Develop Bugs

A technical question about branded phones

I have a question for all you technical types out there. I have to admit that my knowledge about these things is pretty limited.
I tried to order a HTC Desire as part of a contract upgrade and it seems that I have hit a road block when it comes to getting a unbranded phone. I can get one relatively quick and easy if it is branded (i.e. T-Mobile or Vodafone) and my netprovider is neither.
My question is: does it make a difference (branded or un-branded)? Or using a branded phone with a different Sim card?
Orr is it possible or necessary to change the Rom to unbranded?
I would really appreciate whatever advice I could get.
Thanks.

Shouldn't make a difference. Either way you can simply flash the unbranded Rom using a goldcard.
-------------------------------------
Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App

Hi Cedeel, what is a Goldcard???? Like I said, I know almost nothing about these things.
Thanks for having patience with me.

You could do a simple search. Basically, it will allow you to flash any signed Rom for your device.
-------------------------------------
Sent from my HTC Magic running Smoki

Not sure about in Germany but here in the UK Vodafone leave their phones unbranded (inside and out) - mine certainly is. All you really need to do is get the phone unlocked to use another netwrk's sim in it.

GrenW said:
Not sure about in Germany but here in the UK Vodafone leave their phones unbranded (inside and out) - mine certainly is. All you really need to do is get the phone unlocked to use another netwrk's sim in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
vodafone UK no longer SIM lock their phones. This has been the case for the last year or 2.

GrenW said:
Not sure about in Germany but here in the UK Vodafone leave their phones unbranded (inside and out) - mine certainly is. All you really need to do is get the phone unlocked to use another netwrk's sim in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do, however, have a different vendor ID than the generic WWE ROM so you have to wait for VF to approve it

My first post, but I've been lurking for a while. After some quick advice if possible, can anybody confirm if my Desire is unbranded or not. Got it from Vodafone but put my mate's SIM (O2) in it the other day and it worked fine, so thought it was unbranded. Finally decided to go down the Custom ROM route, so thought I'd just double check, stumbled across this
"Go to Settings>About Phone>Software version and see what the FW version is - branded is x.xx.161.x, unbranded is x.xx.405.x"
whilst searching, so had a quick check of firmware version and it is 1.19.161.5, so seems to be a branded phone. Is this correct? If it is, then I'll just create a goldcard. Any advice would be much appreciated.

GrenW said:
Not sure about in Germany but here in the UK Vodafone leave their phones unbranded (inside and out) - mine certainly is. All you really need to do is get the phone unlocked to use another netwrk's sim in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In NL T-Mobile doesn't sell branded Desires. I'm not sure about Germany too.
However, I do know that some phones with another provider get their software updates much later.

I also wonder if you have a Carphone Warehouse or Phone House near you. I know they exist in Germany and if it's like the UK stores they sell all their phones unlocked on or off contract and you get similar if not better deals to the networks.

Operator Desire VS proper SIM free Desire

Is there any advantage to getting a desire thats been nowhere near o2/Voda/3/Orange/T-Mobile ?

The proper sim free Desire will not have any network branding or apps installed and it will be first in line for any updates released by HTC. Plus, you won't have to run the risk of debranding the phone and losing its warranty
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

YES!
Orange have mutilated the Desire, ****ed around with the apps, broken the browser, and muddled up the voicemail - it's a car crash.
T-Mo have been kinder, but they decided to volume limit the damned thing, which is hugely annoying when your favourite tune come on.
I don't know what Voda, O2 or 3 have done to theirs.
However, you can always debrand a carrier-subsidised phone by flashing the ROM, it's an easy procedure (search - there are loads of guides) but it might void your warranty. If the operator's ROM is available in the wild then you might be able to reflash it before sending it off for repair, but you cannot flash an older bootloader over a newer one which might put you in a pickle in 18 months time if your debranded phone's been updated a few times OTA and only old operator ROMs are available.
Therefore, your best bet is to get it unbranded, you could eithe pay £380 full whack for it or get it from Carphone Warehouse or online and get the benefit of the subsidy as well.
It's an amazing phone, man, AMAZING!

£380
where ??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just whack "htc desire" into Google shopping. Saw it on Amazon for £390 or so earlier today.

I think play.com are doing it for 389 now.

me thinks cpw will be 399.99 richer tomorrow
and I will be 130 poorer (sold my iphone 3gs for 270 today)
are the cpw ones proper sim free's?

cirian75 said:
me thinks cpw will be 399.99 richer tomorrow
and I will be 130 poorer (sold my iphone 3gs for 270 today)
are the cpw ones proper sim free's?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine was, best phone I've ever owned...
And to mirror what others are saying - ALWAYS get SIM-free phones if you can

me thinks it's a plan
Nexus Ones a silly money sim free.

cirian75 said:
me thinks it's a plan
Nexus Ones a silly money sim free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'd be first to get 'proper' FroYo but I don't like the trackball - one more thing to possibly break and if anything like my missus BlackBerry it'll stop working within a couple of months!

EddyOS, your local to me lol
also, I had a blackberry 8800
went through 5 trackballs in a year, but £10 for a bag 5, meh, wasn't fussed
Then they integrated in on the 1st Bold
I just hope the desire gets ginger bread.

cirian75 said:
£380
where ??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
!£350 at 3 unlocked unbranded
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Generic HTC Desire on Vodafone in the uk
I cant see any way my desire is locked, or modified by Vodafone - i used to avoid them in the past as Id seen the mess they made of some handsets, but to the best of my knowledge the one I got from them 6 weeks ago is completely standard.
I know it's not locked to any networks, already tried a few different sims in and it works fine, and nothing in the Software Info suggests locking or customisation.
If you need a contract of some sorts it seems a good plan, its a free phone and my contract works out at about £400 over the 18 months anyway, not to mention all the data text and calls i get in the deal
S

mancuk29 said:
!£350 at 3 unlocked unbranded
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah 3 has it for that price but not many will offer it as they get less commission if they sell on payg but who knows you might get lucky.. oh apparently they need you to buy a £10 top up now so total is £360

steveapp said:
I cant see any way my desire is locked, or modified by Vodafone - i used to avoid them in the past as Id seen the mess they made of some handsets, but to the best of my knowledge the one I got from them 6 weeks ago is completely standard.
I know it's not locked to any networks, already tried a few different sims in and it works fine, and nothing in the Software Info suggests locking or customisation.
If you need a contract of some sorts it seems a good plan, its a free phone and my contract works out at about £400 over the 18 months anyway, not to mention all the data text and calls i get in the deal
S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check your FW version in Settings>About phone>Software version
if you've got x.xx.161.x then it's a Vodafone branded handset, if it's x.xx.405.x then it's a SIM-free handset

just rang 3 "3" stores
nope on the sim free version

£389.99 on Play.com
http://www.play.com/Mobiles/Mobile/...?_$ja=tsid:11518|cc:|prd:13665745|cat:Mobile+

Guess I was lucky with my Three handset.
I took one out on a contract and got a totally unlocked and unbranded handset.
Apparantly it was because they were having problems getting three branded handsets so all the shops were send unlocked/unbranded ones to help with the demand!
Cool eh!
Phil

I have it right now in my hand
£399.95 sim free from CPW
setting it up.

EddyOS said:
Check your FW version in Settings>About phone>Software version
if you've got x.xx.161.x then it's a Vodafone branded handset, if it's x.xx.405.x then it's a SIM-free handset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is interesting that Vodafone (UK) are not branding the Desire - their unlocked policy is well known.
When I compare a Vodafone handset to my unbranded (bought that way) Desire, the Vodafone handset has even less 'bloat-ware'!!!
As commented elsewhere, I will get any Firmware upgrades first - but I don't understand Vodafone's logic: -
No branding.
Unlocked.
So why not just hand out default unbranded HTC phones, if you're not going to control the experience...??
MMB.

x10 Mini unlock needed??

Hey there.
I just recently been given a x10 mini. I would like to use it on O2 Uk.
Thing is I'm not too sure if the phone is unlocked or needs to be unlocked.
I've never used or owned an android phone before.
I can insert any sim card into the phone, the phone boots up, picks up a reception.
But when I try to make any calls I get an error message. 'Call Ended'.
Also I do not know what network the phone was on before.
There is no icons in the phone menu like O2, or Orange, vodaphone etc.
Can any give me some info or point me in the right direction.
Thanks in advanced.
Merry Xmas!

Sheepy_Daz said:
Hey there.
I just recently been given a x10 mini. I would like to use it on O2 Uk.
Thing is I'm not too sure if the phone is unlocked or needs to be unlocked.
I've never used or owned an android phone before.
I can insert any sim card into the phone, the phone boots up, picks up a reception.
But when I try to make any calls I get an error message. 'Call Ended'.
Also I do not know what network the phone was on before.
There is no icons in the phone menu like O2, or Orange, vodaphone etc.
Can any give me some info or point me in the right direction.
Thanks in advanced.
Merry Xmas!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IS likely the handset is blocked. I had a similar issue when I bought one from ebay. Again since it accept all sim is likely unlocked already so u need to contact who sold u the x10 to get back to the network operator. If is a stolen phone then obviously it is illegal for u to own it.

It is likely that the phone is blacklisted... There is 1 way out of this
(reconmended) Ring up the O2 Show them a proof of purchase via email and ask them very polielty to unblock the IMEI
Hope that helped
Mod Edit:Your first choice was Ironic and un-funny.

[FIXED] No GSM? I thought I unlocked it!

Hey everybody, I´ve been having more problems than anticipated with my Dinc2. Basically what happened was this:
I had a phone that I bought new, unlocked, and used on the GSM network this past summer while abroad. (Verizon). However, I had dropped it to the point where the audio jack ceased to work and thus had to take it back in November for a replacement under the Best Buy warranty.
Now, in November I jailbroke the phone again, and I still have the code that I used to do it. Or at least I think I did it successfully, because I never checked with a real SIM card. After (possibly) getting rid of the SIM lock, I rooted, got S-off and flashed the radio following the instructions here, which had been working great for the past few months in the US (CDMA). Now I´m running MIUI on Android 2.3.5 and the baseband version is 20.27W.30.0811U_1.09.01.0622 and a kernel of 2.6.35.14.
Now I´m abroad again, working in Spain for the next several months. My first issue occured when I arrived and tried to use an SD card. Guess what! It would appear there´s a sim card lock. It doesn´t recognize sim cards when they are inserted, nor does the unlock code I got back in November unlock the phone.
It gets better.
The phone doesn´t show an IMEI number, nor is there an IMEI number on the sticker on the back of the phone-just a Serial Number and an MEID. Also, since it was a replacement phone under warranty it was probably a refurb, and I don´t have any other packaging on which the IMEI could appear. As a result I have no friggin´ clue how to get the lock off and allow me to use the 3g network as before.
Should I try flashing the stock rom and radio, or just the stock RUU, and see if I can get the unlock code to work?
Or is it hopeless and in that case should I give up and buy a ****ty candy bar phone?
Thanks in advance!

authorama said:
Hey everybody, I´ve been having more problems than anticipated with my Dinc2. Basically what happened was this:
I had a phone that I bought new, unlocked, and used on the GSM network this past summer while abroad. (Verizon). However, I had dropped it to the point where the audio jack ceased to work and thus had to take it back in November for a replacement under the Best Buy warranty.
Now, in November I jailbroke the phone again, and I still have the code that I used to do it. Or at least I think I did it successfully, because I never checked with a real SIM card. After (possibly) getting rid of the SIM lock, I rooted, got S-off and flashed the radio following the instructions here, which had been working great for the past few months in the US (CDMA). Now I´m running MIUI on Android 2.3.5 and the baseband version is 20.27W.30.0811U_1.09.01.0622 and a kernel of 2.6.35.14.
Now I´m abroad again, working in Spain for the next several months. My first issue occured when I arrived and tried to use an SD card. Guess what! It would appear there´s a sim card lock. It doesn´t recognize sim cards when they are inserted, nor does the unlock code I got back in November unlock the phone.
It gets better.
The phone doesn´t show an IMEI number, nor is there an IMEI number on the sticker on the back of the phone-just a Serial Number and an MEID. Also, since it was a replacement phone under warranty it was probably a refurb, and I don´t have any other packaging on which the IMEI could appear. As a result I have no friggin´ clue how to get the lock off and allow me to use the 3g network as before.
Should I try flashing the stock rom and radio, or just the stock RUU, and see if I can get the unlock code to work?
Or is it hopeless and in that case should I give up and buy a ****ty candy bar phone?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a similar scenario while I went to NZ. I thought I unlocked my phone prior to leaving, but didn't. I called verizon tech support and got a new code, plugged into the settings and then I was able to insert the prepaid SIM I bought. Here is the non 1-800 number for you to call (I had to get my brother-in-law to call them and get a non 1800 number because it is not listed on their website): 1-908-559-4899.
Try that and hopefully they can get you a new code to use. Good luck.

brymaster5000 said:
I had a similar scenario while I went to NZ. I thought I unlocked my phone prior to leaving, but didn't. I called verizon tech support and got a new code, plugged into the settings and then I was able to insert the prepaid SIM I bought. Here is the non 1-800 number for you to call (I had to get my brother-in-law to call them and get a non 1800 number because it is not listed on their website): 1-908-559-4899.
Try that and hopefully they can get you a new code to use. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just talked to Tech support today and got an unlock code... it´s not working however. I´ve put in a card, and it doesn´t show up. When I go to the SIM Lock under Options>Security, it says the code I enter is incorrect. Also, the phone shows no signal. Could it be that I just flashed a bad radio that supported CDMA and not GSM? Or is it something with MIUI? I was pretty certain that both the radio and the ROM were fine for GSM networks...

Re: [Q] No GSM? I thought I unlocked it!
authorama said:
I just talked to Tech support today and got an unlock code... it´s not working however. I´ve put in a card, and it doesn´t show up. When I go to the SIM Lock under Options>Security, it says the code I enter is incorrect. Also, the phone shows no signal. Could it be that I just flashed a bad radio that supported CDMA and not GSM? Or is it something with MIUI? I was pretty certain that both the radio and the ROM were fine for GSM networks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try bonestock. That's what I ran.
Sent from my ViperDinc

brymaster5000 said:
Try bonestock. That's what I ran.
Sent from my ViperDinc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got that to work. Thank you! I later installed CM7 to try it out and surprisingly enough that didn´t work.
AOKP did for me-although they are both confirmed to be working with GSM? Anyway, I realized I never flashed gapps with the AOKP, so I tried to flash with the latest version (no coffee, late night) and ended up tweaking the install. Anyway, I re-flashed and I have to say that this setup (AOKP with Nova) is the slickest setup I´ve ever used! It´s been an intense couple days flashing ROM´s, reading about all the stuff that kept popping up, but then end result is so worth it!
Anyway, I´m off to go caress my telephone...oh yes.

authorama said:
I got that to work. Thank you! I later installed CM7 to try it out and surprisingly enough that didn´t work.
AOKP did for me-although they are both confirmed to be working with GSM? Anyway, I realized I never flashed gapps with the AOKP, so I tried to flash with the latest version (no coffee, late night) and ended up tweaking the install. Anyway, I re-flashed and I have to say that this setup (AOKP with Nova) is the slickest setup I´ve ever used! It´s been an intense couple days flashing ROM´s, reading about all the stuff that kept popping up, but then end result is so worth it!
Anyway, I´m off to go caress my telephone...oh yes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. Glad to help.
Sent from my ADR6350 using xda app-developers app

HTC 10 crashing : What should I do ?

Hello,
I'm here for advice regarding my problem with my HTC 10 (PERFUME, CID HTC__034) and with the support behavior.
~2 months with the Oreo update, my phone started crashing (around March) and I contacted HTC support (I live in France).
Tests conducted at HTC request (before/between/after product returns):
Secure mode
Reset
Reset with only stock applications usage (only updates, no installation)
Change the SIM card
Phone without a SIM card/SD card
Product returns and what was done :
Simple reset
Battery changed
Motherboard swapped
Simple reset
Now I have the felling HTC support is trying to get rid of me because they're asking me to test my phone with another carrier SIM card to see if it crashes. Their claims to support that :
My phone was intented for the German market (phone was sold and sent by Amazon.fr but I supposed they used the German inventory to provide me one)
My carrier and SIM card are french
The software is designed to fully support German SIM card because it was intended for the German market
The way I see it :
Keep going with the HTC support and try not to hang myself
Downgrade to Nougat and if it doesn't work, buy a new phone...
Ditch the phone, buy a new one and try to forget about it
Any advice ?
Thanks !
PS : I already contacted Amazon today but it's past my 2 years warranty so it's too late. Next time i'll remember to contact the seller first, and then, my phone manufacturer.
PPS : My case with the HTC support is 4 months old now. It started when I was still under warranty (May 2018) but it's not the case anymore.

HaveYouSeenMyBrain said:
Hello,
I'm here for advice regarding my problem with my HTC 10 and with the support behavior.
I know that complaining about HTC 10, the support... is prohibited and I'm not here for this (i'll just state facts).
Some background information about my phone:
Model : HTC 10 (PERFUME)
Serial Number : HIDE ME
CID : HTC__034
Bought from Amazon.fr (sold and sent by Amazon)
Carrier : Sosh since I bought my phone
SIM card : I think the first one was produced around December 2016 and the second one has been produced in March 2018 (changed at HTC request)
So here we go : I bought my phone in June 2016 from Amazon.fr. Since the beginning, my carrier is Sosh. My phone has always worked great until the Oreo update (but I'm not sure if it's totally unrelated or the cause of my crashes). Around March the 20th, my phone started crashing. The crash is simple : the screen freezes on whatever is displayed and then black screen and reboot (HTC Logo, scheme required at reboot and the UDove notification). UDove is not really helpful because it only mentions a "System crash" with an empty log file. The bug seems completely random : it can happen twice in a day or once in 3 days, plus no specific application usage, can reboot when not used (in my pocket or on my desk)... I've contacted the HTC support at the beginning of April and my case is still opened. Problem : we have tried many things and I have the feeling that, now, HTC support is trying to get rid of me by giving my random tests.
Product returns and what was done :
Simple reset
Battery changed
Motherboard swapped
Simple reset
Tests conducted at HTC request (before/between/after product returns):
Secure mode
Reset
Reset with only stock applications usage (only updates, no installation)
Change the SIM card
Phone without a SIM card/SD card
The last test is tricky and the root of this feeling that HTC support just wants to get rid of me. They asked me to have the phone powered on without a SIM card or a SD card. I did what they asked and left the phone home (connected to my Wi-Fi) for 10 days. I informed them it did not crash and inserted the SIM card (without any application) to pursue the test. Few days after, it crashed again. This the reason why HTC asked me to change my SIM, which I did. Problem : I installed the new SIM yesterday and my phone crashed today. I called the HTC support and their answer was... another test. Here is their logic : my phone was intended to be sold in Germany (yes, Amazon.fr sent me a phone intended for the German market) so it normally supports the German SIM cards. Because my carrier, and thus my SIM card, is french, they cannot guarantee the proper functioning of my phone. From the support point of view :
My phone was intented for the German market
My carrier and SIM card are french
We renewed the SIM
The phone received and started to crash
The phone did not crash sitting on my desk using Wi-Fi
=> My phone is not compatible with my carrier (Sosh). The two support operators tried to talk me about the bands (apparently, they can disable a band support with an update; but also support halfway a band...), the roaming and why it must be the SIM card. I did not buy it -obviously- but now they are asking me to test with another carrier. Given the fact that my case is now opened for 4 months I think this is just another test and they just want to get rid of me. The support even asked me to use a German SIM card. The way I see it, if it doesn't work with another french carrier SIM card, they'll just answer me to test with a German SIM card and so on....
The way I see it :
Keep going with the HTC support and try not to hang myself
Ditch the phone, buy a new one and try to forget about it
Downgrade to Nougat and if it doesn't work, buy a new phone...
Any advice ?
Thanks !
PS : I already contacted Amazon today but it's past my 2 years warranty so it's too late. Next time i'll remember to contact the seller first, and then, my phone maker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've read nothing, but dude! hide that serial number!

andybones said:
I've read nothing, but dude! hide that serial number!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I did not think this was a critical information (manufacturing place...).
Short story : any advice for a HTC 10 that restart randomly with no probable cause and an empty crash log (UDove) on Oreo? (started around 2 months after receiving the Oreo update)
HTC is trying to convince me that this is because there was a change in the system (Oreo update) and because it's a phone intended for the German market (and because I use a French carrier Sim card in it) , it's not their responsibility. My phone would only be fully compatible with a German Sim card and it would not be a hardware problem (my HTC worked fine on Marshmallow and Nougat).

Word of advice, don't create such long posts. It scares people away.....I lost it after 3 lines. Stick to the basics.
Sorry.

Mr Hofs said:
Word of advice, don't create such long posts. It scares people away.....I lost it after 3 lines. Stick to the basics.
Sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
andybones said:
I've read nothing, but dude! hide that serial number!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there,
You're both right, my post was way too long, I shortened it. Don't hesitate to ask me again to shorten if you think it is still too long.
Any help appreciated from the "Have you tried that ?" to the "They may be right, you should try what they ask for."(*).
Thanks and have a good day!
(*) They may be right in the way that their technical argument is valid. I know I could still go on with them until they either solve my problem, get rid of me or change my phone. But for now, it appears to me as an endless number of test requests from them until I give up.

HaveYouSeenMyBrain said:
Hello,
I'm here for advice regarding my problem with my HTC 10 (PERFUME, CID HTC__034) and with the support behavior.
~2 months with the Oreo update, my phone started crashing (around March) and I contacted HTC support (I live in France).
Tests conducted at HTC request (before/between/after product returns):
Secure mode
Reset
Reset with only stock applications usage (only updates, no installation)
Change the SIM card
Phone without a SIM card/SD card
Product returns and what was done :
Simple reset
Battery changed
Motherboard swapped
Simple reset
Now I have the felling HTC support is trying to get rid of me because they're asking me to test my phone with another carrier SIM card to see if it crashes. Their claims to support that :
My phone was intented for the German market (phone was sold and sent by Amazon.fr but I supposed they used the German inventory to provide me one)
My carrier and SIM card are french
The software is designed to fully support German SIM card because it was intended for the German market
The way I see it :
Keep going with the HTC support and try not to hang myself
Downgrade to Nougat and if it doesn't work, buy a new phone...
Ditch the phone, buy a new one and try to forget about it
Any advice ?
Thanks !
PS : I already contacted Amazon today but it's past my 2 years warranty so it's too late. Next time i'll remember to contact the seller first, and then, my phone manufacturer.
PPS : My case with the HTC support is 4 months old now. It started when I was still under warranty (May 2018) but it's not the case anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suggest downgrading to Nougat. Theirs a thread and from what I've seen, they have it figured out and is a solid method
I don't know if I'll ever update my 10 to Oreo. Have had this since release and I personally was never impressed with the Oreo color scheme. This is just a personal suggestion. Way less problems were reported on nougat.
At least you got your Battery changed and Motherboard swapped. My battery is down to around 78-80% capacity. ?
Best of luck!