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How to unlock a carrier locked phone

I would like to buy a carrier locked phone in the USA.
I do not live in the USA so my question is, can I take this phone home and then flash a new ROM on it?
Would that take care of the lock?
Thanks!

ronr34 said:
I would like to buy a carrier locked phone in the USA.
I do not live in the USA so my question is, can I take this phone home and then flash a new ROM on it?
Would that take care of the lock?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also,
When buying a no-contract phone, is it still locked?
Can I do the same to unlock this phone?

It depends on the phone and the carrier.

Planterz said:
It depends on the phone and the carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm looking for a good new phone.
QuadCore and 5.0" and bigger.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
A specific model that this would work for?

ronr34 said:
I would like to buy a carrier locked phone in the USA.
I do not live in the USA so my question is, can I take this phone home and then flash a new ROM on it?
Would that take care of the lock?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi There,
Well Unlocking the Bootloader of your device Unlocks it to any Carrier.
If you want to know how to do that tell me which device you are using.
If Helped In Any Way Click THANKS.

DevRakeeß said:
Hi There,
Well Unlocking the Bootloader of your device Unlocks it to any Carrier.
If you want to know how to do that tell me which device you are using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Carrier unlocking and bootloader unlocking are completely unrelated things.
ronr34 said:
I'm looking for a good new phone.
QuadCore and 5.0" and bigger.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
A specific model that this would work for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, it depends on the phone and the carrier. Verizon phones are internationally unlocked out of the box. Which means if you buy it and try to use it in the US without unlocking it, it won't let you, but if you take it outside the USA, it's GSM unlocked. AT&T and T-Mobile phones can be unlocked and used globally too, but both require that they've been used with their service for a time. 40 days with T-Mobile, and with AT&T it has to be coming from an active or a prior account.
With AT&T and T-Mobile, you can purchase (through eBay or websites) unlock codes, which run like $30-40 for a flagship phone. Alternatively, you can buy new unlocked phones off eBay that once locked to a network, but the reseller bought the phone new, opened the box, unlocked the phone, then sells it. Or you can buy a used phone that has already been unlocked.
Don't buy a Sprint phone, it won't work.
IMO your best bet is to buy a Verizon "world phone", or buy a factory unlocked "international" version.
LTE bands are another matter. If you want LTE where you'll be taking it (assuming it's available), you might be best off with a Nexus 4 or 5, or a recent Sony Xperia Z - class model, as these have numerous LTE band compatibility.

Planterz said:
Carrier unlocking and bootloader unlocking are completely unrelated things.
Again, it depends on the phone and the carrier. Verizon phones are internationally unlocked out of the box. Which means if you buy it and try to use it in the US without unlocking it, it won't let you, but if you take it outside the USA, it's GSM unlocked. AT&T and T-Mobile phones can be unlocked and used globally too, but both require that they've been used with their service for a time. 40 days with T-Mobile, and with AT&T it has to be coming from an active or a prior account.
With AT&T and T-Mobile, you can purchase (through eBay or websites) unlock codes, which run like $30-40 for a flagship phone. Alternatively, you can buy new unlocked phones off eBay that once locked to a network, but the reseller bought the phone new, opened the box, unlocked the phone, then sells it. Or you can buy a used phone that has already been unlocked.
Don't buy a Sprint phone, it won't work.
IMO your best bet is to buy a Verizon "world phone", or buy a factory unlocked "international" version.
LTE bands are another matter. If you want LTE where you'll be taking it (assuming it's available), you might be best off with a Nexus 4 or 5, or a recent Sony Xperia Z - class model, as these have numerous LTE band compatibility.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, but my question was how to bypass the locks on the phone.
I know I can buy it unlocked but it's way more expensive.
I thought that the lock was software related and not hardware so that burning a new ROM would fix this.
Is that the case?

ronr34 said:
I thought that the lock was software related and not hardware so that burning a new ROM would fix this.
Is that the case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not the case. Carrier lock/unlock is in a different part of the device's firmware.

Planterz said:
It is not the case. Carrier lock/unlock is in a different part of the device's firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does that mean that a new ROM flash will not solve this?

ronr34 said:
So does that mean that a new ROM flash will not solve this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How many times do I have to say the same thing?
Flashing a different ROM, be it from another carrier, or a custom ROM, does not give you the ability to carrier unlock a device.

AT&T LG V10 on Cricket

Hi,
Just curious if the AT&T Lg v10 would work on cricket? I have been buying factory unlocked phones for the past year and half so am a bit out of loop. I know older att phone models worked on cricket but I did see a few cases of it not working in the newer threads online. Just want to check before getting it.
Thanks

chopchopw said:
Hi,
Just curious if the AT&T Lg v10 would work on cricket? I have been buying factory unlocked phones for the past year and half so am a bit out of loop. I know older att phone models worked on cricket but I did see a few cases of it not working in the newer threads online. Just want to check before getting it.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy a locked AT&T V10 and use it on Cricket (owned by AT&T). It does not need to be unlocked. Same applies for any AT&T MNVO too. In theory, but it seems youve found people posting that for them their phones haven't worked...

clockcycle said:
You can buy a locked AT&T V10 and use it on Cricket (owned by AT&T). It does not need to be unlocked. Same applies for any AT&T MNVO too. In theory, but it seems youve found people posting that for them their phones haven't worked...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man. I know in theory it should work just a bit hesitant since ATT has been having a lot of new restrictions with new android phones like bootloader lock.

chopchopw said:
Thanks man. I know in theory it should work just a bit hesitant since ATT has been having a lot of new restrictions with new android phones like bootloader lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All carriers used to be boot loader locked. That's not new. And as far as AT&T and T-Mobile they welcome each others phones, they like stealing each others customers.

Verizon phone cricket service
Wanted to share I bought a Verizon v10 off eBay (they come unlocked out of the box) took it to cricket, tweaked a few settings and it's worked perfectly for three weeks now.

Im using my v10 on Cricket right now and it works well! Just wont get any updates unless you use an att active sim card.

My v10 is from AT&T and I currently use it on cricket.
My GF's v10 is from Verizon, and she also uses it on cricket. She just had to set the apn.

I use my locked ATT V10 on crickets network. The only real issue is so far it can't update to MM since I'm not a ATT customer.

Bought an lgv10 Unlocked Verizon currently on cricket but won't get any service every time I try to turn my data on it says to contact customer service I don't know what to do please help

Rey-a12 said:
Bought an lgv10 Unlocked Verizon currently on cricket but won't get any service every time I try to turn my data on it says to contact customer service I don't know what to do please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you have the APN settings correct? if not, enter the correct APN, enable it, then restart your phone. it should work.
you can just slip in the sim card and hope it works. find your APN settings...
https://apn.gishan.net/settings/1255_22_cricket_apn_settings_for_lg_v10.php
not sure if I'm allowed to paste the link to another site if its not from xda forums... if so... my bad

LG V10 on Cricket
chopchopw said:
Hi,
Just curious if the AT&T Lg v10 would work on cricket? I have been buying factory unlocked phones for the past year and half so am a bit out of loop. I know older att phone models worked on cricket but I did see a few cases of it not working in the newer threads online. Just want to check before getting it.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good day. I am currently running 3 LG V10's on Cricket. So far, so good. Make sure you check your IMEI number with them FIRST !

Anyone have experience with the V10 on mintsim or textnow

AT&T or T-Mobile for unlocked S8+ ?

The backstory.... Preordered an ATT Note 7 and had many headaches with delivery / billing. I am now living with my old Note3 using Goggle Voice/Hangouts because of my weak signal (all carriers) at home. I'm using a pre-paid Straight Talk plan when away from home.
I've been waiting patiently for the S8+ and now need to decide between AT&T and T-Mobile for a GSM phone. I plan on paying full cash price and having it unlocked to use a 3rd part prepaid plan (Straight Talk or ?).
I considered a factory unlocked phone (Best Buy, May 9th??) but I am told that those will also have a locked bootloader. Up until the Note 7 I always ran rooted with custom ROMS. I became a big fan of Samsung Pay which I think also means a locked bootloader with no root is needed. Of coarse, bloatware sucks. I had good luck with Package Disabler Pro on my Note 7. I will be using my Google number, if only for forwarding to another number. WiFi calling is a must one way or another.
My Note 7 from ATT let me run Mobile Hotspot at the same time WiFi was enabled. This made it easy for giving my Android head unit in my car Internet access. The T-mobile version at the time needed to be turned on and off.
I'm leaning toward T-mobile only because of my bad blood with ATT. ATT coverage is marginally better in my area.
Thoughts, comments.

Either and flash the OS on it with ODIN. It is the same hardware so it doesnt matter.

mweinbach said:
Either and flash the OS on it with ODIN. It is the same hardware so it doesnt matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and also if the T-Mobile version is going to have an unlocked bootloader, flashing T-Mobile firmware should allow you to unlock it through the OS.
But it's highly unlikely it will have an unlocked bootloader, although T-Mobile have supported it, I don't think it's happening.

No unlocked bootloaders on u.s.a. Carriers....

SBERG117 said:
No unlocked bootloaders on u.s.a. Carriers....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get that if you buy a carrier phone and then unlock it. But what about the factory unlocked phones sold in the US?
I've heard that the bootloader on those phones is also locked, but not from a real good source of info. I've also heard international versions do not have a locked bootloader and do not support Samsung Pay. They also do not support CDMA (which doesn't bother me at all).

Interceptor777 said:
Yes and also if the T-Mobile version is going to have an unlocked bootloader, flashing T-Mobile firmware should allow you to unlock it through the OS.
But it's highly unlikely it will have an unlocked bootloader, although T-Mobile have supported it, I don't think it's happening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I flash via ODIN does that kill Samsung Pay? What about Knox?

Phredeee said:
The backstory.... Preordered an ATT Note 7 and had many headaches with delivery / billing. I am now living with my old Note3 using Goggle Voice/Hangouts because of my weak signal (all carriers) at home. I'm using a pre-paid Straight Talk plan when away from home.
I've been waiting patiently for the S8+ and now need to decide between AT&T and T-Mobile for a GSM phone. I plan on paying full cash price and having it unlocked to use a 3rd part prepaid plan (Straight Talk or ?).
I considered a factory unlocked phone (Best Buy, May 9th??) but I am told that those will also have a locked bootloader. Up until the Note 7 I always ran rooted with custom ROMS. I became a big fan of Samsung Pay which I think also means a locked bootloader with no root is needed. Of coarse, bloatware sucks. I had good luck with Package Disabler Pro on my Note 7. I will be using my Google number, if only for forwarding to another number. WiFi calling is a must one way or another.
My Note 7 from ATT let me run Mobile Hotspot at the same time WiFi was enabled. This made it easy for giving my Android head unit in my car Internet access. The T-mobile version at the time needed to be turned on and off.
I'm leaning toward T-mobile only because of my bad blood with ATT. ATT coverage is marginally better in my area.
Thoughts, comments.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in a similar situation and my first concern is what bands both phones support. Online it seems AT&T covers both GSM providers perfectly. The info on T-Mobile and its bands is extremely lacking. My second concern is the process of unlocking either fully paid off phone for use on the other. I think I can have TMobile unlock it for me but I'm not sure how it works with AT&T. The easiest solution is the unlocked version but thats not even got a release date set in writing anywhere.

Phredeee said:
If I flash via ODIN does that kill Samsung Pay? What about Knox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long you are flashing official firmware from Samsung nothing will break. Knox will not be tripped and Samsung Pay will work.

954wrecker said:
I'm in a similar situation and my first concern is what bands both phones support. Online it seems AT&T covers both GSM providers perfectly. The info on T-Mobile and its bands is extremely lacking. My second concern is the process of unlocking either fully paid off phone for use on the other. I think I can have TMobile unlock it for me but I'm not sure how it works with AT&T. The easiest solution is the unlocked version but thats not even got a release date set in writing anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is my understanding that all US (Snapdragon) phones cover all bands, including CDMA. That means you could even take an unlocked AT&T phone to Verizon. I'm not used to that! It even has LTE-U which TMo is supposed to be soon supporting.
I am an ex AT&T customer. They unlocked my Note 7, and again with the replacement, without issue. I seem to remember there was a wait period at first. 7 or 14 days?
The thing I'm considering is also the VR incentives for pre-ordering. I can tell you AT&T messed up my Note 7 pre-order. They shipped it on the release day by a slow method. I ended up going to a store and buying one outright and returning the unopened one once it arrived. That caused a billing nightmare that I had to call them every months until I finally turned it in and closed my account.

Phredeee said:
It is my understanding that all US (Snapdragon) phones cover all bands, including CDMA. That means you could even take an unlocked AT&T phone to Verizon. I'm not used to that! It even has LTE-U which TMo is supposed to be soon supporting.
I am an ex AT&T customer. They unlocked my Note 7, and again with the replacement, without issue. I seem to remember there was a wait period at first. 7 or 14 days?
The thing I'm considering is also the VR incentives for pre-ordering. I can tell you AT&T messed up my Note 7 pre-order. They shipped it on the release day by a slow method. I ended up going to a store and buying one outright and returning the unopened one once it arrived. That caused a billing nightmare that I had to call them every months until I finally turned it in and closed my account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you recall where you read the carrier versions support all the bands just like the unlocked versions? All the info I found from the carriers shows different bands on each model.

Phredeee said:
I get that if you buy a carrier phone and then unlock it. But what about the factory unlocked phones sold in the US?
I've heard that the bootloader on those phones is also locked, but not from a real good source of info. I've also heard international versions do not have a locked bootloader and do not support Samsung Pay. They also do not support CDMA (which doesn't bother me at all).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're missing what I'm saying... There will be no unlocked bootloaders on any Samsung S8 phones for the USA. You cannot get one from carrier or factory.
I think you may be mixing up Bootloader unlock and Sim unlock....

954wrecker said:
Can you recall where you read the carrier versions support all the bands just like the unlocked versions? All the info I found from the carriers shows different bands on each model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do remember that it was a story about FCC approval of the factory unlocked (SIM) phone. Keep that in mind that it may be the unbranded, factory unlocked phone only, but the article did say they were all the same. The locked carrier phones may not be so flexible.
Other things I've found.. Best Buy SIM unlocked does not get the incentives. Best Buy, and their cheaper price, does not seem to offer a T-Mo phone.
The VR incentive is attractive to me, but is not a must have. At this moment, until I can find out for sure if Samsung Pay will work on an international version, I am leaning towards a T-Mo pre-order. But that is me and my preferences YMMV. I have a major dislike for AT&T.
Looking for where I read it. In the mean time this may be interesting to you.
Model numbers http://techbeasts.com/list-of-samsung-galaxy-s8-galaxy-s8plus-model-numbers/
Frequencies https://www.frequencycheck.com/models/OyqBp/samsung-sm-g955a-galaxy-s8-td-lte-samsung-dream
The link is for the AT&T model search for other models.

954wrecker said:
Can you recall where you read the carrier versions support all the bands just like the unlocked versions? All the info I found from the carriers shows different bands on each model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears that going by this information the factory unlocked and the AT&T are NOT the same https://www.frequencycheck.com/compare-devices/6MQWs05y/samsung-sm-g950a-galaxy-s8-td-lte-samsung-dream/samsung-sm-g950f-galaxy-s8-td-lte-samsung-dream
You're correct that it seems T-mo info is evasive.

Hello,
I would like to know, if it posible to buy the Galaxy S8 from the samsung web page (att version), then unlock it and after that flash the unlocked rom flashing it with odin.
Can someone help me?
thanks.

Just ordered the 955F from Clove...
I'm hoping that missing bands won't hurt my AT&T usage much. Or any prepaid sims I may throw in there.
Will see if the 955U info comes out before my phone, and will decide if I want to cancel.
:good::angel:

Looking for 5 users for free GSM unlock

Hey guys, i'm at it again..
I'm looking for 5 users to unlock their Sprint LS997 V20 devices for GSM use, no root required.
Please post here, do not PM me regarding this.
After the 5 spots are filled and completed, this is a paid service afterwards.
Video proof: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFl8_FDffp0

Damn I wish I could help....I need a kdz to bring back my v20 to life lol
Sent from Anonymous using tapatalk

Hi there OP really can not understand your offer, can you be a bit more precise - you are offering to GSM unlock LS997 device which actually is by default GSM unlocked?

vlad48 said:
Hi there OP really can not understand your offer, can you be a bit more precise - you are offering to GSM unlock LS997 device which actually is by default GSM unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please provide some sort of proof that a stock ls997 is unlocked by default?
As shown in my video they are NOT unlocked from factory.

Sure thing - they are not unlocked by default.
My fault - missed the video and was confused thinking that you are offering similar trick to famous switch to Lab Network mode via Hidden_menu apk.
Now everything is clear - you really offer the right and true SIM unlock via direct radio flash of unlocked one. So - I'm in if there are still free slots left

vlad48 said:
Sure thing - they are not unlocked by default.
My fault - missed the video and was confused thinking that you are offering similar trick to famous switch to Lab Network mode via Hidden_menu apk.
Now everything is clear - you really offer the right and true SIM unlock via direct radio flash of unlocked one. So - I'm in if there are still free slots left
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a few slots open! pm me on skype stoney.lawson is my username.
the lab network mode no longer works on the V20 as I posted a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGTXqetFq4g
I'm also not even flashing a radio, your baseband will never change.

I'm very interested have Sprint LS997 LG V20

jesmann said:
I'm very interested have Sprint LS997 LG V20
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too pls and i`ve been added to skype.
Thanks for advance!

I will also volunteer a LS997 if you are still looking for people.

I'll throw my hat in the ring too if there's still a spot open.

Can you unlock V20 LS997 ZV8??

Sprint V20 here.

I don't have Skype but I'm in

I am very interested in this. Are you still doing the unlocks? Sprint phone with the latest software update.

I am really in need for an oem unlock

ME PLEASE!!!
I've been trying for about 6 months now to find a way to use my v20 ls997 with my carrier. I bought it as supposedly unlocked on offerup to find out that my at&t sim won't work.
regards
DeeKay

I ended up buying the unlock service on ebay. Make sure you look for one that can do the newest versions.

Unlock
slawson said:
Hey guys, i'm at it again..
I'm looking for 5 users to unlock their Sprint LS997 V20 devices for GSM use, no root required.
Please post here, do not PM me regarding this.
After the 5 spots are filled and completed, this is a paid service afterwards.
Don't know if you are still looking for ls997's to unlock but I need mine unlocked. I am running Android 7.0 and hidden menu doesn't work for my MetroPCS SIM card. I'm willing to try anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Gallifreyan.Girl said:
slawson said:
Hey guys, i'm at it again..
I'm looking for 5 users to unlock their Sprint LS997 V20 devices for GSM use, no root required.
Please post here, do not PM me regarding this.
After the 5 spots are filled and completed, this is a paid service afterwards.
Don't know if you are still looking for ls997's to unlock but I need mine unlocked. I am running Android 7.0 and hidden menu doesn't work for my MetroPCS SIM card. I'm willing to try anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your digging up a thread from 2017 smh ?*
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Forum Rules
11. Don’t post with the intention of selling something.
Don’t use XDA to advertise your product or service. Proprietors of for-pay products or services, may use XDA to get feedback, provide beta access, or a free version of their product for XDA users and to offer support, but not to post with the intention of selling. This includes promoting sites similar / substantially similar to XDA-Developers.com.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thread closed

How easy is it to root LG phones?

I have a question that I don't want to just get Google's opinion on.
How easy is it to root most LG phones?
I have tried to root my brother's LG G7 ThinQ, but had no luck getting the bootloader unlocked. I like the idea of LG for myself, but since I was not able to root my own phone (Samsung Galaxy S8 Active) I really want the phone to be rootable. My last phone (Moto G5+) was rooted, and I loved root so much.
I've just been looking at the list of phones LG says are bootloader unlockable, and just seeing if I can find any on eBay.
Here is that list from LG: https://developer.lge.com/resource/mobile/RetrieveBootloader.dev
Sorry if this is posted in the wrong place I couldn't figure out how it works yet.

Your best bet is to get a LG phone not designed for USA markets, but usually cost more. There are a few exceptions such as ones that are not carriers branded. I am also looking into LG V50 (US Carrier unlocked) but no luck getting the bootloader unlocked.

e20140 said:
Your best bet is to get a LG phone not designed for USA markets, but usually cost more. There are a few exceptions such as ones that are not carriers branded. I am also looking into LG V50 (US Carrier unlocked) but no luck getting the bootloader unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, that's a good idea. I was noticing that most of the phones on the list were european models. Let me know how it goes with the V50.

I moved this to q/a for you might help you find the answer you need.

Logix said:
I moved this to q/a for you might help you find the answer you need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, thanks!