I called Sprint and had them unlock my rooted, stock-Android 6.01 (G900VPU3PCA) SM-G900P Galaxy S5 for domestic and international. Sprint also gave me a 6-digit MSL unlock code.
I inserted a new, T-Mobile SIM card into the unlocked S5 and I activated the SIM card on T-Mobile's website. However, the phone displays "Invalid SIM Card" in the notification area, and I get no voice or data. I tried restarting a few times. I also tried dialing ##72786# to reset the PRLs a few times. It won't activate. It still displays "Invalid SIM Card".
T-Mobile reps say to call Sprint.
Sprint reps double checked that it is unlocked and said that:
1) For Sprint phones built prior to February 2015 (like the Galaxy S5, but not the S6, S7, etc.), unlocking only truly works for non-US SIM cards & international use.
2) Domestic unlocks only work if the domestic carrier is willing to work with you to reprogram your phone using the "unlock" MSL code that Sprint gives you when you have them unlock the phone. T-Mobile is not willing to help me reprogram the phone.
3) I did find a site (idoneapps.com) that claims to be able to unlock the phone and fix the "Invalid SIM card" error for $35. But for that price, I'd rather just sell my Sprint GS5 and buy a T-Mobile GS5 because the Sprint G900P doesn't support T-Mobile's LTE bands. (It only supports HDSPA+, which is probably fast enough, but may not be common throughout the USA).
Can anyone help me figure out how to get this phone activated on T-Mobile without paying a fee?
I struggled with this. Idoneapps used to have a free version that worked for unlocking but it has since been scrubbed from the web. I went ahead and paid for the service, and it workeds well.
Since you got the unlock code and already performed the unlock. I recommend getting the free galaxy tools app that was made prior to it becoming idone.
I used version 3.12
Check sim lock status, if still locked go ahead and unlock then use idoneapps recommended steps to enable tmobile service.
You need to change the gfc settings. This might let you use another sim card.
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA-Developers mobile app
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Today I went to unlock my Sprint LG G Flex 2 after paying it off. Sprint gave me a code (In a form of ##xxxxxx#) to put in via the dialer, but it did not unlock the phone. They are telling me to go to a 3rd party company to unlock it, but I am wondering what you guys think. I know there is quite a few software loopholes that some people have used on the G3 to unlock it, and I am wondering if any exist with the G Flex 2. Heres whats going on
With a Sprint sim the phone stays on Sprint and works no problem
With a Verizon sim it will use the Verizon voice network but it does not get data
With an ATT Sim it goes between "Service Disabled" and 4 bars, but will not make a call or send a text.
With a MetroPCS sim it will not call, text, and stays at service disabled
With a PTel sim it stays at service disabled
From what it looks like to me the phone is not GSM unlocked. Is there any way I can unlock it for GSM use. I know some bands wont be picked up, but I would like to use it on ATT 3G when im out in the countryside where Sprint doesn't have service. From what I know of since the Feb. 11 revision of laws for unlocking devices if the device is in good standing and paid off/contract expired the carrier is supposed to unlock it, but there method is not working for GSM use. I am wondering if anyone knows a way to get there code to work or a software loophole to unlock the SIM slot for GSM use. I am guessing that the phone is receiving att and Metro service because the split second before it goes to service disabled it gets 4 bars and the phone recognizes my phone number. My ATT and Metro APN settings are programmed in already in the roaming area, but there is not an APN settings input in the mobile networks category.
If anyone knows how and if this phone can be unlocked to work with GSM service it would be a great help.
Thanks
Jake
Also, when I use the the Available GSM networks feature under "Roaming>Avalable GSM networks" it always comes up wit "Error searching for networks"
The phone is rooted, could I use unlocking methods from the G3? How much of a risk would I be taking by using methods sourced from another LG phone? To expand upon that I would attempt using methods proven with the g3 or original g flex to try and get it to start running on gsm, I did submit a domestic and international unlock to sprint but all they gave me was a useless MSL code. I need to get this working on at&t or I will have to sell this wonderful phone.
As far as I know they will only unlock it for a Sprint customer who has the line active for 90 days. Unless something is different on the Flex 2 there is no code to enter, I unlocked my HTC One M8 before swapping to the Flex 2 and everything was done on there end. Additionally they state the unlock is only for international use and will not unlock the phone for US carriers although I cant verify if that is true as I don't have a US SIM card to try.
uh60james said:
As far as I know they will only unlock it for a Sprint customer who has the line active for 90 days. Unless something is different on the Flex 2 there is no code to enter, I unlocked my HTC One M8 before swapping to the Flex 2 and everything was done on there end. Additionally they state the unlock is only for international use and will not unlock the phone for US carriers although I cant verify if that is true as I don't have a US SIM card to try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is fully paid off, it was used for less than a month. In the USA there is a law that was passed on February 11th 2015 stating that all carriers must be able to unlock there phones for domestic service (DSU) as far as I know sprint does not seem to follow that, and makes it dang hard to do anything. I was able to get texts working, and data, but I cannot call or receive mms, anyone have any ideas on why that might be. I would like to try and get both working, and I will put in the work for going into the root and trying to get the bands unlocked for AT&T, if anyone can confirm that it is not a gigantic threat to the phone by attempting it, I would make a backup before, but my last experience with a Verizon S3 + Easy unlocker bricked my phone, and although I got it recovered it was no fun.
Rooted...
You stated that the phone is rooted, was the phone rooted when you attempted the unlock? If so, I would suggest restoring the phone to fully stock via the files supplied by Malxce and method described in cairui505's thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/g-flex2/help/ls996-tot-t3094660
I have used it and it works great. After that I would attempt the unlock as Sprint suggested and follow any further problems with Sprint tier 2 technical support. I'm sorry, I don't have the number handy but I'm sure Google will assist. Tier 2 support has a great deal more knowledge and capability than the store or tier 1 personnel. You are correct that they are required by law to unlock the phone at the users request but they will not make it easy and unlocking the phone doesn't change it's hardware capabilities. I'm just not sure if there is an underlying and limiting hardware difference between the carriers versions that would prevent proper activation on another carrier. The law requires that they unlock the unit, not include the hardware to port to other networks.
How would the phone being rooted stop it from being unlocked? I ask because I bought a used phone from ebay that's already internationally unlocked, I've been given the msl code multiple times by tech support, and as I've just discovered it's been rooted.
While on the sprint network I paid cash for a Samsung Galaxy S7 back in March 2016. I switched to ATT for better service. I was told by att that the phone would work on their network. It doesn't work. They said I need to have the phone unlocked. Through a LOT of BS sprint finally told me it was unlocked and gave me an unlock code. Phone still wont work. The error I get is invalid sim card. Sent phone twice to samsung. Still wont connect to att network and still has invalid sim card. Spoke to samsung executive level of customer service and they said there is nothing wrong with the phone that I need to take it to sprint and have them unlock it. Sprint just says this phone will only work on the sprint network. SO I have a $750.00 phone that is less than a year old that is useless?? Has anybody run into this? Can anyone help me?
Galaxy s7 not working on AT&T network
Hi, I'm a tech from a store, it would work on the att network, but need to be unlock first. You mention sprint that give you a code, Did You enter it when the phone ask for? How did You use it? [emoji41]
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
security00602 said:
Hi, I'm a tech from a store, it would work on the att network, but need to be unlock it first. You mention sprint give you a code, right. Did You enter it when the phone ask for? How did You use it? [emoji41]
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
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Click to collapse
The phone did not have a spot that i could see where to insert the code. It did not ask for one.
Try other sim cards, when you turn on the phone it should ask for a network unlock code.
Galaxy s7 not working on AT&T network
The code to unlock the phone need to be of eight digit, if they bring You with the 6 digit code, that code is for manual program, or SPC code. Go to network setting and check for the GSM option, it would need to be turned on. Also need the APN (Access Point Network) to be programmed.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Hi everyone
I’m kinda puzzled with this note 8 and need some advice. Recently got a note 8 from AT&T and since I was traveling I had it unlocked to use by a third party company ( since att doesn’t unlock until Device payment is complete)
I got the code, unlocked the phone successfully. Before I left USA I put a working T-Mobile sim to test if connectivity, no luck, it doesn’t work, I tried a Verizon sim, nothing works....
Note... this T-Mobile sim and Verizon sim if I put it on a different device it will work...
any reason why this is happening
jmathew86 said:
Hi everyone
I’m kinda puzzled with this note 8 and need some advice. Recently got a note 8 from AT&T and since I was traveling I had it unlocked to use by a third party company ( since att doesn’t unlock until Device payment is complete)
I got the code, unlocked the phone successfully. Before I left USA I put a working T-Mobile sim to test if connectivity, no luck, it doesn’t work, I tried a Verizon sim, nothing works....
Note... this T-Mobile sim and Verizon sim if I put it on a different device it will work...
any reason why this is happening
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is not unlocked. Seems like an error happened when you got the unlock code. I'd try again.
Did you use this device on the att network? I mean, do you have it activated?
If you unlocked it by codes and the message after inserting the code is something like "unlock successfull" then your device must accept other GSM SIM cards.
Also, I would recommend you place a 5 min call with your device, with the att sim card and then insert again the tmob card.
What is the message when you insert the tmobile card in this device?
I did the same thing by using a Tmobile SIM during the unlocking process, and it worked on TMobile right after I unlocked it. It sounded like you did not unlock it using a different network SIM but using some other method. I am not sure if that mattered or not.
I then traveled to Asia, and I bought and used a local SIM card with zero issues. The 4G LTE was faster in that country than AT&T... LOL
Just picked up a Tmobile 8T+5G, haven't even taken it out of the box yet. I was planning on having it unlocked ASAP, and reflash with the global firmware to access the dual SIM ability.
I currently run a Pixel 3A, with my personal line on Sprint, and my employer's line on Verizon using a SIM card from the company iPhone XR. After unlocking/reflashing/adding dual SIM tray, will I be able to run the Verizon SIM in the phone for voice/SMS service only, while keeping my Sprint SIM in the other SIM slot? I don't care about 5G working on Verizon, as I know there's a different 8T to support Verizon's 5G anyways, and really don't even need data at all on it.
EDIT: Just found Verizon's BYOD IMEI checker, and it does says this 8T is compatible based on the Tmo IMEI number, but I've seen cases in the past where the check tool says yes, but people still are unable to get things to work correctly. Also, in my case, I'd still be using an old SIM that I can't easily change out for a new one.
I just bought a brand new, never opened AT&T branded Galaxy Fold. Seals on the box were still intact. The device was originally purchased directly from Samsung and was not tied to any AT&T account, although there was a new AT&T SIM in the box that is still attached to the card and never used.
IMEI is supposedly clean and ready for activation with no outstanding financing or blacklist according to Swappa and Ting.
I tried to get a SIM unlock code from the AT&T unlock portal, but it rejects the request because “AT&T didn’t sell or activate the device.” I suppose this message is technically true since the phone was sold by Samsung and never activated, but I’m not sure how to proceed with SIM unlocking it to use on Verizon.
Anyone have any ideas?
concept0 said:
I just bought a brand new, never opened AT&T branded Galaxy Fold. Seals on the box were still intact. The device was originally purchased directly from Samsung and was not tied to any AT&T account, although there was a new AT&T SIM in the box that is still attached to the card and never used.
IMEI is supposedly clean and ready for activation with no outstanding financing or blacklist according to Swappa and Ting.
I tried to get a SIM unlock code from the AT&T unlock portal, but it rejects the request because “AT&T didn’t sell or activate the device.” I suppose this message is technically true since the phone was sold by Samsung and never activated, but I’m not sure how to proceed with SIM unlocking it to use on Verizon.
Anyone have any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just guessing as I never had a locked device.
Maybe you can try to use an AT&T SIM card in that device for about 11 days. Some users reported that the network/region lock set by Samsung will get deactivated after that period of time. Then you might be able to change to a Verizon sim card.
Worth a try?!
concept0 said:
I just bought a brand new, never opened AT&T branded Galaxy Fold. Seals on the box were still intact. The device was originally purchased directly from Samsung and was not tied to any AT&T account, although there was a new AT&T SIM in the box that is still attached to the card and never used.
IMEI is supposedly clean and ready for activation with no outstanding financing or blacklist according to Swappa and Ting.
I tried to get a SIM unlock code from the AT&T unlock portal, but it rejects the request because “AT&T didn’t sell or activate the device.” I suppose this message is technically true since the phone was sold by Samsung and never activated, but I’m not sure how to proceed with SIM unlocking it to use on Verizon.
Anyone have any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If its anything like Tmobile, then you'll get the run around, Samsung will tell you its ATT and ATT will tell you its Samsung that you have to contact. On Tmobile one has to contact TForce via Twitter, then have them reach out to Samsung internally so that they can load the IMEI on to the T-Mobile system, once that part is done then Tmobile the actually carrier can go forth and process the unlock request. I am thinking it will be something similar with ATT locked devices purchased from Samsung directly.