This guide is for the DoCoMo SC-03E (alias Samsung Galaxy III Alpha) owners that wish to unlock their phone and to make it SIM Free.
Usually, plugging in a SIM card different from the DoCoMo's one, you will get the request of a "Network Unlock Code".
The official way to get that code is to go to a DoCoMo Shop and pay about 3100 yen. Then, officially, you can get keeep a SIM-free phone, even if you make some ROM update.
Before the release of the last ROM (MB1), the devices with LK5 ROM on board were easily "unlockable" for free just typing some codes by dialpad and from menu.
Now, this procedure is no more avaliable.
Since the dowload of the LK5 ROM is still not available for a roll back, we did find a walkaround to get the a roll back just for the radio part firmware for performing the SIM unlock on the SC-03E.
So, if your phone still has the LK5 firmware, go directly to "STEP 4" on this guida OR try with this Guide: http://pakdroid.com/2012/12/05/how-t...te-2-for-free/
If your phone has MB1 firmware or newer ones, follow the guide on this page from STEP 1.
REMEMBER TO MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR DATA, because you are going to perform MANY HARD RESET (alias factory reset).
The unlock should be stay even if you will get official ROM updates.
By this guide, more, the ROM couter (visible in Download Mode) will not increase.
==========================
Step 1: DOWNLOADS & UNPACK
==========================
Download the Factory Firmware (stock) Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MB1 ROM from https://hotfile.com/dl/196600352/cbe...stock.zip.html
[thanks to davidcsv http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?t=2172063]
Then unpack "somewhere on your PC".
Download the Pre Rooted stock ROM Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MB1 ROM from
https://hotfile.com/dl/199391167/4bb...30322.zip.html
or from
http://www.mediafire.com/?a2zwbzhas2...da3a3j0km6jsbp
[thanks to davidcsv http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?t=2172063]
Then unpack "somewhere on your PC".
Download "modem.bin-LK5.rar" parts from the bottom of this post and unpack "somewhere on your PC".
Download Odin3-v3.04.zip from the bottom of this post and unpack "somewhere on your PC".
================================================== ==============
STEP 2: FLASHING "Pre Rooted stock ROM Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MB1 ROM"
================================================== ==============
Switch off the phone
Unplug SIM Card and micro SD card
Enable the option in Settings -> Developer Options -> USB Debugging
Restart smartphone
On the PC, close Kies and any related process
Launch "as Administrator" Odin on PC
Plug USB between phone and PC
Wait for recognizing
Switch off the phone
Unplug USB from the smartphone.
Put the phone in Android System Recovery mode (press Volume UP + Home Button + Power Button at same time for a while)
Perform "Wipe Data/Factory Reset" and "Wipe cache partition"
Perform "Reboot System now"
NOW, BEFORE YOUR PHONE WILL START AGAIN, put the phone in "Download mode" (press Volume DOWN + Home Button + Power Button at same time for a while), then press VOLUME UP
Plug USB between phone and PC
Wait for Odin recognizing the phone
On PC, insert the Pre Rooted stock ROM Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MB1 ROM image "SC03EOMAMB1_RR20130322.tar.md5" into the Odin window in the PDA field
Start flashing
Waith for the phone rebooting
Perform Factory Reset from the phone
===============================================
STEP 3: FLASHING "modem.bin" image from LK5 Rom
===============================================
Switch off the phone
Unplug SIM Card and micro SD card
Enable the option in Settings -> Developer Options -> USB Debugging
Restart smartphone
On the PC, close Kies and any related process
Launch "as Administrator" Odin on PC
Plug USB between phone and PC
Wait for recognizing
Switch off the phone
Unplug USB from the smartphone.
Put the phone in Android System Recovery mode (press Volume UP + Home Button + Power Button at same time for a while)
Perform "Wipe Data/Factory Reset" and "Wipe cache partition"
Perform "Reboot System now"
NOW, BEFORE YOUR PHONE WILL START AGAIN, put the phone in "Download mode" (press Volume DOWN + Home Button + Power Button at same time for a while), then press VOLUME UP
Plug USB between phone and PC
Wait for Odin recognizing the phone
On the PC, insert the "modem.bin" image into the Odin window in the PHONE field
Start flashing
Waith for the phone rebooting
Perform Factory Reset from the phone
Wait for the phone rebooting
================================================== ========
STEP 4: SIM UNLOCKING / NETWORK UNLOCKING on DoCoMo SC-03E
================================================== ========
Switch off the smartphone
Insert your DoCoMo SIM card
Switch on the smartphone
Enable the option in Settings -> Developer Options -> USB Debugging
Log-in into Google Play Store
Download and install "ServiceMode Shortcut" (free) from Play Store (https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...cemodeshortcut)
Be sure that the option in "Settings -> Developer Options -> USB Debugging" is enabled
Launch ServiceMode Shortcut
Go to 'Service Mode' -> [1] UMTS -> [1] Debug Screen -> [8] Phone Control -> [6] Network Lock -> [3] Perso SHA256 OFF
Wait for about 30 seconds
Press Menu (left touch key) and select Back
Select [4] NW Lock NV Data INITIALLIZE
Wait for around one minute
Switch off the smartphone
Insert the "not officila SIM" into the phone
Switch on the smartphone
Waith for a while and check if the smartphone detects the network signal
================================================== ==================
STEP 5: FLASHING "Factory Firmware (stock) Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MB1 ROM"
================================================== ==================
Switch off the phone
Unplug every SIM Card and micro SD card
Enable the option in Settings -> Developer Options -> USB Debugging
Restart smartphone
On the PC, close Kies and any related process
Launch "as Administrator" Odin on PC
Plug USB between phone and PC
Wait for recognizing
Switch off the phone
Unplug USB from the smartphone.
Put the phone in Android System Recovery mode (press Volume UP + Home Button + Power Button at same time for a while)
Perform "Wipe Data/Factory Reset" and "Wipe cache partition"
Perform "Reboot System now"
NOW, BEFORE YOUR PHONE WILL START AGAIN, put the phone in "Download mode" (press Volume DOWN + Home Button + Power Button at same time for a while), then press VOLUME UP
Plug USB between phone and PC
Wait for Odin recognizing the phone
On PC, insert the Factory Firmware (stock) Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MB1 ROM image "SC03EOMAMB1_SC03EDCMAMB1_SC03EOMAMB1_HOME_REV00_u ser_low_true.tar.md5" into the Odin window in the PDA field
Start flashing
Waith for the phone rebooting
Perform Factory Reset from the phone
Switch off the phone
Plug in your favorite SIM card
========================================
STEP 6: Firmware status check-up by Kies
========================================
Switch on the smartphone
On the PC, launch Kies
Connect the smarthpone and PC via USB
Wait for recognizing
If everything is fine, you have an unlocked phone and Kies recgnize the smartphone with the official "full" "MB1" ROM on board (PDA:MB1 / PHONE:MB1 / CSC:MB1).
================================================== ===
(OPTIONAL) STEP 7: OFFICIAL UPDATE/UPGRADE to MC3 ROM
================================================== ===
Since Kies will not show the new MC3 update available (it happens anyway) even if you have MB1 on board, you can choose if to keep your smartphone with MB1 ROM or to update to MC3 official ROM.
If have decided for the second choice, download the Factory Firmware (stock) Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MC3 ROM from https://hotfile.com/dl/200951447/ee2...stock.zip.html
[thanks again to davidcsv http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?t=2172063]
Then unpack "somewhere on your PC" and follow the procedure ONLY at STEP 2, (NO Step 3, Step 4, ...), but using the new MC3 ROM file "SC03EOMAMC3_SC03EDCMAMC3_SC03EOMAMC3_HOME_REV00_u ser_low_true.tar.md5"
Usually, plugging in a SIM card different from the DoCoMo's one, you will get the request of a "Network Unlock Code".
The official way to get that code is to go to a DoCoMo Shop and pay about 3100 yen. Then, officially, you can get keeep a SIM-free phone, even if you make some ROM update.
Before the release of the last ROM (MB1), the devices with LK5 ROM on board were easily "unlockable" for free just typing some codes by dialpad and from menu.
Now, this procedure is no more avaliable.
Since the dowload of the LK5 ROM is still not available for a roll back, we did find a walkaround to get the a roll back just for the radio part firmware for performing the SIM unlock on the SC-03E.
So, if your phone still has the LK5 firmware, go directly to "STEP 4" on this guida OR try with this Guide: http://pakdroid.com/2012/12/05/how-t...te-2-for-free/
If your phone has MB1 firmware or newer ones, follow the guide on this page from STEP 1.
REMEMBER TO MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR DATA, because you are going to perform MANY HARD RESET (alias factory reset).
The unlock should be stay even if you will get official ROM updates.
By this guide, more, the ROM couter (visible in Download Mode) will not increase.
==========================
Step 1: DOWNLOADS & UNPACK
==========================
Download the Factory Firmware (stock) Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MB1 ROM from https://hotfile.com/dl/196600352/cbe...stock.zip.html
[thanks to davidcsv http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?t=2172063]
Then unpack "somewhere on your PC".
Download the Pre Rooted stock ROM Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MB1 ROM from
https://hotfile.com/dl/199391167/4bb...30322.zip.html
or from
http://www.mediafire.com/?a2zwbzhas2...da3a3j0km6jsbp
[thanks to davidcsv http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?t=2172063]
Then unpack "somewhere on your PC".
Download "modem.bin-LK5.rar" parts from the bottom of this post and unpack "somewhere on your PC".
Download Odin3-v3.04.zip from the bottom of this post and unpack "somewhere on your PC".
================================================== ==============
STEP 2: FLASHING "Pre Rooted stock ROM Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MB1 ROM"
================================================== ==============
Switch off the phone
Unplug SIM Card and micro SD card
Enable the option in Settings -> Developer Options -> USB Debugging
Restart smartphone
On the PC, close Kies and any related process
Launch "as Administrator" Odin on PC
Plug USB between phone and PC
Wait for recognizing
Switch off the phone
Unplug USB from the smartphone.
Put the phone in Android System Recovery mode (press Volume UP + Home Button + Power Button at same time for a while)
Perform "Wipe Data/Factory Reset" and "Wipe cache partition"
Perform "Reboot System now"
NOW, BEFORE YOUR PHONE WILL START AGAIN, put the phone in "Download mode" (press Volume DOWN + Home Button + Power Button at same time for a while), then press VOLUME UP
Plug USB between phone and PC
Wait for Odin recognizing the phone
On PC, insert the Pre Rooted stock ROM Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MB1 ROM image "SC03EOMAMB1_RR20130322.tar.md5" into the Odin window in the PDA field
Start flashing
Waith for the phone rebooting
Perform Factory Reset from the phone
===============================================
STEP 3: FLASHING "modem.bin" image from LK5 Rom
===============================================
Switch off the phone
Unplug SIM Card and micro SD card
Enable the option in Settings -> Developer Options -> USB Debugging
Restart smartphone
On the PC, close Kies and any related process
Launch "as Administrator" Odin on PC
Plug USB between phone and PC
Wait for recognizing
Switch off the phone
Unplug USB from the smartphone.
Put the phone in Android System Recovery mode (press Volume UP + Home Button + Power Button at same time for a while)
Perform "Wipe Data/Factory Reset" and "Wipe cache partition"
Perform "Reboot System now"
NOW, BEFORE YOUR PHONE WILL START AGAIN, put the phone in "Download mode" (press Volume DOWN + Home Button + Power Button at same time for a while), then press VOLUME UP
Plug USB between phone and PC
Wait for Odin recognizing the phone
On the PC, insert the "modem.bin" image into the Odin window in the PHONE field
Start flashing
Waith for the phone rebooting
Perform Factory Reset from the phone
Wait for the phone rebooting
================================================== ========
STEP 4: SIM UNLOCKING / NETWORK UNLOCKING on DoCoMo SC-03E
================================================== ========
Switch off the smartphone
Insert your DoCoMo SIM card
Switch on the smartphone
Enable the option in Settings -> Developer Options -> USB Debugging
Log-in into Google Play Store
Download and install "ServiceMode Shortcut" (free) from Play Store (https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...cemodeshortcut)
Be sure that the option in "Settings -> Developer Options -> USB Debugging" is enabled
Launch ServiceMode Shortcut
Go to 'Service Mode' -> [1] UMTS -> [1] Debug Screen -> [8] Phone Control -> [6] Network Lock -> [3] Perso SHA256 OFF
Wait for about 30 seconds
Press Menu (left touch key) and select Back
Select [4] NW Lock NV Data INITIALLIZE
Wait for around one minute
Switch off the smartphone
Insert the "not officila SIM" into the phone
Switch on the smartphone
Waith for a while and check if the smartphone detects the network signal
================================================== ==================
STEP 5: FLASHING "Factory Firmware (stock) Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MB1 ROM"
================================================== ==================
Switch off the phone
Unplug every SIM Card and micro SD card
Enable the option in Settings -> Developer Options -> USB Debugging
Restart smartphone
On the PC, close Kies and any related process
Launch "as Administrator" Odin on PC
Plug USB between phone and PC
Wait for recognizing
Switch off the phone
Unplug USB from the smartphone.
Put the phone in Android System Recovery mode (press Volume UP + Home Button + Power Button at same time for a while)
Perform "Wipe Data/Factory Reset" and "Wipe cache partition"
Perform "Reboot System now"
NOW, BEFORE YOUR PHONE WILL START AGAIN, put the phone in "Download mode" (press Volume DOWN + Home Button + Power Button at same time for a while), then press VOLUME UP
Plug USB between phone and PC
Wait for Odin recognizing the phone
On PC, insert the Factory Firmware (stock) Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MB1 ROM image "SC03EOMAMB1_SC03EDCMAMB1_SC03EOMAMB1_HOME_REV00_u ser_low_true.tar.md5" into the Odin window in the PDA field
Start flashing
Waith for the phone rebooting
Perform Factory Reset from the phone
Switch off the phone
Plug in your favorite SIM card
========================================
STEP 6: Firmware status check-up by Kies
========================================
Switch on the smartphone
On the PC, launch Kies
Connect the smarthpone and PC via USB
Wait for recognizing
If everything is fine, you have an unlocked phone and Kies recgnize the smartphone with the official "full" "MB1" ROM on board (PDA:MB1 / PHONE:MB1 / CSC:MB1).
================================================== ===
(OPTIONAL) STEP 7: OFFICIAL UPDATE/UPGRADE to MC3 ROM
================================================== ===
Since Kies will not show the new MC3 update available (it happens anyway) even if you have MB1 on board, you can choose if to keep your smartphone with MB1 ROM or to update to MC3 official ROM.
If have decided for the second choice, download the Factory Firmware (stock) Jelly Bean 4.1.1 MC3 ROM from https://hotfile.com/dl/200951447/ee2...stock.zip.html
[thanks again to davidcsv http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?t=2172063]
Then unpack "somewhere on your PC" and follow the procedure ONLY at STEP 2, (NO Step 3, Step 4, ...), but using the new MC3 ROM file "SC03EOMAMC3_SC03EDCMAMC3_SC03EOMAMC3_HOME_REV00_u ser_low_true.tar.md5"