3 UK - is it locked and branded? - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi,
I've noticed similar thread about O2 but couldn't find anything regarding 3 UK. Is there anyone around here who got their S2 from 3 UK? If so, was it locked to 3 or network branded (the phone itself and software)?
Thanks!

Doesnt matter if it is locked, there is an app to unlock it, Chainfire made it if I remember correctly. should be in theme and apps section.

Thanks a lot stoney. Good news in case I decide to keep it.
The trouble is I want to sell the phone and wouldn't like to open the box to check if it's unlocked and that's why I was wondering if it was normally locked if it comes from 3. Not sure if the potential buyer would be happy to unlock the phone themselves using the software from the forums.

In case anyone else is interested in - my S2 was locked to 3 but it was possible to unlock it

My 3 sgs2 was not locked but is branded, I have not checked my replacement but I guess it will be the unlocked the same

Related

[Q] HTC Hero Orange Uk unlocking

Hello I have an HTC Hero on Orange UK and it is locked to Orange. I'm trying to get it to get it unlocked so that I can give it to my brother who is on T Mobile UK.
At first I though it would be as simple as loading a new ROM but after rooting it and installing both Villian and a Taiwanese ROM I still couldn't use the T Mobile SIM.
I am aware that the unlocking codes could be brought from Orange but I was wondering if there was a way of unlocking it with out purchasing the unlocking codes.
I have had a look online and on here for various methods but i couldn't find anything of any use. I am aware that this may not be the first time this has been asked so if you have any solutions please link me or explain...
Finally I am pretty tech able am able to do most things.
cheers
Tim
Short answer: Pay for a code
Long answer: Don't pay orange £20 for a code, go look on eBay for one. Mine cost £6.99.
Also, this does not belong in "Android development"
hey man, there is no other way then buying 6-7 pounds.. so, save your time by stop searching free sim unlock
timothy,
Orange and T-Mobile are now the same company (can't remember who bought who) so your brother should be able to use the hero straight away.
If it doesn't work then Orange should now unlock it to T-Mobile without question, considering that they are one and the same.
Minimad said:
timothy,
Orange and T-Mobile are now the same company (can't remember who bought who) so your brother should be able to use the hero straight away.
If it doesn't work then Orange should now unlock it to T-Mobile without question, considering that they are one and the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please disregard this misinformed statement!
Orange and T-Mobile merged, neither bought either, and their "parent company" Everything Everywhere (lame name) was created.
They do network share, so customers can opt in to use the masts from the other network, but by no means are they the same network now.
The brands are due to remain seperate, and lets be fair
1) why would they believe that it was going to be on T-Mob, surely if they'd unlock for free without question everyone would just say that
2) they're wanting to make £25 quid out of you, and they will do for as long as its legally possible.
Once again, short answer: buy a code on ebay.
Buy a code off ebay then you have to downgrade your rom to an early modaco one cant remember which one i used , enter the code to unlock it then reflash an up to date rom.
Thats the only way to unlock a orange hero just had to do 3 off emm mate.
thanks for all suggestions i feel i will have to buy the codes cheers anyway
chrisjaggeruk said:
Buy a code off ebay then you have to downgrade your rom to an early modaco one cant remember which one i used , enter the code to unlock it then reflash an up to date rom.
Thats the only way to unlock a orange hero just had to do 3 off emm mate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
one last thing who do you buy them from on ebay (seller name/link) and is it always for htc hero on orange
Is Modaco 2.9 ROM still the only method to unlock Orange UK? Currently running RCMix and rooted. Better still, how one did recently.
Cheers.
Yes think it was that one mate... it was one of the very early modaco custom roms anyway.
don't worry,use this which give different countries and provider,with unlocking code of reliable cost.
you can use that & unlock mobile mobile to T mobile .

[Q] Can Samsung Galaxy SII be unlocked

Well,
Sort of a noob question, but since I dont know how easy or hard could it be.
If I buy a SGS-II with a service plan in UK (Orange, Voda etc), then can it be unlocked to be used in other countries or other operators.
I know maybe it has got something to do with the gaining the root access to the handset or even a root access achieve the desired.
Thanks for suggestions.
HyperEscape said:
Well,
Sort of a noob question, but since I dont know how easy or hard could it be.
If I buy a SGS-II with a service plan in UK (Orange, Voda etc), then can it be unlocked to be used in other countries or other operators.
I know maybe it has got something to do with the gaining the root access to the handset or even a root access achieve the desired.
Thanks for suggestions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's got nothing to do with root and everything to do with the carrier, some will deliver locked phones, some unlocked.. most usually contract phones are unlocked and PAYG phones are locked
I'm on O2 contract and the phones I've had have always been unlocked, but I've heard Orange do network lock their phone
Orange do always lock their phones but if you get it from an independent seller like the Carphone Warehouse or Phones4u the chances are it'll be unlocked.
Most networks will unlock your phone for a small fee (I think I paid £25 on Orange) but it's only a matter of time before sellers on eBay popup that will sell you an unlock code based on your IMEI.
You're right that you could unlock handsets with root access but that involved flashing another radio. Since no locked SGS2's have been released yet you're safe buying now and the phone hasn't been rooted so you may be waiting a while for that option if you get a locked handset in the future.
You could always use a Rebel SimCard. Its not the perfect solution but it works.
So we just have to wait basically. O2 are offering it for 399£ apparently on payg. It would be awesome to get it for that price and then unlock it.
bcam117 said:
So we just have to wait basically. O2 are offering it for 399£ apparently on payg. It would be awesome to get it for that price and then unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last year, o2 were selling the SGS1 on PAYG. I think the handsets were supposed to be locked but they weren't. If you're in luck then maybe same is true for SGS2. I've pulled the trigger on the SGS2 with contract from o2 as total cost works out cheaper that any PAYG or sim free offer currently available.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Does orange still exist over there?
Three took over Orange over here in Australia years ago
On three if you call them up they give you the unlock code for free
I asked a popular online unlocking firm what the likelihood of the SGS2 being unlocked was and this was his reply:
Hi Aaron,
This should be no problem at all. That's because there's one main database for all European Samsung Android handsets. We have unlocked the Samsung Galaxy S from all 6 main UK networks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you going to use them to unlock? When can they do it? & who are they?
AaronUK said:
I asked a popular online unlocking firm what the likelihood of the SGS2 being unlocked was and this was his reply:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will ask them to unlock if my SGS2 arrives locked. I found them doing a quick google search. I am not sure I am allowed to post links so mods please remove if that is the case. http://www.mobileunlocked.co.uk/
There are many more if you do a google search.

[Q] HTC Mozart Orange -> T-mobile UK

Alright guys I tried to search for this but basically I couldnt find the answer,
Anyway I might be buying an orange uk HTC mozart from *bay, and then I'll be getting it unlocked via IMEI code also from *bay.
My question is how will I go about de-branding it i.e. taking everything "orange" away from it and also how will I make sure the phone is up to date i.e. which rom will i have to flash?
Sorry for the noob-ness its just I'm coming from android so all this wp7 malarky is new to me!
Thanks!!
try to read some threads before posting new ones..I am sure you will answer all your questions that way.
Sorry to say I cant find anything that answers my question would appreciate if you could help me out.
I'm confused as to whether the mozart will ge the NoDo update on a non-orange carrier?
Thanks
To be honest you won't see much orange stuff on it! You can uninstall all the programs and after that its just the start up screen (which you'll rarely see as who turns off their phone) and I think one of the colours is called orange uk! But the above guy is right there are millions of posts on here about debranding your phone, I did it and went back to the original rom as the european rom doesnt seem to have english uk, only english american...
Thanks for the tips, but im unsure as to what you mean by the original rom?
Basically i dont know what version it will be until it arrives, but i want to make sure I can unlock it, debrand it and keep it up to date whilst being on t-mobile (which happen to share a 2G network with orange lol)
my advice is: get your hands to the phone first, buy an unlock code through some of the several sites providing it if the phone is locked to orange or another network. then pop your sim in, enter the unlock code you purchased and uninstall any orange apps if there are any installed on the phone.. plug your phone to zune and update it to pre-nodo, no-do depends on what version currently is. remember that you have to un-plug and plug again your phone to the pc for each update.. hope that helped..
I did the same thing, bought a Mozart from Ebay, Unlocked by buying a code from the internet and then debranded the phone by downgrading it and letting it update through Zune.
Still looking at getting one of these, but just reading issues about responsiveness on the latest roms i.e. screen response etc.
Is it an issue i should worry about?
BUMP
My mozart is coming tomorrow on Orange UK, and I will need to use it on t-mobile UK.
Please, please oh pretty please will someone help me unlock and debrand it?
Thanks
I bought a Mozart locked to Orange last week to use with an O2 sim card. All you need to do is get an unlock code using the IMEI no. (I used Unlocking.com, cost about £15), then get your phone on a wifi network and dwnload the HTC settings app from Marketplace, which will automatically configure your phone for web/MMS/texts etc. Then just delete the Orange apps by long pressing on them in the app list and assign the correct voicemail number.
Job done! Other than an Orange logo on start up, you won't know any different.
Got my mozart Yay!
HOWEVER
What the hell is with the banding?!?!?! Whenever the screen is any other color than black, there's banding!?!?
Banding? Oh dear - I think you might have a duff screen
No I think this is the issue
http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-1028496.html
Oh, right. Turns out I have that too, but hadn't noticed until now! Supposedly it'll be fixed in Mango, and it's no big deal so I can wait until then.

[Q] can a 3 branded payg sgs2 be unlocked

Hi
I'm looking at picking up a sgs2 phone from the three (3) store on a payg deal. I wanted to quickly check, I should be able to sim unlock this no problems right?
Also are there issues with debranding three versions?
Thanks
Sent from my HTC Magic using XDA App
Think so
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1064978
mine came unlocked. what i'm more interested in is if we can have the original three firmware from someone, so that we can slap unbranded one onto the phone and then revert back if we need to (like bringing it back to three in case of a fault or something like that).
If you can sim unlock the SGSII which others have managed via that thread, then why wouldnt you buy the o2 payg for 399 rather than the 3 version for 499.
(At least those were the prices 2wks ago)
My bad, Ive seen theyve taken it off PAYG
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Thanks All - I ended up getting one from Phones4U.
Turns out they have completely unlocked stock samsung devices without any bloatware. I thought this better than de-branding & unlocking etc.
Cost was the same, £499 but as it was stock I avoided the costs of unlocking etc.
ohmz55: Would like to have done this, but O2 stopped the deal.
Thanks
JohnBoy
andrej.marinic said:
mine came unlocked. what i'm more interested in is if we can have the original three firmware from someone, so that we can slap unbranded one onto the phone and then revert back if we need to (like bringing it back to three in case of a fault or something like that).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you post the product code and the firmware details (pda, csc, modem) I can try to get it.
johnboy00 said:
Thanks All - I ended up getting one from Phones4U.
Turns out they have completely unlocked stock samsung devices without any bloatware. I thought this better than de-branding & unlocking etc.
Cost was the same, £499 but as it was stock I avoided the costs of unlocking etc.
ohmz55: Would like to have done this, but O2 stopped the deal.
Thanks
JohnBoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
O2 no longer offer it online, I was able to get one for £399 from O2 store just yesterday however. The guy in the shop did say he wasn't allowed to sell it on pay as you go but that he was just going to ignore that!

[Q] Frequent Crashes, Debranding

So I've been reading forums like every day since the 12th(launch in Canada), when I got my phone. So it's not like I came right on to ask questions without reading anything.
2 questions.
First is:
About half a week ago-a week ago I was reading about someone having frequent crashes and didn't really think much of it because my phone was working fine. People suggested backup and restore with pc companion, as well as taking it back to the dealer for replacement ect ect. Moral of the story is mine is now randomly giving me errors asking me to force-quit. like maybe 3-5 times a day? Is this common for an android device? Should I even be worried at all?(Not really sure what I should be expecting in reference to what other people are experiencing.)
Secondly:
So I've read a bit about debranding, would that be an option with a locked bootloader, and would that remove all of the bloatware shoved down my throat by my carrier? If so, which debranding pack(not sure on the terminology here=/) would be best to use if wanting to be as light as possible. Would a factory reset afterwards remove the debranding?
Extra Info: Unfortunately because Rogers in Canada owns the rights to selling Sony Ericsson's even purchasing the XpS directly from the Sony store(which I did)($500 Cad. +12% sales tax) limits you to a carrier lock via Rogers. (and a locked bootloader) Unit comes stock with .73.
Thanks in advance.
For second question answear is that you can debrand with locked bootloader with no problem (you just can not instal custom roms).
So far lightest would be Nordic software and personally I like to use UK generic where all unnessary apps can be deleted .
Factory reset would not remove debranding ( just resets settings and all of your customizations).
If you want to sim unlock your phone it is not difficult just order unlock code. I got mine for $5 from ebay, received code in one hour, now using it with fido.
Hmm you're with fido now? Wouldn't the unlock code be the be the same? Care to share?
Thanks for the information on debranding.
Sent from my LT26i using XDA
Unlock code depends on imei number of your phone.
I can share mine but it will not be accepted by your phone since unlock code is unique to each phone. Once you try to insert anything other then rogers sim card your phone will ask for unlock code, you have only 10 tries, after that phone will be permanently locked to rogers, so make sure you submit your imei correctly in order to receive correct unlock code.
In ebay just type unlock code rogers sony ericsson , the seller i used was freedommobile they charged me $5.49+taxx, see no point paying more then that.
Wow yeah.. I had no idea you only had like 10 tries. Can that be reset that counter via custom ROMing? I understand that custom ROMing sometimes unlocks, I was more or less asking out of curiosity.
Also.. If doing a factory reset wouldn't re-brand, Would doing a backup and restore via PC companion rebrand my unit? Or would that just restore back to the back to the base of what ever I used to debrand it with?
Uk Generic eh? Sounds like it would also be my cup of tea. I'm sure it's posted here, I'll use the search feature when I get home.
Thank you so much for your imput and follow up my friend.
If you ever want advice about digital cameras (professional/consumer) let me know, I'm a hobbist and sell them for a living. =]
Sent from my LT26i using XDA

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