Database Users

[Q] Unlock Contract Phone AT&T

Hi, I recently bought a Samsung S4 from AT&T (sgh-i337) with 2 years contract and I wanted to know if I can unlock the sim carrier lock to use it outside the US, Im going to Italy for 3 weeks and I want to buy a sim over there since At&t's international plans are expensive, if its possible to unlock it wil I have any problems with at&t? I heard they usually block the phone.

stewe95 said:
Hi, I recently bought a Samsung S4 from AT&T (sgh-i337) with 2 years contract and I wanted to know if I can unlock the sim carrier lock to use it outside the US, Im going to Italy for 3 weeks and I want to buy a sim over there since At&t's international plans are expensive, if its possible to unlock it wil I have any problems with at&t? I heard they usually block the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this method:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2285431
or this method if the first one didn't work
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41580940&postcount=18
if both don't work use ebay, you'll find plenty of sellers that unlock the device for as low as $3.00. I got mine unlocked on ebay and i'm using it on a overseas LTE network with no problems whatsoever.
Hope this helps
For a better visual guide see this
http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-sim-unlock-samsung-galaxy-s4-gt-i9505-for-free/

stewe95 said:
Hi, I recently bought a Samsung S4 from AT&T (sgh-i337) with 2 years contract and I wanted to know if I can unlock the sim carrier lock to use it outside the US, Im going to Italy for 3 weeks and I want to buy a sim over there since At&t's international plans are expensive, if its possible to unlock it wil I have any problems with at&t? I heard they usually block the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call AT&T and tell them you are going out of country. Sometimes they will give you an unlock code. Sometimes you have to try a couple of times (call and talk to different people). Sometimes they won't give you a code. If you try the "hidden menu" unlock, be careful, it can mess your phone up...read through the thread completely.
Best thing to do, if AT&T doesn't give you a code is to try one of the online sites such as cellunlocker.net.
Good luck.

scott14719 said:
Call AT&T and tell them you are going out of country. Sometimes they will give you an unlock code. Sometimes you have to try a couple of times (call and talk to different people). Sometimes they won't give you a code. If you try the "hidden menu" unlock, be careful, it can mess your phone up...read through the thread completely.
Best thing to do, if AT&T doesn't give you a code is to try one of the online sites such as cellunlocker.net.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm all right Im going to try with the hidden menu method, but they won't block my sim (at&t), the phone or anything like that because of the 2 years contract?

stewe95 said:
Hmm all right Im going to try with the hidden menu method, but they won't block my sim (at&t), the phone or anything like that because of the 2 years contract?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They have no way to know if the phone is sim locked or not. They don't even car if you turn it off or use it on another carrier. As long as you pay your bill and are not abusing unlimited data (if you have it) - they leave you alone. They just want the monthly fee for 2 years.

I recently called ATT and was told that I would have to wait 90 days before they could give me unlock code. I didn't try again but have read about people being successful at getting code from ATT.

stewe95 said:
Hmm all right Im going to try with the hidden menu method, but they won't block my sim (at&t), the phone or anything like that because of the 2 years contract?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck. The "Hidden menu" unlock has worked for many. However, if it doesn't work for you or if it screws your phone up in some way please do not make another thread about it. Several threads already exist that you can get information from others that tried it and screwed their phones up...just search for them. Of course, it won't do you any good because I haven't seen people find away to undo the damage (unable to unlock at all, worse reception, etc...). Hopefully, you won't need to search for them.

I used the hidden menu tutorial and can tell you it works perfect if you follow the direction right. I tested it with a t mobile sim and it worked also tried a European Vodafone and worked because I'm also going to Europe for 5 weeks.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

milicigoran said:
I used the hidden menu tutorial and can tell you it works perfect if you follow the direction right. I tested it with a t mobile sim and it worked also tried a European Vodafone and worked because I'm also going to Europe for 5 weeks.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked perfect for you but it doesn't work for everyone. Telling people it WILL work for them if they follow the directions right is misleading and dangerous. How do you know it WILL work for him? It is well known that people have followed the directions right and it did not work. It is also known that people have messed their phones up using the method. Can you guarantee that the "Golden backup" on his phone eliminates the network locks? How do you know the "Golden backup" on his phone won't lock his ability to use a sim-unlock code for ever...or worse?
Maybe it will work for him (it has for many), maybe it will not, but it IS HIS RISK and there are no guarantees, It is arrogant to suggest something will work for everyone just because it worked for you. Especially when it has been documented time and time again that it does not always work regardless of the directions followed. Are you are saying that everyone it didn't work for didn't follow the directions right?

SM-N900v region locked?

Hi guys
I got sent a verizon note 3 today, and long story short- i'm not from the U.S
Does anyone know if this thing is in fact region locked? the box doesn't have a sticker on it, and i had it pre-activated in the U.S to comply with samsung's bull****.
But now i'm informed that may not be enough, and chainfire's app supports only N9005 atm.
If anyone has any answer- i'd appreciate knowing.
If nobody knows- well, in a couple of weeks we'll all know....

I don't believe that VZW Note 3 is region locked. There is a thread about it in Note 3 international forum and it lists phones/countries and carriers which are/are not region locked, but it's been a while since I looked at that forum so can't provide you with a link

Thanks for the answer, i'll get right on searching, and post the link here for other users.
Also, when the device gets here, i'll post a decisive answer so others in my position wouldn't pull out hairs like i am right now

Is this the said thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2464445

I just got the device-
WOOHOO. It's not locked.
I thought it is- but it turns out you just have to do a very stupid activation procedure (activating without a sim, switching to global mode, inserting a sim)

Pika007 said:
I just got the device-
WOOHOO. It's not locked.
I thought it is- but it turns out you just have to do a very stupid activation procedure (activating without a sim, switching to global mode, inserting a sim)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there,
I am in the usa from australia and want to buy the Verizon Verson tomorrow how did u get it to run global mode to work??
Also I have been told to set it up with a local sim and then boot it up with your sim.
Any advice would be awesome

Pika007 said:
I just got the device-
WOOHOO. It's not locked.
I thought it is- but it turns out you just have to do a very stupid activation procedure (activating without a sim, switching to global mode, inserting a sim)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put your sim in and power up
Make sure you have the correct apn you'll need to change that.
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

[Q] using AT&T provided unlock code...

After fighting with AT&T on the phone for almost a month due to (in my opinion) unfair policy changes, I got them to provide me with unlock codes for my and my wife's phones. I want to make use of them asap and put this matter to rest. Unfortunately, the AT&T instructions say to use the codes i have to insert a non-AT&T sim card to force the phone to prompt me for code entry. At this time I do not have a non-AT&T sim. Is there any way to get to the unlock pin screen without having a "foreign" sim card on hand?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

Also, does having this unlock code mean I am unlocking the bootloader or is this *just* a sim unlock?
I am considering experimenting with the 'nightly' for CM 10.2. I have CM 10.2 on a Note 8.0 and CM 9 on an original Galaxy Tab 7" already and i like it a lot.
Thanks again.

Won't touch the boot loader at all. That'll just be a Sim unlock.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

You'll need a foreign gsm SIM card. And your bootloader stays locked. One has nothing to do with the other
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

Or you could just go into the menu and unlock it yourself without a code

travispittman said:
Or you could just go into the menu and unlock it yourself without a code
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One downside to that is if you mess up, good luck fixing it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

HiTideBlastoise said:
One downside to that is if you mess up, good luck fixing it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Research it. Then research it some more. Research it until you are comfortable doing it yourself. Don't let someone bully and say you might mess up your phone. You could mess up your phone by dropping it in your sink among other things. But doing this is quite simple. Follow the steps here is even a youtube video to do it. If you have any questions ask away. Some ppl are jerks and say it was answered somewhere else you should of found it elsewhere. When all posts inevitably get buried under mounds and mounds of new posts. Remember you only fail if you stop trying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TCl9ysOoT4

Free SIM
You could also head to t-mobile site and get a free SIM, I think they still are giving them away, not sure. I was able to get two free SIMs 5 days ago.
t-mobile free sim-card

travispittman said:
Research it. Then research it some more. Research it until you are comfortable doing it yourself. Don't let someone bully and say you might mess up your phone. You could mess up your phone by dropping it in your sink among other things. But doing this is quite simple. Follow the steps here is even a youtube video to do it. If you have any questions ask away. Some ppl are jerks and say it was answered somewhere else you should of found it elsewhere. When all posts inevitably get buried under mounds and mounds of new posts. Remember you only fail if you stop trying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TCl9ysOoT4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And this guy ^^^ isn't going to fix your phone for you if it does screw up. The "free" unlock method works for some and does not for others. I completely agree with the research until your eyes fall out part, but, in this, case, it still might not help you. So, basically, if you try the "free' unlock method it might work, it might not, and it might mess your phone up. Unfortunately, you won't know until you try. I would just go to your local mall or T-mobile store and get a cheap pre-paid sim card that you can use in your and your wife's phone. Don't listen to people that think something will work for everyone just because it worked for them, especially when it is proven to not be the case. Good luck.

I walked into a tmo store and sled if they had an activated micro Sim so I could test my phones unlock status. I told them I was thinking of switching, but needed to verify if my s4 was unlocked (I used the service menu method).
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

esmith13 said:
After fighting with AT&T on the phone for almost a month due to (in my opinion) unfair policy changes, I got them to provide me with unlock codes for my and my wife's phones. I want to make use of them asap and put this matter to rest. Unfortunately, the AT&T instructions say to use the codes i have to insert a non-AT&T sim card to force the phone to prompt me for code entry. At this time I do not have a non-AT&T sim. Is there any way to get to the unlock pin screen without having a "foreign" sim card on hand?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you mind sharing how you got them to unlock your phone, I have been trying for a while now without any success.

When I had my old smartphone, I called att and told them I'd be visiting my sister in London, and that I'd want to use prepaid SIM cards, as it would be cheaper than international rates. They had no problem unlocking it (galaxy s).
Sent from my TARDIS

0p3nsrc said:
When I had my old smartphone, I called att and told them I'd be visiting my sister in London, and that I'd want to use prepaid SIM cards, as it would be cheaper than international rates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^ This. Has yet to fail me.

Lol it doesn't "mess up" your phone. *sigh* stop scaring the kiddies
5T4Y FR05TY

Usually no prompt means the phone isn't actually locked. There's a ton of instances when a network simply missed a handset and failed to lock it. For anyone I'd say test your phone first. Make sure it is locked before going through the process of unlocking it.
Also, this works on a number of older Samsung's, not too sure if it'll work on newer models, but you can type a command that targets the network lock, which is #0111*code# - you simply replace "code" with the code AT&T or anyone else gives you and it should unlock the phone. Someone might be able to confirm this as possible or not for the newer Samsung's?

I tried the traveling story. That does not work anymore. CS, including supervisor refused.

I have a AT&T Galaxy S4 SGH-i337 on MF3 and Region Lock Away unlocked the Region & SIM. I tested it with a T-Mobile SIM. The OP of Region Lock DOES NOT CLAIM it will work with the SGH-i337 but I have unlocked a S3(SGH-i747) a S4(SGH-i337) and a Galaxy TAB 2 (SGH-i497) it was worth the few bucks.
Region Lock Away
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

IceTwig said:
I have a AT&T Galaxy S4 SGH-i337 on MF3 and Region Lock Away unlocked the Region & SIM. I tested it with a T-Mobile SIM. The OP of Region Lock DOES NOT CLAIM it will work with the SGH-i337 but I have unlocked a S3(SGH-i747) a S4(SGH-i337) and a Galaxy TAB 2 (SGH-i497) it was worth the few bucks.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can also verify that this works with the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 i337 on MF3.

Need help SIM unlocking my Note 3 (locked to Bell)

Hey guys, I need some help unlocking my Note 3 (N900W8). It's locked to Bell (in Canada).
I've tried two websites already - mobileincanada.com (used it many times before but they couldn't find the unlock code - got a refund) and quickphoneunlock.com (first time using it but they couldn't find it either - also gave a refund).
Does anyone know a website that can unlock a Canadian Note 3 or is there a free method somewhere out there?
Please note that I'm not with Bell so I cannot call them and ask as I would need a contract with them.
Thanks!

Anyone?
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

MoeKz said:
Anyone?
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cellunlocker.net
used their service on many occasion.
choose "all Canadian network" instead of a specific carrier (much quicker)

please help I am having the same issue
I tried cellunlocker.net and they couldn't find the code. However I chose a specific carrier. Should I try again without a specific carrier "all Canadian network". Would that make a difference. If not is there any other way.

gilbertgk said:
I tried cellunlocker.net and they couldn't find the code. However I chose a specific carrier. Should I try again without a specific carrier "all Canadian network". Would that make a difference. If not is there any other way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you able to unlock your Note 3? I'm having the same issue (Note 3 locked to Bell and need to use it on Virgin). I tried to use Unlock Canadagsm to unlock it but the code generated didn't work. Still waiting on a refund from them. Hesitant to use any other unlock service unless proven to work as $30 a pop isn't cheap. Any help would be much appreciated.

Yes it did work for me whe. I used "all canadien network". Also triple check the code you are sending. I made the exact same mistake and I sent a wrong code.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:19 PM ----------
tnmok said:
Were you able to unlock your Note 3? I'm having the same issue (Note 3 locked to Bell and need to use it on Virgin). I tried to use Unlock Canadagsm to unlock it but the code generated didn't work. Still waiting on a refund from them. Hesitant to use any other unlock service unless proven to work as $30 a pop isn't cheap. Any help would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also if you choose "all canadien network" you will get it within hours if not less. Good luck.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

gilbertgk said:
Yes it did work for me whe. I used "all canadien network". Also triple check the code you are sending. I made the exact same mistake and I sent a wrong code.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:19 PM ----------
Also if you choose "all canadien network" you will get it within hours if not less. Good luck.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for the suggestion, will try and let you know if it works

sorry to kinda hijack your thread, my brother moved from france here to algeria, his Note 3 is locked to Bouygues Telecom, anyway the point
can't you just unlock it using root ? (i say this because i did the samething to a previeus S2 of mine)

you shouldnt need to unlock it if youre going from Bell to Virgin.

SgtMaadadi said:
sorry to kinda hijack your thread, my brother moved from france here to algeria, his Note 3 is locked to Bouygues Telecom, anyway the point
can't you just unlock it using root ? (i say this because i did the samething to a previeus S2 of mine)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is two types of unlock for the note 3. carrier lock and regional lock. I know for a fact that there is a Rom/mod for regional unlock. However I am not sure if there is a ROM or mod for carrier unlock.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

necrolobes said:
you shouldnt need to unlock it if youre going from Bell to Virgin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I assumed as well. I had a Note 2 from Bell, and was able to use it without unlocking when I put in my Virgin sim. With the Note 3 however it doesn't even prompt me to unlock the sim. There's a little stop sign on the top right taskbar (suggesting no service) and when I go to my mobile networks in my settings, it gives me the command 'Insert SIM card to access network services' even though my activated virgin sim card is in the phone. Someone suggested trying to unlock the phone with a sim card other than Virgin (i tried it with Rogers) with the unlock code that canadagsm sent me but that was unsuccessful as well.

Your imeiband baseband are intact?
sent from my mobile device

MoeKz said:
Hey guys, I need some help unlocking my Note 3 (N900W8). It's locked to Bell (in Canada).
I've tried two websites already - mobileincanada.com (used it many times before but they couldn't find the unlock code - got a refund) and quickphoneunlock.com (first time using it but they couldn't find it either - also gave a refund).
Does anyone know a website that can unlock a Canadian Note 3 or is there a free method somewhere out there?
Please note that I'm not with Bell so I cannot call them and ask as I would need a contract with them.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Chainfire`s Region Lock Away. It`s made to remove region lock, but It usually unlocks SIM too (it did it for me, now i use SIMs from 2 countries, even though, phone was locked on one).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2470551
Dunno if it will work on your phone version, it`s intended for 005... You can give it a try.

Update:
Took my phone to a Bell store to see if putting in a Bell sim card would activate the mobile network (seeing as it's a Bell phone) - no luck. The same 'stop sign' icon (which I've know learnt from the Samsung website refers to 'Indicates there is no signal available'). The guy helping me also reiterated my initially thoughts, which were:
1. The phone, if locked, should automatically pull up a sim unlock prompt upon turning it on. So far I've tried Rogers, Bell and Virgin activated sim cards and no prompt. Just the same no signal icon on my taskbar and no 'sim card inserted' message in my mobile networks.
2. As a Bell phone I should be able to use my Virgin sim card without having to unlock.
I have factory reset the phone several times and done numerous battery pulls.
This leads me to believe I may have a hardware issue. Any thoughts/suggestions? Phone isn't rooted nor have I ever rooted a phone

Solved! Thank you!
Thanks to the person who suggested trying www.CellUnlocker.net.
I tried two other websites who couldn't figure it out (even when they tried looking in multiple databases, including the "Samsung manufacturing database" [whatever that means]).
I tried rooting and ChainFire's Region Lock Away. (didn't work). Maybe because Canadian Note 3's are already region unlocked?
I tried the going to the “*#197328640#” system menu described here:
http://galaxynote2root.com/galaxy-note-2-tutorials/how-to-unlock-sim-for-free-on-gsm-galaxy-note-2/
All of the above with different version stock roms..
None of it seemed to work.
A local person said they would be able to unlock by modifying the imei. (Which I hear is illegal, so I really didn't want to go that route).
Finding this thread. I tried CellUnlocker with the "All Canadian Networks" as my provider, and it WORKED!
Here is video proof.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psuco1bzcV0
Definitely worth the money and time I could've saved.

MoeKz said:
Hey guys, I need some help unlocking my Note 3 (N900W8). It's locked to Bell (in Canada).
I've tried two websites already - mobileincanada.com (used it many times before but they couldn't find the unlock code - got a refund) and quickphoneunlock.com (first time using it but they couldn't find it either - also gave a refund).
Does anyone know a website that can unlock a Canadian Note 3 or is there a free method somewhere out there?
Please note that I'm not with Bell so I cannot call them and ask as I would need a contract with them.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use phoneunlockingshopdotca a better source to get unlock codes for Canadian smartphones

[Q] Using Verizon Note 3 on Tmobile and AT&T carriers?

I have the Verizon Galaxy Note 3. Can I use it with Tmobile or AT&T network? Do i have to unlock the phone first before using for different carriers?
Thanks all!

vincent12345 said:
I have the Verizon Galaxy Note 3. Can I use it with Tmobile or AT&T network? Do i have to unlock the phone first before using for different carriers?
Thanks all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's already unlocked just make sure you are using the proper sim and apn
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Bsmith0731 said:
It's already unlocked just make sure you are using the proper sim and apn
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply, What is "apn"?
How to change "apn"?
Thanks!

Settings > more settings > mobile networks > access point names
Then hit the plus at the bottom.

Bsmith0731 said:
It's already unlocked just make sure you are using the proper sim and apn
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im also wanting to switch to tmobile. Is there a special sim i need to buy? Im gonna look on amazon for a unactivated tmobile miro sim card. Just need some advice. Thanks
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
---------- Post added at 02:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 PM ----------
I just gotten off the phone with a Straight Talk rep and she said that there sim cards wouldnt work in verizons phones.....and she also said that T-Mobile wouldnt work. I also went to ST web page and checked to see if my phone was compatable by looking at a list of devices on the b.y.o.b my SM-N900V wasnt on the list however it gave me the option of entering my MEID # and it said it was compatable. Just a little confused....does it work or not.
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I don't have experience with ST but with band 4 enabled I was able to put a buddy's T mobile sim card in and get voice and LTE data after configuring T mobiles APN.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

So, with a new straight talk at&t sim card in a verizon galaxy note 3, why would I be getting a "non-verizon sim card" error and no service?

tamale said:
So, with a new straight talk at&t sim card in a verizon galaxy note 3, why would I be getting a "non-verizon sim card" error and no service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LMAO!!
♢NoteIII♢

LeftyGR said:
LMAO!!
♢NoteIII♢
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's so funny? Am I missing something? As I understand it, all verizon note 3's are unlocked... here's what I'm basing this off of: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2480320

wanted to know this too!!
before i left for vacation (here in the PHILIPPINES) i tried using a T-MOBILE simcard on my NOTE3. it worked perfectly OK. thought its unlocked for any GSM network.
when i got here (PHILIPPINES), immediately put in a local simcard and it says "NON-VERIZON SIM" and cant get any signal.
tried all three major phone networks simcards and they all dont work.
can anybody please let us know what is the workaround to this issue?
any help is greatly appreciated!!! c",)

tamale said:
What's so funny? Am I missing something? As I understand it, all verizon note 3's are unlocked... here's what I'm basing this off of: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2480320
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry. I just don't understand why anyone would buy a brand new phone from one carrier to specifically use on another. But here you go. Good luck.
http://www.sidhtech.com/news/how-to-unlock-a-samsung-galaxy-note-3-free-of-charge/10028425/
♢NoteIII♢

LeftyGR said:
I'm sorry. I just don't understand why anyone would buy a brand new phone from one carrier to specifically use on another. But here you go. Good luck.
http://www.sidhtech.com/news/how-to-unlock-a-samsung-galaxy-note-3-free-of-charge/10028425/
♢NoteIII♢
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, fair enough. The intention wasn't to do this - the verizon note 3 is from ebay and came factory unlocked. I was planning to use it on verizon till I learned their $60/$70 prepaid plans don't support 4G devices
So, found straight talk, checked this phone's IMEI in their system and it said it'd work... but it's not. There's a lot of confusion out there.. people in this thread saying it "just works" on tmobile and at&t, some saying that it "just works" on straight talk (even mentioning that they're using the at&t compatible sim), but so far, no luck for me.
Here are the confusing points:
1) The verizon note 3 comes factory unlocked. If this is true, why do links like the one you just sent me even exist?
2) The straight talk bring your own device kit from walmart ($60, includes one month of $45 unlimited everything) comes with 5 separate activation options:
- AT&T-compatible full-sized sim
- AT&T-compatible micro sim
- Tmobile-compatible full-sized sim
- Tmobile-compatible micro sim
- CDMA scratch-off network access number
The AT&T ones say "4G LTE available", T-mobile ones say "4G HSPA+ Available", and the CDMA one doesn't mention anything about 3 or 4g, so naturally I thought I should try the AT&T one first. I activated this sim card on straight talk, ported my number, once that was complete I put it in the note 3 and booted up - and I have no service, "emergency calls only", and "non-verizon sim". Just to be certain the phone is unlocked, I tried a completely different, genuine t-mobile sim in the same phone and it worked fine.. it still says "non-verizon sim" but I have service and can make calls.
Really hoping someone can shed some light on what might be happening here.
---------- Post added at 10:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 AM ----------
tamale said:
Ah, fair enough. The intention wasn't to do this - the verizon note 3 is from ebay and came factory unlocked. I was planning to use it on verizon till I learned their $60/$70 prepaid plans don't support 4G devices
So, found straight talk, checked this phone's IMEI in their system and it said it'd work... but it's not. There's a lot of confusion out there.. people in this thread saying it "just works" on tmobile and at&t, some saying that it "just works" on straight talk (even mentioning that they're using the at&t compatible sim), but so far, no luck for me.
Here are the confusing points:
1) The verizon note 3 comes factory unlocked. If this is true, why do links like the one you just sent me even exist?
2) The straight talk bring your own device kit from walmart ($60, includes one month of $45 unlimited everything) comes with 5 separate activation options:
- AT&T-compatible full-sized sim
- AT&T-compatible micro sim
- Tmobile-compatible full-sized sim
- Tmobile-compatible micro sim
- CDMA scratch-off network access number
The AT&T ones say "4G LTE available", T-mobile ones say "4G HSPA+ Available", and the CDMA one doesn't mention anything about 3 or 4g, so naturally I thought I should try the AT&T one first. I activated this sim card on straight talk, ported my number, once that was complete I put it in the note 3 and booted up - and I have no service, "emergency calls only", and "non-verizon sim". Just to be certain the phone is unlocked, I tried a completely different, genuine t-mobile sim in the same phone and it worked fine.. it still says "non-verizon sim" but I have service and can make calls.
Really hoping someone can shed some light on what might be happening here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aha, thankfully my problem was a simple one - I called straight talk and had them check the status of the sim card I was trying to use (the micro at&t compatible one) - turns out, it still wasn't activated. SO - they activated it right then and there and everything started working immediately on the phone, too - started right up with the same 4G service my tmobile phone gets in our neighborhood.
SO - in case any one else stumbles upon this, YES, you can use a VERIZON galaxy note 3 with the straight talk AT&T-compatible sim card with the factory stock verizon ROM and no further unlocking. What a crazy world we live in

I have a Verizon note 3 running on T-Mobile. I bought a prepaid plan starter kit at Walmart. It came with the sim and the first month service for $42. Any T-Mobile sim will work. All I did was pull my Verizon sim out and replace it with the T-Mobile sim. Changed the apn settings and it works great! I had to root and other stuff to enable band 4, but you won't have to. The latest update enabled it.
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda premium

skunkle88 said:
I have a Verizon note 3 running on T-Mobile. I bought a prepaid plan starter kit at Walmart. It came with the sim and the first month service for $42. Any T-Mobile sim will work. All I did was pull my Verizon sim out and replace it with the T-Mobile sim. Changed the apn settings and it works great! I had to root and other stuff to enable band 4, but you won't have to. The latest update enabled it.
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What data do you get with T-Mobile ? Edge , LTE , hspa ? Where do you live if you dont mind me asking ? Have you tried installing tmobile Roms at this point ? Thanks !!

The vzw Note 3 on T-Mobile gets full 4G lte AND hspa+ 21 mbps (on areas reformed to 1900mhz pcs band, not on their original AWS band 4 1700/2100 mhz hspa+ 42 mbps).
See this post:
VZW Note 3 N900V Fully Functional on T-Mobile 4G lte (band 4)

jmichaels1982 said:
What data do you get with T-Mobile ? Edge , LTE , hspa ? Where do you live if you dont mind me asking ? Have you tried installing tmobile Roms at this point ? Thanks !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So i can go to local Wal-Mart super center and get all i need for 42.00?
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

jmichaels1982 said:
What data do you get with T-Mobile ? Edge , LTE , hspa ? Where do you live if you dont mind me asking ? Have you tried installing tmobile Roms at this point ? Thanks !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I work several blocks from downtown Pittsburgh and I live 15 miles outside of Pittsburgh. Both places I get ~80dBm and 100dBm signal with 20mb - 35mb down, and 10 to 20 up. I'm only on hspa occasionally, but speeds are fast. Their edge network is painful. I'm not on it often in the area but when I am I get ~.15mb - .20mb downloads. I would try to find someone in your area that has T-mobile and see what kind of service they get before switching.

Noob needs direction
Ok. After spending many trips and waiting many hours for the guy at a local shop that flashes phones and sells prepaid services.....I have resorted to trying to do some reading and figure out how to do it myself or at least get some info so I don't waste any more money. I have a galaxy s4 on AT&T prepaid and pay 50 per month for unlimited with working hot spot. All good but wanted to get a Note 3. Is it possible to get a Note 3 to work like my s4??
Sorry if I posted in the wrong section. I just need to know which note 3 to buy and if it will work. I will keep reading and searching but wanted a little direction.
Thanks for any help

Sure CUZ... just remember Verizon is CMDA and AT&T is GSM they are both bootloader locked and will need safestrap work-a-round!
Good Luck
Eagle815 said:
Ok. After spending many trips and waiting many hours for the guy at a local shop that flashes phones and sells prepaid services.....I have resorted to trying to do some reading and figure out how to do it myself or at least get some info so I don't waste any more money. I have a galaxy s4 on AT&T prepaid and pay 50 per month for unlimited with working hot spot. All good but wanted to get a Note 3. Is it possible to get a Note 3 to work like my s4??
Sorry if I posted in the wrong section. I just need to know which note 3 to buy and if it will work. I will keep reading and searching but wanted a little direction.
Thanks for any help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added at 09:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 PM ----------
Hi,
I got my note 3 from a Pawn Shop, Mint cond for a bargain!!!
That is why someone would buy another's carrier device and use on my current carrier!
LeftyGR said:
I'm sorry. I just don't understand why anyone would buy a brand new phone from one carrier to specifically use on another. But here you go. Good luck.
http://www.sidhtech.com/news/how-to-unlock-a-samsung-galaxy-note-3-free-of-charge/10028425/
♢NoteIII♢
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Straight Talk Verizon Note 3 activation
I have a VZW Note 3, after contacting Straight Talk's *(microchasm) support I am told by a human that the IMEI# of the phone is not compatable with their "bring your own phone" system. I have the micro sim card in the phone, I think I just need them to turn it on... Sorry if I am over simplifying things, at this point I am completely irate. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The previous arrangement with VZW was a concession line that was canceled.