Database Develop

Unlocking Phone

I bought a used phone in ebay and ended up getting tricked and had bad IMEI. I'm looking to buy a brand new one but also in Ebay. If I buy a brand new at&t variant s5, will i be able to unlock it immidiately after getting the phone?

up. please help.

glossgloss said:
I bought a used phone in ebay and ended up getting tricked and had bad IMEI. I'm looking to buy a brand new one but also in Ebay. If I buy a brand new at&t variant s5, will i be able to unlock it immidiately after getting the phone?
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This is taken from one of the more popular cell unlocking sites
PLEASE READ THIS DISCLAIMER: If you have a Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, S5, Note 2, Note 3 or your Android version is Android 4.4 (KITKAT)
All SAMSUNG devices manufactured after the date of JULY 2013 and Samsung devices running on Android version is Android 4.4 (KITKAT) are subject to REGION LOCKING
If your phone has been used previously with the original carrier, this will not apply to you. However, if your device is BRAND NEW, your must activate it with the original carrier and make a call of 5 minutes or longer.
If your Samsung device becomes Region locked, you will not be able to fully factory Unlock your Samsung devices so it can be used internationally. Even the correct code will not work anymore.
In order for your Samsung device NOT to be region locked, you MUST activate (FIRST USE) your S3, S4, S5, NOTE 2, NOTE 3 with your ORIGINAL carrier at least ONCE to take your region lock OFF. After your Region lock is off, you can Sim Unlock your device via Unlock Code.
*All Canadian Carriers are NOT subject to Region Locking
*All USA and European Carriers ARE subject to Region Locking
*There will be absolutely no refunds, if your device is Region Locked and an Unlock code is provided for your Samsung Device.

Bl00dRunzC0ld said:
This is taken from one of the more popular cell unlocking sites
PLEASE READ THIS DISCLAIMER: If you have a Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, S5, Note 2, Note 3 or your Android version is Android 4.4 (KITKAT)
All SAMSUNG devices manufactured after the date of JULY 2013 and Samsung devices running on Android version is Android 4.4 (KITKAT) are subject to REGION LOCKING
If your phone has been used previously with the original carrier, this will not apply to you. However, if your device is BRAND NEW, your must activate it with the original carrier and make a call of 5 minutes or longer.
If your Samsung device becomes Region locked, you will not be able to fully factory Unlock your Samsung devices so it can be used internationally. Even the correct code will not work anymore.
In order for your Samsung device NOT to be region locked, you MUST activate (FIRST USE) your S3, S4, S5, NOTE 2, NOTE 3 with your ORIGINAL carrier at least ONCE to take your region lock OFF. After your Region lock is off, you can Sim Unlock your device via Unlock Code.
*All Canadian Carriers are NOT subject to Region Locking
*All USA and European Carriers ARE subject to Region Locking
*There will be absolutely no refunds, if your device is Region Locked and an Unlock code is provided for your Samsung Device.
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Good piece of info to know. Thank you.
The Gods Approve This Post, From The Ghost Of Sparta's S5 active.

Question about the bootloader for the S8 (T Mobile)

So I am looking forward to buy the S8 and I do want the unlocked bootloader. I heard that if you buy an S8 or S8+ from T Mobile then you get the U variant instead of T. Is it true? Because as far as I know the S8 and S8+ US variants got the U after the numbers which shows that the bootloader is unlocked.

T-mobile bootloader on the s8/s8+ is locked

KidKnowsTech said:
So I am looking forward to buy the S8 and I do want the unlocked bootloader. I heard that if you buy an S8 or S8+ from T Mobile then you get the U variant instead of T. Is it true? Because as far as I know the S8 and S8+ US variants got the U after the numbers which shows that the bootloader is unlocked.
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Every North American model is the U model, simply with different firmware. Whether you buy a carrier version or the US unlocked model (U1) they are all quite literally the very same U model. This means you CAN do carrier switching, with some work (for instance, install firmware from T-Mobile on to an unlocked model, or Verizon, or whatever) - this DOES NOT however, SIM unlock the device. There was misinformation on the internet that the model numbers would be like they were in the past, but it's not true. If you buy a T-Mobile model, it's the G950U, just like it's the G950U on Verizon and all other carriers (no longer are there "T" models, "V" models, etc). The unlocked model is the G950U1, but it's still the very same model, so the firmwares are interchangeable.
Currently, there is no known way to unlock the bootloader. As of this week, root is available (with some caveats), but no way to unlock the bootloader. The only models you can do that with are the international Exynos models, and the more rare Hong Kong Snapdragon model. I sincerely doubt we'll ever be able to unlock the bootloader, but I'd love to see the XDA community make it happen.

Damn, I guess the International version is better.

The U = carrier unlocked. Not unlockable bootloader. Besides most glass Mashers and text-while-driving people don't even know what the heck a bootloader is lol

Bootloader ? oem
I have been thinking about get a S8+, now my wife's S7 phone and tab S2 tablet you just go to developer options and turn on oem unlock dose the S8 not have that?

brightjh01 said:
I have been thinking about get a S8+, now my wife's S7 phone and tab S2 tablet you just go to developer options and turn on oem unlock dose the S8 not have that?
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No

stmims1124 said:
Every North American model is the U model, simply with different firmware. Whether you buy a carrier version or the US unlocked model (U1) they are all quite literally the very same U model. This means you CAN do carrier switching, with some work (for instance, install firmware from T-Mobile on to an unlocked model, or Verizon, or whatever) - this DOES NOT however, SIM unlock the device. There was misinformation on the internet that the model numbers would be like they were in the past, but it's not true. If you buy a T-Mobile model, it's the G950U, just like it's the G950U on Verizon and all other carriers (no longer are there "T" models, "V" models, etc). The unlocked model is the G950U1, but it's still the very same model, so the firmwares are interchangeable.
Currently, there is no known way to unlock the bootloader. As of this week, root is available (with some caveats), but no way to unlock the bootloader. The only models you can do that with are the international Exynos models, and the more rare Hong Kong Snapdragon model. I sincerely doubt we'll ever be able to unlock the bootloader, but I'd love to see the XDA community make it happen.
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So what you are basically saying is, 950U s8 models even though unlocked can only be used on other US carries and not internationally??

captainkbj said:
So what you are basically saying is, 950U s8 models even though unlocked can only be used on other US carries and not internationally??
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No, you should be able to use the U1 (North American implied variant) internationally, mostly without issue. I believe it supports most, if not all GSM/LTE bands (CDMA may be a different story). I was just saying you cannot unlock the bootloader on the North American models... Different than SIM/Carrier unlock

OEM unlock on S8, and its non-presence.

I don't know if it's because I'm on the west coast or something, but my developers options DO NOT include a switch for
OEM unlock. It's my second S8, my roommate has one, out phones are way different too. I need help asap. Please don't tell me it's there. I have seen your videos. Thank you

That option is only available on Exynos variants. As in the European models.

On the pixel 2 it was as simple as fastboot flashing lock_critical even on verizon variants. I wish we were that lucky.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2/how-to/unlock-bootloader-verizon-pixel-2-t3730076

canadian note 9

Hey guys,
I bought a note 9 from bestbuy canada. Model # SM-N960w. I searched xda for this model but could not find mention of this model #. Canadian model number is 960f.
Can anyone tell me which guide i should be following to root this phone?
I brought unlocked from best buy. Not with any carrier.
I think i posted this in wrong section.

samwinchester1900 said:
Hey guys,
I bought a note 9 from bestbuy canada. Model # SM-N960w. I searched xda for this model but could not find mention of this model #. Canadian model number is 960f.
Can anyone tell me which guide i should be following to root this phone?
I brought unlocked from best buy. Not with any carrier.
I think i posted this in wrong section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your model (SM-N960W) cannot be rooted.
If you want root,you need to get either of the following:
SM-N960F (D/S) International Exynos version
SM-N9600 International Snapdragon version
None of the North American versions (SM-N960,960U1,960W) have root,don't hold your breath waiting for it either.
Feel free to look around for the what's & why's,but,trust me,it's not happening,as evidenced by the lack of a sub-section here @ XDA for development for those models .

Thats unfortunate. I just got one as well and while its not terrible as-is... I'm very used to my Note 3 having extreme customization options and running android 9 to 11. 9 runs better on it for sure. I just shouldn't have tried to unlock it under 11. The unlock result said it was successful, but did nothing except invalidate the unlock code. So I bought the Note 9. Guess I'm stuck as-is.
Sad that it can't be rooted. Once its out of primary circulation, you'd think Samsung would let it go. Loosen the grip at least. Might have to look into another brand for my next phone. It would be nice if a manufacturer decided to make a model with modders in mind for a change. Its not wrong to dream.

note 8 vs gs8 (att) which is easier to root?

also any other major considerations other than scren size? coming in from the gs5

zetsui said:
also any other major considerations other than scren size? coming in from the gs5
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They both have locked bootloaders!
Search for Samfail for note 8
Search for Sampwn for gs8
On note 8 you'll be stuck on bootloader v1, 2, and v3 once you go to bootloader v4 no more root. (Samsung patched the exploit). This is only for root! No custom kernels because bootloader is still locked.
Same thing happened to gs8 (not sure though on which bootloader versions has root and which ones doesn't. )

BluePhnx said:
They both have locked bootloaders!
Search for Samfail for note 8
Search for Sampwn for gs8
On note 8 you'll be stuck on bootloader v1, 2, and v3 once you go to bootloader v4 no more root. (Samsung patched the exploit). This is only for root! No custom kernels because bootloader is still locked.
Same thing happened to gs8 (not sure though on which bootloader versions has root and which ones doesn't. )
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which manufacturers are the best for the unlocked bootloaders? This ****ing sucks! When I was doing my GS5 it was beginnning to get tricky with Samsung and Motorola was the worst, now it seems like they are all doing it. It's also not clear where I can get the international versions or even their model numbers online, if they are unlocked bootloaders or the same wavelengths (GSM etc)

zetsui said:
which manufacturers are the best for the unlocked bootloaders? This ****ing sucks! When I was doing my GS5 it was beginnning to get tricky with Samsung and Motorola was the worst, now it seems like they are all doing it. It's also not clear where I can get the international versions or even their model numbers online, if they are unlocked bootloaders or the same wavelengths (GSM etc)
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Click to collapse
1) Oneplus
2) Xiaomi

zetsui said:
which manufacturers are the best for the unlocked bootloaders? This ****ing sucks! When I was doing my GS5 it was beginnning to get tricky with Samsung and Motorola was the worst, now it seems like they are all doing it. It's also not clear where I can get the international versions or even their model numbers online, if they are unlocked bootloaders or the same wavelengths (GSM etc)
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Click to collapse
If you want to root and have custom kernels and roms go with the international models SM-N950F (exynos soc) or s8 SM-G950F / s8+ Sm-G955F (both exynos soc). They both have the options to unlock the bootloader by the OEM switch in developer options. (But some phones you'll have to wait 7 or so days before it appears, so do some reading on OEM switch disappears).
Right now the s8 has more custom roms then note 8 atm.
So if you don't need the spen go with the s8/s8+.
I would check to make sure either phone supports your carrier bands.
Check this site for carrier band support:
https://willmyphonework.net
Or
https://www.frequencycheck.com/models
(The second might be better to use.)
If you want another company Oneplus, google pixel, etc
Thought about the n9/ s9 / s9+ or even the new s10?

BluePhnx said:
If you want to root and have custom kernels and roms go with the international models SM-N950F (exynos soc) or s8 SM-G950F / s8+ Sm-G955F (both exynos soc). They both have the options to unlock the bootloader by the OEM switch in developer options. (But some phones you'll have to wait 7 or so days before it appears, so do some reading on OEM switch disappears).
Right now the s8 has more custom roms then note 8 atm.
So if you don't need the spen go with the s8/s8+.
I would check to make sure either phone supports your carrier bands.
Check this site for carrier band support:
https://willmyphonework.net
Or
https://www.frequencycheck.com/models
(The second might be better to use.)
If you want another company Oneplus, google pixel, etc
Thought about the n9/ s9 / s9+ or even the new s10?
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Click to collapse
Want to spend at most $450 used or new
Too expensive. I am phsyically active can drop or forget phone in a lto of places and it's happened before
Ordered the GS 8 F variant (international) ....too much choice nowadays. I made a lto of notes when shopping this time around
Used Anandtech and GSMareana including GSM arean's battery life test on how i'd use the phone
Crossreferenced kingroot and xda to see if phones were rootable
Came up with list :
Huawei Mate 10 vs Google Pixel vs SS 8 variants (active,+, normal) vs Xiaomi Max 2
Xiami has the most battery life followed byMate then S8 then Pixel 2 XL
Pixel 2XL seems less superior than the S8 in all regards. S8 active seems to have an locked forever bootl loader
Huawei mate 10 pro hardly has devleopment for such a popular device on XDA- out
Same with Xiaomi Max 2
Ok so S8 vs S8+
Two finger typing good for : not dropping phone, stylus, dont care about those two things
one finger: good for using phone while driving, and smaller and less weight while sprinting in the park
S8 it is more availability of the F than the FD (dual sim otherwise the same) on the international unlocked bootloader versions of the phone