Develop Bugs

[Q] How does one come up with an unlock code for any carrier based on the imei??

Hi all,
I am well aware that this has been asked before, let me start off. I'm also aware that this hasn't been answered yet. I am trying to unlock 2 slides for use on any network but they are not activated so I cannot just call t-mobile for the unlock codes. I would rather not have to pay some website for something that may or may not be successful also, so I am reaching out to the brightest people I know over at XDA because hey, if anyone knows its you guys...
I guess the question is How do these sites, t-mobile, or anyone else for that matter calculate or "come up with" these unlock codes based on the phones IMEI number? There has to be some sort of mathematical equation or more likely, some program which makes this happen. I have asked for unlock codes before for going to Mexico and its always a PITA dealing with customer service reps. these are for sale so i doubt they would be very receptive anyway.
Thanks to everyone in advance.

Well I guess no one here knows or would rather not give out the secret. Honestly, the programs that a lot of those places use to determine the subsidary unlock code more or less just takes a 'guess'. It uses certain criteria to figure out the code, the imei number is most peoples guess but I've seen a program (actually listed on the front page of XDA) that can change the imei number - so I doubt it's that. Why would I say the software just takes a guess? Well...
When you look at the disclaimer on those sites it will say something to the effect that the codes are not guranteed to work, or that there is the "occasional" phone that can't be unlocked by them. There probably is no software, they just have a business contract with carriers to sell the codes so they both make profit off of something that's legally free. Also, call your carrier, they can't unlock every phone they carry - go ahead, ask them if they can. A smart tech will inform you that it's impossible because the manufacturer failed to provide them with the code. If you truly want the unlock code, you have to call the manufacturer, like HTC. Carriers only have to provide you with the subsidary unlock code if they have it, otherwise you're screwed, that law has no standing with the manufacturer.
I will say though, there is an equation used to generate the codes but it could vary model to model or company to company. If you can find a smart enough person with enough time on their hands you would be loved by everyone in the phone world.

Thanks
KCRic said:
Well I guess no one here knows or would rather not give out the secret. Honestly, the programs that a lot of those places use to determine the subsidary unlock code more or less just takes a 'guess'. It uses certain criteria to figure out the code, the imei number is most peoples guess but I've seen a program (actually listed on the front page of XDA) that can change the imei number - so I doubt it's that. Why would I say the software just takes a guess? Well...
When you look at the disclaimer on those sites it will say something to the effect that the codes are not guranteed to work, or that there is the "occasional" phone that can't be unlocked by them. There probably is no software, they just have a business contract with carriers to sell the codes so they both make profit off of something that's legally free. Also, call your carrier, they can't unlock every phone they carry - go ahead, ask them if they can. A smart tech will inform you that it's impossible because the manufacturer failed to provide them with the code. If you truly want the unlock code, you have to call the manufacturer, like HTC. Carriers only have to provide you with the subsidary unlock code if they have it, otherwise you're screwed, that law has no standing with the manufacturer.
I will say though, there is an equation used to generate the codes but it could vary model to model or company to company. If you can find a smart enough person with enough time on their hands you would be loved by everyone in the phone world.
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thank you for that explanation. i figured as much just from years of wanting to unlock my devices and only recently being able to demand it from the carrier. The new law stating that we may unlock and "jailbreak" our devices is a tweakers dream come true but it doesnt help much with unactivgated devices unless you wish to pay for it. I would still like to know how they do it, but rather I would like to meet some body with that free time, general know how and resources to find these unlock codes or even, better yet make a market app available for download for $20 bucks. im sure people would pay it.
How many times have i owed T-mobile money and wanted to slap a cingular chip or even att in there (now the same company)? somebody will simplify this. maybe this thread will get the ball rolling. Either way, inquiring minds need to know.
XDA - I'm calling you out. Who can do this?????

Network Unlock Codes (GSM only)

Note: This is a discounted service We at Brightstar Electronics do not offer any free codes
Our hours of operation is 9am to 7pm EST. Any request that are made after we have closed will be noted and an Email will be sent when we open to request permission to proceed. We will not proceed until there is a confirmation.
Hey guys I'm offering a new network unlock service in my area and felt I should share it with my Xda-developers community. considering the research I've made of other unlock companies I consider myself one of the cheapest.Please know that all codes are based on the individual IMEI number and that each brand has its own price. Our codes are always updated and individually bought from the manufacturing company. The codes will come with a video showing how to enter the codes.
Please be advised that some codes depending on the make and model of the phone might take up to 24 hours. These phones are usually older models so if you just bought your phone no worries, your code will usually be sent within 1-15 minutes if there is any delay I will notify you.
Again this is a service usually offered to my area so I have no website at the moment to directly go to. I will be making one once the demand grows and my company becomes more known for this service.
email me with your make and model, COUNTRY (really important), carrier, and IMEI.
The IMEI number is usually found on the back under the battery. For some phones you can find it in the network information portion of your settings.
[email protected]
Thanks for your support of my new business because this site is where it all began. Thanks xda-developers for all your hard work I hope to return the hard work.
Please be advised that I won't post any codes on this site due to confusion that that code my work for everyone which it won't. Each code is based on the phones IMEI number.
Sent from my Sensation using xda premium

sent
sent an email

How to unlock Samsung Exhilarate i577 for free?

Hi,
Is there any way to network unlock Samsung Exhilarate i577 for free?
I have searched it over the internet and all I can find are the websites offering the paid Unlock code.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks.

Aaman.Chawlaa said:
Hi,
Is there any way to network unlock Samsung Exhilarate i577 for free?
I have searched it over the internet and all I can find are the websites offering the paid Unlock code.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks.
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Click to collapse
Aaman:
As far as I know, the only way to unlock it for free, is to contact AT&T and explain why you need it unlocked. They will unlock it for certain specific reasons. They include (but are not limited to) the following:
1) Corporate user who travels internationally - your phone must be on a corporate account, not personal
2) Private user (personal account) who's contract has expired
3) Private user who travels internationally (even if only occasionally), and has been a long standing customer with AT&T, and is not likely to switch carriers on a whim
4) Military person who is on a personal "military" contract and has a need to travel internationally, even if only occasionally
There is no real reason to unlock your phone unless you are an international traveler. AT&T and other companies do not like to unlock their phones (especially if you are on a contact w/ them) because they are afraid that you'll switch to another carrier with your expensive phone that they gave you at a deep discount by agreeing to stay with them for a minimum of two years.
Also, to unlock the phone, you need to have another company's SIM card to complete the unlock process.
Other than that, you'll need to pay someone (some company) to do it. This usually involves sending your phone in. However, I can not and will not recommend any of them as I don't know anything about those companies. You're on your own if you decide to take that route.
V/R
BlackWolf

So, i'll have to go the hard way of purchasing the code through a website
Thanks for the information.

Aaman.Chawlaa said:
So, i'll have to go the hard way of purchasing the code through a website
Thanks for the information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd still try and see if you can't get AT&T to unlock it - it takes a few days if they agree - they'll send you an e-mail with the unlock code for your phone if they agree.
If not, be aware that some of those sites that promise to "unlock" phones are scam sites.
V/R
BlackWolf

Will buy it from eBay. Thanks.

Sim unlock for T-Mobile SM-P907T Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition?

Hi all,
Bought this tablet off of craigslist a couple months ago after meeting seller at the T-Mobile store and confirming all was good for him to sell, no money owing, not stolen, etc...
I want to now sim unlock it to other carriers. I see ads all over the place for sim unlocking for a fee. They have to be doing it somehow... Thought I'd call T-Mobile to ask them to sim unlock their device. Was given the run-around for an hour, no satisfaction! I tried the chat and the idiot T-Mobile rep gave same run-around stories.
I've searched high and low for something that can sim unlock this tablet. I've found nothing yet. The T-Mobile sim unlocking app wouldn't install, incompatible. Hell, we can root these tablets all day long and I have other phones I've rooted no problem, but I see nothing yet for a sim unlock. Is this some black art or something?? To give some props here or an example, I bought an AT&T Galaxy S off craigslist. Got to the AT&T web page to request sim unlock. Filled out the form. A day and a half later, sim unlock code sent. Put T-Mobile sim in, it asked for code, entered code, watch now sim unlocked!
So, if anyone can help point me in the right direction for more info, appreciate you!

I´m afraid you´ll have to pay for the unlock. T-Mobile won´t unlock it as you don´t meet requirements (not subscriber, to begin with) , and you won´t get it for free. At&t gave you the code, but that doesn´t mean all carriers would do the same. People that sell codes get them from employees, not from their website. Some options:
- Search for a repair shop that make unlocks, but keep in mind that unlocking a phone without carrier´s consent can be considered illegal, according to DMCA [read this]. Repair shops that have modern tools for that kind of job would take 20 - 40 minutes to unlock it.
- Order code from reliable source. Paying by paypal is not securing transaction in this case, as it´s qualified as 'service', not goods, so they don´t have buyer protection program.

Amazon Fire Phone, I require assistance Unlocking the SIM Card from AT&T.

TL DR: I'm searching for a free IMEI unlock code site or tool.
I recently purchased an Amazon Fire Phone in the U.S. from a third party (ebay-us). The seller was not sure if the phone was locked or not but in the description it did highlight AT&T.
When I received the phone, I found it locked to AT&T as there is an AT&T Sim Card in the device.
First, I attempted to use the AT&T device unlock website: new user prevented from posting outside links in their messages
Two days later, I received an email stating: We weren't able to process your request because the device is no longer supported by the manufacturer and we couldn't obtain an unlock code.
So, I called them, and they directed me to Amazon.
Second, I attempted to contact Amazon. Here is that response.
I'm sorry, but I'm unable to unlock your Fire phone.
If you currently own a Fire phone that was purchased with an AT&T two-year contract or Next plan, your phone may be eligible to be unlocked based on AT&T's unlock policies. For more information about AT&T’s unlock policies, I encourage you to check with AT&T at 1-800-331-0500, or visit their website at: [new user prevented from posting outside links in their messages]
If your device was purchased from a retailer other than Amazon, please confirm to the retailer if the device was purchased originally from Amazon.com by getting the Amazon.com Order ID.
You can reach Fire Phone Support directly and toll free from many countries by clicking the Contact Us option on our support pages: [new user prevented from posting outside links in their messages]
Contacting us through the website allows you to verify security before a call is placed and ensures we have your account information ready when we call you. If you need help with your Fire phone, please make sure you have it with you when you contact us, along with your power adapter and any additional accessories. If you wish to return the device, you'll need to return the item directly to that retailer. Amazon cannot directly accept the return of Firephone devices or accessories purchased from other retailers. Please contact the retailer from which you bought your item for more information about their return policy.
Thanks for your interest in Fire phone.
I attempted to contact the retail seller and ask them for an original Amazon Order ID. As you can imagine, that led no where. But, it does seem that if I was able to acquire an Amazon Order ID (on a receipt or email of original purchase) this would resolve it and I'd be able to acquire an unlock code.
Third, I called AT&T and was informed that since this phone was never registered with an AT&T contract (it has no phone # tethered to the phone firmware) that they were unable to unlock the phone. As I conversed with the Support Rep, I discovered this is not a matter of impossibility, but rather a matter of AT&T Policy. They could simply send me an unlock code, but per their procedures, were unable to assist me as I couldn't me their criteria. I was again redirected to Amazon.
Fourth, I called Amazon, and discussed this with a Support Rep. I was again informed that I needed to Contact AT&T to retrieve an unlock code. As I conversed with this Amazon Support Rep. I, again, discovered that it was not impossible to unlock the phone. In a situation, where I could bribe him with money, he could theoretically send me an unlock code. He clarified and told me it was a matter of policy and that he couldn't give me an unlock code as a matter of policy.
He suggested that I could take the phone to a retail mobile shop and they might offer an unlock service. This means, that it is not entirely restricted to AT&T and Amazon, as both have simply redirected me to the other. However, I'm unable to find any unlocking suggestions on xda. But, if retail is capable of unlocking it, then, it seems there should be something somewhere on the internet that provides these tools or solutions.
What can I say. I didn't attempt to bribe the fellow as their calls are recorded. But, I left him with the suggestion that he has my email address and that I look forward to those details on third parties which can unlock the sim card for me. We'll see if that works. But, boy, has this locked sim become a burden. Does anyone reading this have a link to Amazon Fire Phone Unlocking SIM Cards Eazy Guides? Or, Tools? I have gone through this, but it wasn't very helpful to my situation. [new user prevented from posting outside links in their messages]
If anyone knows of alternative methods of unlocking the sim card, I'm all ears. I may end up simply returning the phone and requesting a refund. But, I'd prefer to find a solution which actually unlocks it instead. I need help finding a PUK Code for my phone.

My first Amazon phone I bought over a year ago and was able to to get unlocked by ATT no issues. Recently, I bought second ATT amazon phone that was never used, at a local computer store and went through same exact experience that you went through. They stopped supporting or unlocking the phone at Amazon and ATT. I even paid third-party on eBay for unlock code but they just refunded me after three days saying that they were unable to get an unlock code. I wasted a lot of time with that phone, and in the end I just sold it luckily for the same price I bought it for. I was able find unlocked, brand new on eBay for $88. Funny, after I bought on eBay, someone was selling one like new unlocked on craigslist for $40, so I bought that too lol.
I would suggest sell it, save your time and effort and just buy unlocked on eBay, as they are so cheap. Be careful who you buy from on eBay, make sure they explicitly state that it is unlocked. Due to the age of model, also try buy a new one because a used one most likely will have old used up battery in it. The seller I bought from sold me a brand new phone that was still wrapped in plastic, came with box and the original headphones. I think seller was bid4best, can search them on eBay. Good luck.