Carrier Unlock - S21 5G? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I just bought a second hand S21 5G. The phone was delivered to me, everything works fine but it is carrier locked (at least I think so).
Why I think so? Because it keeps telling me to install my carrier's apps (Vodafone apps) even though there was no SIM inside. Other than that, my SIM (Telekom aka T-Mobile) isn't being detected by the phone.
The seller is unreachable. I spoke to local police and they said there's no record of it being stolen or sold without permission (unpaid plan). It probably is a work phone that's permanently locked or something.
I searched for software to unlock it to no avail. I came across some websites but I don't know which to trust. I can't just try it out with the risk of being scammed because they're very pricey. What are some solution or, at least, trusted websites / methods to unlock it?
Also, when I look for the IMEI code, there are two codes. Does that mean I need to do two unlocks?

Does the device ask for an unlock code?

Carrier/SIM Unlock - Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G SM-G998U & U1 (QualComm SnapDragon) USA/CANADA! - NO ROOT- FREE
Here's a free How-To on how i successfully Carrier/Sim unlocked my Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G running the NEWEST Android update on bootloader 5 (USQU5BULJ)released in January of 2022 that was carrier locked to Verizon and now fully Unlocked...
forum.xda-developers.com

Related

Help about buying Bad ESN phones from eBay to use in Europe

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.

Question [CLOSED] Sim/Network Unlocking Service for Nord N200 by Metro

Is anyone here aware of how to get a Nord N200 5G by Metro sim/network unlocked so it can be used in Canada? I put my T-mobile sim in it out of the box and it's working on tmobile network without unlocking it, but I need to send it to my father in Canada so he can use it there on Canadian networks. Is boot unlocking same as network unlocking?
I googled it and some websites are charging $69 to unlock it? Anyone aware of any other online service which does it cheaper than $69? Thanks in advance.
Bootloader unlocking is not the same as SIM unlocking.
I'm unaware of any unlocking services for Metro phones.
I need unlock Nord N200 5G by Metro sim/network. I got bootloader unlock code.
help
If you go into a real Metro or T-Mobile store (cooperate store) say that you will be going out of the country for awhile they will unlock early device unlock your phone or if you know or are in the military and go in they will defiantly unlock your device . Just call your carrier to find out which store location is a corporate store they will tell you but be honest tell them why and they will send you to appropriate place .
[email protected] said:
If you go into a real Metro or T-Mobile store (cooperate store) say that you will be going out of the country for awhile they will unlock early device unlock your phone or if you know or are in the military and go in they will defiantly unlock your device . Just call your carrier to find out which store location is a corporate store they will tell you but be honest tell them why and they will send you to appropriate place .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a quick warning: DO NOT say you're in the military to get your SIM unlocked, unless you actually are. You could legitimately go to jail for that.
I live outside USA, since 29-Nov-2021,
There is a new Thing Called Temporary Unlock now with new Android Models , so you may not able to get it permanently get it unlock. You can request the temporary unlock 5 times in a year , 1 month for each time. So this Out of Country thing may not work any more
I find it hard to believe there aren't any reputable/ cheap sim unlock services for the n200 on metro. the only one I found is $70. if you don't own the device for 180 days metro refuses to unlock it for free.
Anyone tried the $70 unlock service I tried a 50 one called official sim unlock and they couldn't do it and refunded half my money
MOD ACTION:
Thread closed since it has deteriorated to paid unlocking services with links. This is not allowed on XDA.

Question Unable to OEM Unlock Pixel 6 (Carrier Unlocked)

Build number: TQ1A.221205.011
IMEI: 359379544449346
When attempting to unlock my carrier unlocked pixel in developer options the OEM Unlock setting is grayed out with a caption that says "Connect to the internet or contact your carrier". I purchased the phone unlocked and refurbished from Amazon. I have migrated my cell provider from ATT to Google FI on this same phone so I am confident it's carrier unlocked. I've already attempted a factory reset both from the settings and from the recovery neither attempt has been fruitful. Any ideas?
Lokiuy87 said:
The list of issues Pixel 6 and 6 Pro owners faced is too long, and something similar is playing out with the recently-launched Pixel 6A. Soon after it was released, users reported that the device was unlocked with any fingerprint. Whether or not the fingerprint was registered on the device, they were able to unlock the device easily.
This was a serious issue which was fixed in Android 13 Beta 4.1. Now, the Pixel 6A owners looking to customize their phones are dealing with the OEM unlocking problem. In this article, we’ll see the possible fixes to Pixel 6A cannot unlock bootloader or OEM Unlock grayed out problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you mean to link an article? I don't understand what it is you are trying to say.
HopelessPencil said:
Build number: TQ1A.221205.011
IMEI: 359379544449346
When attempting to unlock my carrier unlocked pixel in developer options the OEM Unlock setting is grayed out with a caption that says "Connect to the internet or contact your carrier". I purchased the phone unlocked and refurbished from Amazon. I have migrated my cell provider from ATT to Google FI on this same phone so I am confident it's carrier unlocked. I've already attempted a factory reset both from the settings and from the recovery neither attempt has been fruitful. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've now discovered by putting my IMEI number into https://store.google.com/repair that it is a "verizon" phone. I'm not sure how this is possible as I have never used verizon as my cell carrier.
I had my suspicions that you had purchased a Verizon device despite the advertising on Amazon saying otherwise. We had a user a couple of months ago with the same issue and the same end result.
Unfortunately, you have discovered why purchasing a refurbished Pixel device from Amazon is not a good idea. The previous purchaser either purchased a Verizon model (G9S9B) thinking he could unlock it or else put his Verizon sim into the device prior to trying to unlock it.
As to how you could possibly have a Verizon device despite never having used Verizon as a carrier, Verizon units have their own model number in Google's inventory. These units, unlike the unlocked device, have both sub-6 and mmWave 5G capabilities: the unlocked devices lack mmWave 5G. Unfortunately, to avoid getting burned you have to do a bit of research beforehand. Regardless of the circumstances that got you to this point, now your best option is to return the device and seek out the unlocked model (GB7N6).
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I had my suspicions that you had purchased a Verizon device despite the advertising on Amazon saying otherwise. We had a user a couple of months ago with the same issue and the same end result.
Unfortunately, you have discovered why purchasing a refurbished Pixel device from Amazon is not a good idea. The previous purchaser either purchased a Verizon model (G9S9B) thinking he could unlock it or else put his Verizon sim into the device prior to trying to unlock it.
As to how you could possibly have a Verizon device despite never having used Verizon as a carrier, Verizon units have their own model number in Google's inventory. These units, unlike the unlocked device, have both sub-6 and mmWave 5G capabilities: the unlocked devices lack mmWave 5G. Unfortunately, to avoid getting burned you have to do a bit of research beforehand. Regardless of the circumstances that got you to this point, now your best option is to return the device and seek out the unlocked model (GB7N6).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had it for a while so no ability to return, but it's not a massive deal I don't mind the stock rom. I'll buy a pixel 7 when they are cheaper on the used market. I'm just completely shocked that a carrier unlocked phone does not support oem unlocking.
Locked bootloaders for carrier devices are the norm in the US. Which is why people have to do their homework before risking a purchase from Amazon. Your reaction is a tell that you are not from the US.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Locked bootloaders for carrier devices are the norm in the US. Which is why people have to do their homework before risking a purchase from Amazon. Your reaction is a tell that you are not from the US.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually am from the US (I lived abroad most of my life though) I've just always bought unlocked phones from the OEM. I've never bought from a carrier and have never financed a phone. So I was not aware that there was such things as unlocked carrier phones on the used market.

T-Mobile Samsung S21 5G

Can someone help me out with this one. A coworker of mine saw a deal on ebay for this S21 and bought it. The seller claimed it was unlocked and there shouldn't be any problems. Lo and below, when he got the phone, it was locked and giving error codes when trying to permanently unlock it.
We decided to check with T-Mobile on Facebook and they said that the imei is not in their system so they cannot unlock it. Anyone know of another alternative method or so to get this phone unlocked?

Question S23 ultra back to android after 12 years

My question since I’m 100% new to android again is, is there an easy was to sim unlock my s23 ultra it’s coming from Verizon but want to switch it up sometimes
dunno if it trips the knox counter nowadays but you can just flash a non branded rom.
Verizon will automatically unlock the SIM after 60 days.
Device Unlocking Policies | Verizon Privacy Policy
In order to mitigate theft and other fraudulent activity, newly purchased devices are “locked” to work exclusively on the Verizon network. We have separate device unlocking policies that cover postpay and prepaid devices, as well as special rules for deployed military personnel.
www.verizon.com
I can't believe they still lock Sims in the US. That practice has been banned in Canada since 2017. I feel your pain
Normally, here in the US, carriers won't SIM unlock your phone unless it's paid off (not financed through the carrier). Samsung Finance, I am not sure about.
Flashing an unlocked ROM will NOT SIM Unlock your phone.
Of course, verify with your carrier what the criteria is to get your phone SIM Unlocked.
Talderon said:
Normally, here in the US, carriers won't SIM unlock your phone unless it's paid off (not financed through the carrier). Samsung Finance, I am not sure about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As part of Verizon's purchase of their 700MHz spectrum, they were required to commit to not locking their devices. They were allowed a 60 day period to try to account for fraud purposes later but whether it's financed or not, Verizon unlocks after 60 days.
EtherealRemnant said:
As part of Verizon's purchase of their 700MHz spectrum, they were required to commit to not locking their devices. They were allowed a 60 day period to try to account for fraud purposes later but whether it's financed or not, Verizon unlocks after 60 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Automatic or do I have to call in?
There is an app on Verizon phones called "Network Unlock" which I believe is pinged at 60 days and the phone is then unlocked. Note that if you're using the Unlocked firmware, this app is not available and the phone will not automatically unlock. People have reported having to flash Verizon firmware, reactivate, then go back to U1 firmware.
I had a s21 ultra Verizon branded and I flashed the unlock software the day I got it and it would not work on Verizon or any other carrier. I had to reflash the Verizon firmware and wait the 60 days once it's done then you can flash the unlocked U1 firmware at least that was my experience.
After that I have just bought the U1 and skipped the Verizon nonsense. Also the csc won't change when you put in another carrier sim. So even though you put xaa firmware on it will not show xaa. It will always be vzw so it doesn't really work like a U1 phone.

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