Vzw S3 SIM unlock and new ROM - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III

Hey everyone,
I hope someone can help me out with this problem. Today I moved from our old company carrier AT&T to Verizon and had to replace my GSM unlocked iP 4S. I don't like what Apple is doing at the moment so I went back to Android after couple of years (I had a HTC Desire and a GS2 back in Germany).
I read here on xda that Verizon promised an update to make the S3 global ready but we are still waiting for them to finally release it. First thing I did was putting my German Vodafone SIM in the phone but the lock wouldn't let me use it. I called Verizon Enterprise Support, explained the whole situation and asked them for an unlock code but they claimed the phone won't work in Europe and that's why I wont need a unlock code in the first place. Well I guess I wanted to try the "official" way and now I'm open for more creative approaches to solve this problem - I'm going back to Germany in 10 days and I really want to use this phone.
Is there a way to get an unlock code from Verizon or should I use a 3rd Party website? Is there something I should say or a different number to call? I tried to pull the "Hey we are a big customer and I'm the IT Ops Manager" card but it didn't help. I found a couple of websites that unlock the S3 for 10-20 bucks or so but I don't like the idea of giving someone my IMEI without checking here on xda first.
What happens if I get an unlock code and decide to root the phone and flash CM? Will I keep my unlock or do I have to do the whole process again? I really don't like TouchWiz, the S Apps and all this Verizon Bloat.Hope that someone can help me. Thanks guys.
BB

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1809314 might be helpful.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Just spoke with Verizon Global Services Rep, who was actually really helpful. First off, any 4G phone is "sim-unlocked" by default. I have yet to prove this out, but will tonight, I have a WCDMA pre-paid sim that is still active.
Second, much like previous (major) android releases (GB - ICS last year), the Samsung JB update, should enable global phone capabilities on the Verizon SIII. We should then see the functionality enabled via the various new ROM's (built off OTA release) enabling said functionality.
Third point, which actually makes a lot of sense. He pointed out that many countries now have WCDMA networks as well as GSM, China being the obvious one. Assuming the native unlocked mode is correct, one should be able to purchase as WCDMA pre-paid sim, install and activate on the phone. Verizon Global Services will then set up a call forwarding service that directs all incoming calls to the PP sim number.
He noted that the only global services plans (discounted rates) offered by Verizon at this time are for GSM networks, meaning that even when we get the SW upgrade, roaming and call charges are going to be astronomical. A PP sim is still going to be the best option.
Anyone have any data to counter this??? Will try the sim card tonight and respond back.

Related

[Q] Using AT&T with the Nexus S GT-i9020T?

Using AT&T with the Nexus S GT-i9020T?
Has anyone successfully done this?
I bought this model of the Nexus S recently, and have been really enthusiastic about the build quality of the device. However, actually setting up phone service has presented a few challenges.
I have found nothing but conflicting information about this all over the internet. The official Nexus S manual spec sheet seems to imply that the phone can play either the tri-band or the quad-band game. Some folks report that the phone will work with AT&T but will only allow you to use EDGE and not 3G service. There are websites which say that the phone can be unlocked, however, many posters here on the xda-developers forum say that the phone is always unlocked anyway.
I bought both a T-mobile simcard and an AT&T simcard. The T-mobile one works just great. After inserting the AT&T card, the phone sees the local AT&T cell tower, but when trying to connect, it says "Your sim card does not allow a connection on this network."
I took the phone into an AT&T store this afternoon and the customer service rep replaced my sim card - but the phone acted just the same. He told me that the phone was probably carrier locked - and that I could look for a shop to help me unlock it.
So what can be done? Will T-mobile give me an unlock code? Do I need to buy an unlocking code from some vendor on the internet? I am familiar enough with Linux to edit files on the phone using a hex editor if there's a way to unlock it that way (I read about this method in a conversation on xda-developers.com pertaining to the Galaxy S I9000).
Not sure about unlocking, but I do know the 9020t will only do voice and Edge on At&t.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Hardware is not capable of ATT 3G but all nexus devices should already be sim unlocked. Idk why you're experiencing that issue.
I really doubt the att Rep has any knowledge on the tmo nexus s, but I'm really suspecting att's similar card as the culprit, despite the fact that u replaced it.
Sorry I couldn't be of much help.
Sent from my Nexus S
So... An update on the progress of my quest:
I called T-mobile today (on the phone: "611") where a customer service person tried and failed to authorize the unlock code. She then gave me a service number at Samsung to call: (888) 987 4357. Samsung took the information from me about the cell's phone number and the carrier... and after a bit, bounced me back, saying that I needed to call T-mobile again to see whether I could get them to issue the 8 digit "network control code" which can be derived from the IMEI number.
This time, the T-mobile rep said that she would submit a formal request for me that might take between two days and two weeks to process. She warned me that because I had not had the T-mobile account for 60 days there might be a problem with the approval - but that they might be able to do it, if I offered proof of purchase for the phone (proving that I paid full price for it). She took my email address, my landline number and some other bits of information from me, and promised I'd hear back in a few days.
For those who are interested in all the gory details... here's an update on the hoops I've been trying to jump through:
www . christophervandyck . com / o / node / 412

[Q] [q] d2g + us att sim?

So I've done a large amount of searching, not only on XDA but elsewhere to find a real 'answer' to my question, but I haven't found anything concrete, hence this thread.
I have aquired a Droid 2 Global from VZW for free, and I want to use it with my US ATT SIM, on the US ATT GSM Network.
Things i have done:
- Flashed the phone to the stock OS in order to....
- Flash the radio so it accepts ATT GSM signal
- Aquired the sim unlock code from ATT for my current phone/sim (I'm unclear on exactly what this whole sim unlock process is about, perhaps why I'm asking)
The phone boots, but when I have my SIM inserted, it asks for the unlock code.... What exactly IS it asking for?
The SIM unlock that I recieved from ATT doesn't work.. (I assume this is the unlock for my sim, in my current phone?)
What is the next step, if this is possible? I've looked at getting the phone unlock code via ebay, or one of the piggyback devices like TurboSIM, but I'm unsure what will work, if anything will work?
Help??
Thanks in advance for any info provided
It asks for the unlock code you can get from VZW's Global Support if you are a VZW customer.
Gasai Yuno said:
It asks for the unlock code you can get from VZW's Global Support if you are a VZW customer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, since I'm at ATT customer, how would I go about getting this code? I do have a friend that works for VZW, which is how i got the phone, and he is willing to assist me. Can he provide it?
The phone must be on an active line of service, and the billing history must be clean for the past 6 months.
If your friend works for Global Support, then maybe. If not, I doubt it.
Hmph..
I guess I overestimated the difficulty of getting this to work. It was just another case of having to get the unlock code from the phone itself via IMEI number,and yahtzee, working as I had hoped.
For some reason I had the notion that it was significantly more difficult after reading all of the posts about trying to get other SIMs to work.. but its actually very very straight forward and easy.. it just seemed that nobody had ever really made it clear that a US ATT sim could work on a VZW D2G handset with US ATT service.
Thanks for your input!

SIM Unlock Pin (I don't have it, just an idea)

I was just pre-ordering my Galaxy S3 on VZW and decided to skim the contract. I noticed in one paragraph that they have in writing what code the S3 is defaulted to for SIM unlock and use on another carrier. Now, I am wondering if AT&T was just as kind and put it in our One X contracts? If anyone has theirs handy, or a digital version, check it out. The paragraph in VZW contract said it was defaulted to either "000000" or "123456". I tried generic codes on my One X to no avail, and obviously don't have my SGS3 to test if they were telling the truth! Let me know if you guys find anything!
First of all, you will likely have to call Verizon to get the network unlock code in order for roaming. Unlock code usually is tied to the IMEI number of your phone for GSM phones. Secondly, even if you unlocked your Verizon global phone, you will still not be able to use on AT&T or T-Mobile. You can only use it abroad.
Now, it is possible for newer global phones from Verizon be unlocked use a default code but you will still not be able to use them on other US GSM carriers.
On AT&T, not only you have to ask for the unlock code specfic to your phone, but also AT&T won't give it to you until the new phone is on the martket for 10-month, the so called 'exclusive' period.
foxbat121 said:
First of all, you will likely have to call Verizon to get the network unlock code in order for roaming. Unlock code usually is tied to the IMEI number of your phone for GSM phones. Secondly, even if you unlocked your Verizon global phone, you will still not be able to use on AT&T or T-Mobile. You can only use it abroad.
Now, it is possible for newer global phones from Verizon be unlocked use a default code but you will still not be able to use them on other US GSM carriers.
On AT&T, not only you have to ask for the unlock code specfic to your phone, but also AT&T won't give it to you until the new phone is on the martket for 10-month, the so called 'exclusive' period.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, you are absolutely WRONG because I have a Rezound that works perfectly fine on AT&T without any unlock code, secondly I asked if anyone had seen this on their contract, so you can take your irrelevant post and shove it up your a$$.
Reported
Well this thread went nowhere fast. Most people wont know your answer. You're either going to have to call AT&T or just wait to see if its unlocked already.

[Q] Unlocking a Sprint LG G Flex 2

Today I went to unlock my Sprint LG G Flex 2 after paying it off. Sprint gave me a code (In a form of ##xxxxxx#) to put in via the dialer, but it did not unlock the phone. They are telling me to go to a 3rd party company to unlock it, but I am wondering what you guys think. I know there is quite a few software loopholes that some people have used on the G3 to unlock it, and I am wondering if any exist with the G Flex 2. Heres whats going on
With a Sprint sim the phone stays on Sprint and works no problem
With a Verizon sim it will use the Verizon voice network but it does not get data
With an ATT Sim it goes between "Service Disabled" and 4 bars, but will not make a call or send a text.
With a MetroPCS sim it will not call, text, and stays at service disabled
With a PTel sim it stays at service disabled
From what it looks like to me the phone is not GSM unlocked. Is there any way I can unlock it for GSM use. I know some bands wont be picked up, but I would like to use it on ATT 3G when im out in the countryside where Sprint doesn't have service. From what I know of since the Feb. 11 revision of laws for unlocking devices if the device is in good standing and paid off/contract expired the carrier is supposed to unlock it, but there method is not working for GSM use. I am wondering if anyone knows a way to get there code to work or a software loophole to unlock the SIM slot for GSM use. I am guessing that the phone is receiving att and Metro service because the split second before it goes to service disabled it gets 4 bars and the phone recognizes my phone number. My ATT and Metro APN settings are programmed in already in the roaming area, but there is not an APN settings input in the mobile networks category.
If anyone knows how and if this phone can be unlocked to work with GSM service it would be a great help.
Thanks
Jake
Also, when I use the the Available GSM networks feature under "Roaming>Avalable GSM networks" it always comes up wit "Error searching for networks"
The phone is rooted, could I use unlocking methods from the G3? How much of a risk would I be taking by using methods sourced from another LG phone? To expand upon that I would attempt using methods proven with the g3 or original g flex to try and get it to start running on gsm, I did submit a domestic and international unlock to sprint but all they gave me was a useless MSL code. I need to get this working on at&t or I will have to sell this wonderful phone.
As far as I know they will only unlock it for a Sprint customer who has the line active for 90 days. Unless something is different on the Flex 2 there is no code to enter, I unlocked my HTC One M8 before swapping to the Flex 2 and everything was done on there end. Additionally they state the unlock is only for international use and will not unlock the phone for US carriers although I cant verify if that is true as I don't have a US SIM card to try.
uh60james said:
As far as I know they will only unlock it for a Sprint customer who has the line active for 90 days. Unless something is different on the Flex 2 there is no code to enter, I unlocked my HTC One M8 before swapping to the Flex 2 and everything was done on there end. Additionally they state the unlock is only for international use and will not unlock the phone for US carriers although I cant verify if that is true as I don't have a US SIM card to try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is fully paid off, it was used for less than a month. In the USA there is a law that was passed on February 11th 2015 stating that all carriers must be able to unlock there phones for domestic service (DSU) as far as I know sprint does not seem to follow that, and makes it dang hard to do anything. I was able to get texts working, and data, but I cannot call or receive mms, anyone have any ideas on why that might be. I would like to try and get both working, and I will put in the work for going into the root and trying to get the bands unlocked for AT&T, if anyone can confirm that it is not a gigantic threat to the phone by attempting it, I would make a backup before, but my last experience with a Verizon S3 + Easy unlocker bricked my phone, and although I got it recovered it was no fun.
Rooted...
You stated that the phone is rooted, was the phone rooted when you attempted the unlock? If so, I would suggest restoring the phone to fully stock via the files supplied by Malxce and method described in cairui505's thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/g-flex2/help/ls996-tot-t3094660
I have used it and it works great. After that I would attempt the unlock as Sprint suggested and follow any further problems with Sprint tier 2 technical support. I'm sorry, I don't have the number handy but I'm sure Google will assist. Tier 2 support has a great deal more knowledge and capability than the store or tier 1 personnel. You are correct that they are required by law to unlock the phone at the users request but they will not make it easy and unlocking the phone doesn't change it's hardware capabilities. I'm just not sure if there is an underlying and limiting hardware difference between the carriers versions that would prevent proper activation on another carrier. The law requires that they unlock the unit, not include the hardware to port to other networks.
How would the phone being rooted stop it from being unlocked? I ask because I bought a used phone from ebay that's already internationally unlocked, I've been given the msl code multiple times by tech support, and as I've just discovered it's been rooted.

Verizon HTC ONE M8 to work in Canada?

Hello all, I have an HTC One M8 that I bought while working in the US for a year. I am back in Canada and want to use it with Rogers or Bell doesn't matter who. I thought it was unlocked so I could use with anything but apparently I was miss-guided.
When I put in a Rogers SIM card it says SIM from Unknown Source or something along those lines. When I go into about in settings I can see that it picks up the signal for rogers and also shows my cell phone number. I'm guessing there is some sort of way I can make this thing work here?
Can I overwrite the ROM and put a Rogers ROM in? I have no clue. This is about as far as I get with phone tech.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi!
Verizon M8 is sold "internationally unlocked", so Verizon customers can use it everywhere in the world: not just the CDMA networks (Verizon's) but also in GSM networks (most widely spread standard). I live in Spain and mine works in a GSM/LTE network perfectly and it does too in France, Germany or Italy.
For your mobile to work in Canada, you have to make sure your phone is sim unlocked. If you purchased it to verizon you can ask them to remotely unlock it, as you've paid for it, and they will. They may take some time, but they will. Once it is sim unlocked, you will be able to use it with any other operator's sim.
Note that, even when it is sim unlocked (and functional), you may be receiving a notification of "unknown sim" when the phone starts and an icon in the tray. It's just a software issue, as it will work, but to make it dissapear you have to do much more complicated things (unlock the bootloader, get root privileges) and i'm not sure it is worth if you're not familiarized with these sort of things.

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