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...
I have a bit of a problem and it is driving me up the wall. Al I want to do is use another operator SIM card...
I have a UK "branded" O2 LT15i Arc. I have a requirement to insert another carrier SIM card but cannot do so as the phone is locked to the O2 network. I contacted O2 and after supplying them with my IMEI number, they gave me a 16-digit long code. I have entered the code but it would not unlock at all. The expected message was supposed to read "Network unlock successful" but all I got was "Could not unlock network".
I then contacted O2 support again and after looking it up the operator informed me that if a code was entered wrong 3 times it locks the phone permanently. Obviously I have entered the code wrong in the past a few times when I inserted another SIM and so doing it, locked the phone. The pain is that there was no warning.
Information when looking in the Service menu:
Software info:
1241-4324_4.0.2.A.0.62
Under SIM Lock:
[x] Network 0
[] Network subset 0
[] Service provider 0
[] Corporate 0
[] SIM 0
Under Configuration:
Rooting status:
Bootloader unlock allowed: No
I have rolled back to the LT15i_4.0.2.A.0.42_(1247-1041).ftf firmware version using Flashtool v0.6.7.0 and was able to root the device. I then upgraded, again using Flashtool to LT15i_4.0.2.A.0.62_Generic Global World.ftf but then root is gone.
I thought that installing this firmware would remove the network lock but obviously not. I have obtained the key to unlock the bootloader from the developer website of SE but not sure if this will help seeing as the stutus on the phone now displays that I cannot unlock it no more.
I have looked at the sticky threads in the Xperia Arc General forum but I find all these tutorials confusing; overload of information. I'm still searching for a short, simplified step-by-step guide.
Anyway, my question is, what can I do to get my phone in such a way that I can use any other operator SIM card?
The main reason I need the phone unlocked is because I'm going on a foreign holiday in a week's time and I plan to use a Pay as You Go SIM card as roaming and data costs are way too expensive.
Contact jinx13 £15 unlock remotely
Sent from my LT15/18i-Dimiui using xda premium
Hi chiefy009,
Thanks for the quick reply, I'll give it a go and contact jinx13
A quick question before I get in touch with jinx13 though; will he simply supply me with a code or is there some more things behind the scenes that needs to be done?
The reason I'm asking is that O2 provides you with an unlock code free of charge, but in my case it did not work as my device is now locked "permanently"
He uses setool2 which is perm unlock you can unlock bootlosder using test point aswell with out losing drm keys, he did mine
Sent from my LT15/18i-Dimiui using xda premium
Hi, I have an SGH-I747M that was originally purchased through Bell. In an attempt to unlock to make it work on Koodo, I went through SamMobile (after reading there was no way to unlock post 4.3 OTA update) and that seemed to half work.They resell a service from 123unlock.nl which is a client that uses adb or something of the sort to mess with phone files. The program afterwards said "Your phone is now unlocked! However if you don't see any carriers you need to do something in the advanced option and pay another $2x.xx dollars to do so". I didn't feel like giving them any more money at this point because I was upset that what I originally paid for didn't work properly. The fix was apparently an option in the advanced options that was an NVM repair/rebuild or something of the sort. I should have screenshotted the issue but of course didn't.
Now, the phone will boot up and does not offer me a SIM unlock option anymore. When searching for carriers it will ever only find Rogers for some reason. It won't recognize Koodo or Telus or anything of the sort (or bell when my bell SIM is in). Every now and then when it boots up, it will successfully send a text but only within a 5-10 second time frame after boot (I've made 1 phone call as well for 3 seconds). I've tried the Koodo SIM in my own Nexus 5 and works fine so the network is okay at least (plus I called Koodo and they verified on their end things look good... if that makes a difference). The SGS3 won't even accept an original Bell SIM at this point. It's always on either no network, 1 bar or full bars, never anything in between. I've tried flashing different ROMs from Bell stock to Koodo stock and CM11 and it won't work no matter what I do. Under all ROMs it pops up an "ME Returned temporary error" message on the screen.
I'm hoping someone might have seen this issue before or know what's going on with the phone that I can fix. I'm assuming it's something to do with the modem part of the phone that's refusing to connect to carriers but I'm at a loss to fix it. I haven't tried flashing different modems on it yet because I'm unsure which one would be a good fix and no one has had roughly the same issue I could find in 3 days of Googling for this issue. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
sgtcanadian said:
Hi, I have an SGH-I747M that was originally purchased through Bell. In an attempt to unlock to make it work on Koodo, I went through SamMobile (after reading there was no way to unlock post 4.3 OTA update) and that seemed to half work.They resell a service from 123unlock.nl which is a client that uses adb or something of the sort to mess with phone files. The program afterwards said "Your phone is now unlocked! However if you don't see any carriers you need to do something in the advanced option and pay another $2x.xx dollars to do so". I didn't feel like giving them any more money at this point because I was upset that what I originally paid for didn't work properly. The fix was apparently an option in the advanced options that was an NVM repair/rebuild or something of the sort. I should have screenshotted the issue but of course didn't.
Now, the phone will boot up and does not offer me a SIM unlock option anymore. When searching for carriers it will ever only find Rogers for some reason. It won't recognize Koodo or Telus or anything of the sort (or bell when my bell SIM is in). Every now and then when it boots up, it will successfully send a text but only within a 5-10 second time frame after boot (I've made 1 phone call as well for 3 seconds). I've tried the Koodo SIM in my own Nexus 5 and works fine so the network is okay at least (plus I called Koodo and they verified on their end things look good... if that makes a difference). The SGS3 won't even accept an original Bell SIM at this point. It's always on either no network, 1 bar or full bars, never anything in between. I've tried flashing different ROMs from Bell stock to Koodo stock and CM11 and it won't work no matter what I do. Under all ROMs it pops up an "ME Returned temporary error" message on the screen.
I'm hoping someone might have seen this issue before or know what's going on with the phone that I can fix. I'm assuming it's something to do with the modem part of the phone that's refusing to connect to carriers but I'm at a loss to fix it. I haven't tried flashing different modems on it yet because I'm unsure which one would be a good fix and no one has had roughly the same issue I could find in 3 days of Googling for this issue. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you check your phone's settings => About Device and let's know what parameters you have there (Android Version, Baseband Version, Build Number>.
You mentioned you can send text or make call within a limited time frame. Was that with the Koodo SIM or the Bell? If the former, it would suggest the phone is unlocked to some extent but you are probably experiencing a baseband failure or need to correct the APN settings. Did you also try doing a factory reset?
Larry2999 said:
Can you check your phone's settings => About Device and let's know what parameters you have there (Android Version, Baseband Version, Build Number>.
You mentioned you can send text or make call within a limited time frame. Was that with the Koodo SIM or the Bell? If the former, it would suggest the phone is unlocked to some extent but you are probably experiencing a baseband failure or need to correct the APN settings. Did you also try doing a factory reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The information you're asking for is attached.
The texts I got off were from the Koodo SIM. I have updated the APN as well, and I did do a flash back to stock resetting all settings through Kies emergency update. I found a little trick where if you softbrick it by trying to flash 4.1, it'll give you the "Please use kies" error and that'll take you back to full stock 4.3. I'm pretty sure the baseband failure is the option I need to explore but at this point I don't know where to go to fix this.
Edit: I read this online and tried it: "The 4.3 update introduces a "security feature" which requires carrier- or region-locked phones to be activated once on the original locked network before the unlock code will work." The phone didn't recognize any network with the Bell SIM in except "EXT" which I've never heard of before and it did not connect properly so that didn't work. I also read that inputting #7465625*638*# will give me the Samsung SIM unlock menu which it did however I don't think the issue here is with the root and I'd hate to pay $50 at this point to have that not work as well.
sgtcanadian said:
The information you're asking for is attached.
The texts I got off were from the Koodo SIM. I have updated the APN as well, and I did do a flash back to stock resetting all settings through Kies emergency update. I found a little trick where if you softbrick it by trying to flash 4.1, it'll give you the "Please use kies" error and that'll take you back to full stock 4.3. I'm pretty sure the baseband failure is the option I need to explore but at this point I don't know where to go to fix this.
Edit: I read this online and tried it: "The 4.3 update introduces a "security feature" which requires carrier- or region-locked phones to be activated once on the original locked network before the unlock code will work." The phone didn't recognize any network with the Bell SIM in except "EXT" which I've never heard of before and it did not connect properly so that didn't work. I also read that inputting #7465625*638*# will give me the Samsung SIM unlock menu which it did however I don't think the issue here is with the root and I'd hate to pay $50 at this point to have that not work as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's unlikely to be the regional lock as this feature means your phone will work with compatible networks in the region but not in other regions. You may, however, run Chainfire's Region Lock Away to be sure <http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2470551>
Your firmware settings look OK so I'd be doubtful about a corrupted modem. You may still try to re-flash the modem via custom recovery. Download link for the CWM flashable zip is available here ... http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23252070760973552
The guys who sold you the original code seem to have sold a dud as there is no reason for them to be asking for secondary payments and this sounds like the footprint of a regular scam. I'd be surprised though as they seem to be well rated
Larry2999 said:
It's unlikely to be the regional lock as this feature means your phone will work with compatible networks in the region but not in other regions. You may, however, run Chainfire's Region Lock Away to be sure <http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2470551>
Your firmware settings look OK so I'd be doubtful about a corrupted modem. You may still try to re-flash the modem via custom recovery. Download link for the CWM flashable zip is available here ... http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23252070760973552
The guys who sold you the original code seem to have sold a dud as there is no reason for them to be asking for secondary payments and this sounds like the footprint of a regular scam. I'd be surprised though as they seem to be well rated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried reflashing the modem and I've actually paid $50 for the unlock code from Bell, the original carrier. I used the code to get the network unlock menu and inserted the code. I still get between 1-4 bars now with no network access on either network. It's not showing anything except Rogers still in network operator selection.
Any ideas at this point? It refuses to connect to any networks. I'm out of options.
Edit: I don't know if this makes a difference, but when I do root explorer I can't actually find the nv_data.bin file. It doesn't have anything of the sort in the /efs folder.
sgtcanadian said:
I've tried reflashing the modem and I've actually paid $50 for the unlock code from Bell, the original carrier. I used the code to get the network unlock menu and inserted the code. I still get between 1-4 bars now with no network access on either network. It's not showing anything except Rogers still in network operator selection.
Any ideas at this point? It refuses to connect to any networks. I'm out of options.
Edit: I don't know if this makes a difference, but when I do root explorer I can't actually find the nv_data.bin file. It doesn't have anything of the sort in the /efs folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please let me understand a few things ... when you first acquired the phone, was it working normally on Bell prior to the first unlock attempt or you never used it at all until you tried Koodo? Secondly, was the unlock code you got from Bell identical to the one you got from the online service?
I'm trying to establish if it is a case of hardware failure not reported by the previous user especially if you bought it pre-owned from the secondary market. If you are not sure of the previous usage history, it could be a faulty or disconnected antenna which may require professional service. On the other hand if you are sure it was working fine prior to the unlock attempt, try the following ...
1) From the dial pad, enter *#197328640#
2) [1] UMTS
3) [1] DEBUG SCREEN
4) [8] PHONE CONTROL
5) [6] NETWORK LOCK
6) [3] PERSO SHA256 OFF
7) Press Menu => Back button and go all the way back to Step 3) above
8) [6] COMMON
9) [6] NV REBUILD
10) [1] NV REBUILD
Reboot and restart and let's see if this does it.
I've got a similar symtom different scenario (sister in-laws phone). I was also only able to see Rogers network on a search. I've got Telus version. It was working fine until it was brought to the Philippines, got unlocked there and brought back to Canada.
I was only able to see Rogers network until I went into the Service Menu (similar to above) and found the option to change the band. I changed it to Automatic. After that I was able to see Telus network. When trying to connect/register it would take a long time and give me an error "Unable to connect, try again later". I still need to do more troubleshooting, but that might be something to look at.
Note: Phone has stock MOD ROM, rooted and unlocked.
Hello,
I have carrier/sim unlocked xperia play r800i bought from orange uk mobile, and i have searched through most of the forums and threads available here about this problem and also on google but i did not find a problem similar to which i am facing. Now the problem, my r800i is unable to connect to GSM network (2G), but connects to WCDMA(3G) and i tried a few solutions like flashing the stock firmware, and also factory resetting the phone but still it did not solve the problem, and the other thing is when i switch my network mode to WCDMA(3G) in settings then i get a perfect network connectivity as well as internet also works using my data plan. And yes i have my bootloader also unlocked as well.
The few things i tried from what i found on the internet, there is this code *#*#4636#*#* and using it i tried turning the radio off and on in GSM/WCDMA both but nothing happened and the same problem, then also i reflashed my r800i to uk generic stock firmware with flashtool but that did not help too, after that i used sony pc companion tool to update and repair my phone with software update so it flashed original stock rom into my phone but still nothing, no GSM connectivity but connects to WCDMA with full network signal. I am not doing any flashing anymore until i know now what the real problem is and may be i think it has something to do with some other rom file or simlock file but i also checked SIM lock option by entering this *#*#7378423#*#* as well as the bootloader show unlocked, and in the SIM lock it shows this:
[] Network 0
[] Network subset 0
[] Service provider 0
[] Corporate 0
[] Sim 0
as far as i know my phone is unlocked by what it shows yet no GSM network connectivity, may be something with the baseband but that has never happened before while using the same baseband, i don't have any clues anymore!, can someone please help me, i would really appreciate it and thanks in advance.
Sorry for bad english
I had bought Lg g3 D885 last week through some online shopping it was on stock 4.4.2 and i insert sim and made a call to my dad but then i seen on the forums that lollipop is out there for my so i just downloaded the Lg mobile support tool connected my phone pop up appeared says new version of software is available for your phone so i was happy and start updated my phone and everything was done phone booted up setup it and start using then i observed cross sign over signal bars and no network here start searching manually some time my network name appeared in the list then i select it says unable to connect to this network then i removed battery cleaned the sim tray with alcohol swab re inserted the sim same issue then i went to my service provider got new sim but no success then i started google then i found some sim lock menu dialing 2945#*855# a menu appeared listed :
Network lock
service provider lock
NetworkSubset lock
Corporate lock
SIM/USIM lock
one by open them and each option had same message ""This phone is permanently locked and can't be unlocked""
again starting google some sites says they contains info about blacklisted imei so i entered mine then it says imei cleared not in black list data then i wish to flash my phone with most latest firmware gone to website lg-phone-firmware.com i enetered my imei then info appeared it says lg d855 photo is attached regarding firmware info but when i went into about of my phone in Hardware info it says Model Number: LG-D855V(imei under battery plate is same *#06# contains) and got confused to see the model now need expert solutions and advises please and that website had no return policy thats whys i am sad about that please please help help for God sake.