Help Verizon's Galaxy S3 4G LTE - Carrier Unlock

MB89 · Jun 3, 2013

I've been reading contradicting forums, one after another about "cant do it, can do it" for Carrier Unlocking this phone. So, I would greatly appreciate if someone could point me in the right direction for Carrier Unlocking my phone.

Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3 4G LTE
Model: SCH-I535
Android Version: 4.1.2

Is it possible to switch my carrier to Straight Talk, AT&T Network?

DragonSlayer95 · Jun 3, 2013

If it's under a contract, it can't be unlocked legally.

As far as my knowledge goes, it can't be switched to a gsm carrier, even though verizon phones have sim slots, that's just for the 4g lte technology.

mtnviews3 · Jun 3, 2013

I'm pretty sure this changed some months ago. I spoke to Verizon as I was traveling to England. They said the update required by the phone came out some time ago. I can tell you the SIM that came with the phone worked just fine in England on Voda Phone's GSM network.

I don't know if this would mean you could put an AT&T SIM in the phone and it would work.

MB89 · Jun 4, 2013

I've read that there was an update with android v4.1.1 that would allow change over to GSM. Is this true?

I also called Straight Talk, and they said that it was possible. I just needed to unlock it first.

DragonSlayer95 · Jun 4, 2013

My apologies, I've always heard that the sim slot for Verizon phones was for the 4g technology only.

After some research though, it most definitely is gsm capable, need to have it unlocked as long as it's not under contract. And root to change apn (that's currently locked and can't be changed without root)

MB89 · Jun 4, 2013

The phone is not under contract.

Anyone know of a thread around for the carrier unlocking process?

javamann · Jun 4, 2013

mtnviews3 said:
I'm pretty sure this changed some months ago. I spoke to Verizon as I was traveling to England. They said the update required by the phone came out some time ago. I can tell you the SIM that came with the phone worked just fine in England on Voda Phone's GSM network.

I don't know if this would mean you could put an AT&T SIM in the phone and it would work.

I will be traveling to England and France sometime in Sept. Don't mean to hijack this thread but if u could point me to where I should be to get some info regarding the procedure, I would greatly appreciate.

JM

dam1inc · Jun 5, 2013

Update device to jellybean 4.1.2 and it is factory unlocked by default....peeps have been unlocking this device and using it in other countries for months just change APN settings..theres a tutorial on XDA that will walk u through it..u prob will not get great data speeds on most carriers but its doable for those that want/need it

http://androidrays.com/518/change-cdma-verizon-galaxy-s3-to-gsm-handset-by-hack/

mtnviews3 · Jun 5, 2013

I simply contacted Verizon and asked about use in England. I signed up for a "discount" plan which reduced phone calls from $1.30 to .99 per minute. They had me make one small config change on the phone related to roaming - which they said wasn't required but might improve roaming. The phone was already unlock from a previous SW update.

This kept my same phone number. If you don't care about that you can probably get a local SIM in Europe for cheaper calls.

doodles87 · Jun 14, 2013

Hello,

I also have the same phone as this thread, i have rooted it. I am currently using the straight talk Sim in the galaxy and after changing the APN setting with apn manager I am able to get Edge signal for data, so i can text, call, and even send pics but it takes some time and full service. This morning i accessed the hidden menu and tried change the Network Lock Options, but once I get that far the options aren't there. I opened another option below the network lock that is called Network control, and found a few different options here and one was a GSM option, i was wondering if i selected it would it do anything? I really want to unlock it so I can get 4g or even 3g, edge is useless , especially with varying service amounts since i live in the northern California mountains. Please let me know if anyone has any suggestions. Thanks!

GTWalling · Jun 15, 2013

As of now the only legal way to unlock in the US is through the Carrier. Verizon will need to do it for you.

funkylogik · Jun 15, 2013

For the record: thats a crazy and unfair law :banghead:

EDIT: this is the view of me and me only. It does not in any way reflect nor express the views of androidforums.com and/or owners/members of therein :beer:

kcschwabe · Sep 25, 2013

it is not only possible it is very doable i am currently using walmarts family mobile (GSM)on my verizon razr xt926 if i can do it on mine it can most definately be done on close to if not all verizon lte sim enabled droids it is simply a matter of editing a couple of build properties and switching the network mode as is applicable

lilc420 · Sep 29, 2013

The Verizon S3 is already unlocked. Just like the iPhone 5. Put your Tmobile or ATT SIM in and after a few seconds it should ask if you want to enable Global Mode or something similar. Say yes. Then go into settings and Mobile Networks.. if it doesn't ask you then somewhere in setting> mobile network is a way to change to Global mode. You will then be able to use the phone on Tmobile or ATT. The data may NOT work though. To get the data to work before 4.3 you must root the phone and download APN Manager from the app store to create the APN needed to work. For some reason you cannot create a new APN in the stock rom of the verizon S3 below 4.3. Or upgrade it to 4.3 and root is not required.

Easiest way to upgrade is to download Samsung Kies on your pc and hook your phone to it.

Hope this helps.

affordableelectr · Nov 10, 2013

lilc420 said:
The Verizon S3 is already unlocked. Just like the iPhone 5. Put your Tmobile or ATT SIM in and after a few seconds it should ask if you want to enable Global Mode or something similar. Say yes. Then go into settings and Mobile Networks.. somewhere in there is a setting to change from Global Mode to CDMA Mode to GSM Mode. Choose GSM Mode. You will then be able to use the phone on Tmobile or ATT. The data may NOT work though. To get the data to work you must root the phone and download APN Manager from the app store to create the APN needed to work. For some reason you cannot create a new APN in the stock rom of the verizon S3.

Hope this helps.

do you know a link to instruct me on how to root this phone!?! so I can use this technique!! or if any one else does!!??!! I would greatly appreciate it!!

javamann · Nov 10, 2013

lilc420 said:
The Verizon S3 is already unlocked. Just like the iPhone 5. Put your Tmobile or ATT SIM in and after a few seconds it should ask if you want to enable Global Mode or something similar. Say yes. Then go into settings and Mobile Networks.. somewhere in there is a setting to change from Global Mode to CDMA Mode to GSM Mode. Choose GSM Mode. You will then be able to use the phone on Tmobile or ATT. The data may NOT work though. To get the data to work you must root the phone and download APN Manager from the app store to create the APN needed to work. For some reason you cannot create a new APN in the stock rom of the verizon S3.

Hope this helps.

So true. Went to England and switched Sims: could make phone calls and use texts, but no Data. Annoying, but still useful and worth the 20 pounds it cost for the month on Vodaphone.

JM

grealis · Apr 9, 2014

lilc420 said:
The Verizon S3 is already unlocked. Just like the iPhone 5. Put your Tmobile or ATT SIM in and after a few seconds it should ask if you want to enable Global Mode or something similar. Say yes. Then go into settings and Mobile Networks.. somewhere in there is a setting to change from Global Mode to CDMA Mode to GSM Mode. Choose GSM Mode. You will then be able to use the phone on Tmobile or ATT. The data may NOT work though. To get the data to work you must root the phone and download APN Manager from the app store to create the APN needed to work. For some reason you cannot create a new APN in the stock rom of the verizon S3.

Hope this helps.

The s3 I have is not unlocked, when I put in the att sim, it says non Verizon sim, turn off and remove. I have tried using the unlock code to the hidden menu *#197.... that works for jellybean 4.1.1, but won't work for 4.3

I have tried "tricking" the phone by changing from global mode to gsm and then inserting the att sim.

I called three Verizon stores today and then the 800 number and they won't unlock the phone.

lilc420 · Apr 9, 2014

Upgrade the phone to 4.3 and you no longer have to root it. Just insert your SIM card. Go to settings and put in global mode. Then go to apn settings and set your carrier apn settings. ALL Verizon galaxy S3 and newer are factory unlocked right out of the box.

Easiest way to upgrade to 4.3 is to download Samsung Kies on your pc and hook your phone to it.

I run a cell phone shop and we see these phones daily.

locknload1 · May 13, 2014

Thanks, I'll give that a try. My daughter just upgraded so I inherited two Verizon S3's I'd like to use on Metro PCS. Will this then allow me to take them with me to MPCS? Right now I have LG L70s and I like the way 4.4.2 works but I hate having no memory and not having root access to get rid of all the bloat. What's your opinion, think switching is even worth it?

lilc420 · May 13, 2014

Does metro pcs use SIM cards? If not the phones will have to be flashed/reprogrammed to work with metro pcs. You will need to ask them of the phones will work on there system and what all odds involved.

geekgirl · Jul 20, 2014

I have the Verizon I535 and am now using it on MetroPCS. The phone is unlocked out of the box. It does say sim card from unknown source, but really that is just annoying, and if you long press until it says App Info, and force stop it - you only have to do so when it restarts.

It is using the global mode, and edge speed, and still working on that aspect. I am just happy it gets calls, messages, picture messages, and online!

still a work in progress......

hatredg0d · Jul 20, 2014

geekgirl said:
It does say sim card from unknown source, but really that is just annoying, and if you long press until it says App Info, and force stop it - you only have to do so when it restarts.

you have got to be kidding me lol

inowho · Jul 23, 2014

Looks like this thread has been around for a while. I have a Verizon S3 running 4.4.2. Today I put an AT&T sim into my phone and after starting it up, I was able to make a call right away. Yes, the phone tells me that the carrier is "unknown" but it does work. I didn't have enough time to test out the data portion, but you CAN add additional APNs while you have another SIM, which is frustrating IMO that should be automatically set by the SIM.

Dpadre · Jul 24, 2014

If you are in good standings and are a current Verizon customer, simply take it in to a Verizon store and tell them that you are going on a vacation to England and they usually will unlock it for you. Good Luck and keep trying stores

weitau · Oct 5, 2014

I bought a S3 from a large volume seller on eBay. It arrived yesterday, and I was Googling for a way to unlock this phone. it turns out my phone was already unlocked (why would the seller not say this when he could obviously make more $$). However I came across this post and felt the need to clear up the air due to misinformation on the websites I have seen.

Lke I said, this phone is unlocked. I put a Simple Mobile (T-Mobile MVNO) SIM card in, powered up, and I can used voice and data (after setting up APN's). The max data speed is EDGE, but it's a function of the hardware on the phone, not because it's locked. I confirmed this on Wikipedia - Verizon phones don't have 4G frequencies used by T-Mobile, so EDGE is the best you can get.

Some other web sources say that, like with Iphone 5, Verizon agreed to unlock some of their newer phones due to an agreement with the FCC around the time these phones were introduced.

As per previous poster said, the newest Android version will unlock this phone. So download Kies, update your phone, and then you're good to go. Hope this helps someone!

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