Gents,
Apologies if this question has been asked before or I've posted it in the wrong sub section, but I've only ever unlocked one phone in the past, it was an HTC Sense, and it was a sinch. My other half's old man has bought an LGT385 off somone at work, not knowing that you couldn't use a sim from a different network.
Consequently, I have been tasked with unlocking it.
How do you do it? I've seen a couple of videos on YT, but neither of their methods work. I get the impression after researching for an hour or so, it's connected to the IMEI and calculated based on that number (somehow)
Any help would be appreciated as I don't want to take it into town and be ripped off by someone if it's easy to do.
Thanks.
Related
So, I bought a Verizon galaxy s iii off of craigslist, but did not have a sim card to use. So I brought the phone into the verizon store to get a sim card for it, and I was told that the phone is on a "missing or stolen list" so they could not activate it. Would unlocking the phone allow me to activate it, or is there any other solution? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Should have checked the esn. Might as well sell it on eBay as a bad esn phone for parts.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Only solution is to call the police. Unfortunately you've been scammed.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
I thought you could just pop your current 4g sim in and it will work.....you just cannot activate it going from 3g to 4g. I swear i did this to a bad imei thunderbolt and it worked....
This is exactly why you meet people from CL when buying a phone at the verzion store. I make them come in with me, check the ESN. Then we go back out and I give them the money. No other way ever.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
once a person call verizon and reports it lost or stolen it is permanently flagged in their system and cannot be activated anymore, I think in europe all the carriers share banned esn's with each other so you cant just steal a gsm phone and use it on a different gsm carrier, not sure if they do that here
I would see if you can contact the person you got it from but most likely they are long gone and they scammed you knowing full well the phone was stolen, this is why its better to deal with ebay since you are protected from this stuff
do you root your phone?
My issue is very similar but not exactly the same, posting here instead of new thread
This thread seemed to be closest match to what I'm facing... Hi, I'm trying to fix a phone. It's a Samsung Galaxy S3 that's deactivated. It has a Verizon logo on it, but calling 611 connects to AT&T who tells me to call Verizon who claims the imei # is bad because they tried looking it up multiple times and were unable to locate ANY info in their system about it, they recommended that it's not a Verizon phone and I go into the store for the relevant carrier (Which there aren't any AT&T stores around anymore, and I don't feel like walking into Verizon until I've got better/more info so I'm not feeling like an idiot). I believe the phone was previously rooted, because it had a few apps on it such as "rootland" but no su or busybox, but I'm not sure. Rootchecker was already installed but says "no root access" or "root denied". I performed a factory reset. It did nothing. I simply want to have it be capable of being actived on a prepaid acct, I know it was used this way before on Verizon. The baseband is showing as S:i500.05 K.EI20 the kernel version is 2.6.35.7 the model # is SCH-I500. What do I do? My phone number is 60three nine2three 2zero4six my name is Sandra. Please help! I've goggled for hours and simply cannot seem to find any up to date info which is useful! I don't know what to do anymore, my friend needs a working phone as hers sucks and I'm trying to help by getting this one fixed for her to try, because she doesn't have the $ to buy one and this was given to me when the previous owner got a new one and didn't want it anymore but she didn't tell me it was basically a paperweight (probably why she gave it away)... Anyways, help would be fantastic, also I have a computer but no internet, only data plan on my cell, which is why my number is included because if I need to hook it up and hot spot I can but wouldn't be able to communicate online at the same time... The number I provided is connected to a separate phone which is mine and is 100% working, it's a Verizon Galaxy S5 which I'm also trying to root, and it's a pain in the ass not having internet since the block of geohash and towelroot exploit stopped, but I'm close I think, I've done my research and I believe I simply have to down grade the kernel first with odin. I've never actually used odin or rooted a phone but I'm doing my best to learn as much as possible and not bother people. I don't want to be a noob and annoying. Just really stuck here. Sorry msg is so long, figured I'd try to be as detailed as possible to reduce any time on your end so you can either help or point me in a different direction by not having to go back and forth asking questions. Of course if there does happen to be something I left out please don't hesitate to ask. I am seeking your assistance after all. I don't want to bug you or anyone with my issues and lack of ability to sort through... I'm pretty sure I'll have used most of not all my data before being able to read any replies, so calls/text is best to the phone number I included, which I'll repeat again. Sixzerothreeninetwothreetwozerofoursix. I AM PRONG MY PHONE NUMBER ON PURPOSE AND I UNDERSTAND THE RISKS OF DOING SO INCLUDING STALKERS OR CREEPS OR HACKERS OR WEIRDOS ETC ETC ETC. I GET IT. MIGHT BE CALLED STUPID BUT WHATEVER. I'VE HAD THIS NUMBER FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND IT'S NOT HARD TO GET, I GET STRANGE CALLS CONSTANTLY AND I'VE LEARNED HOW TO UNBLOCK CALLER ID AND BLOCK FREAKS FROM CALLING/TEXTING A 2ND TIME. I NEED HELP AND AM WILLING TO CHANCE MORE CALLS/TEXTS OR OTHER ISSUES BY POSTING MY #. I'm a big girl I know the world is scary, I've lived through nightmarish crap, I'll be alright and won't blame anyone but myself if this causes **** to hit the fan. It's official and in writing so xda cannot be held liable AT ALL for ANYTHING, nor can ANYONE ELSE if it is related to my choosing to post this, which I am doing of my own choosing. I'll now eagerly await any help available to fix my issues. I'm hopeful I've come to the right place asking the right people who will help me understand more about what I could do to learn how to get better educated on these topics and in future not require so much of your valuable time. I'm more than willing to put in the time and effort to take responsibility for enacting any actions to perform a solution, I've just gotten very confused and overwhelmed trying to navigate correctly and learn what needs to be done. Pointing me in the correct direction would be wonderful! Thank you in advance!
---------- Post added at 12:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 AM ----------
It has a US cellular logo physically on it. Calling 611 puts me through to AT&T, but I know for a fact it was last used on Verizon prepaid.
---------- Post added at 12:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 AM ----------
Sorry for that, I have spent so many hours researching the 3 relevant companies, root/unroot info, kernels, roms, builds, learning about variations on android os, and anything I coups find remotely related that I had a slight mix-up, but hope that's now clarified.
I'm leaving my country in a few hours and I wanna know if I'll be able to buy a sim on the place im going to and use it on my phone without it being locked.
I have a Sony Ericson xpiria x8 using custom ROM android 4.1.1, it's bootloader unlocked and rooted.
So how do I check if it's unlocked without trying to use another sim card? I don't have time to get one
If it's locked, how do I unlock it for free?
I'm sure this has been asked alot but only for it about other phone models, plus the websites that talk about this are all 100% bull**** and even paid for doing a stupid IMEI check
Great ****ing forum, it's been like 3 hours and nobody ****ing answered, also since I just made an account I have to ****ing fill the general forum with **** that doesn't belong here, this is a ****ing simple question that no one can ****ing answer or at least give some advice, there's lots and lots of help on **** that its already covered up like installing ROMs and crap which is nothing more than downloading software and following steps but when something new comes up it can't be ****ing answered
**** off
I am attempting to unlock my secondhand purchased Sprint Galaxy S5 to be use on T-mobile's GSM. I was under the impression the phone was already unlocked, and have tried contacting the seller but to no avail, they simply will not take my calls.
I realize this has probably been asked 1,000 times before, and may very well be within the wrong forum; for that I apologize in advance. I've been unable to go through Sprint, as they insist on giving me nothing but a hard time because I am not the original owner of the device. It is not blacklisted (I have checked this on several websites, on top of having dealt with Sprint's CSR's-- I feel they of all people would have let me know if this were the case)
I have tried forum searching and have found quite a few threads that make mention of it but have not sifted through every last result as most are simply people arguing over whether the hardware makes such a transition possible or not. After about 4 hours of reading, I've come away with the knowledge that... It may or may not be possible to accomplish it is what I'm after.
One thing that is certain, none of the short-and-sweet methods I've foudn ont he internet (open dial pad enter *#xxxxxxxxx# then tap few a through simple menus.. They seemd too good to be true, and so it turned out to be), furthermore upon entering a domestic SIM from another carrier I do NOT ge tprompted to enter the sim unlock code.. It just boots to the main screen and says "Invalid Sim"
So far the most promising seems to be using a private service for $15-30 to unlock my phone-- But even then I think I will have trouble. Alternatively, I am hoping to learn something about the custom rom's I keep reading about. The only problem is that I am not quite versed in these matters. I read the instructions and I truthfully cannot make heads or tales of it.
So being that this is probably a frequent question, I'm not necessarily looking for someone to sit down and explain it like I'm five-- as great as that would be, I just don't anticipate it happening. However, if someone could point me to some information in plain English that I may use to learn a thing or two (please, not even intermediate guides-- While I understand Desktop computers inside and out, for some reason, as stated previously, I cannot make heads or tales of any of the threads regarding custom mod's and flashing that I've read thus far,) and I've only experience in rooting a single phone, it was a much more basic, very old smart phone and I used a Clockwork Mod to do so. That being the case, I didn't really have to do anything aside from load a CWM file onto an SD card and enter debug mode or whatever it is called
I spent the past hour or so looking everywhere I could and trying a few things that looked promising, most notably this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-one-m8/general/vomerguides-m8-bootldr-unlock-s-off-t2800727 Step 0 worked just fine (as far as I can tell) but I can't get into fastboot.
I just got a new M8 through verizon's insurance. My old one running kitkat I was able to root with relative ease, but this one I can't find anything. I've mostly been eliminating posts by date, since (according to wikipedia at least) lollipop was released in November 2014, so I rule out posts like http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2697957 since they'll apply to kitkat.
I apologize if I missed a post with my answer already. I know how annoying it can be to ask questions that have already been answered, but like I said, I couldn't find anything.
Maoman1 said:
I spent the past hour or so looking everywhere I could and trying a few things that looked promising, most notably this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-one-m8/general/vomerguides-m8-bootldr-unlock-s-off-t2800727 Step 0 worked just fine (as far as I can tell) but I can't get into fastboot.
I just got a new M8 through verizon's insurance. My old one running kitkat I was able to root with relative ease, but this one I can't find anything. I've mostly been eliminating posts by date, since (according to wikipedia at least) lollipop was released in November 2014, so I rule out posts like http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2697957 since they'll apply to kitkat.
I apologize if I missed a post with my answer already. I know how annoying it can be to ask questions that have already been answered, but like I said, I couldn't find anything.
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Click to collapse
Short answer is no. You cannot unlock via HTC dev as Verizon has blocked it. Sunshine does not support this os yet.
You might be able to find someone nearby with a java card who can s-off your phone.
Are there any shops that might have java cards and let people use them? I've been itching to use some custom roms but I live on the other side of the country from dottat
zphantom55 said:
Are there any shops that might have java cards and let people use them? I've been itching to use some custom roms but I live on the other side of the country from dottat
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I live on the complete opposite side of the country from dottat. But I overnighted my device to and from him just to get it done. (I have a friend that get's 80%+ discounts through FedEx)
But I am sad to say, my device has been destroyed due to hardware failure. (My screen is having a problem, my earpiece is no longer functional, and my volume up button no longer works, all because of my screen cracking... if anyone knows where I can get replacement parts, please PM me.
vazersecurity said:
I live on the complete opposite side of the country from dottat. But I overnighted my device to and from him just to get it done. (I have a friend that get's 80%+ discounts through FedEx)
But I am sad to say, my device has been destroyed due to hardware failure. (My screen is having a problem, my earpiece is no longer functional, and my volume up button no longer works, all because of my screen cracking... if anyone knows where I can get replacement parts, please PM me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn dude that's rough....sorry to hear that.
hi. am new to both xda & cellphones. have had a casual interest since 1st one i bought a few yrs ago but have never really dug deep. recently, as a means to supplement my income i started buying & selling some phones. thot i knew a little about them! lol well, because i don't like getting ripped off & would never want that to happen to someone else that buys one of my phones, i quickly learned theres a WHOLE lot more to know than i ever imagined! so i started reading everything i could find online to help me. thats why im here. recently purchased cdma ws to be able to unlock & flash phones as an additional service & as another way to supplement my income & my goal is to eventually have my own store that does it all, from providing carrier service to repairs & everything in between. the problem is i dont have much of a computer or technical background & am virtually clueless when opening up cdma ws. i have looked at several youtube videos on the topic but that takes a huge amount of time weeding out the bad ones. also, i have a couple different phones that i've played around with on the software(cdma ws) in an attempt to figure it out with mixed results. two phones in particular im working with are a samsung galaxy s4 us cellular & an htc droid dna verizon. the s4 i purchased off swappa's boneyard advertised as a bad esn. did so with the intention to sell as is and while waiting i figured i'd try to repair esn. come to find out after having run esn on swappa(comes back whitelisted), ting(says only "can't be activated on their network), and checkesnfree website where also comes back whitelisted. have called u.s. cellular and i somewhat remember them saying that previous acct holder owed balance. they had to dig for that info. been a couple wks since conversation. the htc is clean, never activated, never used. would like to flash both phones. the s4 to boost & the htc to pageplus but not definite on either. any and all help would be greatly appreciated. dont mind just getting "clues" or hints as i really enjoy trying to figure it out on my own. thanks in advance!
Hi, thank you fro using XDA Assist. Our mission at XDA Assist is to point users in the right direction to get help on their device's. What you're asking is way outside the scope of XDA Assist.
Thread closed.