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[Q] Import locked MT4GS (?)

Hi there friends!
I'm live in Germany and the MT4GS is my favorite Android phone to date (have a HTC Dream right now ) and found a very good ebay deal, however I will purchase a locked device. (The MT4GS is not available for purchase in Germany)
So what exactly is the worst thing to happen when I receive it in Germany? Will it just say "enter code, because your not in the statez!" and do nothing? Or will everything work, it just won't accept my SIM-Card or not connect to the network?
I'm going to then get root and s-off if I need and try the kindly posted methods by you great guys for unlocking a rooted device. Feedback if someone successfully did it would be great, but of course I can have a look at the threads too.
Is there any other thing I might run into? Did I overlook something? It'll probably be difficult to return it if things don't work out.
Thanks so much for feedback and help!
Unrelashade

if you actually put a sim card in and start it up, it'll ask for an unlock code and you won't be able to do anything else (except make an emergency call of course). if you boot it with no sim card it'll work fine with no cell connection.
you can root it and do the trick to get the unlock code, all without inserting a SIM, then shut it down, insert a SIM card, and enter the unlock code to unlock it. I did that, it worked fine. Had to mess about a little bit with shuttling apk's onto an SD card to get the necessary tools to do the rooting installed, but it wasn't too tricky. Took me an hour or so. I wouldn't expect you'll have too much trouble.

What Adam said.
Just get S-OFF and use one of the SIM unlocking methods provided on the forum.
Expect to pay high taxes though...

Thank you guys! So happy you are here for us )
Yeah I know, taxes. But it's still freakin' cheap for a new dualcore phone. With qwerty. yay. Thanks for the warning!
Which method did you use to unlock?
Will come back here if any problems will occur.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=16932841&postcount=1
Sent from my RubiX NonSense FINAL using Tapatalk

The one that's linked from the sticky. I advise installing the 'bad' CWM though, contrary to what the guide says, because the manual flash method is a bit of a pain, and now ROM Manager supports our phone, it's trivial to update to a fixed CWM via rom manager after rooting.

Ok, thank you again!
I just noticed, some websites say the MT4GS comes with Android 2.3 preinstalled. If they already put the new firmware on it before shipping then I'll have no chance of rooting and s-off'ing as of now, right? It's probably a mistake because it's upgradable... but still wanted to ask you guys.

shadow, do you know what taxes exactly? Will I have to pay "Mehrwertsteuer"/ sales tax/ added value tax as well as "Zoll"/ tarif tax? And how much % for the latter?
Reply would be most helpful

Unrelashade said:
Ok, thank you again!
I just noticed, some websites say the MT4GS comes with Android 2.3 preinstalled. If they already put the new firmware on it before shipping then I'll have no chance of rooting and s-off'ing as of now, right? It's probably a mistake because it's upgradable... but still wanted to ask you guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correct, atleast until a new exploit is found or htc fixes its bootloader unlocking procedure

Yeah, if you get one with new firmware you're SOL. Maybe buy an actual second hnad one and check with the seller they didn't do the OTA update.

[Completed] Root Method For Alcatel OT Pop Icon?

So I've read this phones been out for awhile now. and no one has an official root method for it. YET (omg)
And several people claim to have it rooted using:
VRoot, RootGenius, King / Kingo root
I've been doing an INSANE ammount of googling the last few days. and installing / uninstalling doezns of rooting APK's and EXE's
And so far... I've got absolutley nothing!
I need help!
They all say it cant be rooted / rooted improperly / No SU binary installed / Phones locked / locked up good, what ever.
Hell I'd even pay to send it to a company or to buy pricey software just to get it rooted.
I really need this phone rooted.
Anyone have ideas? same problems? any success?
(good working paid / free programs?)

XDA Visitor said:
So I've read this phones been out for awhile now. and no one has an official root method for it. YET (omg)
And several people claim to have it rooted using:
VRoot, RootGenius, King / Kingo root
I've been doing an INSANE ammount of googling the last few days. and installing / uninstalling doezns of rooting APK's and EXE's
And so far... I've got absolutley nothing!
I need help!
They all say it cant be rooted / rooted improperly / No SU binary installed / Phones locked / locked up good, what ever.
Hell I'd even pay to send it to a company or to buy pricey software just to get it rooted.
I really need this phone rooted.
Anyone have ideas? same problems? any success?
(good working paid / free programs?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, and welcome to XDA!
Unfortunately, I don't have much in the way of good news.
There are a couple threads out there who have the same problem as you:
> Android Development and Hacking > Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting > Alcatel One Touch Pop Icon (Straight Talk ) root, or where to start to build a root
> Android Development and Hacking > Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting > [Q] Root request: Alcatel Onetouch Pop Icon A564C
Please create an account, so you can post in other forums (otherwise have the benefits of being a member), and then subscribe to those two threads, so you can check on progress.
Sorry, that's probably the best I can offer, since you have probably already seen the root directory.
Hope this helps,and good luck!

This is useful. But not quick enough. There was a forum i saw once.. where you could request / pay for devs to root something idk if it was here or another website. But i need a solution sooner. Anyone got ideas? :C:crying:

Fluttershy_plays said:
This is useful. But not quick enough. There was a forum i saw once.. where you could request / pay for devs to root something idk if it was here or another website. But i need a solution sooner. Anyone got ideas? :C:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
The monetary exchange (unless potentially a root service with a suggested donation) would go against policy here, so it sounds like a different forum site. I came across for-pay root services before, so they are around. Unfortunately I have no experience with these services, so I am unable to weed out the good from the bad and the skeezy.
The only suggestion I have at this point (and it's part question), is if rooting is that important, you may try an exchange (if is still possible) for a phone model that can be rooted. Can save a lot of headaches. I know, sounds like bad advice, but I was not able to intervene at the right time (and suggest a device that works for you), so now I need to backpedal.
I do hope you find what you are looking for though.

joel.maxuel said:
Hi,
The monetary exchange (unless potentially a root service with a suggested donation) would go against policy here, so it sounds like a different forum site. I came across for-pay root services before, so they are around. Unfortunately I have no experience with these services, so I am unable to weed out the good from the bad and the skeezy.
The only suggestion I have at this point (and it's part question), is if rooting is that important, you may try an exchange (if is still possible) for a phone model that can be rooted. Can save a lot of headaches. I know, sounds like bad advice, but I was not able to intervene at the right time (and suggest a device that works for you), so now I need to backpedal.
I do hope you find what you are looking for though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was considering this. But the company i just started with.. (TotalWireless) shared with a family member 60$ for unlimited c&t 5gb shared.data down from $90 straighttalk, was a really good deal. And the alcatel is the only phone with the newer android, 4.4.2 and screen size 5.0 screen and quad core. Im used to 3.5s and 4's I wany this phone for the screen size and the quadcore.
My old phone with straight talk was the samsung galaxy ace style. Which took me forever to root.. i finally found out about towel root, and hitting the version till numbers popup and changing the 4 to a 0 and it rooted.
But i use black market app. And cpu speed boosyers things like that so i need root.
+ limited storage. I had this phone out of the box for an hour and i already used up all the room, need my sd card.

Fluttershy_plays said:
I was considering this. But the company i just started with.. (TotalWireless) shared with a family member 60$ for unlimited c&t 5gb shared.data down from $90 straighttalk, was a really good deal. And the alcatel is the only phone with the newer android, 4.4.2 and screen size 5.0 screen and quad core. Im used to 3.5s and 4's I wany this phone for the screen size and the quadcore.
My old phone with straight talk was the samsung galaxy ace style. Which took me forever to root.. i finally found out about towel root, and hitting the version till numbers popup and changing the 4 to a 0 and it rooted.
But i use black market app. And cpu speed boosyers things like that so i need root.
+ limited storage. I had this phone out of the box for an hour and i already used up all the room, need my sd card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked at the selection, and I see what you mean. I forgot that the S3 (to me, the best of the bunch) didn't make it to KitKat officially (only to 4.3) and that it's a dual-core device. The Alcatel looks to be the most advanced, except for having the 4GB storage (thus I see the need for root to leverage to MicroSD for apps).
Unfortunately, there's not much I can say. I now see only two options (well three, but different carrier is out of the cards):
Find a responsible rooting service
Take advantage of Total's BYOD program
You can do one or the other, but not both. That is, if the service tries to root, and is unsuccessful, Total may see the attempted modification and withdraw the return process. Also, Bring-your-own-device may not work for the device you pick, since they seem to be a Verizon MVNO.
Hope this helps.

joel.maxuel said:
I looked at the selection, and I see what you mean. I forgot that the S3 (to me, the best of the bunch) didn't make it to KitKat officially (only to 4.3) and that it's a dual-core device. The Alcatel looks to be the most advanced, except for having the 4GB storage (thus I see the need for root to leverage to MicroSD for apps).
Unfortunately, there's not much I can say. I now see only two options (well three, but different carrier is out of the cards):
Find a responsible rooting service
Take advantage of Total's BYOD program
You can do one or the other, but not both. That is, if the service tries to root, and is unsuccessful, Total may see the attempted modification and withdraw the return process. Also, Bring-your-own-device may not work for the device you pick, since they seem to be a Verizon MVNO.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Know anywheres i can find unlocked CDMA phones?, with similar or better hardware to the alcatel? I heard it was possible?

Fluttershy_plays said:
Know anywheres i can find unlocked CDMA phones?, with similar or better hardware to the alcatel? I heard it was possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CDMA is really unchartered territory for me (I only ever used GSM personally), but you may want to check with Total to see if they are indeed a CDMA-only shop. From what I understand, once you unlock a CDMA phone, you have to rely on a SIM/RUIM card for subscription info (probably explains why I have seen "SIM cards" in slots on CDMA phones before).
So if CDMA-only indeed, you may need to go this far (found an example using an LG G3 from Sprint):
> Sprint LG G3 > Sprint G3 General > Unlock Sprint LS990 for any CDMA carrier!!!
If you go with a different phone, be sure there is an equivalent howto for that device before buying (I used the search terms "CDMA unlock").
Hope this helps, and good luck!

How To Sim Unlock The SM-G360T1

Before I get into it, let me just start by saying that I have spoken to MetroPCS and they have confirmed that this phone was specifically set up to use the "Device Unlock" app ONLY, which means that there are no unlock codes or any other procedures(not Chimera or any other one) that will unlock this device.
For those of you who don't know too, you MUST wait until after 90 days of service with MetroPCS on this device before you can unlock it. If you can't wait the 90 days, however, because you're going to travel or because you live outside of the country, I've been told that there is one other way to unlock this device through a third party service that works with MetroPCS and helps you unlock through the app as well, though it is more like "IMEI whitelisting" than an official unlock like you get with MetroPCS and you also have to pay.
---------------
Anyhow, now to get down to it. Here is the information on what you must do.
---------------
1) Wait The 90 Days - Actually, you should know first that MetroPCS does not count the extra day in the months with 31 days as part of the 90.[/B] In other words, if you bought your phone on the 10th of one month say, you have to wait for the 10th to come around again 3 months later.
2) Try Unlocking The Device - Go to the "Device Unlock" app in your app tray and try clicking on the "Permanent Unlock" button to see if it just works for you right away. I was not so lucky myself, but I've been told that it does simply just unlock for some people. If it did unlock that easily for you, then congratulations. That's it. You're done.
(NOTE: Make sure that it is actually unlocked though. See the attached images and step #4 below.)
---------------
If it still isn't unlocked after steps 1 & 2, then please read on...
---------------
3) Call MetroPCS - If it won't unlock, then MetroPCS may have placed a server side lock on your account for whatever reason. In this case, you will need to just call Metro and request that they go into their system and set "Allow Unlock" to "ON" for your device. It only takes them a few seconds to do, but the first 3 people I called some days before didn't even mention or seem to know that their system had this feature, so you have to ask. After they did this for me I was able to successfully unlock the device using the app.
4) Double Check That Your Device Is Actually Unlocked - After unlocking the device the app says that the "Device Is Permanently Unlocked"[/B] and prompts you to reboot. After rebooting though I recommend that you open the "Device Unlock" app again and make sure that it no longer contains the reboot menu(shown in the first picture attached below). If it keeps saying to reboot because the settings are not yet applied, then you are still not unlocked. You want it to look like the second picture I attached below and NOT the first. Try rebooting a few more times to see if this problem fixes itself.
(NOTE: If you still can't unlock fully and have rooted the device and have TWRP and the Xposed framework installed, then you can also try installing an Xposed module called "Good For Enterprise Disable Root Check" to see if that allows the unlock settings to apply. Otherwise just call Metro again to make sure you are unlocked.)
Anyhow, I sincerely hope this information helps you guys in unlocking your device!

A friend of mine has this phone.. and she is not in the USA and had the phone sim locked.. but some guy unlocked it with a box.. and it worths 35 bucks :/

miltonx27 said:
A friend of mine has this phone.. and she is not in the USA and had the phone sim locked.. but some guy unlocked it with a box.. and it worths 35 bucks :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the input. I don't know much about boxes or how they might bypass MetroPCS's server side lockdown on this device, but I'm assuming they're some sort of universal hacker tool that you hook phones up to and that you have to buy. Probably not a viable solution for most people. Sounds just sketchy enough too to maybe cause your phone's IMEI to get blacklisted. Perhaps there's no other option for those outside of the country who can't get MetroPCS service though? I don't know. :/

Outside US or if you dont want to pay 3 months of 50$ each (i like metro pcs, and use metropcs when in usa, but mostly im away and rather to pay an unlock to mantain the line) You have to pay an imei whitelisting for unlock device app. I found one 100% working for 24$, many cheaper or expensive were suspicious. PM if you want to know

rosalesmiguel said:
Outside US or if you dont want to pay 3 months of 50$ each (i like metro pcs, and use metropcs when in usa, but mostly im away and rather to pay an unlock to mantain the line) You have to pay an imei whitelisting for unlock device app. I found one 100% working for 24$, many cheaper or expensive were suspicious. PM if you want to know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's only $40/month for me. I understand though if you're out of the country. Awesome that they'll let you pay to unlock it. Still have to use the device unlock app though yes. It's the only way. Thanks for the info!
Sent from my SM-G360T1 using Tapatalk

Hmm, I have never needed to know this type of info, so I do not know what Sim Unlock is.
Could you explain please?
Thank you,
~ Andrew S.S.
EDIT: So after a quick google search it is fairly obvious what it is.
So all I have to do is wait 90 days, then call them asking for them to unlock my device, then run Device Unlock and my device will be unlocked?

Andrew S.S. said:
Hmm, I have never needed to know this type of info, so I do not know what Sim Unlock is. Could you explain please?
Thank you,
~ Andrew S.S.
EDIT: So after a quick google search it is fairly obvious what it is.
So all I have to do is wait 90 days, then call them asking for them to unlock my device, then run Device Unlock and my device will be unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's awesome! After the unlock you can switch your phone to any service provider, but best if all you can use temporary international sim cards if you ever go outside the country and have regular service elsewhere while you travel and just put your MetroPCS account on hold in the meantime. Right now you can not though. Just wait the 90 days and just use the Device Unlock app that should be in your phone after that. If it doesn't work after 90 days of continuous service on this phone, then you do have to call them though and ask them to allow the unlock on their end in their system first. Read my post again maybe for more details about that. Also, it's not really 90 days, it's 3 months to the day, which means the 3rd to the 3rd of the month or the 10th to the 10th of the month or whatever. Hope this helps. Mine's unlocked now and I'm happy.
Sent from my SM-G360T1 using Tapatalk

bogarty said:
Yeah, it's awesome! After the unlock you can switch your phone to any service provider, but best if all you can use temporary international sim cards if you ever go outside the country and have regular service elsewhere while you travel and just put your MetroPCS account on hold in the meantime. Right now you can not though. Just wait the 90 days and just use the Device Unlock app that should be in your phone after that. If it doesn't work after 90 days of continuous service on this phone, then you do have to call them though and ask them to allow the unlock on their end in their system first. Read my post again maybe for more details about that. Also, it's not really 90 days, it's 3 months to the day, which means the 3rd to the 3rd of the month or whatever. Hope this helps. Mine's unlocked now and I'm happy.
Sent from my SM-G360T1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had service for well over 90 days, but I have not had this phone for over 90 days. Can I still do it?
Sent from my SM-G360T1 using Tapatalk

Andrew S.S. said:
I have had service for well over 90 days, but I have not had this phone for over 90 days. Can I still do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. It's 3 months of service with this device.
Sent from my SM-G360T1 using Tapatalk

bogarty said:
No. It's 3 months of service with this device.
Sent from my SM-G360T1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright thanks

So I removed the unlock app... is there anywhere I can install it back from?

I happen to have one with me now and the device unlock app always shows
"Server not responding please try again later"

bdrew said:
So I removed the unlock app... is there anywhere I can install it back from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately no. I've tried extracting the apk for people, but it can't be installed properly because it's hardwired into the system.
To get the unlock app on your device again you will either have to...
1) Download the official stock firmware from here and reflash it with ODIN:
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/53271/G360T1UVU1AOFA_G360T1TMB1AOFA_TMB/
(Instructions are on that page and no data is lost during this painless flashing process.)
Or...
2) Install SlimPickins rom from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=63868639
It's a much lighter, debloated, version of our stock firmware(which saves you lots of space on your phone). I'm running it myself, but it requires you to have installed...
Root: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=62859013
And...
TWRP: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=62955166
Also, you have to install GAPPS(the Google suite with apps like Play Store, etc) separately at the same time you install the rom. This allows you to pick how much space Google apps take up on your phone and which apps you do and do not want.
Anyhow, either option will give you the Device Unlock app back.
Sent from my SM-G360T1 using Tapatalk

mbond said:
I happen to have one with me now and the device unlock app always shows
"Server not responding please try again later"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try connecting via Wi-Fi instead of data. If that doesn't work then try restarting your device and attempting with Wi-Fi again. If it still doesn't work, then it is likely their server being bogged down, so just try waiting awhile(possibly up to a day). Also, I'm sure you are, but just in case you're not, you must be in the US for the app to work.
Sent from my SM-G360T1 using Tapatalk

Not in use bro, seems you are right.I"ll just leave the phone till good reliable unlock is available

Device unlock
Aside from all these extra steps it's pretty easy. I just open my app drawer and opened 'Device Unlock'. Right at the top it said permanent unlock so i clixked it, after 10 seconds if asked if I wanted to reboot. Once it finished rebooting it completely removed the device unlock and said it was permanently done . So if you don't feel like talking to metro to do it just try with the app it worked for me. Saved me 20 mins of being on hold. And shout out to Bogarty and everyone else working to optimize our device !!

Cinomed said:
Aside from all these extra steps it's pretty easy. I just open my app drawer and opened 'Device Unlock'. Right at the top it said permanent unlock so i clixked it, after 10 seconds if asked if I wanted to reboot. Once it finished rebooting it completely removed the device unlock and said it was permanently done . So if you don't feel like talking to metro to do it just try with the app it worked for me. Saved me 20 mins of being on hold. And shout out to Bogarty and everyone else working to optimize our device !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad it worked for you right off the bat. It didn't for me. Mine was locked on their end. People should definitely just try the app first. That's good advice. Maybe I should include that in the OP. Thanks! They do still have to wait the 90 days of service though as I'm sure you did. Everyone just needs to make sure it no longer shows the reboot menu in the app after rebooting like in the pictures I posted. It may say "device is permanently unlocked", but if they still see reboot options, then the unlock settings have not yet been applied. Mine didn't apply the first few times because of a conflict between security settings and root. Curious if you were rooted at the time as that can pose some issues on some devices as I mentioned.
Sent from my SM-G360T1 using Tapatalk

Definitely had to wait 90 days and then some.
But the unlocking itself like I said was about 10 secs and a reboot.

Were you rooted when you unlocked the phone ?

bogarty said:
Glad it worked for you right off the bat. It didn't for me. Mine was locked on their end. People should definitely just try the app first. That's good advice. Maybe I should include that in the OP. Thanks! They do still have to wait the 90 days of service though as I'm sure you did. Everyone just needs to make sure it no longer shows the reboot menu in the app after reboot like in the pictures I posted. If they still see that then the unlock settings have not yet been applied. Mine didn't apply the first few times because of a conflict between security settings and root. Curious if you were rooted at the time as that can pose some issues on some devices as I mentioned.
Sent from my SM-G360T1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. So far all I had done was the root.

First things to do after receiving my new Google Pixel phone?

Hello everyone. I live in Brazil and just bought a 5'' 128GB Google Pixel (quite the new thing in our market). Still didn't receive it, though I'm already educating myself and doing research about the phone.
I'm looking for tips and information about what to do first as soon as I get my phone, particularly regarding preventive measures.
For example, I already know that:
Unlocking the bootloader is sound advice, particularly if you decide to update or install custom ROMs. [Source 1] [Source 2]
I assume you guys have had a lot of time to play around with your Pixels. If everyone would share a bit of information I'll keep adding them to this post and maybe we could turn it in a nice, straightforward TODO for new users

I'm sorry to say that you might meet some problem unlocking the bootloader. As far as I know, only Eu version can simply unlock by commands, the others , esp in the USA (Verizon), you can't. Fortunately you can still get help from amazing Chinese people on "taobao" for about $50 ,but you have to mail it around the world.

Where did you buy your device from?

I bought it from MercadoLivre, (our local eBay here in Brazil), so I ain't got a clue about where it comes from :/
The seller says the phone is carrier-unlocked, but I'm certain that has nothing to do with unlocking the bootloader, right?
I guess I'll try to unlock it as soon as I get it, and if I can't... well, I can always return it and get something else

Yes I Did It said:
I bought it from MercadoLivre, (our local eBay here in Brazil), so I ain't got a clue about where it comes from :/
The seller says the phone is carrier-unlocked, but I'm certain that has nothing to do with unlocking the bootloader, right?
I guess I'll try to unlock it as soon as I get it, and if I can't... well, I can always return it and get something else
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should be fine. Just try to unlock the bootloader and see after that. I personally flashed Dirty Unicorns rom as soon as I unlocked the bootloader. I've had this phone for a month now. There's a discord channel in my signature if you want to find that rom and some more.

2020 love for XA

Hi all, as I have some extra time, as may others too due to covid I thought I'd work on this phone.
Had it about 2 months as a pass down and want to give it to a family member, but like to clean it up and install a custom/debloated rom, like I do with all my personal phones and add some privacy
It's a nice phone, quite snappy for basic use but will require a new LCD, which is only £20.
Looking at the guides, I ran into a problem straight away, Bootloader cannot be unlocked, oh damn!
it's a EE (UK) branded phone.
As it's now 2020, has any exploit been found to atleast root it?
I've searched through forums and web, not much direction on it.
Rather not use the stock rom, unless I can debloat it. Shame tbh, it's a decent phone to let go.
Would a pre-rooted stock rom work?
Thank ahead

bump

Anybody, please? thx

Hi, as I did not get any replies to my issue. I continued to search and found a workable solution. Perhaps not full root per se, but it allowed me enough root privileges without unlocking bootloader, so I could delete all the Sony bloatware and some additional tweaks. I thought I'd post here for future reference for others.
First I found this :
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=82081703&postcount=1000
Then additionally this, which made it much simpler.
https://github.com/JunioJsv/mtk-easy-su
Hope it helps

davestuarts said:
Looking at the guides, I ran into a problem straight away, Bootloader cannot be unlocked, oh damn!
it's a EE (UK) branded phone.
As it's now 2020, has any exploit been found to atleast root it?
I've searched through forums and web, not much direction on it.
Thank ahead
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only just seen your post and it seems you found mtk-su to get you going. :good:
I am curious about the bootloader though.
1. Did you try the official Sony bootloader unlocking procedure ? If you did at what part did it fail.
Normally it's just a SIM/Network lock that EE and other providers have so removing that may then allow the bootloader to be unlocked as I can't really see any difference in the firmware's except a few pre installed app's.
EE charge £8.99 for the SIM unlock code on second hand phones According EE's Help HERE If nothing else it will make it more usable and saleable.
I have a stock based ROM that's got most of junk removed and I replaced the dialer, contacts, launcher and other apps with Googles own apps If you do manage unlock the bootloader.
Forum Tip:
If you want to get someone's attention you can "mention" them or use the reply button so they will get a notification
Mention is @ with the name like this.
Code:
@bigrammy or @davestuarts
.