need to unlock a phone locked to Verizon - Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Questions & Answers

Hello, I have a problem with my phone (galaxy note 10)
I bought it from Amazon as a renewed phone
When it arrived in my country (Egypt) I put my sim It turned out locked to Verizon, not fully unlocked as the seller said on the title...
I heard about unlocking it with an EDL cable How I can do that... Need help

kerolos98 said:
Hello, I have a problem with my phone (galaxy note 10)
I bought it from Amazon as a renewed phone
When it arrived in my country (Egypt) I put my sim It turned out locked to Verizon, not fully unlocked as the seller said on the title...
I heard about unlocking it with an EDL cable How I can do that... Need help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the seller still owes Verizon, the device has a lien on it, and is considered stolen. If you want to use the device, either the original owner will need to settle their account, or you need to offer to do so on their behalf.
Also, Samsung devices are typically region specific, so it might not work on networks outside of North America.

First, do not update the firmware, what version exactly is running on it?
Second, there is Verizon bloatware and Verizon branding, and a notificaiton about SIM card at startup, however the phone should be operational everywhere.
Please post picture of the thing you want to remove from the device, I have several ideas about it.
Thank you.

Related

[Q] I can't find sim unlock code for Samsung Note 3 n900W8

Hello XDA-Developers,
I am at my wits end. I can not for the life of me find a Sim Unlock code for my Samsung Note 3 N900W8.
I will start from the beginning... I purchased this phone from a woman who is the manager of a telecommunications in London ON. She listed the phone on Kijiji as "Brand new in box, unlocked!". I met her at a kiosk for my carrier to test the phone on one of their sim cards. It turned out the phone was sim locked. She seemed nice enough and genuinely surprised when it came up sim locked. She said she had received the phone as a promotional gift from her company, but didn't like the size of it and wanted to use her existing phone. She asked me if I would prefer to have her get it unlocked or she would take 50$ off of our originally agreed price to put towards the unlocking cost. I opted to get it unlocked myself, my mistake lol.
First I had to find out which carrier it was locked to so through a process of elimination I figured out it was locked to Bell. I contacted Bell and asked to get a sim unlock code from them. They said that they have no record of my phone in any of their data bases and that I should contact Samsung and confirm that my phone is locked to Bell. I contacted Samsung who confirmed that my phone is locked to Bell. I contacted Bell again and they put me through to tech support. He was a nice guy, but didn't give me the answer I wanted lol. He said that because my IMEI is not in any of their data bases that there's no way for him to give me a code. He suggested flashing a different kernel and it would remove the sim lock? I'm sorry I am not that knowledgeable when it comes to this stuff. Anyways, I have taken the phone to 3 reputable phone repare shops in my area and tried cellun******.net. All have said that they can't find an unlock code?
You guys are my last resort, any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Thank You!

SIM unlock?

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).

Unlock T-mobile branded S8+ bought directly from Samsung

I've contacted T-Mobile directly, and they said that they do not have the ability to do so because I did not purchase the device directly from them, even though it is a T-Mobile branded device. The representative also contacted Samsung with me on the phone, Samsung specifically stated that the device can be unlock, and the carrier does it. Doesn't make any sense to me that they can't unlock it when they have my phone's IMEI in their database, and they can recognize it. To top that off, the device is paid in full, not financed. Anyway, got this escalated to the manual unlock team, but was told there's no guarantees. Will see how that goes.
Have anyone gotten their T-Mobile branded device bought directly from Samsung unlocked? Or anyone got their carrier branded device bought from Samsung unlocked?
I been trying to find a sim I can try to see if mine is unlocked but seems like everyone I know is on TMobile hahaha I bought mine thru Samsung as well paid in full I will try going to a att see if they have a sim I can try
If everything is the same, then the device should be locked. Just tried an ATT sim on my T-Mobile device, and that doesn't work.
Exact situation I went through with AT&T. They also first told me they couldn't unlock it cuz I didn't buy directly from them, however, after a few escalations to support I finally got someone that understood and I had the unlock code before the phone call ended. Just keep trying.
The escalation of my case to the unlock team resulted in receiving an automated email telling me to use the unlock app when I explicitly mentioned that method does not work..... Sigh... The incompetence of these people. Contacting them on twitter now, we'll see the results of that.
In the meantime, what's everyone's experience so far trying to get their carrier branded device unlocked?
Same issues with my s8... Samsung says T-Mobile will should be able to unlock it...and T-Mobile says it is not an eligible phone since not purchased through T-Mobile. Any other suggestions how i can unlock my phone?
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
MNX1024 said:
The escalation of my case to the unlock team resulted in receiving an automated email telling me to use the unlock app when I explicitly mentioned that method does not work..... Sigh... The incompetence of these people. Contacting them on twitter now, we'll see the results of that.
In the meantime, what's everyone's experience so far trying to get their carrier branded device unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you been able to get your phone unlocked? I'm in the same situation right now
How in the hell can they not unlock a device that is BRANDED by T-Mobile and PAID OFF with T-Mobile? I would of returned the device (if within the return period) and Bought an Exynos Variant. I have an Exynos S8+ on AT&T here in the US and I haven't had any issues with carrier compatibility.

Please Help. How do I activate, and unlocked tmobile Galaxy S8+ on Verizon.

So I just received my unlocked galaxy s8+ G955U from swappa. I was hoping it would be as easy as putting in my previous nano sim card from my Nexus 6p and activating. It isn't. The branding is t-mobile. Showing t-mobile screen when I turn it on. I tried activating from myverizon , but when I enter the imei it says: "The phone associated with the Device ID you entered is not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network. Try a Different Device"
I purchased an unlocked phone hoping to avoid most if not all of the verizon bloatware. But, I need to be able to make phone calls and tie it to my Verizon account.
Any help, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
polorsport said:
So I just received my unlocked galaxy s8+ G955U from swappa. I was hoping it would be as easy as putting in my previous nano sim card from my Nexus 6p and activating. It isn't. The branding is t-mobile. Showing t-mobile screen when I turn it on. I tried activating from myverizon , but when I enter the imei it says: "The phone associated with the Device ID you entered is not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network. Try a Different Device"
I purchased an unlocked phone hoping to avoid most if not all of the verizon bloatware. But, I need to be able to make phone calls and tie it to my Verizon account.
Any help, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
clearly you got the Tmobile s8+ model. Even if its unlocked it only works with Gsm networks. Verizon is CDMA not gsm. Return for a refund and buy a no-career unlocked phone. Good luck
This is the model you need https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-s8-64gb-unlocked-midnight-black/5803742.p?skuId=5803742
I think you're right. This sucks. But, it's good to know. I've been on the phone with customer service for 40 minutes trying to get it activated and still no luck.
the_noob65 said:
clearly you got the Tmobile s8+ model. Even if its unlocked it only works with Gsm networks. Verizon is CDMA not gsm. Return for a refund and buy a no-career unlocked phone. Good luck
This is the model you need https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-s8-64gb-unlocked-midnight-black/5803742.p?skuId=5803742
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I don't understand is that the customer service representative says it's activated on her end. I just can't make or receive calls. No lte or 3g shown.
the_noob65 said:
clearly you got the Tmobile s8+ model. Even if its unlocked it only works with Gsm networks. Verizon is CDMA not gsm. Return for a refund and buy a no-career unlocked phone. Good luck
This is the model you need https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-s8-64gb-unlocked-midnight-black/5803742.p?skuId=5803742
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is 100% absolutely false and incorrect. All the US S8+ models have the SAME EXACT hardware. Only the firmware is different.
polorsport said:
So I just received my unlocked galaxy s8+ G955U from swappa. I was hoping it would be as easy as putting in my previous nano sim card from my Nexus 6p and activating. It isn't. The branding is t-mobile. Showing t-mobile screen when I turn it on. I tried activating from myverizon , but when I enter the imei it says: "The phone associated with the Device ID you entered is not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network. Try a Different Device"
I purchased an unlocked phone hoping to avoid most if not all of the verizon bloatware. But, I need to be able to make phone calls and tie it to my Verizon account.
Any help, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP, are you SURE it's network Unlocked? The T-Mo branded S8 shipped network locked. If it's network Unlocked, it WILL work on Verizon, but it will still have the T-Mo bootup screen and apps. That's the firmware.
If you want no bloatware, check out the threads for flashing the Unlocked Firmware.
After exhausting all my options I took my friends advice, and called t-mobile. Turns out the phone is still locked. So it's either the seller unlocks it, or refund.
Mr. Orange 645 said:
That is 100% absolutely false and incorrect. All the US S8+ models have the SAME EXACT hardware. Only the firmware is different.
OP, are you SURE it's network Unlocked? The T-Mo branded S8 shipped network locked. If it's network Unlocked, it WILL work on Verizon, but it will still have the T-Mo bootup screen and apps. That's the firmware.
If you want no bloatware, check out the threads for flashing the Unlocked Firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you can answer this question. If the phone is still locked. Can I flash firmware to unlock it, and activate it on Verizon. (I don't even care about bloatware anymore. I just want to have a working phone)
polorsport said:
Maybe you can answer this question. If the phone is still locked. Can I flash firmware to unlock it, and activate it on Verizon. (I don't even care about bloatware anymore. I just want to have a working phone)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can't unlock it just by flashing the unlocked firmware. T-Mobile will have to unlock it.
Read one of the threads a out flashing unlocked firmware, it will answer many of your questions, including the ones you have asked in this thread.

S8+ Region Unlock Code

Hi all,
I bought an S8+ from the Netherlands on subscription (I pay monthly for it) from Tele2 since I study there. Obviously, I've been using the phone for a while (hours of calling to other local numbers, etc.), so I should be unlocked, right? Wrong. I put in a foreign SIM card (Egypt) and it asks me for a network unlock code. However, upon contacting Tele2, they said that my phone was unlocked. I don't know how I should unlock my phone. I've tried online services like cellphoneunlocker.net, etc. but they don't seem to work. Can anyone help me with what I need to do or where I can get it unlocked? I'm in Egypt for a month for winter break and my phone is basically a brick.
I want to know if I can get my phone region unlocked to work with my SIM or not. Please help.
Sincerely,
A struggling student
UnrevealedM said:
Hi all,
I bought an S8+ from the Netherlands on subscription (I pay monthly for it) from Tele2 since I study there. Obviously, I've been using the phone for a while (hours of calling to other local numbers, etc.), so I should be unlocked, right? Wrong. I put in a foreign SIM card (Egypt) and it asks me for a network unlock code. However, upon contacting Tele2, they said that my phone was unlocked. I don't know how I should unlock my phone. I've tried online services like cellphoneunlocker.net, etc. but they don't seem to work. Can anyone help me with what I need to do or where I can get it unlocked? I'm in Egypt for a month for winter break and my phone is basically a brick.
I want to know if I can get my phone region unlocked to work with my SIM or not. Please help.
Sincerely,
A struggling student
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked a question in your previous thread, and you've answered it here, when you don't pay full up front for the phone, and you have it on a contract / pay monthly, it is NOT unlocked. You'll have to wait till the phone is paid off fully and then it'll be fully unlocked.
murtaza02 said:
I asked a question in your previous thread, and you've answered it here, when you don't pay full up front for the phone, and you have it on a contract / pay monthly, it is NOT unlocked. You'll have to wait till the phone is paid off fully and then it'll be fully unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not the way it works in the Netherlands. The phone is carrier unlocked (i.e. I can use a French, Spanish, German, etc. SIM card in it). It is not region unlocked; it is region locked to Europe. I messaged Samsung and they assured me that I was correct and it was a precaution on their end to try and stop the grey market from prospering. I was informed that it would take 6-8 weeks, but I was wondering if anyone had another faster solution, since in 6 weeks I'll be back in the Netherlands.
So does anyone have a quicker solution?
Region Locked = Call at least 5 mins using the regions sim to unlock.
Network Locked = You need to ask your network provider for this to unlocked. Common on postpaid plans and network provided phones.
If you get your phone from network provider then it is most likely to be region & network Locked. But if you get it from a mall, shops, or other source, then most likely it is only region locked.
Try putting different sim
Hi mate,
I had the same issue with Samsung S8+ and Tele2 Nederland. So apparently, you cannot region unlock you phone if you call with tele2 nederland. You need to use any other dutch sim to do so.
So ask one of your friends or get a free Lebara sim and call someone for 5+ minutes. After it, the phone will have no region lock.
Feels like Samsung forgot to put Tele2 in their "dutch operartors" list.

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