Have you tried to, or want to, unlock a Samsung with doctorSIM but are having problems?
Unlocking your Samsung via IMEI is the fastest, easiest and safest way to be able to use your phone on any network, save on your monthly bill and increase its resale value.
However, occasionally questions arise during the unlock process. Below we have listed the most common ones and what to do in each case:
1. - My Samsung doesn’t prompt for the unlock code when I insert a SIM card from a network provider different to the original.
2. - My Samsung is locked to T-Mobile or MetroPCS and does not prompt for the unlock code.
3. - The phone accepts the unlock code but has no coverage with the new SIM card inserted.
4. - I get an error message after typing the unlock code into the phone.
5. - I get the following message on my Samsung: Phone Freeze.
6. - My Samsung does not connect to the internet.
7. - I am prompted for a Regional Unlock Code.
8. - I'm not sure if I selected the correct original operator of my Samsung.
If you are still unable to unlock your phone, please reply to the email we sent you with the unlocking instructions for further assistance.
1. My Samsung doesn’t prompt for the unlock code when I insert a SIM card from a network provider different to the original.
1.1 Check that the device recognizes the SIM card being inserted:
Verify that the phone prompts for the SIM card’s PIN. This number is a security measure your Samsung will normally request by default (if activated).
If your phone doesn’t prompt for this security number it means the phone is not recognizing the SIM card being inserted, reason for which it neither prompts for the network unlock code.
Make sure the SIM card is correctly inserted inside the SIM card reader. If that doesn’t solve the issue, we recommend inserting a different SIM card to rule out the possibility that the first SIM card is defective.
1.2 The SIM card is recognized but nonetheless doesn’t prompt for the unlock code:
Check the phone works with the new SIM card inserted. If so, your Samsung is unlocked.
We recommend restoring the phone to its factory settings. This process eliminates possible errors preventing the phone from prompting for the network unlock code. You can find the option to restore to factory settings under Settings on the phone’s menu.
2. My Samsung is locked to T-Mobile or MetroPCS and does not prompt for the unlock code.
Check whether you have the application "Device Unlock" installed on the phone.
If so, you must make your request using our Device Unlock App Service by clicking on the link below and selecting either T-Mobile or MetroPCS:
Unlock Samsung Device Unlock App
3. The phone accepts the unlock code but has no coverage with the new SIM card inserted.
If the phone doesn’t prompt for the network unlock code again it means the phone is unlocked.
Press the Settings icon on your Samsung, find Network operators and then select the Automatic option. If the phone doesn’t register on the network, change to Manual and select the network you want to connect to directly.
If the phone still won’t connect to the network, there are 3 possible reasons:
- The SIM card inserted doesn’t work with the phone you want to unlock or has not been activated for that network. To rule out either possibility, insert a different SIM card.
- Hardware failure. We recommend contacting Samsung’s technical support team for assistance as there could be an issue with the SIM card reader, the phone’s antenna or something else.
- The Samsung’s IMEI number has been blacklisted due to loss, theft or unpaid bill by the original operator. To check if your Samsung is Blacklisted click on the link below:
https://www.doctorsim.com/us-en/phone-imei-checks/
Blacklists are updated regularly, however it is possible that very recent changes are not included in the report you receive. If your Samsung is blocked, you must contact the original operator to confirm if the IMEI number has been reported due to loss, theft or unpaid bill.
4. I get an error message after typing the unlock code into the phone.
Occasionally, you will get an error message after typing in the unlock code however the phone has been successfully unlocked. Restart your phone and check that it doesn’t prompt for the unlock code again.
If your Samsung continues to prompt for the unlock code when you insert a SIM card from another network provider, reply to the e-mail we sent you with the unlock instructions with the following information:
- A photograph or screenshot displaying the IMEI number of the phone (type *#06# on the keypad).
- We also need a photograph or screenshot of what is displayed on screen after following these steps:
- Turn off the phone. With the phone off, press the Volume down, Home and Power on buttons all together for a few seconds.
- A warning message appears which you can remove by pressing the Volume up button. Information will be displayed on screen.
- We need you to send us a photograph of the information which appears in the top left-hand corner of the screen.
To leave this screen, remove the battery or follow the steps above again to turn on the phone.
NOTE: Your phone must have the original software as the process will not work if you have installed a modified ROM.
5. I get the following message on my Samsung: "Phone Freeze".
Samsung phones have a maximum number of unlock attempts (ranging between 3 and 5 depending on the model) and when these attempts are exhausted, the phone will Freeze and will not accept the unlock code even if it is valid.
A separate code known as a Defreeze Code is required to reset the unlock attempts counter. doctorSIM provides this code along with your unlock code and instructions. If the Phone Freeze message appears on your phone, just type the 8-digit Defreeze Code. The message will disappear and your Samsung will once again prompt for the network unlock code.
6. My Samsung does not connect to the internet.
To connect your Samsung to the internet, you have to configure the phone for your new network provider. We show you how to do this here:
How to connect your Android phone to the internet.
If you still cannot connect to the internet after the configuration, contact your network provider’s customer support team to check that internet service has been activated on your phone.
7. I am prompted for a Regional Unlock Code.
When you acquire a Samsung phone in another country, which is normally unlocked, but are prompted for an unlock code when you try to use it on the network of your choice in your country, you might need a Regional Unlock Code.
To remove this restriction so your Samsung works properly in your country, make your request through our Regional Service.
8. I'm not sure if I selected the correct original operator of my Samsung.
To successfully unlock your cell phone via IMEI it is necessary to indicate the correct network provider. If you think you may have selected the wrong network, verify this information by using our Samsung Original Operator Check.
Regrettably, we are unable to issue you a refund if any of the information provided in the request form is incorrect and which prevents the phone from unlocking successfully.
Select either "Original Country Unknown" or "Network Operator Unknown or Not in List" if you prefer not to use our IMEI phone check and are unsure to which network your Samsung is locked.
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NOTE: If we did not answer your questions or you have a different problem unlocking your Samsung, reply to the instructions e-mail we sent you including the message history with a detailed explanation of the problem you are having. In this way, we will be able to locate your request and assist you much quicker.
If you didn’t make your request through doctorSIM, we recommend you click here to request an unlock code for your Samsung. It's the fastest, easiest and safest way of unlocking any Samsung.