Does Permanent unlock mean permanent? Or is it something you can lose with a firmware update, factory reset, or user modification?
How does the device unlock? Is it unlocked by hardware like a knox trip? Is it from the carrier? Could it ever be re-locked?
Basically I bought my S6 from T-Mobile with the full intention of cancelling the service once I fully payed it off. $860 later, I made my final payment a week ago. I put in an ATT sim card, tried unlocking, nothing happened. Put my T-mo sim back in, did unlocking just to try it again, and it says my device is permanently unlocked.
I just want to know how permanent is permanent, and is it safe to cancel my service with T-Mo, and could the phone ever be re-locked by means of factory reset or by any change in the software?
Also my T-mo account balance is -$60, I don't fully know what that means, but it appears that they owe me $60. If I cancel, is a negative amount refunded?
It's supposed to be permanent. But T-Mo's custom device unlock is bugged. I permanently unlocked mine a few days ago and switched back to AT&T. Last night I started getting an invalid sim inserted message with my AT&T sim in it! So much for permanent unlock!!!
All I could think of doing to make sure it's permanent this time around is to Odin back to the stock MetroPCS rom so I could use their radio and unlock it the old fashioned way. Works fine with AT&T now. I just have to stick with the MetroPCS radio, or it will become locked again!
Question
guyd said:
It's supposed to be permanent. But T-Mo's custom device unlock is bugged. I permanently unlocked mine a few days ago and switched back to AT&T. Last night I started getting an invalid sim inserted message with my AT&T sim in it! So much for permanent unlock!!!
All I could think of doing to make sure it's permanent this time around is to Odin back to the stock MetroPCS rom so I could use their radio and unlock it the old fashioned way. Works fine with AT&T now. I just have to stick with the MetroPCS radio, or it will become locked again!
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I've been away from android for a short time and now back on T-Mobile S6. I bought it outright from T-Mobile and haven't even had it three days yet but service is terrible. Is there a guide for exactly how to use the PCS firmware and then get root and twrp? How and where did you get the unlock code also? You said I need to stay on PCS? What if I flashed a T-Mobile custom rom off xda development site? Thanks, I'm just a little rusty and don't want to mess up my new phone. LOL.
brojoe11 said:
I've been away from android for a short time and now back on T-Mobile S6. I bought it outright from T-Mobile and haven't even had it three days yet but service is terrible. Is there a guide for exactly how to use the PCS firmware and then get root and twrp? How and where did you get the unlock code also? You said I need to stay on PCS? What if I flashed a T-Mobile custom rom off xda development site? Thanks, I'm just a little rusty and don't want to mess up my new phone. LOL.
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Click to collapse
There is a guide somewhere. I read it a couple of weeks back, so I knew what to do to Odin flash the Metro rom and use the regular sim unlock method. You can flash any compatible rom with your device. You just can't flash the T-Mobile radio, or you'll loose the SIM Unlock! The radio firmware is never part of a custom rom, so no need to worry there.
I bought the unlock code from androidsimunlock.com and told them it was a MetroPCS Galaxy S6. Worked perfectly.
Thanks. I'll do some more searching.
So the unlock is in software only?
Related
I honestly tried to find the answer to this everywhere before posting. I already have the unlock code from HTC and Tmobile. I simply need to figure out how to unlock the phone.
The instructions I received with the unlock code said that the phone would notify me that the SIM is unregistered and I would put in my unlock code at that point. I assume this is only the case on a vanilla version of Android or whatever the current official release is.
As you may have guessed, I have my phone rooted and have been running CM for a while. When the prepaid SIM is in the phone CM does seem to realize that its there and there is a SIM tool app but it does nothing. I have flashed to a couple different customer ROMS including dwang and a couple older version of CM.
Is there any way that I can actually unlock my phone without having to unroot and go back to the official android release from tmobile?
Thank you to anybody that can help me.
namelessted said:
I honestly tried to find the answer to this everywhere before posting. I already have the unlock code from HTC and Tmobile. I simply need to figure out how to unlock the phone.
The instructions I received with the unlock code said that the phone would notify me that the SIM is unregistered and I would put in my unlock code at that point. I assume this is only the case on a vanilla version of Android or whatever the current official release is.
As you may have guessed, I have my phone rooted and have been running CM for a while. When the prepaid SIM is in the phone CM does seem to realize that its there and there is a SIM tool app but it does nothing. I have flashed to a couple different customer ROMS including dwang and a couple older version of CM.
Is there any way that I can actually unlock my phone without having to unroot and go back to the official android release from tmobile?
Thank you to anybody that can help me.
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Is it The AT&T Prepaid sim card. If it is then i don't think it would work. i have an unlocked g1 with an AT&T sim card and i unlocked it before rooting. So guess u have to do the same. hope i helped
Right now I am trying with a TracFone SIM card but I could try with an AT&T card from a friend in a couple of days. I don't even really need to get the service to work at this point.
The two things I really want are just to be able to unlock my phone and backup my contacts onto a secondary SIM card and I am having no luck doing either.
namelessted said:
Right now I am trying with a TracFone SIM card but I could try with an AT&T card from a friend in a couple of days. I don't even really need to get the service to work at this point.
The two things I really want are just to be able to unlock my phone and backup my contacts onto a secondary SIM card and I am having no luck doing either.
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This is how i did it. i put my sim card in the phone and turned it on until it got to the screen when it said ( enter network key) i put the code in and it worked. i wounder if your able to put the contacts on the sd card?
Sorry, i'm not sure how the OTA's work on the Nexus devices, so I have to ask (and haven't found the right discussions which talk about this)...
I have an ATT branded Nexus 6 which has been bootloader unlocked, OEM partition wiped, and flashed with the "for T-Mobile" LYZ28J image. I am using a Verizon SIM in it.
Since there are posts of T-Mobile pushing LYZ28K I was wondering, will get get this OTA? if so when (i.e. does it it matter than I have a Verizon SIM in there when it comes to OTA's? Or do I manually need to load it?
It doesnt matter that it has a vzw sim in it. If youre stock, you may get it, and you can apply it - but when? Nobody can tell you that, you'll get it when you get it.
If you are waiting for Tmo specific firmware on VZW service, that isn't going to happen - you'll never get that since...well...you dont have TMo service...
Lol what's the reason behind an AT&T branded phone with T-Mobile Rom and Verizon sim? Personally I would just manually do it, like the dude with the hilarious name above me said you may get it you may not. If you want it just go manual.
^^ exactly.
Thats what I've always done - if i want it (and since I'm never stock) I have to manually flash the firmware, make my own no-enforced encryption boot.img (kudos to the kitchen) flash that, and start all over.
Thats how it is, I'm used to it. OTA are too slow, IMO, anyway.
EDIT:
I use this name universally online - any forum you see it, XBL, GitHub, reddit... it's me. lol
The Stig 04 said:
Lol what's the reason behind an AT&T branded phone with T-Mobile Rom and Verizon sim?
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Long story short... its a work supplied device. I asked for unlocked/unbranded and got the ATT branded (but sim unlocked). My primary work line is Verizon, backup/test line is T-MO.
We have others that will likely be in the same boat (ATT branded, sim unlocked, but using other provider).. who are not techie. So rather than flashing or side loading the OTA (which I easily could), I'm waiting to see what happens.
I'm more curious *IF* I should get the update in this state. and if the mix of rom vs sim might cause any delays/issues.
Bottom Line. Verizon and ATT don't usually OTA for 3 months after update release. Once the factory image for Sprint, USC, International drops you can fastboot flash that They gonna use the same and it will work. T-Mobile and FI work better with their drop just because of WiFi calling.
I'd say that because you're using VZW service, it makes absolutely no difference what branding the phone has and doesn't matter what carrier it was purchased for.
If it uses VZW service, you'll only get OTAs that are for that service. You won't get Tmo specific OTAs for a device being used on VZW - when the OTAs are pushed out they are done so by the service the device is registered as using. I don't think you would ever get said OTAs since the device wouldn't need them.
iRub1Out said:
I'd say that because you're using VZW service, it makes absolutely no difference what branding the phone has and doesn't matter what carrier it was purchased for.
If it uses VZW service, you'll only get OTAs that are for that service. You won't get Tmo specific OTAs for a device being used on VZW - when the OTAs are pushed out they are done so by the service the device is registered as using. I don't think you would ever get said OTAs since the device wouldn't need them.
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Thank you. And that is what I'm thinking, and why I'm asking... because I'd also seen talk about the SIM in the Nexus 6, or the carrier the phone is on, impacting some of the Nexus 6 updates in the past.
But I also remember my Sister-In-Law using an XT1053 on ATT, who did get XT1053 updates.. SO I wasn't completely sure how the nexus updates worked.
Yes. If leave the sim in will get the Verizon OK'd OTA. That has been up to 3 months after the image was posted. Either remove sim and try to force OTA from Google or manually flash the image. We end up always manually flashing due to having root.. 3-5 minutes tops.
iRub1Out said:
It doesnt matter that it has a vzw sim in it.
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That's not accurate.. On every other android phone it is accurate but not in the nexus 6.
Usually with a GSM phone, the update is pushed by the oem and your current build determined which update you got.. For example, my Three UK s3 would get the Three UK branded rom update. Even if I had an O2 UK sim in it.. If I then flashed a Vodafone UK rom, I would then get those updates.
With the nexus 6 though, this has changed.. For Verizon and T-mobile users, Google now uses the sim to identify which update to get.. They both were sent with an unbranded stock rom then later on, depending on the simcard, got either a t-mob or vzw update.
The problem is though, that each update will only install on a specified build.. So a vzw update will never install on a t-mob rom or vice versa, so it does matter if the build is one carrier and the sim is another as it will never get an update.
That's what I meant, I probably should have worded that differently.
I meant that even though it is using Verizon service you only get updates for Verizon service. If it's branded for X carrier that won't matter - the service its using is what you'll get updates for.
I apologize about that that was a poor choice of wording on my part.
And just an update.... tonight, I got prompted for a 28meg update. After the update I'm on LYZ28K.
So I guess to answer my own question...
Yes, an ATT Branded Nexus 6 flashed T-Mobile ROM with VZW SIM installed will get updated, and stay on the T-Mobile rom.
That is good.
KidJoe said:
And just an update.... tonight, I got prompted for a 28meg update. After the update I'm on LYZ28K.
So I guess to answer my own question...
Yes, an ATT Branded Nexus 6 flashed T-Mobile ROM with VZW SIM installed will get updated, and stay on the T-Mobile rom.
That is good.
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Click to collapse
Should get the Verizon/ATT (Generic ) rom if have Verizon sim. Hopefully you unlocked before taking update. If locked and it bootloops your only option is RTA.
prdog1 said:
Should get the Verizon/ATT (Generic ) rom if have Verizon sim. Hopefully you unlocked before taking update. If locked and it bootloops your only option is RTA.
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Click to collapse
Yup. I unlocked. Actually when I got it, I unlocked it, rooted, cleared the OEM partition (backed it up first), then flashed the T-Mobile rom.... and left it unlocked (but not rooted since I'm using for work)
Hi guys,
I need some clarification re: carrier unlocking and how it works. I recently purchased a carrier unlocked G920T, and I was going to start messing with custom roms/kernels and other goodies. My question is: Will the phone revert back to being locked if I do a factory reset or if I unlock the bootloader and flash custom roms?
I'm not a T-Mobile user, so I can't get another unlock code from them.
Thanks!!
The G920T has a carrier unlocked version, which is probably the one you have, not the T-Mobile one. Even if it is, usually a carrier unlocked device will remain unlocked forever unless it was unlocked using a different or hacky method, then there is a possibility that it will relock
Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk
Yeahh go ahead, mess with it. when it is carrier unlocked, the software doesn't affect it, unless it is a hacky method like @serio22 said, but there isnt such hacky method for the GS6 so have fun.
If it is a G920T (the T means it's from T-Mobile), then carrier unlocking is not a guaranteed state. I paid T-Mobile the full price to get my GS6 and they "permanently" unlocked it. Then after a OTA software patch all of a sudden it locked itself again and I couldn't use my phone for 2 days while they tried to unlock it. T-Mobile's new device unlocking uses a new system which has the phone "phone home" to their servers to check if you're allowed to use it outside of their network. It happened again when I accepted the Android 5.1.1 OTA. So...beware of T-Mobile's not-very-permanent permanent carrier unlocking.
I am living in india..
My relatives brought me the t model ( i wanted f model instead of i sold in india for quicker updates but got t model...lol )
Anyways,
The moment i inserted my sim, it worked like a charm so its unlocked at the moment.
I dont know how they made payment their or how it was unlocked, but the way used must be legit coz its still stock at the moment without root / recovery etc. .
I read humo saying it can get locked again...
My main question, what are the odds of that happening?
Also since i live in india, i wont be able to contact t mobile via phone/walk in, are there ways i can get it unlocked again?
I dont have the bill too if it matters
i believe they have an app that unlock ur device since that is how i unlocked mine. if not u can try to contact customer service online since u r not in US.
With device unlock app , will i have to pay for unlock my s6 g920t or it'll unlock my device for free.
I have an unlocked s6 tmobile from usa, i heard the flashing stock rom will relock the device.
If the phone will relock then how can i unlock it again?
I'm not sure about flashing a stock ROM relocking the device. Mine re-locked when T-Mobile sent Android security patches. This week I did the Android 6.0 OTA update and it has remained unlocked.
Hey guys! i have a factory unlocked version of s6 tmobile, my question is if i can flash the tmobile MM firmware . My model says "country: cellular south" and the firmware country says us tmobile, so i dont know if i can flash without any problems, (Sorry for my english it sucks) thanks !
polipol15 said:
Hey guys! i have a factory unlocked version of s6 tmobile, my question is if i can flash the tmobile MM firmware . My model says "country: cellular south" and the firmware country says us tmobile, so i dont know if i can flash without any problems, (Sorry for my english it sucks) thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Polio, i have the same phone and i flashed MM without any problems. Check out the q&a section here and theres a recent thread that talks about how to that refers to a reddit post
Sent from my SM-G920T using XDA-Developers mobile app
bitbank said:
If it is a G920T (the T means it's from T-Mobile), then carrier unlocking is not a guaranteed state. I paid T-Mobile the full price to get my GS6 and they "permanently" unlocked it. Then after a OTA software patch all of a sudden it locked itself again and I couldn't use my phone for 2 days while they tried to unlock it. T-Mobile's new device unlocking uses a new system which has the phone "phone home" to their servers to check if you're allowed to use it outside of their network. It happened again when I accepted the Android 5.1.1 OTA. So...beware of T-Mobile's not-very-permanent permanent carrier unlocking.
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Click to collapse
How did you solve this? My phone stopped working flashed newest (G920TUES5DPK1_G920TXAR5DPK1_G920TUES5DPK1_HOME.tar.rar) and i can't go to older version as that gives me ;
Code:
SW REV. CHECK FAIL DEVICE: 5 BINARY: 3
Christiaanjadieja said:
How did you solve this? My phone stopped working flashed newest (G920TUES5DPK1_G920TXAR5DPK1_G920TUES5DPK1_HOME.tar.rar) and i can't go to older version as that gives me ;
Code:
SW REV. CHECK FAIL DEVICE: 5 BINARY: 3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't downgrade your bootloader so you'd have to pay to unlock it unfortunately
crixley said:
You can't downgrade your bootloader so you'd have to pay to unlock it unfortunately
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Click to collapse
Got it done remotely!
I have a Galaxy S6 (SM-G920T) from T-Mobile. It was locked. But it has an "Unlock" app installed by default. I used it and phone was instantly unlocked! Fast, easy and free!
I used to live in the US for a year and bought a g920T. Since i had the requirements i Unlocked and came back to my country but because of a problem, I had to install a stock firmware and now the unlock is gone.
So i'm wondering, if someone with a unlocked phone made firmware backup, remove the IMEI, and send it online would it work? I mean, right now it works just fine, so i can backup my IMEI and ID and just restore it if needed.
Please help
danveer said:
I am living in india..
My relatives brought me the t model ( i wanted f model instead of i sold in india for quicker updates but got t model...lol )
Anyways,
The moment i inserted my sim, it worked like a charm so its unlocked at the moment.
I dont know how they made payment their or how it was unlocked, but the way used must be legit coz its still stock at the moment without root / recovery etc. .
I read humo saying it can get locked again...
My main question, what are the odds of that happening?
Also since i live in india, i wont be able to contact t mobile via phone/walk in, are there ways i can get it unlocked again?
I dont have the bill too if it matters
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in same scenario as you are/were,I am also having s6 (Tmobile) please tell me did flashing relocked your device?
So far no
I have flashed recovery - custom rom - kernel
Messed up sometimes so even went back to stock using odin then flashed everything again
Its still unkocked
Hello! I've bought my S6 (SM-G920T) as carrier unlocked but when my pcb has burned due to factory fault and sent my phone to Samsung they gave me again it was locked. I'm from Argentina and I haven't T-Mobile sim to unlock with default application. I've called to my carrier in Argentina and they said me the IMEI it's unlocked but my phone still sais it's network blocked... Can anybody help me?
vita_lp said:
Hello! I've bought my S6 (SM-G920T) as carrier unlocked but when my pcb has burned due to factory fault and sent my phone to Samsung they gave me again it was locked. I'm from Argentina and I haven't T-Mobile sim to unlock with default application. I've called to my carrier in Argentina and they said me the IMEI it's unlocked but my phone still sais it's network blocked... Can anybody help me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried with the tmobile device unloced app.? If that doesnt work then head over to this awesome guy, he can help you unlock it remotely. https://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-galaxy-s6/general/sim-unlock-honestly-free-t3601740
Fyi if you root before you sim unlock tmobile says it locks out the app and you cant sim unlock it.ive been going round and round the last week with tmobile over this.they say it cant be sim unlocked because it shows in their system as rooted.even though i did a kdz restore on 20o the unlock app doesnt work and tmobile cant over ride it they said they tried and it failed.on the app i keep getting error device not recognized by your service provider call customer care
yes, this is true, i actually had very same issue, tmobile keeps telling me the device is not theirs because it is rooted lady said she tried to override but cannot get it through. ish i would have known this before rooting. is ther anyway we can trick it to look like it is not. i figured rooting would not matter as long as have stock rom. guess not
I rooted my device way last year when it was in 20N. I had it rooted and was able to unlock to phone. Was running stock at the time. This is kinda scary. Its also a shame really, maybe something tripped in 20o that detects root. Who knows.
Couldn't you just flash the 20o KDZ and get back to stock? Then unlock?
Stories said:
Couldn't you just flash the 20o KDZ and get back to stock? Then unlock?
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Click to collapse
your answer can be found on OP.
I have no problem to unlock with the app.
Mine is 100% stock rooted (with adapt client removed).
I revert to the 20i rooted by MicroMod777 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmo...-mm-20i-global-20e-stock-rooted-roms-t3317932) and then perform the Device Unlock app. It worked while I'm running that ROM, but once I revert back to CM13, it ask for a SIM network unlock PIN.
I contacted T-Mobile and has been stonewalled that they don't provide the SIM network unlock PIN.
I'm on rooted Extreme rom and I'm unable to unlock using Device Unlock app (Unlocked Failed: This mobile device is not eligible for unlock) despite TMobile said my device is eligible through multiple chat sessions.
Now I'm going to go back to stock and try again
I picked up a Note 8 thats still locked on At&t and Im planing to flash it over to Verizon for use on their network. The guy that sold it to me said he was working on getting it unlocked and im prayinh he comes through. If I understand what Ive read so far I should be able to flash it over to Verizon while its locked, just that it will still be locked afterwards which is fine. Is that true? Will I encounter any issues or would I be better off waiting until its unlocked first?
And if anyone knows an easy way to unlock it im all ears. Thanks a bunch.
sattech200 said:
I picked up a Note 8 thats still locked on At&t and Im planing to flash it over to Verizon for use on their network. The guy that sold it to me said he was working on getting it unlocked and im prayinh he comes through. If I understand what Ive read so far I should be able to flash it over to Verizon while its locked, just that it will still be locked afterwards which is fine. Is that true? Will I encounter any issues or would I be better off waiting until its unlocked first?
And if anyone knows an easy way to unlock it im all ears. Thanks a bunch.
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Click to collapse
As long as it's carrier locked to AT&T there's nothing you can do.
While you can flash the VZW ROM, your device will still be locked to AT&T. Have to wait for them to unlock it.
cam30era said:
As long as it's carrier locked to AT&T there's nothing you can do.
While you can flash the VZW ROM, your device will still be locked to AT&T. Have to wait for them to unlock it.
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Click to collapse
I understand that, but I was wanting to play and get a jump on the game, if I flash it to VZW will I have any issues unlocking it with ATT after the fact? I'm just wanting to get the VZW firmware loaded and the phone setup so once it's carrier unlocked I'll be ready to go with Verizon.
sattech200 said:
I understand that, but I was wanting to play and get a jump on the game, if I flash it to VZW will I have any issues unlocking it with ATT after the fact? I'm just wanting to get the VZW firmware loaded and the phone setup so once it's carrier unlocked I'll be ready to go with Verizon.
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Click to collapse
I don't know. While it isn't applicable to our device, I do know that if one is running a custom ROM, often the SIM unlock code won't work.
Just in case anyone else has the same question, sense I'm sitting on a samsung locked Note Edge that was legitimently mine I decided to play it safe and wait it out. Original owner got it unlocked for me today so now it's time I can play.