CDMA unlock Verizon Note 8 for Sprint?

[f2000sa]

Is there such a thing as CDMA unlocking? Samsung said that it is carrier-locked to Verizon. Verizon said they no longer lock phones. I could not get it activated on Sprint. They do not accept the IMEI.

Is there any way to make it working on Sprint? Please help. Got stuck with a phone that can not be used. Thanks

 

[Mr. Orange 645]

Is there such a thing as CDMA unlocking? Samsung said that it is carrier-locked to Verizon. Verizon said they no longer lock phones. I could not get it activated on Sprint. They do not accept the IMEI.

Is there any way to make it working on Sprint? Please help. Got stuck with a phone that can not be used. Thanks

Verizon phones are all carrier unlocked. I'm using a Verizon Note 8 on T-Mobile right now.

Couple questions:
1. Have you double checked to make sure the IMEI is clean and clear? If its blacklisted on Verizon, it won't work on any US carrier.
2. Do you have a nano SIM from Sprint that's already activated?

3. Have you tried flashing either the unlocked firmwareor the Sprint firmware on it?

 

[f2000sa]

Thanks, Mr. Orange645

The phone was bought brand new a month ago from Best Buy , and used on Verizon for a month. Phone paid off and no contract. IMEI should be clean. I did a check on Ting with the IMEI , and it can be used for GSM.

I have two nano sims from Sprint, both activated and un-activated. The problem is that Sprint can not add the IMEI to their system. I called Samsung and gave the IMEI, and was told that it is carrier-locked to Verizon. I wonder whether there is way to do CDMA unlocking.


I did not try to flash unlocked ROM. I think that IMEI on sprint network is the first step.

 

[Mr. Orange 645]

So you have a nano SIM that's already activated with Sprint? It's in a Sprint phone right now and has service?

If So, put the activated SIM in your Note 8 and see if you have service.

Sprint shouldn't have to activate your phone, just the Sim. That's how you can buy the Unlocked version from Samsung.com and stick your Sprint SIM in it and have service.

 

[f2000sa]

Sprint uses CDMA, and have to add the IMEI to their system to make it work. Also tried the activated sim, with no luck.

 

[Mr. Orange 645]

There is no "CDMA unlocking," it's either carrier unlocked or it's not. And ALL Verizon LTE Devices are Carrier unlocked.

 

[Gizmoe]

Is there such a thing as CDMA unlocking? Samsung said that it is carrier-locked to Verizon. Verizon said they no longer lock phones. I could not get it activated on Sprint. They do not accept the IMEI.

Is there any way to make it working on Sprint? Please help. Got stuck with a phone that can not be used. Thanks

Have you tried simply factory resetting the device first and then booting up for the first time with the activated Sprint sim in.

 

[sefrcoko]

Maybe try flashing Sprint firmware?

 

[f2000sa]

IMEI is hard-coded. For CDMA, it must be added into Sprint systems. Unless GSM, only a SIM is necessary.

 

[sefrcoko]

Did Sprint not provide some sort of reason/explanation as to why they are unable to add the IMEI? If they can't do it, surely they can tell you why.

CDMA networks are finicky -- Sprint's in particular -- when it comes to bringing over other carrier devices (even ones with compatible hardware). Some good info in here:

https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhon...y-verizon-sprint-phone-on-a-different-network

 

[Mr. Orange 645]

IMEI is hard-coded. For CDMA, it must be added into Sprint systems. Unless GSM, only a SIM is necessary.

I believe someone is giving you false information. You should be able to place an activated SIM card into the phone and start using it. That's how the unlocked Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, and Note 8 all work. You buy them unlocked and use them on whichever carrier you want, including Sprint. That's how my Nexus 6 worked on Verizon, before I switched to T-Mobile. Verizon also uses CDMA, and they didn't have to add any IMEI into their system. You just put the activated SIM into the phone.

I could take a Verizon SIM and put it into my T-Mobile S8+ right now, and it would activate and get service.

But to answer your original question again, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CDMA UNLOCKING. The phone is either carrier unlocked, or its not. And the Verizon Note 8 is 100% carrier unlocked.

I beginning to suspect you bought a Note 8 with a bad IMEI, if you got it used.

EDIT: I MAY BE WRONG (don't tell my wife, she never hears me say that)

After doing some research on Reddit, it looks like others ran into the same issue as you. The unlocked version and the Sprint version will work, but none of the other carrier Note 8s are eligible for BYOD. Which is stupid, since they are all exactly the same hardware.

I'd try this:

Use ODIN to flash either the Unlocked 950U1 firmware, or the Sprint 950U firmware. Then place the Sprint SIM card in the phone to see if it activates upon start up. If it doesn't then you may be hosed. If that's the case, sign up for T-Mobile. LOL.

 

[f2000sa]

Thanks all for the useful information and help. The error they encountered is that they could not load the ESN to the Sprint PLBL database. They got error like incompatible, or unsupported device etc.

 

[kosmo42o]

Sprint will not add other carries phone to their system. If IMEI is from Verizon it will never work with active or inactive SIM. Only way if it was factory unlocked phone bought from Samsung.

 

[Ss9017]

Did anyone find a solution to this? Moved to Sprint BYOD two days ago with my Verizon note8 and it won't work. The phone keeps asking for a Verizon since. I am at second Sprint repair center as I type this. Please tell me it can be fixed. Thanks.

 

[jsingmore]

I am in the same boat, Paid off my wife's Iphone7+ and my Note 8 with Verizon and then tried to BYOD with sprint and they are unable to activate. Verizon informed me that their devices are 100% not locked and Sprint has no clue.

 

[kosmo42o]

You could try other carriers like straightalk or tmobile maybe even metro pcs but it will not work with sprint. They are a pain and don't allow other carrier phones on their network.

 

[OriyaGuru]

I purchased a Verizon Note 8 , which was paid off and unlocked. Successfully activated on Sprint using my existing Active Sprint sim card.
Everything looks good, just one major issue, I am stuck with 3G internet. Still not able to get 4G LTE on Sprint.

 

[Mech8]

[/COLOR]

I purchased a Verizon Note 8 , which was paid off and unlocked. Successfully activated on Sprint using my existing Active Sprint sim card.
Everything looks good, just one major issue, I am stuck with 3G internet. Still not able to get 4G LTE on Sprint.

you need to enter sprints apn bro then you will have 4G.

 

[DrPhant0m]

I have the reverse issue. I have the opportunity to get a good deal on a Sprint Note 8, but I want to use it on Verizon. Assuming the device is not blacklisted, would there be any issue with this? Buying a sprint-branded phone and using it on Verizon's CDMA network? Are all the bands the same? I get 3 checkmarks on willmyphonework.com (but they didn't have the Note 8 yet, just the Note 7)