[INFO][HOW TO] Sprint Galaxy S4 Sim Unlock (SPH-L720/jfltespr) ATT/TMOBILE

[chris41g]

There seems to be some confusion on the matter here in the forums.

Can I sim unlock my Sprint Galaxy S4 to use ATT/TMobile sims?
Yes

Can I do it using a Lollipop Rom?
Yes

Can I do it once I flash a KNOX bootloader?
Yes

Can I do it on OD2?
I don't think so, but maybe... The best bet is to use NG2 and then experiment from there...

Can I do it without reading/paying attention/following directions?
No.. but if you made it here, you're doing OK so far...

First off, there are 2 kinds of SIM unlock for the SPH-L720. International unlock, and domestic unlock. We will cover both.

To unlock for international carriers SIMs, you have a couple of options.
a. Have sprint unlock it for you
b. Do it yourself.

I prefer b, almost always.
Lets start off with what you'll need:
Drivers for the phone, I'm too lazy to find those, but if you can't, you are way out of your depth here.
SSU.apk from here.
An NG2 Stock Rom (modem and ROM) here is an Odin tar that i used when I did it.
Odin from the same post that tar came from... (here)
TWRP recovery in tar format from here (i used 2.8.4.0, but I don't think that matters)
adb ( i use this minimal adb installer but any adb install will work.)

THIS WILL PROBABLY WIPE ALL YOUR DATA.
Put your phone in Download mode (Power + Vol Down)
Open Odin
Click the PDA button, choose the tar.md5 file you're flashing. (the stock ROM from earlier)
Uncheck Auto Reboot
Plug in a decent USB cable, from the phone to the PC
Hit start
It will take a few minutes, no worries unless you get an error.
When it is done, Hold Power + Vol Down until the phone reboots into download mode again
Click PDA in Odin and load the TWRP tar you downloaded earlier.
Hit start. This will take significantly less time.
When it is finished, Hold Power + Vol Up to reboot into recovery.
When TWRP is fully loaded, click reboot then reboot system.
It will tell you that the ROM is not rooted, and ask if you want to do that. (if you used the tar from above) and of course we want to, so let it.

Let the phone fully boot up.
Goto Settings, More, About Phone.
Find the line that says Build Number, click that line a bunch of times until it says "You are now a developer".
Now hit back, and goto Developer Settings.
Find Debugging mode and enable it.
Using adb

adb devices

that will respond with whether it finds your device or not.

adb install /path/to/SSU.apk

that will install SSU.apk from earlier..
You'll want to have the screen of your phone on for this part because you will need to approve your PC to connect.
Goto your app drawer, and run SSU
Click the Unlock button

Now your phone is SIM unlocked for international carriers... But what if you want domestic carriers too?

Unlocking for Domestic Carriers
First things first, you have to do the International Unlock explained above (you didnt think you were gonna get out of that did you?)
After that, load ADB back up

adb shell

su 
am broadcast -a android.provider.Telephony.SECRET_CODE -d android_secret_code://27663368378

That will pop up a menu on your phone
Click (UMTS) then (DEBUG SCREEN) then (PHONE CONTROL) then (NETWORK CONTROL) then (GCF) then the top option.
Now reboot.

You are now unlocked Internationally and Domestically. Goto your mobile network settings and put your apn settings in (if they arent already there off the sim) and you should have data too.

From here you have a couple of choices.
a. Stay on NG2
b. Goto another ROM (i usually just flash CM at this point, YMMV)
c. experiment yourself and try to use OD2 (I've heard flashing the OD2 modem relocks it, didnt try because I didn't want OD2)

If you stay on NG2 then I suggest this apk to Stop the Sprint Hands Free Activation from nagging the **** out of you..

NOTE: as of tonight, any CM12.1 nightly after 6/23 causes a No Sim card error. This has nothing to do with the unlock, its just messed up, so until its fixed use the 6/23 nightly.

Hopefully that answers some of the questions I keep getting in PMs and what not.. If you have any question, feel free to ask.
I might not answer them, because I rarely frequent the forums anymore, but lots of people here can probably answer the questions you have.

Thanks to @autoprime he's the one that found the original unlock for this phone, and tons of others.
Thanks to @random45 for posting the ROM i used
Thanks to @shimp208 for posting (making?) the minimal adb install that i use
Thanks to @Sloosh for making the Hands free activation disabler apk
Thanks to @Dees_Troy for TWRP and just being cool in general
Thanks to @aalyatim for the SSU.apk
Thanks to cyanogen and Team CyanogenMOD for all they do..
Thanks to @imaxuout for keeping this topic alive in a few threads
Thanks to @AndroidKing for a similar thread.
Thanks to nicotheandroidguy also.
And anyone else I forgot (I'm sure I did)

 

[iBowToAndroid]

I would probably recommend removing all references to rooting since it's not necessary. Some may only want to unlock, not root.

Substitute the dialer code for the terminal command when it comes to launching the service menu.

And putting the apk on the phone's storage and installing it with a file explorer is probably easier than adb install, for most people.

 

[chris41g]

I would probably recommend removing all references to rooting since it's not necessary. Some may only want to unlock, not root.

Substitute the dialer code for the terminal command when it comes to launching the service menu.

And putting the apk on the phone's storage and installing it with a file explorer is probably easier than adb install, for most people.

I just documented what I did. there is no one way to do it. you are more than welcome to document them in your post if you want.

 

[robogoflow]

I'm going to try this today and will report back. I switched to tmobile and got the s6 edge and since my sprint contract was up I was able to keep my device. Now I want to get it to my mom who has a beat down metro pcs device. In theory since metro is tmobile it should work right?

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[chris41g]

I'm going to try this today and will report back. I switched to tmobile and got the s6 edge and since my sprint contract was up I was able to keep my device. Now I want to get it to my mom who has a beat down metro pcs device. In theory since metro is tmobile it should work right?

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

If metropcs uses sim cards, and the Bands that the GS4 has, then yes it should work. You'll obviously need APN settings for data.

 

[robogoflow]

So this method you need to be on KitKat in order for Suu to work. I also can't get a hold of galaxytools as the developer wants you to buy it now.

Also any ideas how to do the domestic unlock without adb?

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[chris41g]

I don't use galaxy tools, and if you aren't on kit Kat yet, you can revert the modem and use the original unlock posted by autoprime.. Or you could just flash the rom I linked too, which is lollipop, not the newest but works fine.

 

[chris41g]

And as far as adb, you can just use a terminal app.. Except for installing ssu.apk, but you could just push that to your phone and install it with a file manager

 

[robogoflow]

I followed the above steps and still can't get it to work. Im back on kitkat and unlocked the sim. Did the terminal command and followed those steps. rebooted and under About Phone> Status it still says sprint and shows my old phone number that was tied to my sprint account. Am i missing something? I went to settings and changed to gsm/utms and tried that but nothing.

 

[chris41g]

Did you put a sim card in?

 

[robogoflow]

Yes it was a metro pcs sim. I spent a couple hours tinkering with different steps from older threads and still could not figure it out.

 

[iBowToAndroid]

Metro is unique in that you can't switch phones just by popping a SIM in.

You have to contact them and have them register the new IMEI to the phone number

 

[nicotheandroidguy]

There seems to be some confusion on the matter here in the forums.

Can I sim unlock my Sprint Galaxy S4 to use ATT/TMobile sims?
Yes

Can I do it using a Lollipop Rom?
Yes

Can I do it once I flash a KNOX bootloader?
Yes

Can I do it on OD2?
I don't think so, but maybe... The best bet is to use NG2 and then experiment from there...

Can I do it without reading/paying attention/following directions?
No.. but if you made it here, you're doing OK so far...

First off, there are 2 kinds of SIM unlock for the SPH-L720. International unlock, and domestic unlock. We will cover both.

To unlock for international carriers SIMs, you have a couple of options.
a. Have sprint unlock it for you
b. Do it yourself.

I prefer b, almost always.
Lets start off with what you'll need:
Drivers for the phone, I'm too lazy to find those, but if you can't, you are way out of your depth here.
SSU.apk from here.
An NG2 Stock Rom (modem and ROM) here is an Odin tar that i used when I did it.
Odin from the same post that tar came from... (here)
TWRP recovery in tar format from here (i used 2.8.4.0, but I don't think that matters)
adb ( i use this minimal adb installer but any adb install will work.)

THIS WILL PROBABLY WIPE ALL YOUR DATA.
Put your phone in Download mode (Power + Vol Down)
Open Odin
Click the PDA button, choose the tar.md5 file you're flashing. (the stock ROM from earlier)
Uncheck Auto Reboot
Plug in a decent USB cable, from the phone to the PC
Hit start
It will take a few minutes, no worries unless you get an error.
When it is done, Hold Power + Vol Down until the phone reboots into download mode again
Click PDA in Odin and load the TWRP tar you downloaded earlier.
Hit start. This will take significantly less time.
When it is finished, Hold Power + Vol Up to reboot into recovery.
When TWRP is fully loaded, click reboot then reboot system.
It will tell you that the ROM is not rooted, and ask if you want to do that. (if you used the tar from above) and of course we want to, so let it.

Let the phone fully boot up.
Goto Settings, More, About Phone.
Find the line that says Build Number, click that line a bunch of times until it says "You are now a developer".
Now hit back, and goto Developer Settings.
Find Debugging mode and enable it.
Using adb

adb devices

that will respond with whether it finds your device or not.

adb install /path/to/SSU.apk

that will install SSU.apk from earlier..
You'll want to have the screen of your phone on for this part because you will need to approve your PC to connect.
Goto your app drawer, and run SSU
Click the Unlock button

Now your phone is SIM unlocked for international carriers... But what if you want domestic carriers too?

Unlocking for Domestic Carriers
First things first, you have to do the International Unlock explained above (you didnt think you were gonna get out of that did you?)
After that, load ADB back up

adb shell

su 
am broadcast -a android.provider.Telephony.SECRET_CODE -d android_secret_code://27663368378

That will pop up a menu on your phone
Click (UMTS) then (DEBUG SCREEN) then (PHONE CONTROL) then (NETWORK CONTROL) then (GCF) then the top option.
Now reboot.

You are now unlocked Internationally and Domestically. Goto your mobile network settings and put your apn settings in (if they arent already there off the sim) and you should have data too.

From here you have a couple of choices.
a. Stay on NG2
b. Goto another ROM (i usually just flash CM at this point, YMMV)
c. experiment yourself and try to use OD2 (I've heard flashing the OD2 modem relocks it, didnt try because I didn't want OD2)

If you stay on NG2 then I suggest this apk to Stop the Sprint Hands Free Activation from nagging the **** out of you..

NOTE: as of tonight, any CM12.1 nightly after 6/23 causes a No Sim card error. This has nothing to do with the unlock, its just messed up, so until its fixed use the 6/23 nightly.

Hopefully that answers some of the questions I keep getting in PMs and what not.. If you have any question, feel free to ask.
I might not answer them, because I rarely frequent the forums anymore, but lots of people here can probably answer the questions you have.

Thanks to @autoprime he's the one that found the original unlock for this phone, and tons of others.
Thanks to @random45 for posting the ROM i used
Thanks to @shimp208 for posting (making?) the minimal adb install that i use
Thanks to @Sloosh for making the Hands free activation disabler apk
Thanks to @Dees_Troy for TWRP and just being cool in general
Thanks to @aalyatim for the SSU.apk
Thanks to cyanogen and Team CyanogenMOD for all they do..
Thanks to @imaxuout for keeping this topic alive in a few threads
Thanks to @AndroidKing for a similar thread.
And anyone else I forgot (I'm sure I did)

Hey can I get my credit for the domestic unlock? Also Thanks for making the process clearer for other. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47540386

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[Mychocolatestarfish]

How are Data speeds?

This is great thank you for posting this detailed one. If i can't figure out how to get my phone working right I'll flash stock firmware and start OP's process. Can you tell me what data speeds are you getting? I've got mine unlocked and working by changing my modem and using s4 flasher among changing other settings. It's a Sprint S4 L720 going to Tmobile. I'm only getting Edge speeds of .08 mbps and the voice is sometimes garbled. I'm not sure how I can get it unlocked and working well with everything working and getting the HSPA+ speeds. I live in a 4gLTE area so I should get at least 3g speed according to tmobile's coverage map using 72703 zip code. Trying to figure this out if anyone has suggestions on how to get out of EDGE speeds, the 2G EDGE capabilities are appalling. I haven't flashed any custom ROMS btw.

Phone Info
Software: L720VPUAMDC
Hardware: L720.08
Android:4.4.2
Baseband: L720VPUAMDC

APN Settings
Name: Tmobile us
APN: fast.tmobile.com
Proxy: not set
Port: not set
Username: not set
Password: not set
Server: not set
MMSC: http:mms.msg.eng.t-mobile/mms/wapenc
Multimedia message proxy: not set
Multimedia message port: not set
MCC: 310
MNC:260
Authentication type: not set
APN type: not set
APN protocol: IPv4
APN roaming protocol: IPv4

 

[chris41g]

This is great thank you for posting this detailed one. If i can't figure out how to get my phone working right I'll flash stock firmware and start OP's process. Can you tell me what data speeds are you getting? I've got mine unlocked and working by changing my modem and using s4 flasher among changing other things. It's a Sprint S4 L720 going to Tmobile. I'm only getting Edge speeds of .08 mbps and the voice is sometimes. I'm not sure how I can get it unlocked and working well with everything working and getting the HSPA+ speeds. I live in a 4gLTE area so I should get at least 3g speed according to tmobile's coverage map using 72703 zip code. Trying to figure this out if anyone has suggestions on how to get out of EDGE speeds, the 2G EDGE capabilities are appalling. I haven't flashed any custom ROMS btw.

Phone Info
Software: L720VPUAMDC
Hardware: L720.08
Android:4.4.2
Baseband: L720VPUAMDC

APN Settings
Name: Tmobile us
APN: fast.tmobile.com
Proxy: not set
Port: not set
Username: not set
Password: not set
Server: not set
MMSC: http:mms.msg.eng.t-mobile/mms/wapenc
Multimedia message proxy: not set
Multimedia message port: not set
MCC: 310
MNC:260
Authentication type: not set
APN type: not set
APN protocol: IPv4
APN roaming protocol: IPv4

I only used it on att, but if your speeds are low then TMobile in your area probably operates on a frequency the s4 doesn't use.. Or your apn is wrong, idk which.

 

[chris41g]

Hey can I get my credit for the domestic unlock? Also Thanks for making the process clearer for other. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47540386

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I didn't know you had anything to do with it, me an auto got my s4 unlocked on irc before that post, even before his original international unlock post. Maybe you told him how and he just didn't inform me.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=45893621

 

[iBowToAndroid]

This is great thank you for posting this detailed one. If i can't figure out how to get my phone working right I'll flash stock firmware and start OP's process. Can you tell me what data speeds are you getting? I've got mine unlocked and working by changing my modem and using s4 flasher among changing other settings. It's a Sprint S4 L720 going to Tmobile. I'm only getting Edge speeds of .08 mbps and the voice is sometimes garbled. I'm not sure how I can get it unlocked and working well with everything working and getting the HSPA+ speeds. I live in a 4gLTE area so I should get at least 3g speed according to tmobile's coverage map using 72703 zip code. Trying to figure this out if anyone has suggestions on how to get out of EDGE speeds, the 2G EDGE capabilities are appalling. I haven't flashed any custom ROMS btw.

1. Make sure modem version matches software version
2. Make sure network mode is set to WCMDA preferred or GSM/UMTS.
3. Check Settings->About phone->Network to make sure you're actually on EDGE.

You could live in an area that T-Mo hasn't refarmed to 1900 yet. If that's the case, they're running HSPA on 1700 there, and the phone doesn't have that frequency. So that would explain only being able to get EDGE

 

[nicotheandroidguy]

I didn't know you had anything to do with it, me an auto got my s4 unlocked on irc before that post, even before his original international unlock post. Maybe you told him how and he just didn't inform me.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=45893621

Maybe I was a little late, I barely figured it out in the international unlock thread and put my findings their. No worries again thanks for making this more clear for others.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[chris41g]

Maybe I was a little late, I barely figured it out in the international unlock thread and put my findings their. No worries again thanks for making this more clear for others.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I added you to the thanks, even if you didn't originally find it, you have helped others get there and that should be recognized.

 

[nicotheandroidguy]

I added you to the thanks, even if you didn't originally find it, you have helped others get there and that should be recognized.

Thanks.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk