Hello all,
First time poster. I purchased a Sprint G930P from someone off craigslist strictly for the screen and chassis. I had an ATT motherboard I was going to swap in because I thought its screen was bad, turns out the screen is fine and mother board is toast. Anyways on to my question.
Since I wasn't interested in the Sprint MOBO I didn't even care if the phone was lock, under contract, etc. Well now that I have no use for it I have discovered it is locked to Sprint and they will not give me an unlock code cause it's not paid off.........I have researched for 3 days now and have not found an answer to my question........If I some how manage to flash another carriers FW to this Sprint phone, lets say ATT, will an ATT sim work or will it still be "sim locked"? Really bummed, I'm not out a ton of money but I am a tech guy, I like challenges, and I feel like this is possible. TIA
Nope, it will be IMEI blocked if the contract was not paid off, blocked from all networks in the US
And flashing different firmwares does not SIM unlock anyway
*Detection* said:
Nope, it will be IMEI blocked if the contract was not paid off, blocked from all networks in the US
And flashing different firmwares does not SIM unlock anyway
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Alright thanks for the info......guess I learned my lesson.
my240sx88 said:
Alright thanks for the info......guess I learned my lesson.
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There are ways to change the IMEI but it would cost for the box to achieve it, and we cannot discuss it on XDA as it is illegal in most countries, Google is your friend for that one
Related
Hello,
This is my first post after being referred to you guys for help from a couple of friends.
Was soooo happy to become an owner of a new galxy nexus from 3 on pay as you go. Was given a number to 3 to be able to unlock it and was told it would be no problem.
Tried to do that as soon as I got home and was told they couldn't locate the IMEI number and would take 2 weeks for it to be sorted out!
Obviously I'm dying to use my lovely new phone and so upset I've not got this problem. Is there anything else I can do to unlock the phone?
Thanks
Ami-Jane said:
Hello,
This is my first post after being referred to you guys for help from a couple of friends.
Was soooo happy to become an owner of a new galxy nexus from 3 on pay as you go. Was given a number to 3 to be able to unlock it and was told it would be no problem.
Tried to do that as soon as I got home and was told they couldn't locate the IMEI number and would take 2 weeks for it to be sorted out!
Obviously I'm dying to use my lovely new phone and so upset I've not got this problem. Is there anything else I can do to unlock the phone?
Thanks
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The Nexus S (or any Nexus branded phone) shouldn't be locked. Did you tried different SIM?
Yep should work right away with any carrier... worst case scenario you have to enter the APN settings manually.
[c]K said:
Yep should work right away with any carrier... worst case scenario you have to enter the APN settings manually.
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That's not true. If you buy it from a carrier they will have it locked to their network. Be patient, the unlock code should come soon. The GN is still brand new
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
nbeebe24 said:
That's not true. If you buy it from a carrier they will have it locked to their network. Be patient, the unlock code should come soon. The GN is still brand new
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that's interesting. i also thought, that the nexuses are never locked?! isn't it a statement by google, that a nexus phone always has to stay free, no matter where it's sold?
well, mine however is not locked, even though i bought it from a carrier...
if this is a CDMA phone if youre talking about the ESN of the phone and they flashed a different firmware for a different carrier [i.e. Sprint to Cricket] they will not release the ESN...call your carrier if CDMA and ask them the status of the ESN it usually starts with 268 or 270...
if this is a GSM phone...well it should be unlocked by default
Just for the record, I'd like to confirm, that my GN is coming from Vodafone Ireland, in the shop they said it is SIM locked to VF-IE, but when I tried different SIMs, irish/non-irish either, all worked well, no sign of the network lock.
yeah GNex should be unlocked
Hey everyone, I have seen someone Samsung Galaxy S3's on craigslist for like $300 and their IMEI is blocked. Meaning either stolen, blocked, or the owner didn't pay a bill.
I honestly can care less, I just want to know if T-Mobile blocks an IMEI if I can still use Simple Mobile on it, or I will have to unlock it to use a AT&T or other GSM carrier. My main concern is for Simple Mobile though since it is my current network.
Also, I have heard of changing the IMEI, can anyone provide information about that?
Thanks.
MasterGGM said:
Hey everyone, I have seen someone Samsung Galaxy S3's on craigslist for like $300 and their IMEI is blocked. Meaning either stolen, blocked, or the owner didn't pay a bill.
I honestly can care less, I just want to know if T-Mobile blocks an IMEI if I can still use Simple Mobile on it, or I will have to unlock it to use a AT&T or other GSM carrier. My main concern is for Simple Mobile though since it is my current network.
Also, I have heard of changing the IMEI, can anyone provide information about that?
Thanks.
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Click to collapse
I would get the ESN and call to see if they would activate it. That's what we used to do when I sold cell phone years ago.
The imei is the gsm equivalent of esn. Anyway, call them before you buy, and simple mobile is a T-Mobile subsidiary so if it's blacklisted on tmo it won't work on simple because the towers refuse to work with you. I say just call tmo and they might help you, but don't tell them you want to use it on simple because they might not.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk 2
No, it won't work on Simple Mobile, because Simple Mobile runs on T-Mobile. You're not allowed to discuss buying phones not owned by the seller. You don't own the phone if you pay the $200 to buy it and then stop paying the bills.
I have purchased CDMA phones on Craigslist for years now. I bought one phone with a bad ESN and learned the most important lesson with regards to buying a cell phone second hand...activate the phone before handing over any cash. If that means taking it to one of these places or meeting the seller at a place that unlocks phones (unless you have a laptop and the means to unlock it yourself prior to purchasing). Also even with the phone not activate it should still call customer service. Verify that the IMEI is good. If a seller acts shady when you tell them you are going to do this...save your gas.
how??
MasterGGM said:
Hey everyone, I have seen someone Samsung Galaxy S3's on craigslist for like $300 and their IMEI is blocked. Meaning either stolen, blocked, or the owner didn't pay a bill.
I honestly can care less, I just want to know if T-Mobile blocks an IMEI if I can still use Simple Mobile on it, or I will have to unlock it to use a AT&T or other GSM carrier. My main concern is for Simple Mobile though since it is my current network.
Also, I have heard of changing the IMEI, can anyone provide information about that?
Thanks.
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Click to collapse
How can it be blocked when its a gsm? if its stolen you jus pop your sim in it and thats it it still works.
blocked imei i never heard of. can someone please clarify?
intrygue83 said:
How can it be blocked when its a gsm? if its stolen you jus pop your sim in it and thats it it still works.
blocked imei i never heard of. can someone please clarify?
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You can block an IMEI like you can block an ESN now if the phone is lost, stolen, or has an unpaid balance.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Product F(RED) said:
You can block an IMEI like you can block an ESN now if the phone is lost, stolen, or has an unpaid balance.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
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I had a Galaxy S 3 stolen yesterday. There is no way for me to get it back, I can get over that. What I can't get over is someone having my 3 month old phone and being able to use it with no problems.
I contacted T Mobile on 3 separate occasions to see if they could block the IMEI number because I have the original packaging. I was told from 3 different account specialists that T Mobile CANNOT block the IMEI. Whoever stole my phone just has to pop in a new sim card and the stolen phone will work just fine, and there is nothing I can do about it.
If anyone knows how I can get my stolen phone blocked, I'd love to hear how.
Adam
boda05 said:
I had a Galaxy S 3 stolen yesterday. There is no way for me to get it back, I can get over that. What I can't get over is someone having my 3 month old phone and being able to use it with no problems.
I contacted T Mobile on 3 separate occasions to see if they could block the IMEI number because I have the original packaging. I was told from 3 different account specialists that T Mobile CANNOT block the IMEI. Whoever stole my phone just has to pop in a new sim card and the stolen phone will work just fine, and there is nothing I can do about it.
If anyone knows how I can get my stolen phone blocked, I'd love to hear how.
Adam
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Escalate it and tell them you need that phone marked lost or stolen. They do it for non-payment, they can do it for lost or stolen phones.
Product F(RED) said:
Escalate it and tell them you need that phone marked lost or stolen. They do it for non-payment, they can do it for lost or stolen phones.
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Thanks so much for the reply. On all three occasions I escalated the matter as high as I could. Have you had an IMEI blocked personally by calling T Mobile?
boda05 said:
Thanks so much for the reply. On all three occasions I escalated the matter as high as I could. Have you had an IMEI blocked personally by calling T Mobile?
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I'm on Straight Talk AT&T. I've never had experience doing that, but I know it's possible because people have been scammed and end up with lost/stolen/non-payment T-Mobile phones that won't register onto the network.
well..
boda05 said:
Thanks so much for the reply. On all three occasions I escalated the matter as high as I could. Have you had an IMEI blocked personally by calling T Mobile?
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Sorry your phone was stolen but doing that is not going to stop anything. If it was password protected then they won't has access to it.
until they bring it to someone like myself who can wipe it and reuse it. Its a GSM so all i have to do is wipe it n pop a new sim in it and wola.
That's just how it is
intrygue83 said:
Sorry your phone was stolen but doing that is not going to stop anything. If it was password protected then they won't has access to it.
until they bring it to someone like myself who can wipe it and reuse it. Its a GSM so all i have to do is wipe it n pop a new sim in it and wola.
That's just how it is
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Product F(RED) said:
I'm on Straight Talk AT&T. I've never had experience doing that, but I know it's possible because people have been scammed and end up with lost/stolen/non-payment T-Mobile phones that won't register onto the network.
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Yes I've read many stories about people buying a used phone from a person and the imei being blocked. I am just confirming/questioning that this isn't possible (whether it's a recent thing or ever) with T Mobile.
This seems like a good way for stolen phones to be blocked, but what about customers that report their phones stolen to t-mobile and then sell it on craigslist (I know a few people that do this)..the poor sucker that bought the phone will have it activated and by the time T-mobile blacklists the number they are left with a worthless phone.
euklid said:
This seems like a good way for stolen phones to be blocked, but what about customers that report their phones stolen to t-mobile and then sell it on craigslist (I know a few people that do this)..the poor sucker that bought the phone will have it activated and by the time T-mobile blacklists the number they are left with a worthless phone.
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People just neeed to do their research and take precautions. If you don't put in the extra time to figure out how to buy a used phone safely, you're going to be taking a chance - and you get what you get.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda app-develope rs app
Blacklisted
I work for a cell phone buy-back firm. Every since November of last year we have been running into blacklisted imeis. We've got phones coming back because the person who sold us the phone quit paying on a subsidized phone. Considering our agents call people all over the country attempting to buy their used or inactive phones, most people see us as way out. This hasn't been an issue with cdma phones because we can check esn. Two days ago checkesnfree.com added imei blacklisted. But what I don't understand is our audit department can put a live sim card in a blacklisted phone and make a successful test call. But when a customer tries to put it on an account, it can't be done. Can someone explain to me why this is. I understand the calls and text are using a different section of the tower than the data network uses. But any more than that I'm at a loss. Thanks
IMEI blocking is only inner company at the moment. If att black lists an imei it will not work on any carrier that piggy backs att towers. Soon it will become cross company and global.
Wayne Tech S-III
zelendel said:
IMEI blocking is only inner company at the moment. If att black lists an imei it will not work on any carrier that piggy backs att towers. Soon it will become cross company and global.
Wayne Tech S-III
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ok every one i have you this solved !!!! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS UNLOCK THE PHONE BAD ESN/IMEI ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS UNLOCK THE PHONE i have gotten 2 Samsung Galaxy S III and a s4 off ebay with "BAD ESN/IMEI" unlocked them and working fine on simple mobile !!
juggalo818 said:
ok every one i have you this solved !!!! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS UNLOCK THE PHONE BAD ESN/IMEI ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS UNLOCK THE PHONE i have gotten 2 Samsung Galaxy S III and a s4 off ebay with "BAD ESN/IMEI" unlocked them and working fine on simple mobile !!
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Click to collapse
How would I unlock it, please share, I have a galaxy s3
Put in a sim from another provider and then search for an unlock code and your done its about $15-$20 normally
Sent from my SGH-T679 using xda app-developers app
I have a Photon Q 4G LTE from sprint. I lost my job and cant pay the bill. I'm sure sprint has locked the esn. I have seen you can flash my phone to cricket, But I read this on motorola's site.
DOES UNLOCKING THE BOOTLOADER MEAN I CAN USE MY DEVICE WITH ANY WIRELESS OPERATOR?
No, this does not disable a carrier subsidy lock if one exists. Some subscriptions are tied to a specific wireless operator and the phone cannot be used on another operator's network. A "locked bootloader" and "carrier subsidy lock" are thus two entirely different topics. Do not unlock the bootloader if you are want to to disable the carrier subsidy lock.
If I unlock the bootloader does that mean I will not be able to flash to cricket.
Also with a locked esn from sprint will I even be able to flash my phone over to cricket.
Sorry for the NooB questions here. I am new to cell phone modification but everyone has to start somewhere. :cyclops:
Gxkon said:
I have a Photon Q 4G LTE from sprint. I lost my job and cant pay the bill. I'm sure sprint has locked the esn. I have seen you can flash my phone to cricket, But I read this on motorola's site.
DOES UNLOCKING THE BOOTLOADER MEAN I CAN USE MY DEVICE WITH ANY WIRELESS OPERATOR?
No, this does not disable a carrier subsidy lock if one exists. Some subscriptions are tied to a specific wireless operator and the phone cannot be used on another operator's network. A "locked bootloader" and "carrier subsidy lock" are thus two entirely different topics. Do not unlock the bootloader if you are want to to disable the carrier subsidy lock.
If I unlock the bootloader does that mean I will not be able to flash to cricket.
Also with a locked esn from sprint will I even be able to flash my phone over to cricket.
Sorry for the NooB questions here. I am new to cell phone modification but everyone has to start somewhere. :cyclops:
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Click to collapse
Unlocking the boatloader doesn't mean much. If you unlock it, nothing "bad" or "negative" happens. The reason for the statement of Motorola's site is so people don't unlock the bootloader thinking it will carrier unlock them.
As for actually flashing the phone to Cricket, I'm almost positive it can be done, but I can't answer that. What I CAN do however, is point you to this awesome forum that has to do with cricket phones and non-cricket phones that either have been flashed to cricket or are being worked on a working flash to cricket:
http://www.cricketusers.com/forum.php
Think of it as a Cricket-Flasher's XDA.
Sweet thanx for the info. Im still confused though if i unlock the bootloader and root it would i still be able to flash to another carrier
Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk 2
Gxkon said:
Sweet thanx for the info. Im still confused though if i unlock the bootloader and root it would i still be able to flash to another carrier
Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Figure out what Cricket needs in the way of OS and get them to activate the ESN. Obviously they need to make themselves the APN
Do yall think a flash to cricket from sprint is still possible with the new law. I would flash myself and then take the phone to cricket.
Gxkon said:
Do yall think a flash to cricket from sprint is still possible with the new law. I would flash myself and then take the phone to cricket.
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Click to collapse
Well, this has always been one of those questionable things. I don't think it's technically illegal, so long as you aren't swapping the ESN or something like that.
arrrghhh said:
Well, this has always been one of those questionable things. I don't think it's technically illegal, so long as you aren't swapping the ESN or something like that.
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Click to collapse
The dcma thing said you cant unlock cellphones anymore but you can tablets. Its crazy if you ask me but big companies cried to much about people unlocking phones before the contract is up.
Gxkon said:
The dcma thing said you cant unlock cellphones anymore but you can tablets. Its crazy if you ask me but big companies cried to much about people unlocking phones before the contract is up.
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Click to collapse
Yea, it said "legacy" phones were exempt. So technically our phone should be exempt... it was made before that law went into place.
Either way, just don't turn it into a business and you should be fine. It's your device, and you're not doing it over & over for profit.
Note - I am not replacement for legal counsel. I do not and cannot advise on the legality of anything.
Nice. i lost my job and couldnt pay my bill do you think sprint would give me the unlock code? Whats the diffrence between legacy phone and regular phones
Gxkon said:
Nice. i lost my job and couldnt pay my bill do you think sprint would give me the unlock code? Whats the diffrence between legacy phone and regular phones
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Click to collapse
Based on the legalese I read, it would be any phone sold after the law went into place, which was Jan. 1 2013 I think?
As for Sprint giving you the code, if your account is not in good standing I doubt it.
Note - I am also not a Sprint employee, lol.
Sweet thanx for the info
I have here a Tmo Note5 that recently got blocked by Tmo, but my friend said the phone was permanently unlocked with the app before it got blocked. I may get a prepaid sim and use it with that sometimes, assuming it will work. I'm leaning towards something that runs on AT&T's network, since I already have unlimited data with Tmo. I'm thinking about Cricket but am open to suggestions. Thx
Side note: my friend was perplexed that the unlock worked, because once the IMEI got blocked, that maybe indicated that the phone was not paid off. But, maybe the original owner reported it stolen? T-Mobile would not give specifics. Gonna get some kind of sim today and see if the unlock has stuck, my friend did say that it worked with his AT&T sim..
YrrchSebor said:
I have here a Tmo Note5 that recently got blocked by Tmo, but my friend said the phone was permanently unlocked with the app before it got blocked. I may get a prepaid sim and use it with that sometimes, assuming it will work. I'm leaning towards something that runs on AT&T's network, since I already have unlimited data with Tmo. I'm thinking about Cricket but am open to suggestions. Thx
Side note: my friend was perplexed that the unlock worked, because once the IMEI got blocked, that maybe indicated that the phone was not paid off. But, maybe the original owner reported it stolen? T-Mobile would not give specifics. Gonna get some kind of sim today and see if the unlock has stuck, my friend did say that it worked with his AT&T sim..
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Click to collapse
Sideways people suck badly!!!
I'm not 100 on this, but I remember reading a few times that t-mobile and AT&T share blacklisted databases. Not sure of the legitimacy of that claim but that's what I have read.
There are also apparently imei switchers that you can use thatapparently use to unblacklist your device.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
Yeah, I heard that about the blacklist sharing too, but Cricket says the device is clean as far as they're concerned, and a Cricket sim had full service on the phone. Same with my friend's AT&T sim. Tmo says that the device was on an installment plan but that the account is now closed, so that person needs to pay the balance for the phone to be unblocked...... I'm not holding my breath for that!
I see remote IMEI repair on eBay for as low as $39, and even an xposed module that doesn't change but spoofs your IMEI. Were you alluding to any specific switcher that might be good?
YrrchSebor said:
Yeah, I heard that about the blacklist sharing too, but Cricket says the device is clean as far as they're concerned, and a Cricket sim had full service on the phone. Same with my friend's AT&T sim. Tmo says that the device was on an installment plan but that the account is now closed, so that person needs to pay the balance for the phone to be unblocked...... I'm not holding my breath for that!
I see remote IMEI repair on eBay for as low as $39, and even an xposed module that doesn't change but spoofs your IMEI. Were you alluding to any specific switcher that might be good?
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Click to collapse
Never had to do any of that so I don't know of it being legit. I've only seen it on Craigslist and swappa bone yard.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
YrrchSebor said:
I see remote IMEI repair on eBay for as low as $39, and even an xposed module that doesn't change but spoofs your IMEI. Were you alluding to any specific switcher that might be good?
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Click to collapse
Changing or altering your IMEI is illegal, but I don't know if that applies to spoofing it (probably since it's essentially the same thing). I'd be careful using any of those options.
MadJoe said:
Changing or altering your IMEI is illegal, but I don't know if that applies to spoofing it (probably since it's essentially the same thing). I'd be careful using any of those options.
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Click to collapse
Yeah, thanks. I ended up selling the phone on eBay as a bad IMEI/unlocked phone, so it all worked out ok. Crazy tho, I used to think Swappa's IMEI check was fool-proof, but i guess nothing's completely guaranteed, and things can slip thru the cracks.
I jumped on the S21+ T-Mobile variant as it was offered with extra $100 off, cheaper than unlocked. I assumed the phone would be able to be used on any carrier since it would be fully paid off. But inserting my Verizon sim, I'm greeted with it saying the sim is unlocked and a reason code 132. Anyone have any ideas on what's going on, what I should try, or just return for unlocked version?
Try calling T-Mobile for the unlock code. I thought phones in the US weren't locked anymore or maybe they won't be in the future. Good luck!
chazfarote said:
Try calling T-Mobile for the unlock code. I thought phones in the US weren't locked anymore or maybe they won't be in the future. Good luck!
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Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm working with T-Mobile now, and they have suggested that I make a T-Mobile account then try to unlock it. Hoping all goes well
T-Mobile can't even *see* the phone to unlock it if it isn't attached to a T-Mobile SIM, so they won't be able to unlock it (nevermind willing) without that. If you can get one in there, you might be able to use 'team of experts' through Facebook or Twitter and have them unlock it, they're pretty good about working around normal limitations when you explain situations to them. We were able to get a still on EIP iPhone unlocked when we were in the Philippines by letting the TES agent know we were wanting to put a local SIM in, I would hope they'd be willing to work with you if you let them know you didn't realize it would be locked.
Will eat into your $100 discount some, though, with the risk that they tell you it still has to be active on T-Mobile for 45 days. I've always had good luck with them, they seem to be more capable of independent thought than a normal call-center person, provided you're calm with them.
Seamonkey79 said:
T-Mobile can't even *see* the phone to unlock it if it isn't attached to a T-Mobile SIM, so they won't be able to unlock it (nevermind willing) without that. If you can get one in there, you might be able to use 'team of experts' through Facebook or Twitter and have them unlock it, they're pretty good about working around normal limitations when you explain situations to them. We were able to get a still on EIP iPhone unlocked when we were in the Philippines by letting the TES agent know we were wanting to put a local SIM in, I would hope they'd be willing to work with you if you let them know you didn't realize it would be locked.
Will eat into your $100 discount some, though, with the risk that they tell you it still has to be active on T-Mobile for 45 days. I've always had good luck with them, they seem to be more capable of independent thought than a normal call-center person, provided you're calm with them.
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@lakersfan29
Were you ever able to solve this? I have exact same thing going on with a Galaxy Tab S7+ that was bought directly from Samsung. Thought was too be unlocked but it's locked to TMobile. Strange thing is 3 different stories from 3 different TMobile reps. Phone can't be locked since you bought from manufacturer. Yes we can unlock it. And no we're can't unlock it until you've spent over $100 with prepaid fees lol.
jcrompton said:
@lakersfan29
Were you ever able to solve this? I have exact same thing going on with a Galaxy Tab S7+ that was bought directly from Samsung. Thought was too be unlocked but it's locked to TMobile. Strange thing is 3 different stories from 3 different TMobile reps. Phone can't be locked since you bought from manufacturer. Yes we can unlock it. And no we're can't unlock it until you've spent over $100 with prepaid fees lol.
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Click to collapse
Yes. Actually it was pretty straightforward, I sent a message to tmobile T-Force on twitter and I provided my imei and they said it would take up to 72 hours to unlock. And they followed up with me notifying that it should have been unlocked. It works, using service on verizon now
Was it @TMobileHelp that you actually tweeted
Download tmobile device unlock app from playstore and try unlocking.
krisology said:
Yes. Actually it was pretty straightforward, I sent a message to tmobile T-Force on twitter and I provided my imei and they said it would take up to 72 hours to unlock. And they followed up with me notifying that it should have been unlocked. It works, using service on verizon now
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Click to collapse
So thank you for the suggestion. The Twitter TMobile contact was the secret. After hours on the phone with T-Mobile support (and without being super critical they were just NOT very knowledgeable .... I think I knew more than they did) the Twitter alternative was quick and easy. They added the IMEI to their system and I was unlocked in less than 24 hours.