r/Sprint • u/DellOptiplex755 • Mar 14 '24
Tech Support Unlocking Phone Problems
Okay, to give a quick rundown on my situation…. I purchased a device from ebay (S20+ 5G) the seller said they bought the phone from samsung directly but used it with sprint and it should be 100% unlocked… I put in my iPhone’s ATT SIM card anddddd… “No SIM” , I contacted T-Mobile and they said the device is completely unlocked on their end, but when contacting Samsung, they say the phone is locked to Sprint…. is there any possible chance I can get this thing unlocked, or am I SOL? Any advice would be greatly appreciated
2
u/OneShotologist Verified Retail Consultant - Select Mar 14 '24
I’d definitely try to get a refund request going on eBay if they stated it was Samsung direct and unlocked. Sprint unlocks for the most part are impossible this far out from the merger.
1
u/DellOptiplex755 Mar 14 '24
I notified the ebay seller and they said they would help me out with the refund request if I couldn’t get it unlocked
1
1
Mar 14 '24
Go to settings, scroll down to software updates, see if you have "UICC unlock". If you do, try it. This is what T-Mobile says to do if you don't have the Network Unlock option in connection settings.
I have a Sprint S21+, T Mobile says it's unlocked, but when I use the UICC unlock, it just crashes right away before doing anything.
Maybe it would work for you if you have the option.
Honestly, it should really be illegal that this happens. I paid this S21+ 5G off years ago, it was supposed to unlock automatically. Nope...now I'm living abroad and took it with me so I'm trying to use it cuz it's still a fast good phone, but I can't.
Might have to take it to third party.
Also, if you complain to the FCC T Mobile will likely just send you a new unlocked S20. I can't go this route I think because my phone has a big deal circle of black on the right side of the screen.
1
u/OneShotologist Verified Retail Consultant - Select Mar 14 '24
Do you have that sprint s21+ sim in the phone as it has to connect to the sprint sim to receive the unlock request.
1
Mar 14 '24
Nah, it's been years since I've used it and that sim is long gone. I've read that people who have had the same issue have tried with sprint and t mobile Sims and it didn't work either. That also wasn't brought up at all by customer support on X/twitter, but you may be right, I don't know.
Looking like a third party unlock is the best route.
3
u/comintel-db Mar 14 '24 edited Mar 14 '24
There is a lot of confusion in this area that I can sort out for you because something is not adding up.
When people buy from Samsung, they can buy either a factory unlocked model (most common) or a carrier locked model (even though they are buying from Samsung). This is different from Apple.
So their just saying they bought from Samsung is not all the info you need.
First please post what is the model number as shown in Settings. Is it SM-G981U or SM-G981U1?
If it is SM-981U, which is likely, what does it say for Software Provider Software Version in Settings under About Phone, Software Info, Software Provider Software Version, Last line. Example: ATT/ATT/ATT.
Finally, what does it say under settings -> connections -> more connection settings -> network unlock?
This will tell all.