yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] bittle21:
Factory reset and unlock

Could someone please explain the best way to do a factory reset with this unlocking method? I recently upgraded to the Galaxy Note 4 and want to give my son my S4 as a Christmas gift. He currently has Cricket service and I've included a screenshot with (hopefully) all necessary details. Thanks in advance for your help and all the hard work put into maintaining this thread.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] bittle21:
Forgot to mention, this phone is rooted and running stock ROM.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
Depends of.you want to wipe the phone completely or if you want to just wipe the phone for a regular ROM install.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] bittle21:
I want to completely factory reset, keep stock ROM, and also keep root. Then do the unlock... Is this asking too much of my beloved S4? Lol
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
Haha no not.too much. Just do.the factory reset in recovery, then downgrade the modem and perform the international unlock then the domestic unlock. I'm using my GS4 on Cricket :)
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] bittle21:
Oh ok, reset in recovery keeps root. Thanks for the help, I'll update later whether or not it's successful :)
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] warriorpluto:
Hey I did this on 720t and didn't know I had the tri band version. How do I connect it back to Sprint? I did you small steps.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
Set the network mode in settings back to CDMA/LTE.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] bittle21:
Success!

I found the time to try this today and while it was a bit nerve-wracking, it was completely successful. HSPA+ working on AT&T :D

Now just waiting till Christmas, then to plug in the APN settings for Cricket.

Thanks again to everyone who has contributed to this thread. It brings a HUGE sense of accomplishment to me knowing I was able to do something that Sprint customer service couldn't/wouldn't do.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] bittle21:
Just a few screenshots
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
Congrats. As a heads up if you will keep a stock sprint ROM when your kid uses it on cricket. With a root explorer go into system/etc/apn-config and delete this APN config file as it had all of sprints APNs and will not let MMS work if you have Crickets APNs selected.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] bittle21:
Delete the entire XML file?
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
All other Sprint Samsung models can now be unlocked. Theres an unlock APK out. Doesn't even need to put your phone into diag mode :)
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] maurogg84:
Okay, could you please share the name of the app? [MENTION=4959296]ecs87[/MENTION]

Sent from my SPH-L720
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2928250

DONT FORGET TO DONATE if you can. He's spent a lot of time and research on this.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] epadiredja:
I did that after following all steps. I could call, text/SMS and get data service with T-Mobile. But even after removing APN config file (system/etc/apn-config), I still cannot get MMS to work. When I get the MMS message, it would show up as link that I could not download. Then, when I tried to send it would fail. Even if I tried to use Hangout as my messaging, I would only get my old sprint number as default where MMS would be sent from. Hence that would cause issue receiving any response. How could I remove or change my old Sprint number in my S4? Any help please? :confused: :confused:

I appreciate the summary of steps on first page. Those were really helpful since I got here because of that.

Thanks
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] spydc:
Is anyone using an unlocked Sprint S4 with Negalite X6 Rom on AT&T. Everything is working with the exception of MMS. I can send MMS but im not receiving any at all. I tried Go sms too. Any thoughts? Can i just install an AT&T specific rom?
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
You can install an ATT ROM and MMs will work but GPS probably won't.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] steveokinevo:
so with this awesome tool (THANKS BTW!) i can bring it to metro? if so how? thought i read they wont accept anymore flashed phones. for that matter who else cheap can i use it with?
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
MetroPCS is now GSM (as far as I know). This means no flashing; flashing is for CDMA, unlocking is for GSM. The apk will get you one step closer but won't allow you to use it domestically. You're going to need to do some service menu finagling to get it to work domestically.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] steveokinevo:
so this wont allow me to use another carrier like cricket?
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
Yes it will work
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] steveokinevo:
thats good. it says sim unlocked. so do i just need to use the cricket apn's and it should work?
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
If you are truly unlocked then yes and make sure under mobile settings you choose GSM/UMTS rather than CDMA+LTE
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] pin2ver2:
I am stuck at step 4

ServiceMode

No Service

IMEI CERTI: NA

Any suggestions?

Pin2
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
Downgrade to MDC modem. Enter the dialer code. Press menu, tap back (NOT THE BACK BUTTON BY HOME AND MENU, THE ONE BROUGHT UP BY TAPPING MENU). Press menu, tap key input, type 1. Wait 10-15 seconds. It will come up.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] pin2ver2:
I tried ODIN to downgrade to MDC however ODIN crashed and firmware is corrupt. I have now updated to stock Sprint ROM so any other suggestion for MDC downgrade?

Pin2
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
DO NOT flash the entire firmware. Flash the MODEM PORTION ONLY.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] pin2ver2:
Thanks it worked I am running T-Mobile but one more question can I now flash to Shock T-Mobile ROM and still retain the settings?

Pintu
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
In terms of the international unlock and domestic unlock? Yes. I can't guarantee everything will work on a custom ROM though.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
If you are talking about stock tars for T-Mobile. Do NOT flash them in Odin.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
Agreed. Only flash ROMs through a custom recovery. Odin (for this threads purpose) is only for stock Sprint tarballs (your current build or newer builds ONLY, no older firmware).
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] shadowhacker27:
I have done this "successfully" apparently, but the Tmobile signal just appeared for about 3 seconds and then back to no service/emergency call. If I pop Net10 sim it works perfectly, however the tmbile won't.

Any help will be appreacited!
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
Are you absolutely positive it's not blacklisted on t mobile? If it's not, you might want a rf cal backup from a L720 (nv items 0-12000 without 0, 1943 and 550).
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] spydc:
Is there a fool proof way to get MMS working on other networks? I am unlocked with Negalite rom. Calls and HSPA+ data works great but no incoming MMS. Its really frustrating.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
Use am ATT ROm if you are with them

Or.a T-Mobile ROM if you are with that network.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] spydc:
Can you recommend an AT&T rom that will work? Would it be a rooted stock rom or custom rom? I'm on NAE firmware with MF9 bootloader
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] delease:
So what can I do with a sprint L720 4.4.2 with the NG2 band? Trying to go to tmobile with it. Tmobile guy was unable to get it togo but he didn't do any flashing or whatever on the phone.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
Dude did you even try to unlock it before going to the T-Mobile store? A T-Mobile rep will not be able to activate the phone on a locked one.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] delease:
I didn't cause I don;t know what I am doing really. So I brought the phone and the MSL code up. Thats all they said they needed & that my model would work. Well it didn't because its the NG2 band on the 4.4.2 and it wouldn't allow him access to the dev menu to input the MSL or something. He spent almost 2 hours on it.

Told me I would have to do it by using odin and downgrading but like I said, how do you downgrade with the NG2? I seen the other bands work but the NG2 well..yea need help with this one.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
Downgrade the modem only to MDC or MDL and perform the steps in this thread. Follow item step by step and you will be fine. Just now on NG2 you don't need to do the build prop edit which ends in "LOL". When you read the steps you'll know what I am talking about.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] delease:
Wish me luck. Any certain page to start from or just from page 1?

Ok i honestly have no idea if this worked. I did notice on step 13 where it talks about roaming signals. Check that your roaming settings are set to for roaming data/ international data etc

Well I am unable to check any box except the GSM Network - Data.

The Domestic CMDA - Voice is checked but its grey ( cant do nothing with it ).

Int Voice & Data are unchecked ( cant do nothing with )

As for the roaming guards...

Domestic CDMA - Voice / Data checked but greyed out

Int CDMA - Voice / Data / Ongoing text mess checked but greyed out

GSM Networks - Voice / Data / Ongoing Text mess ( not checked )

So far phone works.

texting works, wifi working. Can't check data cause i dont have a data plan yet.

Def going to have to go back to tmobile to have them look over this to make sure its actually working right. Just kinda confused as i didn't even have to enter the MSL code to unlock the phone or anything.

edit: now its back in emergency call mode only but the calls/texts are working. Odd.

is it ok to upgrade from 4.4.2? Like i wouldn't have to worry about the band either since i changed it to MDC
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] Crossvxm:
L720T

I assume this has been asked 1000 times on this thread and I greatly apologize if that's the case, but will this or a similar method work on the Sprint Tri-band version?

If not then it seems like I'm stuck with it...
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] es0tericcha0s:
Have to use the app from here: http://xdaforums.com/sprint-galaxy-s5/general/sprint-samsung-unlocker-unlock-sprint-t2928250 for international unlock. If you need to use it domestically, then you will need to install the MK5 modem and then follow the steps from this thread. It seems to work fine with ATT and ATT based networks (Cricket, Straight Talk, etc) but not so much for T-Mobile.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] Crossvxm:
So the domestic unlock works with the MK5 modem? I just got it for experimentation. Ive done it with the regular L720 but when I got it was when I learned there is a triband version (L720T)
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
The main hurdle was internationally unlocking the models. As long as it's NOT on that stupid 4.4.2 (or newer) modem, domestic unlock will work after internationally unlocking it.

---------- Post added at 08:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 PM ----------

With the new international unlock tool downgrading modems is no longer necessary. The only thing that might change is that you need to use the Key Input: Q, Key Input: 0000 method of accessing the service menu.

---------- Post added at 08:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 PM ----------

T mobile wont be able to help you with any of this most likely. You're trying to use their service on a phone that wasn't designed and developed for it. Not only that but we had to hack the domestic portion. Unless they're baseband/RF calibration specialists (I haven't met one in my entire life) they're not going to be able to help. Especially since they said they'd need your SPC/MSL to unlock the phone...facepalm.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] delease:
Well the L720 is able to be used on GSM. Their site lists it and 2 workers there said the L720 will work. The problem was the sim wasn't unlocking when they first put the sim card in. It kept coming up invalid sim or something. Said I needed to call them to get the unlock code since it was sim locked. Did that, went up next day, guy said it should take a minute since they would just unlock it. 2 hours later nothing. Was because 4.4.2 & the NG2 baseband were stock on the phone. The guy working there and everywhere I read only said in order to do a domestic unlock, had to downgrade to 4.2.X and lower. This would have been fine but most guides were for the 2 other basebands ( not the newer NG2 ). Everything read about that said downgrading 4.4.2 was a no go with that baseband.

That is until daniel4653 pointed me into the right direction. As I said, it is working fine from what I can see. Wifi, text, calls all work. Still says emergency only on the home screen but I can deal with that. Ill have data added to my plan tomorrow so hoping that goes well.

Question though. Since I am still using 4.4.2 but with a different modem now ( L720vpuaMDC instead of the L720vpufNG2 ) will I be able to upgrade to say lollipop or use a custom rom and not worry about losing my unlock? Or just rooting the thing to begin with?
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xuser:
After having my phone unlocked for over three months all of the sudden it's re-locked. WTF happened?
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
Its not very likely that the phone would "re lock" on its own. If it really did, why not run the unlocking again?
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ochoabuddy:
I have a L720 that I just recently did the unlock to run a straight talk card in it. Works good using the t-mobile compatable SIM. Has HSPA+ most times which was expected.

One problem I have with it, is the incoming voice tends to be unclear at times. It will sound almost like the voice is underwater, if that makes sense.

Phone is running MDC baseband, with T-mobile 4.4.2 Stock ROM.

Also, another question. Can I upgrade the baseband again after the unlock is complete?

Thanks
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] NATHANNEZ1984:
hello sir. So ive followed everything from beginning to end and just cant just quite get it. I started with a stock sph-l720 ng2 build. Odin flash auto root. Flashed mdc modem. Int'l unlocked just fine. Set back to mtp+adb in diag. And then when i follow the rest of the steps i cant seem to get it. Steps 9 and 11 is where i get thrown off and someone else is saying dont do the build.prop lines. So now im just all mixed up. Please help im losing it. Been here all day trying to get it. Id appreciate it.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] Rich-Man:
Ok I've followed this completely but am having 1 issue:

The unlock works fine with a T-mobile(Full Service sim from my note 3) , I can text,call,mms(i guess only have 1 sim card but 2 phones) but for some reason data is not working at all. It shows bars in the top corner but no 4g,4glte,3g etc., next to the bars. I have though flashed NG2 back over MDC too.

When I first tried this I mistakenly skipped step 2, using the unlock tool and only did the ##3424# part, however when i finished the guide, it said invalid sim, but , only the data worked but no call text or anything else.

Thank You.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] iBowToAndroid:
Once unlocked, you are so permanently unless you redo Sprint's OTA provisioning. You can flash a custom ROM or even Odin back to stock without losing the unlock.

Very low chance of it relocking. I suppose an OTA *might* have changed something. Otherwise make sure your IMEI is still clean

Yes you can upgrade the baseband again, and in your case, that will likely solve your issue

You're likely missing the APN
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] Rich-Man:
You are correct the apn is empty but how do I fix that? Do I have to manually put it in?or is something wrong because it's supposed to do it automatically...

Thanks.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
You have to manually enter the APNs. Sprint Stock ROMs do not automatically detect sim cards and apply APNs
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] NATHANNEZ1984:
After the international unlock

I started with a stock ng2 sprint s4 bad esn metro sim card in. I flashed cf auto root, flashed the mdc modem, did the international unlock smoothly and after changed the setting back to mtp+adb in diag mode. I followed the rest of the of the steps and keep getting no where red x thats it. So i started the process all over. ##rtn# and then odin flashed stock ng2 rom and cf auto root & flash mdc modem and international unlocked again. Can some one please help with the play by play from here. Do i pull the battery out when it says manual reboot or reboot?? Do i have to do the build.prop lines?? Someone please give me a hand.:(

---------- Post added 1st December 2014 at 12:03 AM ---------- Previous post was 30th November 2014 at 11:58 PM ----------

SORRY TO BOTHER YOU BUT YOU SEEM VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE CAN YOU HELP ME OUT???

After the international unlock

I started with a stock ng2 sprint s4 bad esn metro sim card in. I flashed cf auto root, flashed the mdc modem, did the international unlock smoothly and after changed the setting back to mtp+adb in diag mode. I followed the rest of the of the steps and keep getting no where red x thats it. So i started the process all over. ##rtn# and then odin flashed stock ng2 rom and cf auto root & flash mdc modem and international unlocked again. Can some one please help with the play by play from here. Do i pull the battery out when it says manual reboot or reboot?? Do i have to do the build.prop lines?? Someone please give me a hand.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ochoabuddy:
Upgraded to newest baseband. Also somehow in the upgrade the phone says "4G" in the top bar, and internet speed has picked up. Says UTMS in the status page, so im assuming its just running HSPA+. Still nowhere near as fast as LTE but not too bad for speed.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
You will never get LTE on a sprint GS4 on a GSM network. ATT and T-Mobile use different bands.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] Rich-Man:
You are the best, I needed to make this couple of dollarz!!!
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] NATHANNEZ1984:
Help a newbie out

can you help me out a bit?? I cant get it to work after international unlock. I do all the steps as ordered but all i get is a red x. Im starting with a international unlocked sph-l720 ngk build mdc modem bad esn with cricket sim in. Any help????
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
Check if your IMEI is blacklisted.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] rpetrover:
I was having the same problem... What I did was when I got to the band selection. I choose ONLY GSM ALL... Anytime I selected LTE ALL it would not pick up anything.. just red X. I am using an activated US AT&T sim... I am able only to get H+ data with it, cannot get LTE on AT&T at all... don't know what to I have to do to get that.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
As far as I know, it has to do with LTE bands. Sprint phones obviously don't use the same bands as GSM carriers, so it won't work. And I wouldn't recommend the "mod" to add bands to your device. Enough people have bricked their EFS and basebands from it (which isn't an issue as long as you're fluent in raw backups and restores of the EFS data partitions from adb).
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
Like ecs87 said above me. The phone doesn't support the bands for ATT LTE. You should do some research before unlocking a phone.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] rpetrove:
Ok, Mr. Grumpy... I am perfectly fine with the way my phone is. I don't care whether it gets LTE or not. I was just helping the other guy out who couldn't get any bars at all. My phone is better now even with out the LTE than a phone that I can't use at all and is good for just a paperweight... so I will just surf on with my HSPA+ speed :)
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
Not grumpy. I just get straight to the point. I've been on ATTs network now for 3 month now with HSPA+. I've bene happier than I was with Sprints crappy 3G network.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] delease:
Yea this is a odd one. I got my phone from a family friend who moved from sprint to verizon. She gave me her L720. Well I have it unlocked ( i think ) as its working for domestic calls, texting, data, etc. Thing is I went to set up my voice mail and it dialed her number. Like she actually picked up on her new phone.

Even after a i reset the phone a few times and I am using my own sim from tmobile in the phone, the VM dials her number &...in the about device > status section...under "my phone number"...it has her number listed still. Greyed out too.

I am stumped.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
Go into he dialers settings and change the voicemail number to your own. So when you hold the 1 button on the dial pad it will call your number instead of your friends.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] delease:
Thanks a bunch. It worked. Now...about the other part of my question. Why is her number coming up in the about device > status > my phone number section?
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
It's probably pulling it from the CDMA portion (out of a NV item). If you really are concerned about it you can put the phone into DIAG mode, send the SPC and 16 character password through a CDMA tool program and change the MDN to your number. Fwiw, leave it. That's too much work for something so minor.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ricketkm:
Been up all night trying to unlock my GS4 but I am unable to find a good MDC tar file. The ones that I download odin will not take them does anybody have a good link that still works ? I am trying to get this phone unlock for tmobile use.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] M1lt:
MDC Modem link

Sent the link in PM. I don't have enough posts to put it in the post.

---------- Post added at 03:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:46 AM ----------

Sorry for just responding. I don't check he forums, but I get PM notifications in my email.

Did you get it working? If not, when you did the Int'l unlock did your phone restart? What parts about steps 9 through 11 are giving you problems?
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ricketkm:
My device was already unlocked for international use by sprint, does that make any difference?
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] ecs87:
Then just run the domestic unlock steps. To get into the service menu You may have to key input Q and then 0000. E.V.A. has a post on it. Then again you may not. I'm pretty sure it was for any baseband above the 4.3 builds.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] aristowong:
<ID:0/009> Removed!!

<ID:0/009> Added!!

<ID:0/009> Odin v.3 engine (ID:9)..

<ID:0/009> File analysis..

<ID:0/009> SetupConnection..

<ID:0/009> Initialzation..

<ID:0/009> Erase...

<ID:0/009> Get PIT for mapping..

<ID:0/009> Firmware update start..

<ID:0/009> sbl2.mbn

<ID:0/009> NAND Write Start!!

<ID:0/009> sbl3.mbn

<ID:0/009> rpm.mbn

<ID:0/009> aboot.mbn

<ID:0/009> FAIL! (Auth)

<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)

<ID:0/009> Removed!!

<ID:0/009> Added!!

I cannot seem to flash the rom via Odin. Can someone help please?

It gives me a SW REV error
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] daniel4653:
Do people not read? You cannot downgrade your software after you have Knox which I am 90% sure you have. To do the unlock you only have to downgrade the MODEM which is able to be downgraded with Knox. That file is in the OP.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 General] xXNahNahXx:
Hi i tried looking all over to find how to downgrade to MK5 but no luck, do u think u, or anyone else for that matter, could link me to a guide on downgrading to MK5 for the l720t, as well as the proper odin tool? id appreciate it very much