Help about buying Bad ESN phones from eBay to use in Europe - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey guys ive been looking to buy phones from ebay with bad ESN because they are really cheap(Note 4/5 or Galaxy s6) but most sellers dont specify if its unlocked or if ill work outside the US (Europe uses 1800/2600/800MHz). I was wondering if there is any way to look up which phones (AT&T,Verizon...) work here and if i can unlock them when the have Bad ESN. Thanks

Esn devices are used by cdma companies. Not GSM. Most times the devices is useless for anything

Verizon Galaxy S and Note lines are unlocked and will work out of the US. Sprint Galaxy S(4 and above) and Note 4+ will have to be unlocked to use there. For older versions of android, this unlock can be performed by a free app. For never versions, you will need a paid app, a remote unlock service from like eBay, or a cell phone tool like the z3x box to perform the unlock. T-Mobile and AT&T phones can still be unlocked via code, even if they are blocked. It's possible that it might cost more to unlock them and not all unlock services offer the option.
For all of these phones, you will need to check the bands that the phones support because not all of them support every type and some countries need certain frequencies enabled to work well.

Related

T mobile customers help me

Hello guys i'm from toronto i recently came from new york and purchased a vibrant when returning I am unable to use it. I called t mobile and they told me i need to find my recite or a person with a t mobile account to get the unlock code for me. Unfortunatly my recite is left in some garbage in new york somewhere. Can anyone here help me? I have my Imei number
ireiricky said:
Hello guys i'm from toronto i recently came from new york and purchased a vibrant when returning I am unable to use it. I called t mobile and they told me i need to find my recite or a person with a t mobile account to get the unlock code for me. Unfortunatly my recite is left in some garbage in new york somewhere. Can anyone here help me? I have my Imei number
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no reason for it to be locked other than its a stolen phone
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
ireiricky said:
Hello guys i'm from toronto i recently came from new york and purchased a vibrant when returning I am unable to use it. I called t mobile and they told me i need to find my recite or a person with a t mobile account to get the unlock code for me. Unfortunatly my recite is left in some garbage in new york somewhere. Can anyone here help me? I have my Imei number
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A, total bs, you really did not think of the fact that a phone from the states would not work in canada? Bull**** you just want someone to get the unlock code for you because you bought the phone not knowing it would not work and are screwed now.
Yes i know stupid mistaek
I bought the american version because the canadian version could not work on my carrier Mobilicity. Most mobilicity phones come unlocked and i thought that because they used the same frequencies that T mobile would too. Yes i know stupid mistake should have done it in america. And it's not stolen
itsjusttim said:
There is no reason for it to be locked other than its a stolen phone
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ionic7 said:
A, total bs, you really did not think of the fact that a phone from the states would not work in canada? Bull**** you just want someone to get the unlock code for you because you bought the phone not knowing it would not work and are screwed now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously you two should NOT give answers if you do not know wtf you are talking about. ALL t-mobile Vibrants are sim locked ie you cannot use it in any other country (ie with other carriers, even tmobile outside the US) but the united states and even here you cannot use it with any other carrier except t-mobile. I am about to call tmobile and have mine unlocked too so I can use it in Canada and Europe.
I usually buy t-mobile sim cards in Europe but I need my phone unlocked to be able to do that. But I will admit, since the Vibrant is pretty much the same as all the other Galaxy S phones, I also thought it could be used everywhere Tmobile was available (sans the simlock).
To the OP, go to Ebay if tmobile cannot help you, there are many companies that will unlock your phone for you for a fee. Or you can use the unlock generator from this site (but there have been mixed results with that). But even with the phone unlocked, does not mean it will get all the ranges oversees as it does here. Tmobile uses different Hz oversees than they do in the states so you may not get 3G (not sure, just using my experiences from other phones), so you may wanna check on that before going through all the effort of unlocking etc etc. You may be better off with a i9000 in Canada if thats your primary residence.
kponti said:
Seriously you two should NOT give answers if you do not know wtf you are talking about. ALL t-mobile Vibrants are sim locked ie you cannot use it in any other country (ie with other carriers, even tmobile outside the US) but the united states and even here you cannot use it with any other carrier except t-mobile. I am about to call tmobile and have mine unlocked too so I can use it in Canada and Europe.
I usually buy t-mobile sim cards in Europe but I need my phone unlocked to be able to do that. But I will admit, since the Vibrant is pretty much the same as all the other Galaxy S phones, I also thought it could be used everywhere Tmobile was available (sans the simlock).
To the OP, go to Ebay if tmobile cannot help you, there are many companies that will unlock your phone for you for a fee. Or you can use the unlock generator from this site (but there have been mixed results with that). But even with the phone unlocked, does not mean it will get all the ranges oversees as it does here. Tmobile uses different Hz oversees than they do in the states so you may not get 3G (not sure, just using my experiences from other phones), so you may wanna check on that before going through all the effort of unlocking etc etc. You may be better off with a i9000 in Canada if thats your primary residence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help o will look into both those methods you stated
go to Market, and look for SGS Unlock, if the free version can not generate the unlock code, go for the Pro version.. or you could do it yourself for free by following instructions here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=822008
kponti said:
Seriously you two should NOT give answers if you do not know wtf you are talking about. ALL t-mobile Vibrants are sim locked ie you cannot use it in any other country (ie with other carriers, even tmobile outside the US) but the united states and even here you cannot use it with any other carrier except t-mobile. I am about to call tmobile and have mine unlocked too so I can use it in Canada and Europe.
I usually buy t-mobile sim cards in Europe but I need my phone unlocked to be able to do that. But I will admit, since the Vibrant is pretty much the same as all the other Galaxy S phones, I also thought it could be used everywhere Tmobile was available (sans the simlock).
To the OP, go to Ebay if tmobile cannot help you, there are many companies that will unlock your phone for you for a fee. Or you can use the unlock generator from this site (but there have been mixed results with that). But even with the phone unlocked, does not mean it will get all the ranges oversees as it does here. Tmobile uses different Hz oversees than they do in the states so you may not get 3G (not sure, just using my experiences from other phones), so you may wanna check on that before going through all the effort of unlocking etc etc. You may be better off with a i9000 in Canada if thats your primary residence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know all american vibrants are locked thats why it is stupid for him to buy one to take back to canada with out an unlock code ready...
ionic7 said:
I know all american vibrants are locked thats why it is stupid for him to buy one to take back to canada with out an unlock code ready...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe he didn't know? Maybe he forgot? Don't call people stupid for THINGS everyone does wrong everyday.

Do T-Mobile USA Lock Their Phones?

Just wondering if T-Mobile in the USA lock their phones as I'd buy the Blaze/Relay out of contract when it comes out. Thanks!
salemfox said:
Just wondering if T-Mobile in the USA lock their phones as I'd buy the Blaze/Relay out of contract when it comes out. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They lock it, but you can buy an unlocked version, or buy a locked version and unlock it with an unlock code
Sent from my LG-C800 using xda premium
Unlocked phones are the way to go
Almost all the major US carriers sell their phones locked. However, there is some kind of regulation that they must upon request provide the unlock code to the customer. I just google T-Mobile's unlock code docs, and here is a link to the cached document:
http://74.6.117.48/search/srpcache?ei=UTF-8&p=unlock+code&fr=moz35&u=http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=unlock+code&d=4814057732507625&mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&w=306b1278,f2206927&icp=1&.intl=us&sig=7aRKgNJGsEkbvHzQ_G2bLw--
I can't remember what the regulation is on this but it is most likely contingent or similar to what is in this T-Mobile doc which states in essence the release is contingent on where the phone was bought, number of days on contract/service and/or contract type with the caveat the code must be available from the manufacturer.
That all being said, you're better off buying an unlocked phone. My last two phones have been unlocked and were bought on eBay. This year I saved at least $20 by going straight to a Chinese vendor. I bet if you looked on eBay, you can find the unlocked phone you mention in your post.

[Q] factory unlock at&t htc one?

currently i have samsung galaxy note 2 but it hassles me a lot hence i am considering to order htc one 64gb version from at&t carrier but the problem is as i am in india, i want to sim unlock it, is there anyway to unlock it straightaway or it will make me wait for 90 days to get unlock code from at&t? if it is so i will consider buying developer edition...
there are two ways.....if u have a contract with att and u have been a good customer, they will unlock it for you by calling customer service.... i have five lines and i signed the contract with att on Apr 28 2013 and i called on May 22 13 asked them about unlock codes. the customer service guy just gave me the five lines codes "i don't know if i was lucky or that was normal"....... otherwise you can buy the unlock code from ebay for $6 or so...... or buy the phone directly unlocked from HTC
First of all, by definition, you can't 'factory unlock' something that comes out of the factory as 'locked'. So the answer to your title is 'No'.
Now, I understand what you actually wanted to do (sim unlock a factory locked phone), so:
If you look one sub-forum up at AT&T HTC One General, there is a thread discussing the different ways to get the unlock code for an AT&T locked HTC One. This includes buying it on eBay, other places where you can pay for an unlock code, and also calling AT&T directly.
Having said that, why do you want the AT&T version of the One? Why don't you just go to HTC website and buy the phone directly? It's unlocked and unbranded and you don't have to bother dealing with AT&T. Furthermore, if you are in India and not an AT&T customer, do you realize how difficult it is to buy a phone without actually having an AT&T postpaid account? It's not impossible, but it's not easy. I know this because I experienced this myself.

Unlocked Tmobile Samsung Galaxy S5

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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.

[Q] Possible to Bypass Sprint Activation use it on GSM.

Hello,
I plan to buy (from ebay) a Sprint G3 and use it on GSM with a SIM card.
Is it possible ? Is it locked ot unlocked ? Is it possible to bypass sprint activation screen ?
Thanks.
hakkan said:
Hello,
I plan to buy (from ebay) a Sprint G3 and use it on GSM with a SIM card.
Is it possible ? Is it locked ot unlocked ? Is it possible to bypass sprint activation screen ?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
locked and no way that i know of changing it as sprint version doesnt have root yet.
From Sprint's unlock policy:
I am a former Sprint customer or was never a Sprint customer but have purchased a Sprint device from a third party other than Sprint. Can I get the MSL code?
For individuals owners who can provide the telephone number last associated with the device, Sprint may be able to provide the applicable MSL Code if the account associated with the device is in good standing (service or installment contract fulfilled, payments are current, no write-off balance, not associated with a phone sent to collections, phone not reported lost or stolen, etc.).
hakkan said:
Hello,
I plan to buy (from ebay) a Sprint G3 and use it on GSM with a SIM card.
Is it possible ? Is it locked ot unlocked ? Is it possible to bypass sprint activation screen ?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Important thing here is where are you located;
In US - Most probably not, until someone finds a hack for it. Sprint certainly doesn't want you to use their phone on GSM in US.
Outside US - You may get the SIM card slot unlocked from Sprint (done via OTA, not thru code) if some conditions are met like account should be in good standing, shouldn't be a bad ESN & phone should be 90 days old on the account (some people in past have been able to get past this requirement).
Apart from these, you also need to make sure that GSM/UMTS/LTE bands your carrier use are supported by Sprint G3.
I am in the same boat as you, looking to buy a Sprint G3 & use on GSM. Since I'm not in US, I can definitely use it once unlocked but the problem is how to ask Sprint for the unlock when you are not a customer & don't have an account with them.
---------- Post added at 09:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 AM ----------
BretonGirl said:
From Sprint's unlock policy:
I am a former Sprint customer or was never a Sprint customer but have purchased a Sprint device from a third party other than Sprint. Can I get the MSL code?
For individuals owners who can provide the telephone number last associated with the device, Sprint may be able to provide the applicable MSL Code if the account associated with the device is in good standing (service or installment contract fulfilled, payments are current, no write-off balance, not associated with a phone sent to collections, phone not reported lost or stolen, etc.).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP is talking about GSM unlock, MSL is not going to help.
jainanshal said:
I
OP is talking about GSM unlock, MSL is not going to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um, yes it is. You have to get the MSL from Sprint in order to unlock their phones for usage on GSM networks. It's all explained in their Unlock Policy on Sprint.com.
BretonGirl said:
Um, yes it is. You have to get the MSL from Sprint in order to unlock their phones for usage on GSM networks. It's all explained in their Unlock Policy on Sprint.com.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I say it again.. MSL has to do nothing with GSM slot unlocking for Int'l networks. For this, Sprint pushes an OTA to the phone which unlocks the SIM slot.
If you still think its explained in a different way (involving MSL) on the Sprint website, plz post the link.
Just wait until we have root and I will see if I can unlock it for everyone.
Sent from my LGLS990 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
jainanshal said:
Well, I say it again.. MSL has to do nothing with GSM slot unlocking for Int'l networks. For this, Sprint pushes an OTA to the phone which unlocks the SIM slot.
If you still think its explained in a different way (involving MSL) on the Sprint website, plz post the link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm talking about unlocking it for use on AT&T, T-Mobile, etc, here in the U.S. For that unlocking you need the MSL code.
Here's their unlock policy.
http://www.sprint.com/legal/unlocking_policy.html
Seriously though, why do people buy a phone designed for one carrier wanting to use it on another? It's ridiculous. Just buy what your carrier offers, simple.
BretonGirl said:
Here's their unlock policy.
http://www.sprint.com/legal/unlocking_policy.html
Seriously though, why do people buy a phone designed for one carrier wanting to use it on another? It's ridiculous. Just buy what your carrier offers, simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You tired of giving that link yet?
I think hidden key/hidden menu unlocking
BretonGirl said:
Here's their unlock policy.
http://www.sprint.com/legal/unlocking_policy.html
Seriously though, why do people buy a phone designed for one carrier wanting to use it on another? It's ridiculous. Just buy what your carrier offers, simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simply because Sprint phones are much cheaper than any other carrier if bought slightly used or from sites like swappa and ebay. However due to strict unlocking policies of sprint it is near impossible to unlock their devices if you are not a customer. Heck even if you are a customer they give you a hard time. Hence phones on Sprint tend to have much lower resale value for this very reason and hence the reason for people attracted to these devices because they do have the hardware capability of using gsm networks it's only sprint/software that's holding these phones back.
As of now i would hold off on buying a Sprint lg g3 if you plan to use on another network. The phone doesn't even have root yet for sim unlocking hacks to even be attempted. Check out the Sprint HTC m8 sim unlock hack is out for that phone and very capable device with much more development.
I get that I should buy a phone for a given carrier - However, if I were to buy a Sprint LG G3 that WAS unlocked, would I be able to use it on T-Mobile would I be able to have some reasonable expectation to have UTMS+/LTE connectivity?
(if I can buy an unlocked sprint phone for ~ $275 vs ~ $450 for a t-mobile version...)
scifan said:
I get that I should buy a phone for a given carrier - However, if I were to buy a Sprint LG G3 that WAS unlocked, would I be able to use it on T-Mobile would I be able to have some reasonable expectation to have UTMS+/LTE connectivity?
(if I can buy an unlocked sprint phone for ~ $275 vs ~ $450 for a t-mobile version...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will not get lte on it bands are not there.....
BretonGirl said:
Here's their unlock policy.
http://www.sprint.com/legal/unlocking_policy.html
Seriously though, why do people buy a phone designed for one carrier wanting to use it on another? It's ridiculous. Just buy what your carrier offers, simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Though this is old ill comment my idea of why. The very reason is , i believe anyway is that sprint phones' resale value is the cheapest overall ...why? Because of the sprint reputation as well as the old days it would not connect to gsm period. However today its global capabilities has began a big buy spree on this model mainly for price ..This is why you might see as example on craigslist, s4 175 as opposed to verizon 250 or T-Mobile etc. Sprint has always had cheaper or lower resale value. Not sure how much longer but ive bought many sprint devices for this reason ..also since sprint sells to more lower to no credit with the spending limit option they are more prone to blacklisted phones and or risk. Lol. So to me i believe this is why you see lots more sprint phones today trying to get on gsm or any. Peace.
Sent from rotary technology Phone
Most phones after 2012 using LTE have to have a Sim card slot.
Verizon had to unlock their phones because of the LTE bands they use.
Prior to that Sprint was using Clear as thier 4G provider using WiMAx. When they built up their network their network they had to use sim card slots
Just like Boost, Virgin, they lock down the sim using UCC.
By locking down the sim and the modem you cant access the service menus to take the lock off.
Currently the HTC One, One MAX, and M8 for Sprint are capable of gsm but man is it a pain.
There may be a way hopefully since yes Sprint phones are very cheap in resale value. I got a HTC One MAX for $150. Took me 3 days to unlock, s-off and figure out the instructions on the internet so I can use it on T-Mobile.
I came here to see if the LG G3 can be done as well...so far looks like a no go.
So far the Note 3, Mega and other Samsung phones can be unlocked.
I think it's a steal to get a 5.9" 1080p Quad Core phone for $150. Cheaper than the Desire 820 GSM which is only 720p for $350.
The sim can be unlocked ..... All you have to do is read.
jamesb85 said:
The sim can be unlocked ..... All you have to do is read.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please explain or point us in the right direction? Thanks.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using XDA Free mobile app
bypaass activation
blane73 said:
Can you please explain or point us in the right direction? Thanks.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i used that way with no problems sa far http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-lg-g3/general/unlock-sim-gsm-how-to-t2853594
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-lg-g3/orig-development/how-to-gsm-unlock-t2961099 check and this!
for disable activation go to system priv apps and find LgStartUpWizzard.apk and rename it to .bak save it, and you get rid of activation process

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