So, can someone explain to me how the GSM world works with phone swapping? - General Topics

Literally all I have to do is insert my SIM card in a new phone, and I can use it like normal?
--
Sent from my HTC Supersonic.

If the phone is unlocked yes, if not no, but its not to hard unlocking your phone.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

Macktv said:
If the phone is unlocked yes, if not no, but its not to hard unlocking your phone.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how do you know if it is unlocked? Is that like a clean ESN for CDMA phones? If you buy a phone on contract, is it automatically locked until the contract is up?
--
Sent from my HTC Supersonic.

If you are buying a phone that is sold by a USA Carrier its got about a 95% is LOCKED. You will know when you put the sim in, if you get ERROR SIM LOCKED, Please Enter Unlock Code, it's locked. Otherwise if it lets you into the phone your golden. Locked/Unlocked is not even close to ESN being clear/bad. Just means carriers have the phone locked to them, you can buy an unlock code for almost any GSM phone for $20 or less

So the lock is just specific to a carrier and not a user?
--
Sent from my HTC Supersonic.

Correct. So that you have to come to them to get that specific phone

Some phones can be unlocked via tools you can find here on XDA other phones require some bigger equipment and you typically have to go on ebay or a similar site to get your unlock code based on your IMEI number

Related

[Q] AT&T Captivate for use in EUROPE?

Hi folks
I´m new in android and want to ask if it´s possible to use a AT&T Captivate in Europe (e.g. Germany) after unlock with e.g. vodafone?
Read some threads with rooting and flash I9000 ROMs but not shure if there is way to use this phone in our local (german) network with non att sim card without any problems
Is there a CAPTIVATE ROM available with correct settings to use OUTSIDE the US?
Sorry for my noobness....
As of right now AT&T will not hand out unlock codes to sim-unlock the handset, so you'd be unable to use it with a non-AT&T sim.
NukaCola said:
As of right now AT&T will not hand out unlock codes to sim-unlock the handset, so you'd be unable to use it with a non-AT&T sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sure? saw some offered on ebay UNLOCKED so i guess there is a way outside att...
@all: any proved links to unlook or user that have experience with it?
There is a thread in captivate general about sim unlocking. The ebay sellers were not able to unlock the phones and only a few lucky ones have been able to get unlock codes out of at&t by complaining. There is some sort of turbo sim device a couple of them are using though.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
I just called and got mine in under 5 minutes
decepticon said:
I just called and got mine in under 5 minutes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey - thought it´s only available in the US from AT&T - right?
So it´s no choice for me know...
dewt said:
There is a thread in captivate general about sim unlocking. The ebay sellers were not able to unlock the phones and only a few lucky ones have been able to get unlock codes out of at&t by complaining. There is some sort of turbo sim device a couple of them are using though.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you give me more details about that "turbo sim device" theme?

G2X Unlocked(SIM) on AT&T 4G

I know that I am not the only one looking at this phone as a way to get a great Dual Core, 4G, vanilla Android phone (unmolested by AT&T) but able to be used on the AT&T network. I have had great luck and a lot of fun with the AT&T Nexus One and I think this phone will be just a successful with the help of XDA DEV's
I wanted to start a thread here in the G2X section for people to share with other users how to's and what works with regards to using this phone on the AT&T network.
It may be to soon to get all the answers, but maybe someone is working the same answers.
Questions:
How easy will it be to obtain the SIM Unlock code from T-Mobile or LG?
I am going to buy the phone at retail, just may have to use T-Mobile for 60-90 days to get the Unlock code.
Will AT&T allow us to upgrade to 4G data plan without buying their 4G phone?
I know from researching the Atrix 4G that the AT&T data plan needed to be upgraded to a 4G plan but you could keep unlimited data.
If I remember Tmobile's unlock policy correctly you wont have to wait. You can request the unlock code right away if you pay full retail price. Unless that's changed recently of course but I dont think it has. Good luck with it.
Kind of a repeat of what is in this thread started by me (which you tried to hijack)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1036129
Re-posting what I have found here:
I just got off of the phone with t-mobile customer care (1-877-453-1304). I called them because I wanted clarification on this before I purchased 2 full retail price phones.
The program is called the "Sim Subsidy Unlock Program." It is for anyone that purchases a phone for the full retail price from a corporate store or an authorized retailer and pays all of the price upfront.
You need to call customer care, explain that you purchased a phone for full price and request a "remedy request form number." They will then open this request and you then have 7 days to fax the following to the Sim Unlock Team at 1-813-353-6557 :
ATTENTION: SIM UNLOCK TEAM
Full Name
Mobile Number
Email Address
Readable Copy Of Sales Receipt
It takes 24 to 72 hours to process and they will email you instructions to unlock your phone.
As for at&t's 4g, there currently using hspa+ also, so if it supports their 3g, you'll have at&t "4g" as well
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
nomisunrider said:
Kind of a repeat of what is in this thread started by me (which you tried to hijack)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I don't know why they did not move that thread over to this forum. It was clearly labeled as a g2x thread.
That is great info from T-Mobile about the "Sim Subsidy Unlock Program."
nomisunrider said:
They will then open this request and you then have 7 days to fax the following to the Sim Unlock Team at 1-813-353-6557 :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does it have to be "faxed"? you can't email the info? thanks
Lightning N1 said:
I know that I am not the only one looking at this phone as a way to get a great Dual Core, 4G, vanilla Android phone (unmolested by AT&T) but able to be used on the AT&T network. I have had great luck and a lot of fun with the AT&T Nexus One and I think this phone will be just a successful with the help of XDA DEV's
I wanted to start a thread here in the G2X section for people to share with other users how to's and what works with regards to using this phone on the AT&T network.
It may be to soon to get all the answers, but maybe someone is working the same answers.
Questions:
How easy will it be to obtain the SIM Unlock code from T-Mobile or LG?
I am going to buy the phone at retail, just may have to use T-Mobile for 60-90 days to get the Unlock code.
Will AT&T allow us to upgrade to 4G data plan without buying their 4G phone?
I know from researching the Atrix 4G that the AT&T data plan needed to be upgraded to a 4G plan but you could keep unlimited data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wondering the same things. Currently have the vibrant...
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
davehasninjas said:
As for at&t's 4g, there currently using hspa+ also, so if it supports their 3g, you'll have at&t "4g" as well
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just expect to have below 3G upload speeds with AT&T.
Edit: nevermind... software vs hardware limitations. Nonetheless, screw AT&T
nomisunrider said:
Kind of a repeat of what is in this thread started by me (which you tried to hijack)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1036129
Re-posting what I have found here:
I just got off of the phone with t-mobile customer care (1-877-453-1304). I called them because I wanted clarification on this before I purchased 2 full retail price phones.
The program is called the "Sim Subsidy Unlock Program." It is for anyone that purchases a phone for the full retail price from a corporate store or an authorized retailer and pays all of the price upfront.
You need to call customer care, explain that you purchased a phone for full price and request a "remedy request form number." They will then open this request and you then have 7 days to fax the following to the Sim Unlock Team at 1-813-353-6557 :
ATTENTION: SIM UNLOCK TEAM
Full Name
Mobile Number
Email Address
Readable Copy Of Sales Receipt
It takes 24 to 72 hours to process and they will email you instructions to unlock your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is this NORMAL procedure ...unless the phone is "exclusive" to T-Mobile. In such a case they will NOT unlock it even if you paid full retail price. This is what happened to me with their dell streak 7, I had to return it as they would not unlock it no matter what and I paid full retail for it so please triple check before you buy as I think the the G2X is exclusive to T-Mobile in the US.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
clubtech said:
That is this NORMAL procedure ...unless the phone is "exclusive" to T-Mobile. In such a case they will NOT unlock it even if you paid full retail price. This is what happened to me with their dell streak 7, I had to return it as they would not unlock it no matter what and I paid full retail for it so please triple check before you buy as I think the the G2X is exclusive to T-Mobile in the US.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this is true, are there any stores that are offering unlocks for this phone?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
clubtech said:
That is this NORMAL procedure ...unless the phone is "exclusive" to T-Mobile. In such a case they will NOT unlock it even if you paid full retail price. This is what happened to me with their dell streak 7, I had to return it as they would not unlock it no matter what and I paid full retail for it so please triple check before you buy as I think the the G2X is exclusive to T-Mobile in the US.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why does it work on at&t bands.... ANY PHONE and i repeat ANY phone can be unlocked.... the phone is made for two networkds (im guessing because of the possible merger) so no its not stuck to just tmobile... now i understand your stating that tmobile might not give the codes because it is an "exclusive tmobile phone" however!!!!! give this forum a few weeks and you will have it unlocked!
im sure there is away just like any other phone! (if im wrong and this is the only phone in the world that cant be unlocked you can kick me in the ****)
compuguy1088 said:
If this is true, are there any stores that are offering unlocks for this phone?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cant find anyplace that have unlock codes for the G2X. This is an issue...
clubtech said:
That is this NORMAL procedure ...unless the phone is "exclusive" to T-Mobile. In such a case they will NOT unlock it even if you paid full retail price. This is what happened to me with their dell streak 7, I had to return it as they would not unlock it no matter what and I paid full retail for it so please triple check before you buy as I think the the G2X is exclusive to T-Mobile in the US.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can be unlocked. Mine will be as soon as I get it. Just have to wait for employees to be able to order it.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
sk337sk337 said:
It can be unlocked. Mine will be as soon as I get it. Just have to wait for employees to be able to order it.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just curious but how will workers being able to order it, affect a way to get it unlocked?
spyz88 said:
I cant find anyplace that have unlock codes for the G2X. This is an issue...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not even officially out yet. Of course you cannot find unlock codes for it.
sk337sk337 said:
It can be unlocked. Mine will be as soon as I get it. Just have to wait for employees to be able to order it.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure it CAN be unlocked if you can get the unlock code. If the device is exclusive to T-Mobile, they wont give the unlock codes out so u are left only with back door options like T-Mobile employees .
Sent from my LG-P990 using XDA App
nomisunrider said:
It's not even officially out yet. Of course you cannot find unlock codes for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It officially has been on sale since the 15th, so yes, it is out yet. Also, I have seen unlock codes for phones that are about to be released. Especially if there is a European counterpart.
P.S. I'm getting especially sick of these carriers with phones being locked to carriers, locked down, locked/encrypted bootloaders. SMH.
spyz88 said:
It officially has been on sale since the 15th, so yes, it is out yet. Also, I have seen unlock codes for phones that are about to be released. Especially if there is a European counterpart.
P.S. I'm getting especially sick of these carriers with phones being locked to carriers, locked down, locked/encrypted bootloaders. SMH.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not to pick a fight but NO its not officially out yet... it went on pre-order the 15th... that is not an official release if its just on pre-order
call customer service they will tell you the same
now as the same methods that worked with the O2x may not work with the G2x...
nate420 said:
...give this forum a few weeks and you will have it unlocked!
im sure there is away just like any other phone! (if im wrong and this is the only phone in the world that cant be unlocked you can kick me in the ****)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SIM unlock codes are provided by the phone manufacturer. When you make a request for an unlock code, the wireless company forwards the request to the manufacturer. The manufacturer e-mail's you the unlock code. If you're using an unlock service off the web they're doing the same thing. Devs have nothing to do with unlocking a SIM.
BarryH_GEG said:
SIM unlock codes are provided by the phone manufacturer. When you make a request for an unlock code, the wireless company forwards the request to the manufacturer. The manufacturer e-mail's you the unlock code. If you're using an unlock service off the web they're doing the same thing. Devs have nothing to do with unlocking a SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MANY of my phones have been unlocked by the help of people finding a way!
thanks for your input but my vibrant was unlocked without dealing with tmobile/manufacturers

Never SIM unlocked a phone before

I purchased a SIM unlock code from cellunlocker and I have a question. Can I unlock the phone without a "foreign" SIM? I don't know anyone with T-Mobile so I can't "borrow a SIM.
Why do you want the phone unlocked if you don't have another carrier's sim card?
Anyway, cellunlocker (at least for my old phone) emailed me directions along with the code. IIRC, I stuck my AT&T sim (I was using a T-mobile phone and going to AT&T) into my phone and it came up with a message saying that the phone was locked. On that screen I just needed to enter the special number they provided and it worked.
ECEXCURSION said:
Why do you want the phone unlocked if you don't have another carrier's sim card?
Anyway, cellunlocker (at least for my old phone) emailed me directions along with the code. IIRC, I stuck my AT&T sim (I was using a T-mobile phone and going to AT&T) into my phone and it came up with a message saying that the phone was locked. On that screen I just needed to enter the special number they provided and it worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because I'm traveling. I was hoping to do the unlock ahead of time
I don't think it will give you the prompt without putting a different sim in. That's the only time I've ever seen the option.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
OK thanks.
Just trim down a old sim. Worked for me.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
I used my old Verizon sim
You can go to a store and buy a micro sim just to do this, its like 5 bucks
Sent from my One X using Tapatalk 2
I cut an old t-mobile sim card. Instructions are all over youtube.
I used this guy on ebay and had the unlock code in minutes.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320953427019?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_2677wt_1397
Thanks for all the information. Very helpful.
Is it a perment unlock or temporary
farhaat2007 said:
Is it a perment unlock or temporary
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
permanent
I had a skyrocket and tried to unlock it via their instructions but it would always give me an error. The only way i unlocked it was inserting a sprint international sim into it and then and only then would the phone ask me for a unlock code
Sent from my One X using xda app-developers app
Go to tmobile store borrow a sim from them. They wont mind lol.
Sent from my One X using xda premium
Got it done.

Rogers Unlocking Help Requested

Hi there,
I recently bought a cheap Rogers HTC One X in mint condition off my local classifieds ($300). It is locked to Rogers and I need to use it on Telus. What is the best way to unlock it? Is there any way to unlock it for free? I am not experienced at all with Android, I'm coming from an iPhone but would really like to get this working because I'd love to get rid of it and just use my One X.
Please help
No free options yet. You would have to buy an unlock code online
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Or you could just go.to the carriers store ans get it unlocked. Tell then you have family over seas and you're buying it as a birthday present. Most of the carriers will unlock it for free.
Sent from my HTC One XL cellular device over clocked to 1.9Ghz
Canadian carriers won't unlock phones
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
area51avenger said:
Canadian carriers won't unlock phones
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually after an amount of time with good standing they are these days.
Though one like Telus charges 50, so its not worth it versus a few bucks online.
WR
Sent by WR's One XL
Will using an unlock code permanently unlock the phone? Also, will the unlock be removed by changing ROMs, unlocking the bootloader, etc? Is the unlock code a one-time use kind of thing? How do they even get these unlock codes?
LiquidNitrogen said:
Will using an unlock code permanently unlock the phone? Also, will the unlock be removed by changing ROMs, unlocking the bootloader, etc? Is the unlock code a one-time use kind of thing? How do they even get these unlock codes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking your phone unlocks the branding on your phone. Like if you have AT&T and you put as T-Mobile SIM card in, it won't work. If it was unlocked and you did that, it would work.
If you changed your Rom, no. Each phone has their own imei number, therefore it only has one unlock code. As for it being a one time use, no. And if you unlocked your bootloader, no.
The unlock code will perm unlock your phone so you can use it internationally and with different carriers as long as they use SIM cards(and if that card fits in your phone).
Sent from my HTC One XL cellular device over clocked to 1.9Ghz
Thanks everyone for the replies so far, I really appreciate it! :good: I have only a few last questions before my problem is resolved:
1.) Where is the best place/website to get an unlock code from (in terms of price, success, etc) ?
2.) How do I enter in the unlock code into my phone?
LiquidNitrogen said:
Thanks everyone for the replies so far, I really appreciate it! :good: I have only a few last questions before my problem is resolved:
1.) Where is the best place/website to get an unlock code from (in terms of price, success, etc) ?
2.) How do I enter in the unlock code into my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would try and tell you but, I have never done it and I don't want to be the one to send you down the wrong path and something go wrong.

[Q] SIm unlock one click app? or reputable site to buy unlock code?

A completely non-techy friend needs to SIM unlock their HTC A9192. I'd do it for them, but they live in NY and I'm in DC. So, is there a super simple app they can use to SIM unlock? The phone is locked to AT&T US. It has to be SUPER simple, like download this app, plug your phone in, run the app. Anything beyond that, and this friend would be better off spending $10 and just buying an unlock code. Said friend runs windows 7. Their phone is fully AT&T stock, not rooted.
If there's not a one click type app, are there any reputable sites to buy an unlock code? I don't wanna suggest a site to my friend and then they end up with their credit card info stolen.
heldc said:
A completely non-techy friend needs to SIM unlock their HTC A9192. I'd do it for them, but they live in NY and I'm in DC. So, is there a super simple app they can use to SIM unlock? The phone is locked to AT&T US. It has to be SUPER simple, like download this app, plug your phone in, run the app. Anything beyond that, and this friend would be better off spending $10 and just buying an unlock code. Said friend runs windows 7. Their phone is fully AT&T stock, not rooted.
If there's not a one click type app, are there any reputable sites to buy an unlock code? I don't wanna suggest a site to my friend and then they end up with their credit card info stolen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about calling at&t and ask them for the unlock code? Sim unlocking is now forbidden in the US.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda app-developers app

Categories

Resources