Need Help with Z1 32GB SOL23 SIM Unlock GSM Woes

[Udonitron]

Hello All

So I have been having a ***** of a time trying to get my Japanese Z1 working on Rogers GSM here in Canada.
While it is a CDMA phone it does have all the bands necessary to work on Rogers.
If I insert my SIM it either says Carrier Locked or Perso Locked on the stock 4.2.2 Japanese.

I followed some instructions someone posted here and while it made no difference in the end the initial install of the Generic International FTF (C6903_14.1.G.1.534_1277-2880_R4A) flipped my phone to a North American version which did ask me for a SIM Unlock Code upon boot which would allow me to purchase an unlock code.
Issue is, with that Generic International FTF it makes the 32GB of onboard storage becomes 16GB since the KDDI phone is the only Z1 on the planet that comes with 32GB onboard thus that FTF is only made for 16GB.

Two questions (since I have 4 unlock attempts left) are:

If I put the Generic FTF on, use the code to unlock, and then flash back to the original Japanese ROM I should still be SIM unlocked, correct?

AND

If I left the Generic FTF on, is there any way I can get it to recognize the full 32GB of onboard storage vs it showing my 16GB?

Cheers in advance! :good:

 

[Udonitron]

No one has any suggestions or answers?

 

[alankstiyo]

No one has any suggestions or answers?

in theory you will face the following
1.- phone might not be sim locked but the fw may lock the phone's usage over any other network which is not the japanese one, this happens on the S3
2.-in theory it should not care about the on board memory asit willrecognize all the available size

just a theory but might help you

 

[Udonitron]

in theory you will face the following
1.- phone might not be sim locked but the fw may lock the phone's usage over any other network which is not the japanese one, this happens on the S3
2.-in theory it should not care about the on board memory asit willrecognize all the available size

just a theory but might help you

Cheers for the reply.
Well the phone does have an option to choose 5 different methods under Network Mode:

1. Japan LTE/CDMA
2. Japan CDMA
3. Overseas UMTS (WCDMA)
4. Overseas GSM
5. Overseas Auto (GSM/UMTS/LTE)

I have it set to #5 but no dice as I suspect it still is expecting a KDDI SIM still but really it shouldn't.
I have a Sprint HTC One and it auto sets itself to International mode and works on GSM Rogers with no SIM unlock or rooting.

The bit about the onboard memory is totally odd.
After installing the Global FTF it went to 16GB and after reinstalling the modified SOL23 FTF it still showed 16GB.
I had to do a full restore to get it to go back to 32GB

 

[alankstiyo]

Cheers for the reply.
Well the phone does have an option to choose 5 different methods under Network Mode:

1. Japan LTE/CDMA
2. Japan CDMA
3. Overseas UMTS (WCDMA)
4. Overseas GSM
5. Overseas Auto (GSM/UMTS/LTE)

I have it set to #5 but no dice as I suspect it still is expecting a KDDI SIM still but really it shouldn't.
I have a Sprint HTC One and it auto sets itself to International mode and works on GSM Rogers with no SIM unlock or rooting.

The bit about the onboard memory is totally odd.
After installing the Global FTF it went to 16GB and after reinstalling the modified SOL23 FTF it still showed 16GB.
I had to do a full restore to get it to go back to 32GB

no more clues tbh, cant help you very much, really sorry

 

[Udonitron]

No worries, thanks for trying.
Also worth noting is when I search for Service Providers when set to #5 International Auto I get a list of Available Networks:

Rogers Wireless 3G
TELUS
Bell
Rogers Wireless

When I try either Rogers it tells me "Registering on Rogers Wireless" for about a minute and then says it cannot connect and to make sure a SIM card is inserted.
When the phone is locked it says "SIM locked by operator - No Service" so I assume it is looking for the KDDI SIM and to utilize these available services while travelling since it is set to International Auto.

So my only option is to SIM Unlock it, if these can be?
If I load the Global FTF in and get the SIM Unlock Code Box to pop up I should be able to unlock the SIM and it should be permanent, yeah?

I think the 32GB of memory is actually 2x16GB with the additional 16GB soldered to a second SIM slot thus the Global FTF isn't coded to see that additional amount.