I purchased the Galaxy s7 Unlocked USA (SM-g930u with AT&T). I quickly found out that the bootloader is locked down and you cannot do very much with it. I did root it, but didn't like it much. My girlfriend has a Galaxy s7 (SM-g930p with Virgin Mobile). She said she would swap me phones so i would be able to customize the device. Does anybody know if this is possible? I've read a couple of posts about swapping firmware, not sure if that is a route, since my bootloader is locked. I bought my sm-g930u 5 days ago from best buy so I can still return it if there is no way to swap phones, or numbers or anything.
Rickyloc said:
I purchased the Galaxy s7 Unlocked USA (SM-g930u with AT&T). I quickly found out that the bootloader is locked down and you cannot do very much with it. I did root it, but didn't like it much. My girlfriend has a Galaxy s7 (SM-g930p with Virgin Mobile). She said she would swap me phones so i would be able to customize the device. Does anybody know if this is possible? I've read a couple of posts about swapping firmware, not sure if that is a route, since my bootloader is locked. I bought my sm-g930u 5 days ago from best buy so I can still return it if there is no way to swap phones, or numbers or anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both devices need to be unlocked and you need to check if each device compatible/allowed on the other network, i.e. AT&T S7 must be allowed on Virgin and Virgin S7 must be allowed on AT&T.
If both devices meet both conditions then all you should need is to put the AT&T SIM in the Virgin device and the Virgin SIM in the AT&T device then go to each carriers website or call each carriers customer support and go through the activation process on each network to get the devices reactivated, you can keep your existing number during the activation process.
It should require no PC tools or flashing unless the Virgin device needs to be unlocked(depending on that device's unlock method, it might or may not require PC or flashing to unlock it).
It should be a pretty straightforward process.
If you're unsure, you can always call both network's customer support and check with them first.
I DO NOT PROVIDE HELP IN PM, KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE
Related
Hello all,
I purchased a Samsung galaxy s2 GT-i9100m off someone on craigstlist a few years back (original owner /w box clean imei).
I am currently on Virgin Mobile which is bell mobility network - Apparently when I purchased it he already unlocked/rooted the phone but I believe I removed that by installing the official jellybean on my phone (it still works with my virgin sim).
Now I am planning to purchase a new smartphone and give my mom this one.. She is on the rogers network.
I have no idea if this phone is virgin or bell locked (does it actually matter between the two while selecting it on a unlock code site?)
If it does matter how do I find out the orginal locked carrier? The phone has no logos besides the type GT-i9100m.
Oh and what is the cheapest unlock site?
Thank you.
Meowthx said:
Hello all,
I purchased a Samsung galaxy s2 GT-i9100m off someone on craigstlist a few years back (original owner /w box clean imei).
I am currently on Virgin Mobile which is bell mobility network - Apparently when I purchased it he already unlocked/rooted the phone but I believe I removed that by installing the official jellybean on my phone (it still works with my virgin sim).
Now I am planning to purchase a new smartphone and give my mom this one.. She is on the rogers network.
I have no idea if this phone is virgin or bell locked (does it actually matter between the two while selecting it on a unlock code site?)
If it does matter how do I find out the orginal locked carrier? The phone has no logos besides the type GT-i9100m.
Oh and what is the cheapest unlock site?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on the unlocking method, some just unlock using a standard code whilst others contact the network it is locked to for a specific code. I would advise checking just to be sure so the unlock works. However after research that phone is seen most common on Virgin so I would select them and if that option isn't available go Bell (After all most services offer a refund/retry, all that I've used anyway)
Unfortunatley, I do not know a cheap and reliable service but some say you can do it yourself but I'm sure after some search on Google/eBay you can get a good, RELIABLE service (Reliability is more important than cost)
Hope I could help and good luck with your unlock
Meowthx said:
Hello all,
I purchased a Samsung galaxy s2 GT-i9100m off someone on craigstlist a few years back (original owner /w box clean imei).
I am currently on Virgin Mobile which is bell mobility network - Apparently when I purchased it he already unlocked/rooted the phone but I believe I removed that by installing the official jellybean on my phone (it still works with my virgin sim).
Now I am planning to purchase a new smartphone and give my mom this one.. She is on the rogers network.
I have no idea if this phone is virgin or bell locked (does it actually matter between the two while selecting it on a unlock code site?)
If it does matter how do I find out the orginal locked carrier? The phone has no logos besides the type GT-i9100m.
Oh and what is the cheapest unlock site?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry, i cant help you with your question.
i just wanted to point out to be very cautious when choosing an unlock site. i see posts frequently of users getting ripped off. when choosing a site, i would do some google searches on them, to see if it results in any scam reports.
i have never used one of these sites, so i dont know ant to suggest.
Assuming that TMOB does not lock the bootloader so that the S7 variants can be rooted and custom roms eventually installed, what is the best way for a non-TMOB customer to outright purchase a TMOB variant of the S7 so that it could be unlocked and used on another carrier, like T, that locks their bootloader?
I am going to assume here that TMOB will use the same TMOB Remote Device Unlock App that requires the IMEI to be in their DB and registered. Looking at the TMOB pre-paid site, the phones available seem not to be very modern so I would guess S7 will not appear there for many years.
Is it as simple as going to a TMOB store and doing an outright purchase without a plan?
Last time, I pre-ordered a Note 4 prior to release and had to setup service and cancel within 30 days which was a bit of pain.
I am looking for a simpler retail channel.
:fingers-crossed:
Right there with ya, would love to find out.
Carriers in the US are finding new ways to keep users from unlocking phones and moving to other carriers. These new monthly installments and required post paid plans are one of those ways. Best bet would be hoping for third-party unlocking services to work with t-mobile's version soon after launch.
Flame Red said:
Assuming that TMOB does not lock the bootloader so that the S7 variants can be rooted and custom roms eventually installed, what is the best way for a non-TMOB customer to outright purchase a TMOB variant of the S7 so that it could be unlocked and used on another carrier, like T, that locks their bootloader?
I am going to assume here that TMOB will use the same TMOB Remote Device Unlock App that requires the IMEI to be in their DB and registered. Looking at the TMOB pre-paid site, the phones available seem not to be very modern so I would guess S7 will not appear there for many years.
Is it as simple as going to a TMOB store and doing an outright purchase without a plan?
Last time, I pre-ordered a Note 4 prior to release and had to setup service and cancel within 30 days which was a bit of pain.
I am looking for a simpler retail channel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat, but I don't believe a simpler retail channel exists. Each release since the S6 has been locked down with the TMOB app and even direct customers have a hard time unlocking within the first 21 days. Threads on XDA discussing carrier unlock reach hundreds of posts - never seems to be an answer other than buy the device outright and request an unlock code after 30days. =/
Found this place that is supposed to be able to unlock TMOB's crapulance. I have not idea if they really can do it though.
http://www.androidsimunlock.com/phone-unlocking-service/tmobile-device-unlock-app-official-unlock/
unlockbase.com also advertises they can too, but when I emailed them specifically about the S7 they said they were not sure.
I'm wondering whether there will be an unlocked 64gb (or hopefully 128gb!) variant that could accept a TMo stock-based ROM & utilize WiFi calling & all TMo LTE bands.
I'm glad this thread was started, I'm looking to buy the tmobile s7 outright and was trying to figure out how I was gonna unlock it.
My tmobile s5 had an unlocked bootloader, I'm hoping for the same with the s7... Anyone know if the tmobile s6 came with unlocked bootloader?
Please post experience with S7 SIM (carrier) unlocking here, specifically third party websites that offer an unlocking service.
I bought my phone out right from T-mobile. And their unlock app that comes on the phone does not work
HTCMDA said:
I bought my phone out right from T-mobile. And their unlock app that comes on the phone does not work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works but you have to know what you're doing with it. Did you contact Tmobile for unlock code. We unlock and blacklist repair the Sprint, Tmobile, etc. The Tmobile ones have to go through that app during the process
supreme83 said:
It works but you have to know what you're doing with it. Did you contact Tmobile for unlock code. We unlock and blacklist repair the Sprint, Tmobile, etc. The Tmobile ones have to go through that app during the process
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea man i called...they sent an email with instructions.. email stated this phone doesn't require an unlock code as it has a built in unlock app. follow the directions below blah blah balh
bottom line, it doesn't work. why? because there's hidden rules and crap that need to be met 1st by t-mobile. prepaid people need to spend at least 100 dollars in refills before the phone is eligible. post paid people need to have the phone active on t-mobile for a minimum of 45 days and your account cannot be cancelled during that time.
well seeing as how i'm on prepaid... i walked in, made a new customer purchase as a post paid user, then cancelled my line after i got my gear vr and netflix code... which wasn't even 30 days. I can't unlock my phone, So I'm now on prepaid gonna see if I can after 100 dollars in refills
Try to use UnlockRadar for any phone using Device Unlock App from T-Mobile, including the Galaxy S7. You can find more here: https://www.unlockradar.com/service/t-mobile-usa-device-unlock-app-official-unlock
Hello,
i need a help with a unlocking Samsung Galaxy S7 SIM (network) too. It is locked to Vodafone UK.
Does anyone know any reliable services to do it?
Thanks
merlooo said:
Hello,
i need a help with a unlocking Samsung Galaxy S7 SIM (network) too. It is locked to Vodafone UK.
Does anyone know any reliable services to do it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use ebay to get my unlock codes, unlocked maybe a dozen phones in the last few years and never had any issues with anyone.
A couple reliable sites I've used many times are www.unlockbase.com and www.cellunlocker.net . There's also a thread over on the s6 general forum of a member named stifilz that can unlock your device via USB cable, his service is free but a donation is always a nice gesture. Good luck!
Sent from the silver bullet 930F Running Superman Rom
kinda ridiculous you have to pay to get an unlock code still. My SM-G930FD i bought unlocked locks itself every time in install a T-mobile csc and the app wont even run on that phone
Hi can anyone help? I bought an At&t S7 Edge on amazon and got the unlock code from the vendor and it apparently worked. My only issue is that it'll only work with the sim that was in the phone when I entered the code. If I use another one the phone keeps displaying "insert sim". Thanks already for your replies
Thanks for the reply and there's 1 more things I need to mention: I'm using the phone overseas (Haiti) as it's still under At&t contract. Now to answer your questions no it doesn't ask for the unlock code anymore but like I said it only works with the non At&t
sim I used when entering the unlock code.
SamsungCodeSource said:
Hey there macphephe,
What network are you trying to use the phone with and does the phone ask for the unlock code still when you turn the phone on with a non AT&T simcard/
Let me know we can help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
s7 (sm-930f) lock to Austrian A1 was not able to be unlocked by unlockbase.com. However, the nck from cellunlocker.net worked well.
Ok so what im mentioning is something im still not getting quite well, but i saw before many samsung phones S6, S7, Note... etc that have the international firmware 9XXF/FD even when the phone is actually a T-Mobile version or AT&T, in download mode you will be shown the real phone model but the firmware isn't. Of course through Odin with a PC you won't be able to flash the phone with a firmware besides the one designed for it. If you actually wanna flash the phone you'll need the original firmware, i tried it before and flashed a Verizon S6 that had the international 6.0 firmware on it through Odin and as you might guess i got an error as the device didn't match the firmware, when i actually flashed it with the correct Verizon 7.0 firmware it worked and the phone booted and worked alright, except that now the phone is network locked! downgrade isn't possible unless i use a repair firmware and a pit file (not sure if still works with nougat). Then i got the idea of actually using the repair firmware and the pit of the 9XXF version as its network free, and ended up breaking the phone completely. The jig didn't work so couldn't access odin. So i work for a friend of mine in a repair workshop PC, Consoles, Mobiles... blablabla and we have the Z3x box, it did unbrick the phone, and then i started playing with it to see what it can do, and there is an option to actually flash and mix different parts of the firmware, so i went an flashed the bootloader of the Verizon firmware with the rest from the international firmware, it didn't boot at first but somehow i got it into recovery mode and after a format it did boot, and the network was actually unlocked after.
I do not think this method would work on all versions, as some samsung phones uses the snapdragon soc while others uses the exynos soc, and i don't think you can mix those firmwares, but an unlocked exynos model might be unlockable with the international firmware, of course considering the risk of breaking the phone, but if you're lucky as i was and have one of those boxes you shouldn't be much afraid.
Something else i'd like to mention, is that the Z3x can actually fully backup the phone, and i don't mean a nandroid backup like TWRP but like a full partitions backup, and the idea i got but didn't test is if you have for example a locked S7 and an unlocked one and same model so let's say 930P, you can actually copy the raw partitions from the unlocked one to the locked one and i don't know, maybe ending up unlocking it too, again didn't test this one as i only have one S7 and its already unlocked (930FD).
So like the title says I have a brand new never started/updated t-mobile s7 and I'm looking to use the phone on the Verizon network where I currently have a plan.
I've never unlocked SIMs before so I figured I'd check here first, I don't want to brick the phone obviously..
So my question is how do I go about doing this? I see t-mobile has an app that unblocks the SIM for customers, however I'm not a customer and do not plan on using t-mobile network.
I found some dodgy websites that claim to be able to do it but I'm not sure how I feel about handling over my information to them especially without at least some third party confirmation that the service actually works and is not a scam.
Does anyone have some input on what to do?
Flash the 930U firmware to it. This should allow it to be SIM unlocked.
Try calling tm you just never know they may just give you the unlock codes. I had a phone lock to att once, gave them a ring and they gave me the codes, just be nice.
I used the tmobile unlock app on device. The app checks if you qualify same as a rep would.
Sent from my SM-G930T using XDA-Developers mobile app
So I got the phone unlocked but only to find out the T-Mobile s7 is GSM, Verizon runs on CDMA which is not compatible.
Now that I have it unlocked, would it be possible to flash the Verizon s7 software and have it connect?
I assume I'll need to root the phone in order to do that but will the hardware interact properly with the Verizon software?
2003WRB said:
So I got the phone unlocked but only to find out the T-Mobile s7 is GSM, Verizon runs on CDMA which is not compatible.
Now that I have it unlocked, would it be possible to flash the Verizon s7 software and have it connect?
I assume I'll need to root the phone in order to do that but will the hardware interact properly with the Verizon software?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CDMA and GSM are two different frequency bands, and use separate hardware. Meaning, they are physically not compatible.
2003WRB said:
So I got the phone unlocked but only to find out the T-Mobile s7 is GSM, Verizon runs on CDMA which is not compatible.
Now that I have it unlocked, would it be possible to flash the Verizon s7 software and have it connect?
I assume I'll need to root the phone in order to do that but will the hardware interact properly with the Verizon software?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The good news for you is that the S7 sold in the United States all contain the same hardware, the same actual components, so they all physically are capable of handling both GSM and CDMA networks. Also good for you is that now that the phone is unlocked, you can either flash the Verizon firmware or flash the "U" firmware on your device. Normally speaking, this would be really bad advice for any other device, but for the S7 it is possible.
I have the T-Mo S7 flat, and I am running the latest U firmware on AT&T, though I have flashed many and sold them for Verizon.
Don't fret, be happy, and Merry Christmas!
will this allow lte+,in order words can I make a call and still browse the internet on verizon?
So, I'll apologize if this has already been dealt with previously, but I just need to verify what I've been told by a friend who knows Android systems (and Samsung S7 phones) a LOT more than I will ever attempt to understand..
About a year ago, I bought a Samsung Galaxy S7 from a 'rebuilder' (my term) who mentioned at the time "... it was ATT phone..", and, yes, when I turn it on it does the ATT circle jerk logo and has an ATT logo on the back of the phone. This was of no real concern to me, because my service purveyor uses the ATT system (Consumer Cellular), so it's worked well enough. But unfortunately, it also has a boatload of 'semi-proprietary' ATT trash in the phone which I'd like to get rid of. To confuse the matter even more, it appears that I cannot 'unlock' the phone because it has not been associated with an actual active ATT account for close to two years, and it APPEARS that now they refuse to accommodate an unlock code for this phone.
So... according to my friend (Mr. Android Phone), I can 'root' this phone to 'factory original firmware' and make it (in essence) just a plain-old-vanilla Samsung S7 without this rather bogus ATT firmware and the myriad of craplets I'd like to get rid of..
So, I'm here looking for "expertise" in such things because I certainly don't want to 'brick' this pretty nice phone, but I also want to get this to a point where there is no association with ATT in any manner. So my question sorta comes down to: "can I root this and be rid of all things ATT?", and "will this allow me to achieve an 'unlock' without having to play ATT's games? (I had QUITE the discussion with an ATT 'support' dude a couple of hours ago when he flatly refused to give me an unlock code so I could simply ATTEMPT to see if Consumer Cellular's T-Mobile service might work better at my home, since CC tells me I'm right in the center of a brand new rebuilt 4G service area).
Does any of this make any sense to anyone? Pardon my ignorance, but if the IMEI # is somehow 'tethered' to ATT and they won't "release" it, how does rooting help with this? - or is this something more like an 'association' of the IMEI # AND the ATT firmware...? GAH!! I'd just like to be totally rid of all this ATT junk and have the freedom to choose whichever service I want.
CentennialMan said:
So, I'll apologize if this has already been dealt with previously, but I just need to verify what I've been told by a friend who knows Android systems (and Samsung S7 phones) a LOT more than I will ever attempt to understand..
I'd just like to be totally rid of all this ATT junk and have the freedom to choose whichever service I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi There that's a lot of words partner! I'll try make the answer easy to understand and I've cut out much of the post so my reply isn't huge.
1. Yes you can install vanilla firmware which will remove all branding from AT&T and you don't need to root the phone to do this. here is the firmware for your device >>here<< You can also use XAS or XAA. You will see the guide and the Odin you need to flash this firmware.
2. This is another version of Odin on this website if you have any issues with the one on Sammobile. >>here<<
3. Unfortunately you cannot unlock the phone unless the original cell phone provider gives you their half of the unlock key as a code to input to the phone. In the UK once a phone is out of the initial contract period it is illegal for the provider to refuse to give you this code whether your still with them or not. I know in the USA you guys gets ****ed over. The original account holder of the phone can ask for the unlock code but not you.
4. Changing the firmware and unlocking the phone to any network are two different things, flashing unbranded firmware will not unlock the phone the network is tied to. They don't make it that easy!
5. As far as i know T Mobile (USA) has also moved to G930U firmware so you could be lucky with a T Mobile SIM working once the phone is flashed with this firmware but don't hold your breath. Check Sammobile for the T Mobile firmware too.
6. IMEI number is tied to the phone so in theory it can be changed after the phone is rooted and you are able to modify the EFS partition but it is extremely difficult even for veterans like me and it causes lots of problems with cell network registration. Leave well alone if you don't want a completely useless device.
Things to make flashing go easier
1. Turn off FRP lock or sign out of the Google account on the phone or delete it before you do anything, you can put that account back on the phone after flashing.
2. If you enable Developer options make sure " usb debugging" is enabled and OEM unlock, not essential but can help when things go wrong.
3. Anything you want to keep, pics media etc back up or move to SD card, the SD card won't be touched when flashing firmware.
4. Please follow the guides on how to flash correctly.
Any other questions please ask.
It should be noted that if it's an ATT phone it's Snapdragon therefore permanently bootloader locked, OEM Unlock won't actually do anything, that setting only works on Exynos.
The only root method for Snapdragon is to use a leaked engineering bootloader to gain system access, and you can only install the leaked bootloader if your phone is already running old firmware. For up to date phones there is no root method.
Beanvee7 said:
It should be noted that if it's an ATT phone it's Snapdragon therefore permanently bootloader locked, OEM Unlock won't actually do anything, that setting only works on Exynos.
The only root method for Snapdragon is to use a leaked engineering bootloader to gain system access, and you can only install the leaked bootloader if your phone is already running old firmware. For up to date phones there is no root method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello mate i'm not sure if your aware but AT&T were initially Qual comm but they've also been using Exynos for a while.
cooltt said:
Hello mate i'm not sure if your aware but AT&T were initially Qual comm but they've also been using Exynos for a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source?
Beanvee7 said:
Source?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't be smart you know how to use Google?
I did google it, I wouldn't have asked for a source if I found something. But it doesn't matter, you're the one making unsubstantiated claims, the burden is on you to prove it. But since you asked for it:
AT&T's website says Snapdragon
https://i.imgur.com/TdV62Mq.jpg
https://www.att.com/buy/phones/samsung-galaxy-s7-32gb-black-onyx.html
GSM Arena says Snapdragon
https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_(usa)-7960.php
Wikipedia says Snapdragon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S7#Qualcomm_Snapdragon_820_Models
There isn't a single page when googling AT&T S7 Exynos that backs your claim up. The USA also uses completely different network technology than internationally, using the S7 Exynos in the USA is already known to cause issues with LTE, VoWiFi etc. They'd have to do a hardware refresh of the Exynos SoC if they wanted to support it in the USA, which they ain't going to do a for a 3 gen old phone.
Beanvee7 said:
I did google it, I wouldn't have asked for a source if I found something. But it doesn't matter, you're the one making unsubstantiated claims, the burden is on you to prove it. But since you asked for it:
AT&T's website says Snapdragon
https://i.imgur.com/TdV62Mq.jpg
https://www.att.com/buy/phones/samsung-galaxy-s7-32gb-black-onyx.html
GSM Arena says Snapdragon
https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_(usa)-7960.php
Wikipedia says Snapdragon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S7#Qualcomm_Snapdragon_820_Models
There isn't a single page when googling AT&T S7 Exynos that backs your claim up. The USA also uses completely different network technology than internationally, using the S7 Exynos in the USA is already known to cause issues with LTE, VoWiFi etc. They'd have to do a hardware refresh of the Exynos SoC if they wanted to support it in the USA, which they ain't going to do a for a 3 gen old phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol ok.