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How to unlock your Galaxy Note II and some Galaxy S III versions for free (Jelly Bean req'd)

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By Daniel Petrov

Published: Dec 07, 2012, 5:29 AM

How to unlock your Galaxy Note II and some Galaxy S III versions for free (Jelly Bean req'd)

Samsung seems to have a hidden menu in its Galaxy line, which allows you to carrier unlock your device for free, and appeared on an XDA-Devs thread submitted by user owl74.

It is confirmed working at least with the two most prominent members of the Galaxy family this year - the Galaxy S III (but only some versions), and the trendy Galaxy Note II.

Your phone has to be running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and above for the trick to work, though, and you can follow the steps below with the usual "do at your own risk" warning:

1. Enter the following into the dialler: *#197328640#
2. From the menu that appears choose

Main Menu > [1] UMTS > [1] Debug Screen > [8] Phone Control > [6] Network Lock > Options [3]Perso SHA256 OFF > (after choosing this option, wait about 30 seconds, then go back one step by pressing the Menu button then select Back, now you are in [6] Network Lock then choose [4] NW Lock NV Data INITIALLIZ ..... wait for a minute then reboot your phone... enjoy!!! There is no confirmation on the phone that the unlock was successfull.... just reboot your phone....

Read the thread for which S III versions were successfully unlocked with this hidden menu function of Samsung, and try it out with a SIM card from another carrier to confirm.

Users say the unlock is permanent and works even after full reset of your device, so you don't have to pony up for a carrier unlock, or use murky codes from eBay.

source: owl74 (XDA-Devs) via RedmondPie

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena from 2010 to 2025, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.