Verizon S9+ sim locked? - Samsung Galaxy S9+ Questions & Answers

Does anyone know if verizon S9+s are sim locked?
I am planning on travelling europe/asia for the next month or so and wanted to buy some local SIM cards... will that be a problem?

Can't say for sure because I went with the unlocked version, but that was due to Verizon indicating that their LTE phones would no longer be unlocked. They decided to flip the FCC the bird and start locking phones because they knew that weasel Ajit Pai wouldn't try and enforce the deal Verizon made to get some of their LTE spectrum. Unless someone has actually tested this, I don't know if there will be a definitive answer out of Verizon.

It's funny how Verizon does this. Phones are unlocked. If upon first boot, no Verizon Sim is detected the phone will remain unlocked. If a Verizon SIM is detected they will lock the phone and you need to request a unlocking code from them. Their policy is to not provide a unlocking code until the phone is paid off but I heard of them giving that code out for long time customers.
I tested this theory on a friend's phone. Booted the first time without Sim and the phone is unlocked now.

le0.br4zuc4 said:
Phones are unlocked. If upon first boot, no Verizon Sim is detected the phone will remain unlocked. If a Verizon SIM is detected they will lock the phone and you need to request a unlocking code from them.
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Click to collapse
Never heard of this. I tested many Verizon phones, all unlocked. Recently it was announced that they'll be locking phones, I am curious if the S9 was plagued by this BS. Before they announced they'd lock the phones, there wasn't any issues with using it on a different carrier, unless it was a prepaid Verizon phone.

Just check it now by inserting another sim card in your phone to see if it will pick up the signal or if it's locked.
Any sim will do because if your S9+ can't recognize another US sim card will not recognize either a foreign one.

Related

[Q] Is it possible to remove network lock without an unlock code?

I have reviewed similar threads for a few days but have not found any answers. The simple question I have is in the title:
Can you unlock the ATT Atrix without an unlock code.
However the situation is a bit more complicated and ill explain.
I have been traveling the past few months and was in Costa Rica for a month. I decided to purchase a local SIM so I could use my phone without paying ridiculous ATT roaming charges. I inserted the SIM and it was locked, unaware of the network lock I inserted my personal code thinking that may be it. No luck and returned to my old ATT SIM. At this point it still worked but a few days passed and I tried again, still no avail so I contacted ATT. It just so happened the 6 month mark was coming up from the original purchase date of my phone so they would provide the unlock code in 4 days time. I waited and finally received, after inserting the code it did not work and I contacted ATT back to assure they provided the proper code as they had to send me a replacement phone a few months prior due to my original Atrix crapping out. They checked it out and determined it was correct but it never worked. I finally inserted my original ATT SIM back into the phone and it also requested network unlock code. Now I am back in the states and even with the original ATT SIM it still requests for the network unlock code. I tried unlocking and flashing with CM7 beta and STILL requests unlock code. So basically the phone is useless for network data but will work fine as a mini tablet i suppose connected to WIFI.
So with that explanation does anyone have any idea on bypassing this or removing this entirely, not even to use overseas but just on the ATT network!
Additionally
ATT provided me with another Atrix to alleviate my troubles so im not entirely phoneless. However I would like to sell one of these and possibly purchase the GS2 0_o
I have contacted 3 cell phone unlocking sites explaining the situation and only one has responded but not with any answers.
HELP!
if you got a new phone, is it still asking for a network unlock code?
No. Its working fine, but I still have this perfectly good working phone I would rather use and sell the brand new one. Unless I cant get rid of this unlock problem I suppose Ill sell it as is. Any takers?
Hi, I talk to att once when i want to unlock my atrix and they told me if the phone is more than six months old the give you the unlock code for free.
so for the atrix if that is your phone you can ask att for your code since august 21.
just call att customer support.
hope this help.
try a diff sim card with data plan and see if it still asks for code
or try flashing a custom rom
I suppose I was not clear in the OP. ATT DID provide this code for me. I did flash a custom rom already.
As far as using a different SIM card I tried to use a second SIM that ATT provided and still nothing.
I am assuming this is a very unique situation and probably wont find any answers unless someone has successfully unlocked the phone by flashing some special ROM.
Flashing a ROM of any kind will never sim-unlock your phone.... ever. period.
The only way to resolve this is through AT&T. The only way to sim-unlock is with the code it requests.... must have proper code. That is the only way. So, I would talk to AT&T about it, in person, at a local store.
I unlocked the inspire 4G simple by rooting and flashing a custom rom didnt ask for network password after that it worked on tmobile
With edge service no. 3g or 4g different bands between tmobile and att
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA Premium App
jussuh said:
I unlocked the inspire 4G simple by rooting and flashing a custom rom didnt ask for network password after that it worked on tmobile
With edge service no. 3g or 4g different bands between tmobile and att
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
highly doubt that....
when does it ask you for the network code? can u provide a screen capture?
jgc121 said:
Flashing a ROM of any kind will never sim-unlock your phone.... ever. period.
The only way to resolve this is through AT&T. The only way to sim-unlock is with the code it requests.... must have proper code. That is the only way. So, I would talk to AT&T about it, in person, at a local store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just the info I was looking for. Basically the phone is boned in that case. Spent a good with with ATT advanced tech support and motorola to no avail.
What I do want to know is WHERE this information is stored out of curiosity. It seems the modding community would have tinkered with some hacks to remove the sim lock at some point.
wyldkard said:
when does it ask you for the network code? can u provide a screen capture?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried to screen shot it but it wont allow in the screen. The request comes as soon as I turn the phone on. If I dismiss it I can use the phone I just wont have cellular access.
Ok so I am reposting and not editing as I feel this deserves a bump.
I got my new Atrix unlock code from ATT today and tried it on the new Atrix I received and that one ALSO will not unlock.
Is there ANY ATT Atrix sim unlocked and if so how did you go about doing it? I have only found one thread and no response via PM.
How to SIM unlock Atrix!
I have read both your post and I believe you used a ATT sim card that was not in use or a GO phone Sim card. Am I correct so far? To sim unlock you have to insert a non ATT sim card!! No go phone sim card or a non active att sim!
Call one of your friends and borrow a Verizon sim or Tmobile sim. You only have 5 tries to do this. So as for your first Atrix I believe it is already locked permanently to ATT. Dont ruin your second Atrix.
katinatez said:
I have read both your post and I believe you used a ATT sim card that was not in use or a GO phone Sim card. Am I correct so far? To sim unlock you have to insert a non ATT sim card!! No go phone sim card or a non active att sim!
Call one of your friends and borrow a Verizon sim or Tmobile sim. You only have 5 tries to do this. So as for your first Atrix I believe it is already locked permanently to ATT. Dont ruin your second Atrix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I found that if you push #073887* in the dialer it will actually prompt you for the unlock code. I tried this with NO sim in at first and that is when it said it was unsuccessful. However late last night I inserted my ATT SIM back in and tried again just for ****s. Entered in #073887* and typed the unlock code and viola, it worked. Interesting information for anyone who wants to unlock there Atrix WITHOUT another carriers SIM!
But back to my original issue. I wouldn't mind if the original atrix was locked to ATT, at least I would still be able to use it. The problem is that it wont work with ANY SIM. My thoughts is that it is a glitch and locked the phone to... nothing?
To make matters worse I emailed cellunlocker.net explained the issue and they said they thought if they requested a carrier unlock code it would work. Paid the 20 and 10 minutes later they sent me the same unlock code ATT had provided. Now the hassle of obtaining a refund.
are you selling the phone?
komakos96 said:
are you selling the phone?
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Click to collapse
Yea. Both.
you have to use a *different* sim card than your regular carrier uses (ex - I'm on AT&T, so i used a Boost Mobile Sim to unlock my Atrix) You cannot use YOUR sim to sim-unlock.
jgc121 said:
you have to use a *different* sim card than your regular carrier uses (ex - I'm on AT&T, so i used a Boost Mobile Sim to unlock my Atrix) You cannot use YOUR sim to sim-unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can, by the method I explained in my previous post. It works!
There may be some confusion. The one im referring to (the original ATRIX) will not unlock with an ATT sim, a TMOB sim, a verizon SIM, or even a Costa Rican SIM. NO matter WHAT the SIM is in the "original" phone it always prompts me for a SIM unlock password. Like I said I believe it to be a glitch, intending to lock it to the ATT SIM but in reality it locked it to NO SIM.
So to restate.
YES you can unlock an ATT Atrix with only an ATT SIM in the phone using the method I explained. ( I did it with the phone in my hand right now)
and
NO my original Atrix will not unlock regardless of SIM installed or method.
i will send you a p.m with my offer
Just out of curiousity did you ever set up the sim card lock feature in the location and security settings. It will ask you for the unlock code every time you turn your phone on...shot in the dark here....
Sent from my MB200 using XDA App

Big Mobile network problem: Darkside 4.5.9 AT&T

I am urgently in need of someone who can solve this network problem I have been having. Right now I can not access any mobile network with this phone.
I am using an Atrix 4g unlocked and rooted.
Basically, my problem is that my phone has been asking me for a "SIM network unlock PIN" every since my time in Italy.
I recently went to Italy 2 weeks ago, and came back yesterday. On my first day in Italy I bought an Italian SIM card from the Mobile Network company Tre, a company similar to AT&T. When I replaced my AT&T network card with the Tre one, it asked for the SIM network unlock pin. Seeing that I did not have a code on me at the time, and after trying several numbers given to my by Tre, I replaced the tre card with my original AT&T SIM card. I later learned that my phone was not international and I unfortunately did not call AT&T ahead to unlock it, causing the phone to lock network access. I learned that this is a security feature in case your phone is stolen.
I'm asking for your help because I spent literally over an hour with tier one and tier two support of both AT&T and Motorola technical support all telling me the same BS.
Before calling any support numbers, I went to an AT&T branch, and I told them the situation. They replaced my AT&T SIM card with a new one, yet the phone still asked for the SIM network unlock PIN. They then told me to call support and ask them about a subsidy unlock code. AT&T phone support gave me multiple codes to unlock the phone, but none of them worked. All of the SIM and IMEP numbers on the phone were correct in their systems too. After telling me exactly the same thing as tier 1 support, AT&T tier 2 then transferred me to common Motorola support tier 1 support. Motorola only told me to hard reset the phone, which I do multiple times every time I update your firmware anyway. The last hard reset I did to my device was literally 30 minutes before I called technical support. They then told me that the only thing I could do is to replace the phone under warranty with either motorola or AT&T.
However, I am in a pickel becuase my phone is completly unlocked, rooted, has CFW/kernel, etc...and I think that wards the warranty.
I have been using this same firmware ever since I got this phone during the last summer, and it has been working perfectly. After I put in the Italian SIM card, the network locks. I have no where else to turn but to an expert here on xda.
Is there anything I can do? The only thing I can think of is to tell my story to a nonobservant AT&T guy over at a store and ask him to replace it. However, I don't know what would happen if they found out my phone is unlocked and they gave me a new phone under warranty before realizing this...
Thanks

AT&T One was sim unlocked, but it's relocked itself?

I got an HTC One from AT&T back in June and immediately unlocked it. It worked fine with T-Mobile prepaid for a month, but the coverage sucked. I went back to AT&T prepaid.
I got a new Nexus 5 and am selling the One.
When the guy came to buy it, he popped in his T-Mobile SIM and the phone asked for a PIN on boot. What gives? Did the phone re-lock itself? AT&T customer service seemed pretty clueless on this...
ppdd said:
I got an HTC One from AT&T back in June and immediately unlocked it. It worked fine with T-Mobile prepaid for a month, but the coverage sucked. I went back to AT&T prepaid.
I got a new Nexus 5 and am selling the One.
When the guy came to buy it, he popped in his T-Mobile SIM and the phone asked for a PIN on boot. What gives? Did the phone re-lock itself? AT&T customer service seemed pretty clueless on this...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears that his T-Mobile SIM card has the pin lock enabled, has nothing to do with your phone. It requires the SIM pin code to be enabled any time it's inserted into a phone.
Once your phone is carrier unlocked it will never re-lock itself.
cschmitt said:
It appears that his T-Mobile SIM card has the pin lock enabled, has nothing to do with your phone. It requires the SIM pin code to be enabled any time it's inserted into a phone.
Once your phone is carrier unlocked it will never re-lock itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think that's true. I had a SGS2 i777 (AT&T) that I got AT&T to give me the unlock code. My son was using it on T-Mo prepaid. Once he put the sim in an old phone and try to set a passwd, but ended up locking the sim card. Put the sim back in the SGS2 and had the same problem. Called T-Mobile to get the PUC code. Typed the PUC code in, and the SGS2 gave a message about sim locked. Called AT&T again, and had to get the sim unlock code again.
My wife's iphone 4 had been unlocked previously, and a few month later had to call at&t again to unlock it. Don't know what caused the re-lock (she never used non-AT&T sim after the 1st unlock), but it can happen.

[Q] Trying to use as a tracfone.

I called tracfone to activate a Verizon galaxy s4 I got from a friend who switched att and iphone 5. When tech support tried to activate it they said the phone was locked and I needed to have Verizon unlock the phone.
I cannot get a hold of my friend as he's on a business trip for a week. Is there a way to unlock this myself? or can I only have Verizon do this. And if I can do this myself, will I have quirky setup and need workarounds for use?
My galaxy has a verizon sim card and a 32gb data card. My phone model number is i545 if iirc.
Thanks for any advice.
-=Mark=
rmjohnson144 said:
I called tracfone to activate a Verizon galaxy s4 I got from a friend who switched att and iphone 5. When tech support tried to activate it they said the phone was locked and I needed to have Verizon unlock the phone.
I cannot get a hold of my friend as he's on a business trip for a week. Is there a way to unlock this myself? or can I only have Verizon do this. And if I can do this myself, will I have quirky setup and need workarounds for use?
My galaxy has a verizon sim card and a 32gb data card. My phone model number is i545 if iirc.
Thanks for any advice.
-=Mark=
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To help you get started with replies quicker I'll say that it is mostly dependant on which firmware you have and also if you have root.
those two factors will allow you to know if you can use any of the unlocking apps by chainVire if they are still around. someone will point it out to you I hope. On the go, can't show you myself. Best of everything in your efforts but read around. I'm sure someone has done it before. Welcome to XDA. I seen that was your 1st Post. Awesome!
That app is for unlocking the sim card. My track phone doesn't need a sim card.
Can I maybe just remove the sim card and have it work? Or do I need the sim card for the s4 to work at all?
Idk why they told you it is locked, all Verizon phones legally have to be carrier unlocked because of their deal with the FCC.
Translated from Calligraphy
Okay, I also remember they asking for an MEID off my S4 and this one only has an IMEI number.
Will this make it not compatible? I don't want to pay to unlock this thing if it won't work with Tracfone afterwards.

T-Mobile sim card doesn't work on Verizon locked Galaxy Tab S7 5G

I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 5G TABLET that is locked by Verizon. I put a T-Mobile sim card in it and it says it is not a Verizon sim card and shows a ? on top of the icon for the sim card. There is nothing asking me to enter a reset code. Under the phone number it says Unknown. So using an unlock code wouldn't work unless I can find a place to enter it. I tried to get Verizon to unlock it over the phone and they said I had to take it to a store, at the store they said it had to be done over the phone and the person saying it had to go to a store gave me inaccurate information. Samsung won't do anything and T-Mobile said go to Verizon. It hasn't had any service with Verizon for over a year and it was with the prior owner. I've wasted hours on this and accomplished nothing. What's my best plan of action here?
This may be unrelated to your problem, but I tried unsuccessfully to move my Verizon Tab S8+ (fully paid for) to T mobile, and was advised by the T Mobile engineers that it did not have the necessary drivers for their 5G network. Indeed, I tried using a T Mobile Sim card, and it would only connect to their 3G network.
Katmeat said:
This may be unrelated to your problem, but I tried unsuccessfully to move my Verizon Tab S8+ (fully paid for) to T mobile, and was advised by the T Mobile engineers that it did not have the necessary drivers for their 5G network. Indeed, I tried using a T Mobile Sim card, and it would only connect to their 3G network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know. I trust about half of what T-Mobile 'experts' tell me on the phone. Are you able to text to anyone on the tablet over their network?
Sorry, I only text thru my connected phone account. But the only limitation I had w the tablet was an inability to connect to the 5G bands, but 3G did work on T Mobile. My Tab was not locked to Verizon. It just does not have the necessary radio bands to connect to their 5G signal.
Nobody here has a clue how to unlock this tablet?
Darktanian said:
Nobody here has a clue how to unlock this tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried opening the dialer pad and doing *#2263# and enabling all the network channels that way?
Darktanian said:
I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 5G TABLET that is locked by Verizon. I put a T-Mobile sim card in it and it says it is not a Verizon sim card and shows a ? on top of the icon for the sim card. There is nothing asking me to enter a reset code. Under the phone number it says Unknown. So using an unlock code wouldn't work unless I can find a place to enter it. I tried to get Verizon to unlock it over the phone and they said I had to take it to a store, at the store they said it had to be done over the phone and the person saying it had to go to a store gave me inaccurate information. Samsung won't do anything and T-Mobile said go to Verizon. It hasn't had any service with Verizon for over a year and it was with the prior owner. I've wasted hours on this and accomplished nothing. What's my best plan of action here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it has been a year, then it should work. Who was the previous owner? You may need to contact them. It is possible that it is still associated with his or her account. I had a friend that had the same problem with an iPad that was Verizon plan and he wanted it to work on T-Mobile. After several calls to Verizon he got it to work. T-Mobile can't do anything until Verizon fixes it.
Update: After thinking about this a bit more. The person who said that you need to take it to a Verizon store is probably correct. For Verizon to remotely unlock it, it has to be on its network, meaning you need a Verizon SIM.
On a more cynical side. It is possible the person you acquired it from never paid the device off. Here is how the scam goes.
- Person buys device on a payment plan with a CC.
- Verizon sends device and activates it on its network.
- Person then ghosts Verizon on payments
- Person the sells device at near retail price and pockets the difference between what he or she has already paid Verizon
- Verizon does not unlock device because it is now considered stolen
- New user (you) are not able to get the device unlocked to work on another network

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