Can I unlock the sim lock by updating the firmware?

[AC Question]

can i unlock the sim lock by updating the firmware?

I bought a samsung galaxy S5 Active from eBay and the seller said it was unlocked. Turns out, however, that it is locked to AT&T USA.

Its model is Galaxy S5 Active (SM-G870A ) and OS version is 4.4.2 (kitkat)

so if i reinstall the same will it unlock the sim lock in this phone?

also can i use the firmware of model Galaxy S5 Active (SM-G870F) to this as it got the OS version of 5.0 (lolipop)

I have been trying to sell it on eBay again but to no luck, so I am ready to start looking for other options.

I have searched for this and found that changing the firmware will not re-lock an already unlocked phone, but what about the other way around?
If I change the device's firmware to an unbranded one, will that unlock it so I can use any SIM?

 

[Rukbat]

Re: can i unlock the sim lock by updating the firmware?

I bought a samsung galaxy S5 Active from eBay and the seller said it was unlocked. Turns out, however, that it is locked to AT&T USA.

Its model is Galaxy S5 Active (SM-G870A ) and OS version is 4.4.2 (kitkat)

so if i reinstall the same will it unlock the sim lock in this phone?

No, the ROM (the OS is Linux, Android is an app runnning in Linux) has nothing to do with the SIM lock. If the phone was fully paid for (as far as AT&T is concerned) thy'll give you the unlock code for free. It usually takes from a few days to a week for them to get it. Go to AT&T Wireless Consumer Device Unlock Request.

also can i use the firmware of model Galaxy S5 Active (SM-G870F) to this as it got the OS version of 5.0 (lolipop)

Possibly, but it could also brick the phone. Stick to ROOMs for the G870A.

I have been trying to sell it on eBay again but to no luck, so I am ready to start looking for other options.

The best option is Swappa, not eBay. A lot of people are afraid to buy phones on eBay - a lot of them are stolen or not yet paid off. Swappa is about 99.9% safe.

I have searched for this and found that changing the firmware will not re-lock an already unlocked phone, but what about the other way around? If I change the device's firmware to an unbranded one, will that unlock it so I can use any SIM?

No, since the ROM doesn't affect the SIM lock state, reflashing an unlocked phone won't lock it and flashing a locked phone won't unlock it. But flashing a ROM written for a different model can brick it. (It might not - but it might.)

 

[Beni_Felix 1989]

please help me!
i have an android phone as per discription below and it is sim locked, can any one give a solution to this dive on how i can unlock it?


MODELREAD: Halotel H8401 / Halotel H8401 / Halotel H8401
MODELREAD2: Halotel H8401 / Halotel H8401 / Halotel H8401 / Halotel H8401
OS_VERSION: ANDROID ANDROID ANDROID 4.4.2 KOT49H 4.4.2 KOT49H 4.4.2 KOT49H
FIRMWARE: hexing72_cwet_kk-user / MOLY.WR8.W1315.MD.WG.MP.V43.P2, 2015/06/18 15:02
HTC_HWID: mt6572-0
KERNEL_VERSION:3.4.67
CpuInfo: ARMv7

OR

Hardware:mt6572
Board:hexing72_cwet_kk
CPU ABI:armeabi-v7a
Manufacturer:halotel
Model:halotel h8401
Android Ver:4.4.2
bootloader ver:unknown
USB config:mtp,adb
User:gxt
FS:unknown
Baseband ver:moly.wr8.w1315.md.wg.mp.v43.p2, 2015/06/18 15:02
Build number:halotel_h8401_ver08_20150629_1720
ID:kot49h
Region:tz
Language:sw
Chipset:
IMEI1:866747027708790
IMEI2:866747027708808
>>> Root: Rooted(su)

 

[Matthew Cairns]

Duuuuuuude never ever ever put your imei number online ever,

As for network unlocking your phone hell to the yeah it can be done i can tell by this "MT6572"

But please be smart dont post your imei on a public forum