With the new deal struck by the FCC and wireless carriers, article linked below, once someone with a GS4 finishes their two year contract, Verizon will have to offer unlocking tools to the customer, or Verizon will have to unlock the phone themselves. I'm not savvy enough to know, but would carrier unlocked devices end up helping the developer community to unlock other devices still under contract (and thus still locked)? Would it make sense to put out a call to community members to contact a developer once their contract expires and Verizon unlocks their phone for them so that a developer could assist in retrieving files from the unlocked phone to examine?
(I found out I can not attach a link because I'm still too much a new user lol, just google the news story and you'll find it.)
I would like to what kind of "unlock" this is.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
This is not a bootloader unlock but a carrier unlock meaning you will be free to take it to any other carrier. The point being if you sell your old phone since you have a new phone the buyer isn't restricted to only using Verizon. They should be able to buy the phone and take to whatever carrier they choose to.
If a change in firmware isn't required to take a device to a carrier that doesn't lock bootloader, the question is could another carrier flash their firmware onto a Verizon device. And if so could you just bring it right back to Verizon.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
here is an article, http://www.androidheadlines.com/201...lock-customer-phones-thanks-fcc-pressure.html
this is a already published piece of information, and already being discussed in other threads.
Related
I understand there are two ways to unlock your HTC aria.
One is to buy the unlock codes on some website.
The second, free way is to call AT&T after three months and they will unlock it for free.
However, I have called AT&T twice and they don't have the unlock code available even after giving them my IMEI number. I'm puzzled by this. Is anyone else having the same problem? They said the computer or database don't have the Aria unlock code in the system. What's going on here?
Big brother just tricked you. They are tracking you now. Throw the phone away. Use cash only. Don't use your real name.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
AT&T doesn't have to give you the unlock code for the Aria until the exclusivity for that device has expired. Your only choice for now is to unlock it using a third party website.
Get the unlock code through a website like the most of us did, its just $15 or $20 bucks and they send you an email with the code almost instantly..
fmac said:
Get the unlock code through a website like the most of us did, its just $15 or $20 bucks and they send you an email with the code almost instantly..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
be sure to search ebay first. i found an unlock code for my backflip for only 2 dollars, the same for a few other phones I've had!
!
You know...I'd be interested to find out how these unlock codes are generated...seems like people are robbing people of their money when they are selling these things...it probably isn't the easiest thing in the world to figure the algorithm out (if that's how they do it) but i can only imagine that once you do figure it out, it's a short process thereafter to generate unlock codes for people based on whatever information they need...
zervic said:
You know...I'd be interested to find out how these unlock codes are generated...seems like people are robbing people of their money when they are selling these things...it probably isn't the easiest thing in the world to figure the algorithm out (if that's how they do it) but i can only imagine that once you do figure it out, it's a short process thereafter to generate unlock codes for people based on whatever information they need...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is software that does this. unfortunately i think they require a USB Dongle to run the s/w and it is expensive.... until the Russians crack it anyway. LOL
anyone suggest a reliable unlocking site?? there are so many scams out there taking money and not producing a usable code.
Most of the unlock website I found are reliable as far as give me money back when they can't get it. ATT and quite a few inexpensive website can't unlock my Aria. Some on top of refund, give me free unlock code for future. I end up found someone said "doing it manually". Took him 3 day and $25 later, he gave me the code.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
I have a noobish question. Does rooting unlock the phone?
nope. rooting does not unlock the phone.
powerchess said:
I have a noobish question. Does rooting unlock the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rooting just gives you the "ultimate-true-genuine" etc rights to modify the phone the way you want it
to unlock the phone it's a different story. You will only need to unlock it if you're traveling outside the US
Or to switch to T-mobile.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Travel outside the US
profipix said:
rooting just gives you the "ultimate-true-genuine" etc rights to modify the phone the way you want it
to unlock the phone it's a different story. You will only need to unlock it if you're traveling outside the US
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last sentence not quite correct; a clarification. You don't need to unlock if you travel outside the US. The Aria works just fine in other countries; you will incur additional costs as a result because you are roaming on foreign networks but AT&T has plans you can buy ahead of time and terminate when you get back home. Now the clarification part: if you do have an unlocked phone you can use a SIM card from other providers in other countries (which you will have to purchase or borrow from someone that lives there). Unlocking simply allows you to use another SIM cards, fore example, like Tmobile (a GSM network) in the US. If you don't unlock, your are limited to AT&T SIM cards. Unlocking is really not necessary unless you want to run on different networks in the US and outside the US.
Don't worry i will help you...You can get the Unlock code better from Online site,Basically network provider ask you to wait to get the code from them,they will give the code,it's available in Data base,So if you need Code immediately means you can get the unlock code from here www.Superunlockcodes.com and get the free unlocking instructions from here Mobileunlockguide.com and unlock it step by step.
Monkeyfeng said:
I understand there are two ways to unlock your HTC aria.
One is to buy the unlock codes on some website.
The second, free way is to call AT&T after three months and they will unlock it for free.
However, I have called AT&T twice and they don't have the unlock code available even after giving them my IMEI number. I'm puzzled by this. Is anyone else having the same problem? They said the computer or database don't have the Aria unlock code in the system. What's going on here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I travel quite a lot through Europe and since AT&T's roaming charges are quite high, I had to unlock my Aria so that I can use local GSM carriers over there. I used www.cellunlocker.net last year. Their "regular" service for $4.99 was not able to produce the code for my Aria and they gave me a refund. I then purchased their "advanced" service for $19.99 and had the unlock code in 3 hours.
One more note about the benefit of unlocking: Once your phone is unlocked, it stays unlocked. So you need to purchase and use the unlock code only once.
it's a maybe
i think you gain s-off you can unlock it ..
lateral18 said:
i think you gain s-off you can unlock it ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Just wondering if T-Mobile in the USA lock their phones as I'd buy the Blaze/Relay out of contract when it comes out. Thanks!
salemfox said:
Just wondering if T-Mobile in the USA lock their phones as I'd buy the Blaze/Relay out of contract when it comes out. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They lock it, but you can buy an unlocked version, or buy a locked version and unlock it with an unlock code
Sent from my LG-C800 using xda premium
Unlocked phones are the way to go
Almost all the major US carriers sell their phones locked. However, there is some kind of regulation that they must upon request provide the unlock code to the customer. I just google T-Mobile's unlock code docs, and here is a link to the cached document:
http://74.6.117.48/search/srpcache?ei=UTF-8&p=unlock+code&fr=moz35&u=http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=unlock+code&d=4814057732507625&mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&w=306b1278,f2206927&icp=1&.intl=us&sig=7aRKgNJGsEkbvHzQ_G2bLw--
I can't remember what the regulation is on this but it is most likely contingent or similar to what is in this T-Mobile doc which states in essence the release is contingent on where the phone was bought, number of days on contract/service and/or contract type with the caveat the code must be available from the manufacturer.
That all being said, you're better off buying an unlocked phone. My last two phones have been unlocked and were bought on eBay. This year I saved at least $20 by going straight to a Chinese vendor. I bet if you looked on eBay, you can find the unlocked phone you mention in your post.
My neighbor told me he saw this on the news. I checked on Taptu and sure enough there is an article on CNet saying that this Saturday it will become illegal to unlock any device without the carriers approval. I cant post the link cause i have fewer than 10 posts. Bummer.
Does anyone know anything more about this? How can they make an open source project like Android illegal. I understand the "Buy an unlocked device." idea, but but where I live there's simply no carrier that supports the use of an "unlocked" device.
I was just wondering what u devs thought about this. Will this effect any pure Google devices such as my GNex? What about my HTC phone which HTC provides the means of unlocking? Is that having the carrier's approval?
Sent from my UNLOCKED... Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
trxrider31 said:
My neighbor told me he saw this on the news. I checked on Taptu and sure enough there is an article on CNet saying that this Saturday it will become illegal to unlock any device without the carriers approval. I cant post the link cause i have fewer than 10 posts. Bummer.
Does anyone know anything more about this? How can they make an open source project like Android illegal. I understand the "Buy an unlocked device." idea, but but where I live there's simply no carrier that supports the use of an "unlocked" device.
I was just wondering what u devs thought about this. Will this effect any pure Google devices such as my GNex? What about my HTC phone which HTC provides the means of unlocking? Is that having the carrier's approval?
Sent from my UNLOCKED... Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the device is a Google branded device - coming straight from Google, not from any carriers like att or Verizon, then it shouldn't affect the device. So if you have a Verizon Gnex, yes. UNLESS Verizon decides to support it. This is why I always get my phone from Google itself as a device with no limitations except the hardware inside.
Sent from my N3xUS IV ;D
Have a Look at this thread
Sent from my muffin LIFE! Under maintenance.!
guys rooting and unlocking phones are legal!!!
So will there be a "grandfather" clause that will allow me to keep my GNex unlocked or will they be able to somehow re-lock my LTE GNex?
As i stated, the only svc available where I live, aka. the sticks, is LTE. I am not aware of any unlocked device worth owning that uses the lte network. Suggestions??
And what about my HTC Rezound with unlocked bootloader? I mean, verizon had to allow HTC to sell its phone with the unlockable bootloader?? I would think that they allowed the GNex as well? I mean its only a select few devices that have this built in.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
imda1 said:
guys rooting and unlocking phones are legal!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THe former is. The latter will soon be illegal.
imda1 said:
guys rooting and unlocking phones are legal!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is illegal in Bulgaria ago. And refuse warranty service if are changed ROM or device is ROOTed.
The only reason I like my android is because I can change the roms and root the phone. Allows so much customization and additional support when the manufacturer rather you go buy another phone every year.
Please understand. Rooting != Unlocking
Sent from my Kyocera Rise via Tapatalk
dibblebill said:
Please understand. Rooting != Unlocking
Sent from my Kyocera Rise via Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you are saying. Are you saying rooting will not be illegal but that loading a new ROM on a phone that makes the phone no longer carrier locked will be?
Most of these forums revolve around putting new, improved, unlocked ROMs on our phones. If that's going to be illegal on the 26th, then we've got problems because all these forums will be about illegal activities!
Have I missed something?
trxrider31 said:
My neighbor told me he saw this on the news. I checked on Taptu and sure enough there is an article on CNet saying that this Saturday it will become illegal to unlock any device without the carriers approval. I cant post the link cause i have fewer than 10 posts. Bummer.
Does anyone know anything more about this? How can they make an open source project like Android illegal. I understand the "Buy an unlocked device." idea, but but where I live there's simply no carrier that supports the use of an "unlocked" device.
I was just wondering what u devs thought about this. Will this effect any pure Google devices such as my GNex? What about my HTC phone which HTC provides the means of unlocking? Is that having the carrier's approval?
Sent from my UNLOCKED... Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know how I missed this thread, I looked....but I just posted this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2119633
Sign the Petition
it is important to do something against that so sign this petition https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/make-unlocking-cell-phones-legal/1g9KhZG7 !!
not sure in your country
depends on your countrys laws and if you purchased the phone straight from google them selves
There are many petitions floating around, yet, I don't believe this will be around for very long. If you PURCHASE your phone it's fine. The problem lies in people upgrading, unlocking, then selling their phones. So second party (the people that buy the unlocked phones) may be held liable as the IMEI might not be registered at 'sale' or 'upgrade' even though those numbers are plainly posted on the sales package. It still pisses me off though. I upgrade and don't really use the phones I get directly, (I don't sell the phone until my service agreement eligible for another upgrade) and to think someone I sell a phone to may be held criminally liable pisses me off. Even the same when I buy a phone considering ignorance is not an excuse. How many noobs are here begging for information? Say some kid buys an unlocked ICrap to use on T-Mobile? Pops in the SIM Card and gets reported. Who wins?
dibblebill said:
Please understand. Rooting != Unlocking
Sent from my Kyocera Rise via Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boy are you way off. Rooting has nothing to do with it. This is for sim unlock only
Batcom2
Speeding in a school zone is illegal too but we all catch ourselves doing.
I suggest if you unlock your at&t phone you don't go calling them saying your going to T-Mobile. You wouldn't speed in front of that cop.
BTW this doesn't seem like a big deal. Hopefully it ends subsidized phones with two year plans so people can not have to wait 2 years to switch. If you paid 800 for it then you can unlock it, or what some people said where you make a backup of your stock and then do whatever.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
zelendel said:
Boy are you way off. Rooting has nothing to do with it. This is for sim unlock only
Batcom2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess you don't understand what != means.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I don't understand what is the problem of lawmakers, but one of them are simply f**ed up.
1. If i bought a phone from a carrier and i'm still paying the monthly fee, until my contract ends, what is the problem of the carrier if i unlock the device?!
2. If i unlock the device, root it or change the rom, i must be aware i will void my warranty.
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.
Can anyone explain why AT&T won’t allow Motorola to unlock the bootloader for the Moto E? I just picked one up for $50 from Walmart (it’s branded for Cricket - had it sim unlocked for $2.68). Thought I’d have a nice, cheap toy to play with but since the bootloader can’t be unlocked I can’t do much to it.
Any insight is appreciated.
mn1968 said:
Can anyone explain why AT&T won’t allow Motorola to unlock the bootloader for the Moto E? I just picked one up for $50 from Walmart (it’s branded for Cricket - had it sim unlocked for $2.68). Thought I’d have a nice, cheap toy to play with but since the bootloader can’t be unlocked I can’t do much to it.
Any insight is appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup after my xt1022 smashed,I picked up this toy.?.I think sunshine app can help us.but it is pretty expensive.
no
ashwin007 said:
Yup after my xt1022 smashed,I picked up this toy..I think sunshine app can help us.but it is pretty expensive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sunshine does not work on cricket xt1021 from Walmart, at the present time. I just tried. Maybe later.
Also discussed here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-e/help/help-moto-e-xt1021-cricket-unlock-t2942093
mn1968 said:
Thought I’d have a nice, cheap toy to play with but since the bootloader can’t be unlocked I can’t do much to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And that's the reason it's locked.
The only way it can sell for $50 (or $10 on Cyber Monday for the Tracfone XT830C variant) is if the carrier subsidizes it--at those prices, they're selling at a loss. So they need a way to discourage people from buying it with no intention of actually using it on their service. And one way to do that is to lock down the bootloader. You can get it with no carrier SIM lock and no bootloader lock if you buy from Motorola, but you'll be paying the full price, without the benefit of the carrier's subsidy.
@ code65536
I understand the point you are trying to make but I disagree. The locked bootloader only prevents me from rooting it. I got the phone sim unlocked for $2 and my wife is using it on a different network. Hence, they took a loss selling it for $50 AND now they don’t even get my monthly business. The locked bootloader does not keep me on their network. If that is their reason, it is flawed logic and not doing what they intended. At this point, why prevent me (us) from unlocking the bootloader.
mn1968 said:
@ code65536
I understand the point you are trying to make but I disagree. The locked bootloader only prevents me from rooting it. I got the phone sim unlocked for $2 and my wife is using it on a different network. Hence, they took a loss selling it for $50 AND now they don’t even get my monthly business. The locked bootloader does not keep me on their network. If that is their reason, it is flawed logic and not doing what they intended. At this point, why prevent me (us) from unlocking the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I said a locked bootloader was only one of the means. Carrier SIM locking discourages use on another carrier (the Motos are easy to unlock but many other phones are harder), and bootloader locking discourages people who have no intention of using it on any carrier and just want a device for the hardware.
Obviously these are imperfect since I bought a XT830C with no intention of using it as a phone at all, but limited deterrent is better than zero deterrent for them. For example, Consumer Cellular offers a 2nd gen Moto G for a substantial discount from the vanilla XT1064. With an easy to defeat SIM and an unlocked bootloader, it's easy for people to just convert it to a regular XT1064, and everyone at SlickDeals who buys it is not planning to use it on CC. People would still do that if they can't remove CC's customizations, but not as many.
Also, bootloader locking protects Cricket's “features” like their crippled tethering. Again, not perfect since you can use a non-Cricket phone for that...
Anyway, I am not saying that I agree with this practice (I was hoping to do more with my XT830C, but can't). Just offering the “insight” that the first post asked for.
SIM unlocked
mn1968 said:
@ code65536
I understand the point you are trying to make but I disagree. The locked bootloader only prevents me from rooting it. I got the phone sim unlocked for $2 and my wife is using it on a different network. Hence, they took a loss selling it for $50 AND now they don’t even get my monthly business. The locked bootloader does not keep me on their network. If that is their reason, it is flawed logic and not doing what they intended. At this point, why prevent me (us) from unlocking the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excuse me, where did you unlock it for 2 dollars?
code65536 said:
And that's the reason it's locked.
The only way it can sell for $50 (or $10 on Cyber Monday for the Tracfone XT830C variant) is if the carrier subsidizes it--at those prices, they're selling at a loss. So they need a way to discourage people from buying it with no intention of actually using it on their service. And one way to do that is to lock down the bootloader. You can get it with no carrier SIM lock and no bootloader lock if you buy from Motorola, but you'll be paying the full price, without the benefit of the carrier's subsidy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That has nothing to do with it. Bootloader unlocking isn't sim unlocking, so I don't see your point. In fact, they've failed (based on what you said), since I AM using it on a different carrier other than Cricket, since I was able to sim unlock it.
ATT is just making sure most of their phones get locked now. They likely want to force people to use their worthless software and preventing bricking phones. The only recent one that hasn't been shut down is the HTC m8 as far as I know.
edit: saw you're second post " bootloader locking discourages people who have no intention of using it on any carrier and just want a device for the hardware."
Still, bootloader locking only discourages small niche of people. You don't need to root to make this a useful $50 small tablet. I can't imagine that is the main thought that goes through their heads when they decide to lock it.
lolwatpear said:
That has nothing to do with it. Bootloader unlocking isn't sim unlocking, so I don't see your point. In fact, they've failed (based on what you said), since I AM using it on a different carrier other than Cricket, since I was able to sim unlock it.
ATT is just making sure most of their phones get locked now. They likely want to force people to use their worthless software and preventing bricking phones. The only recent one that hasn't been shut down is the HTC m8 as far as I know.
edit: saw you're second post " bootloader locking discourages people who have no intention of using it on any carrier and just want a device for the hardware."
Still, bootloader locking only discourages small niche of people. You don't need to root to make this a useful $50 small tablet. I can't imagine that is the main thought that goes through their heads when they decide to lock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also no lollipop update until now, criket raped us, i hate them.
unlock bootloader
Has anyone found a workaround for this yet? Have a Moto E XT1021 for Cricket and am not able to root because of this ... help!