Dear community,
I unlocked my SGS3 for all carriers through a nearby shop one year ago. He told me I have two options: Either a much more expensive IMEI Unlock, or a much cheaper Software-Based SIM Unlock. There seemed to be no downsides to the Software Method, even though the guy there told me that I should not flash any new roms since that would destroy the Software Unlock (but resetting the Phone would be no problem).
As of lately, I have been looking into several new ROMs which look very nice, and I would like to flash them...but I am afraid that it would brick the SIM Unlock. Now here is my question: Is there any way to find out what that guy actually did to my Phone? And secondly: Since the S3 is already VERY old, is there a possibolity to unlock its IMEI? Or any other SIM Unlock Method which I could apply myself?
Btw: My carrier is "3" (Hutchison), Austria.
Any help is appreciated! Thank you!
The s3 can be unlocked via code as long as the unlocker can access the unlocking code database.
Usually, unlocking the s3 via code or software is permanent. I have unlocked s3 i747m phones, using a secret dialler menu and code, none of which have relocked after flashing stock or custom roms.
Thanks for your help!
So, should I just go for it and try it out? Maybe it will stay as it is but I am not sure...
Has the phone EVER seen a 4.3 rom?. If NOT, you CAN do the nvram unlock method. Out of 1-10 on difficulty its about a 6. You MUST BE VERY CAREFULL!.
The fact it was done software tells me that it would have been a galaxsim unlock which "should" be permanent.
Beamed in by telepathy.
shivadow said:
Has the phone EVER seen a 4.3 rom?. If NOT, you CAN do the nvram unlock method. Out of 1-10 on difficulty its about a 6. You MUST BE VERY CAREFULL!.
The fact it was done software tells me that it would have been a galaxsim unlock which "should" be permanent.
Beamed in by telepathy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, as far as I know, it had a 4.3 Stock Rom at some point, but I installed the official 4.4.4 Stock Rom later on. Thats why I want to switch to another ROM, hoping that the performance increases.
There was no official 4.4.4 for the i9300. It stopped at 4.3 but seeing as you know it had 4.3 the only way to unlock the simlock is to pay for it.
I doubt you'll brick the device as there is always odin. The i9300 is quite resilient and in most software cockups flashing back to stock with odin will fix it to the point of a "working" device.
If it was me I'd risk it and odin if it goes wrong so make sure you have a usable stock rom before you start.
IF it does relock your phone you can pay about £10 - £20 (gbp) to have it permanently unlocked for any network and it should be unlocked while-u-wait, taking approximately 5 minutes.
Beamed in by telepathy.
shivadow said:
There was no official 4.4.4 for the i9300. It stopped at 4.3 but seeing as you know it had 4.3 the only way to unlock the simlock is to pay for it.
I doubt you'll brick the device as there is always odin. The i9300 is quite resilient and in most software cockups flashing back to stock with odin will fix it to the point of a "working" device.
If it was me I'd risk it and odin if it goes wrong so make sure you have a usable stock rom before you start.
IF it does relock your phone you can pay about �10 - �20 (gbp) to have it permanently unlocked for any network and it should be unlocked while-u-wait, taking approximately 5 minutes.
Beamed in by telepathy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
One guy already tried to unlock it using the IMEI-Unlock method, but he did not manage to open the menu where he can enter the IMEI-Unlock code - even after inserting a SIM-Card from another carriert, there came no option where you can enter the Unlock Code. IF the device is locked again after I flash a new ROM, I hope that it can be at least unlocked once and for all by the IMEI-Unlock method...
Did you try flashing the stock 4.3 ROM from here: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/GT-I9300/ in order to enter the unlock code?
audit13 said:
Did you try flashing the stock 4.3 ROM from here: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/GT-I9300/ in order to enter the unlock code?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your kind help, but there was no need for that. I actually flashed a new ROM and the SIM Unlock is still there! Very very nice!
A huge thanks to you all for offering me your help!
Thir thread can be closed.
Related
Currently my wife's phone is unlocked. I am a noob and I am just getting into the flash/root android community so I upgraded her stock phone to JI6 on Eclair. As a result, her unlocking codes are not easily accessible anymore but the phone is unlocked. I'm wondering if I need to risk going through the steps in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=822008&page=11 (under Helroz) to find the unlock codes for the phone or I can just continue flash in Roms and kernels on her phone.
I guess the real question is: how important is it to have the unlocking codes if your phone is already unlocked and under what circumstances would the phone relock itself?
Thank you in advance for all replies.
Unlocked as in.... you can change out the sd card? Otherwise, if you have already flashed a differnet ROM, kernel, or modem or whatever, I don't think it would be different if you did it again.
But I would assume once you're unlocked...well you're unlocked, right?
Lol I am unlocked...I'm using the t mobile phone on the wind network I
n toronto so I can say with certainty that I'm unlocked. The reason why I'm asking is because we have two viberants (one that I have the unlock code and one that I don't ). being the noob that I am, I retired to manualy root my phone (the one I have the unlock code) using the update.zip file found in the sticky noob guideline.that one somehow re-locked my phone but I had the unlock codes so out was no problem. That's why I'm paranoid now about the phone relocking itself and I won't have the unlock codes.
Your right about it not asking for the unlock codes after rom and kernel updates.I'm hoping the situation where I re-locked the phone is a special, rare, and unique case. I'm going for some confirmation on this.
Atrix network locked"phone is subsidy locked"or"network unlock request unsuccessful"
Hi, I have atrix, borught in last year and got reaplced with at&t in feb2012..It was under the at&t policy so got replaced with refub atrix in feb 2012.
I was travelling abroad in may2012 (india) so I asked the unlock code. they provided me the code.. But unforchunately I enter wrong code 10 to 20 times (i know I am stupid here)... So contacted to at&t cust care.. they said you have correct code... now it has not working with at&t sim also...
so could you guys please tell me the solution to unlock sim so I can use in India???
My atrix is 4.5.91 with baseband 1.77.36
I rooted, unlock bootloader, and factory reset few times already...
Even now it was asking "sim network" unlock code but it wasnt successfull...it give me message "phone is subsidy locked"or"network unlock request unsuccessful"
Is it possible to use custom rom or new update 4.5.141 or any international baseband to use in India or atlead accept unlock code so I can use it...
THanks
PS I am not expert in phone roots or customs etc..but I am above average (with instr I can format or updates roms)
all i can say is that i have read in the forum that if u change ur radio then even valid unlock code wont work. so my suggestion it to get back to stock every thing (as much as possible) and try the unlock code again.
try using fruitcake to get back to stock and best of luck with that
xateeq said:
all i can say is that i have read in the forum that if u change ur radio then even valid unlock code wont work. so my suggestion it to get back to stock every thing (as much as possible) and try the unlock code again.
try using fruitcake to get back to stock and best of luck with that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for reply..
I will try to move back to stock..
Could put some light on it. (i am more or less newbie)
My current atrix status-- 4.5.91 rooted n unlock bootloader..
Could you tell me from where should I get fruitcakes n how to install it...which versions ??
THanks agian...
xateeq said:
all i can say is that i have read in the forum that if u change ur radio then even valid unlock code wont work. so my suggestion it to get back to stock every thing (as much as possible) and try the unlock code again.
try using fruitcake to get back to stock and best of luck with that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have changed my radio many times and unlocked without any issues a few weeks back after getting the code from AT&T. I fail to see how a change in radio will prevent SIM/network unlock when AT&T themselves update the radio through their OTA upgrades. Even after unlock you can still continue to OTA with AT&T, have your radio updated through the OTA, (with a stock phone and locked bootloader of course), and not have problems. Without researching what you say further, I can only assume that changing the radio from AT&T to an international variant might cause problems. Do you have a link to where you read this?
Also, when you have used all attempts to network unlock, (10 tries I believe), you are hard locked.
I attempted to move on stock 4.5.91 and tried to unlock but still not able to
"phone is subsidy locked contact your network provider"
Is there way out from here
Also, when you have used all attempts to network unlock, (10 tries I believe), you are hard locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if its hard locked, what are my chances to unlock for other network.and how....
Now I can able to usee at&t but not other network...(cant use at&t due to roaming cost)
thanks
hi. im just so frustrated right now.
anyways, im trying to carrier unlock my at&t htc one. its in good standing. not lost or stolen or bad imei. i tried two different unlocking service that gives out unlock code. both company gave me same code. but when i input the code when prompted to enter sim unlock pin. its an invalid code.
i have also tried the CONFIG.DAT method, via the SIMLOCK menu on bootloader. im getting a "SD init fail !!!"
can anyone help me out please.
the status of my phone is bootloader unlocked, stock rooted on 4.4.2 and s-off
please help. thanks
simpl3lang said:
hi. im just so frustrated right now.
anyways, im trying to carrier unlock my at&t htc one. its in good standing. not lost or stolen or bad imei. i tried two different unlocking service that gives out unlock code. both company gave me same code. but when i input the code when prompted to enter sim unlock pin. its an invalid code.
i have also tried the CONFIG.DAT method, via the SIMLOCK menu on bootloader. im getting a "SD init fail !!!"
can anyone help me out please.
the status of my phone is bootloader unlocked, stock rooted on 4.4.2 and s-off
please help. thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't the phone have to be complete stock when you do the unlock code? Once you unlock the SIM and put your new SIM in then you unlock the bootloader and do your root. Not sure but it could be the reason.
Solarenemy68 said:
Doesn't the phone have to be complete stock when you do the unlock code? Once you unlock the SIM and put your new SIM in then you unlock the bootloader and do your root. Not sure but it could be the reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm. Im stock just rooted and bootloader unlocked. I dnt think that would affect the unlocking procedure. But then again, im unsuccessful so far. I will try to revert to complete stock. And try the code again. Also should i revert back to jellybean? Or kitkat fine?
simpl3lang said:
Hmm. Im stock just rooted and bootloader unlocked. I dnt think that would affect the unlocking procedure. But then again, im unsuccessful so far. I will try to revert to complete stock. And try the code again. Also should i revert back to jellybean? Or kitkat fine?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think as long as it is stock the version would not matter.
Solarenemy68 said:
I would think as long as it is stock the version would not matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok. i downloaded an RUU file. legit and with matching MD5. when i run it it asks to update to 4.20.502.1 ....from my 4.18.502.7. should i stay away from upodating it to 4.20.502.1 ....or its ok?
update: i have reverted back to stock 4.4.2
i removed s-off and locked the bootloader. and RUUed the 4.4.2 update.
but i am still getting incorrect code.
so frustrating.
I'm in the same boat. All stock kit Kat. Unlocked boot and rooted. If I figure it out will post here & would do like wise.
Sent from my XT907 using xda premium
Cellunlocker.net does a freakin awesome job!
Hello,
I live in India and I purchased t-mobile s5 online and it already came unlocked and rooted. It was a bad esn set. I don't know how the previous owner unlocked it, but it was just 1 week old. So my guess is, he didn't asked T-Mobile for unlock code, but rather used some online services. Also, I'm unable to update my s5 via OTA and Kies method. While trying to update via OTA method, the following error message pops up:
"The operating system on your device has been modified in an unauthorized way. Try downloading software updates using Samsung Kies on your PC, or visit a customer service center."
And while trying to update it via Kies, it simply fails with a error message.
So my question is, while upgrading my s5 (to android 5.0) via Odin method, will I loose my sim unlock? Will it revert back to being region locked and I would have to purchase an unlock code?
Thank you.
divya1114 said:
So my question is, will upgrading my s5 (to android 5.0) via Odin method, will I loose my sim unlock? Will it revert back to being region locked and I would have to purchase an unlock code?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not update via OTA because it's rooted. If he used the network unlock code then is should be safe to upgrade via Odin. If it's properly network unlocked it's very hard to lock it again. Rooting and flashing will not affect that.
Also, you can unroot (search the thread on rooting to see how to unroot) the phone and then it should successfully update via OTA.
Plus, if you have the contact info from the original owner you might be able to get him to send you the unlock codes. That way you would have them.
gspears said:
Also, you can unroot (search the thread on rooting to see how to unroot) the phone and then it should successfully update via OTA.
Plus, if you have the contact info from the original owner you might be able to get him to send you the unlock codes. That way you would have them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh! I see. Thanks for the info, but I'm not sure how he unlocked it.
I'm no longer in contact with him. I sent him couple of messages inquiring about the same about a month ago, but he hasn't replied me since.
I tried unrooting the phone, but it had no effects. I was getting the same error message.
BTW, I used "Kingo Android root" software to unroot it. But since it didn't worked, I rooted it again using the same software.
Flash a rom and forget about official ota
optimusv45 said:
Flash a rom and forget about official ota
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not the OTA that I'm worried about. I'm worried about loosing my sim unlock.
Problem Solved
PROBLEM SOLVED
I went ahead and flashed my phone anyway, and I'm happy to find out that I didn't lost my sim unlock.
Thank you for help guys.
Hey XDA,
i want to carrier unlock a locked GT-I9300 i just bought.
If all else fails, i just wanted to know if flashing a whole stock firmware incl. Modem/Bootloader/CSC will get rid of the lock, also?
I read lots and lots about unlocking a 9300 with Android 4.3 here, unfortunately, i am less sure now than before...
got a prepaid SIM today, will see what happens later.
GalaxSim Unlock doesn't work; i doubt the code to enter will.
Is there sth one could do via ADB to get rid of a carrier lock...?