Unlinking Android from the operator. How to unlink (unlock) Samsung Galaxy S3 (SIII SGH-I747 d2att) from AT&T for free

Before purchasing the Samsung Galaxy S III/S3 in the USA, I studied how it could be untied from the AT&T operator. True, at that moment I was studying the Galaxy SIII GT-I9300 model, and the Samsung SGH-I747 (d2att) came to me. I had to look for unlocking options again. Fortunately, a universal, safe and, importantly, free method has been found.

This trick is very simple and works on several Samsung phone models, including Samsung Galaxy S3 SGH-I747, Samsung Galaxy SIII GT-I9300, Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7105. It does not matter which operator the phone is locked to (AT&T, Orange, Telus, Rogers, ...). And most importantly, you don’t need to change files on your phone or install programs of unknown origin. Moreover, this entire procedure is absolutely free!

First you need to update Android to at least version 4.1. Without updating, the necessary menu items simply will not appear. For Samsung Galaxy S3 SGH-I747, just download and install the free Samsung Kies program. After connecting the phone via USB cable, Samsung Kies will offer to update to 4.1.1. If you have homemade firmware (custom ROM), then install the native firmware (stock ROM); Some users were able to simply update the radio rather than install the stock firmware.

1. Dial the number
   *#197328640#


2. In the menu that appears, select UMTS -> Debug Screen -> Phone Control -> Network Lock -> Options Perso SHA256 OFF. Wait 30 seconds.


3. Go back a step by pressing the Menu button and selecting "Back". You will find yourself in Network Lock again


4. Select then choose NW Lock NV Data INITIALLIZ and wait a minute.


5. Reboot your phone!


6. Profit!

Unfortunately, this method does not imply any messages indicating that the phone has already been disconnected from the operator (unlocked). Just insert a new SIM card and try using the phone with it (don't panic if the network doesn't appear right away, wait a minute).

Another way to make sure that all procedures have been completed is to go again to the Perso SHA256 OFF item. After you select it and wait 30 seconds, a message will appear on the screen stating that no changes have occurred.

Tested on my Samsung Galaxy S3 SGH-I747, linked (locked) to the American operator AT&T. A micro SIM card from a Russian mobile operator, which was issued for free instead of a regular SIM, worked perfectly after this procedure.

If you cannot untie your phone using this method, the xda-developers community recommends:
1. Repeat the above steps
2. Turn off the phone, remove the SIM card and reinsert it.
3. Try with some other SIM card.

Also, problems with decoupling can occur with stolen phones (clean ESN problem).

(Update)
How to unlink (unlock) Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, S5, S6, S7 and Galaxy Note 1,2,3,4 from a mobile operator using an unlock code
Unfortunately, the free above method of unlinking from an operator, although it works great, is not available to everyone. The problem is that in firmware older than Android 4.1.1 the required item may simply be missing. To return this menu item, you need to return firmware 4.1.1, which is certainly not an easy task for all users.

As an alternative, you can use the operator unlock code to unlock Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, S5, S6, S7 and Galaxy Note 1, 2, 3, 4 from your operator. On the ebay auction, many sellers offer unlock codes for Samsung Galaxy s3, as well as for the other phones listed above. They cost only 1 dollar.

If the price is equal, it is better to choose the one with a high rating, hundreds of reviews, and even better - hundreds of sold phone unlock codes. For example, the seller nikita_iz sold the code for unlocking Samsung Galaxy S2, S3, S4, Note 2.3 (Clean IMEI) from AT&T more than 900 times.

Unbinding from the operator using this method may take 1-2 business days. In the case of mine. Please note that many sellers indicate that the unlock code does not work on Android 4.4.2; an older version of the Android operating system must be installed.

I managed to buy a used Apple iPhone 4S on eBay, connected to the AT&T operator (locked).

Free unlocking of Apple iPhone 3GS, 4, 4G, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 7, SE from AT&T
I tried to go to the AT&T page, where you can apply to unbind from this operator (unlock).

For clients, including former ones, you need to enter your AT&T phone number, as well as your SSN (American social security number, without which you won’t be able to get a job, and even opening a bank account in the US is problematic). For the rest, the only point left is “Non-Customer OR Paid No-Commitment Price”. You must choose whether the phone was purchased from AT&T, an authorized retailer, or an Apple Store. No-commitment pricing means that the buyer paid full price for the phone (without subsidies or discounts from AT&T). After sending such a request, I received the following response by email:

We have received your request to unlock your iPhone. Your Request Number: #######

Thank you for contacting AT&T Customer Care about unlocking your iPhone. Please retain your Request Number for reference. In order to process your unlock request, we must receive a faxed copy of your original receipt. Please fax us a copy of the receipt including your Request Number and IMEI to 1-214-782-6442 within 48 hours. You will receive the status of your request at the email address you provided in 5 to 7 business days.

Your request is subject to iPhone unlock eligibility requirements. If we have further questions or instructions, we"ll contact you by email.

Other ways to get AT&T to unlock your phone are email, online chat, and phone call. The latter can be done for free using a program like Skype. If they ask for a contract, SSN, ... then you can try to say that you are currently traveling outside the USA, so you do not have this data with you. You can add that you want to use a local SIM card or Travel SIM, and AT&T international roaming services are extremely expensive. For some, this method works immediately, you just need to name the IMEI of the phone. But I came across reviews where owners of locked Apple iPhones had to call several times or write 20 times.

Buying an unlock code (code for unlocking an Apple iPhone from AT&T) on eBay
You can untie Apple iPhone 3GS, 4, 4G, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 7, SE for just a few dollars. For example, the seller unlock_fusion offers to unlock an AT&T phone for only $3.15 ( Note: This seller no longer offers his services on ebay, but there are many other sellers on this marketplace offering iphone unlock code). At the same time, you receive protection from eBay, and you buy from a seller who has made more than 100 thousand transactions at auction! Moreover, they promise a 100% refund in case of problems, unlocking even stolen or lost phones (which after unlocking will still not work in the USA), and also that the unlocking will not fail in the future. Detachment from the operator occurs within 24 hours. The only thing is that jailbreak needs to be removed.

Purchasing an unlock code for Apple iPhone 3GS, 4, 4G, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 7, SE on forums and various websites
You can purchase an unlock code in other places. At the same time, the price for decoupling from the operator is usually from 20 to 50 US dollars. Although some people manage to untie the phone for $120. It turns out to be a good business: bought for 3 dollars and sold for 30 or more.

Jailbreak, Cydia and temporary unlinking of Apple iPhone 3GS, 4, 4G, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 7, SE from AT&T
You can install jailbreak, then the alternative app store Cydia, and then find a free cure for AT&T binding in it. The disadvantage of this method is that when updating the iOS operating system, you will have to remove the jailbreak, update, and then again find out how to install the jailbreak and what new method of unlinking from AT&T will work.

Buying an adapter for unlocking Apple iPhone 3GS, 4, 4G, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 7, SE
Adapters like R-Sim, Gevey Turbo Sim, X-Sim. No jailbreak or installation of any programs is required. You simply insert your SIM card into the adapter and the adapter into your phone, then follow the instructions for the specific adapter. So for R-Sim 9 you just need to select your operator in the menu. The cost of R-SIM 9 PRO on eBay with delivery to Russia from Hong Kong is $15. This adapter allows you to unlock Apple iPhone 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus.

After looking at all the options and talking to several people from AT&T support, .

(Update October 21, 2013)
The Apple iPhone 4S has been working fine for 10 months now. Re-unlocking was not required even after updating the iOS operating system to version 7. But at the same time, cheap iphone unlock codes have disappeared from eBay.

Articles and Lifehacks

Many users are concerned about the issue of how to unlink a phone from an operator. This is usually of interest to owners of mobile devices that are locked to a specific communications service provider - for example, locked to a specific provider.

Blocking the devices makes it impossible to fully use them. Owners of these devices cannot install SIM cards from other operators. Consumers are often attracted by the low cost of such phones, but in the future they will have to work hard to unlock the device.

What is Unlock, or unlinking a phone from an operator?

The procedure called Unlock just means unlocking the device, that is, decoupling it from the specific cellular operator to which it was initially locked by the manufacturer.

An example is Apple devices. They can be divided into 2 types: devices tied to a specific mobile operator, and those that are not tied to it. Thus, only the second type of iPhone is available on the domestic market today, and they cost more than locked phones. However, they work with any SIM card and do not require Unlock. Software decoupling from a mobile operator is possible. In this case, the person uses special software. After each subsequent flashing of the device, the program must be installed again. Software decoupling directly depends on the modem, or on the firmware version of the radio module. In this regard, it is recommended to use only custom firmware.

Instructions for unlinking your phone from your operator

Let's start with the jailbreak procedure. It is a special operation designed for iOS devices and allows access to its file system. Then we connect the device to a laptop or PC and begin its activation. To do this, you will need a SIM card from the operator to which the device is locked. In addition, you can purchase a Gevey SIM card, which costs up to $35. However, it’s unlikely to work with her help.

Next, we back up the information. To do this, hover the mouse cursor over the name of the cellular device, open the context menu with the name of the right button and select the “Create a copy” item. We go to the Jailbreak Me resource through the Safari application. To do this, the device must be connected to the Internet via 3G or Wi-Fi. A slider appears on the computer screen. Let's move it. The jailbreak procedure has begun. Immediately after the procedure, access to the Cydia program appears. Launch it and select the “Search” menu. Enter ultrasn0w. We install the application that will be found, simultaneously downloading a standard software package at our discretion. Reboot the mobile device. Now you can use a SIM card from any mobile operator.

But how to disconnect a phone from an operator if it does not run the OS? To do this you will need to use a special unlock code.
You can find code databases at service centers. In addition, it is possible to calculate the code using a special calculator.

We remind you that attempts to repeat the author’s actions may lead to loss of warranty on the equipment and even to its failure. The material is provided for informational purposes only. If you are going to reproduce the steps described below, we strongly advise you to carefully read the article to the end at least once. The editors of 3DNews do not bear any responsibility for any possible consequences.

Operator devices are not a new phenomenon. Even our “Big Three” have been offering branded devices for ten years, if not more. Several things can encourage a potential buyer to purchase a phone or anything else with the operator’s logo. Firstly, almost everywhere, various bonuses are given as a “gift” upon purchase, such as unlimited Internet access for a couple of months or a very favorable (in appearance, of course) tariff. Secondly, the price of a branded device may be lower than that of similar models, but not sold by the operator. Finally, it also happens that you need a specific model, but you can’t buy it freely anywhere.

Often people make impulsive purchases, coveting a free offer, and after the allotted time has passed, they simply throw the device into the far corner, since they, as a rule, are completely dissatisfied with the tariffs, which they will have to switch to on a forced-voluntary basis. Moreover, it is not so important whether the operator really asks for a lot of money for his services - you quickly get used to good (and free) things, but you don’t want to pay an additional amount for, in general, a not very obligatory and not very vital service . It's good if you bought the device from the same operator that you use constantly. But here’s the catch - devices often end up locked, and if you regularly use the services of another company, then even in theory you won’t be able to do anything useful with them. We will deal with the solution to this issue, that is, the unlocking.

Before we get started, we need to clarify a few points. To begin with, it is useful to make sure that the device is really locked. All you have to do is insert a non-native SIM card and see what happens. If nothing works or the device somehow hints that it would be a good idea to insert the SIM of the desired operator or enter some code, then it is really locked. The next stage is to find out the true manufacturer. The most popular are Chinese products from Huawei or ZTE, less often Alcatel or some other little-known companies. A simple search will give you all the secrets. Along the way, you can find out whether it is possible to buy an unlocked analogue somewhere else and whether it can be unlocked at all. It is quite possible that the operator itself or a third-party company for a small fee, or even for free, is ready to make the device less scrupulous. In general, you need to find out for yourself whether the game is worth the candle.

And we’ll start, perhaps, with unlocking the Megafon E173 modem, nee Huawei E173u-1. One of the many services for generating unlock codes will help us with this. For example, for Huawei, ZTE or Alcatel. There are lists of compatible models everywhere, but they are far from complete. For example, they did not have the E173 line. To get the unlock code, which must be entered on any of these sites, you need to find out the IMEI - a set of 15 digits, also known as a unique identifier. In the case of Huawei E173u-1, it was indicated on the modem case under the cover. Numbers must be entered without hyphens, spaces or other separating characters. Press the Calculator/Generate button and get the coveted eight digits of the unlock code (NCK). Copy them somewhere.

If the modem is still not connected, then it’s time to do it, and at the same time install the Megafon Internet program, since installing it also installs all the necessary drivers. We will also need the Huawei Modem Code Writer utility, a link to which is available just below the IMEI input field on the first site. Both programs work successfully in Windows 7. Download the archive with the utility (for some reason it also contains a song), unpack it and run the program. Click Select Com Port, and then Detect and Accept. If the drivers are installed correctly, the connected modem should be recognized normally in the program. All that remains is to press the magic Unlock Modem button and enter the generated eight digits. An entry should appear in the log: “Send Unlock Command... OK.”

Now you can remove the modem, insert a SIM card from another operator, and Megafon Internet will no longer complain that the wrong SIM was inserted. To connect to the Network, you can use some third-party utility, or you can simply create a new profile in Megafon Internet.

The next “victim” will be the Beeline A100 phone, produced in sunny China by ZTE. We will again need to find out the IMEI of the device. You can dial *#06# on the keypad or simply look at the number on the sticker located under the battery. Then you need to enter this number into one of the online calculators, links to which are given above, and receive an unlock code (NCK). After that, dial *983*8284# on the keyboard and enter the generated code. That’s it, now the phone easily accepts SIM cards not only from Beeline, but also from other operators.

Let's finally consider one more little trick - let's make the Samsung SWC-U200 modem work for the Yota WiMax network on the Comstar network. This is done using universal firmware, which can be downloaded. You must first install the proprietary Yota Access utility of a certain version. It is also recommended to exit Yota Access before installation. If everything went smoothly, the utility will detect the modem and offer to start the update (step 2). The process is slow, and it is better not to touch anything during the update. If it complains about the lack of drivers, then you will need to restart it and select the first item, wait a little, and only then start the firmware update.

After updating the firmware, go to the virtual CD drive that appears when you connect the adapter. There is a file called CSAccess_v.124_DA15.exe that needs to be launched. After that, from the main menu in the Yota Access section, run the “Install Comstar firmware” script and wait for the process to complete. Then you need to register with Comstar and in your personal account, in the “Management” → “Access” section, register our modem (we are interested in the MAC address), and also do not forget to top up your account. Now you can connect to the new network through the Comstar Access utility from the main menu. To return to our native bosom, run “Install Yota firmware” from there. For more detailed information about working in different WiMax networks, it is best to refer to.

We'll probably stop ranting here. We looked at only three devices as an example, but you can easily find specific instructions and tips for your devices on the Internet, if, of course, unlocking is possible at all. Once again, we recommend asking your operator about the possibility of officially unlocking your device. It may be a little more time consuming, but you won't have to do anything with your own hands. Good luck with your flashing and unlocking!

Attention, all actions must be done consistently and with caution. Remember, this may damage your device. Everything you do is done at your own peril and risk. The authors of the method are not responsible for your actions and possible malfunction of the device, which resulted in non-warranty repairs at the service center.

Everyone has been warned, and if you are not afraid of the risk of being left with a “brick”, let’s start unlocking. The first thing that is best to do is switch the interface language of the smartphone to English, this will make it easier to avoid translation errors; all actions must be performed with the inserted SIM card on which the device is locked (or any other on which you plan to operate the unlocked device, the SIM card must be inserted ). Go.

Menu and Back buttons:

1. Dial *#0011#

2. Press the "Menu" button and the "Back" button:

3. Press the “Menu” button again, then tap on “KEY INPUT” and enter “1”, press the “OK” button.

4. Press the "Menu" button and then "BACK"

You are now in SERVICE MODE MAIN MENU

Tap UMTS

then DEBUG SCREEN

then PHONE CONTROL

then NETWORK LOCK

then tap on PERSO SHA256 OFF

return to the UMTS MAIN MENU by pressing the “Menu” button then “Back” and tap COMMON

then NV REBUILD

then tap RESTORE BACKUP

after which the device freezes, the screen will be black, the blue LED will be lit, the “Menu” and “Back” buttons will be turned on. Wait until the smartphone reboots (about a minute will pass, maybe a little more).

That's it, congratulations, your Samsung Galaxy S4 (I9505) is unlocked, you can insert any SIM card from any company.

Updated 12/23/2013 (we remind you that you perform all actions at your own peril and risk, we remind you that incorrect actions can lead to loss of warranty and damage to your smartphone, the owners of the resource are not responsible for damage to your property. If you are not sure, do not perform these actions.)

For those who can't, updated information has appeared from here, tested on Samsung Galaxy S4 SGH-M919 (T-Mobile), these are the steps

1. Open the dialer and enter *#27663368378# to get to the service menu.
2. In “ServiceMode”, select UMTS
3. In “UMTS MAIN MENU”, select DEBUG SCREEN
4. In "DEBUG SCREEN", select PHONE CONTROL
5. In “PHONE CONTROL”, select NETWORK LOCK
6. In “NETWORK LOCK”, select PERSO SHA256 OFF
This should appear:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG
SHA256_OFF => SHA256_ON
7. Now touch the first line SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG
This should appear:
MENU NOT EXIST
PRESS BACK KEY
Current Command is 116631
8. Now press the menu button and select “Back”
This should appear:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG
SHA256_OFF => Not Change
9. Again, press the menu button and select “Back”, this will take you back to the previous “NETWORK LOCK” screen
10. Press the menu button and select “Back”, you will be on the “PHONE CONTROL” screen
11. Press the menu button and select “Back”, you will be on the “DEBUG SCREEN” screen
12. Finally, press the menu button and select “Back”, you will be taken to the “UMTS MAIN MENU” screen
13. Choose COMMON
14. On the COMMON screen, select NV REBUILD
When you get to the NV REBUILD screen, you should see the following text:
——————————
Golden-Backup exists
You can Restore Cal/NV
——————————
15. Now the last step.
On the "NV REBUILD" screen, select Restore Back-up
The “menu” and “back” buttons should light up and the smartphone will reboot within a few seconds.

Congratulations, your smartphone can now work with any SIM card. Please write in the comments if you managed to unlock it using this method.