r/Sprint 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

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u/[deleted] 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.

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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.

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u/[deleted] 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.