Develop Bugs

Understanding how network/sim lock works need help

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...

[Q] Device won't connect to any network

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.

"Enter PIN/password to decrypt", "30/30 attempts remaining"

hello all,
i bought an lg g3 from ebay used one ,
i got this message when i turned on the phone
"Enter PIN/password to decrypt", "30/30 attempts remaining"
also when i put a sim card i got this message
"this phone is permanently locked and cannot be unlocked "
tried to do factory rest got error
emmc error 150
then tried to flash anew stock rom its stuck at 6%
device D850 at&t LG g3
Regards

Return the phone. Open a dispute for having your money back.
Whatever.

I also had same problem , i tried calling ATnT and they connected me to LG , LG said they have not even heard about it and as my phone is out of warranty (15 months), they cannot do anything about it.
Finally i showed this phone to a local cellphone repair shop in India, and they found it was a problem with numerous pattern incorrect entries , called as pattern lock and it can be undone by software unlock. Just few bucks.

Did you use the .tot restore method? As long as you can get into the boot loader you should be able to do a complete flash. Check out the guide here
Either way, it sounds like the seller of the phone may have gotten ransomware, or just knowingly sold an encrypted phone. The seller shafted you and you should leave negative feedback and also do what joooe said, and open a dispute immediately.

If you flash ROM LineageOS 14 on your device, doesn't exist this problem.

I had this problem
I used latest rom for my phone region (UAE) and flashed (refourbished) by UPPERCUT_1.0.0.0
and my problem solved.

N7100, standard software, lost Network unlock after freeze, can't now unlock again.

Standard device, running 4.4.2, not rooted or changed other than by downloads provided by KIES, originally on 3 Ireland network, was unlocked and moved to Vodafone over 12 months ago with no issue, using unlock code provided by 3 after the end of contract period was reached.
Had a few strange issues recently but nothing I could be sure of, then one night this week, the phone locked and would not accept any key presses. Removed battery to force power down, then restarted, which has always worked in the past on the rare occasions when this has happened, but this time, when it restarted, it asked for a Sim Network Unlock PIN, which at the time I didn't recognise as being the unlock code supplied by 3.
I don't know if there are issues about the number of times this code can be entered, if there are, due to all sort of errors by Vodafone Support, that limit has probably been exceeded.
The other possibility is that a hardware issue has developed, but as it is only the phone network won't work, my instinct is telling me that this is a software and security issue that may have been triggered by too many failed unlock requests, though it still asks for an unlock code on power up.
So, what have I tried. After several frustrating calls with Vodafone and Samsung support failed to resolve the issue, I dismissed the PIN request and made sure I had some backups of things like Contacts, which worked, so the phone can communicate via USB, and it's also working with no issues via WiFi networking, as I can access things like Facebook via WiFi. My Google account is also working, it's downloaded and updated the applications that are installed on the phone,
In the absence of any real assistance from Vodafone or Samsung, in desperation, I've tried a factory reset, and also tried wiping the cache, but neither of these options are getting rid of the Unlock Sim request, which suggests to me that there is a flag or code somewhere deep in the system that's not allowing a full reset, and that may be related to too many failed Network PIN Entries.
Can I recover this phone, or am I better to just abandon it and get a replacement device, which in all honesty I don't need, the Note II is doing all I need at the moment, and a replacement is going to be an expense I'd rather not have to commit to right now.
I have all the details of the versions, IMEI etc, they are all accessible from within the phone using various *# codes, and they all are still correct and match what they should.
Talking to a local repair shop, if they ask for an unlock code, they are saying that the code they get will be the same as the one I already have received from 3, and as that seems to be not working, they are saying there's no point getting a code from them.
So, where do I go from here? Somehow, I think I need to find a way to wipe everything in the phone, and then reset the IMEI to the correct value, which should in theory allow the device to work again, and recognise the unlock code. That's a lot more than I've done on a phone, I'm computer literate, but not Android and phone experienced, so a lot of the buzz words are not familiar, or mean different things to what I've been used to on other systems.
If I am going to be completely wiping it all, is there any way I can change the service provider to get rid of the issues with the network unlock code, or is that asking for more aggravations?
Thanks in anticipation.

There is a free method that can be used to sim unlock the sgh-i317m which is the North American version of the Note 2. You had to flash back to a stock 4.1.1 ROM, and follow this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2014982
The 4.1.1 ROM for the sgh-i317m Note 2 from sammobile.com does not include the 4.1.1 bootloader which is why the downgrade from stock 4.4.2 to 4.1.1 works.

Bootloader unlock

I am trying to unlock the bootloader on my unlocked T-Mobile N100. When I went to the OnePlus website to enter my info (serial #, imei, unlock code), it keeps telling me to provide a valid imei. I bought the phone of a guy on offer up app and it works fine with my AT&T sim, but it keeps giving me that message. I've tried contacting OnePlus but they said they needed an invoice to further investigate the issue which all I have are the screenshots of the original post and the conversation we had about meeting up (which I submitted to them). Has anyone else had this issue? I'm pulling my hair out trying to figure it out.

The OP8T also had this bug with the unlock website for the first few month of the phone release. Try contacting OP and see if they are aware of the bug.

Hi, friend, can u tell me how did u unlock this phone? Is there any free ways?