Please can someone point me in the right direction. Before anyone fries me I have searched this forum and google and not come up with anything satisfactory.
My father gave me his old S3 GT-i9300 which is locked to O2 in the UK.
It is running Jellybean 4.3 (Baseband vs. i9300XXUGNA8)
I have rooted it in preparation of trying to unlock it so I can use it on the EE network but haven't got any further.
Everything I have looked at has told me to use the service menu and dial in *#197328640# but this is not an option on 4.3
I have Odin and have flashed Roms before but need advice on what I need to do to get this phone up and running.
I don't want to lose my IMEI number obviously!
Thanks,
Tom
Buy an unlock code, there is no other way.
boomboomer said:
Buy an unlock code, there is no other way.
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Click to collapse
Yep this. Locked down as of 4.3. It should only cost a tenner at a phone repair shop. Smartclips are expensive for a reason..
Always buy from a retailer that has unlocked devices. Carphone warehouse and asda are such retailers.
Sent from a stolen phone!
Related
Well,
Sort of a noob question, but since I dont know how easy or hard could it be.
If I buy a SGS-II with a service plan in UK (Orange, Voda etc), then can it be unlocked to be used in other countries or other operators.
I know maybe it has got something to do with the gaining the root access to the handset or even a root access achieve the desired.
Thanks for suggestions.
HyperEscape said:
Well,
Sort of a noob question, but since I dont know how easy or hard could it be.
If I buy a SGS-II with a service plan in UK (Orange, Voda etc), then can it be unlocked to be used in other countries or other operators.
I know maybe it has got something to do with the gaining the root access to the handset or even a root access achieve the desired.
Thanks for suggestions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's got nothing to do with root and everything to do with the carrier, some will deliver locked phones, some unlocked.. most usually contract phones are unlocked and PAYG phones are locked
I'm on O2 contract and the phones I've had have always been unlocked, but I've heard Orange do network lock their phone
Orange do always lock their phones but if you get it from an independent seller like the Carphone Warehouse or Phones4u the chances are it'll be unlocked.
Most networks will unlock your phone for a small fee (I think I paid £25 on Orange) but it's only a matter of time before sellers on eBay popup that will sell you an unlock code based on your IMEI.
You're right that you could unlock handsets with root access but that involved flashing another radio. Since no locked SGS2's have been released yet you're safe buying now and the phone hasn't been rooted so you may be waiting a while for that option if you get a locked handset in the future.
You could always use a Rebel SimCard. Its not the perfect solution but it works.
So we just have to wait basically. O2 are offering it for 399£ apparently on payg. It would be awesome to get it for that price and then unlock it.
bcam117 said:
So we just have to wait basically. O2 are offering it for 399£ apparently on payg. It would be awesome to get it for that price and then unlock it.
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Click to collapse
Last year, o2 were selling the SGS1 on PAYG. I think the handsets were supposed to be locked but they weren't. If you're in luck then maybe same is true for SGS2. I've pulled the trigger on the SGS2 with contract from o2 as total cost works out cheaper that any PAYG or sim free offer currently available.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Does orange still exist over there?
Three took over Orange over here in Australia years ago
On three if you call them up they give you the unlock code for free
I asked a popular online unlocking firm what the likelihood of the SGS2 being unlocked was and this was his reply:
Hi Aaron,
This should be no problem at all. That's because there's one main database for all European Samsung Android handsets. We have unlocked the Samsung Galaxy S from all 6 main UK networks.
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Click to collapse
Are you going to use them to unlock? When can they do it? & who are they?
AaronUK said:
I asked a popular online unlocking firm what the likelihood of the SGS2 being unlocked was and this was his reply:
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Click to collapse
I will ask them to unlock if my SGS2 arrives locked. I found them doing a quick google search. I am not sure I am allowed to post links so mods please remove if that is the case. http://www.mobileunlocked.co.uk/
There are many more if you do a google search.
Hi
I'm looking at picking up a sgs2 phone from the three (3) store on a payg deal. I wanted to quickly check, I should be able to sim unlock this no problems right?
Also are there issues with debranding three versions?
Thanks
Sent from my HTC Magic using XDA App
Think so
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1064978
mine came unlocked. what i'm more interested in is if we can have the original three firmware from someone, so that we can slap unbranded one onto the phone and then revert back if we need to (like bringing it back to three in case of a fault or something like that).
If you can sim unlock the SGSII which others have managed via that thread, then why wouldnt you buy the o2 payg for 399 rather than the 3 version for 499.
(At least those were the prices 2wks ago)
My bad, Ive seen theyve taken it off PAYG
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Thanks All - I ended up getting one from Phones4U.
Turns out they have completely unlocked stock samsung devices without any bloatware. I thought this better than de-branding & unlocking etc.
Cost was the same, £499 but as it was stock I avoided the costs of unlocking etc.
ohmz55: Would like to have done this, but O2 stopped the deal.
Thanks
JohnBoy
andrej.marinic said:
mine came unlocked. what i'm more interested in is if we can have the original three firmware from someone, so that we can slap unbranded one onto the phone and then revert back if we need to (like bringing it back to three in case of a fault or something like that).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you post the product code and the firmware details (pda, csc, modem) I can try to get it.
johnboy00 said:
Thanks All - I ended up getting one from Phones4U.
Turns out they have completely unlocked stock samsung devices without any bloatware. I thought this better than de-branding & unlocking etc.
Cost was the same, £499 but as it was stock I avoided the costs of unlocking etc.
ohmz55: Would like to have done this, but O2 stopped the deal.
Thanks
JohnBoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
O2 no longer offer it online, I was able to get one for £399 from O2 store just yesterday however. The guy in the shop did say he wasn't allowed to sell it on pay as you go but that he was just going to ignore that!
Hi, I saw someone is selling a galaxy s2 on ebay but he mentioned that the phone was unlocked but doesn't read sim card.
what do you guys think? easy fix? or hardware problem?
thanks
Try to perform a factory reset, if not bring it to the service center. My friend also has the same issue but it ended up as a repair , something went wrong with the contact points as per service center.
I'd be wary... Could it be because the phone has been reported as lost or stolen and blacklisted by the network? If that's the case and you buy it, there's no way you're going to get it to read your sim. Given that it's a recent phone, all the legit units are in warranty so I find it a bit strange that the seller wouldn't bother to have it fixed.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Isadora said:
I'd be wary... Could it be because the phone has been reported as lost or stolen and blacklisted by the network? If that's the case and you buy it, there's no way you're going to get it to read your sim. Given that it's a recent phone, all the legit units are in warranty so I find it a bit strange that the seller wouldn't bother to have it fixed.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
Could be, but he said he has receipt, I asked why did not bring to bell to get it fixed, he said he doesn't want to wait 3 months to get it fixed (3 months is what bell told him)...
Bell Galaxy S2 doesnt read sim card
When i put a bell sim card in it works if i put a rogers one it says no service and there is no prompt that comes to put the network control key id ont know whats wrong.
what version is it?
Send it back to Ebay .
jje
It was originally rooted to cyangonmod 7. I didnt want cyanogenmod anymore so i got android 2.3.5 for the galaxy s2. Im running 2.3.5
I fix that by install android. Ice cream sandwich in me phone.. now its work
brisk5181 said:
Could be, but he said he has receipt, I asked why did not bring to bell to get it fixed, he said he doesn't want to wait 3 months to get it fixed (3 months is what bell told him)...
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Click to collapse
3 months is just unreal if its that much of a issue they simple replace handset even if its a refurbished handset and if prove of recipt is there is it a possiblethere is some form of paperwork with serial numbers which matchs whats stated on the underside of battery checking my paperwork which come with phone i have it provides serials and also imei number and im sure any network can tell you if the imei number is reported lost or stolen if questioned??
Hello XDA,
I have been here a lot of times, but didn't remember my essential info to log on as before.
I was in USA recently and someone stole my backpack. I went to t mobile, to buy a phone. And I specified, I need it to be unlocked because in a month I am flying back home. I paid the device normal price 350 dollars for an S3 and got it or 300 dollars don't remember. I am now home and the device doesn't work. And I want to unlock it and remove the T mobile firmware.
is it possible?
Regards
Mario
Mazzerstruck said:
Hello XDA,
I have been here a lot of times, but didn't remember my essential info to log on as before.
I was in USA recently and someone stole my backpack. I went to t mobile, to buy a phone. And I specified, I need it to be unlocked because in a month I am flying back home. I paid the device normal price 350 dollars for an S3 and got it or 300 dollars don't remember. I am now home and the device doesn't work. And I want to unlock it and remove the T mobile firmware.
is it possible?
Regards
Mario
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure where the lie is...? They don't sell the phones unlocked, even when purchased out right. If you were told that, most likely the CSR just didn't know what they were talking(common) about rather than actively lying to you. You should be able to contact their customer service to obtain an unlock code though if you have proof of purchase. Other than that, if it isn't updated (not likely) past 4.1.2 you can unlock it yourself via hidden menu. If you are on 4.3, this method no longer works that I have seen and you'll need to purchase an unlock code from a reputable source if T-Mobile refuses to help or you are unable to provide them with the necessary details for them to give you the code.
es0tericcha0s said:
Not sure where the lie is...? They don't sell the phones unlocked, even when purchased out right. If you were told that, most likely the CSR just didn't know what they were talking(common) about rather than actively lying to you. You should be able to contact their customer service to obtain an unlock code though if you have proof of purchase. Other than that, if it isn't updated (not likely) past 4.1.2 you can unlock it yourself via hidden menu. If you are on 4.3, this method no longer works that I have seen and you'll need to purchase an unlock code from a reputable source if T-Mobile refuses to help or you are unable to provide them with the necessary details for them to give you the code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked her like 4 times. Will it work in my country? The answer was yes, and the last time was, are you going to ask me again sir?
Can someone direct me to the secret menu? I am in my country now. Will it unlock?
I am on odin and I cant flash back the 4.1.1. why is that. If I flash it back I will be able to use the secret code
So, you got it from the US, and not you are home (can I as where?) and it doesn't accept your sim card?
Do you have an authentic receipt with the full price, and/or proof of purchase?
if so you can contact an authorized Samsung dealer in your area and describe the issue, and they will give you the unlock codes.
Something similar happened to me: I bought a brand new Galaxy S3 from Europe and sent it as a gift to the Middle east, where it didn't work, but with the receipt and some patience (a week/10 days), Samsung sent us the unlock codes.
Mazzerstruck said:
I am on odin and I cant flash back the 4.1.1. why is that. If I flash it back I will be able to use the secret code
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, once you update to latest version (4.3) with its modem, you can't use old unlock codes (unless you backed up your EFS), but I guess your only hope is Samsung, try them first.
I know there are many threads on this, but after spending hours looking through them and info on other forums, and then attempting a buy a code, I'm still unclear as to whether my SGSIII running 4.3 can by networked unlocked, and if so how?
The phone is locked to EE in the UK. I think this is a custom ROM, but very close to stock:
Baseband: I9300XXUGNA8
Kernel: 3.0.31-2429075
[email protected] #1#Wed Apr 30 18:49:01 KST 2014
Build number: Android Revolution HD 52.0 by mike 1986
Rooted by Chainfire SuperSU v1
I purchased a code online, but received an email 24hrs later saying
"Unfortunately we have been unable to calculate your unique unlock code at this time. This could have been down to a number of factors from the age of the handset to the code simply not being in our unlock code database or partners database.
You will be refunded in full."
Using the manual options, I've got as far as finding the service menu using the info here:
https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Android-Forum/Samsung-Galaxy-S3-won-t-unlock/td-p/167059
But there is no PERSO SHA256 menu.
This has been reported by other users, but I'm unclear how to proceed from here, or if indeed this is a dead end and there's nothing else I can do?
If it's out of contract ee can unlock it for free. It's the law.
If its payg then you can pay ee or a local phone repair shop to do it. Repair shop will be cheapest at about 15 British pesos.
I wish I stole my HTC M9.
shivadow said:
If it's out of contract ee can unlock it for free. It's the law.
If its payg then you can pay ee or a local phone repair shop to do it. Repair shop will be cheapest at about 15 British pesos.
I wish I stole my HTC M9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or if it has the 4.1.1 bootloader, then simply downgrade to 4.1.1 and use the same steps as in the guide I posted in the i9305 subforum. I succesfully unlocked an i9305 locked on Orange and am currently using it on Digi.Mobil.
Thanks for your reply's.
It's 18 months out of contract with EE, but they still wanted £8.99 to do it, and it will take three weeks! I'm off to Africa after Christmas and wanted to give this to a friend out there.
In the first thread I linked to from the EE site, it seems that if you have the wrong firmware/bootloader, the codes they give don't work.
How can I tell which bootloader I have? I suspect its the newer one as the Service Menu options don't work.
I've checked my bootloader with the Phone Info app:
I9300XXUGNB5
and the CSC:
I9300OXAEMC2
Any help?
I've called by carrier (EE) and they still want to charge me £8.99 and it will take 10 days. From the first thread I linked to in the original post, it sounds like this might not even work, so I'd like to explore other options first. Can the bootloader be re flashed?
Its an nvram issue. It is encrypted now.
As i said, carrier or phone repair shop. If there was any other way I'd tell you.
I wish I stole my HTC M9.
Ok, thanks.
I've been into a repair shop and the guy there is aware of the 4.3/bootloader issues and didn't think it could be done at all, even with an unlock code. I'll request one anyway, but it sounds like its a lost cause.