[GUIDE] Galaxy S4 Sim-Unlocking

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

How old was the firmware? If the version in question wasn't Android 4.2.2 then none of the unlock methods will work.

Also, you don't need to SIM unlock to use a custom ROM.

 

[audit13]

Did you try flashing a 4.4.2 ROM, 4.2.2 modem, root, run regionlockaway app, flash latest stock rom, and check to see if the phone is sim unlocked?

 

[63glide]

I recently received a used i9505 that I purchased from an online retailer. They stated the phone was unlocked. My current provider is Verizon so I couldn't just pop in the sim to see if it was unlocked and things worked. I plan to use this phone when traveling overseas.
I followed the guide in the first post of this thread and also several other posts and pages in this thread. Because I could not get to the step on the phone where the three options appear for PERSO_SHA256, I thought I was sunk and the phone was locked as the only option that shows is PERSO_SHA256 INFO. If I select that, it says SHA256_ENABLE_FLAG [1]. Reading all the posts implied this means the phone is locked.
Being curious, I drove to an AT&T store. They put in a sim card and the phone and data service worked . I then went to a T-Mobile store and they put in a sim card. To my surprise, phone and data service worked also !

Is it safe to say that my phone is indeed unlocked for overseas use or am I missing something???

The phone is unrooted, unmodified Lollipop 5.0.1. Build LRX22C.19505XXUHPK2

Thanks!

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

It's unlocked. If it wasn't, the moment the AT&T SIM was inserted you would have been prompted to enter an unlock code. So either the reseller got an unlock code, or they used RegionLock Away to remove the SIM lock. Since neither option touches the service menu at all, it's possible to be unlocked yet still have the flag in the service menu set to 1.

 

[63glide]

It's unlocked. If it wasn't, the moment the AT&T SIM was inserted you would have been prompted to enter an unlock code. So either the reseller got an unlock code, or they used RegionLock Away to remove the SIM lock. Since neither option touches the service menu at all, it's possible to be unlocked yet still have the flag in the service menu set to 1.

What a relief. I'm technologically challenged when it comes to this stuff and your assessment makes my day:good::good::good: Thank you!!!

 

[laysoft]

I'm using Resurrection Remix, but this ROM not included the necessary code for unlock with this method. Where can i download the simplest ROM, which installable with recovery, and can i use to unlock the phone, after flash back Resurrection Remix?

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

I guess searching the thread or at least reading the last 10 pages is too much for you, otherwise you wouldn't be trying to do this on a custom ROM when you must be on a stock ROM.

 

[laysoft]

I guess searching the thread or at least reading the last 10 pages is too much for you, otherwise you wouldn't be trying to do this on a custom ROM when you must be on a stock ROM.

Thank you for the lesson, but my queston was not like "why doesn't works sim unlock with my rom", because i know it is not works on custom roms. My question was, which is the simplest (stock) rom, which is recovery installable, and where can i download it.

 

[audit13]

The simplest stock ROM is the stock ROM. Download it from sammobile.com and flash it via Odin.

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

Regarding my previous comment, too many people aren't reading here, myself included apparently. That said, make sure the downloaded ROM is Android 4.2.2. No other version will work.

 

[Hilati.Ashref]

Network lock

I've followed all the steps but it when i select network lock it says command not available or s.t like this The device was correctly working but after installing and using the first flight rom v6 for two weeks it ask for sim unlock

 

[audit13]

Sounds like your phone is not running the correct modem when trying to select the command.

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

When I had this problem, I had to replace my SIM tray before I could use RegionLock Away on it. In my case the SIM tray failed, and only by installing a stock 4.2.2 ROM did I discover that.

 

[Hilati.Ashref]

So what should I do
I've flashed too many modems and I've tried other SIM cards but no positive results ?

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

Your first task is to get all parts of the firmware to match, by installing a stock ROM using Odin. If that resolves the SIM issue, then that's great. Otherwise, you need to purchase a replacement SIM card tray from Amazon, open up the S4, remove the old tray and replace it with the new one. Peel the small square of foam off the old tray and place it in the same spot on the new one, then close up the phone.

 

[Hilati.Ashref]

I've tried to install 4.3 stock ROM but I'm not sure if it is a good one but I faced the same issue
I installed it from TWRP because in Odin it ends with fail.
I tried to download another one from sammobile but the download failed. I can't find another place to install the latest lollipop stock ROM (Tunisia)

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

Enter into download mode and read off the model number at the top left corner of the screen.

Installing through TWRP doesn't reset things internally. Odin does, which is why you must use it for this.

 

[Witcher030]

I tried to get in service menu after tap 1 it show me this and desapear
MENU NOT EXIST
PRESS BACK KEY
CURRENT COMMAND IS 1111
How to get in service menu?
i am from Serbia

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

@Witcher030: Have you downgraded the modem to an Android 4.2.2 version for your device? You have to do that first before any unlock method will work. That said, it's much easier to simply install and run RegionLock Away on the device after downgrading the modem instead of mucking around in the service menu.

 

[@kitokit]

My friend has a galaxy s4 i9500 5.0.1 and has this network lock problem. what would be the best approach for this problem? can i downgrade directly from 5.0.1 to 4.2.2?