[HOWTO] / [GUIDE] SPH-L720 Domestic SIM Unlock T-Mobile:AT&T:metroPCS:Straighttalk

[eric303]

excuse my igorance, but i notice it was a BIN file, so it has to be flashed via custom recovery and not ODIN, i cant seem to find a thread about installing a custom recovery, i searched TWRP since its one of the most popular one but cant up empty

edit: so i found TWRP works on it, but still cannot install the bin file via custom recovery or ODIN

I tried to flash the modem via CP on odin 3.09 and it says fail, it fails after NAND Write, NAND Write Start!!! > Transmission complete.. > Now Writing.. Please wait about 2 minutes.. > FAIL!

I did also make sure my phone is a L720T and i also made sure that the modem i downloaded was for the L720T from the previous post above me and also another post that says its 720T. I'm currently on 4.4.2 BOA3 if that makes a difference

 

[dirtyalphaman]

No messaging after unlock and flash!

I unlocked a while a few months back using the method in the OP. It worked good going and I flashed the JFLTE GPE ROM. I was experiencing a few issues and tried to flash another ROM, but it failed. After reading a few posts in this thread, I thought because I was using a Straight Talk At&t sim, I could use an At&t Rom. But it failed. I then tried to flash a Sprint Rom and thought I lost my unlock because it showed no sim and I got no data or calls. After going back to the JFLTE GPE Rom, I played with a few settings and got my calling and data back, but not my messaging. I tried a few different Straight Talk Apns and still couldn't get my messaging back. I even went to stock 4.4.2 and still have my unlock, but cannot get messaging. I've tried several different Roms (Spring only) and they all work great..........except for messaging. Can anyone here help? Is there a part of my unlock that I really lost that won't allow me to message?

You help is greatly appreciated!

 

[iBowToAndroid]

I tried to flash the modem via CP on odin 3.09 and it says fail, it fails after NAND Write, NAND Write Start!!! > Transmission complete.. > Now Writing.. Please wait about 2 minutes.. > FAIL!

I did also make sure my phone is a L720T and i also made sure that the modem i downloaded was for the L720T from the previous post above me and also another post that says its 720T. I'm currently on 4.4.2 BOA3 if that makes a difference

It can indeed be flashed using Odin. I've done it plenty and never had an issue. Try a different version of Odin, or find a different source for the file.

I unlocked a while a few months back using the method in the OP. It worked good going and I flashed the JFLTE GPE ROM. I was experiencing a few issues and tried to flash another ROM, but it failed. After reading a few posts in this thread, I thought because I was using a Straight Talk At&t sim, I could use an At&t Rom. But it failed. I then tried to flash a Sprint Rom and thought I lost my unlock because it showed no sim and I got no data or calls. After going back to the JFLTE GPE Rom, I played with a few settings and got my calling and data back, but not my messaging. I tried a few different Straight Talk Apns and still couldn't get my messaging back. I even went to stock 4.4.2 and still have my unlock, but cannot get messaging. I've tried several different Roms (Spring only) and they all work great..........except for messaging. Can anyone here help? Is there a part of my unlock that I really lost that won't allow me to message?

You help is greatly appreciated!

No. Calls and texts run on the same connection (and the APN has nothing to do with it btw). There's no reason calls would work but not texts - as long as you did a clean ROM flash. If issues persist, could be a ROM bug, or an issue with your SIM or the network itself

 

[dirtyalphaman]

It can indeed be flashed using Odin. I've done it plenty and never had an issue. Try a different version of Odin, or find a different source for the file.

No. Calls and texts run on the same connection (and the APN has nothing to do with it btw). There's no reason calls would work but not texts - as long as you did a clean ROM flash. If issues persist, could be a ROM bug, or an issue with your SIM or the network itself

First, thanks for your help and reply. Second, I'm not disputing you, just trying to gain clarification. If you go to any forum that deals with Straight Talk APN settings and you will see someone complaining about not getting texts/mms and one of the common solutions is to try a different APN setting. It has even helped me in the past when flashing different Roms on my Note 2. Some messaging apps even had their own APN settings before (for example Hangouts). This seems to have disappeared for one reason or another. I was having issues with a Rom and flashed another and then the messaging problems started. I went back (complete wipe) to the Rom I started with and still had no messaging. I'm back to stock now, but still no messaging. Once again, I'm not disputing what you're saying, just stating my confusion about the issue. I have tried multiple texting apps too. Does anyone know what a At&t Error code 96 is? I wonder if straight talk's apn setting have changed any.

 

[iBowToAndroid]

First, thanks for your help and reply. Second, I'm not disputing you, just trying to gain clarification. If you go to any forum that deals with Straight Talk APN settings and you will see someone complaining about not getting texts/mms and one of the common solutions is to try a different APN setting. It has even helped me in the past when flashing different Roms on my Note 2. Some messaging apps even had their own APN settings before (for example Hangouts). This seems to have disappeared for one reason or another. I was having issues with a Rom and flashed another and then the messaging problems started. I went back (complete wipe) to the Rom I started with and still had no messaging. I'm back to stock now, but still no messaging. Once again, I'm not disputing what you're saying, just stating my confusion about the issue. I have tried multiple texting apps too. Does anyone know what a At&t Error code 96 is? I wonder if straight talk's apn setting have changed any.

The APN has nothing to do with texting. MMS, yes. SMS, no. Take any fully working phone (calls, texts, MMS, data, etc) and delete the current APN - calls and texts will still work fine. SMS still runs over the base 2G network. Internet is needed for MMS because the message has to be uploaded to the server from the sender's phone and then downloaded to the recipient's phone.

 

[Chevyblood561]

I had that issue I DL handcent messaging app from play store. Under application settings from the handcent app select mms settings. Then select carrier setup. Then choose smart. See if that works??

Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Free mobile app

 

[bthorne79]

Right now if the L720T unlocked Sim can't run 5.1.1 Roms you will not have calls or messages if you want to run anything it will have to be 5.0.2 and below. Not sure what changed but I think it has to do with the Ruim/Sim NV I've tried to do the dialer code *#*#4636#*#* and change to wdma preferred and it will not stick it will auto back to LTE/CDMA I'm to believe thats the issue

Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Free mobile app

 

[dirtyalphaman]

Right now if the L720T unlocked Sim can't run 5.1.1 Roms you will not have calls or messages if you want to run anything it will have to be 5.0.2 and below. Not sure what changed but I think it has to do with the Ruim/Sim NV I've tried to do the dialer code *#*#4636#*#* and change to wdma preferred and it will not stick it will auto back to LTE/CDMA I'm to believe thats the issue

Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Free mobile app

This is the issue I think I had! Even though i have the L720.. This first happened when I tried to flash to GamerRom 5.1.1 (great rom, just wouldn't work for me). But I went back to JFLTE GPE and had to switch back to WCDMA in the *#4636#*#* menu. It gave me calling back, but texts and mms have both been gone since. I've even been back on 4.4.2, but still have no messageing. . Have you seen any fixes for this issue?

---------- Post added at 06:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:22 PM ----------

I had that issue I DL handcent messaging app from play store. Under application settings from the handcent app select mms settings. Then select carrier setup. Then choose smart. See if that works??

Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Free mobile app

Tried by no luck. Thanks!

---------- Post added at 06:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:23 PM ----------

I had that issue I DL handcent messaging app from play store. Under application settings from the handcent app select mms settings. Then select carrier setup. Then choose smart. See if that works??

Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Free mobile app

The APN has nothing to do with texting. MMS, yes. SMS, no. Take any fully working phone (calls, texts, MMS, data, etc) and delete the current APN - calls and texts will still work fine. SMS still runs over the base 2G network. Internet is needed for MMS because the message has to be uploaded to the server from the sender's phone and then downloaded to the recipient's phone.

Thanks for the clarification. I understand now.

 

[Chevyblood561]

This is the issue I think I had! Even though i have the L720.. This first happened when I tried to flash to GamerRom 5.1.1 (great rom, just wouldn't work for me). But I went back to JFLTE GPE and had to switch back to WCDMA in the *#4636#*#* menu. It gave me calling back, but texts and mms have both been gone since. I've even been back on 4.4.2, but still have no messageing. . Have you seen any fixes for this issue?

---------- Post added at 06:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:22 PM ----------



Tried by no luck. Thanks!

---------- Post added at 06:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:23 PM ----------





Thanks for the clarification. I understand now.

Did u try the manual setup also?

Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Free mobile app

 

[dirtyalphaman]

What manual setup are you referring to?

Edit: [Solved] Hey, I've solved my issue through a few steps. In the Phone Info menu (*#*#4636#*#*) I saw a bunch of things that I really didn't recognize. I Googled each one and eventually came to SMSC. When I hit update, I kept getting an error. When I hit refresh, it gave me "4", 129. After googling it and really updating it, I got my messaging back. I don't know, but it seems like going up to 5.1.1 really messed with some things for my phone. Thanks for your help everyone. I really appreciate it and I hope this may help out others who come across this same issue.

 

[TheGaffler]

I followed the instructions to a T! Everything works like a charm. I created an account here just to tell you guys thanks!

 

[gmap516]

Does this phone support GSM LTE speeds?

 

[iBowToAndroid]

Does this phone support GSM LTE speeds?

It is an LTE phone, yes

 

[optimummind]

Has anyone called Sprint to request a Domestic Unlock for the S4? Since my S4 has been contract fulfilled, I called Sprint and requested a domestic unlock. They told me my S4 qualifies and said they remotely performed the domestic unlock after being on hold for about 30 minutes. They said the procedure is new and they aren't too familiar with the process yet.

I was told to leave the phone on for about 30 minutes than try inserting in a domestic SIM card from a different carrier.

I'm currently on the latest OD2 Lollipop build and I'll post my results later.

Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk

 

[dromango]

Has anyone called Sprint to request a Domestic Unlock for the S4? Since my S4 has been contract fulfilled, I called Sprint and requested a domestic unlock. They told me my S4 qualifies and said they remotely performed the domestic unlock after being on hold for about 30 minutes. They said the procedure is new and they aren't too familiar with the process yet.

I was told to leave the phone on for about 30 minutes than try inserting in a domestic SIM card from a different carrier.

I'm currently on the latest OD2 Lollipop build and I'll post my results later.

Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk

my contract is done with sprint and im doing the same thing on od2 lollipop build.

They gave me a "master code" but not sure where to enter it. I tried unlocking using this thread but im not getting any menu options.

says "no service, imei certi: na"

 

[dromango]

how can i reverse the settings I did? i'll just leave it on sprint for now.

 

[bthorne79]

Does this phone support GSM LTE speeds?

No the sprint s4 will not get LTE Sim unlocked on AT&t or T-Mobile

Sent from my SGH-T999 using XDA Free mobile app

---------- Post added at 11:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:39 PM ----------

my contract is done with sprint and im doing the same thing on od2 lollipop build.

They gave me a "master code" but not sure where to enter it. I tried unlocking using this thread but im not getting any menu options.

says "no service, imei certi: na"

Ohhh whats the master code

Sent from my SGH-T999 using XDA Free mobile app

 

[dromango]

code is 373546. not sure how to use it though.

 

[optimummind]

I popped in my Straight Talk SIM card into the S4 and I got an Invalid SIM message. The Sprint tech support phone line was closed so I reached out through Chat. The lady had me on "hold" for a long time & said that the Domestic SIM unlock appeared successful on their end. Then they gave me a direct number to call tomorrow to continue the investigation. Will update again later.

Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk

 

[LordKel]

It sort of worked

Texting and talking seem to work fine after I did this. However the big problem I have is it is storm in like 2G data mode. I get 0.2 down and 0.14 up. Is there some setting I screwed up on or something, because even 3 g should be hitting 1-3 Mbps... I am sort of technically competent, at least when it comes to following directions, so I am sort of hoping that you guys can help me out a bit.

Thanks!