Root HOWTO: Get your MSL

[Kamel]

Getting your MSL number is super easy if you have a rooted phone. I'm surprised these directions haven't already been explained...

I have google to thank for this, and I don't recall exactly where I found it. The directions here are in no way the same as what I found on google though, I have written these to be very specific so anyone regardless of skill level can follow.

1. Open market and do a search for "Terminal Emulator", download the first app that comes up
2. Open the app you just downloaded, then when you see a screen beginning with "$", this means you are in the shell as a "normal" (not root) user. switch users by typing this in exactly then hitting enter:
   

   su -

3. You will see a confirmation from super user asking if you want to allow terminal emulator root access, of course you do click allow.
4. This part isn't a step, just an explanation. You can skip this if you don't care. In efforts to extinguish a flame war before it begins, here's a technical note.
   

   Many people refer to the command "su" as "super user", it is more correct to say "switch user" as you can use it to switch to any user, not just root.
   su (Unix) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
   
   Also, this same command can be annotated as "su" "su -" "su root" and "su - root", all of these will work equally well for this exercise, I just use su - because it's proper and the best way to switch to root without mucking up permissions

5. To get your MSL type in exactly this (like everything in linux, it is CASE SENSITIVE)
   

   getprop ril.MSL

6. Your 6-digit MSL should now be displayed, write it down or something.
7. To correctly and cleanly exit your terminal, type "exit" twice. Note that the first time it takes you from root (#) to regular user ($), then it exits. If you had switched users several times, each exit would have exited each user you switched to in the order you did it.

Simple enough, let me know if this works for you. Sorry if the directions were already posted somewhere, I couldn't find them.

 

[kolosus]

I've found that the getprop ril.MSL method is very straightforward. On the phones that I've tried it on I also didn't need root access. But on some phones it does not work at all! On my Prevail I used to get the MSL from the command line when I was on Froyo. But now that I'm on GB I get a blank line and then back to a terminal prompt.

Is this something that they're leaving out of GB or something that Samsung left out in their current rom?

 

[Kamel]

Supposedly, there is an "MSL Reader" app in the market that works with root. Having said that I've never even so much as looked at this app so your mileage may vary. Other than that, I have heard of people getting their MSL by asking boost tech support. I did happen to realize last time I called in with text messaging issues, they walked me through steps which required them giving me my MSL (though they just read it off not saying what it was).

On a side-note, I realized that a nearly identical post was posted just days before mine, not sure how I missed it... I searched, I swear I did haha.

http://androidforums.com/galaxy-pre...94-easiest-fastest-way-get-your-msl-code.html

 

[trakkillaz]

Getting your MSL number is super easy if you have a rooted phone. I'm surprised these directions haven't already been explained...

I have google to thank for this, and I don't recall exactly where I found it. The directions here are in no way the same as what I found on google though, I have written these to be very specific so anyone regardless of skill level can follow.

1. Open market and do a search for "Terminal Emulator", download the first app that comes up
2. Open the app you just downloaded, then when you see a screen beginning with "$", this means you are in the shell as a "normal" (not root) user. switch users by typing this in exactly then hitting enter:
   
3. You will see a confirmation from super user asking if you want to allow terminal emulator root access, of course you do click allow.
4. This part isn't a step, just an explanation. You can skip this if you don't care. In efforts to extinguish a flame war before it begins, here's a technical note.
   
5. To get your MSL type in exactly this (like everything in linux, it is CASE SENSITIVE)
   
6. Your 6-digit MSL should now be displayed, write it down or something.
7. To correctly and cleanly exit your terminal, type "exit" twice. Note that the first time it takes you from root (#) to regular user ($), then it exits. If you had switched users several times, each exit would have exited each user you switched to in the order you did it.

Simple enough, let me know if this works for you. Sorry if the directions were already posted somewhere, I couldn't find them.

how do you find your nam1 and nam2 settings thru shell?? sorry im a noob lol

 

[kolosus]

Yes. Boost does give you the MSL code they just do not say that is what it is. When you call in to activate your phone they give it to you over the phone. If you activated your phone online then they give you the MSL code and tell how to go about activating it.

I have called them up with my phone in airplane mode before and they walked me through getting data back on the phone... Once they gave me the MSL I took the phone off airplane mode and data came back on the phone...

Many ways to skin a chicken and all that.

 

[trenchkato]

Yes. Boost does give you the MSL code they just do not say that is what it is. When you call in to activate your phone they give it to you over the phone. If you activated your phone online then they give you the MSL code and tell how to go about activating it.

I have called them up with my phone in airplane mode before and they walked me through getting data back on the phone... Once they gave me the MSL I took the phone off airplane mode and data came back on the phone...

Many ways to skin a chicken and all that.

Jedi mind tricks

 

[Dark Penguin]

It doesn't work for me. The command doesn't throw an error, but only returns a blank line.

 

[vce2005]

Hi,

the command is case sensitive. Try this one here ( it's for rooted phones ) :

1. Open Terminal Emulator

2. Type: su "Enter" ( for superuser )

3. Type: getprop ril.MSL "Enter" ( command is case sensitive )

Six-digit number is your MSL

 

[cwhatever]

Just use the app from the market then, and then uninstall when done.

 

[wetbiker7]

HAH!! Look where a Google search landed me! Whats up fellas? Man, I can't believe this thread came back in a search since it's so old.

Just a heads up for anyone who may read this........ they are implementing new security features in the newer Android updates. I just got a new Boost S3. The newest update will not allow you to obtain your MSL at all. At least not on the Samsung Galaxy S3. Terminal Emulator, GetMyMSL, and aLogcat will not work. Tried and tried and tried...... no justice at all.

Looks like Boost will be getting a call in the morning.

To all the guys I haven't seen in awhile.... WHAT'S UP FELLAS????

 

[vce2005]

Pretty soon, there will be no more space on your profile to list alllllllllllll the devices you have ! hahahahaha

You might wanna consider opening a phone store, Wetbiker.... Grinzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[wetbiker7]

Pretty soon, there will be no more space on your profile to list alllllllllllll the devices you have ! hahahahaha

You might wanna consider opening a phone store, Wetbiker.... Grinzzzzzzzzzzzz

LOL!!! I haven't even added the S3 yet. I actually think I DON'T have enough room.

Hey, anyone want to buy a MINT HTC One SV?

http://androidforums.com/classified...creen-protectors-2500mah-battery-charger.html

 

[kolosus]

I got an S3 too wetbiker. I LOVE this thing. But dont be alarmed. I still have my Prevail!

I have a question. In all the previous Boost phones I could not talk and surf at the same time. I know that it is a feature of CDMA since they use the same antenna for voice and data. For a while there AT&T was touting the talk and surf option not being available on Verizon iPhones since Verizon is CDMA while AT&T was GSM.

Anyway. So my current S3 can do both. Talk and surf at the same time. Yes. I checked. Multiple times. I'll be in a call and I still have 3g and can surf the net and look for stuff. No. I'm not on a wifi network. I checked that too. Is that standard for all the S3s? Are the Sprint/Boost S3s able to talk and surf at the same time because of the 4g lte antenna? Even though I dont have 4g around here...

Thought I'd ask. Sorry to hijack the thread!

 

[wetbiker7]

I got an S3 too wetbiker. I LOVE this thing. But dont be alarmed. I still have my Prevail!

I have a question. In all the previous Boost phones I could not talk and surf at the same time. I know that it is a feature of CDMA since they use the same antenna for voice and data. For a while there AT&T was touting the talk and surf option not being available on Verizon iPhones since Verizon is CDMA while AT&T was GSM.

Anyway. So my current S3 can do both. Talk and surf at the same time. Yes. I checked. Multiple times. I'll be in a call and I still have 3g and can surf the net and look for stuff. No. I'm not on a wifi network. I checked that too. Is that standard for all the S3s? Are the Sprint/Boost S3s able to talk and surf at the same time because of the 4g lte antenna? Even though I dont have 4g around here...

Thought I'd ask. Sorry to hijack the thread!

What's up bro? Good to hear from you man!!

To answer your question about calls and web surfing at the same time, yes I can do it w/ my Boost S3. I tried with both wifi and 3g and both worked while talking on the phone. (no 4g in my area and I have LTE turned off running straight CDMA) Pretty cool man. I'm glad you brought that up because I thought we couldn't do it. SWEET!!

 

[wyelkins]

WoW! Thanks for the info. I thought that this was the case but I had not actually tried to test it. I also was under the impression that this was a limitation of CDMA. I had noticed that none of my downloads crashed during phone calls and thought that it was odd. Love the Prevail, but this is definitely a nice feature of the S3.

 

[wetbiker7]

WoW! Thanks for the info. I thought that this was the case but I had not actually tried to test it. I also was under the impression that this was a limitation of CDMA. I had noticed that none of my downloads crashed during phone calls and thought that it was odd. Love the Prevail, but this is definitely a nice feature of the S3.

Oh yeah buddy. We're up in the big leagues now! lol

The ability to browse while making calls was just brought to my attention the other day. It's def a nice feature bro!!

 

[vce2005]

All these changes, Wetbiker.... LOL

First the Prevail, then x other devices, now the S3........

and finally ( according to your logo ) you went from "Wet-Biker" to a Harley "Dry-Biker"............ Grinzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ....or are you riding the Harley on purpose only in the rain to stay a wetbiker ??????? hahahahaha

 

[wetbiker7]

All these changes, Wetbiker.... LOL

First the Prevail, then x other devices, now the S3........

and finally ( according to your logo ) you went from "Wet-Biker" to a Harley "Dry-Biker"............ Grinzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ....or are you riding the Harley on purpose only in the rain to stay a wetbiker ??????? hahahahaha

Yeah man, gotta keep on moving up bro. I have to be honest though, I think I'll be staying with this S3 for a good while.

A Wetbike, well I'll ride one every chance I get. Sure wish I still had both of mine though. They are a lot of fun!! Closest thing to riding a motorcycle on the water there is.

As for the Harley, I ride bro. I ride.....................

Here's a shot of a Wetbike. For some reason people see my name and think I like riding bikes in the rain. DUH! lmao

 

[AndroidGreg]

What is MSL needed for anyway?

 

[vce2005]

If you'd like to change your PRL, you need to know the MSL !

 

[wetbiker7]

What is MSL needed for anyway?

MSL stands for Master Subsidy Lock.

It is a code designed to keep you out of certain areas of a phone so the users cannot go in and reprogram them. Fortunately Boost isn't very strict when it comes to giving you the MSL if you call and ask them for it.

Also, if you ever swap handsets via the Boost website, right after you have changed the handset a list of information will shown on the screen. Your MSL is among the information provided.

 

[blablablabla4]

Me to!

 

[Josh Wink]

The $ sign doesn't change after typing "su"
/system/bin.sh: su: not found
127I:/ $

Any tool that can read the MSL code?
Thanks

 

[Josh Wink]

That's how you get your MSL
#su
#am start com.sec.hiddenmenu/.Program_Edit