Unlock Sprint GS 7 for use on ATT/T-Mobile

Nextstep

Member
Nov 6, 2007
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I want to purchase a Sprint GS 7 and sim unlock to use on GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile.

What is the process official and other options for sim unlock.

Never had Sprint service before, thanks for your assistance.
 
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brendan802

Senior Member
Oct 4, 2010
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First step is to not stick a sprint sim card in the phone. I played around with mine without a sim card and to get the stupid vr game promo i stuck the card in and next thing it did was install all the carrier garbage bloatware automatically and it changes the boot screen and to my understanding it sim locks to the carrier that the sim card uses. Complete bullsh!t I am irate and stuck with all of this garbage bloat courtesy of sprint and the locked bootloader thanks to samsung. Im returning mine
 
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TehPirate_

Senior Member
Nov 7, 2015
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I bought my sprint s7 full price through best buy.

First thing I did was swap the sprint Sim with my AT&T Sim (testing first Sim inserted). Prompted with invalid Sim error.

Appears the sprint phones come with activation software pre-installed that locks it to their network. You need them to unlock it from their end, no unlock codes.

When I put the sprint Sim back in, it didn't install all the bloat. It installs everything if you activate the phone; unactivated Sim, no account.

According to sprint, the phone needs to be activated on the network for 50 days and paid in full to be unlocked. They unlocked mine without meeting those standard because of poor support from a rep before I bought it.
 
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noreboy

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2007
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I'd like to know the same. I'm traveling over seas in less than two week and would like to use while over seas with the local carrier. Not so much concerned with using it with other carriers domestically though.

I'm also curious if the phone can be used for data on other carries once unlocked. I wonder because with my current Sprint GS5, Sprint unlocked it, but it does not work with data when over seas. Come to find out after a lot of research, there is no solution and everybody with unlocked Sprint GS5s also cannot get data to work without wifi.

OP, you may want to keep that in mind and do your research. If Sprint's GS7 is like their GS5, you will not be able to get data on the phone with other carriers even if unlocked, unless connected to wifi.
 

asuh

Senior Member
Jan 14, 2007
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I'd like to know the same. I'm traveling over seas in less than two week and would like to use while over seas with the local carrier. Not so much concerned with using it with other carriers domestically though.
With the Sprint model, there will be LTE issues overseas depending on where you go and which carrier you use.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=65825260&postcount=14

I'm also curious if the phone can be used for data on other carries once unlocked. I wonder because with my current Sprint GS5, Sprint unlocked it, but it does not work with data when over seas. Come to find out after a lot of research, there is no solution and everybody with unlocked Sprint GS5s also cannot get data to work without wifi.
I went to UK in 2013, had my S4 with me and was able to get data. I was not, however, able to get fast LTE speeds. Sprint cripples their LTE bands on purpose for some reason so that they become less useful on many international carriers.

---------- Post added at 11:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:13 AM ----------

The s7 is the same device for every carrier where the only thing that changes is the software.
The main difference between models on each carrier are bloatware they add and LTE bands they add and delete. Sprint always gets rid of useful LTE bands like LTE 7 which is a popular worldwide band.
 
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TehPirate_

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Nov 7, 2015
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Correct. Cricket is owned by AT&T, a carrier who did not get rid of band 7, despite the fact that they use Sprint's 3G network as well as CDMA. Do you have bands 25 and 26 as well? If so, that would be great!
You're also correct but this is a Sprint S7 network unlocked. And yes, I do. 25 and 26 are the first priority for me.
 
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TehPirate_

Senior Member
Nov 7, 2015
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Interesting. Okay, so do you *also* have LTE 29/30/40 that AT&T has been adding to their phones?
I don't actually. Knowing this I'm going to focus on attempting to add these bands (toggle them). Trying to get a hold of Sprint currently to get my MSL code.
 

rafyvitto

Senior Member
Aug 12, 2014
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The Galaxy S7 is DUC meaning it can be unlocked for domestic use, and it will automatically unlock tru a programming update sent OTA after the device has been active on the account(in good standing) for more than 50 days.
 

stylin350

Member
Jan 15, 2013
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Just bought a sprint s7 yesterday since it was cheaper for me and had it unlock from an ebay listing for about $15. It was quick like 2 minutes and easy. Its done remotely on the person's end with your phone connected to computer. I'm using it on Tmobile and is working great. I get lte speeds and call quailty is great. Getting to the service menu above ##3282# you can edit the band priorities so you can have the wanted bands 1st, 2nd, and so forth. Just need the MSL# which they can get you.

If this is against the rules sorry, but just thought I give my experience with unlocking the sprint s7.
 

levilib

Senior Member
Nov 29, 2011
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I'm trying to find detailed specs without luck, can someone please clarify which LTE bands the Sprint variant of the S7 has?
Please list all that are physically on the radio, and specify if they are actually available for use or blocked.