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[Q] Anyone Heard of "HARDLOCK" for Android phone?

Hello everyone,
Recently I bought a HTC hero locked to 3 UK in white color from ebay. I then bought an unlocking code for it from ebay again as the phone is for my friend in India.
I had a few problems with the unlocking seller and I left him a negative feedback last night. He has now replied threatening me that I have 24 hrs to remove the feedback or he will, and I quote, "HARDLOCK" my phone forever. The phone will become unusable completely according to him.
Now I work for Orange UK customer services myself and I do understand "BLACKLISTING" and would like to confirm from you guys that if this is what he is threatening me with or there is another way to "HARDLOCK" Android phones which make them unusable. Obviously he has my IMEI no. which I had to give him to generate the unlocking code.
The seller is also a registered USA seller and that makes me think that if there is something else called "HARDLOCK" as not sure how will he manage to blacklist my phone from USA. And if it is the blacklisting he is on about then I suppose I don't have anything to worry as the phone is going to be used in India anyway.
I have reported the emails under harrasment to ebay already and will be reporting it to police as well.
Please someone shed some light on this and thanks in advance

[A] regional lock

So, a lot of you, who bought your S6 from other countries which aren't the one you live in, know that the S6 is Regional lock.
I've tried to find a way to unlock it via software and other methods and came to the conclusion that the only way is to pay for an unlocking site so they will get you your code from the manufacturer database BUT almost all of those sites can't get the unlock codes for the S6 devices!
So, after almost 3 weeks I've decided to send an email to Samsung mobile and to ask them for help in this matter; in my case, I bought mine in Germany and it is lock to all European networks, so I've sent an email (in English) to Samsung's Germany support told them about my problem and ask them to help me, I've even offered to pay them directly online.
To my surprise, they have me to send them my device's IMEI, the country is which I live in, the carrier that im using and a copy of me receipt, after I did so they send me a response saying that they will send me my device unlock code in the next couple of day FOR FREE!
So the answer to all of us, who share this problem is just to send Samsung
(which correspond to where you bought your device) an email asking for help in that matter.
go to this site
http://www.samsung.com/global/support/globalcontact.html
locate the country from which you bought your device, and enter that country samsung website, then go to Support-->mobile---> mobile and tablets then at the bottom click on Contact Service and Support by e-mail.
there you will need to fill your details.
you can use the same text that ive send them, and you will most likely get the same results:
Hello,
I live in -write your country-., I bought my galaxy S6 in -write the country.
My device is locked to -write the which region-, and I would like to unlock it, I've tried doing so for almost 3 weeks now and none of the unlock services are able to unlock it.
I don't mind paying in order to unlock it, but no one can!
Please help me, either by releasing my unlock code to those companies or, if it possible, for me to pay you directly.
IMEI -
Serial num -
Model SM-G920F
Date of purchase
Thank you,
your name

i sent them. hope it will work.
Thanks!

Not as smooth a task for me. I'm Australian and bought mine in the Netherlands, and their support has been terrible. First they told me they can't unlock it, then they said they could but I'd have to fill out a special form so I did, after over a week of hearing nothing I took it upon myself to contact them again, and asked them where my code was, only to be told I had sent the wrong receipt (I was given a few with my purchase), I asked them when they planned on telling me as I would've given them the other receipt upon request but I heard nothing. After unsuccessfully trying 5 different unlock sites I decided I'd go back to the samsung route. I contacted their support again, heard nothing for nearly another week, went on their live chat only to find out they didn't even receive my email, lucky the lady was nice and gave me her personal email and said shed make sure the request went through, but said it'd take 1-2 weeks. So as of the time of this message I've had a $1200 brick for nearly a month, with not much promise of anything really changing. Hopefully this woman will be more helpful than the last few I've had.

I got an answer from samsung usa.
they told me that they cant help me because by the law- only the carrier can provide an unlock code.
i send them mail back, hope that's can help.

ToMerbi said:
I got an answer from samsung usa.
they told me that they cant help me because by the law- only the carrier can provide an unlock code.
i send them mail back, hope that's can help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's bull**** tell them its region locked not carrier locked. Its not illegal to remove a region lock, especially if they're the people that made the damn phone.

XoomZoom said:
That's bull**** tell them its region locked not carrier locked. Its not illegal to remove a region lock, especially if they're the people that made the damn phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the first mail they told me that they cant help me.
i sent them another mail that says the seller told me that he cant help me and the device is locked.
they sent me that mail back: (only relevant part is here)
However, Non-US/International model devices are also available at the third party retailers like Best Buy, Walmart stores and online stores like Amazon, eBay etc in the US. As the Samsung support is country specific we in Samsung US Email support do not have information regarding Non-US/international model devices.
For information regarding your product and assistance for it, we suggest you to contact the appropriate country support team where the device was purchased/manufactured. You can also contact the place of purchase for any available assistance and to know the origin of the device. Only, they can provide you with the region unlock codes. For your convenience, we will provide you with a web link wherein you can select and reach the required country support team.
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Click to collapse
I dont get it, The link that they gave me looks like the first one, i need the technical support? that's what they meant?

s6 firmware
hi I have s6 build g920dxxu1aocz baseband g920fxxu1aod4 and pre installed galaxy gifts Africa which firmware/country should I install

SIM Unlock for S7 bought in Samsung.com?

Hello,
I bought a T-Mobile Galaxy S7 on samsung.com and i haven't been able to SIM unlock it.
After many calls and chats, T-Mobile support told me this: "... because the device was purchased directly from the manufacturer our system doesn't recognize the device as being a T-Mobile device. Even though it is a T-Mobile model and has T-Mobile software, a T-Mobile device is considered to be one bought or sold by T-Mobile directly. We have a database of the IMEI's of the devices we carry and sell, and this lets us unlock eligible devices upon a customer's request."
Samsung support is useless.
I tried a 3rd party unlock service two weeks ago and I'm still waiting. They asked me to please be patient because the T-Mobile server has been down.
T-Mobile unlock app did more damage than good.
I'm also still trying to return the cellphone but Samsung hasn't sent any prepaid labels yet, I've called 3 times on 3 different weeks and they said they're about to send it. , that I should wait a couple of days.
So, in the mean time, is there any other option to unlock this thing? like a brute force unlock.
Thanks.

Let me know if you find an answer. I have an s6 edge that till date after it being active on T-Mobile for over 8 months (Samsung purchase phone - T-Mobile variant) the application from T-Mobile tells me the device is not eligible". Samsung care says they don't unlock that my carrier does lol
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Would it be possible to flash the MetroPCS ROM and use a SIM unlock service for MetroPCS? Or do the same with AT&T?

yeah everyone i have tried for unlocking says the service is down...more like the inside person they use is not available...have asked a couple of sites and ebay sellers...same thing...they must all use the same person or exploit.

I was getting the runaround from Samsung to goto T-Mobile and vice versa.. luckily the T-Mobile tech support was helpful and agreed to be on conference with Samsung support and it was a battle with Samsung to get some responsible answer as they kept saying that they don't unlock phones. Then when we escalated to the manager, she repeated the same but at the end created a case to service the phone. Once it reached Samsung, they just said updated software and are sending back on same day.. Not sure if it got fixed, will let you know as soon as I get it..
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

nktwister said:
I was getting the runaround from Samsung to goto T-Mobile and vice versa.. luckily the T-Mobile tech support was helpful and agreed to be on conference with Samsung support and it was a battle with Samsung to get some responsible answer as they kept saying that they don't unlock phones. Then when we escalated to the manager, she repeated the same but at the end created a case to service the phone. Once it reached Samsung, they just said updated software and are sending back on same day.. Not sure if it got fixed, will let you know as soon as I get it..
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt if updating software can actually sim unlock it. But who knows, perhaps Samsung has a magical software update. Let us know please. If it works we could dump the OS a d reflash other locked units with Odin maybe? Lol

jazzdglass said:
I doubt if updating software can actually sim unlock it. But who knows, perhaps Samsung has a magical software update. Let us know please. If it works we could dump the OS a d reflash other locked units with Odin maybe? Lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was a bummer.. the stupid Samsung technical support just reflashed the same software and sent back the phone in a generic box (did not get original box back) .. the same problem still exists.. the device unlock app doesn't work and T-Mobile doesn't have the unlock code for this imei..

I got T-Mobile to fix mine.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Febby said:
I got T-Mobile to fix mine.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please elaborate on what you asked and what was done by T-Mobile? Did you buy your phone from Samsung.com?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

nktwister said:
Can you please elaborate on what you asked and what was done by T-Mobile? Did you buy your phone from Samsung.com?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you want to state to them is for them to request a ticket for your Imei to be white listed for the device unlock application. Let them know it is the T-Mobile variant of the phone bought directly from Samsung.com
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Febby said:
What you want to state to them is for them to request a ticket for your Imei to be white listed for the device unlock application. Let them know it is the T-Mobile variant of the phone bought directly from Samsung.com
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the same and the T-Mobile rep said that it did not work and they are getting the same error that imei cannot be whitelisted for the mobile device unlock application.. they are clear that it was T-Mobile phone from Samsung.com.. were you on g930t rom? Did you buy yours from Samsung.com or from someone else?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

nktwister said:
I did the same and the T-Mobile rep said that it did not work and they are getting the same error that imei cannot be whitelisted for the mobile device unlock application.. they are clear that it was T-Mobile phone from Samsung.com.. were you on g930t rom? Did you buy yours from Samsung.com or from someone else?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was bought directly via samsung.com as a t-mobile variant with t-mobile firmware. That's odd unless if your model was modified at some point? Perhaps lazy t-mobile rep? What I was told is that after 5 days even if bought from Samsung as a t-mobile variant it will lock itself once a sim card is left in it
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Febby said:
It was bought directly via samsung.com as a t-mobile variant with t-mobile firmware. That's odd unless if your model was modified at some point? Perhaps lazy t-mobile rep? What I was told is that after 5 days even if bought from Samsung as a t-mobile variant it will lock itself once a sim card is left in it
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok, the rep has not given up and she is still trying everyday for a solution.. my model was never modified, everything stock and used on T-Mobile for 1.5 months.. I wonder how you can be eligible for unlock if you've not used tmo sim for more than 5 days.. Maybe your rep involved some engineer to add the imei through backdoor process? Did you email them proof of purchase?

nktwister said:
Oh ok, the rep has not given up and she is still trying everyday for a solution.. my model was never modified, everything stock and used on T-Mobile for 1.5 months.. I wonder how you can be eligible for unlock if you've not used tmo sim for more than 5 days.. Maybe your rep involved some engineer to add the imei through backdoor process? Did you email them proof of purchase?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had T-Mobile service for around 2 years almost and I did use the T-Mobile s6 edge for almost 11 months.
I believe what the rep that helped me meant is that when you buy a T-Mobile variant phone from Samsung or any oem that you should run the Device unlock app asap otherwise once you leave a SIM card inserted for 5 days or more it will lock the device to that carrier that the sim belongs to.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can clarify a bit on this, as I went through the same thing. Tech support even 3 way called Samsung with me, and they were arguing for over an hour until we got fed up.
Basically, the IMEI needs to be added to the T-Mobile database, but because it was never sold by them it errors out. I just got off the phone with Tech Support and sadly, their notes don't go back far enough to tell me exact process, but I was told that the Business Support department was the one that actually solved the issue for me (along with contacting their Samsung Rep). Maybe that will help you guys out, at least as a starting point.
Edit: T-Mobile support just confirmed. Speak to Business Support, they can fix it.

Thanks for the replies.. I wasn't able to check last solution as my rep agreed to replace it with T-Mobile sold device.. so got an s7 edge which is cheaper now than s7
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

entropism said:
I can clarify a bit on this, as I went through the same thing. Tech support even 3 way called Samsung with me, and they were arguing for over an hour until we got fed up.
Basically, the IMEI needs to be added to the T-Mobile database, but because it was never sold by them it errors out. I just got off the phone with Tech Support and sadly, their notes don't go back far enough to tell me exact process, but I was told that the Business Support department was the one that actually solved the issue for me (along with contacting their Samsung Rep). Maybe that will help you guys out, at least as a starting point.
Edit: T-Mobile support just confirmed. Speak to Business Support, they can fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I registered in this forum just to say thanks to you. I wasted more than two weeks speaking to tech support. Their attitude was great but they did nothing effective. I read your post and spoke to business support, the unlock issue got resolved quickly over the weekend.
This really saves my ass because I am going overseas soon. T-mobile really need to have better communication between different departments.

A small update for anyone who ends up here via google:
T-Mobile is now aware of the issue, and if you contact them on Twitter (@tmobilehelp), their specialised customer service division, T-Force, can get you unlocked and out the door almost immediately. The process takes a few days, but they know the steps to take to get the ball rolling.

Wow, I can't believe it took 3 months to solve this.
I don't know how much time I lost calling T-Mobile and Samsung. BTW, Samsung support is the worst ever.
Since I heard the about the unlock problem, I started trying to return my phone in parallel while trying to unlock it. Samsung people didn't want to provide prepaid shipping labels, first I never got them after I was told to wait a couple of days. I called many times and got the same response. Then the 30 days passed and they started saying it was to late to return, that I had to pay restocking fee. It took me another month explaining it was their fault the 30 days passed and that I needed prepaid shipping label and a full refund. I received the shipping labels the 2nd week on May and returned the phone. I still haven't received my refund. I called today, and the representative told me the refund was posted just today, and told me to wait 3 to 5 business days.
I'm happy some of you were able to unlock it. I got tired of waiting and talking with the support guys. And I don't even have a T-Mobile line. That's why I wanted to unlock it in the first place.

The easiest way to unlock this is changing the IMEI number, i recently paid $80 to get it changed but it now shows up as unlocked & clean on the T-MOBILE network. Sorry i didn't read this post before maybe this information could have helped.

To those that recently bought the unlocked BuySpry eBay H83020i_un G5's

Have any of you been able to successfully flash a new rom onto your phones without losing your carrier unlock?
I've been reading around, and so far, it seems like a few people somehow lost their carrier unlocks after downgrading.
I'd like to flash the Fulmics rom, but I don't want to lose my carrier unlock in the process.
If anyone has any input or suggestions for downgrade/root tutorials, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

It's easy to flash a stock ROM and turn it back into a fully stock phone where everything works right.
This thread will bring you up to a stock 20I
https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...ock-h830-20i-rom-flashable-zips-imgs-t3609735
If you want to root it / install TWRP, etc etc...you want 20a. So use this thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...ock-h830-20a-rom-flashable-zips-imgs-t3511294
You will lose the SIM unlock because the SIM unlock was achieved using that bogus 20i_un ROM (old school way to do that and not preferred because it's temporary)
Everything works fine once you do that. But I don't know if it can be 're-unlocked'. I'm on T Mobile so I don't care. The t mobile unlock app MIGHT still work after 40 days like it's supposed to, but I haven't had it for 40 days so I don't know.

In the same context, can anyone comment on phones being bought from BuySpry on eBay? Have they all been brand new, unmodified ones or will we face any problem down the line like locked bootloaders, sim locks and that sort of thing. I just bought one and its on its way

Just to put it out there I brought this device on JET.com and I have the same April security H83020i_un. The order was fulfilled by Wireless Boss meaning that's who shipped it so watch out for them as well.

chaihg said:
In the same context, can anyone comment on phones being bought from BuySpry on eBay? Have they all been brand new, unmodified ones or will we face any problem down the line like locked bootloaders, sim locks and that sort of thing. I just bought one and its on its way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they are all like that. I purchased one for my neighbor and one for myself(to use as second device). I flashed it with 20i version and it is the same, but sim unlock went away and phone is locked. I am with T-Mobile and didn't mind it at all.

Just FYI, to all who bought his or her phone from eBay, I just talked to LG today, we have no warranty on our devices. They don't provide warranty to devices that were purchased from eBay.
FML

fabiansc said:
Just FYI, to all who bought his or her phone from eBay, I just talked to LG today, we have no warranty on our devices. They don't provide warranty to devices that were purchased from eBay.
FML
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you can still get warranty you just need to flash the stock rom. You can use the imei number to check the production date. Lg gives 15 months warranty from the production date. I got warranty service a couple months back from a defective g5 i bought from ebay. I just used the imei number and the customer rep checked if it was still under warranty

Can anyone tell me if H830T bought from BuySrpy on eBay will update (to nougat and get patches) on Metro PCS network?

Rohden111 said:
Can anyone tell me if H830T bought from BuySrpy on eBay will update (to nougat and get patches) on Metro PCS network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you leave it like it is out of the box, no. It will definitely not. It has a custom ROM on there so no OTA update will work.
If you flash an official ROM using the LG UP tool (which is INSANELY EASY) then it will get the updates on the T Mobile network. I suspect it will get updates if you're on the Metro PCS network too as it's really just looking for a web connection, not service network. But I can't 100% confirm that as I haven't tried it.
I personally flashed my BuySpry phone to official ROM 20a and immediately got the notifications to update the phone via OTA to official T Mobile releases.
So once you flash the official ROM it's like you've undone whatever BuySpry did to the phone and it's essentially brand new again.

Skipjacks said:
If you leave it like it is out of the box, no. It will definitely not. It has a custom ROM on there so no OTA update will work.
If you flash an official ROM using the LG UP tool (which is INSANELY EASY) then it will get the updates on the T Mobile network. I suspect it will get updates if you're on the Metro PCS network too as it's really just looking for a web connection, not service network. But I can't 100% confirm that as I haven't tried it.
I personally flashed my BuySpry phone to official ROM 20a and immediately got the notifications to update the phone via OTA to official T Mobile releases.
So once you flash the official ROM it's like you've undone whatever BuySpry did to the phone and it's essentially brand new again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Skipjacks.
I looked up your link (on how to flash official ROM) from above post and indeed it looks easy.
I guess only question I still have would be if sim-locked T Mobile LG G5 will work on Metro PCS...

Rohden111 said:
Thank you Skipjacks.
I looked up your link (on how to flash official ROM) from above post and indeed it looks easy.
I guess only question I still have would be if sim-locked T Mobile LG G5 will work on Metro PCS...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know. But call T Mobile. They'll know about the T Mobile phone on Metro PCS thing.

harrychang said:
I think you can still get warranty you just need to flash the stock rom. You can use the imei number to check the production date. Lg gives 15 months warranty from the production date. I got warranty service a couple months back from a defective g5 i bought from ebay. I just used the imei number and the customer rep checked if it was still under warranty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response!
When I try to use their mobile repair service, they want to see the receipt.
Did it work out for you with a receipt form eBay or did you found a way to circumvent it?
I'm not sure they're going to give me service on it, but I just noticed yesterday that my camera rear glass is broken.
I don't know how since I didn't drop the phone or anything.
Regardless, knowing the warranty works is important for me

OK i spoke to LG and they said warranty is available if 1) Its 15 months from date of manufacture for which they check IMEI 2) 1 year from date of purchase for which they need proof with receipt. So when I gave my IMEI they said it is under warranty. Hopefully I wont need it. But if it comes to that, I will attach their repair slips that came in the box and give eBay receipts. Have also mailed the seller to ask for proof of purchase lets see.

fabiansc said:
Thanks for your response!
When I try to use their mobile repair service, they want to see the receipt.
Did it work out for you with a receipt form eBay or did you found a way to circumvent it?
I'm not sure they're going to give me service on it, but I just noticed yesterday that my camera rear glass is broken.
I don't know how since I didn't drop the phone or anything.
Regardless, knowing the warranty works is important for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use the live chat. You just have to give the csr the imei. They did not ask me for the receipt. If they ask Just say you lost the receipt then they will go off the imei to check the production date. I tried doing it on the website but it wouldnt let me continue without uploading a receipt. I did the live chat and the csr was able to generate an rma and email me a return label

Skipjacks said:
If you leave it like it is out of the box, no. It will definitely not. It has a custom ROM on there so no OTA update will work.
If you flash an official ROM using the LG UP tool (which is INSANELY EASY) then it will get the updates on the T Mobile network. I suspect it will get updates if you're on the Metro PCS network too as it's really just looking for a web connection, not service network. But I can't 100% confirm that as I haven't tried it.
I personally flashed my BuySpry phone to official ROM 20a and immediately got the notifications to update the phone via OTA to official T Mobile releases.
So once you flash the official ROM it's like you've undone whatever BuySpry did to the phone and it's essentially brand new again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any ideas if we can flash a generic US unlocked firmware onto H830 device? I would like to see if it will unlocked the phone as after flashing T-Mobile's firmware it got sim locked.

fabiansc said:
Just FYI, to all who bought his or her phone from eBay, I just talked to LG today, we have no warranty on our devices. They don't provide warranty to devices that were purchased from eBay.
FML
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When dealing with LG for warranty work never mention it's an ebay purchase. Without a receipt the LG warranty period is 15 months from the date of manufacture. Also ensure the OEM ROM is loaded.

I just purchased one. I'll get it on August 6th
I'm from El Salvador, so you are telling me that if I try to downgrade my phone to root it, I'll be T-mobile only?
and if I do root it, can it be unlocked again with one of those unlocking boxes?

Uppercut has Trojan:Win32/Dynamer!ac in it. Listed as severe.

I ordered this phone and downgraded to 20a, so I could root it and flash a custom rom.
When doing the downgrade/rooting it locked the carrier lock to T-Mobile USA.
I wiped everything and reinstalled 20i, but it was still locked to T-Mobile USA.
Since I am in Canada this is a huge problem for me.
I ended up disputing it at paypal due to not selling a genuine unlocked device.
I will keep you updated, let me know if you figure out how to unlock the carrier lock.

LittleKing7 said:
I ordered this phone and downgraded to 20a, so I could root it and flash a custom rom.
When doing the downgrade/rooting it locked the carrier lock to T-Mobile USA.
I wiped everything and reinstalled 20i, but it was still locked to T-Mobile USA.
Since I am in Canada this is a huge problem for me.
I ended up disputing it at paypal due to not selling a genuine unlocked device.
I will keep you updated, let me know if you figure out how to unlock the carrier lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't forget to dispute with your credit card company too. They likely have better protections than PayPal.
And don't forget to leave negative feedback for the dishonest seller on ebay

Phone locked help!

Hi, i have a problem with a T-mobile LG G5 H830. Bought the phone last year and it was unlocked and i used it on a different network ever sense. Last night i update the phone to Android 8.0 over LG bridge and now the phone is network locked. When i go to the Device Lock application to unlock it, it says "Unlock Faild: This mobile device is not eligible for unlock. For device Unlock eligibility details, please go online or contact Customer Care. Has anyone run into the same problem, i am currently in Europe and dont know what to do, can anyone help. Thanks in advance.

bump

The person in this thread found a method:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-lg-g5/how-to/reliable-network-unlock-service-t3876242
When I had my G5, I bought it used off of eBay, the seller wasn’t able to unlock for some reason. I was able to unlock it with a Mint Mobile SIM, which was a T-Mobile sub company. I hate the greedy phone service companies we have in the USA.
Hope that link helps you!