Hello readers and devs,
TL;DR
Debranded a Sprint LG G6 --> Factory & Hard Reset phone --> SIM card not being read.
-----
Need help getting my phone back on MetroPCS network after a debrand. I will try to be a thorough as I can for SEO robots and to explain as best I can what I did and what I noticed changing.
!!! action --> I debranded (unbranded, sic) my Sprint LG G6 993 phone using the code provided in the forums, hoping for the best.
I noticed the following changed after debranding:
APNs were locked (not able to create new or edit, however the MetroPCS APN was still there)
Sprint logo during boot gone
WiFi Calling option gone (was not working on MetroPCS network anyway)
mobile settings -> network mode -> GSM and Automatic options missing; set to LTE/CDMA
the cellular network connection to MetroPCS was not functioning properly
SIM card error when a phone call was made, no texting either
So, I naturally read through the forums to try to get the phone working properly again on my network. I read the topic Sprint LG G6 (LS993) Dial Codes.
!!! action --> I used the code ##72786# to "Reset provisioning and makes phone reactivate".
After that, I noticed that the MetroPCS APN was removed. APNs still not editable. At this point after reading some more on the forum I decided that I needed to get the phones MSL code, go into the service menu and edit the APNs from there. However, after getting the MSL and going into the service menu area, the APN area would still not allow me to edit the fields.
I went to MetroPCS to see if they could put a new sim card in the phone, hell for all I knew maybe my sim card was bad, remember when I try to make a call I get a SIM card error message. MetroPCS guy tries some things, calls up a service person on the phone, says nothing is wrong with the sim. Tells me to come back in 30 min. I go over to Sprint, give them the phone and tell them what is happening. They say the phone IS unlocked. Then a sales rep tells me that debranding the phone means that it is no longer a Sprint phone and they will not touch the phone. I ask nicely for a tech supervisor. Sprint supervisor says that I should try to Factory Reset the phone. I go home, backup the phone and do a factory reset.
!!! action --> Factory Reset the phone.
Changes:
mobile settings -> network mode -> GSM and Automatic options appear again; set to Automatic
Still unable to add or edit APNs (the APN area options are all greyed out).
!!! action --> I take out the SIM card and put it into my previous phone (Samsung Galaxy On5) thinking well i need a working phone.
I get an error, On5 is not connecting to the network, needs to be activated.
!!! action --> I take out the sim card and put it back into the LG G6.
Changes:
Invalid SIM card error (phone does not detect the sim card)
The SIM card is not being detected by the phone.
I read the forums some more and discovered a post that referenced a LG G6 that was debranded and to get it working again the owner had to buy a Sprint Prepaid activation SIM to re-provision the phone to get it working again on his alternative network.
I downloaded a SIM Card reader and the LG G6 doesnt give me any information on the sim card. If I put the SIM card into my On5 phone and use the SIM Card reader app I can see that my SIM card is okay and all data is displayed properly for the SIM.
I am not really sure what to do, but try to get a Sprint SIM card and put it in to try to reprovision the phone to Sprint and then move it back over to MetroPCS.
Please help what should I do now to get the phone back on MetroPCS?
Thanks,
Trumpet
TrumpetWinsockError said:
*SNIP*
I downloaded a SIM Card reader and the LG G6 doesnt give me any information on the sim card. If I put the SIM card into my On5 phone and use the SIM Card reader app I can see that my SIM card is okay and all data is displayed properly for the SIM.
I am not really sure what to do, but try to get a Sprint SIM card and put it in to try to reprovision the phone to Sprint and then move it back over to MetroPCS.
Please help what should I do now to get the phone back on MetroPCS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Debranding?
The boot loader is locked so how can you modify anything on the phone?
First I would kdz back to stock.
That is install the version of software unaltered that should have come with the phone.
I'll leave it up to you to search in the QA section.
Once that is done, confirm the phone is unlocked.
You should need to do nothing more than to drop in the Metro SIM to have it work.
If the phone is not unlocked you will get "invalid SIM" messages.
tech_head said:
Debranding?
The boot loader is locked so how can you modify anything on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly, thank you for the read and reply. I was able to debrand the phone utilizing a dial code found in this thread:
sprint-lg-g6-ls993-dial-codes
The thread states:
"##27263# (##BRAND#) - Removes any carrier branding and redetects the carrier based on (NV registry/RUIM/SIM?).
Note: Useful if flashing to Boost Mobile or similar carrier."
After debranding the APN area became un-editable.
tech_head said:
First I would kdz back to stock.
That is install the version of software unaltered that should have come with the phone.
I'll leave it up to you to search in the QA section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked this thread:
list-lg-g6-stock-firmware
At this time there is not a Sprint LG G6 KDZ.
tech_head said:
Once that is done, confirm the phone is unlocked.
You should need to do nothing more than to drop in the Metro SIM to have it work.
If the phone is not unlocked you will get "invalid SIM" messages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need to confirm that the phone is unlocked. I did have a conversation with Sprint technician that said it came up unlocked in their system. It could be possible (although I don not know for sure) that the phone's hardware/software is locked and yet Sprint cell network has the phone unlocked in their system. Maybe I need to purchase an unlock service for the phone?
Have you tried this thread? https://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-g6/help/mobile-gsm-data-issues-unlock-t3625705
I have the same issued. After "debranding" I can't add a new APN. In my case I do have voice and SMS, but no DATA since I can't add an APN.. Were you able to fix your phone. Please share the solution if you did. Thanks
ultra_dd7 said:
I have the same issued. After "debranding" I can't add a new APN. In my case I do have voice and SMS, but no DATA since I can't add an APN.. Were you able to fix your phone. Please share the solution if you did. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im also having the sam issue
The only way to fix this is to insert an active sprint sim card with service and dial ##72786# to re-activate
Since i switched to metro pcs ......my sim service is not active
I gotta find someone
ultra_dd7 said:
I have the same issued. After "debranding" I can't add a new APN. In my case I do have voice and SMS, but no DATA since I can't add an APN.. Were you able to fix your phone. Please share the solution if you did. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is your problem solved?
same problem
i have the same problem but i select de uicc unlock and works my mexico sim but just only voice calls and text. apn still greyed out and says otasn on apn settings grayed out too. any solution for this ?
Try this:
Dial 5689#*993# ; go to NAOT + NAO Test + NAO CARRIER (Select NONE).
After that you will be able to edit/add APNs
Hi. I recently bought the LG V35 supposedly unlocked; however, I am unable to activate on T-Mobile.
Backstory: After purchasing the V35, I followed the instructions on cross flashing to get rid of the AT&T bloat here https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v35/development/bootloader-unlock-root-instruction-t4052145. The firmware I downloaded was from https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-lmv350ulm-firmwares/; however, the AIO and the USA versions are both the same. I flashed one of the firmware and all is fine, except now I get "Network locked" after I insert my SIM card from T-Mobile. I went AT&T's site https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/ for an unlock code; however, I do not get a prompt on my phone to enter the code. This is after I flashed the phone.
My questions are, which version of the firmware was I to use so my phone is network unlocked AIO or USA? If they are both the same, how do I get the phone to be network unlocked so I can activate the V35 to T-Mobile.
TIA
boricua65 said:
Hi. I recently bought the LG V35 supposedly unlocked; however, I am unable to activate on T-Mobile.
Backstory: After purchasing the V35, I followed the instructions on cross flashing to get rid of the AT&T bloat here https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v35/development/bootloader-unlock-root-instruction-t4052145. The firmware I downloaded was from https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-lmv350ulm-firmwares/; however, the AIO and the USA versions are both the same. I flashed one of the firmware and all is fine, except now I get "Network locked" after I insert my SIM card from T-Mobile. I went AT&T's site https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/[url]https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/[/url] for an unlock code; however, I do not get a prompt on my phone to enter the code. This is after I flashed the phone.
My questions are, which version of the firmware was I to use so my phone is network unlocked AIO or USA? If they are both the same, how do I get the phone to be network unlocked so I can activate the V35 to T-Mobile.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to be on AT&T firmware to use the carrier unlock code. If you cross flash to different firmware before carrier unlocking you are out of luck. EDIT: see posts below where new information has emerged.
Obviously your V35 was not carrier unlocked/SIM card unlocked, in spite of what the seller said?
Unlike with the LG V30 series, flashing carrier unlocked firmware does NOT carrier unlock AT&T LG V35. You need to use carrier unlock code prior to cross flashing different variant firmware.
Perhaps you can contact someone with Octoplus box and get back to AT&T firmware to use carrier unlock code. AT&T doesn't publicly release KDZ for their firmware, but some dealers with Medusa and Octoplus boxes still somehow have it.
boricua65 said:
Hi. I recently bought the LG V35 supposedly unlocked; however, I am unable to activate on T-Mobile.
Backstory: After purchasing the V35, I followed the instructions on cross flashing to get rid of the AT&T bloat here https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v35/development/bootloader-unlock-root-instruction-t4052145. The firmware I downloaded was from https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-lmv350ulm-firmwares/; however, the AIO and the USA versions are both the same. I flashed one of the firmware and all is fine, except now I get "Network locked" after I insert my SIM card from T-Mobile. I went AT&T's site https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/ for an unlock code; however, I do not get a prompt on my phone to enter the code. This is after I flashed the phone.
My questions are, which version of the firmware was I to use so my phone is network unlocked AIO or USA? If they are both the same, how do I get the phone to be network unlocked so I can activate the V35 to T-Mobile.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is that if you flash the firmware for south america, when you boot it with your sim card, a pop up will appear asking for an unlock code. Haven't done it myself but it sounds like in your situation it wouldn't hurt to try...
Of course, if u don't get a pop up, try the code that supposedly brings up pop up to enter code.
follow this link for the MIA version that should work.
cheers, let us know if you try it the results.
Thread Cleaned and it will end here regarding this back and forth, take care.
Hi OP, use LGUP to flash Mexican region kdz, insert your T-Mobile sim and unlock window will pop-up upon reboot and you can use the unlock code to unlock your phone. Good luck.
Android# said:
Hi OP, use LGUP to flash Mexican region kdz, insert your T-Mobile sim and unlock window will pop-up upon reboot and you can use the unlock code to unlock your phone. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this guaranteed to work? I really want to use this phone.
boricua65 said:
Is this guaranteed to work? I really want to use this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guaranteed? Well, as stated by those mentioning it here, I don't think we've actually done it, only repeating that others say it will work. So again, guaranteed? I couldn't guarantee it, but it seems unlikely that people would say it does work, and be lying about it?
Here's a GDrive link to the kdz you'd want to flash to try it. It's the latest Oreo for the south american region. Aside from using LGUP to flash it, you'd need an unlock code.
The md5 sum from this LG Page should match, to verify legitimacy.
Let us know if it works.
AsItLies said:
Guaranteed? Well, as stated by those mentioning it here, I don't think we've actually done it, only repeating that others say it will work. So again, guaranteed? I couldn't guarantee it, but it seems unlikely that people would say it does work, and be lying about it?
Here's a GDrive link to the kdz you'd want to flash to try it. It's the latest Oreo for the south american region. Aside from using LGUP to flash it, you'd need an unlock code.
The md5 sum from this LG Page should match, to verify legitimacy.
Let us know if it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I just flashed my phone from the link you provided and no dice. I reflashed, factory reset, insert the SIM card after completing set up, insert SIM card after factory reset the second time, etc. with no luck. I am not getting a pop to ask for the unlock code.
EDIT to add: So I found a set of instructions when I don't get a pop up asking for the network unlock code (below)
Second option (device doesn't ask for an unlock code with an unaccepted SIM)
1. Start the device with an accepted simcard (example LG V35 ThinQ was bought in Orange you need to insert an Orange card)
2. Go to the dial screen and press “2945#*model number#” (the same way you enter a phone number)
Example: the device is a P999 you need to enter “2945#*999#” or for KU990 you need to enter “2945#*990#” etc…
So far I am getting closer. Now I get a message saying SIM not provisioned. I will continue to research and troubleshoot. If I continue to run into a another roadblock, I will post here. Thank you all.
Okay, now I fracked up something else. I went from V350EM10h_OPEN_SCA_OP_118.kdz to V350ULM20f_00_NAO_US_
Okay now I am stuck at the LG Life's Good splash screen. I went back to LGUP and did not see it was defaulted to Refurbish going from V350EM10h_00_OPEN_SCA_OP_0118.kdz to V350ULM20f_00_NAO_US_OP_0218.kdz. I went back and reran LGUP with Upgrade chosen; however, the phone is still stuck at the splash screen. Help!
EDITED
boricua65 said:
Okay now I am stuck at the LG Life's Good splash screen. I went back to LGUP and did not see it was defaulted to Refurbish going from V350EM10h_00_OPEN_SCA_OP_0118.kdz to V350ULM20f_00_NAO_US_OP_0218.kdz. I went back and reran LGUP with Upgrade chosen; however, the phone is still stuck at the splash screen. Help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you've tired to reflash ulm and have an issue there. But did you get it sim unlocked?
here's also some instructions I found re unlocking sim if you don't get a pop-up
UNLOCK LG UNLOCK INSTRUCTIONS
ONCE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE UNLOCK CODE EMAIL, PLEASE FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
1) Insert a SIM card that is not from the original carrier in your phone and power on the phone.
2) Once finished loading your phone will ask you for the "SIM Network Unlock PIN".
If your phone does not prompt for a code, please dial 2945#* [model number] # to bring up the prompt
For example LG G4 D851: Dial 2945#*851#
3) Enter the LG Network Unlock Code.
If your phone asks for the "SIM network unlock PIN", use the NCK code.
If your phone asks for the "SIM Service Provider unlock PIN", use the SPCK code.
---------------------
But now you have an additional issue, you say you used 'refurbish' mode for both flashings? To the S.A. one and then back to the ulm one?
To my understanding, that should have worked. But whatever the case may have been, you're stuck now, from what I understand. If that's the case, all I can suggest is trying 'DL' mode for the ULM and select all partitions, OR maybe try 'Upgrade' (if you did refurbish" or refurbish if you did the other.
Sorry to hear you're having trouble, I guess, if you followed the procedure and it didn't work, then this is an indication there IS NOT a way to unlock the sim if you failed to do it on ATT OS.
Let us know if you're able to make any progress / got it sim unlocked or not. We'll have to start relaying the results so others don't have the same issue.
AsItLies said:
So you've tired to reflash ulm and have an issue there. But did you get it sim unlocked?
here's also some instructions I found re unlocking sim if you don't get a pop-up
UNLOCK LG UNLOCK INSTRUCTIONS
ONCE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE UNLOCK CODE EMAIL, PLEASE FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
1) Insert a SIM card that is not from the original carrier in your phone and power on the phone.
2) Once finished loading your phone will ask you for the "SIM Network Unlock PIN".
If your phone does not prompt for a code, please dial 2945#* [model number] # to bring up the prompt
For example LG G4 D851: Dial 2945#*851#
3) Enter the LG Network Unlock Code.
If your phone asks for the "SIM network unlock PIN", use the NCK code.
If your phone asks for the "SIM Service Provider unlock PIN", use the SPCK code.
---------------------
But now you have an additional issue, you say you used 'refurbish' mode for both flashings? To the S.A. one and then back to the ulm one?
To my understanding, that should have worked. But whatever the case may have been, you're stuck now, from what I understand. If that's the case, all I can suggest is trying 'DL' mode for the ULM and select all partitions, OR maybe try 'Upgrade' (if you did refurbish" or refurbish if you did the other.
Sorry to hear you're having trouble, I guess, if you followed the procedure and it didn't work, then this is an indication there IS NOT a way to unlock the sim if you failed to do it on ATT OS.
Let us know if you're able to make any progress / got it sim unlocked or not. We'll have to start relaying the results so others don't have the same issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I was able to get the phone to be network unlocked. I mistakenly went from S.A. version to NAO as Refurbished instead of Upgrade on the LGUP.
boricua65 said:
Actually, I was able to get the phone to be network unlocked. I mistakenly went from S.A. version to NAO as Refurbished instead of Upgrade on the LGUP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're all set now? sim unlocked and back on ULM? If that's so, that's good news.
AsItLies said:
So you're all set now? sim unlocked and back on ULM? If that's so, that's good news.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only the phone is network unlocked. It's still stuck at the LG logo screen and does not boot up.
boricua65 said:
Only the phone is network unlocked. It's still stuck at the LG logo screen and does not boot up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's not good. I can only suggest try doing a partition D/L? I don't know if that would help or not, but not sure it could be worse than it is now? Certainly don't try the other options like chip erase etc. Those are not for a situation like this, they will certainly make things worse!
boricua65 said:
Hi. I recently bought the LG V35 supposedly unlocked; however, I am unable to activate on T-Mobile.
Backstory: After purchasing the V35, I followed the instructions on cross flashing to get rid of the AT&T bloat here https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-v35/development/bootloader-unlock-root-instruction-t4052145. The firmware I downloaded was from https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-lmv350ulm-firmwares/; however, the AIO and the USA versions are both the same. I flashed one of the firmware and all is fine, except now I get "Network locked" after I insert my SIM card from T-Mobile. I went AT&T's site https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/ for an unlock code; however, I do not get a prompt on my phone to enter the code. This is after I flashed the phone.
My questions are, which version of the firmware was I to use so my phone is network unlocked AIO or USA? If they are both the same, how do I get the phone to be network unlocked so I can activate the V35 to T-Mobile.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to tell you this but you can't network unlock after flashing. You should have researched that if you're modifying the phone
Vuzeultra said:
Sorry to tell you this but you can't network unlock after flashing. You should have researched that if you're modifying the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You did not ready the whole thread. I was able to network unlock my device after using a South American firmware. In my haste, I used LGUP and flashed the NAO firmware as a Refurbish instead as Upgrade.
AsItLies said:
Well that's not good. I can only suggest try doing a partition D/L? I don't know if that would help or not, but not sure it could be worse than it is now? Certainly don't try the other options like chip erase etc. Those are not for a situation like this, they will certainly make things worse!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With much trepidation, I did the Partition D/L and it work!!! :good::good::good: I got my phone back.
boricua65 said:
With much trepidation, I did the Partition D/L and it work!!! :good::good::good: I got my phone back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, good job.
Hi Everyone,
I just bought a brand new s10+ from marketplace. I ran a full imei report and everything is clean & not blacklisted. It was a sprint phone however the provider I use is consumer cellular (uses ATT towers). When I put my sim card in it obviously said invalid sim and request it get unlocked. I wasnt concerned because I was going to convert it to unlocked anyways via odin like I did my note 9. I reflashed it via odin with the u1 firmware. However the same thing is happening it keeps saying invalid sim and the button for mobile operators is not showing. I have a tmobile sim card and if I put that in it works fine. Being though tmobile and sprint are the same thats why it works fine. I also have a ATT sim card, If i put that in I get the same invalid sim message. So it still appears to be locked somehow. Only sprint / t mobile sim works. I thought by reflashing to unlocked it would unlock the phone sim.
Just to be clear the phone is brand new and never was attached to any account.
Any ideas? I dont know what to do here.
Thanks!!
As I understand, phones that are locked to a network are not just software branded... also the phones hardware ID. So flashing a generic firmware is not enough. You need to get the phone unlocked from the phone's original operator
I found out what I had to do. I had to use a remote unlock service to remove the software lock on the phone. Its fine now. Thanks