Removing T Mobile from unlocked S9

[MotorMike2020]

I recently purchased a new Galaxy S9, model SM-G960U to be used as a secondary phone . I installed my SIM card for the first time from my S10 and as soon as it got a signal, T Mobile went ahead and installed its own software on the phone, and now it seems like its locked to T Mobile. When I try to run the installed Device Unlock app, it returns "server unavailable, try again later"... And I cannot uninstall any of the new apps they installed.
Is there any way of removing these T Mobile apps other than a complete device reset? Even if I was to do that, they would most likely install everything all over again next time the SIM was installed. I thought unlocked meant unlocked !!

 

[methodman89]

My S9+ has tmobile software on it, with no option to uninstall either, and I'm not on tmobile.
I'll follow this to see if anyone has a way.

 

[joeldf]

I recently purchased a new Galaxy S9, model SM-G960U to be used as a secondary phone . I installed my SIM card for the first time from my S10 and as soon as it got a signal, T Mobile went ahead and installed its own software on the phone, and now it seems like its locked to T Mobile. When I try to run the installed Device Unlock app, it returns "server unavailable, try again later"... And I cannot uninstall any of the new apps they installed.
Is there any way of removing these T Mobile apps other than a complete device reset? Even if I was to do that, they would most likely install everything all over again next time the SIM was installed. I thought unlocked meant unlocked !!

Because you put a T-Mobile SIM in the phone is why all that got loaded on. It's what they do. Probably installed as system software which may be why it can't be un-installed.

But it's definitely not locked.

You could still take that SIM out and use, say, an AT&T SIM and it'll work too. However, AT&T would then load up all its stuff.

There is that Samsung de-bloat app in the Play Store. I think that might work. Someone else would have to chime in about that. @mustang7757 might know more.

 

[mustang7757]

Because you put a T-Mobile SIM in the phone is why all that got loaded on. It's what they do. Probably installed as system software which may be why it can't be un-installed.

But it's definitely not locked.

You could still take that SIM out and use, say, an AT&T SIM and it'll work too. However, AT&T would then load up all its stuff.

There is that Samsung de-bloat app in the Play Store. I think that might work. Someone else would have to chime in about that. @mustang7757 might know more.

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The only NON-root solution that let's you disable any unwanted packages that come pre-installed / installed with your phone / tablet.

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Best money spent on removing bloat

 

[B. Diddy]

What I don't understand is how some phones seem to get T-Mobile bloat installed automatically when the SIM is inserted, but others don't -- I've never seen it happen on any of my Pixel phones.

 

[mustang7757]

What I don't understand is how some phones seem to get T-Mobile bloat installed automatically when the SIM is inserted, but others don't -- I've never seen it happen on any of my Pixel phones.

Usually on Samsung carrier version like OP has and unlocked to work on other Network , installing a sim from different manufacturers like Att/Verizon will boot up with their splash screen and bloat . Its not the same as you were to buy Samsung carrier bloat/unlocked device as both models are different. OP can also flash to Samsung unlocked version with no problem.


SM-G960U- carrier version and can be unlocked to work with other network

SM-G960U1- Samsung unlocked with no carrier bloat or splash screen and unlocked on any network


Same as Google
You can purchase through a carrier and will load their bloat but until paid off it wont work on other Network

Unlocked Google from play store
No carrier bloat and already sim unlocked

 

[MotorMike2020]

Thank you everyone for the great information.. I believe Mustang cleared up the reason why my S10 never got all the carrier apps but the S9 did. Its all in the "1" !! Next time I will make sure to purchase a U1 model.
Since I am using T Mobile and dont plan on changing that, I will probably just leave it for now. It is a back up device which is usually a music player when not activated. Only thing that was annoying is I am pretty sure they removed the Mobile Data quick panel button. Installed a widget to switch mobile data when needed.