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...
Hello i am having an issue with UNLOCKING my optmius 2x from fido. i just bought it and decided to unlock it, so i went out and found the most well know site i could to buy a code and made SURE everything matched up and it all did and still DOES Now my problem is as follows-
I entered the nck code first the phone quickley rebooted and i threw a new rogers sim into the phone but i got no bars and the phone told me there was not network then switched to no sim.
Then i put a bell sim card into the phone with the same response nothing.. so i went and put the rest of the codes into the phone and they all gave me network unlock request unsuccessful and same with the nck one now as well.. and i do not know if it said that it work the first time as it was just a quick flash
Now i have been geting help from people down in the optmius 2x section of the fourms they told me i should revert to stock 2.2 and i did with the SAME RESULTS! i also tryed an ics rom and i could not even get to the sim screen.
Can any one help me on this problem? i am looking to use my phone and i am not able to at this time
The phone is now rooted and runing ics
let me know how i can fix this
Thanks in advance!
So over 300 people have never seen this before anyone one know of a way to see if the phone is unlocked WITH OUT putting in a diff sim card like a terminal command or somthing? also is there another way of unlocking the phone via softweare?
also here is a video of the problem http://www.veoh.com/watch/v33213769CCkKgRTz
Hi everyone, I bought this phone on ebay locked with AT&T and the seller send me the unlock code to use it with another SIM card.
The thing is that he send me a wrong code and my 10 attempts ran out.
I started to search in google and here in the forums of xda and asking questions (no one reply sadly). After six hours or more I managed to find a solution for this problem and I found that changing the baseband of the phone will work.
I tried several basebands and did not work.
Then I fond this tutorial http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1784709 (credits for mattman86)
I followed the tutorial until "Flashing AT&T Stock ROM (2.3.5 or 4.0.4)" there I replace the ".img's" of this pre-rooted ICS ROM http://mattman86.smashtext.com/ROMs/Stock%20AT&T%20ICS/IMG_Files/V20c_IMG.zip exept the baseband and voila! unlocked pre-rooted ICS phone with korean baseband! didnt ask for code or anything.
If someone can make a flashable ROM but with the korean baseband will help the people with the same problem I had.
And you don't have to buy an unlock code!
Hopefully this poorly made guide helped someone and please forgive me for my bad English. Greetings!! :
Hi there, I bought a nitro, 10 attemps to unlock had been used, phone showing permanently locked error and your post give some hope, maybe you can help me. I've installed the V10F_00.kdz file, Gingerbread 2.3.6 korean version, but phone is still showing the "SIM card network locked" error. Can you please confirm if your phone is working with this rom?
I also I have the same problem I'm from Venezuela I get sim network locked, and installed him bands "V20C, V20E, V10E V10C Y" and still nothing. someone please help me
Hi all. I have G3 bought from my carrier it is on stock lolipop recieved over the OTA. Only thing I was messing with it is TWRP and root.. As I thought it is sim locked I put another carrier sim in it. It boots without asking me for sim unlock code but can not connect to network and not allow me to enter network settings to o it manually ( it is greyed out ). The other sim works fine in another unlocked android phone.
Someone have an idea what is going on??
I have no idea. Sorry man
nicksylve said:
I have no idea. Sorry man
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had my share of rooting and installing custom recoveries and ROM-s for a long time, so my current thought is, is it possible that it is just software locked somehow?
I never saw this before..
Solved the problem, it was built in the Rom provided by my carrier "Vip.rs" grab my hand on new Sim card of different carrier on Fulmics 3.1 and it is carrier free. Just to tell you, if more people in Serbia have the same problem.
Hi guys, sorry to have my first post as a cry for help but I'm really struggling and a friend has pointed me in the direction of the forum to try and solve it. I have an LG G3 855 which is running Cyanogen custom ROM (rooted and sorted by my ex Brother-In-Law, hence I have lost my 'technical support' now). Problem is, I've just left Vodafone as I'm fed up of them ripping me off. Phone is mine and has been from new on contract, now 3 years old, and is locked to Vodafone I assume as I can't get my new GiffGaff sim to work in it. I've obtained an unlock code from a webiste for the princely sum of £9 but dialling 2945#*855# to get me to the menu doesn't work, so I have an unlock code but no way of actually entering it !!
I do have a vodafone sim which is still live to use if required (my works phoneline as my personal number has now ported to GiffGaff), so I can have the phone live on vodafone if required but I need to get to the right menu to enter the number. I'm fearful that the menu no longer exists as the stock ROM is no more?
Any help very greatly appreciated
Thanks,
Mike