is Verizon Locking S10+? - Samsung Galaxy S10+ Questions & Answers

Just received my S10+ a few hours ago. Purchased online through Verizon with device payments. This is probably my 8th Smart Phone purchase with device payments and never had one carrier lock before. My last 3 phones (Pixel 2 XL, iPhone XR, Note 9) have not been carrier locked what so ever even if they are financed.
Today shortly after activating and setting up the device, I pulled my Verizon SIM out and inserted my T-Mobile SIM like I've done many times before. I instantly got a message that said "Sorry, your device cant be activated on another carriers network right now."
Could this be Verizon Carrier locking the phone or is there an issue server side at Samsung?
The phone activated with no issues on Verizon's end, calls, messages, data all working fine.

i bought Verizon s10+ on samsung.com, it works fine with Freedompop, using ATT network.

I called Verizon. They say there should be no carrier lock regardless of how it was purchased. Guess I'll have to chat with Samsung.

I'm having the same exact issue on my new Verizon S10. Wanted to finish off my month of Google Fi before switching back to Verizon, but I get the same pop-up "Sorry, your device cant be activated on another carriers network right now." I've been on the phone for hours with multiple Verizon, Samsung, and Google Fi reps about this issue and no one has an answer.
Verizon has triple checked and confirmed that there are no carrier locks on my phone. Google Fi just pretends like the issue is that their service isn't "officially compatible" with the new S10 yet. And Samsung keeps telling me that Verizon needs to unlock my phone (even though it's unlocked and paid off). Verizon suggested that maybe it was a Google Fi issue too, so I tried my wife's AT&T and I get the same pop-up restricting other carriers. I even tried activating the phone on Verizon first with a brand new line, and then switching SIMs, but still the same pop-up.
I'm onto my last resort right now, which is to exchange my Verizon S10 for a completely unlocked S10. That isn't ideal since my intentions were to switch back to Verizon eventually, and I would be losing Verizon-specific features. I've never had this issue before, and Verizon tech support has never seen this issue before either. I have no idea what Samsung is doing on their end with these carrier-specific S10s. I'm even currently using a Verizon Note 9 on Google Fi, with absolutely no issues. Not sure if there is new software with these new phones, but it is extremely frustrating.

Same. Nobody knows whats going on.
I will use my S10+ on Verizon for a few days and try to swap the sim again maybe next week. See if somehow it updates on its own.

S10 plus Verizon
Well I just purchased a Verizon branded s10 plus. Popped in my tmobile sim and LTE works.

I'm having the same issue, Verizon S10+ trying to move to T-Mobile

Those having issues, also financed?

Mine is fixed. Did it on its own.

jhous3s said:
Mine is fixed. Did it on its own.
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I tried my Google Fi SIM card again, and it still has the same pop up. "Your device cannot be activated on another carrier's network right now." You said you activated the phone on Verizon first though right? How many days did you have a Verizon line active?

The very first power ON was on Thursday around Noon with a T Moible SIM. The phone quickly rejected it and I installed the sim it came with. I messed around with it for a few hours until I gave up and just left the Verizon sim in it.
Today (sunday) I decided to try the T Mobile SIM around 4PM and noticed it was working so I posted an update.

So you actually paid the activation fee and had an active Verizon line on the phone first?

Yes I financed through Verizon.

Wenbinbin2010 said:
I'm having the same exact issue on my new Verizon S10. Wanted to finish off my month of Google Fi before switching back to Verizon, but I get the same pop-up "Sorry, your device cant be activated on another carriers network right now." I've been on the phone for hours with multiple Verizon, Samsung, and Google Fi reps about this issue and no one has an answer.
Verizon has triple checked and confirmed that there are no carrier locks on my phone. Google Fi just pretends like the issue is that their service isn't "officially compatible" with the new S10 yet. And Samsung keeps telling me that Verizon needs to unlock my phone (even though it's unlocked and paid off). Verizon suggested that maybe it was a Google Fi issue too, so I tried my wife's AT&T and I get the same pop-up restricting other carriers. I even tried activating the phone on Verizon first with a brand new line, and then switching SIMs, but still the same pop-up.
I'm onto my last resort right now, which is to exchange my Verizon S10 for a completely unlocked S10. That isn't ideal since my intentions were to switch back to Verizon eventually, and I would be losing Verizon-specific features. I've never had this issue before, and Verizon tech support has never seen this issue before either. I have no idea what Samsung is doing on their end with these carrier-specific S10s. I'm even currently using a Verizon Note 9 on Google Fi, with absolutely no issues. Not sure if there is new software with these new phones, but it is extremely frustrating.
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How is your Note 9 on Google Fi? Was considering switching from T-Mobile to Find. Do you still get WiFi calling? What kinda of data speeds so you get? Sorry, off topic, but don't know anyone personally on Google Fi that doesn't have a pixel.

As an FYI... I purchased an S10+ in full, no payments on Friday morning from the Verizon store. I put my tmobile sim in later that afternoon and got the same message. I talked to tech support and they said it takes 48 hours from activation. He mentioned that they are doing this to prevent theft from store and from people buying/stealing them with out activating them and trying to sell them.
He unlocked it immediately while I was on the phone and I got a text message saying "when I insert a non-verizon sim in the phone it will be unlocked". I put in my tmobile sim and worked fine.

Makes sense why my device started to work after two days.

S10Plus said:
As an FYI... I purchased an S10+ in full, no payments on Friday morning from the Verizon store. I put my tmobile sim in later that afternoon and got the same message. I talked to tech support and they said it takes 48 hours from activation. He mentioned that they are doing this to prevent theft from store and from people buying/stealing them with out activating them and trying to sell them.
He unlocked it immediately while I was on the phone and I got a text message saying "when I insert a non-verizon sim in the phone it will be unlocked". I put in my tmobile sim and worked fine.
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I talked to 3 different tech supports and they repeated told me all of the possible locks on my phone were unlocked...did you activate the phone first in the Verizon store, or did you go straight to a T-Mobile SIM?

Wenbinbin2010 said:
I talked to 3 different tech supports and they repeated told me all of the possible locks on my phone were unlocked...did you activate the phone first in the Verizon store, or did you go straight to a T-Mobile SIM?
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Most of them don't know what they are talking about. I talked to many of them who said the phones were not locked, some said the phones are always locked which I clearly disputed as they don't know their own employers policies/information and read from scripts. The 333rd person I spoke with knew exactly what I was talking about lol.
I didn't activate it in the store, I did when I got home using the verizon sim. After, I put in my tmobile sim and got the message. I didn't want to wait 48 hours (what the first tech told me) so I kept calling until I finally got someone knowledgeable enough to know what I was talking about and he unlocked it while I was on the phone in 10 seconds.

S10Plus said:
Most of them don't know what they are talking about. I talked to many of them who said the phones were not locked, some said the phones are always locked which I clearly disputed as they don't know their own employers policies/information and read from scripts. The 333rd person I spoke with knew exactly what I was talking about lol.
I didn't activate it in the store, I did when I got home using the verizon sim. After, I put in my tmobile sim and got the message. I didn't want to wait 48 hours (what the first tech told me) so I kept calling until I finally got someone knowledgeable enough to know what I was talking about and he unlocked it while I was on the phone in 10 seconds.
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Hmm thanks for the info. Guess I'll keep trying different tech supports. I wonder if they'll be able to unlock without activation at all. Otherwise I'll be paying $50 for a pointless line.

Yes. Verizon now sim locks phones for 24 hours after initial activation. iPhones included. Sometimes the older stock androids or iPhones will immediately accept another sim, but most times now, you have to wait a day. This has been going on since January as far as I've seen.

Related

T-Mobile Nexus 6 works on all carriers CONFIRMED

Hey guys,
I just purchased a nexus 6 from t-mobile and popped in a sim from att, sprint, and Verizon. I can confirm all 3 worked flawlessly with no problems.
At the device start up, i did skip the part where it tried to activate on the network the sim was from.
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask.
noXn said:
...
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask.
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Are you seeing the issue of voice + data not working at the same time? When I'm on a call on Verizon, Wi-Fi works, but mobile data shuts off... is this just Verizon, or is this a "feature"?
sephtin said:
Are you seeing the issue of voice + data not working at the same time? When I'm on a call on Verizon, Wi-Fi works, but mobile data shuts off... is this just Verizon, or is this a "feature"?
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That is not activated on Verizon...
But what I do want to know is if Verizon will whitelist the imei numbers . because I am soooo ready to pull the trigger to buy at a tmobile store. Did you have to activate the tmobile first? That's what the rep is telling me here
sephtin said:
Are you seeing the issue of voice + data not working at the same time? When I'm on a call on Verizon, Wi-Fi works, but mobile data shuts off... is this just Verizon, or is this a "feature"?
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Unless something has changed with CDMA technology, the Verizon phones shouldn't be able to use data while on an active call. I know they are working to get that working with some new LTE standard but I haven't heard anything about it being here yet.
dadsterflip said:
That is not activated on Verizon...
But what I do want to know is if Verizon will whitelist the imei numbers . because I am soooo ready to pull the trigger to buy at a tmobile store. Did you have to activate the tmobile first? That's what the rep is telling me here
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I'm considering switching to TMo anyway, so I picked up 30 days of pre-paid with the phone for 45$. I plan to try both carriers on my commute, see how signal is on both carriers on the train ride, downtown at work, etc. before making up my mind, and this device makes it as easy as swapping the SIM out!
The issue I had, was I didn't have a nano-SIM. Verizon rep at the store told me there was nothing they could do... I told them if he got me a nano-SIM, that customer support could active it... He gave me a SIM and let me use their phone to call Support to activate it. The support person did a "SIM swap" for my existing device, even though my Note3 obviously doesn't use a nano-SIM.. but that's all it took to activate the nano-SIM, and it works perfectly.
I may be misunderstanding your question... I believe the confusion is that you don't actually activate the phone... you activate the SIM IN the device. You should be able to take the phone out of the box, and drop in an already activated SIM and all will work fine...
seh6183 said:
Unless something has changed with CDMA technology, the Verizon phones shouldn't be able to use data while on an active call. I know they are working to get that working with some new LTE standard but I haven't heard anything about it being here yet.
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Thank you for confirming, that's exactly what I needed to know! I'm sure I can live without needing mobile data while on a call...
sephtin said:
I'm considering switching to TMo anyway, so I picked up 30 days of pre-paid with the phone for 45$. I plan to try both carriers on my commute, see how signal is on both carriers on the train ride, downtown at work, etc. before making up my mind, and this device makes it as easy as swapping the SIM out!
The issue I had, was I didn't have a nano-SIM. Verizon rep at the store told me there was nothing they could do... I told them if he got me a nano-SIM, that customer support could active it... He gave me a SIM and let me use their phone to call Support to activate it. The support person did a "SIM swap" for my existing device, even though my Note3 obviously doesn't use a nano-SIM.. but that's all it took to activate the nano-SIM, and it works perfectly.
I may be misunderstanding your question... I believe the confusion is that you don't actually activate the phone... you activate the SIM IN the device. You should be able to take the phone out of the box, and drop in an already activated SIM and all will work fine...
Thank you for confirming, that's exactly what I needed to know! I'm sure I can live without needing mobile data while on a call...
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I know it works. My question is. Would Verizon block the imei or device I.d.s later down the road to where it doesn't work and only the imei that's been sold on Google play works.
dadsterflip said:
I know it works. My question is. Would Verizon block the imei or device I.d.s later down the road to where it doesn't work and only the imei that's been sold on Google play works.
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Good luck getting your answer. If the device suddenly stops working on Big Red, I'll post here (as soon as I've completed my switch to another carrier).
sephtin said:
Good luck getting your answer. If the device suddenly stops working on Big Red, I'll post here (as soon as I've completed my switch to another carrier).
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Lol. Yea that's what I was worried about. I didn't want to buy it then down the road oh yea this I.d. doesn't work anymore.
I did not register my device on T-Mobile at all. Just popped the other sims in.
What I'm told is that carriers only care about imei when activating for the first time. If you just put your own sim in there they just can't see the device type which really doesn't matter unless you're looking to call them for support.
T mobile store gave me **** about buying the phone out right. I had to get a friend to add me as an authorized user on his account to buy the phone OUTRIGHT. So stupid...
Also, at T-Mobile the phone out right was 649 where everyone else is like 50 or 40 bucks more which was also sweet.
I also did not get bloat Ware on the phone from the carriers.
The devices CDMA identifier (MEID??) needs to be in the carriers whitelist so if the OP didn't place a voice call over either the Sprint or Verizon networks itnis not "safe" to to say it works on all carriers.
This is supposed to be one model for all of the US with 4 SKUs for the variations, and it should work but there is still the question of whether the CDMA carrier. Allows the phone on their network.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk
I can confirm I've activated my nexus bought directly from moto on both sprint and T-Mobile. Both voice and data worked with each carrier. Sprint takes a little more when than just putting the Sim in. They need to activate the MEID in their system. You can't just put an active Sim from another phone in and have it work.
Interesting..
Other users have reported the exact opposite.
msal said:
Interesting..
Other users have reported the exact opposite.
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If you referring to activating one on sprint, I was one of those users. Since Monday haven't been able to activate it until this morning.
seezar said:
If you referring to activating one on sprint, I was one of those users. Since Monday haven't been able to activate it until this morning.
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Yep, talking about Sprint. IIRC, there were multiple threads on here saying you can only activate on CDMA carriers if you buy from them or Google Play.
msal said:
Yep, talking about Sprint. IIRC, there were multiple threads on here saying you can only activate on CDMA carriers if you buy from them or Google Play.
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What about activating on Verizon?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Buying from T-Mo living in a non-T-Mo area
Yes. I must be one of the only people on here in the U.S. not living in a T-Mo area.
I just ordered from T-Mo (64GB MB). After much conversation and clarification, I've learned that one can buy a Nexus 6 from them outright, which requires also buying a $10 SIM activation kit. Since I do not live in a T-Mo area, I will have to call and cancel my 'yet-to-be-activated' plan, which also required a $50 deposit. By utilizing T-Mo's "buyer's remorse", I will be able to keep the phone, since I bought it outright, but will be refunded my $50 deposit for the service, without ever having to activate it on T-Mo's network. From there, I will pop in my AT&T SIM card, and be on my way! The only thing I'll be out is the $10 SIM activation kit.
Also, the rep's did acknowledge that the Nexus 6 is one of the few phones they have that are already unlocked.
Please do critique this if you foresee any problems I'll have popping in my AT&T SIM and using my existing service with them.
EDIT: Yargh. T-Mo had zero 64GB phones, and have since called me back to tell me they are on back order. But hey... at least I have an order in now. Beats what I've accomplished so far on the Play store all to hell.
gregg0829 said:
What about activating on Verizon?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
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As far as I'm aware, Verizon comes under the same category. You should only be able to activate on Verizon if you buy the phone from Google Play or from Verizon.
msal said:
As far as I'm aware, Verizon comes under the same category. You should only be able to activate on Verizon if you buy the phone from Google Play or from Verizon.
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That is what I have read. I am hoping by the 12/2 when I get my phone from Motorola I will have more options regarding Verizon.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
gregg0829 said:
What about activating on Verizon?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
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I bought my device from T-Mobile, removed the T-Mobile sim it came with, put my Verizon sim card in, and it worked no problem. This happened with my phone on ATT as well. The guy next to me did the SAME EXACT THING on Sprint.
I am not BSing you guys in the least. I have no problem helping out in anyway I can. I'll even give you the number and the guy at the T Mobile store who watched us do it lol.
seh6183 said:
Unless something has changed with CDMA technology, the Verizon phones shouldn't be able to use data while on an active call. I know they are working to get that working with some new LTE standard but I haven't heard anything about it being here yet.
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This is incorrect, it has been working for 3 years now. Data while on a phone call has been working since LTE came out. It worked on my Note 2, Note 3, and currently works on my Galaxy S5. Also works on my families HTC M7 and M8.
However, it no longer works on the Droid Turbo, and now I believe the N6.
But the original assumption was incorrect, data + voice has been working for years. They did something now that it is not working on new devices coming out.

Possible to sim unlock out of contract ?

have a verizon s5 id like to use on tmobile . the contract just ran out and there is no outstanding debt on the contract or device.
I believe that the Verizon S5 is SIM unlocked. I just went through the same thing when I switched from Verizon to AT&T with my phone. I found out the SIM is unlocked but the bootloader is not. When I tried to unlock the bootloader through Verizon, it definitely was like pulling teeth and I finally gave up because I didn't have the time or patience to deal with them anymore about this. When I tried to explain that I was out of contract, it seems like it fell on deaf ears. They wouldn't say whether there was an unlock key because of warranty issues and they didn't want to be responsible for any damage that might happen to the phone. That was the last straw with me. I've got a much better deal with AT&T and the people at the local AT&T store are very nice and helpful when I have any issues with my phone and system, When I took the phone to the AT&T store, they were able to get it to work with their system. The only minor annoyance that you'll have on the phone is that each time your phone boots up, you'll get a message that tells you that the SIM card is not from Verizon. Other than that, it works fine on AT&T. If I remember right, T-Mobile is a GSM carrier like AT&T. You best bet would be to take the phone to your local T-Mobile store and have them help you out with it.
Cindy

Verizon disabling HD calling on Unlocked HTC 10s

So my father in law upgraded our plan last night to Unlimited Data.
Should be cool right? Lost service for about a half hour, it came back up and they said "The HTC10 associated with phone number XXXX is not a verizon device, so we can't support it"
After some arguing, I got my 4G LTE back, but my HD calling is gone. I spent an hour on the phone when I finally got told "Well there is a work around but the technical team says it will take 3-5 business days, so just wait it out"
What?...Seriously? I guess it is their new policy that if you don't have a Verizon phone, you will have LOTS of issues if you try switching your plan, even though the past YEAR has been perfect for me with HD calling etc.
Has anybody else had this kind of issue?
Welp its been a few days, nobody at Verizon can figure it out. I've been told to just buy a Verizon phone.
I'm about ready to sell this HTC10 Unlocked and never go back, it seems that Verizon has taken some kind of stand and will not or cannot activate HD Calling and advanced calling features on non verizon devices, why I have no idea...
MrTrip said:
Welp its been a few days, nobody at Verizon can figure it out. I've been told to just buy a Verizon phone.
I'm about ready to sell this HTC10 Unlocked and never go back, it seems that Verizon has taken some kind of stand and will not or cannot activate HD Calling and advanced calling features on non verizon devices, why I have no idea...
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You will never get Verizon to activate a non-Verizon phone for you, not just HTC 10's.
To get yours running, the ONLY way to do it is to have a newer VZN 4FF LTE/NFC sim activated in random newer Verizon phone with your account set to have Advanced Calling enabled on that line. Placing that working sim into an Unlocked US Ten that has had a Verizon RUU or Verizon radios flash will then work fine after a factory reset. Some roms have Advanced Calling enabled, some don't. The Unlocked Ten operates without issues on Verizon, including Advanced Calling - you just have to have the sim setup beforehand in another phone that is supported by Verizon. No other way....

sprint variant?

Can I just change the Sim and use the phone on t mobile or Verizon?
stevo760 said:
Can I just change the Sim and use the phone on t mobile or Verizon?
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I have the Sprint variant, but right before I turn it on for first time I remove the sim and pup in my Tmobile one and is working perfect
That no longer works with they do now is when you're in the store they turn it on to verify it on their network even if you factory reset with the Sim no longer of a option
so update if you change sims prior to activation in sprint it remains unlocked. However unsure what happens when you put the sprint sim in
Playlandwizard said:
so update if you change sims prior to activation in sprint it remains unlocked. However unsure what happens when you put the sprint sim in
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If the sprint sim is in, I am pretty sure it locks the phone to their network until you call and request to have it unlocked. I will know soon enough, even though I got the pre-order discount, I hate having phone payments and pay them off as soon as possible.
Some one knows if sprint stores sells screen protectors?
swagglepuff said:
If the sprint sim is in, I am pretty sure it locks the phone to their network until you call and request to have it unlocked. I will know soon enough, even though I got the pre-order discount, I hate having phone payments and pay them off as soon as possible.
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Keep me(us) posted but for testing purposes sake when you open up a sealed box try it with a different carrier first T-Mobile AT&T Orange River you happen to be located verify that it works and then try to put in the Sim card in and see if maybe that doesn't autolock it I'm kind of reaching in granted I don't have a lot of knowledge about these things but again thank you
Playlandwizard said:
Keep me(us) posted but for testing purposes sake when you open up a sealed box try it with a different carrier first T-Mobile AT&T Orange River you happen to be located verify that it works and then try to put in the Sim card in and see if maybe that doesn't autolock it I'm kind of reaching in granted I don't have a lot of knowledge about these things but again thank you
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I know people have been successful, when buying it from Sprint directly. You just have this make sure the phone isn't powered up with a print sim in it. Also Amazon had them back in stock as of a couple days ago.
The next question would be, if someone out right bought an unlocked version and they popped a sprint sim into it what would happen....
Traded in my LG G6 from Sprint on September 13 for the PH-1(Directly from Sprint)..Phone was setup when I walked out of the sprint store..A hour later after a couple of calls and texting I switched over to T-Mobile with no problems..The phone comes unlocked out the gate..Reports told you that before the first phone ever shipped..Factory unlocked with all U.S. LTE bands..
Have you tried putting the sprint sim back in
Here was the first phone that they set up in store
Playlandwizard said:
Have you tried putting the sprint sim back in
Here was the first phone that they set up in store
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Isn't that saying a locked bootloader, not carrier locked SIM?
I have a essential ph-1 from Sprint and cannot unlock bootloader... Any help?

My unlocked Verizon S10+ is somehow locked

Alright, got a pretty wacky situation here. Trying to see if anyone has any ideas of how to fix this.
I bought an S10+ Verizon firmware from Swappa a few days ago. I intended to use it with T-Mobile. Good deal, good transaction, all good right? Wrong...
It was my understanding that most Verizon phones were unlocked and that I could just flash the Unlocked or T-Mobile firmware to get full T-Mobile functionality.
On receiving the phone I got a "This phone is locked, contact Verizon at etc etc" message. I shrugged and flashed it over to unlocked firmware, where I was met with an "Invalid SIM card. Network locked SIM card inserted." and "PIN to unlock SIM service provider" window. So the phone was locked. Here's my troubleshooting steps from there.
Contacted Verizon support online. They said they lock all their phones for 60 days now as of late July. I said I'd bought it used, they said it had been bought at Walmart recently and there was nothing they could do.
Contacted the seller. He gave me his proof of purchase that the phone was bought new from Samsung.com back in March. I used a site to check the IMEI and the phone was legit from March, and not reported stolen or sketchy at all. Samsung.com specifically says they don't lock their phones and it was well before the 60 day policy anyway.
Contacted Verizon support where they said the phone was purchased as a Verizon phone so it can't be used with other networks. I should sign up for Verizon to enjoy all the features of my phone ? ....and also have it activated on the network so it could be cleared and unlocked. Alright...
I took the phone to a Verizon store where they put an active Verizon SIM in it. Verizon SIM worked great, T-Mobile still had an unlock code. The employee was confused and said they've never entered an Unlock PIN before so he sent me to corporate Verizon support store they had nearby.
Corporate Verizon store was a ton more helpful and the guy called up their god-tier upper support guys. Those guys took over an hour fiddling with things and along the way determined that the phone and it's IMEI were all clear, not stolen, and unlocked. The previous owner had a clean account and was in good standing. The store guy said he'd never seen anything like this and in his four years he'd never entered a SIM pin before. They additionally made sure I hadn't accidentally encrypted my SIM with a pin (I hadn't) and that all the default Verizon 000000, 123456, and 111111 codes weren't going to work. They recommended I contact Samsung support.
Samsung support thought I was an idiot and said that all the phones sold on their storefront are locked and I should contact Verizon to get it unlocked. I tried explaining all of the above but it was like talking to a brick wall.
So what have I tried?
Flashed the phone from Verizon to Unlocked to T-Mobile to Unlocked firmware using Frija and patched Odin. Verizon firmware throws a "contact Verizon" message and sometimes a code window, unlocked gives me code window, and T-Mobile just says it's locked and doesn't give me anything.
I have tried Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile SIMs from my friends. T-Mobile and AT&T work for a couple minutes completely normally on reboot. Connection establishes, data, text, and calls come in. Then it locks up and doesn't work. Verizon SIM works entirely normally, but doesn't unlock phone even after being left in for an hour.
Going forward I am going to try
Ask the internet for help. I've googled the living daylights out of this problem and I can't find anyone in my situation. Help?
[\LIST]
Flash the phone back to Verizon firmware. Perhaps the unlock mechanism works somewhere in the firmware and only when it's connected to the Verizon network. Take it to the store, have them pop a Verizon SIM in for a bit, and hope for the best. Flashing from Unlocked to VZW firmware isn't working right now for some odd reason though. It's going back to TMB instead and I'm confused about that to.
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Figure out how to get non-incompetent support out of Verizon (though I've mostly gotten there already) or Samsung and see if someone can help me. When I had to unlock my T-Mobile S8 I bought from Samsung, the IMEI numbers weren't passed to T-Mobile so the regular support people said it was impossible. Eventually I got in contact with someone who broke me out of idiot-land and directly contacted a network engineer who solved the problem in less than 10 minutes. Maybe I can find a network engineer at Verizon?
I could use a sketchy SIM unlock website. Is there any not-sketchy ones?
There's an XDA thread for S10+ U & U1 updates by the mod ibowtoandroid. I believe he has an unlock service that's legit but apparently not cheap. If you read through that thread you might find information helpful for your situation. But if you post a question that was previously answered you will likely be told to read through the thread even though the person who tells you that could have actually answered your question in the same amount of time. It's not the friendliest thread but you might find your answer.
There is a lot of discussion about switching carrier firmware. Since your phone shows up as locked by Verizon even though it shouldn't be you might need to use a Verizon SIM for 48 hours before the phone will revert back to unlocked status--at the time your phone was originally purchased it was necessary to use a Verizon SIM on their branded phones for 48 hours before they could be switched to another carrier.
It's possible you got that message when you purchased your phone because the 48 hour clock started over for some reason but that's only a guess--the ibowtoandroid guy is far more knowledgeable since he actually has a business that unlocks phones.
Are you sure the person who you bought your phone from actually unlocked it before selling it to you? Even if the phone shows up as a device that should be unlocked the previous owner who had the Verizon service might have needed to call Verizon to verify the phone's unlock status before selling it.
Sometimes people accidentally relock these phones when flashing carrier firmware. It doesn't sound like you did that based on your description but if the previous owner flashed firmware to completely reset the phone instead of just performing a factory reset he might have accidentally relocked your phone on the software end.
based on wat ur saying the phone definitely seems to b carrier locked. I got an A50 from verizon and it does the same ecact thing..
theres services online you can use or some boxes have methods as well.. my tmo a10e for example was locked but chimera tool has a neat feature called carrier relock.. it essentially locks it to up to 64 carriers instead of actually unlocking the sim..
one thing i suggest tho is dont try to do it urself unless ur a seasoned expert lol.. i tried on a n976v and after a few harmless at commands it completely killed my imei and cert and mipi etc etc
camwow13 said:
Alright, got a pretty wacky situation here. Trying to see if anyone has any ideas of how to fix this.
I bought an S10+ Verizon firmware from Swappa a few days ago. I intended to use it with T-Mobile. Good deal, good transaction, all good right? Wrong...
It was my understanding that most Verizon phones were unlocked and that I could just flash the Unlocked or T-Mobile firmware to get full T-Mobile functionality.
On receiving the phone I got a "This phone is locked, contact Verizon at etc etc" message. I shrugged and flashed it over to unlocked firmware, where I was met with an "Invalid SIM card. Network locked SIM card inserted." and "PIN to unlock SIM service provider" window. So the phone was locked. Here's my troubleshooting steps from there.
Contacted Verizon support online. They said they lock all their phones for 60 days now as of late July. I said I'd bought it used, they said it had been bought at Walmart recently and there was nothing they could do.
Contacted the seller. He gave me his proof of purchase that the phone was bought new from Samsung.com back in March. I used a site to check the IMEI and the phone was legit from March, and not reported stolen or sketchy at all. Samsung.com specifically says they don't lock their phones and it was well before the 60 day policy anyway.
Contacted Verizon support where they said the phone was purchased as a Verizon phone so it can't be used with other networks. I should sign up for Verizon to enjoy all the features of my phone ? ....and also have it activated on the network so it could be cleared and unlocked. Alright...
I took the phone to a Verizon store where they put an active Verizon SIM in it. Verizon SIM worked great, T-Mobile still had an unlock code. The employee was confused and said they've never entered an Unlock PIN before so he sent me to corporate Verizon support store they had nearby.
Corporate Verizon store was a ton more helpful and the guy called up their god-tier upper support guys. Those guys took over an hour fiddling with things and along the way determined that the phone and it's IMEI were all clear, not stolen, and unlocked. The previous owner had a clean account and was in good standing. The store guy said he'd never seen anything like this and in his four years he'd never entered a SIM pin before. They additionally made sure I hadn't accidentally encrypted my SIM with a pin (I hadn't) and that all the default Verizon 000000, 123456, and 111111 codes weren't going to work. They recommended I contact Samsung support.
Samsung support thought I was an idiot and said that all the phones sold on their storefront are locked and I should contact Verizon to get it unlocked. I tried explaining all of the above but it was like talking to a brick wall.
So what have I tried?
Flashed the phone from Verizon to Unlocked to T-Mobile to Unlocked firmware using Frija and patched Odin. Verizon firmware throws a "contact Verizon" message and sometimes a code window, unlocked gives me code window, and T-Mobile just says it's locked and doesn't give me anything.
I have tried Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile SIMs from my friends. T-Mobile and AT&T work for a couple minutes completely normally on reboot. Connection establishes, data, text, and calls come in. Then it locks up and doesn't work. Verizon SIM works entirely normally, but doesn't unlock phone even after being left in for an hour.
Going forward I am going to try
Ask the internet for help. I've googled the living daylights out of this problem and I can't find anyone in my situation. Help?
[\LIST]
Flash the phone back to Verizon firmware. Perhaps the unlock mechanism works somewhere in the firmware and only when it's connected to the Verizon network. Take it to the store, have them pop a Verizon SIM in for a bit, and hope for the best. Flashing from Unlocked to VZW firmware isn't working right now for some odd reason though. It's going back to TMB instead and I'm confused about that to.
[\LIST]
Figure out how to get non-incompetent support out of Verizon (though I've mostly gotten there already) or Samsung and see if someone can help me. When I had to unlock my T-Mobile S8 I bought from Samsung, the IMEI numbers weren't passed to T-Mobile so the regular support people said it was impossible. Eventually I got in contact with someone who broke me out of idiot-land and directly contacted a network engineer who solved the problem in less than 10 minutes. Maybe I can find a network engineer at Verizon?
I could use a sketchy SIM unlock website. Is there any not-sketchy ones?
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hi, did you manage to solve the problem? mine S10 also asks for an unlock code 5 minutes after turning it on.
wwwxxx1982 said:
hi, did you manage to solve the problem? mine S10 also asks for an unlock code 5 minutes after turning it on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello!
Yes I did solve the situation! Here's the steps that I used to unlock my Verizon Galaxy S10+
I had changed the firmware to unlocked firmware using Odin and Freya. This was premature.
Verizon does not do unlock codes. You need to have the Verizon firmware on the phone, a Verizon SIM card from a friend, access to the Verizon account, and like an hour of spare time.
Pop the Verizon SIM into your phone, you can get them from a friend, convince a Verizon store guy to help ya out, or just pay a few bucks for a prepaid plan. The phone has to be on the Verizon network for this to work.
Call up Verizon technical support. Tell them you've got a phone to unlock and have been working with their Tier 2 team to square things away. You have to be transferred to Tier 2.
Important to note that Verizon has instigated a 60 day locking policy to prevent theft and whatnot on their network. If the phone was purchased less than 60 days ago and activated on Verizon's network than you're outa luck. You got to wait. If you don't fall under this restriction, you should make sure the support people understand because they'll assume that's what's happening... a lot.
The Tier 2 people generally know what they're doing. They'll verify the device's IMEI and that it hasn't been stolen, is paid off, and that your Verizon account is in good standing. They'll need the PIN access code from the Verizon account holder or a two step verification with another one of their phones.
Once they run the unlock process you should get a text saying the phone is now unlocked. Leave the SIM in for another hour or two to allow the process to complete. I removed the SIM shortly after on the first try and it didn't work so I had to do it again.
After that the phone should be unlocked and you'll be able to flash whatever firmware you want and use it on whichever network. I've got mine running Unlocked firmware on T-Mobile, works great
If you don't have a Verizon S10+ that's locked to Verizon I dunno where to start. Contact the mod ibowtoandroid on here if you get really really stuck. He can get it unlocked but it will cost a ton. He's legit though.
camwow13 said:
Hello!
Yes I did solve the situation! Here's the steps that I used to unlock my Verizon Galaxy S10+
I had changed the firmware to unlocked firmware using Odin and Freya. This was premature.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, but I upgraded the phone to another firmware with the code XAA and now I can’t get it back to Verezion
camwow13 said:
Hello!
Yes I did solve the situation! Here's the steps that I used to unlock my Verizon Galaxy S10+
I had changed the firmware to unlocked firmware using Odin and Freya. This was premature.
Verizon does not do unlock codes. You need to have the Verizon firmware on the phone, a Verizon SIM card from a friend, access to the Verizon account, and like an hour of spare time.
Pop the Verizon SIM into your phone, you can get them from a friend, convince a Verizon store guy to help ya out, or just pay a few bucks for a prepaid plan. The phone has to be on the Verizon network for this to work.
Call up Verizon technical support. Tell them you've got a phone to unlock and have been working with their Tier 2 team to square things away. You have to be transferred to Tier 2.
Important to note that Verizon has instigated a 60 day locking policy to prevent theft and whatnot on their network. If the phone was purchased less than 60 days ago and activated on Verizon's network than you're outa luck. You got to wait. If you don't fall under this restriction, you should make sure the support people understand because they'll assume that's what's happening... a lot.
The Tier 2 people generally know what they're doing. They'll verify the device's IMEI and that it hasn't been stolen, is paid off, and that your Verizon account is in good standing. They'll need the PIN access code from the Verizon account holder or a two step verification with another one of their phones.
Once they run the unlock process you should get a text saying the phone is now unlocked. Leave the SIM in for another hour or two to allow the process to complete. I removed the SIM shortly after on the first try and it didn't work so I had to do it again.
After that the phone should be unlocked and you'll be able to flash whatever firmware you want and use it on whichever network. I've got mine running Unlocked firmware on T-Mobile, works great
If you don't have a Verizon S10+ that's locked to Verizon I dunno where to start. Contact the mod ibowtoandroid on here if you get really really stuck. He can get it unlocked but it will cost a ton. He's legit though.
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Click to collapse
That was very helpful Thanks. I am pretty sure that my phone has passed that 60 days time frame and the device has a clean IMEI as well but I am not in the US. Do I have to be on the Verizon network or just a Verizon sim will work as well?
Tarar said:
That was very helpful Thanks. I am pretty sure that my phone has passed that 60 days time frame and the device has a clean IMEI as well but I am not in the US. Do I have to be on the Verizon network or just a Verizon sim will work as well?
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Click to collapse
Can someone please help?
Tarar said:
Can someone please help?
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Click to collapse
if its locked its locked.. meet verizons requirements to have it unlock or pay for a service that can unlock it for you..
theres no easy way to unlock the device.. if there was then itd be posted on xda.. and if it was that easy thered b no point in carriers locking them to begin with
Tarar said:
Can someone please help?
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elliwigy said:
if its locked its locked.. meet verizons requirements to have it unlock or pay for a service that can unlock it for you..
theres no easy way to unlock the device.. if there was then itd be posted on xda.. and if it was that easy thered b no point in carriers locking them to begin with
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its actually done through an android app modified by the carrier. The only way to get around it would be to have the carriers unique key as well as the private signing key so you could create your own version. Then you would need a way to modify the system image and successfully install it. After all that there's a good chance there's even more security server side. (Its Verizon, so you know...)
So yes, ultimately it isnt exactly possible.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
jwarrior319 said:
Its actually done through an android app modified by the carrier. The only way to get around it would be to have the carriers unique key as well as the private signing key so you could create your own version. Then you would need a way to modify the system image and successfully install it. After all that there's a good chance there's even more security server side. (Its Verizon, so you know...)
So yes, ultimately it isnt exactly possible.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
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yep.. exactly y i said he needs to unlock via official means or pay for a service.. theres plenty services out there.. of course they most likely have access to servers and some tend to be fairly expensive lol.. outside of that hes sol im afraid.
Sent from my SamPWND N976V or G975U
Verizon needs to unlock your phone if you don't want to pay a third-party service. I don't think you need to have a Verizon SIM inserted for them to unlock the phone as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
jhs39 said:
Verizon needs to unlock your phone if you don't want to pay a third-party service. I don't think you need to have a Verizon SIM inserted for them to unlock the phone as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
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Click to collapse
I believe Verizon only unlocks automatically with a sim installed thats had service for 60 days(might be 30 now). I remember seeing someone say they put a friend's Verizon sim in and rebooted and it unlocked for him. I guess they dont verify IMEI to unlock just sim number.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
jhs39 said:
Verizon needs to unlock your phone if you don't want to pay a third-party service. I don't think you need to have a Verizon SIM inserted for them to unlock the phone as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
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Click to collapse
I am outside the USA so no way to be on the Verizon network. I will however reinstall the original Verizon firmware and have some one call them for me. Let's see whether that works out or not. Thanks man.
Tarar said:
I am outside the USA so no way to be on the Verizon network. I will however reinstall the original Verizon firmware and have some one call them for me. Let's see whether that works out or not. Thanks man.
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Click to collapse
Curious, how did you get a verizon device outside of the country?
To point out, this is the very reason Verizon changed their sim unlocking policy.. to help prevent fraud and theft as they would take vzw devices then sell them for profit to non vzw customers and theyd be unlocked..
Bcuz of this is why they implemented the device needing to be activated on the vzw network and a 60 day period before it will be unlocked.
I dont see them being able to manually override/bypass this as it is policy. That as well as most reps dont even kno the policy and will tell you its unlocked or "verizon doesnt lock devices" which is inaccurate lol
jwarrior319 said:
I believe Verizon only unlocks automatically with a sim installed thats had service for 60 days(might be 30 now). I remember seeing someone say they put a friend's Verizon sim in and rebooted and it unlocked for him. I guess they dont verify IMEI to unlock just sim number.
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Click to collapse
Its not based on sim number lol..
elliwigy said:
Its not based on sim number lol..
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So any random Verizon sim thats active and has had service for 60 days or more will unlock it?
If thats the case someone could still make money off them by using there sim before selling it.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
jwarrior319 said:
So any random Verizon sim thats active and has had service for 60 days or more will unlock it?
If thats the case someone could still make money off them by using there sim before selling it.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
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Click to collapse
No.. i didnt say that lol.. its not tied to the sim card.. device needs to be active on verizon for 60 days.. i always use my same sim card that ive had for years now in my new devices.. i still had to wait 60 days for it to be sim unlocked..
U cant just pop an old sim in and have it unlock.. the device itself needs to be active 60 days..
When checking if a device is sim unlocked or not u dont put the sim number into the checker, u put the imei.. this is bcuz its tied to the imei/device.. not sim card itself..
What i dont know however is if you only need to activate it once on vzw network or if it needs to remain on vzw the full 60 days.. then again u cant use it on other networks until its unlocked anyways
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
elliwigy said:
No.. i didnt say that lol.. its not tied to the sim card.. device needs to be active on verizon for 60 days.. i always use my same sim card that ive had for years now in my new devices.. i still had to wait 60 days for it to be sim unlocked..
U cant just pop an old sim in and have it unlock.. the device itself needs to be active 60 days..
When checking if a device is sim unlocked or not u dont put the sim number into the checker, u put the imei.. this is bcuz its tied to the imei/device.. not sim card itself..
What i dont know however is if you only need to activate it once on vzw network or if it needs to remain on vzw the full 60 days.. then again u cant use it on other networks until its unlocked anyways
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
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Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
---------- Post added at 02:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:20 AM ----------
elliwigy said:
No.. i didnt say that lol.. its not tied to the sim card.. device needs to be active on verizon for 60 days.. i always use my same sim card that ive had for years now in my new devices.. i still had to wait 60 days for it to be sim unlocked..
U cant just pop an old sim in and have it unlock.. the device itself needs to be active 60 days..
When checking if a device is sim unlocked or not u dont put the sim number into the checker, u put the imei.. this is bcuz its tied to the imei/device.. not sim card itself..
What i dont know however is if you only need to activate it once on vzw network or if it needs to remain on vzw the full 60 days.. then again u cant use it on other networks until its unlocked anyways
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
Urbbs said:
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
---------- Post added at 02:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:20 AM ----------
Where does it say that on the verizon site or fcc site? I see you just need to activate it with a valid verizon account then 60 days it's unlocked...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I said lmao.. u need to activate it on vzw then wait 60 days and it will be unlocked..
A quick Google search you can easily find vzw unlock policy:
https://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy

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