SIM Unlock for International GSM/WCDMA [SPH-L720]

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Moritzio

Senior Member
Nov 19, 2008
358
53
I have GSM working, but cannot get back to CDMA. Actually LTE on Sprint works but the CDMA/EVDO does not work. I can browse the internet and use VOIP programs but cannot use the native dialer or Messaging program.

When I select the preferred Network to be CDMA/EVDO/LTE, it stills shows GSM/WCDMA/LTE. I see two Network Mode menus, one for preferred network and just Network mode:
Network Mode (preferred network) has the CDMA/EVDO options in it, and shows GSM/WCDMA/LTE no matter what I select.
Network Mode shows autoconnect options, which are LTE/WCDMA/GSM, WCDMA/GSM, WCDMA only, GSM only)

Sprint SPH-L720
Android 4.3
Baseband L720VPUAMDC
Build JSS15J.L720PUEMK2
Kernel 3.4.0-1927016 se.infra@R031-10#1

When connected to 4G LTE, About Phone Status shows:
Network - unknown
Mobile network type - LTE
Service state - Out of service
Mobile network state - connected

I can successfully update Profile and PRL and the MDN and MSID are correct. I have also tried carrier reset with MSL and factory reset without any indicated errors.

[edit] Started over. See next post[/edit]
 
Last edited:
M

Moritzio

Senior Member
Nov 19, 2008
358
53
HFA reset the device and started over. I have FreedomPop (UK 3) GSM recognized, with ICCID code in About Phone and no "Invalid SIM" message. I removed the two build.prop edits lines and now can select GSM/UMTS as well as CDMA.LTE. I have added the FreedomPop.foggmobile.com APN.

Only problem is I cannot turn on roaming, which this SIM needs. The menu is not shown. How do I turn on or access that menu?
[edit] Roaming options have now reappeared somehow after I started doing the domestic unlock process outlined here. I also found this information was required to get into the service mode correctly for the Domestic unlock process,[/edit]
 
Last edited:
S

SpaceKebab

Senior Member
Nov 4, 2010
55
11
I've long since [domestic] unlocked my L720 (T) through a downgrade to the MK5 modem, was wondering if upgrading the modem would get rid of my unlock
 
Dishe

Dishe

Senior Member
Oct 18, 2006
1,050
176
I actually had Sprint officially unlock my phone a while because I wanted to use an international SIM card in it. I did what they said and followed the instructions, etc, but when it didn't work after a few minutes, I gave up and just used a cheap GSM phone.

Now I'm at a point where I'm considering changing providers to GSM. I'd like to keep my phone until I can afford a new one, and I feel this *should* work, right? I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, though. The option to switch between CDMA/GSM doesn't exist in the settings menus.

Should I give up and use the methods described here instead? Or if my phone is officially unlocked by Sprint, is there a simpler way to make it work? Also, once unlocked can other ROMs like AOSP roms and CM13 work?
 
H

howardc64

Senior Member
Apr 30, 2016
614
143
unlock tool was full of malware for me

Didn't anyone else encounter this when downloading the unlock tool from the link in the original post?
 
G

GnatGoSplat

Senior Member
Apr 29, 2007
1,745
159
I was able to successfully unlock for international SIM on newest stock baseband PL1.
Have to be rooted and use Galaxy Tools 3.15, update to 3.18, and unlock.
Then select first GCF as in tutorial.
That's all.
 
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R

ryRy

Senior Member
Oct 15, 2014
121
32
Philippines
autoprime said:
​
Sprint Galaxy S IV SPH-L720 SIM Unlock Method​
​
​
​
​
Background​
​
Sprint's new world-roaming GSM locked phones do not use an "unlock code" like typical GSM devices. Instead they are unlocked OTA... and only when Sprint allows this. Sprint cannot be relied on as the only method of unlock for multiple reasons. Some people have been "unlocked" by Sprint yet international SIM still do not work. Others own this phone but aren't using it on Sprint. For these reasons, a manual SIM unlock is needed. This post will explain how to do just that.​
​

​
​
​
Requirements​
​
1. A Sprint GS4 on the MDC or MDL baseband. MF9 baseband will NOT work with this method. Downgrade baseband(modem) to MDC via Odin or Heimdall with THIS FILE. Thank you sxtpdevelopers.com and Rwilco12 for the file/hosting. You can go back to the MF9 baseband/modem after the SIM unlock by flashing THIS .TAR.. thank you noobnl for that. If the modem downgrade/upgrade doesn't stick.. try powering off completely then booting into download mode.. instead of rebooting directly into download mode. Sometimes this helps. I promise it is possible to go from MF9 -> MDC -> MF9​
​
2. Samsung USB Drivers. Most of you should already have these. You can grab them HERE.​
​
3. Windows PC or a Windows virtual machine.​
​

​
​
Directions​
​
Press the "Click to Show Content/Spoiler" button below to display unlock directions.​

​
It should not matter what SIM card is in your phone while doing the unlock. I usually unlock while a GSM SIM is inserted.. but it should also work if no SIM is in.. or the Sprint SIM is in. ​
​
1. After confirming you are on MDC/MDL baseband.. set your phone to diag mode.​
​
Stock: Open the phone app and enter dialer code ##3424# then select Qualcomm USB Setting and select the last option, DM + MDM + ADB and hit OK. BE SURE TO SET BACK TO MTP+ADB WHEN THIS IS ALL DONE.You may be asked your for SPC/MSL code prior to the menu opening. You can get this from Sprint or by doing the following... Open ##3282# menu and hit Edit. Enter 123456 and it Ok.. you will be told it is incorrect. Now open terminal emulator and type in "getprop ril.MSL" without the quotes and you should have your MSL.​
​
AOSP: Connect phone to computer. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer options. Open command prompt/terminal.​
Enter adb shell. Then type su hit enter.​
Confirm # then type setprop sys.usb.config diag,acm,adb then hit enter. This mode disables itself after you reboot the phone.​
​
CNmiSMo.png
​
​
2. Now that you are set to diag mode it is time to install the Sprint S4 Unlock Tool, download HERE. pw on unlock tool zip = meanngreen04​
@meanngreen04 was awesome enough to package my unlock method into a 1-click app. Show him some thanks.​
​
If you do not have .net 4.5 installed on your machine you will be prompted to install it.​
​
Confirm your phone is set in diag mode.​
​
Press the Unlock button in the tool. Wait for for it to reboot. All done. You are now unlocked!!​
​
fgzUdny.png
​
​
To confirm you are unlocked without having to leave the USA and using an international SIM card: on the stock rom you should be able to put ANY GSM SIM card into your phone, power up the phone and check device settings to see the ICCID displayed. Prior to unlock the ICCID would be displayed as unknown. You will also notice the "Invalid SIM" message finally gone. On AOSP roms the only way to confirm without leaving the USA would be to use a 3rd party SIM app to read the ICCID... and that will only work if the phone is set to GSM. Again, even though we can NOT use our GS4 on ATT/T-MO.. we can still use ATT/TMO SIM cards to test the unlock. ​
​
I have been trying to get AT&T and T-Mobile SIM cards to get a signal... but that is for another thread/project. No promises.​
​
Didn't work?​
Try again. Make sure everything is confirmed working every step of the way. From diag drivers being installed correctly.. to diag mode being set.. to confirming you are on MDC or MDL baseband. Remember this will not work on MF9 baseband.​
​
Make sure "PDA" is selected in the initial ##3424# menu.... not CDMA Modem.​
​
To confirm drivers are installed properly check Windows Device Manager. Under the "Ports(COM)" section you should see 2 Samsung serial ports listed. If you do not see these... drivers are not installed or phone is not set in diag mode properly.​
​
Some members have reported setting "DM over UART" in the *#9090# menu. This is something I've personally never had to do. The default setting with my phone is "DM/DUN over HSIC"​
​
Last but not least... have you tried turning if off and on again?​
​
That should cover all issues. Outside of those... USB cable could be bad... Windows PC could be messed up... phone hardware could be bad.​
​
Questions asking for help unlocking without posting screenshots of (1)Device Manager confirming 2 samsung serial ports...(2) ##3424# menu.. and (3)baseband settings will be ignored.​
​
​


​
​
​
​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please share the link for the Sprint S4 Unlock Tool
 
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    autoprime
    autoprime

    Sprint Galaxy S IV SPH-L720 SIM Unlock Method




    Background

    Sprint's new world-roaming GSM locked phones do not use an "unlock code" like typical GSM devices. Instead they are unlocked OTA... and only when Sprint allows this. Sprint cannot be relied on as the only method of unlock for multiple reasons. Some people have been "unlocked" by Sprint yet international SIM still do not work. Others own this phone but aren't using it on Sprint. For these reasons, a manual SIM unlock is needed. This post will explain how to do just that.
    ​



    Requirements

    1. A Sprint GS4 on the MDC or MDL baseband. MF9 baseband will NOT work with this method. Downgrade baseband(modem) to MDC via Odin or Heimdall with THIS FILE. Thank you sxtpdevelopers.com and Rwilco12 for the file/hosting. You can go back to the MF9 baseband/modem after the SIM unlock by flashing THIS .TAR.. thank you noobnl for that. If the modem downgrade/upgrade doesn't stick.. try powering off completely then booting into download mode.. instead of rebooting directly into download mode. Sometimes this helps. I promise it is possible to go from MF9 -> MDC -> MF9

    2. Samsung USB Drivers. Most of you should already have these. You can grab them HERE.

    3. Windows PC or a Windows virtual machine.
    ​


    Directions

    Press the "Click to Show Content/Spoiler" button below to display unlock directions.


    It should not matter what SIM card is in your phone while doing the unlock. I usually unlock while a GSM SIM is inserted.. but it should also work if no SIM is in.. or the Sprint SIM is in.

    1. After confirming you are on MDC/MDL baseband.. set your phone to diag mode.

    Stock: Open the phone app and enter dialer code ##3424# then select Qualcomm USB Setting and select the last option, DM + MDM + ADB and hit OK. BE SURE TO SET BACK TO MTP+ADB WHEN THIS IS ALL DONE.You may be asked your for SPC/MSL code prior to the menu opening. You can get this from Sprint or by doing the following... Open ##3282# menu and hit Edit. Enter 123456 and it Ok.. you will be told it is incorrect. Now open terminal emulator and type in "getprop ril.MSL" without the quotes and you should have your MSL.

    AOSP: Connect phone to computer. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer options. Open command prompt/terminal.
    Enter adb shell. Then type su hit enter.
    Confirm # then type setprop sys.usb.config diag,acm,adb then hit enter. This mode disables itself after you reboot the phone.

    CNmiSMo.png



    2. Now that you are set to diag mode it is time to install the Sprint S4 Unlock Tool, download HERE. pw on unlock tool zip = meanngreen04
    @meanngreen04 was awesome enough to package my unlock method into a 1-click app. Show him some thanks.

    If you do not have .net 4.5 installed on your machine you will be prompted to install it.

    Confirm your phone is set in diag mode.

    Press the Unlock button in the tool. Wait for for it to reboot. All done. You are now unlocked!!

    fgzUdny.png



    To confirm you are unlocked without having to leave the USA and using an international SIM card: on the stock rom you should be able to put ANY GSM SIM card into your phone, power up the phone and check device settings to see the ICCID displayed. Prior to unlock the ICCID would be displayed as unknown. You will also notice the "Invalid SIM" message finally gone. On AOSP roms the only way to confirm without leaving the USA would be to use a 3rd party SIM app to read the ICCID... and that will only work if the phone is set to GSM. Again, even though we can NOT use our GS4 on ATT/T-MO.. we can still use ATT/TMO SIM cards to test the unlock.

    I have been trying to get AT&T and T-Mobile SIM cards to get a signal... but that is for another thread/project. No promises.

    Didn't work?
    Try again. Make sure everything is confirmed working every step of the way. From diag drivers being installed correctly.. to diag mode being set.. to confirming you are on MDC or MDL baseband. Remember this will not work on MF9 baseband.

    Make sure "PDA" is selected in the initial ##3424# menu.... not CDMA Modem.

    To confirm drivers are installed properly check Windows Device Manager. Under the "Ports(COM)" section you should see 2 Samsung serial ports listed. If you do not see these... drivers are not installed or phone is not set in diag mode properly.

    Some members have reported setting "DM over UART" in the *#9090# menu. This is something I've personally never had to do. The default setting with my phone is "DM/DUN over HSIC"

    Last but not least... have you tried turning if off and on again?

    That should cover all issues. Outside of those... USB cable could be bad... Windows PC could be messed up... phone hardware could be bad.

    Questions asking for help unlocking without posting screenshots of (1)Device Manager confirming 2 samsung serial ports...(2) ##3424# menu.. and (3)baseband settings will be ignored.



    Donation Link if you want to say more than thanks.
    ​
    View
    8
    S
    spydc
    Try the steps below for potential of unlocking Domestic GSM. Please note I have successfully connected with NET10 (AT&T) microsim. In addition, I was already unlocked for international use via Sprint OTA. I also ran the sim unlocker software. All credit goes to OP and those that have contributed to this thread.

    1) Insert Microsim

    2) Run sim unlocker program as described in beginning of this thread.

    3) Enter "ServiceMode" menu by entering *#0011#
    UMTS Main Menu
    1 Debug Screen -> 6 Phone Control -> 1 DRX Control = GSM DRX: ON / LTE DRX: Enables RX0 and RX1
    1 Debug Screen -> 6 Phone Control -> 2 Fake Security Control = ON
    1 Debug Screen -> 6 Phone Control -> 3 Nas Control -> 1 Ciphering Control = OFF
    1 Debug Screen -> 6 Phone Control -> 3 Nas Control -> 2 Integrity Control = ON
    1 Debug Screen -> 6 Phone Control -> 3 Nas Control -> 3 Sim Class Control = UMTS
    1 Debug Screen -> 6 Phone Control -> 3 Nas Control -> 5 RRC(HSPA) Contrl -> 2 Change Revision -> 5 Release 8 (HSPA+)
    1 Debug Screen -> 6 Phone Control -> 3 Nas Control -> 7 NAS Avoid Security Control = 2 Security_check: OFF
    1 Debug Screen -> 6 Phone Control -> 3 Nas Control -> 8 BIP Block = 2 BIP Unblocking: set 1

    4) Reboot after entering options in step 3. Go back to "ServiceMode"
    UMTS Main Menu
    1 Debug Screen -> 6 Phone Control -> 5 Simulation -> 2 SW Watchdog <--hit this 6 times
    1 Debug Screen -> 6 Phone Control -> 5 Simulation -> 3 HW Watchdog <--hit this 6 times
    (Manually reboot phone)

    5) Go to Phone Settings -> Mobile Networks -> GSM -> Maually Search for networks

    6) APN Settings
    If you are using AT&T and/or TMOBILE branded sim you can do the following:
    1) Install "HiAPN Global" from playstore
    2) Select "Click to AutoSet APNs" then reboot

    If you are using prepaid sim cards that require specifc APN Settings then do the following:
    1) Edit build.prop (Must be rooted)
    2) Install NovaLauncher from playstore
    Launch NovaLauncher and create APN Settings shortcut by doing the following:
    a) Long press on home screen and select "Shortcuts"
    b) Select "Activities"
    c) Select "Settings"
    d) Finally select APNs
    After shortcut is created, go into APNs and add/edit APN info. At that point you can go back to TouchWiz or stay with NovaLauncher

    7) Install "Tellinfo" from play store. (This app allows you to seamlessly switch back and fourth between Sprint CDMA and GSM (WCDMA) on the fly. No need to reboot
    1) Run Tellinfo app and select Device Information
    2) Scroll down to "Set preferred Network Type" and choose
    a. WCDA Only to connect to GSM Networks
    or
    b. CDMA auto (PRL) to connect back to Sprint network.
    View
    5
    autoprime
    autoprime
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    5
    autoprime
    autoprime
    PapaDocta said:
    still no go for me.. downgraded the modem to MDC as per the OP and still i get the invalid sim card message and no connection when switching to GSM/UMTS..
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    Did you confirm the downgrade to MDC stuck? You can view this is phone settings. There were more than a few times the downgrade wouldn't stick even though the flash was successful. Baseband must say MDC.


    If you are in the USA... you will not get a connection if you set GSM/UMTS. The only way to get a connection is by using a non-ATT/TMO SIM and being outside the country. To confirm in the USA... set the device to the normal CDMA/LTE mode and view the ICCID settings. Although if you're still seeing the invalid sim message then indeed it did not take.

    Double check in settings to see of MDC is indeed your baseband.

    Other than that.. there's not much more to it. As I stated at the beginning of the directions.. I usually would perform the unlock with the GSM sim card already in(but still set to CDMA/LTE mode)... but having the Sprint SIM in instead should still work.

    PapaDocta said:
    wifi is stopped from working as well!
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    If you are on an MF9 rom and still on the MDC modem, this is why. Reflashing back to MF9 modem after you sim unlock will fix this.
    View
    4
    autoprime
    autoprime
    PapaDocta said:
    thank you for this method and i have flashed back to MF9 and all are working great and the invalid sim card message has went away :)

    ---------- Post added at 01:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:07 PM ----------

    final question..

    how long will this unlock stick for? meaning if an update after the MF9 comes out, will be able to remove the unlock?
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    You will be able to update roms fine while retaining the unlock.
    View

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