[Q] Smart phone unlocking questions - General Questions and Answers

Hi my name is David and it's been a little while since I've been on xda so if I deserve flaming please guide me to the right forum to ask these types of questions.. anyway so I recently got a job at a metro pcs verified dealer near my home and I'm considered the "tech guy" just unlocking phones and repairing screens and such. My question is about unlocking though. I can unlock most devices from doing so many over time but some I completely struggle with and turn toward YouTube or Google. And I was wondering how do other shops unlock devices so quickly and with ease? Seeing as I'm the only tech guy boss wants me to get better at unlocking phones but its not very simple android unlocks are somewhat easy, root and a few other steps and it's done. But say for instance a BlackBerry torch would need an unlock code. So my question is how do you guys think other shops do it?
Ps
I have looked into the octoplus box but can't really tell how legit it is
Thanks for the help guys

Related

Obtain unlock codes myself????

Hey guys,
I like to mess with electronics. I have a modded Ps3, xbox360, HTC HD2, my brand new G2x, which I have just rooted. My next step is I would like to unlock the phone.
I am fairly new to phone modding, so even though I have a decent grasp on it, there are some things I can't get a grip on.
I am having a hell of a time trying to unlock the phone myself. I know I can use a service online, or even call T-mobile, to get a code, but why is it so hard to do myself. If I understand it right, the phone is locked using some, unknown to me, logarithim(sp).
This is driving me nuts. If i wanted to I can get free games for my PS3, XBOX360, even Android apps. Although, the intention of this post is not to condone piracy, as I am sure the forums would agree, I just wonder why these "unlocker" services, hold this information under lock and key. I would think that the information is out there is one looks hard enough. I know that they do it for money, and have businesses dedicated to unlocking everyphone. Whether what they are doing is legal or not, I have no idea, but I would think there would be a PDF, and site, telling one how to do it themselves.
I have downloaded countless unlocking softwares,none that I found new enough for the G2x. Then I found some sites that sell actual hardware, that usually have a couple of phone brands, build into the firmware(i dunno) to unlock those companies brands.
If these unlockers, use the hardware to unlock phones, then I can understand, why they charge cause some of that stuff is really expensive! I would just think the one would be able to unlock with software only.
If anyone can shed some light on this subject I would really appricieate(sp) it.
Not sure if links of this type are allowed, but if they are could someone point me in the right direction.
If not, maybe some direction on what to search within google.
(& yes I have scoured google hours on end, only coming across site that will do it for you for a price.)
Thanks guys
Call tmo and ask for the code. I dont understand why your head is about to explode from this.
Sent from my HTC Vision (G2x in disguise)
wow, did you not even bother to read the post??
Oh I read it. I just dont see why u would want to bother trying this if you could just ask tmo for it for free. Takes all of 5 minutes.
On the other hand, if you were trying to make some money off this, i can see why you'd be interested.
Sent from my HTC Vision (G2x in disguise)
But I am pretty sure those unlock companies get their codes from Tmo as well..
Sent from my butt using XDA Premium App

Thinking if starting my own phone unlocking business, help software?

Hi all,
I am looking into setting up my own online business in unlocking phones via the code method.
Does anyone know the best software I could buy for this which provides support for the most amount of phones? Also has regular updates or nee phones added which are compatible by code unlock?
Thanks
Sent from my XT890 using xda app-developers app
Well your way to late there are like hundred of african shops that do the same on top of running a small corner store. This has been in business for 6 to 8 years.
Still can be done
Sent from my XT890 using xda app-developers app
how to start an iphone unlock business
hey man, im in the same situation! I've been buying and selling iphones and i always come across crazy situations where i need to unlock the phone and id like to add this service to my business, but can't find any solid information on how its done and its preventing me from selling the phones. back in the day i knew how to manually enter the unblock codes for regular cell phones, but i can't figure out the iphone! I don't know if you download some type of software or if you jailbreak it and unlock it somehow from there and then reload the iOS back onto the phone or if you have to have a special machine to hook up to. i also need to know how to get rid of the apple id problem in iOS 7 where if someone didn't deactivate the find my iphone feature before doing a factory restore then you would have to enter an apple id before using the phone. its called activation lock and a guy wiped the phone out somehow with his computer, i believe, and successfully got it to where you can enter a new apple user ID and use the phone. PLEASE, ANYONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO DO THIS STUFF PLEASE LET ME KNOW! Everywhere people ask for help on this ive only seen replies where they get spam links that go to bogus sites that unblock for you. i dont know what im missing to do this but i know its out there because i know a guy who can do it, but im sure he'll think of me as competition because im in his local area. I am a former PC technician, but have moved toward Apple products and it astounds me at how differently they are and are a bit more difficult to figure out that i anticipated. Any help would be appreciated please!
Unlocking
Anyone who unlocks for a decent price 60$ and less for bulk. I would love to work with them. Looking to unlock iPhone sprint and T-Mobile phone. Please contract. Pmaya004 AT yahoo

How do you unlock LG Phones (T385)

Gents,
Apologies if this question has been asked before or I've posted it in the wrong sub section, but I've only ever unlocked one phone in the past, it was an HTC Sense, and it was a sinch. My other half's old man has bought an LGT385 off somone at work, not knowing that you couldn't use a sim from a different network.
Consequently, I have been tasked with unlocking it.
How do you do it? I've seen a couple of videos on YT, but neither of their methods work. I get the impression after researching for an hour or so, it's connected to the IMEI and calculated based on that number (somehow)
Any help would be appreciated as I don't want to take it into town and be ripped off by someone if it's easy to do.
Thanks.

[Completed] Can I Sim Unlock a Phone By Unlocking The Bootloader??

Now a Lot of You are quick to say oh this has been addressed before and what not now ...please ....read my question before giving negative nonsensical replys.
So The Question is.
1. Will Unlocking my bootloader allow me to remove a Network/sim Lock on lets say a Blu Studio 5.0
2. If No, Then Why Not?
3. What Other Methods Can I Use to Unlock my Phone For "Free"
The Reason i'm asking is simple really, i'm From the Caribbean, and purchasing things like unlock Codes doesn't really work out well (at all)when we convert our currency into US Dollars or even worse yet english pounds.
i wanna have a solution that's free so i can help ppl out who come to me with locked phones i don't wanna purchase a box or anything cuzz it'd take like a months salary just to purchase one and then i'd have to charge ridiculous prices just to help somebody out and i dont want that.
so any methods that require no cost besides having software and a pc and an internet connection doesn't matter how much time it take (i have a lot of that )would do me just fine.
thanks in Advance to all the awesome ppl who are gonna help :good::good::good:
Jaysblog said:
Now a Lot of You are quick to say oh this has been addressed before and what not now ...please ....read my question before giving negative nonsensical replys.
So The Question is.
1. Will Unlocking my bootloader allow me to remove a Network/sim Lock on lets say a Blu Studio 5.0
2. If No, Then Why Not?
3. What Other Methods Can I Use to Unlock my Phone For "Free"
The Reason i'm asking is simple really, i'm From the Caribbean, and purchasing things like unlock Codes doesn't really work out well (at all)when we convert our currency into US Dollars or even worse yet english pounds.
i wanna have a solution that's free so i can help ppl out who come to me with locked phones i don't wanna purchase a box or anything cuzz it'd take like a months salary just to purchase one and then i'd have to charge ridiculous prices just to help somebody out and i dont want that.
so any methods that require no cost besides having software and a pc and an internet connection doesn't matter how much time it take (i have a lot of that )would do me just fine.
thanks in Advance to all the awesome ppl who are gonna help :good::good::good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi and thank you for using XDA Assist
If you are reffering to the Carriers Locked phones you can't do anything about it.
You can't use a different SIM on it because it will simply not work.
Usually you take a phone from a carrier with a plan and a contract, so the phone cannot be touched in these terms (To use other carrier), but you can freely flash and unlock the bootloader (of course at your own risk) but this thing about changing SIM on a locked phone from what i know is not possible.
Sim locking is done in a different area than the bootloader unlocking. So while unlocking the bootloader is sometimes the first step in unlocking the sim, sometimes you can not unlock the sim even in this way. Check out the Blu Studio 5 Forums for more specific information.

How do 3rd-party 'unlockers' (money ripoffs) get your phone's Bootloader Codes?

Recently I came across this issue, since I just recently bought this phone. Usually I will root my phones as soon as I get them, by following the excellent guides in XDA here, but this time, I didn't do much research before getting this phone (Mate 20 X). Aside from this unlocking bootloader issue, I like this phone and I hand-picked this from my list of options because it ticked what I was looking for in my new purchase - big battery, IR and 3.5" audio jack. Plus the latest 7nm 980 Kirin processor is a nice hardware to have. (I had Mi Max 2 before, but had some issues.)
I don't intend to pay any 3rd party and pay prohibitively expensive money to unlock my phone. It's absurd how much they are ripping off the people and on the other hand, I'm surprised how much people are willing to throw money at these dubious sites. Now crossing 100++ USD!!?? What the....
Anyway, back to my question :
1. How do these sites get YOUR phone's codes? I'm sure they are not paying Huawei to get your codes. If not from Huawei, then how are they able to obtain the codes just by having the serial number and IMEI numbers?
2. I hope it's just a matter of time before XDA developers can find out how they do this so that this can be shared with the community so that we can continue unlocking like how we used to do before with other phones.
This is an enthusiast community, not some dumb people who are ready to throw money to some 3rd party hackers to get your codes.
And looking at the latest developments, most of these dubious sites have ceased providing the service....wonder why. Something's fishy here. And prices are shooting up, no doubt, fueled by so many people ready to throw money for them.
I am not a developer but always follow the guides written by excellent deveopers in XDA. It's fun and educational that way. We all have paid for the phones ourselves. Tinkering with our phones is our hobby.
I wish people won't rush to pay and get 3rd party questionable "unlockers" spoil the spirit of XDA.
EDIT : Edited title.
amgreenhawk said:
Recently I came across this issue since I just recently bought this phone. Usually, I will root my phones as soon as I get them, by following the excellent guides in XDA here, but this time, I didn't do much research before getting this phone (Mate 20 X). Aside from this unlocking bootloader issue, I like this phone and I hand-picked this from my list of options because it ticked what I was looking for in my new purchase - big battery, IR and 3.5" audio jack. Plus the latest 7nm 980 Kirin processor is a nice hardware to have. (I had Mi Max 2 before, but had some issues.)
I don't intend to pay any 3rd party and pay prohibitively expensive money to unlock my phone. It's absurd how much they are ripping off the people and on the other hand, I'm surprised how much people are willing to throw money at these dubious sites. Now crossing 100++ USD!!?? What the....
Anyway, back to my question :
1. How do these sites get YOUR phone's codes? I'm sure they are not paying Huawei to get your codes. If not from Huawei, then how are they able to obtain the codes just by having the serial number and IMEI numbers?
2. I hope it's just a matter of time before XDA developers can find out how they do this so that this can be shared with the community so that we can continue unlocking like how we used to do before with other phones.
This is an enthusiast community, not some dumb people who are ready to throw money to some 3rd party hackers to get your codes.
And looking at the latest developments, most of these dubious sites have ceased providing the service....wonder why. Something's fishy here. And prices are shooting up, no doubt, fueled by so many people ready to throw money for them.
I am not a developer but always follow the guides written by excellent deveopers in XDA. It's fun and educational that way. We all have paid for the phones ourselves. Tinkering with our phones is our hobby.
I wish people won't rush to pay and get 3rd party questionable "unlockers" spoil the spirit of XDA.
EDIT : Edited title.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt that anybody can provide unlock code without inside information/certain servers approach. If that hadn't been true, xda would have the code a long time ago.
What raises two issues. The first one is why Huawei changed its policy regarding AL00 bootloader after it was already on the market. Huawei had known all implications of unlocked bootloader a long time ago, that is the reason why it had stopped providing codes for other models recently.
It could be assumed that Huawei lured buyers to went for this model because they believe that it is only with unlocked bootloader and it will stay that way. A lot of buyers had wanted an unlocked bootloader, otherwise, they would have taken the international model which required fairly less customization.
Locking bootloader out of the blue and then enabling trading it through middlemen for huge extra profits is at least unfair to the buyers.
And there could be more. Is it possible that sudden change toward locking bootloader arise from the temptation to control users? That stuff that is basically what US accused Huawei and what makes discomfort even in more countries?
Finally, there is one question for xda, too. Until recently xda was a synonym for a free exchange of knowledge, solutions, software. Basically, almost everything I know about Android, phones, hacking, I've got from xda. And if I have something to share, I do it with gratitude for everything I received and gained from this great community. But I'm not even important, my knowledge is basic. There are many devs with a massive contribution, whole solutions, modifications, entire systems. For free.
It's quite acceptable to make reference to paid solutions or stuff and to recommend it in the forum. As it was always acceptable presenting royalty-free solutions in the forum and offering more customizing one via Google Play or similar portals. Or asking for a donation. But selling pure commercial solutions for ripoff money for something that has been already paid to the phone producer is an entirely different story. It may turn this forum into a commercial portal. If one could gain huge profits for participation only due to his connection with the producer, what is the point to spend hours, days and weeks of hard work just to bring a perfect rom or solution to the community?
Then, perhaps we'd need another forum. For contributors instead of traders.
Bootloader codes can only be provided by Huawei. FunkyHuawei and other "sellers" likely had an inside source that was providing codes at a cost - these people likely lost their jobs which is why there are no codes available from any source. XDA has found ways to load custom recoveries on many devices in the past, but this was never by locating the bootloader unlock code, only by exploiting a security flaw.
Personally, I don't think this issue has anything to do with Huawei wanting to lock down users. (despite what they're telling us) I think they are scared of research firms finding evidence of Huawei stealing hardware/software from other manufacturers. I don't mean this as a dig on Huawei, I think Apple is guilty of this as well. Both guilty in stealing radio hardware design and software from Qualcomm.
Has anyone actually obtained an unlock code in the last few weeks? If so, for which version of Mate 20 X and how much did you pay?
It's simple guys, 2 options:
Either 1. Insider that gets very busy now because if the many requests since OEM unlock is available again in the new updates.. so price goes up.
Or 2. Someone has the algorithm to generate these codes based on IMEI.
Since the price has went up by 4x I think option one is more realistic, however I don't rule out option 2. Perhaps we can fix a bounty for a team that can look into a key generator?
https://theunlockingcompany.com
Seems to be advertising to unlock at 39.99 US. I am hesitant though not only because of the issue developers have with the ethics behind such a service, but becasue I am a bit of a newb. Once I give out my IMEI number, doesn't that put me at risk of ending up with a brick?
s327374 said:
https://theunlockingcompany.com
Seems to be advertising to unlock at 39.99 US. I am hesitant though not only because of the issue developers have with the ethics behind such a service, but becasue I am a bit of a newb. Once I give out my IMEI number, doesn't that put me at risk of ending up with a brick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just bought it I hope to have the code in 12 hours
Kurocham said:
I just bought it I hope to have the code in 12 hours
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait ... I am now advertising for them. I thought the point of this thread was to not pay these companies. Although I am interested to know if your EVR-AL00 gets a code. I will be tempted
s327374 said:
https://theunlockingcompany.com
Seems to be advertising to unlock at 39.99 US. I am hesitant though not only because of the issue developers have with the ethics behind such a service, but becasue I am a bit of a newb. Once I give out my IMEI number, doesn't that put me at risk of ending up with a brick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure this company will give you code to unlock bootloader? Looks like what they do is unlock phone from carrier. For example, you buy a phone from AT&T and you want to use it on Tmobile but you can't because it is carrier locked.
Kurocham said:
I just bought it I hope to have the code in 12 hours
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You realize that this is the unlock code for the simcard Carrier right? That has nothing to do with bootloader unlock...
Kurocham said:
I just bought it I hope to have the code in 12 hours
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mscion said:
Are you sure this company will give you code to unlock bootloader? Looks like what they do is unlock phone from carrier. For example, you buy a phone from AT&T and you want to use it on Tmobile but you can't because it is carrier locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure - I just assumed that this would be for unlocking bootloader.... I guess we will know from Kurocham soon.
ilovepj said:
You realize that this is the unlock code for the simcard Carrier right? That has nothing to do with bootloader unlock...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMFG I DID NOT KNOW!!!!:crying::crying::crying::crying:
Kurocham said:
OMFG I DID NOT KNOW!!!!:crying::crying::crying::crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry bro. I feel your pain. I am sorry for the accidental misdirection.

Categories

Resources