Samsung Galaxy S4 MediaTek *Doesn't recogne sim card HELP

[calul0]

Hello there,

So long story short, I have this phone (Galaxy S4 Mediatek) that was given to me as gift brought from china. I purchased a sim card with T-mobile and the phone doesn't recognize the card even though sim is fully inserted. I've been thinking that the phone is probably not unlocked to be used with T-mobile?
I tried accessing servicemode with *#0011# and *#197328640#, *#0066# and no menu or nothing pop- up. Don't know what to do to make this phone to recognize the sim card.

Please help.

[cookiedough]

Its unlikely that the phone is locked. Depending on how cheap the phone is, it could be several things.

1- First make 100% sure the SIM is inserted in the proper direction
2- Settings >> About Phone >> Status >> IMEI information. See if the IMEI number is there.
3- Check the supported bands. Download mobile uncle app from play ([Only registered and activated users can see links Click here to register]&hl=en), go to MTK engineering mode, band mode, select SIM and see freq it supports.

[WuddaWaste]

Thanks @cookiedough ! Couldn't have said it better myself.

I'm hoping it's just an IMEI issue. Then you'll be rolling in no time. Fingers crossed!

[Chinaclone]

hi, I a just got my no-brand china clone phone. and it doesn't work I put in a new sim card and activated it ant it still doesn't work. I have no service and whenever I want to make a call, it says "mobile network not available." I don't know what to do can someone please help me.

[cookiedough]

[Chinaclone]

ok i did that i went to engineering mode and to band mode and the then i has a check mark on EGSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900, GSM850. now what how to i get service on my phone.

[WuddaWaste]

Where are you and what mobile service do you use?

Also, did you check to make sure your IMEI was valid?

[Chinaclone]

I am in Canada and i use Bell. And it does have an IMEI there are 2 of them, not sure why. but i can't find the imei in the About Phone page in the settings tab.