I might brick it?
Thanks,
Wynne
impy2101 said:
Years ago, I had a Note 3, and a few China brand tablets. I learned to root them. For the tablets, I was interested in learning how to make them the most compatible for Deaf - understand this was years and years ago. (My parents are Deaf). So I have some understanding - but it's been awhile.
I've been buying a few used android phones in the interest of having loaners and was toying with the idea of repairing phones as a hobby/pin money kinda thing. I'm a veteran and now living on my disability retirement. I've been working in technology - most notably repairing PCs - software and hardware but I've had a few years here and there, networks, databases, security, etc. My resume is wide but shallow.
One of the phones I bought was a Verizon Moto G6Play (obviously I'm here). And I've come to the conclusion I'm an idiot for not researching it closer. My current provider is Verizon and I just naively thought if I put my daughter's verizon sim in it - it would work. I paid no attention to the warning on the back of the box about purchasing up to 50.00 of prepaid in order for Verizon to recoup their money invested in the cheap prices offered for the phones. To be honest, I bought this phone off of "shopgoodwill.com" auction for 6.95. I don't have a lot of money invested in and not sure I even know how much it goes for right now. I don't honestly care. When I put the verizon sim in it - at first it showed 1X - I rebooted and was looking at rooting options but had not gotten real far. I also forgot to pay my bill like always - and got online and caught it up. When I did that - it looked like the sim card updated to 4G and texting was working. But I wrongly assumed calling was not working because I had wrongly assumed in the first place it was not dialing out because I thought I let my bill lapse. (I do this all the time. I'm an idiot).
So, long story, short - I called Verizon and asked why my phone was working but hers wasn't - we got into the discussion of prepaid, etc. The help person said, I wasn't going to get around the prepaid prerequisite - but I might get away with 30.00 instead of 50.00. Ok. Fine - I give. My daughter was willing to pay 30.00+ for a new screen for the other Motorola she had wrecked (E3). I was just trying to get her out of my hair. She is very OCD/Annoying while at the same time always breaking her phones. I told her the skinny on the phone. I told her to take it to Verizon store - tell them you want to go pre-paid cheapest plan - 30.00 and bring it back home. I removed the TWRP and Terminal Emu from the phone and she took it there with her instructions - but somehow muffed it all up. The salesperson claimed it was already activated to our account. In retrospect, I thought I had seen the G6 Play as the model for her phone line. But I told her that was not possible since it didn't work. Right? So a manager came over - and told her the phone was phu(ked I do believe she told my daughter "bricked" and that she'd have to buy a new one. Needless to say I told my daughter to get out of there - they were not interested in helping - they just wanted her to buy a phone. Prior to sending her to the store - I had run through the steps here or where-ever I was - and found the codes needed to determine if I could unlock this phone and was told, nope, nope, nope.
I reset the phone completely from the Fastboot Flash Mode (sorry, if I'm not using the right term - I always want to call it bios, ). As far as I know, it was successful...
So here is the thing. Looks like I'm stuck with it - and I'd like to try my hardest to crack it anyway. I don't care if I brick it or not. I'm looking at practice here. Do I absolutely need the unlock code to get started? Can I just jump over that step and flash a new OS to the phone? Bearing in mind that I might brick it?
Thanks,
Wynne
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this phone currently in a running state? If so, do you have twrp and root? I may be able to help you. I know it's G6 play but do you know which model it is? mine is XT1922-7 for example
Sent from my moto g(6) play using Tapatalk
He isn't able to unlock the bootloader and wants to know whether he could unlock it without the unlock code.
@impy2101 You'll need that code to unlock the bootloader and being able to do modifications. Every attempt to flash another firmware while bootloader is locked will fail or could lead to a hard brick.
Did you follow the steps from Moto's website to unlock it?
WoKoschekk said:
He isn't able to unlock the bootloader and wants to know whether he could unlock it without the unlock code.
@impy2101 You'll need that code to unlock the bootloader and being able to do modifications. Every attempt to flash another firmware while bootloader is locked will fail or could lead to a hard brick.
Did you follow the steps from Moto's website to unlock it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The short and long answer to that is no. The process is relatively straight forward though.
Sent from my moto g(6) play using Tapatalk
Sands207 said:
Is this phone currently in a running state? If so, do you have twrp and root? I may be able to help you. I know it's G6 play but do you know which model it is? mine is XT1922-7 for example
Sent from my moto g(6) play using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, brand spanking new - It's just that I bought it from GoodWill so there is no returning it. And it's all good. I only paid a few bucks for it. It's an XT-1922-2. Thanks. I found the, um, erm, (sorry, old lady stuff going on) the OS MOD for it? jeterxxxblahblah and downloaded it - just not sure how I would get it loaded up if I cannot unlock it, etc.
I need to understand a little better some of the things that "we" do to the phones. For example - when unlocking the BootLoader - who locks it in the first place? What does unlocking the bootloader give us access to vs. what does root give us access to? I ask because I also have a Moto E6 and I managed to get past the pre-paid requirement and have unlocked it, rooted it (sorta - kinda weird work around where I have to boot it "recovery mode" if I want to use root - otherwise not. And I've discovered I still need another step to get rid of the provider USCellular so I can stick a VZW Sim in it. (Not asking for an answer here - just saying that I can follow instructions and understand to a certain degree but would like more indepth detail on what it is I'm doing. I even went so far as to look for the OSI model equivalent for Android - I found it - but it wasn't quite as satisfying as the one for PC - I'm still a bit puzzled.)
WoKoschekk said:
He isn't able to unlock the bootloader and wants to know whether he could unlock it without the unlock code.
@impy2101 You'll need that code to unlock the bootloader and being able to do modifications. Every attempt to flash another firmware while bootloader is locked will fail or could lead to a hard brick.
Did you follow the steps from Moto's website to unlock it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I followed the Moto website to unlock it - it was considered unlockable. I'm well aware it could lead to a hard brick. Apparently, when I put my Verizon sim in - I did something to it already that effed it up. According to them. I made the dumb assumption that if I had Verizon as my carrier I could use a prepaid phone as a backup device. And I'm sure I've done it before when I was with AT&T. So it may be I already made it unusable. I would like to go from knows enough to be dangerous - to really qualified. There are big chunks of information that I need to understand in order to put it all together - sometimes breaking something is a good way to learn - in fact, it's often the best way, I've discovered.
WoKoschekk said:
He isn't able to ......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FYI - Old lady here...
impy2101 said:
FYI - Old lady here...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So in terms of unlocking we have two different ideas here: 1. unlocking the bootloader so you can change to a custom version of android or obtain root access and 2. Unlocking the device's sim slot to use it with another network provider. This is usually done by asking the provider to unlock it, the pre requisite is that the phone or tablet must be paid off or good standing for at least one year. This is the policy of boost, sprint, virgin etc Verizon may be different. While some third parties may be able to accomplish this, it can be risky to the consumer and may even need to be done remotely. What exactly are you hoping to do? I'd be happy to help you if I can
Sent from my Moto G6 Play using XDA Labs
Sands207 said:
So in terms of unlocking we have two different ideas here: 1. unlocking the bootloader so you can change to a custom version of android or obtain root access and 2. Unlocking the device's sim slot to use it with another network provider. This is usually done by asking the provider to unlock it, the pre requisite is that the phone or tablet must be paid off or good standing for at least one year. This is the policy of boost, sprint, virgin etc Verizon may be different. While some third parties may be able to accomplish this, it can be risky to the consumer and may even need to be done remotely. What exactly are you hoping to do? I'd be happy to help you if I can
Sent from my Moto G6 Play using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm more hoping to unlock the device's sim slot - ironically - this is a Verizon pre-paid and I want to use it with Verizon - my current carrier. I bought the phone in hopes of replacing a phone that quit working on my daughter.
I would like to understand the difference though - I've been fooling around with a Moto E6 and have unlocked the Bootloader - I did go to Motorola's site to get the key based on issuing a fastboot oem get_unlock_data command from the cmd prompt screen. Got the mile long number sent it in and got a key and ran the command to unlock it. I think because it's a newer model - E6 - it's a bit of a weird hinky thing to root it. It can only be done by booting the phone in "Recovery Mode" - I can add all kinda Magisk modules, etc...I can even blow up the phone and reinstall it.
But I can see that the Network is still Consumer Cellular. I'm really getting confused about all of this, lots of terminology without explainations, etc...so in order to teach myself effectively I'm looking at schematics of phones and building my own diagram - sorta like the OSI model for a PC - showing where the bootloader resides, the os/recovery resides, and so on, right? After seeing the Consumer Cellular is still the provider - I searched again and found a page that says I need an unlock code - and as you also said - I've run into this advice a few times - that the owner must fulfill the prerequisite contract time. I had tried arguing with Verizon that I already spent more than 50.00 by being their customer for 4 years and letting them charge me for an entire year for international service despite me telling them to turn it off 4 or 5 times (no sympathy from them...)
I'm extremely confused - where is the "code" that locks the sim to a carrier? Obviously, its not in the bootloader. Clearly, it's not part of the rooting process - which I understand is just granting permission to root directories. Is this code the same code that locks out a pre-paid from a regular sim? I'm guessing whatever it is - it's not part of recovery.img at least.
impy2101 said:
I'm more hoping to unlock the device's sim slot - ironically - this is a Verizon pre-paid and I want to use it with Verizon - my current carrier. I bought the phone in hopes of replacing a phone that quit working on my daughter.
I would like to understand the difference though - I've been fooling around with a Moto E6 and have unlocked the Bootloader - I did go to Motorola's site to get the key based on issuing a fastboot oem get_unlock_data command from the cmd prompt screen. Got the mile long number sent it in and got a key and ran the command to unlock it. I think because it's a newer model - E6 - it's a bit of a weird hinky thing to root it. It can only be done by booting the phone in "Recovery Mode" - I can add all kinda Magisk modules, etc...I can even blow up the phone and reinstall it.
But I can see that the Network is still Consumer Cellular. I'm really getting confused about all of this, lots of terminology without explainations, etc...so in order to teach myself effectively I'm looking at schematics of phones and building my own diagram - sorta like the OSI model for a PC - showing where the bootloader resides, the os/recovery resides, and so on, right? After seeing the Consumer Cellular is still the provider - I searched again and found a page that says I need an unlock code - and as you also said - I've run into this advice a few times - that the owner must fulfill the prerequisite contract time. I had tried arguing with Verizon that I already spent more than 50.00 by being their customer for 4 years and letting them charge me for an entire year for international service despite me telling them to turn it off 4 or 5 times (no sympathy from them...)
I'm extremely confused - where is the "code" that locks the sim to a carrier? Obviously, its not in the bootloader. Clearly, it's not part of the rooting process - which I understand is just granting permission to root directories. Is this code the same code that locks out a pre-paid from a regular sim? I'm guessing whatever it is - it's not part of recovery.img at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what you mean by the code and my best answer would be that the carriers themselves have it. It is not common place for the sim unlock codes to be public because if that was the case, no one would or could be locked into a contract and the carrier companies would lose big time money. There are services to unlock sims but as i mentioned before, I've never tried them. so i cannot say if it is a safe or good idea. I have switched carriers using other ROM's besides stock and using other cdma sims in my phone but i was switching carriers. I had to edit my access point names manually for it to work and root was also needed.
Sent from my Moto G6 Play using XDA Labs
Sands207 said:
I know what you mean by the code and my best answer would be that the carriers themselves have it. It is not common place for the sim unlock codes to be public because if that was the case, no one would or could be locked into a contract and the carrier companies would lose big time money. There are services to unlock sims but as i mentioned before, I've never tried them. so i cannot say if it is a safe or good idea. I have switched carriers using other ROM's besides stock and using other cdma sims in my phone but i was switching carriers. I had to edit my access point names manually for it to work and root was also needed.
Sent from my Moto G6 Play using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, clearly the code is not in the SIM card itself. I had good luck with AT&T prepaid. I think I found a page that indicates I can just call Consumer Cellular for my E6 and hopefully they won't force me into a contract fulfillment requirement first. For the G6, it's Verizon...and I'm thinking I gave up too soon. Verizon owes me a big favor because they kept charging me for International Calls. Granted I didn't call every month and yell at them but it took them a year to take it off my bill - I only checked once every 2 or 3 months. My bill was never the same regardless because of the constant adding and changing - so I missed it (and would forget to check).
That makes sense that the pre-paid "lock" is not public and not located in easy to search spot in the phone. I'm just trying to puzzle out the system. Is it something that would be found in the BootLoader? Unlocking the Bootloader is the first step - so you'd think it might be there. Probably not - because Bootloader's job is to load the boot the operating system. Is the Bootloader and OS on the same chip but with partitions? Or do they have separate chips? I've been studying the innards of an android phone - the various chips and there functions - it looks like two possible chips; either the ROM IC which I believe contains the bootloader and I know contains the OS (or just the kernel?) or the Flash IC which should contain "Software" and IMEI Number of the mobile phone. The others are for functions such as sound, network, tx/rx, power, CPU, etc. So? Is there a separate module (chip/ROM) in the phone specifically for the SIM slot - that the OS accesses at some point in loading? I just have a burning curiosity on where it would be stored. Don't worry, I have no real developer skills and no time to "hack" out the issue I'm having anyway. I just learn better when I understand how all the puzzle pieces fit together - I'm puzzled by this aspect of pre-paids - it must be an entirely separate module (software or firmware) that has been added to the basic OS - but where?.....
It's a matter of terminology.
SIM Lock / Carrier Lock - this determines if you can use different SIMs from other carriers. The setting could be stored in nvram or baseband image. Verizon phones usually automatically sim/carrier unlock after 24 hours on their network.
Bootloader lock/unlock - this allows modification of the partitions/software. Generally, if your bootloader is locked, you can only flash "signed" images. If you brick your phone, you can generally reflash stock roms to fix.
Most phones direct from carriers (Verizon, ATT and TMobile) don't allow bootloader unlock, especially the good deals.
MVNOs like Tracfone(and their subsidies Simple Mobile, Straight Talk, Net10) will sim/carrier unlock after 6 months to a year of paid service. They generally don't officially support bootloader unlock, that's usually through a hack.
impy2101 said:
Well, clearly the code is not in the SIM card itself. I had good luck with AT&T prepaid. I think I found a page that indicates I can just call Consumer Cellular for my E6 and hopefully they won't force me into a contract fulfillment requirement first. For the G6, it's Verizon...and I'm thinking I gave up too soon. Verizon owes me a big favor because they kept charging me for International Calls. Granted I didn't call every month and yell at them but it took them a year to take it off my bill - I only checked once every 2 or 3 months. My bill was never the same regardless because of the constant adding and changing - so I missed it (and would forget to check).
That makes sense that the pre-paid "lock" is not public and not located in easy to search spot in the phone. I'm just trying to puzzle out the system. Is it something that would be found in the BootLoader? Unlocking the Bootloader is the first step - so you'd think it might be there. Probably not - because Bootloader's job is to load the boot the operating system. Is the Bootloader and OS on the same chip but with partitions? Or do they have separate chips? I've been studying the innards of an android phone - the various chips and there functions - it looks like two possible chips; either the ROM IC which I believe contains the bootloader and I know contains the OS (or just the kernel?) or the Flash IC which should contain "Software" and IMEI Number of the mobile phone. The others are for functions such as sound, network, tx/rx, power, CPU, etc. So? Is there a separate module (chip/ROM) in the phone specifically for the SIM slot - that the OS accesses at some point in loading? I just have a burning curiosity on where it would be stored. Don't worry, I have no real developer skills and no time to "hack" out the issue I'm having anyway. I just learn better when I understand how all the puzzle pieces fit together - I'm puzzled by this aspect of pre-paids - it must be an entirely separate module (software or firmware) that has been added to the basic OS - but where?.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This post maybe helpful to you https://forum.xda-developers.com/chef-central/android/guide-android-rom-development-t2814763
Related
First:
I know there is a fully legit method to unlock this phone via t-mobile. For what it is worth, I recently tried to do this and was stymied by the bureaucracy before I was able to get it done. Specifically, they apparently had a different phone registered to my account despite the fact I had activated it with the T989 (switched to prepaid) so I had to wait 24 hours for that to get into the system. Then I was required to FAX my proof of purchase but by then I was out of the country.
(Funny story: I got my g/f a legit unlock code, who is running a Vibrant. It didn't work, and we found this out in South Africa. Luckily I brought an extra phone which I had unlocked myself.)
Second:
Has anyone taken a serious look at this? I know there are ways to do this with various (kind of expensive) hardware, unlocking websites of various pedigrees, or taking it in to certain stores for a fee. But first of all where is the fun in that, and second of all, for people in a pinch all of these methods may not work. Best to have a DIY method where all you need is adb and a hex editor.
Third:
Unlocking is a pain anyways, because from what I read you have to go back to stock to do it, and who wants to do that?
Finally:
Does anyone want to try this? I am not a seasoned developer, but I am probably going to go through the official process of unlocking my phone, which means that if there is something I can snapshot, I can do it before and after, which might provide some hints as to where this phone is unlocked. Privacy issues must be respected, meaning I probably will be reluctant to share details such as my IMEI, but maybe we can all work together to figure out offsets or otherwise find a pattern useful in unlocking this device.
Thoughts?
Same thing about the vibrant here. I requested the unlock code from Tmo, and they sent it in a about a day. When I tried to use the unlock code, it wouldn't work. I used all attempts except one and it's still locked.I called T-Mobile and they asked me to send it in.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
The rep you spoke to should have asked you for your new IMEI number so they can punch it in. They can run the unlock code thing whatever with your new imei too, I have no idea why they didn't do that.Thats what I did when I unlocked my phonessssss.
tablador said:
First:
I know there is a fully legit method to unlock this phone via t-mobile. For what it is worth, I recently tried to do this and was stymied by the bureaucracy before I was able to get it done. Specifically, they apparently had a different phone registered to my account despite the fact I had activated it with the T989 (switched to prepaid) so I had to wait 24 hours for that to get into the system. Then I was required to FAX my proof of purchase but by then I was out of the country.
(Funny story: I got my g/f a legit unlock code, who is running a Vibrant. It didn't work, and we found this out in South Africa. Luckily I brought an extra phone which I had unlocked myself.)
Second:
Has anyone taken a serious look at this? I know there are ways to do this with various (kind of expensive) hardware, unlocking websites of various pedigrees, or taking it in to certain stores for a fee. But first of all where is the fun in that, and second of all, for people in a pinch all of these methods may not work. Best to have a DIY method where all you need is adb and a hex editor.
Third:
Unlocking is a pain anyways, because from what I read you have to go back to stock to do it, and who wants to do that?
Finally:
Does anyone want to try this? I am not a seasoned developer, but I am probably going to go through the official process of unlocking my phone, which means that if there is something I can snapshot, I can do it before and after, which might provide some hints as to where this phone is unlocked. Privacy issues must be respected, meaning I probably will be reluctant to share details such as my IMEI, but maybe we can all work together to figure out offsets or otherwise find a pattern useful in unlocking this device.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thatlaoboi said:
Same thing about the vibrant here. I requested the unlock code from Tmo, and they sent it in a about a day. When I tried to use the unlock code, it wouldn't work. I used all attempts except one and it's still locked.I called T-Mobile and they asked me to send it in.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got mine through T-Mobile. Only issue i had was the dummy who sent the email forgot to actually put in the code so i had to talk to a rep who gave it to me then. But i flashed to stock entered code, and was able to use the ATT sim card perfectly no issues.
BTW the reason for putting it back to stock, i think the apk required for entering the code isnt on custom ROMs.
And just outta curiosity, how do you use ADB and a hex editor to figure out the unlock code? i always wondered where the unlock code came from wondered how it was calculated and such.. it must just be off the IMEI since thats all any company or t mobile needs to get the code..
After hours last night and this morning, this worked for me: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024514
Spread the word! :victory:
Hi,
I would like to unlock my T989. Although I've bought it at full price from Walmart I've got an email from T-mobile saying that "The device was not purchased from a T-Mobile USA retail store or authorized T-Mobile retailer." and I've decided not to battle them for 3 months and just do it myself.
I'm a newbie and the following questions might be silly.
1) I understand there is a software by z3x that unlocks the phone. Do I need an extra hardware for it (what is the z3x-box)? If so, what kind?
2) If I root the phone, will it be immediately unlocked?
3) Is there a free method to unlock this phone (assuming I'll root it successfully)?
Thanks!
bloodymeli said:
Hi,
I would like to unlock my T989. Although I've bought it at full price from Walmart I've got an email from T-mobile saying that "The device was not purchased from a T-Mobile USA retail store or authorized T-Mobile retailer." and I've decided not to battle them for 3 months and just do it myself.
I'm a newbie and the following questions might be silly.
1) I understand there is a software by z3x that unlocks the phone. Do I need an extra hardware for it (what is the z3x-box)? If so, what kind?
2) If I root the phone, will it be immediately unlocked?
3) Is there a free method to unlock this phone (assuming I'll root it successfully)?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Option 3!
You can do it yourself, just follow the simple instructions :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024514
Sent from my SGH-T989D using xda premium
You could always just take the simple way and tell Tmobile your taking a trip to mexico in 3 weeks (Cuz itll take 2 weeks at the max for the manufacturer to send the code to tmobile) and you want to use a prepaid service down there but dont want to buy a new phone. I just did this today, but act like you dont know much about sim unlocking to be on the safe side. The lady tried to get my to buy a new phone from tmobile down in mexico or just let my phone roam and get international charges and i told her "Well im trying to use the same phone with a prepaid service down in mexico so i wont have to have any additional charges when i come back, I herd something about most phones being locked so will i be able to use the prepaid sim on my current phone?" and after that she mentioned sending me an unlock code.. She tried to play me like i didnt know anything about sim unlocking by telling me my options were buying a new phone down there or letting the charges rack up. Then tried to cut the conversation off short this was in the online chat. But if you keep asking questions and explaining you dont want a new phone or to let them add charges theyll eventually tell you about unlocking your phone and ask for you imei and email then youll have to wait for 2 weeks.
Hope i helped a few people, I tried the method above and it didnt work for me. So i took the longer route that will forsure unlock your phone. :good:
Curiously enough, I'm currently abroad.
I don't have a t-mobile account. I don't even need one according to their website. It's just annoying. But I feel like I'm tilting at windmills.
"If you paid full retail price for a device, you qualify to have the SIM subsidy unlock code provided you meet the following requirements:
The device must have been purchased at a T-Mobile retail store or authorized T-Mobile retailer.
The device must be paid for completely. You must be able to fax the proof of purchase to T-Mobile."
In any case, as I didn't get an answer in the other thread, do you happen to know
1) How do I boot into recovery mode? and how do I choose to flash a radio? Do I need to install a specific recovery software? I would really appreciate if somoeone will able to post a detailed "unlocking for dummies" guide, starting from an unrooted phone. A medal of honor will be given if the guide will start from a stock, unrooted phone.
2) I understand the latest version of the radio is UVLI. Should I use it or use the one that comes with my phone? (I would like as few problems as possible)?
TwoStax said:
You could always just take the simple way and tell Tmobile your taking a trip to mexico in 3 weeks (Cuz itll take 2 weeks at the max for the manufacturer to send the code to tmobile) and you want to use a prepaid service down there but dont want to buy a new phone. I just did this today, but act like you dont know much about sim unlocking to be on the safe side. The lady tried to get my to buy a new phone from tmobile down in mexico or just let my phone roam and get international charges and i told her "Well im trying to use the same phone with a prepaid service down in mexico so i wont have to have any additional charges when i come back, I herd something about most phones being locked so will i be able to use the prepaid sim on my current phone?" and after that she mentioned sending me an unlock code.. She tried to play me like i didnt know anything about sim unlocking by telling me my options were buying a new phone down there or letting the charges rack up. Then tried to cut the conversation off short this was in the online chat. But if you keep asking questions and explaining you dont want a new phone or to let them add charges theyll eventually tell you about unlocking your phone and ask for you imei and email then youll have to wait for 2 weeks.
Hope i helped a few people, I tried the method above and it didnt work for me. So i took the longer route that will forsure unlock your phone. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have step by step details in the post mentioned by DupleX01.
- install recovery
- install radio SGH-T989_UVLE1_radio
- unlock the phone
- done
- you can change the radio again (look in the dev area for several radio packages that work with T989) - optional if the phone works well
Here is a direct link to the post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=36417242&postcount=145
Thank mr_guan for his post if it helped.
Firstly, I'll say I'm new to XDA so thanks to all those who offer people like me somewhere to turn to. So, a little back-story, I recently got the root itch after my last ATT upgrade and it would seem it couldn't have come at a worse. For I had just recieved my ATT Galaxy s6 Edge Plus two days prior to being introduced to this site. Needless to say, I put too much effort in finding other devices essentially to "play" (root, flash, etc..) then I should. Which brings me to this...I came across this Sprint HTC 10 still with the plastic on it for a price I couldn't refuse. While trying to go about Unlocking the SIM I've encountered two issues: one being I paid to get an unlock code (actually double due to "high level of security") which ends up saying unlocked from network in a pop up but when I reboot with different carrier SIM, it still says SIMlock Enabled. So, Secondly, I figured try my chances calling Sprint even though I didn't have any of the sellers information. Only to find out, according to her, that phones aren't even elligible to be SIM Unlocked unless they have been active with the carrier for atleast 50 days. I would reallly appreciate if someone could shed light on this and let me know, since I bought it out the box and don't have Sprint, did I just buy an expensive paperweight? Also, if anyone could point in the direction of an effective SIM unlock method, it would be appreciated. And lastly, would rooting it make it easier or expand my options of SIM Unlocking? Thanks for any input.
I haven't tried sim-unlocking this phone but I usually get unlock codes from reputable sellers on eBay. If the code you received doesn't work, I would ask for my money back or ask the seller to help me troubleshoot the issue.
The source seemed to be a reputable and were extremely professional, (HTCunlockingservice.com), and said they got the code straight from Sprint server. I just don't understand why the code won't work. Any knowledge of how factual the service reps statement that if it hasnt been active for 50 days, it cant be unlocked?
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.
Hello. I just got a pixel 3a xl, but it is bootloader locked to T-Mobile, I see Google has a pixel repair tool to reflash the pixel to stock. My question is it asks for your carrier, if I change the carrier to a different carrier that doesn't lock the bootloader will o be able to unlock my bootloader to flash root.
While I could not say for sure, I suspect the answer would be 98 percent no.
Thanks I want to try but it's my only phone and if it is down for a while I have no phone and I need 2FA for work.
If I try I will post here
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk
You cannot unlock it from T-Mobile or unlock the bootloader, even with the flash tool... The flash tool does not/cannot modify that part of the phone, if it was that simple people would be doing it all the time.
Only T-Mobile can unlock the SIM, once that is done you can unlock the bootloader. Your only other option is to go through a 3rd party unlock code service, which can be sketchy according to some people (I have done it a few times without issue though).
I want to verify this.
SO if I buy a used T-Mobile 3a XL that is paid in full, I should be able to get it SIM unlocked by the carrier correct and if its carrier SIM unlocked, I CAN unlock the bootloader?
kdoggy said:
I want to verify this.
SO if I buy a used T-Mobile 3a XL that is paid in full, I should be able to get it SIM unlocked by the carrier correct and if its carrier SIM unlocked, I CAN unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as it is not the Verizon model 3a, then yes. You can bootloader unlock it once it is SIM card unlocked. Only the Verizon models permanently lock the bootloader.
Question 2...
SO lets say I buy a T-Mobile 3a XL and it works fine with a T-M SIM but is SIM locked... Can I pay someone to unlock it and then still unlock the boot loader?
Someone know has a new in the box T-Mobile Pixel 3a XL I can have for $225.00 but its never had service on it and it sounds like it has to be active on T-Mobile AND have had seriver for 40 days to get them to do it.
kdoggy said:
Question 2...
SO lets say I buy a T-Mobile 3a XL and it works fine with a T-M SIM but is SIM locked... Can I pay someone to unlock it and then still unlock the boot loader?
Someone know has a new in the box T-Mobile Pixel 3a XL I can have for $225.00 but its never had service on it and it sounds like it has to be active on T-Mobile AND have had seriver for 40 days to get them to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen unlock services being advertised, but I have also seen people post that they don't work. It would require that someone hacked or has access to the T-Mobile locking software which isn't out of the realm of possibility, so it's possible some services do work.
Hello friends, I need your help! Who can help me raise my brick and make a full backup of my smartphone using qpst?
Update. So I ended up buying a T-Mobile Pixel 4 XL when they went on sale.
Search my name and look at the thread reply I just posted in the Pixel 4 XL forum about T-Mobile unlocking.
I included pictures.
I just purchased a Pixel 4 XL, I'm brand new T-Mobile subscriber, the phone is not paid off and I have it on a lease and I've only been on the service for 4 days.
I currently have the T-Mobile Pixel 4 XL with both a full SIM card unlock and OEM bootloader unlock.
I'm currently running the phone with an AT&T physical SIM and a T-Mobile eSIM.
acejavelin said:
You cannot unlock it from T-Mobile or unlock the bootloader, even with the flash tool... The flash tool does not/cannot modify that part of the phone, if it was that simple people would be doing it all the time.
Only T-Mobile can unlock the SIM, once that is done you can unlock the bootloader. Your only other option is to go through a 3rd party unlock code service, which can be sketchy according to some people (I have done it a few times without issue though).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have any recommendations? I have a brand new Pixel 4 that an online retailer lied about being unlocked & is T-Mobile carrier locked & they're completely unwilling to release the Sim from their network. I'll take the sketchy unlock service. I tried one in ATL friend gave me a number but most only do Samsung's or iPhones for obvious reasons.
---------- Post added at 06:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------
sic0048 said:
As long as it is not the Verizon model 3a, then yes. You can bootloader unlock it once it is SIM card unlocked. Only the Verizon models permanently lock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not just Verizon though right? I heard Sprint does too.
Nightshadex543 said:
Have any recommendations? I have a brand new Pixel 4 that an online retailer lied about being unlocked & is T-Mobile carrier locked & they're completely unwilling to release the Sim from their network. I'll take the sketchy unlock service. I tried one in ATL friend gave me a number but most only do Samsung's or iPhones for obvious reasons.
---------- Post added at 06:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------
Not just Verizon though right? I heard Sprint does too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
sic0048 said:
Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm this. I'm on TMO and I reached out on Twitter and got results. I'm not a big Twitter fan nor do I really use it, but customer services seems to be more in the loop there. I told them that I wanted to try the dev preview of android 11 and I needed to bootloader unlock. For that to happen I needed them to permanently sim unlock my phone. (Technically you can install the preview with a locked BL, but since it's a preview you can't re-flash anything lower or rollback without the BL being unlocked). Hence the dev preview. Anyways, I was polite and truthful about my intentions and they got it sim unlocked, fairly quickly too.
sic0048 said:
Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its bootloaders unlocked I was almost done rooting it but haven't; refrained because I don't want to violate the software warranty incase I need to return it, & find another way to do so for a refund. I called support multiple times same answer, & then Twitter dm'd last night they were again unable to do anything so they say.
They cite "privacy issues" but I know it's a ****ing money grab they don't want to unlock it unless you want to pay for one of their plans & get tied in a contract for a minimum amount of days first & I'm not going to ****ing do that. It's ridiculous to me carriers behave this way. This is why I believe in hacking because you can't trust companies for absolutely ****.
You got results? Look at my next post, can you tell me your secret because they're being serious assholes here. Not a single company involved with this situation is helping at all.
Nightshadex543 said:
You got results? Look at my next post, can you tell me your secret because they're being serious assholes here. Not a single company involved with this situation is helping at all.
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I'm a little confused. You say it's bootloader unlocked and you were about to root it but decided not because of warranty concerns correct?
Typically, whenever you unlock a bootloader your warranty is void then and there. That is in most cases and I assume is the same in this case, though I don't know that for a fact with a TMO Pixel 3a XL. I just assumed it was and most likely is. The reason being is you can flash anything you want, and there is no way to guarantee that whatever has happened to warrant a claim wasn't due to user error or unofficial software. A locked bootloader kind of guarantees that nothing unofficial was flashed and that's why warranties are usually based around their status and why a flag is marked when it is. So even if you re-lock it, the flag still shows it was unlocked at one point.
As for actually unlocking it via TMO, the phone uses a TMO app to actually unlock it. It basically checks your imei against their server to see if it is eligible for unlocking. As for citing privacy concerns, basically you have a TMO phone and no account it seems, and you want it unlocked. For all they know it could be stolen, and as far as proving it's yours legally without any account... probably more than they want to deal with and I'm sure they have liability reasons as well.
All I know is, I've had an account for quite some time. I've bought several phones through them, so no issues. Technically I'm still on installments with this phone, so they could have easily said no, not until it's paid off, but I like to think they said "Oh it's Airwalk... he's cool af, go ahead".
41rw4lk said:
Typically, whenever you unlock a bootloader your warranty is void then and there. The reason being is you can flash anything you want, and there is no way to guarantee that whatever has happened to warrant a claim wasn't due to user error or unofficial software. So even if you re-lock it, the flag still shows it was unlocked at one point.
As for actually unlocking it via TMO, the phone uses a TMO app to actually unlock it. It basically checks your imei against their server to see if it is eligible for unlocking. As for citing privacy concerns, basically you have a TMO phone and no account it seems, and you want it unlocked. For all they know it could be stolen, and as far as proving it's yours legally without any account... probably more than they want to deal with and I'm sure they have liability reasons as well.
All I know is, I've had an account for quite some time. I've bought several phones through them, so no issues.
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Only Sprint & Verizon manufacturers lock the bootloaders of their phones T-Mobile doesn't. TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's too busy with wife & kids to update so flashing is difficult until you root it first unless you feel like doing a tethered through ADB. I know Samsung has the "Knox" & figured it's similar to that. Unless it's tripped it's negligible.
I know how the unlocking app works. Also, It's not stolen my situation is similar to the below it's "super whitelisted" I've had multiple services run the IMEI & it's come back clean. The phone meets all the unlocking criteria of which is being legit paid for is one of them.
They're just not releasing from the network. I need a workaround, I'm not trying to go through an entire claims process & have it sent back when aside from "network lock" it works just fine.
****ing Greedy ass corporations.
Nightshadex543 said:
Only Sprint & Verizon manufacturers lock the bootloaders of their phones T-Mobile doesn't. I'm TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's to busy with wife & kids to update so flashing is difficult until you root it first unless you feel like doing a tethered through ADB. I know Samsung has the "Knox" & figured it's similar to that. Unless it's tripped it's negligible.
I know how the unlocking app works. Also, It's not stolen my situation is similar to the below it's "super whitelisted" I've had multiple services run the IMEI & it's come back clean. The phone meets all the unlocking criteria of which is being legit paid for is one of them.
They're just not releasing from the network. I need a workaround, I'm not trying to go through an entire claims process & have it sent back when aside from "network lock" it works just fine.
****ing Greedy ass corporations.
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Ah, Pixel 4 needs sim unlocked, I was confused because this is 3a XL and I wasn't paying enough attention. I see your frustration now. I don't know about that one, just (bonito) here and it was all easy for me. I suppose that if you don't meet their requirements it's all too easy to just lock you into their script. I can't help you here, sorry. I think you'll just have to be 'that guy' and persist with them. Good luck.
Nightshadex543 said:
TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's too busy with wife & kids to update....
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No quicker way to loose all goodwill and help from people than bad mouthing the generous developers.
Feel free to come up with your own TWRP solution. Until then, STFU.
sic0048 said:
Feel free to come up with your own TWRP solution. Until then, STFU.
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That isn't even the subject of the thread. If you're going to ignore everything else I was saying & completely miss the point to focus on a single cherry-picked remark that triggered you then you can take a hike. Don't respond. Go invest your frustrated energies elsewhere
You know what? Maybe I will take the source code & develop my own unofficial TWRP build for it. Hacking & Technological communities don't just stop because you want to "move on with your life" we still need these tools. You think journalists whistleblowers & Chinese protesters can "do without" Tor?