Hey folks,
I just lost a phone (again) and that was my back up, so I have the Galaxy S 4G I bought used a long time ago and apparently the IMEI is blocked and has the small "x" where the signal bars used to be.
I already tried unlocking it doing both method of the "AROMA Edition" from the S 4G section, and still the same. The unlock code doesn't seem to work. Are there any other methods of unlocking the IMEI?
I'm running team acid's ICS 4.0.4
Thanks!!
supercho said:
Hey folks,
I just lost a phone (again) and that was my back up, so I have the Galaxy S 4G I bought used a long time ago and apparently the IMEI is blocked and has the small "x" where the signal bars used to be.
I already tried unlocking it doing both method of the "AROMA Edition" from the S 4G section, and still the same. The unlock code doesn't seem to work. Are there any other methods of unlocking the IMEI?
I'm running team acid's ICS 4.0.4
Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1st: This is a developer forums. Next time use the Q&A forums.
2nd: What you are asking is illegal in most countries, and against XDA rules.
3rd: To answer your question, if the thread didn't get deleted before you can
see the answer, you have two options (Both are illegal, since it involves tampering with IMEI number).
Option 1: Use NS Pro, Z3X tool box..etc! to change your IMEI number. Expensive
and it is over $100 to buy the box and cables.
Option 2: Erase your IMEI number and make it all Zero's 0, your phone will work,
and you will have signal, but most likely you will have 3g or weak data or no 4g at all. To do this, first backup your NV just in case you want to return to original. Read what is in the spoiler button below..
==========================
-=For educational Purposes Only=-
==========================
I didn't try this, but other users tried this on other galaxy phones and worked.
Make sure you are using stock rom (heimdall or odin). Using the dialer:
input: *#197328640# then go to COMMON, NV REBUILD (you can do backup here)
Choose Erase three partitions (Not a typo) then reboot.
if the above didn't work, just erase the NV_Data.bin manually using root explorer
and reboot.
Another option would be using QPST/QXDM (qualcomm tools). Search...
BACKUP FIRST..
Rebel_X said:
1st: This is a developer forums. Next time use the Q&A forums.
2nd: What you are asking is illegal in most countries, and against XDA rules.
3rd: To answer your question, if the thread didn't get deleted before you can
see the answer, you have two options (Both are illegal, since it involves tampering with IMEI number).
Option 1: Use NS Pro, Z3X tool box..etc! to change your IMEI number. Expensive
and it is over $100 to buy the box and cables.
Option 2: Erase your IMEI number and make it all Zero's 0, your phone will work,
and you will have signal, but most likely you will have 3g or weak data or no 4g at all. To do this, first backup your NV just in case you want to return to original. Read what is in the spoiler button below..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your inputs and secrets!! I didn't want to be in this situation, I just bought the wrong phone.
I am aware this was illegal (after I bought the used phone) but not against the XDA rules, since I thought it was the same as carrier unlocking.
I will try.....thanks!
BTW: What is NV?
Can I do option 2 with any version installed or does it have to be the factory reset version?
supercho said:
BTW: What is NV?
Can I do option 2 with any version installed or does it have to be the factory reset version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NV: I believe it is a nonvolatile memory (similar to the bios memory for PC)
The files are stored in a special partition, usually not touched by flashing custom
roms.
Since the process of dealing with this have high risk (bricking your phone, hence I don't want to be responsible for anything) I suggest you to search the forums or use google.
For option 2: you have to be on stock based firmware (gingerbread, rooted is ok) as long as you have the original Touchwiz dialer. AOSP roms can't handle MMI codes except maybe the famous *#06# to show the imei number.
At this point, you are on your own. Good luck. :good:
Thanks!!
Rebel_X said:
1st: This is a developer forums. Next time use the Q&A forums.
2nd: What you are asking is illegal in most countries, and against XDA rules.
3rd: To answer your question, if the thread didn't get deleted before you can
see the answer, you have two options (Both are illegal, since it involves tampering with IMEI number).
Option 1: Use NS Pro, Z3X tool box..etc! to change your IMEI number. Expensive
and it is over $100 to buy the box and cables.
Option 2: Erase your IMEI number and make it all Zero's 0, your phone will work,
and you will have signal, but most likely you will have 3g or weak data or no 4g at all. To do this, first backup your NV just in case you want to return to original. Read what is in the spoiler button below..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One last thing, while doing option 2, should my activated T-Mo sim card be inserted in the phone the whole time?
supercho said:
One last thing, while doing option 2, should my activated T-Mo sim card be inserted in the phone the whole time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The process wouldn't hurt the SIM card. Whether it is there or not same thing.
Just want to clear this up for future readers, carrier unlocking is not the same as getting the IMEI number. The carrier unlock code can be gotten from T-Mobile directly and you can unlock the phone that way.
Changing your IMEI is not condoned or endorsed by any carrier. It's possible on the Galaxy S line of phones (we had someone who claimed to be able to on this forum before).
Related
Hi guys,
This is my very first post and Glaxay Gio(S5660M) is my very first android phone!
I got this phone brand new from Bell. Wanted to unlock it to use on Rogers. Found out that the phone doesn't register any valid IMEI!
I press *#06# and IMEI shows up blank. The same happens when I go to setting->Phone status->IMEI. Nothing is there. The box and the lable underneath the battery show a valid IMEI number but nothing is registered INSIDE the phone.
Now, I tried a Bell SIM card and the phone works fine. But no luck with any other SIM card. How is it possible to operate a cell phone without IMEI?
Is it still possible for me to root and flash this phone to original Samsung firmware?
I have no experience in rooting or flashing but I don't mind trying the methods explained in this forum.
Please advise.
Cheers,
Seems you used the STL5 method to get the unlock code. That method is out of date and causes a large percentage of corrupt EFS. There's no known way to restore it right now; you have to take it back to your shop and act dumb.
Welcome to forums
Thread moved to Q&A due to it being a question. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.
Failure to comply with forum rules will result in an infraction and/or ban depending on severity of rule break.
This phone is brand new. It was never activated through Bell Canada nor was it unlocked or tampered with.
I believe the IMEI is there but Bell's firmware blockes it from being displayed before activation. Is it possible?
I called Bell and they said I should activate the phone, then their system loads the new phone number and the IMEI into the phone so I can use it.
Now, with a valid IMEI in the system, I can go ahead and unlock the phone using tested methods, right?
Please advise.
Could someone please help me out here?
This phone is prepaid by Bell Canada. The phone is not activated by Bell so there is no phone number associated with it. It is brand new.
I check the lock status of the phone and all gategories show as "OFF" but it does not work with any SIM card except Bell!
IMEI shows as two small empty boxes. No number or anything. Eveything else looks fine. All apps run well.
Now, what should I do? Can I root, flash and put the official firmware on it? Is it possible to do so? Some say the EFS is corrupted if no IMEI is showing. But how come the phone works with Bell SIM card?
Please help!
So I used to DesignGears method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1672284 to successfully unlock my bootloader so I could install a custom ROM (CleanROM). Now I'm trying to unlock my SIM but after putting in my IMEI into CellUnlocker.net I got an e-mail saying that the first database returned a negative for my IMEI. Did unlocking the bootloader change my IMEI to something that would prevent me from unlocking my SIM and not change it back? Did I need to do them in a different order? Just concerned because I'm traveling out of the country tomorrow and need to get my SIM unlocked prior to leaving.
akates said:
So I used to DesignGears method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1672284 to successfully unlock my bootloader so I could install a custom ROM (CleanROM). Now I'm trying to unlock my SIM but after putting in my IMEI into CellUnlocker.net I got an e-mail saying that the first database returned a negative for my IMEI. Did unlocking the bootloader change my IMEI to something that would prevent me from unlocking my SIM and not change it back? Did I need to do them in a different order? Just concerned because I'm traveling out of the country tomorrow and need to get my SIM unlocked prior to leaving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. *#06# check your imei match your box
2. use the imei on your box to check on with cellunlocker.net
if those two doesn't match then...it changed your imei...else
if you can't get a unlock code with the imei on your box...it's some other issue lol...two people in general section had the same problem..
niceppl said:
1. *#06# check your imei match your box
2. use the imei on your box to check on with cellunlocker.net
if those two doesn't match then...it changed your imei...else
if you can't get a unlock code with the imei on your box...it's some other issue lol...two people in general section had the same problem..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So don't have the box with me (it's at home) and I've removed the sticker so I'll have to check later. Do you know if the IMEI is changed during the bootloader unlocking process? If it did, can I use the IMEI on the box for cellunlocker.net even if that doesn't match one in my phone? I'm guessing the unlock code was hard coded to the original IMEI so even if my IMEI has changed, the unlock code that cellunlocker.net would provide should still work?
The unlock process doesn't change IMEI.
gunnyman said:
The unlock process doesn't change IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The process of supercid may tho
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
It hasn't so far. Well the unlock without htc dev method does but you're supposed to change it back after.
Well I used the process that included HTC Dev. I first used Spoof-CID.bat to get the token that I then input on the HTC Dev site. They sent me my unlock_code.bin. If this doesn't change my IMEI, then why wouldn't it be working through cellunlocker? I really need this unlocked before tomorrow morning.
akates said:
Well I used the process that included HTC Dev. I first used Spoof-CID.bat to get the token that I then input on the HTC Dev site. They sent me my unlock_code.bin. If this doesn't change my IMEI, then why wouldn't it be working through cellunlocker? I really need this unlocked before tomorrow morning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Until you match the IMEI reported by the phone with what's on the Box, we can't know how to assist you.
It would make sense for that partition to contain your imei as well.
You're going to have to find a method to write back the backup on your sd card
The method you used made a backup of the partition before it changed it
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Another user posted on here that he tried unlocking the SIM through several different online services. They all reported that the IMEI was too new, and he would need to wait until the IMEI database was updated. Might be your issue as well.
I agree you need to just check your IMEI with what is on the box. The numbers and bar codes on the sticker are also on the hBoot screen, so you can check that also. Don't think that will change if you screw with the IMEI.
Nevermind
superchilpil said:
It would make sense for that partition to contain your imei as well.
You're going to have to find a method to write back the backup on your sd card
The method you used made a backup of the partition before it changed it
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe everything was wiped from my SD Card when I formatted everything prior to installing CleanROM. Now I'm really worried that this is a big issue, but as gunnyman said, I guess I need to just wait and see what my box says my IMEI is.
What I don't understand is even if my IMEI changed, wouldn't my unlock code already have been hard coded based upon my original IMEI, so if I used that (assuming it's different) in cellunlocker, I would think my phone would accept the unlock code? Does changing the IMEI in the phone change the unlock code as well?
akates said:
I believe everything was wiped from my SD Card when I formatted everything prior to installing CleanROM. Now I'm really worried that this is a big issue, but as gunnyman said, I guess I need to just wait and see what my box says my IMEI is.
What I don't understand is even if my IMEI changed, wouldn't my unlock code already have been hard coded based upon my original IMEI, so if I used that (assuming it's different) in cellunlocker, I would think my phone would accept the unlock code? Does changing the IMEI in the phone change the unlock code as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends if your imei is also hard coded elsewhere
It's all speculation at this point
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
superchilpil said:
Depends if your imei is also hard coded elsewhere
It's all speculation at this point
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if it helps at all, the IMEI shown in HBOOT with the barcodes matches the *#06# number. Don't know if that's recoded. Guess I sit nervously until I get home to see if it matches that box. Not sure whether I hope it's the same or different, because if it's the same there is no explanation for why I can't get my unlock code!
Appreciate all the help and I'll chime back in once I check it with the box.
akates said:
Not sure whether I hope it's the same or different, because if it's the same there is no explanation for why I can't get my unlock code!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except for the explanation that I already gave.
See here also: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1808263
redpoint73 said:
Except for the explanation that I already gave.
See here also: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1808263
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. I guess what I meant to say is there is no fix for me by tomorrow if that's the case.
I am having an similar issue with my One X. I probably should have tried to sim unlock it before messing with the phone but its too late now.
What I mean by messing with: Unlocked bootloader, flashed kernel and installed new rom. After doing that I went to cellularunlocker.net for a code. They gave me a code with didn't work (ultimately got a refund). The very next day I got a friend who has AT&T to get the code. Turns out its the SAME UNLOCK CODE that the website gave me. Now I'm at my wits end.
Can someone please help me. I need this working before I go on vacation in a few days...
id like to say iI solved both issues from the previous thread, battery had a small tear in the ribbon causing intermittent connection issues so here's the questions
1. I plan on doing the sim card mod to this unit and was wondering how the mod functioned in the states and what software/boot loader unlocking and or carrier unlocking can be done to accomplish this?
2. I attempted to unlock the boot loader last night and the Motorola website claims the unit is not unlockable the phone is from sprint and it is a photon q late, anyone else have unlocking issues?
3. I am no stranger to hardware modding, but am a ccomparative noob when it comes to boot loader unlocker and or carrier unlocking so advice in this area would be helpful as well, are they different or the same thing?
i
2. I attempted to unlock the boot loader last night and the Motorola website claims the unit is not unlockable the phone is from sprint and it is a photon q late, anyone else have unlocking issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the only thing I can legitimately comment on. I just unlocked my replacement Photon and it took about 7 times of entering the adb id code into the Motorola site to actually get it right. :
- The fact that there are around 22 0's in a row doesn't help, double check your entry a few
- omit anything that isn't a single letter, number, etc (can't remember if they use symbols). The [info] or I think [bootloader] before each line, any spaces, etc.
- save your id and the email with your unlock code. Not sure if you'll need it but you never know
Morecrabs said:
2. I attempted to unlock the boot loader last night and the Motorola website claims the unit is not unlockable the phone is from sprint and it is a photon q late, anyone else have unlocking issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i got that same before, i ty many times and allways without success, but there is a motorola unlocking tool http://phandroid.com/2013/04/09/motorola-bootloader-unlock-2/ (download link on the bottom)
you must have root , unknow surces checked on and phone in debuging mode after you press run.bat from unziped file
regards
ok so i was able to acheive root, Fixed the bump shutoffs and fixed the fastboot dropping out issues, and actually managed to unlock the bootloader but now im planning on doing the Cornholio's sim card mod and want to know what software should be flashed b4 i mod the sim slot to flush out the old sprint garabage, also i noticed Cornholio mentioned that the "NV" needed editing to make the unit useable on GSM in the USA networks soo any further info would be very helpful
ok so i messed something up, got cmrcovery installed, an attempted to flash a custom rom, and well, it didnt work, it aborted half way though the installation and left me kinda cold, I can boot into CWM recovery but thats about it soo since this is my first attempt at all this I could use alil direction on how to correct this lil fubar anyone got any Advice?
Edit So phones now fixxed and booting again, Have Cwm version 6013 got the Stable version of cwm and the rom installed correctly and booted So heres the Question Of the Day, how Do i Edit the NV to get this sucker Usable On USA GSM NEtworks?
Same question! i have the hard mod and software mod done but it need to NV edit so that i can have it work on gsm networks with at&t.
Morecrabs said:
ok so i messed something up, got cmrcovery installed, an attempted to flash a custom rom, and well, it didnt work, it aborted half way though the installation and left me kinda cold, I can boot into CWM recovery but thats about it soo since this is my first attempt at all this I could use alil direction on how to correct this lil fubar anyone got any Advice?
Edit So phones now fixxed and booting again, Have Cwm version 6013 got the Stable version of cwm and the rom installed correctly and booted So heres the Question Of the Day, how Do i Edit the NV to get this sucker Usable On USA GSM NEtworks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ryant-182 said:
Same question! i have the hard mod and software mod done but it need to NV edit so that i can have it work on gsm networks with at&t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You created a thread specifically for this question, which I answered. Why are you posting the same question in other threads?
the answere you gave me was for a different phone, after looking around alot of people were saying it would not work on photon and would brick the phone, I wanted to look around and get other people's advice. Thank you for the answer, if i cant find any other option i will try that method regurdless of risk.
arrrghhh said:
You created a thread specifically for this question, which I answered. Why are you posting the same question in other threads?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ryant-182 said:
the answere you gave me was for a different phone, after looking around alot of people were saying it would not work on photon and would brick the phone, I wanted to look around and get other people's advice. Thank you for the answer, if i cant find any other option i will try that method regurdless of risk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If someone says that NV item 8322 edit does not work to enable US GSM network usage on Photon 4G (MB855 - NVIDIA Tegra 2 based device), then he's right.
But in the case of Photon Q 4G LTE (XT897 - Qualcomm MSM8960 based device), which is relevant in this forum, the NV item 8322 edit indeed works.
It has been already confirmed by numerous posts in here.
All Motorola MSM8960 devices introduced in 2012 are very similar and the NV item 8322 edit is proved to be the way to unlock the access to US GSM networks on all US carrier specific moto_msm8960 models. Photon Q is no exception in this regard.
You also need to use fsg.mbn from Atrix HD, older 4.1.1. Otherwise it will not work. Then in QPST you have to disable automated switch to CDMA. Tested personally & working.
I've thought about it for a while and decided to share the experience.
DO NOT flash Magisk for root access on Mediapad x2.
I was on B206 stock and decided to use Magisk for a change. I flashed Magisk v.16.0 in TWRP. When I first booted up, I encountered a SIM NCK unlock situation, which required me to input an NCK unlock code. I chose ignore and still booted into the system, but my phone didn't connect to any phone service. It was only good for emergency call. I turned on and off sim card service couple of times, suddenly everything worked.
It was only after that I found out I had only one set of IMEI left. Now the IMEI serial numbers become#1: normal IMEI and #2: 00000000000.
The Magisk cost me one set of IMEI. I googled and googled, and found out other two cases like me. Smeone also owned a huawei device, flashed Magisk, and encountered NCK unlock and lost their IMEI,
I have no way to recover my 2nd IMEI. I didn't keep my phone package. I don't know the 2nd IMEI numbers. HCU repair tools requires you to have your own IMEI so you can key in during the repairing process.
Anyway, my phone still works. Just only one set of IMEI left. That makes it soft bricked and becomes a single sim card device.
Word of experience: don't try Magisk on mediapad x2 unless you have your IMEI backup before trying.
Hey there! I'm here to back this story up. I tried to Flash Magisk on B206, but I lost my IMEI as well. Connecting it to the computer still shows the IMEI1, but in the settings is shows 0000000000.
On top of that, I had to deal with a sudden SIM lock. This was fixed using DC unlocker and paying 4e for them to Sim unlock it.
I tried returning to a backup, to the original stock Rom, but nothing recovered it.
Good for others to be aware of this issue!
Thatgrass said:
Hey there! I'm here to back this story up. I tried to Flash Magisk on B206, but I lost my IMEI as well. Connecting it to the computer still shows the IMEI1, but in the settings is shows 0000000000
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I am curious. How do you connect to computer and show your IMEI? I don't even know what my second IMEI is. It would be nice to know if I can see it in the computer.
iamhcg said:
Hi, I am curious. How do you connect to computer and show your IMEI? I don't even know what my second IMEI is. It would be nice to know if I can see it in the computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would not get you hopes up. With a problem called HCU client I was able to show my IMEI on the PC with my phone connected in manufacturing mode. For restoring/editing anything an account is required, but you can shoe it there. I don't know for sure about DC unlocker.
hey there. i feel you. also did this and lost my imei. funny enough theres only one imei on the box. hcu can still detect that one so you should try reading your phone info with that tool. also tried everything.
i luckily today found some nvram partition backups and am trying to restore them. will report back...
Not sure if this is what you guys are trying to achieve, but both of your IMEI numbers can be seen if you go to Settings -> About Phone. It's as simple as that but again not sure if this is what you guys are trying to accomplish.
Please use the QUOTE feature when replying to me to get my attention. Thanks!
g.moggel said:
hey there. i feel you. also did this and lost my imei. funny enough theres only one imei on the box. hcu can still detect that one so you should try reading your phone info with that tool. also tried everything.
i luckily today found some nvram partition backups and am trying to restore them. will report back...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. I am seriously thinking about buying credit and salvaging my 2nd IMEI. It still runs without any problem with only one set though.
E--Man said:
Not sure if this is what you guys are trying to achieve, but both of your IMEI numbers can be seen if you go to Settings -> About Phone. It's as simple as that but again not sure if this is what you guys are trying to accomplish.
Please use the QUOTE feature when replying to me to get my attention. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. The about phone section only shows correct IMEIs when the nvram partition is still intact. In our case, it's ruined.
Okay, guys. So here comes the update. I bought 8 credits and gave hcu client a try. Unfortunately, it still couldn't identify my 2nd IMEI. I think it's just gone. However, I remembered I once posted a screenshot of my about phone when I was making a tutorial about downgrading. I still keep that screenshot in one of my folders on PC. I located that screenshot and found my second IMEI. I used HCU client to write my IMEI back. So now my phone is all back. That's amazing.
I can now confirm that HCU client works but you have to have your IMEI numbers at hand.
** you need to flash back to STOCK RECOVERY before you start the process. This is very important. **
By the way, I am not sure if this is okay to do so. (I mean I am not sure if it's violating any regulations.) But before I could find my 2nd IMEI, I was thinking about using a backup phone's IMEI if it was necessary. I am not gonna use the old phone anyway. Luckily, I found the right one.
Did you try this?
https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-18443.html
ajsmsg78 said:
Did you try this?
https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-18443.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, somehow the dc-unlocker cannot detect my Mediapad x2. I am sure all of the drivers are installed. But HCU client works for me.
iamhcg said:
Hi, somehow the dc-unlocker cannot detect my Mediapad x2. I am sure all of the drivers are installed. But HCU client works for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I lost both my IMEI's as well but I'm not sure if my Sims work because I don't have a working one that I can put in the X2. I did retrieve one of my IMEI's from my Google Account history.
If you can't find your IMEI numbers, pull off the bottom plastic cover on your phone (just use your nail and pry it off) your IMEI numbers are in a sticker underneath it.
Hi All,
Been at this for several hours today and feeling a bit frustrated. Here's the context.
I bought a used Verizon Galaxy Note 10 and took it to another country.
I arrived and put a sim card in *(the phone is intended to stay here)
4G signal appeared and text messages came in
Phone blocked signal and said "sorry, your device cannot be activated on another Network right now" then it says to call Verizon.
I call Verizon and ask how to unlock.
After transferring to multiple agents, the answer is that the phone is not locked in their system and that upon inserting a SIM from another carrier, I should be prompted to put in a code and it will be "00000000" to unlock the phone
The phone never presents this option and is perpetually unable to activate because of this sim lock.
At this point, I started reading up on how I could get around this and settled on using odin to flash firmware for a different carrier and maybe having to flash the SM-N970U1 packages because that should allow me to have different stock firmware.
So I proceed to download various different images.
Here is the TMB image for SM-N970U that I downloaded:
https://samfw.com/firmware/SM-N970U/TMB/N970USQU6FUBH
I also figured maybe I would be able to flash the verizon base image and get around this lock:
https://samfw.com/firmware/SM-N970U/VZW/N970USQU6FUCD
So then I proceed to use Odin3_v3.14.4 and place all of the 4 files in their corresponding fields in odin. The file list is as follows for one of the packages:
BL_N970USQU6FUD9_CL21599467_QB39871099_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5
AP_N970USQU6FUD9_CL21599467_QB39871099_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT_meta_OS11.tar.md5
CP_N970USQU6FUD9_CP19049000_CL21599467_QB39871099_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5
CSC_OMC_OYN_N970UOYN6FUD9_CL21599467_QB39871099_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5
I click start, the phone is recognized and then the flashing appears to occur successfully until it says pass at the end.
I reboot the phone and I notice right away that the signal is present, but then disappears and as the phone initializes the VERIZON message appears again.
Immediately I'm thinking, ok, I've just reflashed it with the TMobile image but the phone boots and says verizon and the sim lock is still there, so I probably didn't do something right.
So I factory reset, try again, no changes, I try adding the USERDATA and it also does nothing different.
At this point I'm willing to try the U1 firmware, so I download from here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/n970u-and-n970u1-firmware-links-here.3957705/
But when I run the odin flash, I get model mismatch, yet the thread says they're compatible as U1 is just the samsung unlocked version. so I try the odin patch b found here:
https://odindownload.club/download/197/Odin3-v3.14.1-3B-PatcheD.zip
And it fails to write.
I am in desperate need of help as I've been unable to find more specific information, typically in threads people may say they've resolved the issue, but then they don't actually indicate what steps they took, or any of the details surrounding the resolution. If I can get help getting this resolved, I can document the exact steps i've taken in explicit detail so that others can follow them and achieve the same result.
Update:
Downloaded FRIJA to get the latest firmware, am going to explore doing a nand erase and repartition, followed by flashing tmobile firmware to see if that gets around it.
following:
https://technastic.com/odin-nand-erase-samsung/
@4rg3ntum
Flashing a (custom) ROM on an Android phone doesn't give one SIM unlock because the SIM lock stuff is in a separate ROM chip that is not part of the normal phone storage, AFAIK the SIM lock is stored in the Radio NVRAM, but I may err as always ...
Verizon has a 6 month unlock policy. if the phone is free of debt and older than 6 months it should be automatically unlocked. phone them, you bought the phone in good faith.
jwoegerbauer said:
@4rg3ntum
Flashing a (custom) ROM on an Android phone doesn't give one SIM unlock because the SIM lock stuff is in a separate ROM chip that is not part of the normal phone storage, AFAIK the SIM lock is stored in the Radio NVRAM, but I may err as always ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I am thinking of wiping the NVRAM and just re-partitioning. Then I'll flash a non-verizon system onto it. Could be that this resolves it.
Thoughts?
3mel said:
Verizon has a 6 month unlock policy. if the phone is free of debt and older than 6 months it should be automatically unlocked. phone them, you bought the phone in good faith.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I spent 2 hours on the phone with them and spoke to 3 different representatives. They all confirmed the phone was not locked in their system. I read it was 60 day unlock policy.
4rg3ntum said:
I spent 2 hours on the phone with them and spoke to 3 different representatives. They all confirmed the phone was not locked in their system. I read it was 60 day unlock policy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With AT&T they give you requested then they gave you an unlock code, it's not automatic. At least it was like this a few years back.
4rg3ntum said:
I spent 2 hours on the phone with them and spoke to 3 different representatives. They all confirmed the phone was not locked in their system. I read it was 60 day unlock policy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry yeah, 60 days is the right period.
jwoegerbauer said:
@4rg3ntum
Flashing a (custom) ROM on an Android phone doesn't give one SIM unlock because the SIM lock stuff is in a separate ROM chip that is not part of the normal phone storage, AFAIK the SIM lock is stored in the Radio NVRAM, but I may err as always ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this appears to be true.
I loaded up ADB and turned on USB debugging and started passing shell commands through and found these files in the system with nvram in the name:
/sys/module/dhd/parameters/nvram_path
/vendor/firmware/nvram.txt_ES03_semco_b0
/vendor/firmware/nvram.txt_1rh_es13_b0
/vendor/firmware/nvram.txt_CS01_semco_b1
/vendor/firmware/nvram.txt_ES02_semco_b0
/vendor/firmware/nvram.txt_1rh_es43_b1
/vendor/firmware/nvram.txt_1rh_es41_b1
/vendor/firmware/nvram.txt_1rh_es32_b0
/vendor/firmware/nvram.txt_ES00_semco_b0
/vendor/firmware/nvram.txt_ES01_semco_b0
/vendor/firmware/nvram.txt_1rh_es12_b0
/vendor/firmware/nvram.txt_1rh_es42_b1
/vendor/firmware/nvram.txt_1rh_es11_b0
Makes me wonder if the value for locked/unlocked is editable in one of those files.
a sample of what is in the /vendor/firmware/nvram.txt_ES03_semco_b0 file:
### RSDB mode Parameters(Both core are active)
## 2g normal:15dB airplane:14dB
#slice/1/grip_rsdb_dynsar_2g=0xbcbc
#slice/1/grip_rsdb_dynsar_2g_2=0xb8b8
## 5g normal:13dB airplane:12dB
#grip_rsdb_dynsar_5g=0xb4b4
#grip_rsdb_dynsar_5g_2=0xb0b0
#
### FCC Mode: 10dB
#slice/1/fccpwrch12=0x28
#slice/1/fccpwrch13=0x28
In any case I have an issue that I can't seem to resolve. Every guide I have found about how to change carrier firmware is pretty straightforward. Yet when I flash the firmware successfully through odin for say, the sprint version of the phone, upon reboot, in about phone still says VZW, which basically tells me the phone isn't actually flashing.
I need to understand why I can't seem to get it to have another carrier's firmware. What am I doing wrong?
jwoegerbauer said:
@4rg3ntum
Flashing a (custom) ROM on an Android phone doesn't give one SIM unlock because the SIM lock stuff is in a separate ROM chip that is not part of the normal phone storage, AFAIK the SIM lock is stored in the Radio NVRAM, but I may err as always ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I can edit this with ADB?
I have seen several forums where people with the same error message simply flashed another carriers firmware onto the phone and were able to get around it.
Here is someone saying they tried the U1 firmware and it gave them the option to put in an unlock code:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/is-verizon-locking-s10.3908683/post-80813873
Every time I try to flash the U1 firmware odin tells me model mismatch.
Update:
I flashed the latest available ATT version of U1 firmware from here:
https://samfw.com/firmware/SM-N970U1/ATT/N970U1UEU6FUDA
Using Odin patch 3B downloaded from here:
https://www.droidmirror.com/downloading/download-odin3_v3-13-1_3b_patched-zip
Having tried many U firmware + USERDATA from different carriers and never was able to get it to say anything other VZW in the about phone section.
By going to the U1 version I was able to get the unlock code portion to pop up when inserting the sim card, the phone also claims it's model number is SM-N970U1 instead of SM-N970U now.
The code Verizon gave me on the phone 0000 0000 flat out DOESN'T work. I called again today and they had their manager use a tool to provide an unlock code because the "unlock" button in their system didn't appear for my IMEI.
That system said the unlock code is 0000 0000 just like the tech the previous day. So now, they're transferring me to the advanced technical support, but somehow I doubt they will give me a code.
In any case, what I would rather do is go through ADB and try to get some binaries or text files out (may require root for these files) and get the unlock code from the device itself.
I wish this thread was more active because there are some good opportunities here to explore the OS itself and the files in it as well as tools that can be used to read the binary.
Spoke with "Advanced" support at verizon. They had no way to generate a code to unlock the device. Basically Verizon's systems didn't automatically generate an unlock code after the previous owners had the phone activated for the minimum 60 days. Because the phone was a prepaid phone and not a post paid phone, their system deleted the history of the of the prepaid account after a certain period of time when the previous owner had sold the phone to the repair shop and it sat there for months.
BASICALLY, Verizon phones are uniquely equipped with a block that prevent legitimate purchasers of various types from being able to use their devices as they hold everyone hostage with their network locking.
It looks like I can't root the device either because of the oem unlock option not being present and the workaround of changing the date not presenting the option.
At this point I'm looking to root the device so I can inspect the OS
4rg3ntum said:
It looks like I can't root the device either because of the oem unlock option not being present and the workaround of changing the date not presenting the option.
At this point I'm looking to root the device so I can inspect the OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello I came across your thread because I am having the same issue. I think mine is similar because thus phone was a replacement through asurion/verizon. It also says its unlocked when verszon looks and when asurion looks, but I do not have service for more than 10 secind with my new AT&T Sim. Have you found anything new?.
I also looked into rooting the phone but I don't plan to keep this phone and if I want to do the trade in process and they see the root on the back end I will not receive the trade in money.
TomHanks92 said:
Hello I came across your thread because I am having the same issue. I think mine is similar because thus phone was a replacement through asurion/verizon. It also says its unlocked when verszon looks and when asurion looks, but I do not have service for more than 10 secind with my new AT&T Sim. Have you found anything new?.
I also looked into rooting the phone but I don't plan to keep this phone and if I want to do the trade in process and they see the root on the back end I will not receive the trade in money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If Verizon says the phone is unlocked, make sure to Flash the U package with Verizon bloat. Connect phone to Wifi and the unlock should happen. They only seem to unlock when on the Verizon bloat U package. Anything other than that and the phone stays locked. Once it unlocks you can flash back to whatever you want.