Help Quick question..

[KJohns]

Ive unlocked several sprint galaxy s4 phones for use with GSM networks, my question is this : once the sim lock is removed can the phone be used with Verizon service? I know LTE bands are incompatible, but would talk/text/3g work?

If someone could help me answer this question id be grateful. Cheers !

 

[KJohns]

no one? ah well gonna unlock the sim slot and give it a go, in the mean-time if someone could help answer my question it would save me some time and effort

 

[funkylogik]

Nothing to lose by trying mate. I'm in Scotland so these US carriers are crazy to me

 

[KJohns]

Nothing to lose by trying mate. I'm in Scotland so these US carriers are crazy to me

yeah agreed... customer told me it was a sprint s4 - she didnt mention it was the triband model which added a layer of complexity. I successfully unlocked the SIM slot and got it GSM unlocked - just waiting on a verizon SIM to see if i can get it to connect to their network.

 

[funkylogik]

Good luck man

 

[KJohns]

it works. answered my own question lol. you guys can close the thread.

 

[boyo1991]

I've actually got a quick question, how did you manage to get the device unlocked? Did you call the carrier? I know here the US its almost impossible for them to give you what your looking for, and if they do, not without a pretty penny...

 

[KJohns]

I've actually got a quick question, how did you manage to get the device unlocked? Did you call the carrier? I know here the US its almost impossible for them to give you what your looking for, and if they do, not without a pretty penny...

it was a pretty straightforward process, here's what i did :
SPH-L720t (galaxy s4 triband model)

1) downgraded to the mk5 baseband (modem)
2) rooted using cf-root and odin
3) downloaded and installed ssu.apk (sprint samsung unlock app)
4) enabled GCF and turned off perso SHA256 from within the hidden menu . (see below)

shortcut for this menu was to open up an adb shell and type su followed by :
am broadcast -a android.provider.Telephony.SECRET_CODE -d android_secret_code://27663368378

that completely removed the simlock., and allowed me to get signal from other U.S carriers.

credit for the tools used goes to: aalyatim for ssu.apk , chainfire for the root, bgmg for his thread with all the info.

 

[boyo1991]

Wow how have I not heard if this method??... So used to hearing "good luck getting the unlock code" Lol thx again.

 

[KJohns]

Wow how have I not heard if this method??... So used to hearing "good luck getting the unlock code" Lol thx again.

Quite a few devs have been putting these methods out there for the sprint galaxy s series INCLUDING getting the phones to work off GSM carriers. Sprint phones now running on Tmobile and ATT... whouda thunk lol.

 

[Mikestony]

If you are under contract with a carrier in the U.S. you cannot unlock the device until you fulfill said contract correct?
https://www.fcc.gov/device-unlocking-faq

 

[KJohns]

For the carrier to give it to you, i would imagine thats true. It more or less makes it mandatory for cellular companies to provide the codes once you've met certain criteria.

 

[KJohns]

i wasnt suggesting circumventing a carriers unlock policy. most of the phones i deal with are fully paid for, are "drawer junk", or second hand purchased devices (that are not blacklisted or subsidized). For some carriers, if you have never had an active account with them but own a phone outright that is branded - they will not give you the unlock code.

In fact - if you fulfill a contract and pay off the phone in full - sprint will not provide gsm unlocking instructions for the s4 citing thats its "impossible" , even though its within the guidelines of the laws mentioned in the site you referenced. There has to be a 3rd party option for these types of anomalies.