Database Users

Are Unlock codes IMEI specific or also provider specific ?

Hello,
I have issues unlocking a Bell i337m phone on Android i337m due to new firmware. The downgrades (stock Bell) for this phone are either corrupt or crashing in ODIN.
Interestingly the 4.3 update made the unlock codes useless.
Questions:
1. If I flash another provider firmware (provider uses same network), would the codes remain the same? In other words, are the unlock codes provider specific?
2. Are unlock codes direclty repated to IMEI only, and hardware ROM? This looks like not so, since 4.3 firmware rendered the phone unlockable.
PS: There is another thread here confirming this for most Canadian providers and 4.3 - Unlock Codes no longer working....
Unless Unlock codes are firmware dependent only, and Samsung changed them, but that does not make sense since a firmware update does not affect the lock status of the phone...
My theory is that the unlock code is a math formula or combination between some IMEI code and some provider code stored in firmware. In new firmware the portion of the provider code might have changed. So the resulting required Unlock code is different...
Any ideas?

[Q] Unlocking the S4 from EE

Hi,
I have a brand new Galaxy S4 i9505 that was purchased from the EE network in the UK and is currently locked to EE - I would like to get it unlocked
Android version 4.4.2
Baseband version I9505XXUFNC4
Kernel version 3.4.0-481100
I have purchased unlock codes (sim, region and 'defreeze') from a reputable eBay seller but these are unfortunately not enabling me to unlock the phone from the EE network - I want to be able to use it with the Vodafone Ghana network in Ghana, West Africa
> When I use the unlock method that starts with dialling *#0011#, I am unable to access the UMTS menu;
> The method using code *#197328640# is not working with this handset;
> The method using code *2767*3855# is not working with this handset;
> The method using code *7465625*638*# is not working with this handset;
The retailer of my unlock codes advised me to check that my Samsung software is up-to-date but I've checked and it's already running the latest OS - via Kies I was unable to access any more recent updates.
I would be very grateful if someone could please advise how I can get the handset unlocked and whether it looks like I will need to Root it?
Cheers,
pbt04

Use this post and thread as a starting point.
You probably need to flash an old modem.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=55217133&postcount=1280

[Q] sim network unlock pin dismiss galaxy s4

Hi, i am new one to xda ..
I have a Galaxy s4 I9505 with "sim network unlock pin dismiss" Unlocking Problem.
i install Android lollipop(UK) rom to s4. before install lollipop i had this problem'
I tired trying carrier Unlock Methord [*0011#]. but it dosnt work for me. That menu isnt work in my device.
I am from sri lanka. in Asia. How can i fix this. Waiting for replies. thanx

Discussed ad nauseam. Downgrading the modem or ROM to Android 4.2.2 is required in order for the unlock methods discussed on the forums to work. You could also simply purchase an unlock code.

Another unlock question

I have a Sprint S4 SPL-L720 rooted originally was L720VPUFNG2 modem. flashed Stock L720VPUAMDC I have tried several methods to unlock this phone for T-Mobile US sim with no luck .Has anyone got a proven unlock for my given situation. I'm not running CWM's or Cyonide Hope I can get something current to help me unlock this phone

Deleted

network unlock or modem swap i337m on 5.0.1

Hey people, I have an issue going on here.
I was going to unlock, but decided to reflash firmware and change the csc from rogers over to bell.
Kies recognizes the phone now as being a 'bell' phone, and have done an update just to confirm it but it still will not accept a bell sim. Every time I have inserted a bell sim it requests the 4 digit unlock code. The sim works just fine in my S3 and another bell S4, so that is not the problem.
All settings in the phone also show it to be 'bell', home screen and all, so the csc did take.
All the modems/firmware on sammobile are multi-csc, as i have tried to just flash the modem alone after I extracted it.
I could care less about being truly carrier free, as I am locked into a bell agreement through work.
Any suggestions on this, or do i have to purchase a code? I assume its locked now so I cannot downgrade to my understanding to a lower modem to use the service menu to unlock.
Thanks for the input.

I've flashed from a Bell 4.4.2 to Telus 5.01 without issue and the phone will remain sim-locked. The only difference I have seen between the Bell, Telus, and Rogers ROM are the carrier apps included with each ROM.
The sim unlock code is 8 digits long.
You should be able to downgrade the i337m's 5.01 stock ROM to a i337m 4.4.2 stock ROM. Then install the 4.2.2 modem, root the phone, run region unlock app, re-flash stock 5.01, and the phone will be sim unlocked. Doing this will trip the knox counter to 1 and void any remaining warranty.

I tried to downgrade, but it didnt take. I will try again. I know there was a discussion on booting the phone and not signing into google then reflash again. Is this needed?
Thanks for the reply.

Well, I got it to work this time. Much appreciated

You tried to flash a stock 4.4.2 rom from sammobile.com? Were there errors in Odin?