There are other threads about this but rather than pollute them with my post I figured I'd create a new thread to share my experience. READ THE WHOLE THREAD BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU SCREW UP YOUR PHONE. Feel free to comment and I will make adjustments to the op.
Pre-requisites
- LG G4 T-Mobile Variant (H811).
- The Phone must be paid in full.
- The account the phone is/was attached to needs to be in good standing.
- Proof of your purchase of the phone (eBay or paypal receipt)
- The phone must not be reported lost, or stolen.
- Try the T-Mobile Device Unlock and select permanent unlock (if it works skip to the section on retaining SIM Unlock)
- Persistence, patience and politeness.
History
I purchased a used LG G4 (H811) on eBay, then called T-Mobile to request the device unlock. I was told by two Customer Service representatives and two supervisors the same thing:
- I either had to get a T-Mobile account and register the device on their network for 40 days and request the device unlock.
- Or the original owner had to request the unlock.
T-Mobile would not budge, but you can make them give it to you. The CTIA Consumer Code for Wireless Service (http://www.ctia.org/policy-initiatives/voluntary-guidelines/consumer-code-for-wireless-service) is a Voluntary document drafted by the FCC and administered by CTIA that T-Mobile is a signer on. In section 12 it states that wireless providers will unlock eligible phones for customers, former customers and individual owners. That third category is the one that most of us fall into. Principle 2 of that section says that for post paid phones the provider will unlock them upon request for phones from accounts in good standing that have been paid off again for customers, former customers and individual owners. CAVEAT: The Code does allow them to charge you a "reasonable fee", but I was never asked to pay a fee.
Penalty for T-Mobile not complying is revocation of their status of meeting this code and they cannot display the seal which means other providers will harp on that and T-Mobile doesn't want that. After sharing this information with the supervisor they told me that I could write a letter to their legal department which I did not want to do.
Getting the SIM unlock code
1- Contact T-Mobile to request the device be unlocked. Unless they change their policy they will likely tell you the same thing they told me.
2- Go to FCC.gov and filed a complaint online stating that you are an individual owner of an eligible phone (T-Mobile never disputed that) and that T-Mobile was refusing to unlock it and therefore in violation of the CTIA code.
3- Go to CTIA.org and use the contact us link to send them a very similar email.
4- Finally go to bbb.org and filed a complaint online against T-Mobile USA (Make sure that you select the head office in Washington State).
In all three I provided my IMEI number for reference (#*06#) and THE SAME DAY I got an email from the Office of the President of T-Mobile requesting contact information to verify eligibility of the phone. I responded back and answered their questions. They needed the IMEI, make, model and receipt showing purchase. She then sent me an email telling me that she removed the block on their server from the app working and allowing a permanent unlock.
SIM Unlock procedure
1- If you are already running any flavor of the stock firmware that still has the T-Mobile unlock app then skip to step 6. If you are on a custom ROM reboot into TWRP and do a complete backup of everything EXCEPT your efs partition. If you later restore your efs partition after unlocking the phone it becomes locked again.
2- In TWRP wipe the device with the default settings.
3- Install a stock flavor ROM that still has the T-Mobile Unlock App.
4- (Optional) Install SuperSU to keep root.
5- (Optional) For good measure flash TWRP recovery in case the ROM you installed replaced the recovery.
6- Boot the T-Mobile Stock ROM and run the T-Mobile Unlock App. Request a permanent unlock and it should successfully unlock the phone.
7- Reboot and test with a non-T-mobile sim.
If you are satisfied with running the stock T-Mobile firmware then you're done. If you, like me want to run a custom ROM, then follow below. The steps below assume you have a custom recovery and unlocked bootloader already, but if not you can look at the threads on this forum on how to unlock your bootloader permanently, root, install custom recovery and install a custom ROM.
1- Turn off the phone.
2- Hold the volume down + power button.
3- When you see the LG logo release the power button for 1 second and then hold it again.
4- You will get a white screen asking if you want to factory reset the device. Select Yes, then Yes again and it will boot you into TWRP.
5- Back up your device (especially the EFS partition), but you need all of it. Use the file manager to move that backup to your external SD card.
6- Perform a standard wipe in TWRP.
7- Restore your backup of your custom firmware but DO NOT restore the efs partition or your device will again be SIM locked.
8- Restart.
objecttothis said:
There are other threads about this but rather than pollute them with my post I figured I'd create a new thread to share my experience. READ THE WHOLE THREAD BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU SCREW UP YOUR PHONE. Feel free to comment and I will make adjustments to the op.
Pre-requisites
- LG G4 T-Mobile Variant (H811).
- The Phone must be paid in full.
- The account the phone is/was attached to needs to be in good standing.
- Proof of your purchase of the phone (eBay or paypal receipt)
- The phone must not be reported lost, or stolen.
- Try the T-Mobile Device Unlock and select permanent unlock (if it works skip to the section on retaining SIM Unlock)
- Persistence, patience and politeness.
History
I purchased a used LG G4 (H811) on eBay, then called T-Mobile to request the device unlock. I was told by two Customer Service representatives and two supervisors the same thing:
- I either had to get a T-Mobile account and register the device on their network for 40 days and request the device unlock.
- Or the original owner had to request the unlock.
T-Mobile would not budge, but you can make them give it to you. The CTIA Consumer Code for Wireless Service (http://www.ctia.org/policy-initiatives/voluntary-guidelines/consumer-code-for-wireless-service) is a Voluntary document drafted by the FCC and administered by CTIA that T-Mobile is a signer on. In section 12 it states that wireless providers will unlock eligible phones for customers, former customers and individual owners. That third category is the one that most of us fall into. Principle 2 of that section says that for post paid phones the provider will unlock them upon request for phones from accounts in good standing that have been paid off again for customers, former customers and individual owners. CAVEAT: The Code does allow them to charge you a "reasonable fee", but I was never asked to pay a fee.
Penalty for T-Mobile not complying is revocation of their status of meeting this code and they cannot display the seal which means other providers will harp on that and T-Mobile doesn't want that. After sharing this information with the supervisor they told me that I could write a letter to their legal department which I did not want to do.
Getting the SIM unlock code
1- Go to FCC.gov and filed a complaint online stating that you are an individual owner of an eligible phone (T-Mobile never disputed that) and that T-Mobile was refusing to unlock it and therefore in violation of the CTIA code.
2- Go to CTIA.org and use the contact us link to send them a very similar email.
3- Finally go to bbb.org and filed a complaint online against T-Mobile USA (Make sure that you select the head office in Washington State).
In all three I provided my IMEI number for reference (#*06#) and THE SAME DAY I got an email from the Office of the President of T-Mobile requesting contact information to verify eligibility of the phone. I responded back and answered their questions. They needed the IMEI, make, model and receipt showing purchase. She then sent me an email telling me that she removed the block on their server from the app working and allowing a permanent unlock.
SIM Unlock procedure
1- If you are already running any flavor of the stock firmware that still has the T-Mobile unlock app then skip to step 6. If you are on a custom ROM reboot into TWRP and do a complete backup of everything EXCEPT your efs partition. If you later restore your efs partition after unlocking the phone it becomes locked again.
2- In TWRP wipe the device with the default settings.
3- Install a stock flavor ROM that still has the T-Mobile Unlock App.
4- (Optional) Install SuperSU too keep root.
5- (Optional) For good measure flash TWRP recovery in case the ROM you installed replaced the recovery.
6- Boot the T-Mobile Stock ROM and run the T-Mobile Unlock App. Request a permanent unlock and it should successfully unlock the phone.
7- Reboot and test with a non-T-mobile sim.
If you are satisfied with running the stock T-Mobile firmware then you're done. If you, like me want to run a custom ROM, then follow below. The steps below assume you have a custom recovery and unlocked bootloader already, but if not you can look at the threads on this forum on how to unlock your bootloader permanently, root, install custom recovery and install a custom ROM.
1- Turn off the phone.
2- Hold the volume down + power button.
3- When you see the LG logo release the power button for 1 second and then hold it again.
4- You will get a white screen asking if you want to factory reset the device. Select Yes, then Yes again and it will boot you into TWRP.
5- Back up your device (especially the EFS partition), but you need all of it. Use the file manager to move that backup to your external SD card.
6- Perform a standard wipe in TWRP.
7- Restore your backup of your custom firmware but DO NOT restore the efs partition or your device will again be SIM locked.
8- Restart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you explain EXACTLY how to preserve the EFS partition? I back it up and restore it to custom ROMS I install?
mrbox23 said:
Can you explain EXACTLY how to preserve the EFS partition? I back it up and restore it to custom ROMS I install?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In your recovery, go to backup and you will see it listed among other things....
mrbox23 said:
Can you explain EXACTLY how to preserve the EFS partition? I back it up and restore it to custom ROMS I install?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In TWRP:
1- Backup
Tap Backup
Tap the box next to EFS
Tap all the other boxes
Tap Select Storage
Tap your external SD card (if you don't have one just make sure you copy the backup to your computer for safe keeping after the backup completes).
Tap OK
Swipe to backup
2- Wipe
Tap Wipe
Swipe to wipe (Default options will not erase your EFS partition)
If you found that you somehow wiped your EFS partition, then restore your unlocked backup and make sure to restore everything. You could try just restoring the EFS but I don't know if it will work.
kuda nado pisat T-mobile?
objecttothis said:
In TWRP:
1- Backup
Tap Backup
Tap the box next to EFS
Tap all the other boxes
Tap Select Storage
Tap your external SD card (if you don't have one just make sure you copy the backup to your computer for safe keeping after the backup completes).
Tap OK
Swipe to backup
2- Wipe
Tap Wipe
Swipe to wipe (Default options will not erase your EFS partition)
If you found that you somehow wiped your EFS partition, then restore your unlocked backup and make sure to restore everything. You could try just restoring the EFS but I don't know if it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kuda nado pisat T-mobile?
Hi, I have a generic question.
I am using T-Mobile phone and I was not eligible for the T-Mobile Unlock App, so I decided to use unlock services online. The one I used was unlockbase they have a software that unlocks the phone on-the-go using their software and it requires internet connection. I got my phone unlocked and international SIM working. The question is that if I backup my EFS and MODEM now using TWRP and later restore it will it break the UNLOCK?.
Because the unlock they do is of course by altering the EFS and stuff like that and in that case backing up EFS and MODEM is a safe way to UNLOCK my phone again in future if it somehow gets LOCK again, right?
objecttothis said:
There are other threads about this but rather than pollute them with my post I figured I'd create a new thread to share my experience. READ THE WHOLE THREAD BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU SCREW UP YOUR PHONE. Feel free to comment and I will make adjustments to the op.
Pre-requisites
- LG G4 T-Mobile Variant (H811).
- The Phone must be paid in full.
- The account the phone is/was attached to needs to be in good standing.
- Proof of your purchase of the phone (eBay or paypal receipt)
- The phone must not be reported lost, or stolen.
- Try the T-Mobile Device Unlock and select permanent unlock (if it works skip to the section on retaining SIM Unlock)
- Persistence, patience and politeness.
History
I purchased a used LG G4 (H811) on eBay, then called T-Mobile to request the device unlock. I was told by two Customer Service representatives and two supervisors the same thing:
- I either had to get a T-Mobile account and register the device on their network for 40 days and request the device unlock.
- Or the original owner had to request the unlock.
T-Mobile would not budge, but you can make them give it to you. The CTIA Consumer Code for Wireless Service (http://www.ctia.org/policy-initiatives/voluntary-guidelines/consumer-code-for-wireless-service) is a Voluntary document drafted by the FCC and administered by CTIA that T-Mobile is a signer on. In section 12 it states that wireless providers will unlock eligible phones for customers, former customers and individual owners. That third category is the one that most of us fall into. Principle 2 of that section says that for post paid phones the provider will unlock them upon request for phones from accounts in good standing that have been paid off again for customers, former customers and individual owners. CAVEAT: The Code does allow them to charge you a "reasonable fee", but I was never asked to pay a fee.
Penalty for T-Mobile not complying is revocation of their status of meeting this code and they cannot display the seal which means other providers will harp on that and T-Mobile doesn't want that. After sharing this information with the supervisor they told me that I could write a letter to their legal department which I did not want to do.
Getting the SIM unlock code
1- Contact T-Mobile to request the device be unlocked. Unless they change their policy they will likely tell you the same thing they told me.
2- Go to FCC.gov and filed a complaint online stating that you are an individual owner of an eligible phone (T-Mobile never disputed that) and that T-Mobile was refusing to unlock it and therefore in violation of the CTIA code.
3- Go to CTIA.org and use the contact us link to send them a very similar email.
4- Finally go to bbb.org and filed a complaint online against T-Mobile USA (Make sure that you select the head office in Washington State).
In all three I provided my IMEI number for reference (#*06#) and THE SAME DAY I got an email from the Office of the President of T-Mobile requesting contact information to verify eligibility of the phone. I responded back and answered their questions. They needed the IMEI, make, model and receipt showing purchase. She then sent me an email telling me that she removed the block on their server from the app working and allowing a permanent unlock.
SIM Unlock procedure
1- If you are already running any flavor of the stock firmware that still has the T-Mobile unlock app then skip to step 6. If you are on a custom ROM reboot into TWRP and do a complete backup of everything EXCEPT your efs partition. If you later restore your efs partition after unlocking the phone it becomes locked again.
2- In TWRP wipe the device with the default settings.
3- Install a stock flavor ROM that still has the T-Mobile Unlock App.
4- (Optional) Install SuperSU to keep root.
5- (Optional) For good measure flash TWRP recovery in case the ROM you installed replaced the recovery.
6- Boot the T-Mobile Stock ROM and run the T-Mobile Unlock App. Request a permanent unlock and it should successfully unlock the phone.
7- Reboot and test with a non-T-mobile sim.
If you are satisfied with running the stock T-Mobile firmware then you're done. If you, like me want to run a custom ROM, then follow below. The steps below assume you have a custom recovery and unlocked bootloader already, but if not you can look at the threads on this forum on how to unlock your bootloader permanently, root, install custom recovery and install a custom ROM.
1- Turn off the phone.
2- Hold the volume down + power button.
3- When you see the LG logo release the power button for 1 second and then hold it again.
4- You will get a white screen asking if you want to factory reset the device. Select Yes, then Yes again and it will boot you into TWRP.
5- Back up your device (especially the EFS partition), but you need all of it. Use the file manager to move that backup to your external SD card.
6- Perform a standard wipe in TWRP.
7- Restore your backup of your custom firmware but DO NOT restore the efs partition or your device will again be SIM locked.
8- Restart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey got a question for you.how did you get the app to work after rooting.i keep getting device not recognized by your service provider please call customer care.well ive done that and have been going round and round with them over sim unlocking.they said it cant be done because they show in their system it is rooted.so i flashed stock 20o kdz tried the app again same error.got back in touch with tmobile and still the same runaround it cant be unlocked because the phone was rooted
My Experience with T-Mobile
Complaints posted today to fcc.gov, ctia.org, and bbb.org:
"I purchased a phone through a local sale via craigslist.org, after verifying that the phone's IMEI is clean and that all obligations have been paid in full. I purchased the phone because I travel frequently and have upcoming European travel and want a GSM phone capable of multiple networks. Within hours of the purchase I called T-Mobile support to get the phone unlocked. After two hours on the phone they continued to refuse, stating that they would not unlock it because I don't have an account with them. T-Mobile does not dispute that the IMEI is "clean" and that there are no outstanding obligations. They seem to want to get the a minimum of two months of service and payments before they will unlock the phone. I don't want their service. I just want my fully eligible phone unlocked!
Thanks for any help you can provide.
IMEI: 000000000000000
<contact info as appropriate>"
Edit to add result several days later
I had a call from T-Mobile today. Apparently one of the three agencies that I'd sent the email to forwarded it to T-Mobile. The fellow from T-Mobile continued to flatly refuse to unlock the phone.
I explained to him that it was like buying a used car, taking it to a Chevron station, and being told that it could only be filled with Shell because some past owner had a contract, long ago completed, with Shell to provide gas.
The take-away here is that one should NEVER EVER buy a T-Mobile phone that is locked unless one intends to use it solely on the T-Mobile network.
I'd love to take this to court but the legal costs are prohibitive.
This works -- free permanent SIM unlock LG-H811
objecttothis said:
There are other threads about this but rather than pollute them with my post I figured I'd create a new thread to share my experience. READ THE WHOLE THREAD BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU SCREW UP YOUR PHONE. Feel free to comment and I will make adjustments to the op.
Pre-requisites
- LG G4 T-Mobile Variant (H811).
- The Phone must be paid in full.
- The account the phone is/was attached to needs to be in good standing.
- Proof of your purchase of the phone (eBay or paypal receipt)
- The phone must not be reported lost, or stolen.
- Try the T-Mobile Device Unlock and select permanent unlock (if it works skip to the section on retaining SIM Unlock)
- Persistence, patience and politeness.
History
I purchased a used LG G4 (H811) on eBay, then called T-Mobile to request the device unlock. I was told by two Customer Service representatives and two supervisors the same thing:
- I either had to get a T-Mobile account and register the device on their network for 40 days and request the device unlock.
- Or the original owner had to request the unlock.
T-Mobile would not budge, but you can make them give it to you. The CTIA Consumer Code for Wireless Service (http://www.ctia.org/policy-initiatives/voluntary-guidelines/consumer-code-for-wireless-service) is a Voluntary document drafted by the FCC and administered by CTIA that T-Mobile is a signer on. In section 12 it states that wireless providers will unlock eligible phones for customers, former customers and individual owners. That third category is the one that most of us fall into. Principle 2 of that section says that for post paid phones the provider will unlock them upon request for phones from accounts in good standing that have been paid off again for customers, former customers and individual owners. CAVEAT: The Code does allow them to charge you a "reasonable fee", but I was never asked to pay a fee.
Penalty for T-Mobile not complying is revocation of their status of meeting this code and they cannot display the seal which means other providers will harp on that and T-Mobile doesn't want that. After sharing this information with the supervisor they told me that I could write a letter to their legal department which I did not want to do.
Getting the SIM unlock code
1- Contact T-Mobile to request the device be unlocked. Unless they change their policy they will likely tell you the same thing they told me.
2- Go to FCC.gov and filed a complaint online stating that you are an individual owner of an eligible phone (T-Mobile never disputed that) and that T-Mobile was refusing to unlock it and therefore in violation of the CTIA code.
3- Go to CTIA.org and use the contact us link to send them a very similar email.
4- Finally go to bbb.org and filed a complaint online against T-Mobile USA (Make sure that you select the head office in Washington State).
In all three I provided my IMEI number for reference (#*06#) and THE SAME DAY I got an email from the Office of the President of T-Mobile requesting contact information to verify eligibility of the phone. I responded back and answered their questions. They needed the IMEI, make, model and receipt showing purchase. She then sent me an email telling me that she removed the block on their server from the app working and allowing a permanent unlock.
SIM Unlock procedure
1- If you are already running any flavor of the stock firmware that still has the T-Mobile unlock app then skip to step 6. If you are on a custom ROM reboot into TWRP and do a complete backup of everything EXCEPT your efs partition. If you later restore your efs partition after unlocking the phone it becomes locked again.
2- In TWRP wipe the device with the default settings.
3- Install a stock flavor ROM that still has the T-Mobile Unlock App.
4- (Optional) Install SuperSU to keep root.
5- (Optional) For good measure flash TWRP recovery in case the ROM you installed replaced the recovery.
6- Boot the T-Mobile Stock ROM and run the T-Mobile Unlock App. Request a permanent unlock and it should successfully unlock the phone.
7- Reboot and test with a non-T-mobile sim.
If you are satisfied with running the stock T-Mobile firmware then you're done. If you, like me want to run a custom ROM, then follow below. The steps below assume you have a custom recovery and unlocked bootloader already, but if not you can look at the threads on this forum on how to unlock your bootloader permanently, root, install custom recovery and install a custom ROM.
1- Turn off the phone.
2- Hold the volume down + power button.
3- When you see the LG logo release the power button for 1 second and then hold it again.
4- You will get a white screen asking if you want to factory reset the device. Select Yes, then Yes again and it will boot you into TWRP.
5- Back up your device (especially the EFS partition), but you need all of it. Use the file manager to move that backup to your external SD card.
6- Perform a standard wipe in TWRP.
7- Restore your backup of your custom firmware but DO NOT restore the efs partition or your device will again be SIM locked.
8- Restart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks -- this works, fast and free. Note that the FCC and CTIA complaints are basically unnecessary (even if gratifying). The key is the BBB complaint to the Washington state T-mobile headquarters. The office of the president team member called me back within a day, saying he was specifically responding to the BBB complaint. I emailed him my ebay receipt and gave him the IMEI right during the phone call, and he had me permanently unlocked within 5 minutes with the device unlock app, no charge. They just want to see that you paid for the phone in full. I'm running android 6 v20p on an LG-H811 rooted with Imperium kernel 4.8. I happily closed the BBB complaint saying I was satisfied. If only their front line reps would do this, they could save us all a lot of hassle! Anyway YMMV, best of luck. This beats paying the $30+ for unlocking.
theprof7 said:
Thanks -- this works, fast and free. Note that the FCC and CTIA complaints are basically unnecessary (even if gratifying). The key is the BBB complaint to the Washington state T-mobile headquarters. The office of the president team member called me back within a day, saying he was specifically responding to the BBB complaint. I emailed him my ebay receipt and gave him the IMEI right during the phone call, and he had me permanently unlocked within 5 minutes with the device unlock app, no charge. They just want to see that you paid for the phone in full. I'm running android 6 v20p on an LG-H811 rooted with Imperium kernel 4.8. I happily closed the BBB complaint saying I was satisfied. If only their front line reps would do this, they could save us all a lot of hassle! Anyway YMMV, best of luck. This beats paying the $30+ for unlocking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes… the bbb complaint will be what gets the ball rolling on your phone, but if the ctia and fcc get enough of these complaints they will put pressure on TMobile to change their policy of not being in compliance to an agreement they made.
Gabriel_x said:
kuda nado pisat T-mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Надо на ихни веб-сайте нажимать "Contact Us"
unlock will even works if you restore your back up efs partition only from your stock rom to the custom rom Im on turbo rom latest version and it works and i only restored the stock efs partition where i used the app to unlock my lg g4 i back up first in twrp. unlock worked on crickiet sim for me i borrow from my friend to test it.
This works for me ! Thank you so much.
I followed your steps, and it did work. I bought this on eBay like you did. Then I found that this phone isn't unlocked. I asked the seller to make the phone call and the seller already changed his carrier. So I began to search for the solutions and saw yours.
I unlocked the boot loader and rooted the phone, flashed custom rom the moment I got the phone. So as you wrote, I flashed the phone back to stock rom, tried the unlock device app , it said the phone is not eligible for unlock. After calling t-mobile service, I filed complaint like you did, t-mobile contacted me a day after, and asked me my IMEI number , my eBay receipt, then helped me unlock the phone today. It took me like a week, t-mobile agent is slow but it's OK. I'm now using AT&T and it's working on 4G/3G.
i have trouble to fel the complaint im not good at englis i couldnt find Washington State hedwuarter any helpplease ?
Network Locked
Hi guys,
My Phone network is locked, after updating to Marshmellow 6.0 Software version 20r.
it was working fine on lollipop.
phone is clean from T-mobile.
I paid online to unlock the phone, and after 2 days they email me that your phone is unlocked.
But my Unlocked Device app is giving me this error "failure in processing the request. please reboot device and try again Tmobile app" i tried every possible way, reboot the device, uninstalled the apps, factory reset the device but still same error.
any help!!!
I'd just like to say thanks, the guide worked for me. T-mobile didn't like the BBB complaint and it took back and forth about 3 times before they gave in. They kept trying to close the complaint, I kept it open and asked that all i wanted was the IMEI to be whitelisted and finally they gave in. It took forever though, I don't remember maybe a month but I wasn't able to get through on the phone and they didn't respond to my email reply for a long time.
Too bad though because right now the phone doesn't start at all. So it will either get sold on ebay or if I'm super lucky I will get something out of LG due to the big lawsuit they have right now. Lg Should let us trade in the G4 or V10 for a G6 and pay just $200, I think that would be fair!
objecttothis said:
There are other threads about this but rather than pollute them with my post I figured I'd create a new thread to share my experience. READ THE WHOLE THREAD BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU SCREW UP YOUR PHONE. Feel free to comment and I will make adjustments to the op.
Pre-requisites
- LG G4 T-Mobile Variant (H811).
- The Phone must be paid in full.
- The account the phone is/was attached to needs to be in good standing.
- Proof of your purchase of the phone (eBay or paypal receipt)
- The phone must not be reported lost, or stolen.
- Try the T-Mobile Device Unlock and select permanent unlock (if it works skip to the section on retaining SIM Unlock)
- Persistence, patience and politeness.
History
I purchased a used LG G4 (H811) on eBay, then called T-Mobile to request the device unlock. I was told by two Customer Service representatives and two supervisors the same thing:
- I either had to get a T-Mobile account and register the device on their network for 40 days and request the device unlock.
- Or the original owner had to request the unlock.
T-Mobile would not budge, but you can make them give it to you. The CTIA Consumer Code for Wireless Service (http://www.ctia.org/policy-initiatives/voluntary-guidelines/consumer-code-for-wireless-service) is a Voluntary document drafted by the FCC and administered by CTIA that T-Mobile is a signer on. In section 12 it states that wireless providers will unlock eligible phones for customers, former customers and individual owners. That third category is the one that most of us fall into. Principle 2 of that section says that for post paid phones the provider will unlock them upon request for phones from accounts in good standing that have been paid off again for customers, former customers and individual owners. CAVEAT: The Code does allow them to charge you a "reasonable fee", but I was never asked to pay a fee.
Penalty for T-Mobile not complying is revocation of their status of meeting this code and they cannot display the seal which means other providers will harp on that and T-Mobile doesn't want that. After sharing this information with the supervisor they told me that I could write a letter to their legal department which I did not want to do.
Getting the SIM unlock code
1- Contact T-Mobile to request the device be unlocked. Unless they change their policy they will likely tell you the same thing they told me.
2- Go to FCC.gov and filed a complaint online stating that you are an individual owner of an eligible phone (T-Mobile never disputed that) and that T-Mobile was refusing to unlock it and therefore in violation of the CTIA code.
3- Go to CTIA.org and use the contact us link to send them a very similar email.
4- Finally go to bbb.org and filed a complaint online against T-Mobile USA (Make sure that you select the head office in Washington State).
In all three I provided my IMEI number for reference (#*06#) and THE SAME DAY I got an email from the Office of the President of T-Mobile requesting contact information to verify eligibility of the phone. I responded back and answered their questions. They needed the IMEI, make, model and receipt showing purchase. She then sent me an email telling me that she removed the block on their server from the app working and allowing a permanent unlock.
SIM Unlock procedure
1- If you are already running any flavor of the stock firmware that still has the T-Mobile unlock app then skip to step 6. If you are on a custom ROM reboot into TWRP and do a complete backup of everything EXCEPT your efs partition. If you later restore your efs partition after unlocking the phone it becomes locked again.
2- In TWRP wipe the device with the default settings.
3- Install a stock flavor ROM that still has the T-Mobile Unlock App.
4- (Optional) Install SuperSU to keep root.
5- (Optional) For good measure flash TWRP recovery in case the ROM you installed replaced the recovery.
6- Boot the T-Mobile Stock ROM and run the T-Mobile Unlock App. Request a permanent unlock and it should successfully unlock the phone.
7- Reboot and test with a non-T-mobile sim.
If you are satisfied with running the stock T-Mobile firmware then you're done. If you, like me want to run a custom ROM, then follow below. The steps below assume you have a custom recovery and unlocked bootloader already, but if not you can look at the threads on this forum on how to unlock your bootloader permanently, root, install custom recovery and install a custom ROM.
1- Turn off the phone.
2- Hold the volume down + power button.
3- When you see the LG logo release the power button for 1 second and then hold it again.
4- You will get a white screen asking if you want to factory reset the device. Select Yes, then Yes again and it will boot you into TWRP.
5- Back up your device (especially the EFS partition), but you need all of it. Use the file manager to move that backup to your external SD card.
6- Perform a standard wipe in TWRP.
7- Restore your backup of your custom firmware but DO NOT restore the efs partition or your device will again be SIM locked.
8- Restart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got mine unlocked in 5 days. I heard back from T-Mobile President's office and though they appeared to be reluctant on doing it, they ended up doing it. My device was paid in full by previous owner tho. I ended up buying it as the seller has it listed as unlocked while he didn't understand what unlocked means. lol.
Thanks for this useful post!
12
I took a chance on this about 5 days ago (basically last Monday, May 29th) and filled out the BBB complaint - for the record I did not contact T-Mobile or do the other complaints, I went straight to the BBB site and just did it through them. About 3 days ago I got an email and a phone call (didn't answer it) from someone in the "Executive Response Team" saying they'd like more info so I fired off another email with basically the same info presented in the BBB complaint, the fact that I bought the phone from a third party, that I was not the original owner, that it had no attachments to T-Mobile anymore (was paid off fully in their system and no longer tied to anything related to them), and because I would be classified as an individual owner per the CTIA document they had no reason to not honor my request.
Got another email and phone call (and I still didn't answer it) yesterday afternoon (Friday June 2nd) saying the device was now unblocked on their servers and that the permanent unlock should go through without any issues by using the Device Unlock app.
Well...
Made about 10 attempts so far and still no go, sent off another email within 30 minutes of him contacting me to say it was unblocked (which was about 1PM Pacific time) and he didn't get back to me before leaving the office so of course now I'll probably be waiting till sometime on Monday (June 5th) to hear anything more but I'll make more attempts as the weekend passes. Could actually be unblocked and it's just taking time for the confirmation to propagate through their system, who knows.
It'll get unblocked at some point and permanently unlocked. The temporary unlock works fine, of course, and I am running the pure stock 20v and I don't even have the bootloader unlocked presently so, the issue lies on T-Mobile's side of things now and they'll have to fix it or I'll just keep sending 'em emails.
YMMV, of course, but that's my current situation.
LG G4 H811 T-Mobile Unlock
rektbloodcells said:
Hi, I have a generic question.
I am using T-Mobile phone and I was not eligible for the T-Mobile Unlock App, so I decided to use unlock services online. The one I used was unlockbase they have a software that unlocks the phone on-the-go using their software and it requires internet connection. I got my phone unlocked and international SIM working. The question is that if I backup my EFS and MODEM now using TWRP and later restore it will it break the UNLOCK?.
Because the unlock they do is of course by altering the EFS and stuff like that and in that case backing up EFS and MODEM is a safe way to UNLOCK my phone again in future if it somehow gets LOCK again, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Friend. I have same problem Can't unlock my phone by T-Mobile Unlock app. I saw unlockbase.com is web page and they have phone unlock service. After some searching i found that in the unlockable device list they do not have LG G4 H811. How you was able to unlock your phone with their software? Are you sure they can unlock h811? How much it costs?
Related
Summary: I can't use a foreign SIM in my phone, despite VZW giving me the correct (verified by Motorola) SIM subsidy unlock code, because too many attempts have been made with a typo in the code... Any solution? TurboSIM? Here's the detail if you wish. . . . .
I had these series of events happen:
1) Verizon gave me the SIM subsidy unlock code for my device
2) I went overseas before putting in the code (not very smart on my part)
3) I bought a local SIM and the rep at a mall overseas put it in the phone
4) The rep entered the SIM unlock code incorrectly several times
5) The phone was still SIM subsidy locked
6) I entered the PIN correctly, and it still responded with "unsuccessful"
7) I called Verizon Global Support who verified it was the correct SIM unlock code
8) The Verizon support rep had me read the MEID code to double-check it was the unlock right code for my device. She verified it was.
9) The Verizon senior support rep emailed someone at Motorola (with a real motorola.com addy) and Cc'd me
10) The Motorola rep replied-all a day later and confirmed it was the correct SIM unlock code for that MEID
11) The Verizon rep said that if an unlock code is entered too many times incorrectly the phone will not accept the right code and the phone:
a) Will not count down your number of attempts left
b) Will not give you a message that is permanently locked and will simply continue to ask you to enter a code
c) will require a clean sweep of the phone to factory settings which will reset the number of SIM subsidy code unlock attempts tried to zero, however, because the phone would be off Verizon's network it may brick the phone permanently because it can't dial itself to initialize and so that can't be recommended
12) I cleaned swept the phone anyway
13) It locked me out when it tried to initialize by dialing *228# which it couldn't do off network as the rep said, but I searched forums and found the immediate problem/solution and that I could touch 4 corners of the screen to get back in to the operating system (it would have been nice if the "senior" support rep had told me this could be done ins)tead of either keeping it a secret (annoying) or being unaware (ignorant)
14) I was now back into the O.S.
15) But the SIM unlock code still would not work! So I could now neither roam with my phone at $3.50/minute through Verizon nor use a local SIM, however, I could use a SIP/softphone application to make calls and browse the web using WiFI, which was something positive
SIDE QUESTION: Is that a bug or poorly designed Android/Motorola programming thing that there is no count-down for the number of SIM subsidy unlock code entry attempts remaining and it doesn't tell you if it's permanently locked from too many attempts? It's extremely annoying!
15) Now, I took the phone to a local lab here in the foreign country.
16) They went onto a website where they buy unlock codes on their own dime and if it unlocks the phone they charge you for a successful unlock.
17) It was unsuccessful
18) This lab said nothing can reset the code, and there is no way to get past this SIM unlock...NO WAY, they said and were adamant about it and sent me on my way!
19) So I took it upon myself to root the phone, which I was successful at doing
20) Then I installed Cynogen 9 successfully
21) I thought I deleted everything in the phone as required/recommended to install the new OS
22) It's a very nice and cool looking operating system, but wouldn't you know it, the phone is still asking me for a SIM subsidy unlock code when I slip in a foreign SIM!
Can anyone tell me how the heck I can unlock this subsidy lock to make my phone usable with a foreign SIM? It would be HUGELY appreciated!! I am at my wits end!! I heard the radio/baseband is part of firmware, but does that mean it can't be hacked? Surely someone has hacked every part of the phone.
Is it humanly possible?
What would Verizon/Motorola/Google do if they got this phone back to refurbish it? Surely they'd have to re-install all the software/OS at its deepest levels and all the partitions of its memory, right? Can I do that? Would that work? Is this SIM subsidy lock in an an unreachable partition? How can there be an unreachable partition? That just doesn't make sense to me...can't be!
Is there anyone, somewhere out there in the world who is skillful enough to do this?
Thanks for any and all help!!!!!
Truly,
Sad Verizon Droid3 Customer Stuck Overseas :-(
The only way to bypass this, will be the kexec bootloader bypass. It will allow to load a custom kernel and a custom radio. But a dev is needed to make this happen.
So, my friend just bought a Galaxy S6 from T-Mo. Nice device and all.
But... she only speaks a bit of english. Her major language is portuguese, so I installed a custom ROM to enable full portuguese translation. Unfortunately, she called me today about her SIM card.
Her device, right now, is rooted and tied to T-Mo. As the operator states in its website...
Device not recognized by your service provider. Please call customer care. Rooting your device will disable the unlock application
Download the latest T-Mobile software to continue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, from the Play Store description...
Device Unlock is an application that allows you to request and apply a Mobile Device Unlock directly from the device. The application is compatible only with Samsung Avant devices at this time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(she just realized that the phone was locked after she bought the nano SIM, which took 72~96h after the ROM flash, last tuesday, so no way to detect it)
So, four questions:
1) Am I able to unroot and retry the operation? (using, of course, T-mo stock ROM)
2) Does KNOX Status interfere something on it? and...
3) There is a way to request the unlock code from T-Mo?
4) According to Play Store comments, no one succeded in unlocking the device using this "tool". Even Samsung Avant's owners. Is that confirmed?
Thanks in advance.
.......I was able to unlock my phone after rooting and then returning to stock. Even stranger is I still owe $297 on my EIP. The app worked and says I'm permanently unlocked. I have no idea why it worked.
T-Mo said that the phone needs to be activated on the network (IDK if it was at least once, I think it was something like that).
Because this phone never saw the color of a T-mo SIM card, in fact. So it's a 50% chance of going totally wrong.
Update on the case:
for now, phone is still locked.
When I try to use the T-Mobile Device Unlock app, it says that "Server is not responding". IDK what to do anymore.
Downloading MetroPCS ROM to see if I can do anything about it... but no luck until now.
Hello,
I negotiated a Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS) through a site of collective purchases in Brazil, with invoice and all the accessories.
I did all the tests in the device and I decided to buy it, because it seemed reliable.
The device already had the factory settings, but with Android 7.1.1.
I activated automatic update in order to upgrade the android to 8.0.
I received the update and installed it. When restarting the phone, I started the settings normally, I was able to configure the Samsung Account, but when I was starting the configuration of the Google account my phone blocked.
After trying several unlock passwords, I made contact with SAMSUNG which instructed me to send the device for local service.
When I arrived at the service it was verified that my device had "transport block" and who is responsible for unlocking the device is the store in which the device was purchased.
I went to the store that was described in the purchase invoice and there informed me that the store does not perform any kind of unlock or block, so I could not solve the problem.
After several discussions with Samsung and the store, it was verified that my invoice was exchanged and that it was possibly not true.
It was from there that I realized that I was deceived by the seller of the device, because when I try to contact him, my calls do not complete and he blocked me in the social networks.
The only information I have about him is his name and the phone number that should have already been discarded.
Anyway, I realized that I would have to try on my own. Because of this, I am doing this post. I apologize for the long text above before passing the technical information, I had to explain what happened, because I do not want to pass as a thief.
After doing several research I found that the lock was being triggered by RLC.apk which is located at "/system/priv-app/Rlc/Rlc.apk" in stock firmwares.
I found an instruction that guided to freeze the performance of this app with application Ice box v3.1.9.1.
I tried the instruction, but it did not work on devices with Binary 4 (which is my case). The device continues to locked.
I talked to some technicians who told me that this is a block known as SEDA_LOG or DNP 0001. There are some companies that unlock remotely, but it does not have support for Binary 4.
With rom COMBINATION I can use some applications installed by adb, even my data network works perfectly.
The IMEI is normal, unlocked, and is out of the blacklist.
Other information is that the RMM State is Lock, FRP ON, OEM LOCK ON.
Also, when the lock screen appears a few times the message "Silent Log is not allowed for commercial version, please get the EM token".
Through the Samsung Account I can make the phone ring and even locate it, but it does not unlock.
Some failed attempts:
- flash a rom from another region (the device region is ZTO, I tried O2U)
- wait 7 days for the RMM State to disappear (not disappeared, continued locked)
- freezing the RLC app
- enter several PINs to try to unlock.
- login with my samsung account on rmm.samsung.com to try to unlock rmm, but I can not access.
If anyone can help me, or can guide me in what to do, I am very grateful.
Well, if you got scammed by some nasty person, strictly talking, the device in your hands was illegaly traded, as such, here in XDA no solution will be given or support offered, sorry, these cases appear often, and the moderators usually close the threads
winol said:
Well, if you got scammed by some nasty person, strictly talking, the device in your hands was illegaly traded, as such, here in XDA no solution will be given or support offered, sorry, these cases appear often, and the moderators usually close the threads
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand!
Anyway thank you.
I'd love help with some ideas for unlocking a Network Locked Galaxy Note 8 unlocked. I've tried a number of things but so far it as stumped me. But, I'm a novice and so stumping me isn't much of a feat. The questions are below in royal purple.
Here's the details:
* When I insert my Consumer Cellular (USA) SIM card, the phone asks me to enter "Network Unlock Code" (see https://i.imgur.com/0lwNW4y.png)
* Samsung Galaxy Note 8, model SM-N950F
* Stock Android 8.0; Firmware version N950FXXS5SCB4, specific to iusacell in Mexico (select this link for more details)
* From Download screen -- B:5 K:3 S:3 (see this link for an image with more detail)
* This phone was reportedly born on the isuacell network in Mexico
What I've already tried:
* I called Consumer Cellular and got my SIM card PUK # and entered it. It didn't accept it nor did it unlock the phone.
* I purchased this phone used from Amazon Warehouse. It was specifically listed as "unlocked". I called Amazon to ask them why the phone they sold as "unlocked" is apparently not. They didn't have a good answer for me but did report that it was already too late to return the phone.
* I enlisted the services of CanadaUnlocking.com and learned that my phone was originally used on the iusacell network in Mexico
* After a visit with my good friend Google, I learned that iusacell was purchased by AT&T a few years ago. I contacted AT&T and supplied my IMEI #. They said they don't even have that IMEI on record and as such, cannot help me unlock it.
* I then signed up with UnlockBase.com to have them provide an unlock code. A few days later, they kindly refunded my money and reported "we were not able to find the unlock code".
** BTW, UnlockBase.com has excellent customer service. And, the fact that they took the initiative to refund my money makes me believe they are a solid and trustworthy business* I was then wondering if maybe my phone had been blacklisted, I then paid doctorSIM for a blacklist report. It came back squeaky clean and no issues noted.
** isuacell network in Mexico was even specifically listed on the report with a green check mark next to it* After my botched attempt at root, in order to get back to a stable starting point I flashed the phone with a European flavor of stock Android (meant for the UK and surrounding areas, i.e., CSC was N950FOXM4CRGA, BL was N950FXXU4CRGA)
** I flashed this flavor of stock Android only because it was my best guess as to what the phone was born with. I subsequently learned it's true origins - IUS in Mexico - and have since flashed it to that firmware* After the most recent ROM flash, I'm currently about 4 days into waiting for my get-out-of-jail OEM-Unlock so I can begin rooting again
Questions
* If I were to flash it with a stock ROM that was different (i.e., not IUS / Mexico), might that somehow aid in the unlocking process?
** My thought was I could potentially flash it with something that was more "aligned" with USA-based Consumer Cellular, if that would make any difference** fyi - Consumer Cellular rents network capacity from AT&T* Is there a specific unlocking service that someone can recommend for my situation? (i.e., given that my first attempt with UnlockBase.com wasn't successful)
* Once I get OEM Unlock and root the phone, is it likely that the situation will change and open up additional options for unlocking the phone? If so, I would love it if you would share specifics.
* UnlockBase is suggesting I try their "Cable Unlock Software". Does anyone have experience with having used that?
Why this is embarrassing...
* It's embarrassing because I was so excited to root my new phone that I didn't even think to insert my SIM card and check for network connectivity before starting. Oops!
* It's also embarrassing because I belly-flopped my attempt at rooting it.
Hi try with "Chimera tool", googled it
You need Root (i recommend magisk) and TWRP...
OneFineGuy said:
I'd love help with some ideas for unlocking a Network Locked Galaxy Note 8 unlocked. I've tried a number of things but so far it as stumped me. But, I'm a novice and so stumping me isn't much of a feat. The questions are below in royal purple.
Here's the details:
* When I insert my Consumer Cellular (USA) SIM card, the phone asks me to enter "Network Unlock Code" (see https://i.imgur.com/0lwNW4y.png)
* Samsung Galaxy Note 8, model SM-N950F
* Stock Android 8.0; Firmware version N950FXXS5SCB4, specific to iusacell in Mexico (select this link for more details)
* From Download screen -- B:5 K:3 S:3 (see this link for an image with more detail)
* This phone was reportedly born on the isuacell network in Mexico
What I've already tried:
* I called Consumer Cellular and got my SIM card PUK # and entered it. It didn't accept it nor did it unlock the phone.
* I purchased this phone used from Amazon Warehouse. It was specifically listed as "unlocked". I called Amazon to ask them why the phone they sold as "unlocked" is apparently not. They didn't have a good answer for me but did report that it was already too late to return the phone.
* I enlisted the services of CanadaUnlocking.com and learned that my phone was originally used on the iusacell network in Mexico
* After a visit with my good friend Google, I learned that iusacell was purchased by AT&T a few years ago. I contacted AT&T and supplied my IMEI #. They said they don't even have that IMEI on record and as such, cannot help me unlock it.
* I then signed up with UnlockBase.com to have them provide an unlock code. A few days later, they kindly refunded my money and reported "we were not able to find the unlock code".
** BTW, UnlockBase.com has excellent customer service. And, the fact that they took the initiative to refund my money makes me believe they are a solid and trustworthy business
* I was then wondering if maybe my phone had been blacklisted, I then paid doctorSIM for a blacklist report. It came back squeaky clean and no issues noted.
** isuacell network in Mexico was even specifically listed on the report with a green check mark next to it
* After my botched attempt at root, in order to get back to a stable starting point I flashed the phone with a European flavor of stock Android (meant for the UK and surrounding areas, i.e., CSC was N950FOXM4CRGA, BL was N950FXXU4CRGA)
** I flashed this flavor of stock Android only because it was my best guess as to what the phone was born with. I subsequently learned it's true origins - IUS in Mexico - and have since flashed it to that firmware
* After the most recent ROM flash, I'm currently about 4 days into waiting for my get-out-of-jail OEM-Unlock so I can begin rooting again
Questions
* If I were to flash it with a stock ROM that was different (i.e., not IUS / Mexico), might that somehow aid in the unlocking process?
** My thought was I could potentially flash it with something that was more "aligned" with USA-based Consumer Cellular, if that would make any difference
** fyi - Consumer Cellular rents network capacity from AT&T
* Is there a specific unlocking service that someone can recommend for my situation? (i.e., given that my first attempt with UnlockBase.com wasn't successful)
* Once I get OEM Unlock and root the phone, is it likely that the situation will change and open up additional options for unlocking the phone? If so, I would love it if you would share specifics.
* UnlockBase is suggesting I try their "Cable Unlock Software". Does anyone have experience with having used that?
Why this is embarrassing...
* It's embarrassing because I was so excited to root my new phone that I didn't even think to insert my SIM card and check for network connectivity before starting. Oops!
* It's also embarrassing because I belly-flopped my attempt at rooting it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to the law here in Mexico, At&t has the obligation to unlock it for free. You can go to the AT&T official page and leave your request to unlock it. I think you need to leave your IMEI and a phone number.
Hope it helps.
If you have already unlocked your device via your Cell Provider. You can install any compatible OS onto your device. As long as the model number of the OS matches that with your device.
Unlocked it!
OneFineGuy said:
I'd love help with some ideas for unlocking a Network Locked Galaxy Note 8 unlocked. I've tried a number of things but so far it as stumped me. But, I'm a novice and so stumping me isn't much of a feat. The questions are below in royal purple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In case it helps anyone else, I wanted to share what worked for me. I enlisted the services of seafig on ebay and within a couple of hours, they sent me an unlock code. Not only were they fast, but they unlocked it where others failed.
Ex sammy
It mean you bought it outside your market. Yes i's unlocked.
Contact Samsung with IMEI + SN + Copy of invoice via e-mail and ask the regional unlock code.
+/- 15 days to arrive. If you press via e-mail +/- 7 days
Also - Legal and free of charge, must contact region where bought - See the CSC and use Sammy's page to change to that market to contact
I bought a device from ebay and shipped abroad (outside US), the IMEI and serial number states that the device is unlocked on Google's website , but when I received the device and inserted SIM it says that the device is locked under Xfinity and I need to contact the customer service to unlock it, contacted the live chat support after lot of tries in different days one of the agents told me that he check the IMEI and the device is not locked, and adviced me to try to call the customer support, after a lot of international calls, couldn't reach to anything cause I don't have account.
There's no return policy
IMEI: 358116101231886
Serial: 0A051JECB14767
Is there anything I can do?
I have a Verizon pixel 4a 5g beginning with IMEI numbers 53 as well, except I bought it new and never paid it off. A few days ago on the latest Android 13 update, I used the app hail to freeze all of my carrier apps, as I typically do this to remove any bloat, and since I couldn't use a SIM in the phone anyway since I stopped paying for it it didn't matter if I affected any apps related to service. It must be specific to the latest update, but I disabled every Verizon branded app and every app with the name carrier on it, but I did not disable or freeze the device setup / work config app because it is responsible for several things, such as the OEM unlock switch which is expected to always be grayed out. Well for some reason, this time and I'm convinced it's related to the latest update.... After freezing those apps, not even rebooting the phone, OEM unlock was suddenly able to be toggled and now I am rooted and using a T-Mobile esim on an unpaid off, Verizon pixel. This is the only advice I can give you, download shizuku and set it up because unless you have root you cannot freeze apps with hail. You have to run it using Shizuku. It can't hurt and it's worth a shot
Thank you, I will give it a try, can you share with me please the list of the apps you froze, if u have it saved.
Sadly It didn't work