"Factory Unlocked"

kd3yt

Member
Apr 9, 2011
22
2
0
Hollidaysburg, Pa
I just received a new in the box Verizon SM-G900V. It came with 6.0.1 DPF4. It was advertised as "Factory Unlocked". How can I tell if it is truly factory unlocked and if it is, can I root it???
 

Ibuprophen

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2012
9,546
6,486
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Upstate New York
I just received a new in the box Verizon SM-G900V. It came with 6.0.1 DPF4. It was advertised as "Factory Unlocked". How can I tell if it is truly factory unlocked and if it is, can I root it???
Just for clarification purposes, there's a common confusion/misconception regarding the term "Unlocked" being used regarding 2 separate and unrelated areas of a device.

Factory Unlocked (aka Carrier Unlocked) = The devices IMEI (aka Serial Number) is not locked to one carrier and can be used/activated by any carrier that accepts the Verizon GS5 device. Those carriers that are not Verizon typically use the term like the BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) Program.

Bootloader Unlocked = Is used to describe that a Custom Recovery (ie... TWRP, CWM, etc...) and a Custom ROM (ie... LineageOS, CyanogenMod, etc...) can be installed/flashed in the device.

When it comes to Rooting the device, technically, this can be done whether or not the device is Unlocked but, only as long as there is a way to do it as reflected by one or more thread guides somewhere to guide you through it.

All rooting a device does is provides access to be able to modify the devices Root System files and directories that are otherwise restricted in doing so by the manufacturer.

I hope i had explained this okay via text... :)

Good Luck!


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I DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT VIA PM UNLESS ASKED/REQUESTED BY MYSELF.
PLEASE KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE
 

kd3yt

Member
Apr 9, 2011
22
2
0
Hollidaysburg, Pa
Thanks for the clarification. I knew what unlocked bootloader was but never owned a "Factory Unlocked" version. From what I understand factory 6.0.1 DPL1 firmware can not be rooted so will have to be satisfied with the phone the way it is.
 
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bbsc

Senior Member
Nov 8, 2007
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Thanks for the clarification. I knew what unlocked bootloader was but never owned a "Factory Unlocked" version. From what I understand factory 6.0.1 DPL1 firmware can not be rooted so will have to be satisfied with the phone the way it is.
"Factory unlocked" means nothing for SM-G900V because Verizon does not lock the phones to the network.

DPL1 can be rooted if your phone has CID15 EMMC chip.
Check with EMMC Brickbug Check app (market).
 
Last edited:

Ibuprophen

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2012
9,546
6,486
253
Upstate New York
Well, checked and I have the cid 11 emmc ship !!
The following thread should be able to help you out. Just be sure to read the OP carefully and do a search of the thread before posting a question.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3561529

If you don't, you may end up being directed to the OP or a Post on that thread.

Good Luck!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT VIA PM UNLESS ASKED/REQUESTED BY MYSELF.
PLEASE KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE
 
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