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HTC unlocker or the XDA method?

Since purchasing my Sensation 4G I have been eagerly reading these forums. Of particular interest to me have been the unlocking and flashing threads. I have been toying with the idea of doing so with my device, but since I heard HTC was going to release the official unlocker I have held off to compare the two. Now that both methods are available I am looking for some objective (key word!) advice.
1) Functional, is there any difference in capabilities after unlocking in using one method vs the other? If so please explain. (for instance, does one method allow you to do X and the other does not)
2) After unlocking via the HTC method, how does the process of flashing ROMs differ?
3) Assuming HTC does release official ROMs as it appears they will, can they only be flashed onto a phone that has been officially unlocked?

1. Yes there is a difference. The revolutionary hboot is better as it has extended fastboot commands.
2. You would still need root and a custom recovery.
3. Nope, official roms work fine as long as cid's match or you set up super cid.

Behold_this said:
1. Yes there is a difference. The revolutionary hboot is better as it has extended fastboot commands.
2. You would still need root and a custom recovery.
3. Nope, official roms work fine as long as cid's match or you set up super cid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is good information. I mistakenly believed that the HTC unlocker gave the user root.

Nope it doesn't give root. Actually you don't even need root to flash a rom, custom or otherwise. You just need a custom recovery installed (can be done through bootloader). Most custom roms come rooted.

Keep in mind that the official HTC way of unlocking the bootloader will void your warranty, whereas with the revolutionary method, you can reverse that and reapply S-ON (I don't know about reversing the HTC way).
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e

The AT&T way.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App

BUT seriously the xda way cause it can be reversed
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App

xda way. Definitely.
Sent from my HTC Sensation using XDA Premium App

Fastboot oem lock
above command will lock the bootloader

Of course Revolutionary is much better

theres two sides
xda is better, but if you are a noob and dont know what your doing and might brick ,htc way is for you because if you so happen to pull the cord while unlocking atleast you can call them and get it fix maybe.

Does Revolutionary work on 2.3.4 updated Sensations?

HTC Way - Give HTC my personal and phone information and void my warranty.
XDA Way - Give HTC nothing, unlock via a reversible method. And if I have a hardware issue not related to unlocking, I can reverse the unlock and still utilize my device warranty.
XDA Way FTW !
Given how anal HTC has become over this matter. (I could care less their reasons, so please spare me any soap box moments over why HTC does things their way.) That is why the Sensation my be my last HTC device. Some other OEMs are less anal about 3rd party developers unlocking a device. So post-Sensation I'll probably get something that is more developer friendly.

bcpk said:
Does Revolutionary work on 2.3.4 updated Sensations?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App

XDA method of course

daman215 said:
xda is better, but if you are a noob and dont know what your doing and might brick ,htc way is for you because if you so happen to pull the cord while unlocking atleast you can call them and get it fix maybe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure they wouldn't fix it. Due to signing in and getting your device unlocked for HTC, voids your warranty. So more than likely they will count it as damage done by user and not really care that your phone isn't working.
But, if I'm incorrect, just tell me so.

There is a common misconception on this forum that using the HTC method voids your warranty, and I wanted to bring this to everyone's attention. According to HTC (link below), you only void your warranty IF you brick your phone. If you think about it, that kind of makes sense anyway. Does that change anyones mind about which method is better?
"What does this mean for me?
Unlocking the bootloader means that you now have the ability to customize software on your device. Please note that changing your bootloader can cause significant issues with your device and once you have unlocked your device, you have agreed to the disclaimer that states a change in warranty status such that in the event you render your device unusable, you are responsible for the recovery of your device, whether by repair or by other means."
http://www.htcdev.com/bootloader/faq

Which reads as "your warranty is not void as long as you don't have to use it".

Trekest said:
Which reads as "your warranty is not void as long as you don't have to use it".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, but do you realistically expect them to honor your warranty if you brick it by any method (official or otherwise)? I dont think they really care what you did to kill the phone, I am willing to bet they wont replace it in either case.

ironeagle said:
Fastboot oem lock
above command will lock the bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does that command really work? I thought getting S-ON was a lot more complicated than that.

[MOD][22/09/11] -Yet another sim unlocking method

Here we go with yet another unlock solution.
This one applies to almost (if not all) devices which are radio S-off, it’s fairly easy to use and doesn’t wipe data/settings nor have that ugly side effect (when using diag files) in which you lose conectivity to mobile network.
Supported devices so far:
HTC Sensation (pyramid)
HTC Evo 3D (shooter)
HTC EVO 3D GSM (shooteru)
HTC myTouch Slide 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(by the use of revolutionary)
and:
Sprint EVO 4G
Droid Incredible (HTC Incredible)
HTC Desire CDMA (HTC BravoC)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(by the use of unrevoked 3 – not tested)
These are the required steps you have to take:
1. S-off your phone by using Revolutionary (if you haven’t already done that).
2. Fill in the form with the required data. This will generate an unique Config.dat file for your device. Please enter a valid email address, as you’ll be sent there the link to download the file.
This step you'll have to take here
3. Put the file on the root of your sdcard and reboot your phone into HBOOT (adb reboot oem-42). Once you’re there, navigate to Simlock and press Power. The phone will load the file and remove the simlock. Some text will appear on the screen and at a certain point you’ll be asked to press Vol-Up to restart the phone.
4. Just do it, and you’ll be done!
PLEASE NOTE!:
This solution is heavily linked to the device it's being applied to by the use of IMEI, which can be considered a breach in security.
DISCLAIMER:
This solution provided for you on this site is given AS IS and in GOOD FAITH and is based on the research I made. I may not accept any liability or responsibility for the use of this applicaton.
If you still want your device unlocked but not by the use of this method, see this thread!
If you find this tool useful and appreciate my work, Paypal me a beer, it helps development a lot..
​

thanks this is great can't wait for it to work without s-off

For s-on we need smartcrd.io, which I haven't figured out yet.
Via XDA App

sieempi said:
For s-on we need smartcrd.io, which I haven't figured out yet.
Via XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After this, how can be sure that the phone is no longer simlocked ?

After this, how can be sure that the phone is no longer simlocked ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully thats sarcastic
Great work yet another free unlock method!

when opening the dat. in hboot simlock; is it suppose to say "open cid file failed" ?

Yes
Via XDA App

Excuse my lack of acknowledge but what is this for?
Sent from my Sensation using XDA App

MUNDO23 said:
Excuse my lack of acknowledge but what is this for?
Sent from my Sensation using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To sim unlock your phone.

This is some sort of joke right? You want IMEI # sent to you over the internet? How do we know that you're not harvesting them?

dcrin3 said:
This is some sort of joke right? You want IMEI # sent to you over the internet? How do we know that you're not harvesting them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree. This seems very sketchy. I would think twice before sending my IMEI to someone random over the internet. The other two ways to unlock do just fine.

RevenG said:
I have to agree. This seems very sketchy. I would think twice before sending my IMEI to someone random over the internet. The other two ways to unlock do just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah but the rest of them also nuke all your data. :/

Bona Fides
I agree with all of you of being skeptic about this (I would, also).
However, the method is heavily linked to the phone and imei is required. I'm providing all this IN GOOD FAITH and with the hope that I just freed another device from corporate interests.
There are, of course, a lot of other methods of unlock you can use, no heartbreak

So does this mean my phone is unlocked now:
fat32 init ok
reading config.dat
read mccmnc file success
open CID file fail
get device IMEI success
IMEI checking...PASS!
preocess done, reboot device?

Yes, if your phone is s-off. Try another sim card and post back the result!
PS: By the way, we don't have any success story so far, please post back if everything went ok.
Via XDA App

It worked for me. I put a Verizon sim card in and it acknowledged it.
Infact once I booted it up with the Verizon sim card . A message prompted me to pick a carrier showing Verizon,Vodophone, etc as choices. Which I thought was a nice touch.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda premium

Scoop24 said:
It worked for me. I put a Verizon sim card in.and it acknowledged it.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it only had LTE eh? haha

RevenG said:
If it only had LTE eh? haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol I wish.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda premium

dcrin3 said:
yeah but the rest of them also nuke all your data. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No offense to OP... good work on coming with another method.
But I will take nuking data any day than sharing imei.

will this work for evo 4g...and be able to put metro pcs or boost mobile sim card...?

Unlocked Bootloader Now Available

The T-Mobile US MT4G was just added to the HTC Dev site!
http://www.htcdev.com/bootloader
I suppose this doesn't much affect those of us already running the engineering bootloader, but pretty cool nevertheless.

TeeJay3800 said:
The T-Mobile US MT4G was just added to the HTC Dev site!
http://www.htcdev.com/bootloader
I suppose this doesn't much affect those of us already running the engineering bootloader, but pretty cool nevertheless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow!
Yeah it doesn't really affect those with root... But it shows that HTC still remembers this "old" device
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium

DON'T DO IT WHATEVER YOU DO!! It marks your devices warranty as voided and any ROM that doesn't run the same kernel as the ROM you have when you use this won't work. You will have to manually push the boot.img of any new kernel out there. I have to do it on my 3vo3d and it's a *****.

Nicgraner said:
DON'T DO IT WHATEVER YOU DO!! It marks your devices warranty as voided and any ROM that doesn't run the same kernel as the ROM you have when you use this won't work. You will have to manually push the boot.img of any new kernel out there. I have to do it on my 3vo3d and it's a *****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, great advice. Seems this thing is completely worthless then.

Nicgraner said:
DON'T DO IT WHATEVER YOU DO!! It marks your devices warranty as voided and any ROM that doesn't run the same kernel as the ROM you have when you use this won't work. You will have to manually push the boot.img of any new kernel out there. I have to do it on my 3vo3d and it's a *****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Yikes! Makes me wonder why people on other devices have been clamoring for unlocked bootloaders for so long.

TeeJay3800 said:
Really? Yikes! Makes me wonder why people on other devices have been clamoring for unlocked bootloaders for so long.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean it's awesome HTC still recognizes our device but they make you go through way too much to do it. I'd rather stick with exploits. Thanks for the link anyway TeeJay

I wonder if a lot of people will still go through with this not knowing the limitations of HTC's unlocking method.

shekki said:
I wonder if a lot of people will still go through with this not knowing the limitations of HTC's unlocking method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guarantee that they will. Since there is a root exploit already there is really no reason to do this other than giving the manufacturer proof that you voided your warranty.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium

eqjunkie829 said:
I guarantee that they will. Since there is a root exploit already there is really no reason to do this other than giving the manufacturer proof that you voided your warranty.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. That's about it. And I guarantee we will see millions of threads saying "help my phone won't turn on" because they have NO idea how to flash boot.img's
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium

Lol people are already asking about the unlocked bootloader. Check the Q & A.
Sent from my Infernalized Glacier!
-Team Inferno

Nicgraner said:
DON'T DO IT WHATEVER YOU DO!! It marks your devices warranty as voided and any ROM that doesn't run the same kernel as the ROM you have when you use this won't work. You will have to manually push the boot.img of any new kernel out there. I have to do it on my 3vo3d and it's a *****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't say its a ***** but just an added step. Though I will agree you guys will start getting a few threads of people not getting it to boot, because they think its as easy as flashing in cwr. Coming from the desirehd section, even after explaining it to people they can't grasp it.
To me the biggest con, is needing to push the boot.img but that's because I tend to flash roms on the go. Xda method of soff is still the best but i think its a good idea for those devices that dont curently have an soff method.
My mom has a mytouch 4g so I'm thinking of giving this a shot to play around with. Her warranty was void a long time ago(replaced screen,water/coffee damage). It will be fun trying out your roms in this neck of the woods

well what exactly does unlocking bootloader do?? pros and cons??.. sorry i'm new to this stuff...

Nicgraner said:
DON'T DO IT WHATEVER YOU DO!! It marks your devices warranty as voided and any ROM that doesn't run the same kernel as the ROM you have when you use this won't work. You will have to manually push the boot.img of any new kernel out there. I have to do it on my 3vo3d and it's a *****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once unlocked, can't we just flash eng. bootloader and get rid of this issue?
Just asking... I'm already rooted and I have a Panache anyway
Sent from my HTC Panache / Darkside CM7.2 using xda premium.

SprigganMaster said:
Once unlocked, can't we just flash eng. bootloader and get rid of this issue?
Just asking... I'm already rooted and I have a Panache anyway
Sent from my HTC Panache / Darkside CM7.2 using xda premium.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I understand, it only unlocks certain parts of the phone. I doubt it will work as the phone stays son. Only thing that we fan flash is cwr, and roms.

Based on prior post, it feels like its more work to use htc method. I completely agree with everybody else, dont use this method to unlock unless you cannot operate technology(at which point u shouldnt root). I have replaced my phone 3 times under warrenty, its a good phone but has some defects...this basically gives htc proof that we voided their warrenty....however, could we tweak the program so it does waht WE want. I dont know anything about programming but couldnt we have it so that it unlocks the bootloader and autoflashes eng? Then tweak it so that it doesnt send its reports back to htc?

not worth it. we have to do this on the amaze to get root and once its unlocked it cant be relocked without a big fat "RELOCKED" in hboot. as far as warranty goes, htc will still cover you in the event of hardware malfunction, but not if they determine its related to software. thats the word at least...

AAHK and Inspire 4G AT&T

Hi friends.
If writing is not the topic I'm sorry.
Question to you is:
Does AAHK to unlock sim card?
It is possible to give to the service center for a firmware update, but they do not know how to unlock it, or rather do not have equipment. Will I be able to unlock your Inspire 4G on Ukrainian MTS with this program?
Thank you in advance

Alex_Vic said:
Hi friends.
If writing is not the topic I'm sorry.
Question to you is:
Does AAHK to unlock sim card?
It is possible to give to the service center for a firmware update, but they do not know how to unlock it, or rather do not have equipment. Will I be able to unlock your Inspire 4G on Ukrainian MTS with this program?
Thank you in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. The hack kit do sim unlocks your device, but take into consideration that not all sims work with unlocked devices. Anyway, it Is worth trying.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app

glevitan said:
Yes. The hack kit do sim unlocks your device, but take into consideration that not all sims work with unlocked devices. Anyway, it Is worth trying.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And if I live in Ukraine then my statement will be supported or not?
Or may have any other options?
Sorry, but I'm new to this business.

Alex_Vic said:
And if I live in Ukraine then my statement will be supported or not?
Or may have any other options?
Sorry, but I'm new to this business.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, you device will be sim unlocked, but then depends on your carrier and not the device itself. You can also buy an unlock code if you don't want to run the Hack Kit.

glevitan said:
Again, you device will be sim unlocked, but then depends on your carrier and not the device itself. You can also buy an unlock code if you don't want to run the Hack Kit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest I've read a lot of forums, has seen a lot of videos on YouTube, and still did not understand how to flash the phone.
Can give step by step instructions?
Now I have installed Root, is S-off. For all I know.
Firmware 2.3.3 Sense 2.1
Maybe there is a person who helps in Skype?
and one more thing - I'd like to firmware 2.3.5 Sense 3.0 (or similar)
unmodified, similar to what is official and that all functions of the phone worked.
Can you give a link to download?

Alex_Vic said:
To be honest I've read a lot of forums, has seen a lot of videos on YouTube, and still did not understand how to flash the phone.
Can give step by step instructions?
Now I have installed Root, is S-off. For all I know.
Firmware 2.3.3 Sense 2.1
Maybe there is a person who helps in Skype?
and one more thing - I'd like to firmware 2.3.5 Sense 3.0 (or similar)
unmodified, similar to what is official and that all functions of the phone worked.
Can you give a link to download?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Video tutorial are useless...use the guide in my signature. Downgrade is not root nor S-OFF, so make sure that you are S-OFF for certain before trying something.

Please post all questions in the Q & A section. Thanks! Thread moved.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Q] Why are Sim Locked for some carriers but unlocked for others

Hello,
I have an HTC Sensation 4g that was originally from Tmobile. I rooted it and also unlocked the phone to use on other networks. I verified this by using other prepaid carriers in the U.S and also in Mexico. But now i have an issue I tried a company called Moviestar in Mexico. I keep getting a message saying SIM LOCKED. Why is this?
Also does anyone know how asking for unlock code work from tmobile. I also have service with them with a different sensation can I call them and give them the IMIE for the sensation I want unlocked? Not sure if you have to be using the sensation while asking for the code.
I also found this to change APN but dont the sim cards change this automatically?
http://www.unlockit.co.nz/mobilesettings/settings.php?id=27

Simply ask T-Mobile for the unlock code. They will give it to you. I haven't asked for this device yet but asked for my other device and they gave me the code without any problems. Just tell them you will be traveling and want the code. It shouldn't be a problem. They did it for me before without any issues. Hope this is helpful. Best wishes
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda premium

realsis said:
Simply ask T-Mobile for the unlock code. They will give it to you. I haven't asked for this device yet but asked for my other device and they gave me the code without any problems. Just tell them you will be traveling and want the code. It shouldn't be a problem. They did it for me before without any issues. Hope this is helpful. Best wishes
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe T-Mobile, but I am on Vodafone and they won't give it to me for some reason. HTC have put a guide how to SOFF your phone, but that didn't worked for me. I only have the "wire trick" left to try, but some users report broken phones after so... I hear people write mails to HTC and they give them the unlock codes Anyone had a successful feedback on the issue?

archimess said:
Maybe T-Mobile, but I am on Vodafone and they won't give it to me for some reason. HTC have put a guide how to SOFF your phone, but that didn't worked for me. I only have the "wire trick" left to try, but some users report broken phones after so... I hear people write mails to HTC and they give them the unlock codes Anyone had a successful feedback on the issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
archimess said:
Maybe T-Mobile, but I am on Vodafone and they won't give it to me for some reason. HTC have put a guide how to SOFF your phone, but that didn't worked for me. I only have the "wire trick" left to try, but some users report broken phones after so... I hear people write mails to HTC and they give them the unlock codes Anyone had a successful feedback on the issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC dev unlock method works fine.. just follow procedure from HTC page
If your bootloader is 1.2xx , jb method of soff is only option...
What u mean broken phone after wire trick???.,.,
If u stuck on jb screen after many attempt of wire trick , then u simply remove temp root and phone will back to Android
Sent from my Sensation using xda app-developers app
Sent from my Sensation using xda app-developers app

Im going to try and give tmobile a call hopefully they can give me the code. I don't think i would try the wire trick to scared to break it.

gcantu said:
Im going to try and give tmobile a call hopefully they can give me the code. I don't think i would try the wire trick to scared to break it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To verify, if I have S-OFF'd my Sensation, then I should be able to use a SIM on another carrier without having to call my carrier (T-Mobile) to get an unlock code. Right?
Thank you.

cedyathome said:
To verify, if I have S-OFF'd my Sensation, then I should be able to use a SIM on another carrier without having to call my carrier (T-Mobile) to get an unlock code. Right?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you're missing 1 step.
S-Off and Sim Unlock are two different things.
But if you have S-Off and Root access you can figure out your own Sim Unlock code quickly and easily.
See here for instructions...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1232107
Then once you have that unlock code, when you put in a sim from another carrier it will prompt you for the code and you simply type it in.

Skipjacks is right I was trying to find that thread wasnt fast enough lol. Cedyathome follow that guide and it should work for most carriers.

gcantu said:
Skipjacks is right I was trying to find that thread wasnt fast enough lol. Cedyathome follow that guide and it should work for most carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you both.