Hi,
Firstly, I'd like to apologise if this post is either in the wrong place, or if the answers are extremely obvious. I'm fairly new to this site so I'm not 100% sure where to post, I'm fairly new to unlocking as I've previously only used factory unlocked phones, and I'm fairly new to Android Rooting so I'm not completely sure of some things.
Long story short, I currently own an HTC One X+ which is locked to the UK O2 network. I want to use a different network so I'm going to have to unlock my phone. O2 will not unlock my phone until 12 months after I've owned the phone, and even then they'll charge me £15. eBay has multiple sellers offering an unlock for £1, but I have two questions before I go ahead and purchase it/send them my information.
Does O2 require you to wait 12 months from purchase because they want to make some money from you, or is it physically impossible to unlock a phone until 12 months after purchase? (this question seems pretty silly seeing as you can buy factory unlocked phones, but I thought I'd check anyway)
Will unlocking my phone affect my ability to root in any way? (again, I feel this is an obvious answer of 'no' but I just want to be sure)
Thank you in advance for any help provided.
Pie Lov3r said:
Hi,
Firstly, I'd like to apologise if this post is either in the wrong place, or if the answers are extremely obvious. I'm fairly new to this site so I'm not 100% sure where to post, I'm fairly new to unlocking as I've previously only used factory unlocked phones, and I'm fairly new to Android Rooting so I'm not completely sure of some things.
Long story short, I currently own an HTC One X+ which is locked to the UK O2 network. I want to use a different network so I'm going to have to unlock my phone. O2 will not unlock my phone until 12 months after I've owned the phone, and even then they'll charge me £15. eBay has multiple sellers offering an unlock for £1, but I have two questions before I go ahead and purchase it/send them my information.
Does O2 require you to wait 12 months from purchase because they want to make some money from you, or is it physically impossible to unlock a phone until 12 months after purchase? (this question seems pretty silly seeing as you can buy factory unlocked phones, but I thought I'd check anyway)
Will unlocking my phone affect my ability to root in any way? (again, I feel this is an obvious answer of 'no' but I just want to be sure)
Thank you in advance for any help provided.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) yes
2) no (my device is the o2 one and it's now running fine on 3)
My HOX+ is/was on contract with Vodafone which I received in November 2012 when I upgraded. My phone is rooted, unlocked bootloader etc. I switched to GiffGaff a few weeks back to get off contract (it cost me to pay off the Vodafone contract but I'm £23 a month better off!). Anyway, I never had to get a PUK or anything, just popped in the new SIM and I was good to go.
Lloir said:
1) yes
2) no (my device is the o2 one and it's now running fine on 3)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that a yes they only do it to make money from you, or yes you have to wait 12 months?
Thanks for your initial response.
maritimesbob said:
My HOX+ is/was on contract with Vodafone which I received in November 2012 when I upgraded. My phone is rooted, unlocked bootloader etc. I switched to GiffGaff a few weeks back to get off contract (it cost me to pay off the Vodafone contract but I'm £23 a month better off!). Anyway, I never had to get a PUK or anything, just popped in the new SIM and I was good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response, I'm on PAYG (which I forgot to mention, sorry) so I'm not sure if it'll be different..
Pie Lov3r said:
Is that a yes they only do it to make money from you, or yes you have to wait 12 months?
Thanks for your initial response.
Thanks for your response, I'm on PAYG (which I forgot to mention, sorry) so I'm not sure if it'll be different..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mine was PAYG also....chuck a sim in, you MIGHT get lucky
Lloir said:
mine was PAYG also....chuck a sim in, you MIGHT get lucky
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've already tried putting a SIM in, I just get the Network Locked notification..
Managed to find a seller who could unlock my phone, so everything is great now.
Thanks for all the help, this thread can be locked/left to die now.
Thanks again
Related
Hi all,
I finally purchased the Telus Hero GSM Quad Band from Canada and its on its way to India thru FedEx. Bought the Hero without contract for 599$. Does this mean it is unlocked?
Since I have bought it now, what is my next job?
1. Unlock it by purchasing a unlock code.
2. Once unlocked, can I use it as it is? or it is mandatory to upgrade or downgrade the ROM?
3. Will post some more query when it comes to my mind.
Note: Did a search and it seems all threads were stopped answering from last November. So, started a new thread.
Expecting replies, since I do not want to keep Hero in hand as a dummy piece without knowing wat to do.
T i A
you will have to unlock it... then it will work when you pop a registered sim card in..(if the bands are correct) but im guessing you checked that already
Thnx for replying..now I am sure I have to unlock. but which website? Have waded in here and most vote goes to http://hero.unlock-now.com/sim-unlock-HTC-Hero/
should I get one from them?
What about my second query? Is it mandatory to downgrade/upgrade my ROM?
oh sorry forgot about that... im honestly not sure about which site to use to unlock sorry, id go with one that i know people have gotn there money back from though...
and no it is not mandatory to do anything except unlock to use your phone, only install a rom if you want to
thnx a bunch m8..I am relieved now. I also believe that most ppl here who have unlocked their hero has used the link I have posted. Some have got their money refunded too if it doesnt work. Waiting for my package to arrive to knw the IMEI and start unlocking. Fingers crossed.
Guys, if you trust some other site who provides unlock codes, please suggest.
T i A
As for websites to unlock, I did some searching back in November when I got my Telus Hero. I ended up using http://www.unlock-hero.com/, as it seemed to be the most popular at the time. I had no problems with them and had my unlock code within 20 minutes. It's also well priced.
thnx for the sugg m8..need more and finally need to decide on one.
I posted these questions somewhere else but I did not get satisfying answers. So I thought I'd take it to the experts.
Well I found unlocked Atrix phones being sold for $800+ on ebay. But of course I'd rather try buying the unlock code myself from websites that offer this service.
I'm new to Android and never thought an unlock could be this simple compared to what I used to do with iphones!
My questions are..
1.Once the unlock code is entered with success, Does that make the phone unlocked forever? Or I need to keep the key and re-enter in cases such as formatting the storage drive or factory reset..etc?
2.Should there be any difference between an AT&T Atrix unlocked using a code and the Atrix to come later as the international version (Manufacturer unlocked)?
I'm just curious to know how would the phone still be unlocked if it needed a complete format in the future?
Thank you
1. Unlock codes are permanent
2. If an international version gets released, it MAY have a different firmware, and different apps preloaded. So it may come with HSUPA enabled and probably less bloat. But it would be just as unlocked as an AT&T one with an unlock code.
CyberPunk7t9 said:
I posted these questions somewhere else but I did not get satisfying answers. So I thought I'd take it to the experts.
Well I found unlocked Atrix phones being sold for $800+ on ebay. But of course I'd rather try buying the unlock code myself from websites that offer this service.
I'm new to Android and never thought an unlock could be this simple compared to what I used to do with iphones!
My questions are..
1.Once the unlock code is entered with success, Does that make the phone unlocked forever? Or I need to keep the key and re-enter in cases such as formatting the storage drive or factory reset..etc?
2.Should there be any difference between an AT&T Atrix unlocked using a code and the Atrix to come later as the international version (Manufacturer unlocked)?
I'm just curious to know how would the phone still be unlocked if it needed a complete format in the future?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually i can answer the second question.
the UK version is a dumped version of the US one. as far as i know, there is no 4G in it. who knows if they will dump something else.
i think there is no 4G network at all in UK. maybe there is
as for the first question. i would an answer my self too. and i think that the answer is a NO. you dont need it. but i am not sure
i also have a question on my own i want to ask. if i buy the atrix now without the unlock code. can i still access the phone like as a media player, video player and net ? or i am stuck at the boot screen ?
ll_l_x_l_ll said:
i also have a question on my own i want to ask. if i buy the atrix now without the unlock code. can i still access the phone like as a media player, video player and net ? or i am stuck at the boot screen ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can.
I've been playing with my Atrix, customizing it and installing apps for 2-3 days now with no SIM inside (until I receive the code I ordered from cellunlock.net)
On first boot it will ask you to create a motoblur account and then you can skip the "no sim found" screen.
Thank you
CyberPunk7t9 said:
Yes you can.
I've been playing with my Atrix, customizing it and installing apps for 2-3 days now with no SIM inside (until I receive the code I ordered from cellunlock.net)
On first boot it will ask you to create a motoblur account and then you can skip the "no sim found" screen.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do u want to sell me your phone ? lol i am in ksa if you are intrested and if you phone has no dead pixels
ll_l_x_l_ll said:
do u want to sell me your phone ? lol i am in ksa if you are intrested and if you phone has no dead pixels
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no dead pixels and not interested in selling.
I just got the Atrix unlocked to STC now. Everything did cost me around 2450 SAR (+I will spend 330 SAR on a 32GB class 4 microSD tommorow).
If you think this cost is ok. PM me and I will guide thru everything I did.
Thanks and gold luck.
CyberPunk7t9 said:
no dead pixels and not interested in selling.
I just got the Atrix unlocked to STC now. Everything did cost me around 2450 SAR (+I will spend 330 SAR on a 32GB class 4 microSD tommorow).
If you think this cost is ok. PM me and I will guide thru everything I did.
Thanks and gold luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
shokran { thank you }
i already ordered mine yesterday from amazon.com waiting for it to ship to aramex shop & ship,
then i guess i will have to buy the unlock from celluck.net for another 200SAR.
but the total is more than what you told me the price of the phone alone with tax before it arrive to aramex is something like 653 $ tax included. i think 200SAR for shipping here and 200SAR for unlock. and we are close to 2800 SAR if my math is correct.
its just that i want to buy another one and i will pay around 2800 SAR if you are in riyadh and intrested to sell your phone " you will make a profit " because i need another phone
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.
Hey guys. I was going to update the developer thread but I do not have enough posts, so I have to start a new thread.
I've been following the Bounty thread to unlock our SIMs for ATT in the US, and saw this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=18293197&postcount=73
Based on their answer, I took a chance and spent the $20. The bottom line? No, they cannot unlock it. When I put an ATT sim in the Photon, nothing happens. According to the UnlockMotorolaIMEI guy, my Photon should have prompted me for a code. It didn't.
I advised him of this issue, asking for further help or for a refund. Here's the response:
"We are sorry sir about this... But we don't know how the things are going on all the networks on the globe.
If you buy a book and after that we realize that the book is not helping you to do something... you can not go back and tell to the seller that it is not helping you...
Do you think that is fair for us to lose the money because of your fault. We are reselling the code. We bought the code from the supplier that will not understand this problem... If I refund you than I will pay for your mistake.
Thanks for understanding. And in future if you will need another code for some phones... I will make you a big discount! This is what I can do...
Gino"
Somehow this has become my fault, despite Gino's assurance originally that yes he could unlock our SIMs for ATT.
I'm hoping they step up and offer me a refund. But as of right now that doesn't seem likely. I will definitly update this thread should they come thru.
But either way, the moral of the story is this only confirms what we already knew: that the GSM radio's firmware is written to ignore any ATT tower in the US, and therefore no "unlock" code is going to help.
This been been known. Our phone is already "unlocked" to every country except the US Domestic GSM carriers. And for it to become unlocked a new radio will have to be written, or stolen if possibly from another countries device.
Kcarpenter said:
This been been known. Our phone is already "unlocked" to every country except the US Domestic GSM carriers. And for it to become unlocked a new radio will have to be written, or stolen if possibly from another countries device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. But I'm an optimist . So when Gino originally said yes he could unlock it, I figured it was worth the risk. Turns out it wasn't.
Hopefully this helps other newb's avoid losing any of their money.
More from the Unlock guy. He's obviously confused.
"Hi,
We can unlock Motorola Photon and the unlocking code we've sent you unlocked your SIM, meaning that you can use an international SIM card or other carrier SIM (not just Sprint SIM) in your phone.
The problem I think you have with your phone is the firmware for the GSM radio. Unfortunatelly we only offer unlocking codes, we don't handle firmware issues.
If you would have first solved the firmware issue, you would still need an unlocking code in order to be able to use your handset with other carriers.
G."
I've tried to set him straight, but I think something is getting lost in translation.
Good news! It took a bit of back and fourth but they refunded me in full. So no harm no foul.
Now, about that bounty...
Jason.William said:
Good news! It took a bit of back and fourth but they refunded me in full. So no harm no foul.
Now, about that bounty...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now, donate the amount to some developer for the work they are doing.
rohit3192 said:
Now, donate the amount to some developer for the work they are doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One step ahead of ya. Still need 5 more posts before I can reply to a developer (aka the Bounty) thread.
Says here that is the answer, I have not tried it, I am readyng one by one all the post and remembered that I saw this a few hours ago...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1664212
I will be in the US for vacation in about six weeks and planning to buy The One.
Can you please help me with some questions:
1. Assuming that by then stock would be plenty and they don't refuse off contract sales. My question is: will A&TT or T-Mobile sell me the phone without me getting any phone service. I have my SIM with international roaming and do not need any kind of US phone service. I just need the Hardware. Is it possible?
2. Because I would be paying the phone without any contract or subsidy (full price). Can you confirm it will be unlocked to use with a SIM from any operator? Is it something automatically or I have to request it in the store?
3. I'm ok if they can only be unlocked. But have to ask if The One bough from operators can also be customized with other ROMS.
3. Which carrier is prefered to do this (if can be done) AT&T or T-Mobile.
Thanks you!
Antiflash said:
I will be in the US for vacation in about six weeks and planning to buy The One.
Can you please help me with some questions:
1. Assuming that by then stock would be plenty and they don't refuse off contract sales. My question is: will A&TT or T-Mobile sell me the phone without me getting any phone service. I have my SIM with international roaming and do not need any kind of US phone service. I just need the Hardware. Is it possible?
2. Because I would be paying the phone without any contract or subsidy (full price). Can you confirm it will be unlocked to use with a SIM from any operator? Is it something automatically or I have to request it in the store?
3. I'm ok if they can only be unlocked. But have to ask if The One bough from operators can also be customized with other ROMS.
3. Which carrier is prefered to do this (if can be done) AT&T or T-Mobile.
Thanks you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably want to buy the unlocked version. It is cheaper, unlocked, and will be able to use custom roms after unlocking the bootloader http://shopamerica.htc.com/brands/HTC-mobile/homebrands/index.htm
If not to answer those questions
1. Yes you can buy off contract
2. It will not be unlocked. You probably can unlock it easily with something like cellular unlocker service
3. Right now the bootloader is unlockable. We do not know if they will lock in the future
3(again). AT&T has earlier release but it doesnt really matter
joshuadjohnson22 said:
You probably want to buy the unlocked version. It is cheaper, unlocked, and will be able to use custom roms after unlocking the bootloader http://shopamerica.htc.com/brands/HTC-mobile/homebrands/index.htm
If not to answer those questions
1. Yes you can buy off contract
2. It will not be unlocked. You probably can unlock it easily with something like cellular unlocker service
3. Right now the bootloader is unlockable. We do not know if they will lock in the future
3(again). AT&T has earlier release but it doesnt really matter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the prompt response. I would like to buy it from HTC directly but what I planning is a road trip and won't be staying more than a couple of days in any place. It is difficult to time processing and delivery times from HTC and I don't know how strict they are with billing address differing from shipping address.
Bummer they would not unlocked it even after paying it in full. What "unlocker" services do you recommend. I have never used one.
Antiflash said:
Thanks for the prompt response. I would like to buy it from HTC directly but what I planning is a road trip and won't be staying more than a couple of days in any place. It is difficult to time processing and delivery times from HTC and I don't know how strict they are with billing address differing from shipping address.
Bummer they would not unlocked it even after paying it in full. What "unlocker" services do you recommend. I have never used one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a lot out there like http://www.cellunlocker.net/ they will just send you a code that you can enter after putting a none AT&T sim in it. Now a disclaimer from me. I have heard of a lot of phones being unlocked by them but the HTC One has not been unlocked on AT&T yet as far as I know.
I just bought one from a employee on craigslist and trying to get it unlocked
Sent from my HTC One
If any carrier sells you a phone for off contract pricing you're eligible/entitled to have it unlocked when you walk out the door. Just call them.