help - sim unlocking .. downgrade or purchase?

[InGearX]

I got two Samsung Galaxy s3 from eBay - T-Mobile for me and AT&T for my mom

both are on 4.1.2

so looks like I would need to downgrade to 4.1.1 to take advantage of unlocking with Service Tools (dialing *#197328640# selecting [1] UMTS...)

I'm on a slow connection in Asia for now and would love to avoid this .. but could do it ..

it would involved downgrading .. unlocking .. probably upgrading

I also rooted and tried the GalaxSim Unlock
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spocky.galaxsimunlock&hl=en
and few others to no avail

so I guess I got to purchase the code?

a comparison of services:

$31 Unlock Samsung Mobile Phones - Mobile Unlocked
$27 Cell Phone Unlock Codes | Cheap IMEI Unlocking Service - Codes2unlock.com
$30 Cellunlocker.net - #1 Unlock Codes for Network Cell Phone Unlocking
$30 Unlock Samsung Galaxy S3 ? Unlock Code | FastGSM
$37 Unlock phone Samsung Galaxy S3 Available products - sim-unlock.net 29.99 EURO
$34.99 https://www.freeunlocks.com/unlock-Samsung-Galaxy+S3#u.s.a.&atandt
$40 Unlock Samsung Galaxy S3 III from Bell Remotely by Code | CellUnlock.net


I was hoping I'd find something cheaper .. any suggestions?

before purchasing - though I'd run this by you and have you check if I overlooked anything .. or misunderstood ...

can anyone recommend anything ..

thank you..

 

[funkylogik]

So if you downgrade it to 4.1.1 youll be able to unlock it for free?
If so then go for it. Its pretty easy if you can use a computer.
flashing official firmware will un-root it so youll have to root it again :thumbup: