I am looking for a phone that will work in the US and Brazil, I have my att sim card, and I have a coworker from Rio that is going to give me his active sim card for my travels...
I was thinking about another Galaxy s5. What do I need to do to Carrier Unlock an android device?
dzslacker said:
I am looking for a phone that will work in the US and Brazil, I have my att sim card, and I have a coworker from Rio that is going to give me his active sim card for my travels...
I was thinking about another Galaxy s5. What do I need to do to Carrier Unlock an android device?
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Usually, it's just a case of contacting the cellphone company you bought it from, though there may be a fee to pay if you're under contract. if you're buying a new phone, there are various places that sell phones unlocked (which is the natural state of a smartphone, it's not until it gets into the hands of an operator that the locks appear). If you're just going for a short trip, you might consider a second-hand phone, or even a cheap Android handset. There's a site called Telestial that specialises in travel solutions, they have unlocked Galaxy s5's as well as a range of other unlocked phones.
Related
see many phones with a carrier such as t-mobile,att..., what's the difference from unlocked?
if i already have a sim card of t-mobile,can i buy a phone with the t-mobile carrier or i have to buy a new plan?
You should be able to buy any TMobile phone from ebay and use your current TMobile SIM card. But recently TMobile, AT&T, and a couple other GSM carriers got together and started a database of stolen devices, if the device you buy is listed in that database it could be trouble. Not sure if that database also includes phones people got subsidized and didn't fullfill their contract or not.
TMobile has always been good about letting people bring their own phones, their plans are way cheaper this way, http://explore.t-mobile.com/phone-sim-card
Hello XDA,
I am thinking of getting a xperia Z Ultra from a friend in the UK. I was wondering if there is any known way to unlock the SIM CARD since I'd get it shipped here ( Portugal ).
Any info is very appreciated!
Thanks,
Marco
I don't understand what you mean by unlocking the simple card. Sim cards aren't locked in the UK, but phones and 3g tablets are sometimes network locked. The phone may need to be unlocked to use on your network, depending on where your UK based friend buys it from. If they buy it from a network store, eg 3, Vodafone, etc it will probably be locked to that network. If they buy it from Carphone Warehouse or from an online third party company it will almost certainly be unlocked ready to use on any network. Please note that the ultra uses a micro sim, so if your current phone takes a mini simple (standard sized sim) you will have to get it cut, or ask your network to exchange it for you.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
ursulavasey said:
I don't understand what you mean by unlocking the simple card. Sim cards aren't locked in the UK, but phones and 3g tablets are sometimes network locked. The phone may need to be unlocked to use on your network, depending on where your UK based friend buys it from. If they buy it from a network store, eg 3, Vodafone, etc it will probably be locked to that network. If they buy it from Carphone Warehouse or from an online third party company it will almost certainly be unlocked ready to use on any network. Please note that the ultra uses a micro sim, so if your current phone takes a mini simple (standard sized sim) you will have to get it cut, or ask your network to exchange it for you.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear enough. I meant if there is a way to unlock the network on the phone ( meaning, that I can use any sim card from any operator on the market )
MarcoFSilva said:
Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear enough. I meant if there is a way to unlock the network on the phone ( meaning, that I can use any sim card from any operator on the market )
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My apologies, I put simple card, instead of sim card. I am from the UK, and if the phone is purchased from a store here called Carphone Warehouse, it will be sim free, which means it is unlocked to any network when it is bought. It will not need to be unlocked, as it will have never been locked to a network in the first place. You should be able to simply put in your Portuguese sim card, and use the phone as soon as it arrives. If your friend buys it from a network store; for example they buy it at a 3 store, a Vodafone store, etc, it will be locked to the network on which it is purchased, and will need to be unlocked, for a fee. I have the same phone, which I purchased online, and it is sim-free. If I had purchased it from Carphone Warehouse, it would also have been sim free.
Sim free means it was never locked to a network from the date of manufacture.
Unlocked means it was network locked originally, and could only be used on the network it was locked to at that time. At some point it was unlocked, whether for free or for a charge, and now works on all networks.
Network locked means it was network locked originally, and is still network locked now. This means that it will only work on the network it is locked to, unless it is unlocked at a later date.
Almost all phones sold in Carphone Warehouse are sold as unlocked, except for those which are advertised as being on 3 network. These are network locked to 3, and can only be unlocked by 3, for a fee of around £15. (UK pounds, not Euros).
There are companies online that sell unlocked handsets, but if your friend is buying in store, they would be best going to Carphone Warehouse, as there will be no need for them, or you, to get the phone unlocked.
I hope this helps to clarify things for you.
Looking to get a ZU, preferably the 6806 since I'm with AT&T, and I found one for sale from Canada, probably on their Bell Mobility network...
Does anyone know if this would this work here in the US?
Also, on a side note, anyone familiar with any issues purchasing from Canada via ebay... customs, duties, taxes, etc.?
Thanks in advance.
chinee1 said:
Looking to get a ZU, preferably the 6806 since I'm with AT&T, and I found one for sale from Canada, probably on their Bell Mobility network...
Does anyone know if this would this work here in the US?
Also, on a side note, anyone familiar with any issues purchasing from Canada via ebay... customs, duties, taxes, etc.?
Thanks in advance.
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Click to collapse
The Bell phone will (might be unlocked) have a sim lock, and worse they are all bootloader locked so no easy root and no custom ROMs
blueether said:
The Bell phone will (might be unlocked) have a sim lock, and worse they are all bootloader locked so no easy root and no custom ROMs
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I hate being such a newbie...
- What does having a sim lock mean?
- I thought the Z ultra 6806's were sold as unlocked phones... has a different meaning?
- I'm not interested in customizing the the ROM, or rooting, or anything similar, (at least not yet) so this is not an issue for me.
Help?
having a sim lock means the phone will only work with the provider that sells the phone, in canada only bell is the exclusive dealer for the XZU, if you want to use this phone on any other network you will need to buy an unlock code. they go for about $30 and takes a day, you provide them with your IMEI and they will email you the code when its processed.
im in canada but since the phone is from bell and im on rogers i had to get the sim unlocked for it to work on my network.
if the phone for sale is a bell phone then no it isnt unlocked, the only other local place to buy it is from the sony store and those come sim unlocked, the only huge difference from the bell phone and sony store is that the bootloader is locked for bell, if you read the previous post that means its harder to root and we can not use custom roms ( personally for me its not a huge downfall since i like the oem roms more atm)
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks at&t uses band 4 for lte so does bell and rogers ( i receive lte) so it should be fine.
the only thing you have to worry about to use the phone is spend an extra $30 for sim unlock.
if anything in my post is wrong feel free to correct everyone as im just trying to be helpful =)
caesu said:
having a sim lock means the phone will only work with the provider that sells the phone, in canada only bell is the exclusive dealer for the XZU, if you want to use this phone on any other network you will need to buy an unlock code. they go for about $30 and takes a day, you provide them with your IMEI and they will email you the code when its processed.
im in canada but since the phone is from bell and im on rogers i had to get the sim unlocked for it to work on my network.
if the phone for sale is a bell phone then no it isnt unlocked, the only other local place to buy it is from the sony store and those come sim unlocked, the only huge difference from the bell phone and sony store is that the bootloader is locked for bell, if you read the previous post that means its harder to root and we can not use custom roms ( personally for me its not a huge downfall since i like the oem roms more atm)
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks at&t uses band 4 for lte so does bell and rogers ( i receive lte) so it should be fine.
the only thing you have to worry about to use the phone is spend an extra $30 for sim unlock.
if anything in my post is wrong feel free to correct everyone as im just trying to be helpful =)
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Thanks for the reply... the listing says the phone is unlocked, so I will have to make clear inquiries... if i decide to purchse this item.
Thanks again for you help.
I bought a Galaxy S5 (Tmobile) and Unlocked it, flash new ROM. if for some reasons, Tmobile blocked the IMEI, am I still able to use it because its unlocked?
Im asking this because I bought it off from Craiglists.
I am just curious why would t-mobile block the ime.
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app
i afraid they may in the future because of someone not making payment
If you didn't pay for the device and they blacklisted the IMEI, you will not likely be able to use it on either AT&T or T-Mobile as they have been said to share blacklist databases. You will likely only be able to use it internationally. Unlocking it doesn't matter, if it is blacklisted, it wont register on the network and you wont be able to use it.
risestar2 said:
If you didn't pay for the device and they blacklisted the IMEI, you will not likely be able to use it on either AT&T or T-Mobile as they have been said to share blacklist databases. You will likely only be able to use it internationally. Unlocking it doesn't matter, if it is blacklisted, it wont register on the network and you wont be able to use it.
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of course you can use a blacklisted t-mobile phone on at&t network without any problems. just unlock it, insert your sim card and there. i have personally used them on at&t.
What Rom Did You Flash To Unlock SGS5 Tmobile?
T33H00 said:
I bought a Galaxy S5 (Tmobile) and Unlocked it, flash new ROM. if for some reasons, Tmobile blocked the IMEI, am I still able to use it because its unlocked?
Im asking this because I bought it off from Craiglists.
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Click to collapse
What Rom Did You Flash To Unlock SGS5 Tmobile?
I am loathe to help you because you are talking about a stolen or fraudulently sold phone. And whether you were scammed or complicit in the fraud, it remains that the phone is stolen and helping anyone use a stolen phone spurs an ongoing demand for stolen phones.
I'll just say that TMB blacklisting the IMEI ought to prevent you from using the phone on another carrier. However, TMB is well known for being erratic in sharing their blacklist with other carriers. So provided that your phone is not re-activation OR SIM locked, you can probably use the handset on another carrier. For the moment anyway.
TMB has been promising lately to clean up their act in this regard and start sharing their blacklist with other carriers. So while you might be able to use that stolen handset today, it will stop working in two months, four months or whatever date TMB actually starts sharing their blacklist with other carriers.
.
T33H00 said:
I bought a Galaxy S5 (Tmobile) and Unlocked it, flash new ROM. if for some reasons, Tmobile blocked the IMEI, am I still able to use it because its unlocked?
Im asking this because I bought it off from Craiglists.
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Click to collapse
Short answer: No you cannot.
Long answer:
As I believe a T-Mobile and ATT "contract" (not really a contract, more so an agreement) established a more global blacklist.. well, list, prevents the use on other networks. This is a new policy that has been created.
I even recall an instance where a Verizon S4 (most of Verizon's phone have both CDMA and GSM hardware) would not be allowed on T-Mobile's network.
However, brighter side of things, you could try Swappa.com to sell it as a blocked IMEI phone (i believe they are still usable overseas)
Or, what I would do, part the phone out and sell each part, you will probably get more for it. Screen display's aren't cheap, especially the entire digitizer and LCD still glued together.
For future purchases over Craigslist, ensure the transaction happens inside a T-Mobile store. They can transfer the phone serial and such to your account leaving the previous account holder phoneless. This also ensures that the phone is truly paid off in full. If the phone gets reported lost/stolen, you have proof that it was legally sold to you and not stolen.
Ok so we all know why we got our gear s from at&t (100$) cheaper than sprint.so now after i unlock the phone is there a way to connect it so srint.if yes than how if no than state details why not and whats the best choice for unlocked at&t gear s device ....
Sprint version is CDMA. I think that is why it also cost more. ATT version is gsm version with a sim card. I dont think they will work.
In order to use any phone on a CDMA carrier, it must meet two conditions:
1. It must support CDMA. The AT&T and T-Mobile versions are GSM only, no CDMA support.
2. It must has ESN (each CDMA device has one) already in the carrier's database. There is no known (official) way to put foreign device ESN into the database other than carrier itself. That means you are pretty much limited to devices sold by Sprint only. Even though Verizon is CDMA as well, you can't use any Verizon devices.
Yeah. That's a tall order. Atleast to use all functionality of services. Pairing is fine and using the features of the marriage between your device and GS. But standalone, I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen.
Although. Maybe using Boost or Virgin Mobile may work? I believe they use sim cards. I could totally be wrong though. But i thought they did.
Sent from my SM-N910P
Boost and Virgin Mobile all run off of sprint network. The best thing would be to return the watch to att and just pick up a sprint version. Price wise it only 80 bucks more but then you know you can use it on your network.
billybkny said:
Ok so we all know why we got our gear s from at&t (100$) cheaper than sprint.so now after i unlock the phone is there a way to connect it so srint.if yes than how if no than state details why not and whats the best choice for unlocked at&t gear s device ....
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Click to collapse
As the other posters have said CDMA = UICC CARD (SPRINT SOME VERIZON) GSM (T-MOBILE &AT&T
SPRINT & VERIZON
NO SIM CARD FOR YOU
T-MOBILE & AT&T
SIM CARD YES UNLOCK MAYBE BUT YOU CAN ONLY GO TO THESE CARRIERS
MOST ARE LOCKED (yOU CAN USE MVNO TO YOUR CARRIER WHILE LOCKED (IE H2O/CRICKET/STRAIGHTTALK ECT=AT&T
WHATEVER VERIZON IS .
You can use separately I for instance have Note 4 Sprint Gear S T-mobile
Ok as i come from sprint im really a noob about sim cards and the prepaid ones.can somebody please give me in details with sim cards will work unlocked fear s at&t .i want to put sim card with phone and text dont care about data ill use wifi mostly but dont want monthly subscibtion to any service.simple sim card that gonna let me talk and text till i finish my minutes...
the thing is that the price for a prepaid sim card is not worth the cost of the service. Most will be 30 a month. I think you may be better just trying to get service from att.
billybkny said:
Ok as i come from sprint im really a noob about sim cards and the prepaid ones.can somebody please give me in details with sim cards will work unlocked fear s at&t .i want to put sim card with phone and text dont care about data ill use wifi mostly but dont want monthly subscibtion to any service.simple sim card that gonna let me talk and text till i finish my minutes...
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Click to collapse
H20/cricket/Net10/Red Pocket/Straight Talk/ ect locked AT&T :good:
T-mobile (you unlock sim it will work with these bootleg company's for t-mo)
Metropcs/Simple mobile/GoSmart/walmart plan/Red Pocket/Straight talk /net 10
theres more but these are ones people know
That wasn't confusing at all ...
Haha.
Sprint and Verizon sim cards are for LTE. This watch definitely does not support LTE.
There are definitely two versions that were tested by the FCC, those were the GSM and the CDMA models. I thought at first that it might have a universal radio (CDMA/GSM hybrid) because the Snapdragon 400 in the device supports that. But the FCC didn't license it that way, so #sadface ...
The ONLY benefit to buying on on your same carrier is to get a discount on the device (if you can call Verizon's $349 a discount), and to have a discounted plan ($5-10/mo) to use its independent phone and data ... but you'd be under contract for two years ... that's a long time and quite the commitment.
Most of us just paid AT&T 299 outright and walked out with the device. Some have had to contact AT&T to request unlock, I, for some reason have NOT ... my T-Mobile sim also works in it and did out of the box ... I believe I had a VERY knowledgeable customer service rep where I bought it, and she knew what was up!!!!!! (AT&T in Henderson Nevada by the Sunset Station Mall, I will never go anywhere else! they can have all the monies :good
sbrownla said:
Haha.
Sprint and Verizon sim cards are for LTE. This watch definitely does not support LTE.
There are definitely two versions that were tested by the FCC, those were the GSM and the CDMA models. I thought at first that it might have a universal radio (CDMA/GSM hybrid) because the Snapdragon 400 in the device supports that. But the FCC didn't license it that way, so #sadface ...
The ONLY benefit to buying on on your same carrier is to get a discount on the device (if you can call Verizon's $349 a discount), and to have a discounted plan ($5-10/mo) to use its independent phone and data ... but you'd be under contract for two years ... that's a long time and quite the commitment.
Most of us just paid AT&T 299 outright and walked out with the device. Some have had to contact AT&T to request unlock, I, for some reason have NOT ... my T-Mobile sim also works in it and did out of the box ... I believe I had a VERY knowledgeable customer service rep where I bought it, and she knew what was up!!!!!! (AT&T in Henderson Nevada by the Sunset Station Mall, I will never go anywhere else! they can have all the monies :good
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That was a good look.
I got mines at Sprint and just cashed out on it. Wasn't concerned about the price, nor the plan. Knew all about it prior to buying. I dont regret where/how I got it one bit. That $299 tag is a great deal though. Lol
Sent from my SM-T807P