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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.
Well the S5 is officially in full swing and I still got one year left in my contract, still could've found a way to get the money to upgrade but honestly why bother. I'm still fortunate enough to use Loki and this phones specs very close to the S5. Anyone else here gonna wait for the inevitable S6 next year like me or I'm I gonna be all alone
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Thermalwolf said:
Well the S5 is officially in full swing and I still got one year left in my contract, still could've found a way to get the money to upgrade but honestly why bother. I'm still fortunate enough to use Loki and this phones specs very close to the S5. Anyone else here gonna wait for the inevitable S6 next year like me or I'm I gonna be all alone
Sent from my jflte using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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I am sticking with my S4 for another year or so. Do you have the drop your 2 year contract and get a new device on Next offer? I do and I figured if anything happened I would get the S5 or S6 with that upgrade since it would be the same as paying full price anyway. I'm interested to see what the S6 will have to offer. I am excited about the S5 camera features. I use my phone to do actual photography, to prove that yes it can be done.
This thread will get locked by the mods, or moved, but I'm done with Samsungs on AT&T. Especially with the rumors I hear about ALL phones having a locked bootloader going forward. It would be different if the devs were able to make some semblance of headway with cracking that, so we can just give them the middle-finger ("them" being AT&T, since it's not Samsung's fault we're in this predicament per se). I love the craftsmanship, look, and performance of Samsung, but it's all for naught if I can't customize my phone to my liking.
My next device will be whatever the next Nexus is. No contractual obligations, will work with pretty much any US carrier, and while a hefty investment by comparison to the usual $150 I fork over every 2 years for a new phone, I'll OWN that ***** outright. So many items on the "plus" column to owning a Google device.
It's really a shame that the carriers don't cater to those of us in this community. I won't go as far as to say they'll regret losing sales, because at the end of the day their money is made on the plans, not the phones. Still, there is a certain amount of satisfaction to me in both knowing I have other options for phones while maintaining the provider, as well as not having to abide the ridiculous security measures put in place by the carrier I choose to subscribe to.
It doesn't serve them in any way, except for cutting down on idiots who don't read first before they brick their device.
/endrant
disturbd1 said:
This thread will get locked by the mods, or moved, but I'm done with Samsungs on AT&T. Especially with the rumors I hear about ALL phones having a locked bootloader going forward. It would be different if the devs were able to make some semblance of headway with cracking that, so we can just give them the middle-finger ("them" being AT&T, since it's not Samsung's fault we're in this predicament per se). I love the craftsmanship, look, and performance of Samsung, but it's all for naught if I can't customize my phone to my liking.
My next device will be whatever the next Nexus is. No contractual obligations, will work with pretty much any US carrier, and while a hefty investment by comparison to the usual $150 I fork over every 2 years for a new phone, I'll OWN that ***** outright. So many items on the "plus" column to owning a Google device.
It's really a shame that the carriers don't cater to those of us in this community. I won't go as far as to say they'll regret losing sales, because at the end of the day their money is made on the plans, not the phones. Still, there is a certain amount of satisfaction to me in both knowing I have other options for phones while maintaining the provider, as well as not having to abide the ridiculous security measures put in place by the carrier I choose to subscribe to.
It doesn't serve them in any way, except for cutting down on idiots who don't read first before they brick their device.
/endrant
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I'm on at&t and I'm not going back to samsung but htc will let you unlock the bootloader ,hell they'll even give it to you
my htc one m8 is unlocked,rooted s-off and on at&t
bigcid10 said:
I'm on at&t and I'm not going back to samsung but htc will let you unlock the bootloader ,hell they'll even give it to you
my htc one m8 is unlocked,rooted s-off and on at&t
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This is very promising, I used HTC exclusively before my S3 2 years ago. I love them, but they're hit-or-miss, for sure. This year it's the M8, but with their track-record, another decent HTC phone won't be out until another couple of years or more down the road. Especially with all the changes, moving, and downsizing that company continues to do.
I have a feeling once I own a Nexus device, I won't want to bother with "workarounds" or risky flashing. They seem very solid in the way of reliability after customization.
No more AT&T soon.
I was with AT&T since they were Cingular and I've always liked them. Ever since the bootloader lock bs I've switched to T-Mobile. Unfortunately I still have to use my AT&T GS4 but soon I'll just get a T-Mobile S4 or S5.
I'll be moving to the next nexus phone, hopefully it will be announced at the next conference. HTC comes unlocked if you get the developer edition. I read on the att HTC m8 forum is already been hacked. So you might be able to do an att upgrade and follow the instructions there.
I had the HTC inspire for a while. Till I got the s4. You could go with the international versions of the s5 and get more access. Or the gpe htc m8. But I too, am done with carrier locked phones.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Samsung is Excellent but...
Samsung = Excellent.
Samsung + (place carrier here) = GARBAGE!
Thanks to some swell guys and xda, we're able squeak by on the S4. I won't sit under the table and beg for sraps on the S5 and the same carrier -- if it stays locked down, that's a nonstarter!
The way I choose a phone and what carrier/plan I use has forever changed as long as the "crack down" continues. Call me old fashioned, but I like to own what I buy (like the other 99% of Samsung users) - a phone with no root and a locked bootloader is never yours!
You got another one here sticking with the S4 for another year. Contracts up next year at the end of April, so I'm hoping S6 will be out by the time I upgrade.
Samsung Galaxy S4
Provider: AIO Wireless
Rom: C-RoM v6.1
Kernel: KT-SGS4 v6.9
I plan on getting M8 on ATT and unlocking the bootloader. HTC is kind enough to provide an official way to unlock the bootloader so the bootloader on the carrier version isn't a problem. Samsung on the other hand won't budge, so no more carrier branded Samsung phones for me after the S4. I don't see the S4 bootloader getting unlocked anytime soon, by the time it does get unlocked, everyone would probably be moving onto the S7.
I love my s4 but I am with you on this one. By the time I am eligible to get a new phone project Ara should be commercially available so I will check that out (if I can). Otherwise it will be any phone that has an sd card slot, and does not have any stupid fingerprint reader.
4ndroid99 said:
I plan on getting M8 on ATT and unlocking the bootloader. HTC is kind enough to provide an official way to unlock the bootloader so the bootloader on the carrier version isn't a problem. Samsung on the other hand won't budge, so no more carrier branded Samsung phones for me after the S4. I don't see the S4 bootloader getting unlocked anytime soon, by the time it does get unlocked, everyone would probably be moving onto the S7.
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You could go with the s4 gpe. I sure we will see s5 gpe. I was surprised to see the htc m8 gpe so soon.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Hi all,
I have just ordered an S10e, US model, from Aliexpress and am trying to understand if it will get OTA updates or if I am going to have to flash it. I live in the UK.
Does the update server determine whether to issue the update based on the SIM card that is installed in the phone? If so, will the US model only permit updates to be installed if a SIM card from a supported US carrier is installed, or will any supported carrier do (my carrier in the UK also sells the S10e, although presumably the UK version).
Finally, if it's as simple as having the right SIM card, if I happen to be in the US and borrow or buy a SIM card for a supported network, could I just temporarily install that SIM and wait for the update to be delivered?
Apologies for the newbie questions, any help appreciated.
Thanks
You will probably need to flash it but it's not a big deal. However it's not a good idea to buy Samsung from Aliexpress, it will be 99% some refurbished phone without water resistance, with used battery etc. Non-chinese genuine goods on Ali are rare and so the only reason they sell US phones in China is because they repair or restore cheap broken or used phones and then sell them as new in box with fake seal. Rating doesn't matter as most buyers cannot tell if the phone is new or not. Once you receive the phone try to install Phone Info app from Store and do a refurbishment check + check battery cycles. But even if the phone won't be new you will have hard time making a dispute with the seller because some of them are stating on their pages that the app is not from Samsung and therefore shows "incorrect information".
Thanks for the great advice. I should have known that the price was too good to be true - I've cancelled the order as it hasn't shipped yet.
I don't suppose you happen to know where I can get an S10e at a good price in the UK? Most places are sold out.
Sorry, I'm not from UK, but it seems S10e is being sold out almost everywhere...
Thanks anyway, appreciate all your help.
For future reference for those who might be wondering the same thing, I ended up ordering it from Laptops Direct in the UK for £550.
I got a "renewed" Samsung Galaxy S10e from Amazon.
It was a T-Mobile carrier-unlocked phone that arrived with no SIM card.
As soon as I connected it to my home WiFi, it downloaded and updated itself twice, with the 2 major Android updates, all with no SIM card inserted and no phone number!
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I hope you guys can help me. I should have come to you all first.
I have S22 Ultra Snapdragon Unlocked Verizon SM-S908U1 VZW/XAA/XAA
Still haven't gotten One UI 5.
Tried to get OTA not available. Tried using Smart Switch, nothing. Tried going to Verizon website. They have posted that you can use their upgrade assistant tool. Didn't work.
So I called VZ tech support. They said i should have gotten the update and transferred me to Samsung tech who had me 1st try and reset my apps. The tech told me if that didn't work to call back. Gave me a ticket number to reference.
Well, it didn't. So I call back and the 2nd tech guy didn't even want to attempt to help me. He immediately told me I had to take my phone to a service center. He told me I could go to Best Buy or U Break. At this point my head is about to explode.
I go to Best Buy. They aren't set up yet as a service center. But when I tell the guy what's up, he tells me it's probably a corrupt OS and to take it to U Break and they can fix it.
When I got to U Break, they acted like they had never worked on an unlocked phone before. I told them I wanted to be sure the flashed it with the Unlocked firmware. They looked at me like I had 2 heads. They wanted me to call Samsung clarification. So Samsung said that all the firmware was the same. That it's the carrier that locks it. So I tell U Break to flash the phone. 4 hours later U Break calls me to tell me my phone will not take the One UI 5 flash. Everything if boots, it boots to One UI 4.1. They said they could leave it that way or mark my phone as unrepairable. I call Samsung back. I get told that they will not go by the word of their authorized service center. That to replace the phone, I have to mail it to Samsung for them to inspect. If they deem it unremarkable, they'll send me a replacement. Turnaround time about 2 weeks! Meanwhile I'm without a phone, my only means of communication. Or I can pay $99 deductible and replace it under Samsung Care. A phone that I've only had since June and I just made my 4th payment on, a phone I didn't Break.
I said screw it and picked up my phone and brought it home. Naturally it was wiped.
Now for my issue. Sorry to be so long winded. Just wanted to give you guys the back story.
I start to load my phone and notice that the "code" not sure the correct term, changed from VZW/XAA/XAA to VZW/VZW/XAA. I lost one of my fonts I purchased. And my phone just doesn't seem the same.
I tried to flash the One UI 4.1 XAA OS using Odin and it didn't change anything and I still can't get One UI 5.
Is my phone now locked? What can I do at this point?
Thanks for your help
My daughter's un-rooted, unlocked S22 on Verizon hasn't gotten it yet either. The unlocked versions are generally about a week behind.
1. Only Verizon and T-Mobile branded models have gotten the Android 13 update. The U1 is Unlocked firmware and will probably take a week or so longer. The only way you'd get it now is to flash to T-Mobile or Verizon firmware, which I don't recommend because they're bloated, lack certain Samsung features, and require a wipe when switching. Also, Verizon doesn't release all of its firmwares so you'd have to flash a version of 12, then upgrade.
2. There is NOTHING wrong with your phone. An unlocked phone on VZW will show VZW/VZW/XAA. If it was showing VZW/XAA/XAA, then the CSC (carrier coding) didn't fully change when inserting the SIM card.
3. Be patient, the changes in One UI 5 are minimal and there are possibly bugs. Wait for the stable release.
Guyinlaca said:
1. Only Verizon and T-Mobile branded models have gotten the Android 13 update. The U1 is Unlocked firmware and will probably take a week or so longer. The only way you'd get it now is to flash to T-Mobile or Verizon firmware, which I don't recommend because they're bloated, lack certain Samsung features, and require a wipe when switching. Also, Verizon doesn't release all of its firmwares so you'd have to flash a version of 12, then upgrade.
2. There is NOTHING wrong with your phone. An unlocked phone on VZW will show VZW/VZW/XAA. If it was showing VZW/XAA/XAA, then the CSC (carrier coding) didn't fully change when inserting the SIM card.
3. Be patient, the changes in One UI 5 are minimal and there are possibly bugs. Wait for the stable release
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Not sure why people flipping out over this. Just relax the Unlocked Phones with no Carrier Firmware installed will be last to upgrade. All the Carriers get priority first. It's always been this way.
How has nobody found a solution to this? Surely it's a software thing. You'd have thought some badass member somewhere with enough of a chip on their shoulder against Verizon would have figured a way around this.
Too bad there isn't a bounty for it.
jdkzombie said:
How has nobody found a solution to this? Surely it's a software thing. You'd have thought some badass member somewhere with enough of a chip on their shoulder against Verizon would have figured a way around this.
Too bad there isn't a bounty for it.
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I doubt it is a simple or easy as it being simply a "software thing", and I completely believe it could/would never be done...but @wr3cckl3ss1 is on the case!
you can see a bit of how he's progressing HERE and HERE and HERE
It's unfortunate; this was actually the reason I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile lol. It appears the Verizon variant of the Pixel 6 remained locked all this time so I wouldn't bet on much different with the Pixel 7 :/ Hopefully somebody finds something for those with the VZW variant.
simplepinoi177 said:
I doubt it is a simple or easy as it being simply a "software thing", and I completely believe it could/would never be done...but @wr3cckl3ss1 is on the case!
you can see a bit of how he's progressing HERE and HERE and HERE
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Nice!
Surely it couldn't be a hardware lock!?
Does anyone know how to read and interpret a Magisk log? And can show or tell me what's missing
jdkzombie said:
Nice!
Surely it couldn't be a hardware lock!?
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The issue here is 2 java applets.....nothing hardware.
Too bad we didn't have a Verizon inside agent. Tell us wtf they do to lock it. Because isn't that against Googles Tos? It's sold as an unlock able device.
jdkzombie said:
Too bad we didn't have a Verizon inside agent. Tell us wtf they do to lock it. Because isn't that against Googles Tos? It's sold as an unlock able device.
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It's Verizon that demands it. But it's Google's own code that puts the lock in place...so they're both at fault.
wr3cckl3ss1 said:
It's Verizon that demands it. But it's Google's own code that puts the lock in place...so they're both at fault.
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Weird. Strange that this would still be a thing. Not like the device was cheap to purchase.
My question is why is Verizon so "gung-ho" about it? More than any other carrier (other carriers eventually allow to unlock the bootloader)? I could understand when they used to repair their own devices (so they didn't want the liability and the headaches of when customers messed with the devices); but that's the not the case anymore. Outside of their greedy archaic grasp on tethering and to load unremovable bloatware, I don't know what they have to fear of unlocked bootloaders & root access.
Who knows.
I'm willing to throw money towards a bounty that removes Verizons strangle hold on devices. I don't mind their service, and the signal is good where I live, but I like customization. And I'd love to try some new kernals to change up the CPU scheduler and power plans to stop the phone from bringing the 4 big cores online for casual use.
Just get the unlocked version and use with Verizon service. What's the upside with having the Verizon variant?
Because it's not that simple. You can't swappa sell a phone you're making any payments towards. And the phone is too new for trade in with another carrier of any type.
VZW variants have been locked since the OG Pixel days aside from that small window before taking an OTA you could unlock if it was on a certain version. Sadly I don't see this changing anytime soon and if you want to unlock BL and root get the unlocked version from the Google Store. There's really little incentive buying Pixels from Verizon now. With Pixel Pass and Google Store financing those are good options if you can't drop all the money up front.
Just buy the unlocked model. Some retailers have awesome trade in deals coming from the 6 series or iPhones. It works just as well on Verizon and avoids the 36 month committment.
I hate how Verizon shuts down the option for unlocking the bootloader and rooting, but it is easier to purchase a device from them because your payments will coincide with your regular monthly cell bill, you already pass the credit check when you open an account with them (no need to apply for one with Google Synchrony Financing), and I just went through with this with my wife's phone but unless you qualify enough to cover the Pixel (my wife qualified for the Pixel 7, not the P7P at the storage capacity we wanted), you're stuck paying all (up to $1400 [P7P 512GB w/ 2 year protection & tax]) up front -- where there's virtually no risk of this if you purchase through Verizon (they want to lock you in to years-long contract and you already passed the credit check)! So there's (some of) the benefits....
*but it's still more worth it beyond any of these "benefits" to get it from Google Store unlocked....
Lol. Here's a simple solution. Buy the unlocked version. Who changes carriers because of a bl lock? WTF?
At this point I think we all know that Verizon isn't going to unlock the Bootloader. if you want an unlocked bootloader, it is easier, and more guaranteed to just buy the unlocked version from Google vs trying to find vulnerabilities in the bootloader and having to worry about it being patched each month.
Not sure if this is still in effect, but many years ago, if you purchased an unlocked phone instead of the Verizon branded one, WiFi calling wouldn't work. I'm not sure if there was something missing from the phone that Verizon needed to make it happen, or if Verizon was just screwing over those who purchased unlocked versions.
andygold said:
Not sure if this is still in effect, but many years ago, if you purchased an unlocked phone instead of the Verizon branded one, WiFi calling wouldn't work. I'm not sure if there was something missing from the phone that Verizon needed to make it happen, or if Verizon was just screwing over those who purchased unlocked versions.
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it's working perfectly fine with my device....it also worked with my Pixel 5 (also unlocked variant from Google Store)....