Understanding how network/sim lock works need help - Desire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting
Hello,
I just bought a new desire from an auction site like ebay, seller saying it is locked to Vodafone; I bought it since I have a sim card from Vodafone Romania and assumed stupidly that will work.
The phone seems to be from Vodafone Malta. I am saying this since there is a desktop shortcut on the phone desktop leading to the Vodafone website in Malta.
I called Vodafone in Romania and they provided the PUK code for my SIM card, but it didnt do the trick.
I got a code from one of the sites mentioned by many and it didnt work.
Then I went ahead and rooted the phone...got the gold card created, etc etc and in the end installed a new ROM (version 3.1 from MoDaCo). Even now the phone is still locked, hence I believe is something that I do not understand in terms of how phones can be locked by various operators.
Would really appreciate if somebody can help me understand how is this working?
As options, should I use a different baseband then, etc? I am a bit lost since I thought that if I am flashing the phone and install a new "neverlocked" ROM version then it will be fine. Or maybe try to flash the Vodafone UK original RUU file and then try again with the IMEI based codes as it seems like there are people getting unlocked for Vodafone in UK?
My current system looks like this:
- firmware: 2.1-update1
- baseband: 32.36.0028U_4.06.00.02_2
- kernel: 2.6.29-bravo-mck-r1
- build: 1.21.MCR.2
- software: MoDaCo custom ROM r3.1
Any clue on what is triggering the network/sim lock out of those elements? or nothing to do with this approach? What is the "part" of my phone that needs to unlock the sim card and connect to the network (maybe I can change that so it is able to connect to Vodafone Romania at least)
Thanks!
As far as I am aware the Network lock is independent of the firmware and as such this will have no effect on the lock status. The only way to unlock phones is with either the official code or a vulnerability in the firmware (as discovered in the iphone).
I have unlocked a load of iphones but when it came to the old motorola v50 I had to pay £5 to http://www.fonefunshop.co.uk/ for the code. I can only say that their codes worked for me and that there are many scam sites out there when it comes to unlocking, so maybe the first ones you tried for a code were not genuine.
Hope this helps
James
What happen though if one doesnt know what is the network that the phone is locked to? I was let's say lucky to assume that it is Vodafone Malta as there was this link on the phone's desktop.
Actually my question is more around how to unlock the phone with little or no dependency on the network where the phone is locked.
I red some articles that in some cases there is a big play for the baseband as this can "dictate" the way the phone is connecting to the network, however I am just starting to look into that and it might take some time, hence more opinions are very much welcomed.
Thanks!
If I was you I would try flashing the roms as posted earlier but if you can wait then I would email HTC with the IMEI and ask who it is locked too.
Thanks so much for the suggestion with contacting HTC for telling me where is it locked...not sure if they would know this based on the IMEI, but will give it a try for sure. The thing is that I already flashed the ROM and it is still locked, or maybe I missed your point on flashing the ROMs.
No I think you are right that the flashing wont help with a lock problem but HTC Should know who they locked their phones too. I could be wrong but I think HTC do all the programming pre shipment. If anyone knows different I am happy to be corrected?
Coming back with HTC's reply to my question about where is the phone locked (provided my IMEI)
Here is the answer:
"Dear Mr.Popescu, Thank you for contacting HTC. Kindly note that your device is not SIM locked and is not network branded. Your device is manufactured for Czech Republic and is HTC branded. S/N:HT05XPL08419 IMEI:xxxxxxxx. If you have any other inquiries, don’t hesitate to contact us again."
Funny part is that my phone looks to be branded by Vodafone Malta (just the soft not something on the case) as I mentioned about the Voda link leading to Malta's website and they mentioned that the phone left HTC without a lock and to the Czech Republic.
Anybody heard about gsm operators that are locking the phones themselves in HTC's case? If they know how to lock them, maybe someone knows how they do that and becomes easier to unlock?
Thanks for the help,
Sorin.
The IMEI could be blacklisted. You can check at this site: http://www.amta.org.au/pages/amta/Check.the.Status.of.your.Handset
Dunno how to see the IMEI on HTC phones though.. does anyone know?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Tried that link and the message is that there is no lock (reported by somebody so that the carrier goes ahead and blocks the IMEI)
Hi again mate. I am impressed HTC answered so promptly thats great news they gave too. Just so we can all be clear on the type of lock you are experiencing can you tell us or better still photograph the screen and show / tell us the lock wording. Word for word mate including all punctuation if not posting photo.
Hey, here is the sequence:
The following happens when I turn on the phone with my Vodafone Romania sim card in it:
- I am requested for the PIN code, I enter that and then move on as the PIN is accepted
- Message saying "Unlocking SIM card...", takes about 1-2 seconds
- Message on the screen: "Network locked"
- I "drag" on the screen and get to enter the code
- Keyboard is up now and message changed into "SIM Network unlock PIN"
That's all, then the code that I got from gsmliberty.net, providing my IMEI and the fact that the phone is locked to Vodafone in Malta, is not working hence here I am on the forum
found this for you mate
http://androidforums.com/all-things-root-hero/119257-huge-problem-sim-network-unlock-pin.html
I know it mentions orange but perhaps its the same problem
Will definitely try to reflash with different baseband versions just to see what happens; however dont think that it will do the trick as I was reading in multiple places about the radio problem specific to Orange phones only. Of course you never know, problem is that I cant try it now as I am travelling and dont have the required info with me, but will do that over the weekend when I am back home.
Anyways, thanks a ton for the suggestions and everything, still open for more though
Hi, new info on the situation.
Came back home and flashed various older radio versions going down as much as 32.26.00.24U_4.04.00.03_2.
Same problem with the network being locked and the IMEI based code that I got not working either.
I also got in touch with Vodafone Malta asking if they can provide some help. The answer back was that they are willing to unlock the network for 50 EUR. However, even though I said yes to it, they dont want to tell me what is the procedure; they just mentioned that I should give my credit card details by e-mail and then they will tell me how to do it. I double checked about not going to some service location or sending the phone over, etc and they said that it is not the case, bu then again I am not ok to send over my cc details just like that and asked for an account where I could send the money; they replied that they will come back with that.
Well, this paragraph is just for your fun regarding the way Vodafone Malta is considering this option...cc details over e-mail...these guys are joking
Anyways, back to the issue at hand, any other suggestions about getting past the network lock if the operator changed the "normal" codes available on IMEI based providers across the web? How to override this?
Thanks!
Hi, back to square 1. After providing the IMEI to Vodafone Malta to get my phone unlocked, they replied back that the phone is not locked by them; so the whole thing with having the Vodafone Malta link on the desktop didnt mean a thing apparently.
I continued on the path laid out by HTC directly (they said that they shipped the phone to the Czech Rep.). I have a friend that has a Vodafone Czech sim card and tried it now, but it doesnt work either, so the phone is not locked under Vodafone Czech Rep either.
Any suggestion on how to proceed? Now I am very lost as I dont even know where the bloody phone is locked, as in under what network...
Thanks!
I have the same problem
i bought my phone at Montenegro T-Mobile,
asked the HTC for information about the phone giving them IMEI
the answer was exactly as yours
Tried to flash, downgrade, still have "SIM network unlock PIN"
Any suggestions
Haven't you tried asking the seller wich Vodafone is locked to?
Android on HTC Pro 2
Hi all,
i buy a htc touch pro 2 from USA var. T-Mobile.I install android on it and everything work's great until :
1.without sim on it, when I try to connect on my wireless network the phone close.When I start it "Gen.Y DualBOOT" not work.I reinstal "Gen.Y DualBOOT" same problem.Can tell me somebody what is the problem?
2.with card on it doesn't recognize the pin number and say's "sim card is locked".What can be?
Now I am in a romanian network (cosmote).
Thank you!
ok popepope, but why you insist on malta and on vodafone?????
your device mabe have a costum rom installed before you buy it. and from there you see vodafone link and malta, but like htc said that phone it's locked in czek, but it's not nedeed to be on vodafone. can be other network...
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Unlocking HTC desire, Vodafone Hungary
Hi I would like to get a little help to unlock my phone. I tried to get an unlock code but it did not work. I have now a custom rom and my phone is rooted. I read that for UK people the rom change helped to get the code accepted. Should I try more roms or radio update? Should I put somehow an unbranded ROM? I think trying to buy more codes are useless but maybe some compony has the right one... My IMEI starts with 3578410 I sow on some unlock pages that for these phone I have to pay more due to being in the newest database. (htcgate) I got from htccode the info that in this kind of situations the provider lock back the phone. They promise a cable solution from december... I guess they can do it because there is something in their rom, that's why I wanted to replace it... I had no succes so far. Thanks
jamal83 said: Hi I would like to get a little help to unlock my phone. I tried to get an unlock code but it did not work. I have now a custom rom and my phone is rooted. I read that for UK people the rom change helped to get the code accepted. Should I try more roms or radio update? Should I put somehow an unbranded ROM? I think trying to buy more codes are useless but maybe some compony has the right one... My IMEI starts with 3578410 I sow on some unlock pages that for these phone I have to pay more due to being in the newest database. (htcgate) I got from htccode the info that in this kind of situations the provider lock back the phone. They promise a cable solution from december... I guess they can do it because there is something in their rom, that's why I wanted to replace it... I had no succes so far. Thanks Click to expand... Click to collapse Hi, I’ve got a Hungarian Telenor HTC Desire phone. My problem is like yours. I bought an unlock code but does not work. If you have a good, replace with you. lacika888 +36209350733
wow I have the same starting IMEI... I have a Desire in Denmark locked to 3. If you find out something, let me know please in a personal message! Thanx
[Q] Can you help me unlocking to have HOX working on another provider / operator ?
Hello, I bought a second hand HOX last week. It was sold to me as unlocked from operator SFR (Vodaphone France, or CID VODAP203). I bought an unlocking code from an internet shop, tried it, didn't work... I went into a shop specialized in unlocking phones they could not make it provider free... So I went on to this forum. Plenty of nice things, and as I already rooted an Android tablet from TOSHIBA (FOLIO100), I tried a few things. It appears that my phone is rooted. When I boot in bootloader it says "UNLOCKED", and it is also S-OFF!!! I am able to change the CID as much as I want, and I have set it to "11111111". As such I was told on a french forum that any SIM Card from any provider should work, but it doesn't... I have been able to install Jelly Bean from one of the ROM developpers, thinking (and this is where I am a noob) that I will clear the part of the system that tells it is locked to one provider... Of course it didn't do anything more, or different than telling me it doesn't work on any provider. I went back to stock from Vodaphone France, and came to you in order to get some instructions or link to have on working on another network than the vodaphone one... Thanks in advance for your help, Alain
First off, it's great you have an S-OFF handset. You are lucky about that.:good: On the other hand, unlocking bootloader doesn't have anything to do with SIM locks. So, whatever you did (as you experienced it yourself) doesn't work. I suggest you search over here, because I know for sure there is a way to unlock SIM lock on HOX. I didn't have to do it, as mine was already unlocked (or SIM free, I can't tell now). Don't worry, you'll find the way, just be patient. A bientot!
Yeah everyone told me it was great to have it S-OFF, although I don't know what it can do for me... I guess this would be great for developpers ? I hope I won't have to go through several unlock code providers...
S-OFF is giving you advantage in being able to flash any ROM, any RUU, any HBOOT, any radio... Good not only for developers. Back to topic - I suggest you visit some mobile phone service, and pay ONLY after they finish the work. I guess there are whole lot of frauds online,, that would take you money for the "unlock code", and not care if it doesn't work. I repeat, be patient, and keep searching. Here's what I found (you can do the same search yourself): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1654075 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25341694&postcount=71
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Hi my phone was branded by orange and obviously had a simlock what did with my hox and many others before is:root the phone ,get recovery,then flash custom rom and all that branded garbage with simlock is gone.I've done it before with galaxy S,S2,now with my hox. Don't never ever buy any codes online.
budensik said: Hi my phone was branded by orange and obviously had a simlock what did with my hox and many others before is:root the phone ,get recovery,then flash custom rom and all that branded garbage with simlock is gone.I've done it before with galaxy S,S2,now with my hox. Don't never ever buy any codes online. Click to expand... Click to collapse Hello, I already did that, (root, flash customer ROM), but simlock is still here... only thing I didn't change is recovery, but it is 5.8.xxx (aka I think it is the latest). Can you guide me rapidly in return ? Al1
SIM unlock is totally separate from rooting.
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