As the title states.
Some codes, such as older Nokia and BlackBerry codes, can be calculated using an algorithm so those codes are very cheap; typically $1.00. Other codes are obtained by paying people that work inside various carriers, manufacturers, etc. who have access to the IMEI/Unlock Code databases to basically steal the codes. It is technically an unauthorized access and occasionally people get fired, but for the most part they are looking up so many legitimate codes anyway, they can slip in the requests for the unlockers and get away with it. Other databases, usually older but sometimes current data as well, the unlockers (wholesalers) have obtained the entire database through gray channels. When they have the database, codes are typically obtained instantaneously and that is why eBay sellers (resellers who buy codes from the wholesalers) can respond within one working hour of your purchasing the code. The cost of obtaining the code through their various channels determines the price you pay as a consumer. For example, AT&T codes are cheaper than T-Mobile codes, and LG codes are relatively cheap. While Sony Ericsson codes take up to a week or longer and are far more expensive than other codes. I got my G2X code for $2.99 off eBay and I am now using my phone in Thailand with no problems. I have purchased over ten unlock codes from various eBay resellers and they have worked every time, the first time I have entered them (I enter them very carefully to make sure I don't make a mistake). If you have a Galaxy S phone, the code can actually be obtained free by reading a file from the phone and extracting the unlock code from it.
Wow! Thanks for all of the information! Very interesting.
So this is weird...
I travel out of the country a lot for work, so I called AT&T asking for the unlock code and their response was "Sorry the Atrix 2 is an AT&T Exclusive, and we see that you just renewed your contract yesterday, so we can't provide you with the code"
I'm very confused? I've been an AT&T customer for a number of years - NEVER been late on a payment, and I JUST renewed my contract for 2 years. I don't have any plans of leaving AT&T, so I don't get whats going on?
I see that I can buy the unlock code for $25, but I figured AT&T would be cooperative with this? Any ideas or experience guys?
Thanks!
big ach said:
So this is weird...
I travel out of the country a lot for work, so I called AT&T asking for the unlock code and their response was "Sorry the Atrix 2 is an AT&T Exclusive, and we see that you just renewed your contract yesterday, so we can't provide you with the code"
I'm very confused? I've been an AT&T customer for a number of years - NEVER been late on a payment, and I JUST renewed my contract for 2 years. I don't have any plans of leaving AT&T, so I don't get whats going on?
I see that I can buy the unlock code for $25, but I figured AT&T would be cooperative with this? Any ideas or experience guys?
Thanks!
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They won't give anyone an unlock code, but you can buy one off ebay cheap enough or other websites. They want to sell you international travel plans, not allow you to use a sim card for that country!
According to this original Atrix thread, people were calling and AT&T was giving them the unlock code:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1288194
AT&T will give you the unlock code .. you must have the phone in your possession for 6 months from the time you renewed.
And this is to unlock the bootloader?
Sent from my MB865 using XDA App
Believe he is talking about the sim unlock
iirc you gotta wait 30 days after getting the phone to have it unlocked (or was that t-mobile?)
LordGeek said:
AT&T will give you the unlock code .. you must have the phone in your possession for 6 months from the time you renewed.
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Many thanks!
I had asked for it and was told no, but I'll try again in 6 months. I travel and having the sim unlocked is what I need. You saved me some cash, thanks!
Thanks guys! Six months seems like an awfully long time LOL whatever, guess I just have to wait!
You do NOT have to wait 6 months, you have to wait 30 DAYS. They don't want you unlocking the phone inside of the 30 day window. So wait 30 days and call back. If you get a no, hang up and call back in 15 minutes until you get a yes.
Go find unlock seller on ebay
You can search ebay for " motorola atrix 2 unlock " or " atrix 2 unlock " you will find alot of sellers that can sell you the code for around $20
i unlocked mine via ebay couldn't wait because i can't use AT&T
if you want a link for the seller i used on ebay i will be happy to give it to you . feel free to PM me or ask here.
alcatel444 said:
You can search ebay for " motorola atrix 2 unlock " or " atrix 2 unlock " you will find alot of sellers that can sell you the code for around $20
i unlocked mine via ebay couldn't wait because i can't use AT&T
if you want a link for the seller i used on ebay i will be happy to give it to you . feel free to PM me or ask here.
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Hey thanks for your message, yes I would appreciate a link to the reliable seller that you used!
Thanks a lot!
Has anybody tried to use unlock code for Skyrocket purchased from Ebay?
not ebay but i heard ppl getting it from other websites.
CyberGhos said:
Has anybody tried to use unlock code for Skyrocket purchased from Ebay?
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I bought one off ebay to unlock my rogers s2 lte (same as skyrocket). Paid $13 and had the code within 24hours. Worked great. I've bought lots of unlock codes for lots of different phones on ebay. You're usually safe since payment is by paypal. I've had a few times where they couldn't give me a code for the imei I submitted but I always got a refund. I find ebay usually has the best prices.
i'm still on pay as you go mainly bc i like my deal and i tend to switch phones a lot so i'm not very sure about contracts and stuff.
anyways my friend recently got an upgrade handset (sony xperia sp) but doesnt want it bc got an iphone from work. he's willing to sell it to me for a fraction of what it's worth and i'd be happy to buy the only thing is i'm an o2 customer and it's locked to tmobile.
i know phone unlocking is possible (although i'm sure i read somewhere recently that a handset can only be unlocked one a contract has ended - anyone confirm whether or not this is true?)
there is a shop in town that's very popular for phone unlocking a private shop (i'm guessng they dont use the cleanest of methods) and i have always used them in the past...... just not on such an expensive handset. i dont want to buy it take it there and they try unlock it and end up messing up something else (as i heard using certain method could damage the handset - again can anyone confirm this?)
on the tmob website it says that handsets can be unlocked for a fee but that you must have been a customer to that netowrk for 6months. so since i'm not a customer to that network i guess they wont unlock it.....
any advice? i dont want to buy the handset and realise i cant get it unlocked. and i want to stay with o2.
neonflash said:
i'm still on pay as you go mainly bc i like my deal and i tend to switch phones a lot so i'm not very sure about contracts and stuff.
anyways my friend recently got an upgrade handset (sony xperia sp) but doesnt want it bc got an iphone from work. he's willing to sell it to me for a fraction of what it's worth and i'd be happy to buy the only thing is i'm an o2 customer and it's locked to tmobile.
i know phone unlocking is possible (although i'm sure i read somewhere recently that a handset can only be unlocked one a contract has ended - anyone confirm whether or not this is true?)
there is a shop in town that's very popular for phone unlocking a private shop (i'm guessng they dont use the cleanest of methods) and i have always used them in the past...... just not on such an expensive handset. i dont want to buy it take it there and they try unlock it and end up messing up something else (as i heard using certain method could damage the handset - again can anyone confirm this?)
on the tmob website it says that handsets can be unlocked for a fee but that you must have been a customer to that netowrk for 6months. so since i'm not a customer to that network i guess they wont unlock it.....
any advice? i dont want to buy the handset and realise i cant get it unlocked. and i want to stay with o2.
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Private shops are probably fine for a SIM unlock code. Just make sure they acquire an unlock code from your IMEI and unlock it using the standard processes. There are a number of unlock shops around the internet that I'd have a much harder time trusting - but you should at least look around and see what the prices are before going in to your private shop so you can argue the price. Sometimes you get lucky and find a free source of unlock codes online, but beware of scams.
Oafed said:
Private shops are probably fine for a SIM unlock code. Just make sure they acquire an unlock code from your IMEI and unlock it using the standard processes. There are a number of unlock shops around the internet that I'd have a much harder time trusting - but you should at least look around and see what the prices are before going in to your private shop so you can argue the price. Sometimes you get lucky and find a free source of unlock codes online, but beware of scams.
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put it into the shop today.
checked out 2 of the better known private shops for this and both quoted 5-7 days! i had no idea it would take so long :/
i'm pretty sure they used to do it in an hour and for a quarter of the price.
anyhoo i left it there.
I am pulling my hair out trying to pre-order a Note Edge compatible with ATT but not having the ATT lock difficulty.
I have tried TMo but they will not let you order without a TMo cell number. Verizon of course is incompatible.
Any ideas guys?
Any options guys?
order from tmobile, sign up with their account and you can cancel after a day. People are getting unlock codes from Tmobile after a few hours of use, if not, you can also get a unlocked code from ebay
sunhak said:
order from tmobile, sign up with their account and you can cancel after a day. People are getting unlock codes from Tmobile after a few hours of use, if not, you can also get a unlocked code from ebay
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Thanks. I'll give it a shot.