So, I have an Xperia Z3, D6616, stock, locked bootloader still, and I'm considering sim unlocking the device for use on AT&T. Bought it on craigslist. It's currently locked to T-Mobile. Most unlock websites say not to purchase the unlock code for the device if it is locked to T-Mobile due to an unlocking app that T-Mobile installs on handsets that prevents third party unlocking. See attached pictures. I'm an AT&T customer, so this is a bit of a pain for me.
Called T-Mobile, they will not unlock the device as it does not meet the requirements. I'm not a T-Mobile customer either, so there is no account history associated with this IMEI. I have a feeling that someone bought this device at a subsidized price, sold it new in box, and pocketed the cash. Now I have a fancy T-Mobile MP3 player and digital camera that won't play nice with my AT&T sim....
Has anyone successfully unlocked this device for use on another GSM carrier while originally being locked to T-Mobile without going through the carrier's unlocking process? If so, what website/service did you use? I'm considering selling this thing as it's a bit useless on my network thus far, being locked to another carrier and all.
Thanks in advance.
is this me being a bit daft, but could you not simply put an unbranded firmware on the device via ftf and simply unlock the device via a website?
henson0115 said:
is this me being a bit daft, but could you not simply put an unbranded firmware on the device via ftf and simply unlock the device via a website?
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I'm not sure if that's a possibility. There is no root for this device without unlocking the bootloader, which wipes the TA partition and causes you to lose the DRM keys and cripples camera functionality. I'm trying to avoid unlocking the bootloader for as long as possible, but if unlocking, rooting, and installing a custom ROM will assist in sim unlocking, it may be in my best interest to do so.
I'm trying to do a network unlock with a code and keeping the phone stock if at all possible, at least until a root method without unlocking the bootloader is found, if it ever is... I just need a way to get a code for unlocking WITHOUT going through T-Mobile.
you don't need root to flash an unbranded ftf., once done then simply use a website and buy the unlock code, with the tmobile firmware out of the way there shouldn't be any interference in terms of network unlock.
what i am saying is:
1: flash global unbranded firmware via flashtools with ftf
2: buy your network unlock code
3: enter code as no t-mobile firmware is available on the device anymore to interfere
i am not saying this is possible as i do not have a t-mobile - us device to test, but my vodafone branded z3 has had an unbranded firmware flashed by myself with no root.
i hope this helps clear up any confusion.
henson0115 said:
you don't need root to flash an unbranded ftf., once done then simply use a website and buy the unlock code, with the tmobile firmware out of the way there shouldn't be any interference in terms of network unlock.
what i am saying is:
1: flash global unbranded firmware via flashtools with ftf
2: buy your network unlock code
3: enter code as no t-mobile firmware is available on the device anymore to interfere
i am not saying this is possible as i do not have a t-mobile - us device to test, but my vodafone branded z3 has had an unbranded firmware flashed by myself with no root.
i hope this helps clear up any confusion.
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I may try this tonight.
If I flash another firmware with flashtool, can I return to stock after unlocking without root access?
Rooting and/or unlocking the bootloader or flashing a custom rom or a different firmware has absolutely nothing to do with SIM lock.
If you try and sim unlock by doing any of that you are wasting your time.
Best bet is to go to your carrier and ask them to sim unlock it
gregbradley said:
Rooting and/or unlocking the bootloader or flashing a custom rom or a different firmware has absolutely nothing to do with SIM lock.
If you try and sim unlock by doing any of that you are wasting your time.
Best bet is to go to your carrier and ask them to sim unlock it
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Yeah, that has been my experiences in the past. The carrier always did it for me. But T-Mobile will not unlock this device as it does not meet eligibility requirements, and the unlock websites say not to buy a code for a T-Mobile US locked Z3. I need it unlocked for use on AT&T. I remember unlocking HTC devices with SuperCID and unlocking Samsung devices with dialer codes. Anything like that for the Sony side of the house? this will be my first Sony phone.
HORiZUN said:
Yeah, that has been my experiences in the past. The carrier always did it for me. But T-Mobile will not unlock this device as it does not meet eligibility requirements, and the unlock websites say not to buy a code for a T-Mobile US locked Z3. I need it unlocked for use on AT&T. I remember unlocking HTC devices with SuperCID and unlocking Samsung devices with dialer codes. Anything like that for the Sony side of the house? this will be my first Sony phone.
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Not that I know of. In the UK you can get any phone sim unlocked on any market stall in a few minutes for a fiver. Its not really to do with the phone but the carrier and the laws you have over the pond.
Simply try a websites unlock, I do not believe T-Mobile can block carrier unlocks. Who has told you otherwise?
See the attachments in the OP. The unlocking websites are saying not to purchase the codes if you have a T-Mobile US locked Z3. I don't want to waste $40, especially when there are no refunds, and want to know if anyone has successfully unlocked with a website and NOT the carrier.
D6616 has an NOT unlockable bootloader, so that method is a no-go.
If it was on EIP and they sold it, the phone may be blacklisted by T-Mobile already
I don't believe you can flash a different version firmware, for multiple reasons, one of which is because it's a D6616 and not a D6603
The T-Mobile SIM unlock tool does work if all conditions are met.
Good luck OP, I think you might have a difficult time with this one
se1000 said:
D6616 has an unlockable bootloader, so that method is a no-go.
If it was on EIP and they sold it, the phone may be blacklisted by T-Mobile already
I don't believe you can flash a different version firmware, for multiple reasons, one of which is because it's a D6616 and not a D6603
The T-Mobile SIM unlock tool does work if all conditions are met.
Good luck OP, I think you might have a difficult time with this one
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Again, the bootloader status has nothing to do with SIM lock.
Flashing another firmware will also not effect sim lock.
I'm seriously considering selling this device and going for another bootloader unlockable handset due to this unlock headache. T-Mobile is no help for unlocking this IMEI.
gregbradley said:
Again, the bootloader status has nothing to do with SIM lock.
Flashing another firmware will also not effect sim lock.
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Sorry for the first line, didn't mean to get that wrong. Definitely agree that bootloader unlock and SIM unlock have nothing to do with each other.
Called T-Mobile again, tried to unlock. No account number to tie unlock request to since I use At&t as a carrier. They recommend I call Sony directly and ask for an unlock. I did, Sony told me to contact the carrier again. I do, and have the T-Mobile rep call Sony guys on a three way call. I explain that I purchased the device on craigslist, not a T-Mobile account holder, I'm an active duty military member, phone was several hundred dollars, I didn't know... boohoo, I'm dumb, I should have purchased from Sony, No moneys to get a new phone since this was so expensive, etc. Sad poor me story, you know.
Sat on hold for a bit, but Sony caved and said they would attempt a remote unlock via code, but it would be between 1-3 days and the reply will be via email. Time will tell, now. Just waiting to see what happens. I hope it works. I had to have the situation escalated to the third level of supervisors to get this far...
sounds like good news, if that fails, you could ask someone you no on T-MOBILE or a family member to give them a ring and pretend its there phone, should also do the trick
That's a good idea!! Thanks for that. I'll find someone at work who has T-Mobile and go that route if I need to.
any updates.. i badly need my T mobile Xperia Z3 to be get it unlocked...
Sadly, there is no update. T-Mobile will not unlock the device unless I use it on their network for 45 days, ahve an account in good standing, etc. This isn't going to happen, as I am an AT&T subscriber. I have the Z3 listed for sale on craigslist. Awaiting a sale or trade. If anyone wants to swap phones for a still in the box T-Mobile Z3, let me know. Looking for an S5, G3, or Nexus 6. Gsm variants only. Too bad, cause I really like the Z3. I would keep it if I could sim unlock.
Is the unlocking app based off the Sim card? Cause I bought my tmo Z3 3 days ago. Used my Sim from my moto x. After I got everything set up I tried the permanent unlock which was successful.
Hi
I have an note 3 (n900w8) sim locked by a local carrier. I've contact them but they won't provide sim unlock code to use the phone with another carrier.
I've googled and tried stuff for the last 48hs; this is what I've accomplished thus far:
- most websites I've found offers sim unlock codes for some money. I don't want to pay; I don't understand why there are plenty free kernels and roms around there, that looks a lot more work than a unlock code or an unlock calculator, and one have to pay for a sim code. What am I missing?
- well, with the phone, I've read about RegionLock Away, so I've rooted my phone (the first method I've found; I did not know about knox and now the warranty is void, I think that's not important), anyway, the phone was rooted, I applied it twice, but it didn't work.
- I've tried 2 other firmwares from sammobile. It didn't work. I don't know if I got bad luck or firmware changing does nothing to do with sim loock.
- I also installed cyanogenmod. just in case. simlock still there.
- I've tried this. MMI code is not recognized.
Well, I appreciate any help poiting me in the right direction. I don't know what should I search for or what should I flash.
Thank you very much!
So for a lot of the phones the option for unlocking the bootloader comes after you get your sim-unlocked from carrier, currently I have a sim locked D6616 on T-Mobile and dialing *#*#7378423#*# gives bootloader unlock allowed : no. I can use the phone on T-Mobile network for 40 days to get it sim-unlocked, would that trigger bootloader unlock allowed : yes for Xperia Z3 D6616?
Thank you
ddvche said:
So for a lot of the phones the option for unlocking the bootloader comes after you get your sim-unlocked from carrier, currently I have a sim locked D6616 on T-Mobile and dialing *#*#7378423#*# gives bootloader unlock allowed : no. I can use the phone on T-Mobile network for 40 days to get it sim-unlocked, would that trigger bootloader unlock allowed : yes for Xperia Z3 D6616?
Thank you
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My understanding is: No.
I've had mine for 7+ years and nothing changed. You can get root, but the bootloader is locked.
Obviously, unless they have some hardware stuff going on, there is always the possibility to unlock it, either through cracking things or a release of keys etc at some point, but given this phone is almost 8 years old, TMo doesn't care, and Sony Mobile gives zero about the US market, the demand for unlocking is low.
I would love it if, given all of the vulnerabilities in Android discovered over the past 8 years, someone had found a way to crack it, but it seems like most have abandoned it. Not to mention batteries are kind of iffy at 8 years....
Though there is still a chance. I pulled mine out of storage the other day when I remembered it has a headphone jack and it's rooted, so I can tighten things down, plug it into a speaker, and have it run as a dedicated receiver for notifications. And now I'm browsing through XDA to see if anyone has cracked it. If I get a chunk of free time or am really trying to avoid something, I may physically open it up and see if there are any physical attack vectors, assuming someone hasn't already gone that route.
Though there may be a way to unlock the bootloader.... maybe?
Xperia Z3 (T-Mobile) D6616 Android 6.0 Not Found
Hi, I've Xperia Z3 (T-Mobile) D6616 running on Android 5.0. I would like to install Android 6 on it. I prefer to install Stock Rom of Android 6 On my Z3. Default :(, If there are a cool & good :D Custom ROM of Android 6. I was not able to root...
forum.xda-developers.com
It was purchased outright from Tracfone, but they have locked the ability to even use fastboot commands in bootloader to even look to see if it could be
given a code and they have told me over the phone my charge to unlock this phone I paid in full outright wouldd cost 165 USB built for android 11 API Level 30 build id is RPCS31.Q2-109-16-2 android id 7d320c49fe976bbb
Any suggestions. ;
As far as I understand it, Tracfone will do NETWORK unlocking after one of their branded phones has been in service for one year. And that may be changing to 60 days with the Verizon acquisition. But what you are looking for is BOOTLOADER unlocking, and I have never heard of Tracfone doing that. In any case, I am not saying that bootloader unlocking by Tracfone is impossible, but it must be very uncommon at the minumum because I have been a Tracfone user for many years with interest in rooting, using custom ROMs, etc., and I have personally never heard of Tracfone providing bootloader unlocks.
I think the only possibility of bootloader unlocking a Tracfone is either that an exploit is discovered (like Towel Root from years of yore that I was able to use to gain root access on some old, Android 4.4-based Tracfone-brand phones). Or the other option would be to turn to somebody with a hardware device like an Octobox or similar that could do this.