[Question] Help @ Galaxy S5 Clone - Alps MT6572

[Wooster]

Hi everyone. One of my colleagues picked up these two S5 clones on an overseas trip. The clone part he didn't know until I had a look at them (he was too happy telling everybody about the bargain!). To top it all the devices are locked, i.e. SIM doesn't work.

- I have been able to activate the phone/ new gmail account over wifi.
- PlayStore's working. Got some system tools, Opera etc. Download + installation is working.

From Elixir2 got the following info:
Manufacturer: Apls
Model: GT-I9600
Hardware: MT6572
Processor: ARMv7
Id(?): JDQ39
Android Version: 4.4.2
Operating System > Kernel: Linux Version 3.4.5

Here's my main query:
IMEI # is accessible via *#06#, but the engineering screen/ mode via *#*#3646633#*#* isn't working.

IIRC, engineering mode is needed to "unlock" the phone to work on local SIM. And rooting the phone won't help with the unocking part, or would it?

I'd appreciate if you guys could give some pointers/ help. Thanks.

[WuddaWaste]

If it were me, I'd root the phone, install Mobile Uncle, and get to Engineer Mode from there. But that's the process I'm familiar with. Good luck.
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