how to use unlock code from sprint-NO SIM!!!!!

[Android Question]

Hey There, I called and received an unlock code from sprint for my galaxy s3 but have no idea how to go about using it. I am trying to leave Sprint to go to Net 10, straight talk, basically any no contract plan, not on sprint network (reception SUCKS!!) I do NOT have a SIM card in my phone and it seems that's all anyone posts about unlocking, galaxy phones with SIM cards. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I can't take sprint anymore! I don't even have reception in my own house! Thank you.

 

[jhawkkw]

Is it a Galaxy S3 or Galaxy S4? If it's an S3 from Sprint, there's no GSM radios in it which means you're stuck using only Sprint or their prepaid divisions(Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, etc). If it's an S4, it supports the following GSM bands:

HSPA+/UMTS: 850/900/1900/2100MHz; GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz

So you can use it on AT&T or T-Mobile, or any of their MVNO's. The one downside is that since it doesn't support 1700 HSPA+, you won't have T-Mobile 3g if your area hasn't been refarmed.

 

[skg042807]

I guess, I'm SOL. It's an s3. I guess I'm just confused bc I keep seeing all these posts from diff people about how they took their sprint galaxy s3 and are now using it on verizon prepaid, cricket, straight talk, etc. I know the guy at boost said I can come to him (for $100 mind you) but if I don't like the sprint reception, I don't see how I'll like Boost being that they are the same network. I wish I could figure out how everyone is saying they switched to different carriers. And also, what is the point in sprint giving me an unlock code if it can't be used? Thanks again

 

[raynoldsk]

You know what--I cannot find any info on how to use the unlock code for CDMa phones, either-it is all for GSM.

The good news is that you have the code--that is the hard part, apparently.

I would contact the new carrier and ask them what to do with the code. Maybe when they go to activate it you put the code in then?

 

[jhawkkw]

Flashing CDMA devices to other carriers is a tricky procedure, and skirts the legality line. For it to be legal, the following conditions must be met:

By following these instructions, you are confirming that:

1) You legally own the S3 device being flashed and the donor device.
2) Both devices have clean MEIDs (meaning the service provider has not cancelled service to the phone for any other reason than customer request).
3) You will transfer the sticker from one device to the other to ensure that the S3 has the correct MEID. A heat gun or hair dryer will make this easy.
4) You will not sell your donor phone.

Doing anything other than the four criteria above is illegal and any discussion about it will be removed.

 

[skg042807]

Flashing CDMA devices to other carriers is a tricky procedure, and skirts the legality line. For it to be legal, the following conditions must be met:

I'm sorry, I don't understand the other phone part. I want to use my gs3 but on another network. My contract is up and I am in good standing on my account. I haven't cancelled with Sprint yet.

 

[jhawkkw]

The idea behind flashing phones to other cdma carriers is that you have a physical device (donor phone) on the carrier you want to go to. Then you re-program the S3 to have the same MEID number as the donor phone, and thus trick the carrier into thinking the S3 is the donor phone. The procedure doesn't always work, and can be illegal if either of the MEID's are blacklisted.

 

[skg042807]

Ohhh, so can i buy a cheap phone on net 10 let's say, and then do the flash? Like I said my meid is good and if I buy a new phone from net 10 I would assume that means it's good. And then follow steps to flash it? Does the new phone also need to be cdma?

 

[jhawkkw]

Ohhh, so can i buy a cheap phone on net 10 let's say, and then do the flash? Like I said my meid is good and if I buy a new phone from net 10 I would assume that means it's good. And then follow steps to flash it? Does the new phone also need to be cdma?

Yes, otherwise you're going to run into network compatibility issues. It's also known that trying to flash an LTE phone is much more difficult than flashing a cdma only phone. It's also tough because there isn't a whole lot of Verizon prepaid mvno's and most of them run on sprint.

 

[skg042807]

So I found a reconditioned Huawei ascend y on net 10 for $50. It states that's one of the phones that runs on Verizon. Should I buy that and then try flashing my gs3?

 

[jhawkkw]

So I found a reconditioned Huawei ascend y on net 10 for $50. It states that's one of the phones that runs on Verizon. Should I buy that and then try flashing my gs3?

Sounds like a good candidate. You likely have to get service on the ascend before you attempt the flashing or else it might not take. However, I don't actually know the process of actually flashing it. You'll either need to find a tutorial on how to do it, or locate a store that does it for you.

 

[skg042807]

Thank you for all of your help

 

[skg042807]

anyone know how to flash or where to go to get it done?

 

[MereSanity]

Is it a Galaxy S3 or Galaxy S4? If it's an S3 from Sprint, there's no GSM radios in it which means you're stuck using only Sprint or their prepaid divisions(Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, etc). If it's an S4, it supports the following GSM bands:


So you can use it on AT&T or T-Mobile, or any of their MVNO's. The one downside is that since it doesn't support 1700 HSPA+, you won't have T-Mobile 3g if your area hasn't been refarmed.

I have a Sprint Galaxy S3 that I purchased unlocked (off Amazon) with no SIM card. I had no trouble signing up for Net10 service. My issue now is I got a newer phone and now I want to transfer a DIFFERENT number to that Galaxy S3 now. I am unsure if there is anything I need to do to the S3 before I do that though...can I just transfer the new number to the phone? Do I have to do anything special to the S3 first? I really don't want to lose that phone number (as has happened to me before with a different phone). There really isn't a lot of info on this specific phone with no SIM. Any input is appreciated!