yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S 4 General] JustExtreme:
I bought an S4 the other week locked to EE UK and it has lollipop installed and modem xxuhod7. In order to unlock would I be correct in saying that I need to downgrade modem? That seems to be the case from searching this thread but I want to be certain. Is there any way to back up my existing modem?
[Galaxy S 4 General] diesalweasel:
Yer you will need to downgrade it then root the phone then use region away unlock . If region away don't work first time round . Run region away again. And it will work. You will know if it worked when you chuck another sim card in

---------- Post added at 11:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:27 PM ----------

I don't know about backing it . As I never bother trust me you will be fine. I've done loads of them
[Galaxy S 4 General] 93starletgt:
Well, I followed an XDA thread to SIM unlock the M919. It involved downgrading from 4.4.4 to 4.2 (the only way to access those menus). I successfully unlocked my device! But now I have no Wifi... I tried flashing every single modem, every firmware (Official TW ones via Odin, every custom rom using TWRP). They flashed well and everything worked besides the Wifi. I've found some threads from people with the exact same problem (they tried to unlock it using the same method) but those are old threads with no solution.

I've spent 24hrs reading and flashing and wiping and reading again. Any ideas? Will send $20 on Paypal if you find me a solution!

Thank you.
[Galaxy S 4 General] diesalweasel:
Have you tried rooting the device . Then using region away unlock. I've never come across this issue before

---------- Post added at 12:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:37 AM ----------

Try this on YouTube. If it works I don't want your money. It all about helping each other out

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ykG8HEYHxp4
[Galaxy S 4 General] Dj Darki:
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[Galaxy S 4 General] diesalweasel:
This trick what your doent seem to work no more . Your best off rooting the device and using region away unlock . Trust me this tool works a treat. Good luck my friend
[Galaxy S 4 General] Dj Darki:
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[Galaxy S 4 General] diesalweasel:
As I said it doesn't work no more It something to do with updates
[Galaxy S 4 General] Dj Darki:
Help me

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[Galaxy S 4 General] kasim1:
I have verizon, rooted

same issue, can't get to Main Menu.

clicking Back several times didn't work :(
[Galaxy S 4 General] diesalweasel:
Sorry to sound blunt here but it clear that you don't read the last 10 pages. We have discussed this many of times that code no longer works how it should. For download region away and run it . It will unlock your phone with no issues . I use it all the time

---------- Post added at 01:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:52 AM ----------

Start reading page fron 143 to where you are now regards
[Galaxy S 4 General] Quant:
I'm trying to unlock a Canadian Virgin Mobile phone. I have already successfully rooted the phone using CF-Auto-Root. I'm on 5.0.1. Reading many pages (but not all), I have understood that I will need to downgrade the modem to 4.2.2, use RegionAway unlock, and maybe the *#0011#...

I will try that, but have some questions.

Since I am on 5.0.1, can I just downgrade the modem, or do I have to do the whole firmware? I found the firmwares (latest and 4.2.2) at samsung-updates.com. After unlocking, again, do I upgrade the modem only, or the whole firmware (this might be the same question, depending on whether I downgrade everything or just the modem, right?).

As suggested by Strephon Alkhalikoi, I'll backup the NAND and the modem etc before I try anything. Since I will have a modem backup from this, can I just restore the modem only? Is this an option within ODIN? Do I need to restore the modem?
[Galaxy S 4 General] diesalweasel:
All I do I'd just downgrade the modem and root the phone then I install region away then factory restore the phone ..and bobs your uncle
[Galaxy S 4 General] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
Yes, you can downgrade just the modem. Once you've unlocked, simply restore the Android 5.x modem using Odin and reboot. You should then have everything all set for you.

You have to restore the modem, otherwise you won't get service of any kind. However, I do NOT recommend using the backup you made through Wanam's EFS Backup tool. The reason I recommended making the backup was in case of issues with unlocking. If you had an issue, you could restore using the backup and try again. If you've successfully unlocked the S4, install the current modem for your S4 using Odin rather than restoring from the backup.
[Galaxy S 4 General] marford:
I have been reading a lot of forums about unlocking my Samsung Galaxy S4 i9505, but results very hard...

First, I read about getting a hidden Service Mode Menu, introducing *#0011# on dial pad. For going to main menu, with the

menu button, back,

menu button, insert code, Q0 instead of 1

Now I got the main menu.

Tap [1] UMTS,

[1] Debug Screen,

[8] Phone control,

[6] Network Lock

And now I should see three options:

[1] Perso Sha256 Info

[2] Perso Sha256 ON

[3] Perso Sha256 OFF

But options [2] and [3] are Hidden. How to "unlock" these options for going on the Sim Unlocking proccess? Thanks a lot for your responses!
[Galaxy S 4 General] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
Given how big this thread has become, it's no surprise that you didn't read completely through it. You could have searched for it in the thread however. Regardless, you have to downgrade your modem first using Odin before you can try to unlock the S4. Personally, I recommend downgrading the modem, then using RegionLock Away to unlock the S4. Afterward, restore the original modem.

Using RegionLock Away is easier and avoids the risk of messing up the device by changing the wrong setting. It simply blows away the locking mechanism that lives in the hidden partitions of the S4.
[Galaxy S 4 General] kaif sabit:
I have galaxy a3 from uk 4g one how to unlock it's sim network lock free of cost
[Galaxy S 4 General] kachmul2004:
Try here
[Galaxy S 4 General] terencekill:
Thanks :)
[Galaxy S 4 General] mano2:
Any luck for anyone with Vodafone Hungary?

I've tried it on GT-I9505 but I can't even go to the service main menu. I type in the value "1" but nothing happens.

Model: GT-I9505

Android: Stock 4.4.2

Baseband: I9505XXUGNJ5

Build number: KOT49H.I9505XXUGNJ5

Edit:

I finally managed to get to the service menu with the following steps:

*#0011#

Press [MENU]

press [Back]

press [MENU]

Press [Key Input]

Input [Q]

press [MENU]

Press [Key Input]

Input [0000]

Wait 30 Seconds.

Now the only problem is that I don't have the PERSO SHA256 OFF option.

What can I do now? Shall I do a factory reset and it will be there?

Or I have to root first? Recommend me some safe root procedures please.

Thank you for everyone who can help! :)
[Galaxy S 4 General] robert1968:
Modem and Region Away must be "paired"...

Hi Mano,

(mi a mano?) :)

Read back few pages. Codes are not working since.... -a long time- . But Region Away WORKS!

I spent hours. (days actually. :) but managed unlock. )

I had 5.0.1 but downgraded to XXUGNE5 (4.4.2) but this modem is not compatible! with Region Away. (it says was successful, but not unlocks actually)

I tried many modem: some says it was not successful, maybe rerun helps, some says success, but not do unlock.

xda forum for old modems.

Then I downgraded modem only, to XXUDMH5 and Region Away again. and UNLOCKED! :)

Downgrade to 4.4. is tricky but use an old bootloader then you are free to downgrade.

Now I will upgrade to 5.0.1.

Finger crossed. :)
[Galaxy S 4 General] diesalweasel:
I think around pages from 140 upwards
[Galaxy S 4 General] mano2:
Magyarok? :)

So it's absolutely not possible with codes? My plan was to unlock first, then root, then install a custom ROM.

It's my colleagues phone so I don't want to brick it... that's why I don't want to risk trying to downgrade and changing modems. :confused:

I need a safe method because I don't want to pay it. :)

Thank you, I'll check it. :)
[Galaxy S 4 General] robert1968:
Talált. :) Jo a weboldalad. :))

Downgrade modem to XXUDMH5 and root the phone, than run Region Away. It should work. (if not, then downgrade the whole phone and root, and Region Away) It should work modem only as Diesalweasel repeat it many times. Thanks Diesalweasel !!!!

(See his video here. #1488 if you need bootloader downgrade too...)

Best Regards,

Robert

ps: Upgraded to Loli, and no problem!
[Galaxy S 4 General] mano2:
Ilyen is ritkán van, hogy magyarokkal fut itt össze az ember! :)

Köszönöm szépen a véleményt, tanulgatom a dolgot és ebben sokat segít amikor lefordítok egy-egy ilyen XDA posztot, ne adj isten még személyesen is sikerül megcsinálnom. :)

All right, let me see if I got everything right.

First I have to flash XXUDMH5 modem with Odin 3.04 using CP/PHONE menu. (For which country is this modem for? Does it affect mobile network data speed or the quality of the calls? Anything?)

After that I have to root with CF-Auto_root.

And then I have to install RegionAway.

I'm just asking because this post mentions that before installing Region Away and Rooting the phone I should put an unregistered SIM card into it.

So my questions again are:

Which modem should I use for Vodafone Hungary? (Here I found that the oldest modem is UAMDC for Vodafone)

If I downgrade the modem, will it be upgraded after I update the phone to Lollipop? Or I have to manually upgrade it with ODIN?

The old modem is affecting anything or not? Data speed? 3G? 4G? Calls? Roaming?

Sorry for the lot of questions, I'm just a bit nervous about bricking the phone. :silly:
[Galaxy S 4 General] robert1968:
:)

Hi Mano2,

Odin:

PDA=Code=AP;

Phone=CP=Modem

>...and then I have to install RegionAway.

Yes. You seems to understand.

Dont bother with modem, because it is temporaly for RA only. You will be upgrade to your favorite at the end.

The link is for Note3. so dont consider for s4.

Follow Chainfire XDA page to do RegionAway process. (not even mention which sim is in during the process... but I use locked sim)

> Which modem should I use for Vodafone Hungary?

After unlock, be careful to choose XEH - HUN network independent- modem because u did UNLOCK for purpose ... Right? :p

I chose this:

Product code	XEH , PDA	I9505XXUHOE3, CSC	I9505OXXHOF1

>Or I have to manually upgrade it with ODIN?

If you choose Official rom from sammobile, and do update with odin then modem will also upgraded.

Dont hesitate, you wont brick the phone. You processed many Samsung phone earlier... :)

Best Regards,

Robert
[Galaxy S 4 General] mano2:
I think I've lost the point at the modem...

So which version should I downgrade to?

Sammobile Vodafone ROMs:

[IMG="GT-I9505"]http://kepfeltoltes.hu/151010/i9505_rom_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.png[/IMG]

Also if I understand you I need to do the following:

1. Downgrade to one of the ROM's above (no need to stick with the modem, I can downgrade completely)

2. Root the phone (CF-Auto-root is fine for this).

3. Install Region Away, don't reboot after installation.

4. Manually power off S4.

5. Put a non Vodafone SIM card to see if the unlock works.

6. If it works I have to flash one of these ROMs:

[IMG="I9505 XEH ROM"]http://kepfeltoltes.hu/151010/i9505_xeh_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.png[/IMG]

7. All done, phone is rooted, unlocked, no bloatware and other stuff.

Also should I consider flashing Cyanogen MOD or someting or the stock ROM is optimized enough?
[Galaxy S 4 General] robert1968:
Hi Manó

Downgrade modem to XXUDMH5 and root the phone, than run Region Away.

Róbert
[Galaxy S 4 General] mano2:
All right, I'm at 4.4.2 now - so can I start the process? I don't have to downgrade more right?
[Galaxy S 4 General] robert1968:
Are you exactly on XXUDMH5?? (I can garantee Region Away to work with this specific one...)

(4.4.2 is not specific. Means dozens of possible modem versions... and luck to find which works with RA )
[Galaxy S 4 General] mano2:
Not yet. I thought the OS version also matters (as you said that you used 4.4) but if it's just the modem then fine. :)

Update:

I did exactly the steps you mentioned and it worked, now I'm on XXUDMH5, rooted and installed RegionLockAway.

Now the CF Root disabled KNOX and I searched on Google that now I can't install custom ROMs only official ones (is that true?).

Also my colleague wants to use this phone with a slovak (SK) SIM card so can I flash the XEH (general hungarian ROM) because it accepts slovak SIM cards or I have to flash the slovak general ROM (maybe XSK? link: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/GT-I9505/XSK/ )?

Thanks!
[Galaxy S 4 General] diond:
I thought I'd sign up, firstly to say thanks to all that have posted on this thread, but secondly to try and return the favour by explaining how I overcame the SIM lock issue with my S4 I9505.

Background:

Samsung S4 I9505

Locked to O2 UK

Lollipop v5.0.1

Modem v19505XXUHOB7

What I Did:

Downgraded modem to 19505XXUAME2_MODEM with Odin v3.10.7

Installed Kongo Root

Installed Regionlock Away v1.3

Ran Regionlock Away and rebooted when asked

I then powered down and installed a 3 SIM, which it accepted. However, as reported earlier, the signal was dropping when the phone was in standby. So, with Odin, I reinstalled my original modem v19505XXUHOB7 and 'touch wood', it works with both my 3 SIM and O2. I have suffered no WiFi cut outs, or general signal cut outs on either network.

As I'm going abroad in a few weeks, I want to use the phone as it is, so I do not want to risk removing Regionlock Away to see if it is a permanent unlock or not, but I will risk it when I get back and report back on this thread.

Again, thanks to all those that have contributed, I really appreciate your hard work and feedback.:good:
[Galaxy S 4 General] diesalweasel:
If you did decide to reset the phone to factory settings I have found it removes region lock away and the phone is still unlocked
[Galaxy S 4 General] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
[MENTION=7048175]diond[/MENTION]: Once RegionLock Away has done its work there's no need to keep it installed. I installed it only as long as needed to blow away the SIM lock, then uninstalled it. I haven't had any problems since, and this includes updating the baseband and modem on multiple occasions as well as several custom ROM installations.

It's ok to uninstall RegionLock Away. But in the future, if you ever need to root your S4 because of a stock ROM reinstall, use CF-Autoroot rather than the root software you selected. One click root solutions often cause more trouble than they're worth.
[Galaxy S 4 General] scousejft96:
S4 i9505 sim unlock code problem

Hi i tried to use the sim unlock code *#0011# i have a s4 i9505 on 5.0.1 and everything is the same apart from the key input of 1 doesnt work but i seen somewhere to try input of Q press ok then input 0000 press ok which i used and it did bring up the UMTS menu then all was the same except for the perso sha mine had PERSO SHA info which i tapped and it then had PERSO SHA enabled i then followed the rest of back to the UMTS menu and onto the golden backup etc but ive had no luck my phone is still network locked, im in the uk on the o2 network if that makes any difference, can anyone help with this in anyway ? Thank you.
[Galaxy S 4 General] diesalweasel:
Hi yes it does make sense reason being has We have spoke about this many times that trick does not work no more. Since samsung upgraded the firmware in the modem . If you read from post 143 up to current look for my user name there only 2 ways to do this now that either pay o2 to unlock it or root it. Even Mobile Phone shops now even root them. Best of luck regards James
[Galaxy S 4 General] diond:
As has been mentioned, there's not other way other than to pay O2 / indep phone shop, or root it. If you choose the latter, then you could a lot worse than copy my post, just before yours. We are in the exact same position, network and operating system, wise.
[Galaxy S 4 General] weeppi:
Thank you very much mate for sharing that with us, you've helped me a lot.

I confirm that.

I also confirm and sustain that.

So, dear xda Forum friends, I present you my story.

I bought 2 hours ago a Samsung i9505 S4, SIM locked on Orange Romania (outside contractual period but no time to go to their offices and wait 2-4 days for the unlock code..), Lollipop v5.0.1, Modem v19505XXUHOB7.

I've tried the method with SERVICE MENU and so on, did not worked.

So, step by step:

1. downgraded modem to XXUAME2 via ODIN;

2. r00T-ed via CF-Root, flashed with ODIN @ PDA;

3. installed RegionLockAway 1.3 and run; restarted and got my phone SIM-free.

Succes to you all!
[Galaxy S 4 General] scousejft96:
I have rooted my galaxy but its the first root ive ever done so i used the kingo root and the supersu me after to remove the kingo supersu, is there a way i can unlock it with it being rooted ? O2 wont give me the code as im still under contract, thanks for your reply too.
[Galaxy S 4 General] diesalweasel:
Read above pages
[Galaxy S 4 General] kachmul2004:
You can get it unlocked cheaply here
[Galaxy S 4 General] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
Just to make this abundantly clear, the only ways to unlock the phone without rooting are to either buy an unlock code or to ask your carrier for one. So, if you don't want to pay, you have to root. If you have to root, you use CF-Autoroot, not Kingoroot or any other one-click root procedure.

I believe if you have to use a one-click root like Kingoroot, you really have no business rooting.
[Galaxy S 4 General] gucio_28:
I installed NK4 software (Kitkat 4.4.2) and a ME2 modem. Rooted using CF-root. Installed Region Away, ran it and got my phone unlocked finally :) Lock was for O2 UK.
[Galaxy S 4 General] tefferz:
No go :(

Hi there. I was wondering if you guys could make my day go better :(

So I tried the (from what I can read on this post) one and only way to unlock my i9500. Which is the following: (I know I did something wrong, please let me know what)

1. Flashed I9500_XXUAMDK_MODEM.tar via ODIN (i noticed everyone recommended XXUAME2 but i couldn't find one for my i9500 - i was wondering if i could use that one..?)

2. r00T-ed via CF-Root, flashed with ODIN @ PDA;

3. installed RegionLockAway 1.3 and run; restarted

4. Flashed my old modem back.

The only thing i noticed while i had my old modem was that my Network was down. (wifi was working) but overall, i followed the steps provided here.

Here are my specs:

Model: Samsung S4 GT-i9500

Android Version: 5.0.1

Baseband Version: i9500XXUHOA7

Country: El Salvador

Any help before i go and open up my wallet, is much appreciated.

Thank you all
[Galaxy S 4 General] diesalweasel:
Hi this post is mainly aimed at the i9505 4g version. How ever I have seen support for the i9500. I think if you look at post one it will show you the tools you need many thanks best regards
[Galaxy S 4 General] ajolly:
No luck. Rooted, downgraded modems to both I9505_XXUDMH5_MODEM and I9505XXUAME2_MODEM, but RegionLock Away keeps failing. Any advice?
[Galaxy S 4 General] diesalweasel:
Have you tried youtube . I'm out of ideas

---------- Post added at 04:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:14 AM ----------

Have you removed sim card first before you attempted to unlock it ?
[Galaxy S 4 General] t3rm3y:
i tried to previous region lock away method as described but it failed.

my modem was I9505XXUHOD7_Modem

i downgraded with Odin to the I9505XXUAME2_MODEM

I was rooted already via chainfire.

i tried region lock away but it just says "the result of updating the modem was unexpected - cant be sure if the patch worked or not! Rebooting and trying again sometimes fixes the problem."

rebooting and trying again didnt fix it.
[Galaxy S 4 General] sleepingscorpion:
Won't work on above a certain baseband version, what's your Android version and baseband version?
[Galaxy S 4 General] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
There's also no guarantee that RegionLock Away will even work. For some people, it doesn't, and thus their only alternative is to pay for an unlock code.
[Galaxy S 4 General] sleepingscorpion:
I paid EE in the UK £7-49 for my unlock code, didn't work! Waiting to hear back from them...
[Galaxy S 4 General] B.R.Denton:
Hi,

I want to confirm and give newcomers a quick step-by-step instructions, because it took me a day of trial and error with multiple paths, until I finally found one that seems to work for all.

Had two locked phone (both S4 Black Edition LTE (GT-I9505) ), the manual change through service menu never removed the SIM lock, but the steps below did...

I've basically replicated the same thing as one of the other users, just had to find the right firmware first, but then it worked fine...

it is a lot of steps, but if you have the right files ready, shouldn't take more than an hour to finish.

remove SIM from the phone, so there is no SIM in there at all!

Turn phone off, start in Download mode, use ODIN 3.10.7 to flash full firmware suite from I9505XXUHOB7_I9505YXYHOB5_I9505XXUHOB7_HOME.tar.md5 (you can download it from SamMobile website) in the "AP" button.

let the phone start up

do a factory reset from settings/accounts/backup and reset

let the phone start, set it up again with my google account

Root through USB cable by running the one-click KingoRoot app on windows (just be patient, the root is slow, takes about 10-15 minutes, and while the log might seem like it's stuck in a loop, as long as the total percentage goes up, do not worry).

Turn the phone off, start in download mode. Use ODIN 3.10.7 to flash the downgrade modem I9505_XXUAME2_MODEM.tar.md5 (found the link in this thread) in the "CP" button.

Start phone again, check in About Device that the baseband version is the I9505XXUAME2

Download and install Region Lock Away ver. 1.3 from here on XDA Developers

run the RegionLockAway, hit the "Region Unlock" option, allow root permissions from SuperSU.

Region Lock Away reports success, but you should hit "Reboot Later" and wait for 2 minutes.

after the two minutes, restart the phone.

once restarted, power the phone off

remove battery, installed (previously) unsupported SIM, and start the phone

The phone starts and registers on network without any problems.

Turn phone off again, start in Download mode.

extract "modem.bin" from the full firmware "I9505XXUHOB7_I9505YXYHOB5_I9505XXUHOB7_HOME.tar.md5" (just rename it to zip and extract contents, modem.bin is inside)

Use ODIN 3.10.7 to flash the extracted modem.bin in the "CP" button. (this upgrades modem back to the one that comes with the firmware).

OPTIONAL If you want to, you can now remove RegionLockAway, open SuperSu and choose to Fully Unroot... or you can reset the device to factory settings.. or you can flash a completely new firmware.. up to you, the sim unlock should remain in place anyway.

Good luck!

---------- Post added at 01:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:13 PM ----------

had the same problem the first time i tried.

what helped was to restore the phone to factory settings on stock I9505XXUHOB7 (so notice it's B7, not D7) firmware, root with Kingo ROOT app from windows, then flash I9505XXUAME2_MODEM, then use Region Lock Away... with these steps, it seems to succeed.
[Galaxy S 4 General] toterkeks:
i am surprised that this is work with Galaxy S4 i9506 - it was locked on t-mobile germany, now its no longer simlock, thanks you verry much for this tutorial. :)
[Galaxy S 4 General] B.R.Denton:
glad to know it worked, even for a different model.. did you use the roms and modems for 9505 on your 9506?