[Q] purchased "unlocked" GSM gnex from ebay, yet locked. need help (t-mobile)
So I purchased this auction http://goo.gl/eErsT (ebay link) for a unlocked GSM gnex. Shipped from Hong Kong and came to me with factory seal intact.
I popped my T-Mobile USA sim card in and the phone worked until I restarted it, at which time it started asking for "SIM network unlock pin". I'ved talked to 3 people at T-Mobile, Samsung USA, Samsung CA, etc, no one can really help me figure out how to unlock the phone, or even tell me who the phone is locked to. I tried ordering from one of those sites that sell unlock codes, but honestly I do not know who the phone would be locked to so I'm not really confident in that.
I guess the first thing I need to find out is to figure out who the phone would be locked to. Any ideas?
(I rooted, unlocked bootloader, installed cyanogenmod 9 nightly to see if that let me around it, no luck).
Did you... contact the seller? They falsely advertised that the phone was fully unlocked. They should be sending you a new one IMO. The least they can do is hopefully tell you what network its locked to.
Contacted today, but eBay merchant based in Hong Kong so not sure when ill hear back or if they'll be any help. They do sell a ton of unlocked phones and have really good feedback so I kind of want to assume the phone truly isn't locked to another carrier.
Anyone else have an issue like this? Is there any way to get this code(or get around needinf it)without knowing who, if anyone, it is locked to?
Why wouldnt you just buy from negri or expansys if you went for a sealed box nexus anyway?
As far as i know all nexus are unlocked.
RogerPodacter said:
Why wouldnt you just buy from negri or expansys if you went for a sealed box nexus anyway?
As far as i know all nexus are unlocked.
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Some models (specifically the Japanese DoCoMo version) are actually locked.
Seem to have gotten it unlocked with a $25 code from http://www.cellunlocker.net/. Said he used the "manufacturer method" which was carrier independent. (funny because Samsung refused to acknowledge that they had the capability).
As to why I didn't buy it from one of the other retailers negri/expansys, this was 50-70 cheaper, came with 2day air shipping from hong kong and accessories, and he had a lot of good feedback with a ton of similar transactions... Not totally sure if the phone was even locked or if something weird happened.
Anyway, thanks for the responses.
Related
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone in Toronto area would know a place to buy the HTC Desire Z that isn't from Bell?
Or if it is from Bell, contains no Bell software (unbranded) and is unlocked?
I've been looking and haven't had any luck.
and has anyone noticed that Rogers is falling behind in the phone model area? Their phones are kind of getting outdated...
Thanks!
I uphave one unlocked with rogers....yeh there wayy behimd in terms of android. I suggest checking out kijiji.com or look at ebay or craigslist. If all else fails pm me and ill find you some online.
Sent from HTC Desire Z using XDA App
I purchased an unlocked/unbranded Desire Z on Ebay to use in the states on the AT&T network. It was a North American Version which had the correct 3G bands for ATT. Had a good seller and good experience but the phone was quite pricey. They go for anywhere between $550 and $650 US.
I would suggest buying it from Bell via FutureShop or BestBuy.
You don't have to get a plan if you do that, plus they offer their extended warranties which still cover you if you root the phone, etc (though you should still make it appear stock).
You can flash the official WWE ROM which is basically stock HTC Sense. It won't have the Bell apps, and you don't need to root or anything to flash the WWE ROM (I think). You just need to make a 'goldcard' which is just a specially formatted SD card.
rewen said:
I would suggest buying it from Bell via FutureShop or BestBuy.
You don't have to get a plan if you do that, plus they offer their extended warranties which still cover you if you root the phone, etc (though you should still make it appear stock).
You can flash the official WWE ROM which is basically stock HTC Sense. It won't have the Bell apps, and you don't need to root or anything to flash the WWE ROM (I think). You just need to make a 'goldcard' which is just a specially formatted SD card.
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Yeah I was gonna buy one from Bell, but I don't know any trustworthy sites I can buy the unlock code from, which was why I opened this thread, but anyone here know one?
Nighte said:
Yeah I was gonna buy one from Bell, but I don't know any trustworthy sites I can buy the unlock code from, which was why I opened this thread, but anyone here know one?
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Be careful, because G2 owners have found big problems when they unlock their phones, like not being able to connect to any network after that
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=835673
Cellunlock.net with the code bbrocks50 for half price. You can find the phone listed a couple different ways. Either by first looking up htc or by first looking up bell. One is chapter than the other. I paid 15.
Zero issues unlocking. I think the issues are limited to g2.
I'm unlocked with Telus currently..and I used HTCsimUnlowNow.com. Seemed to work fine..the only thing was it was initially $15, but then I had to send them another $10 (after paying the 15) because of the Bell carrier or some excuse. So far i've had no problems..and i'm even able to use my BB data plan with the HTC despite Telus telling me it most likely wouldnt work lol.
I was wondering if I'm able to remove Bell's software using a program (TitaniumBackup, for example) or do I have to go through that whole process of flashing this and that to unbrand it?
And how bothersome is the Bell software?
..Although I'm gonna do it anyway but I don't have time right now to mod the phone.
You need root and it takes a lot of time to do it with titanium. It's easier to flash the wwe rom. But the apps aren't too annoying. The lack of htc locations is annoying
To elaborate on my last msg (which I wrote in a rush)..
It's more painful and takes longer to remove the apps manually as you need to root and then use Titanium's force remove method, one by one, which reboots the phone each time and takes forever.
Alternatively you could root and then S-OFF and delete those apps with the root file manager.
Or, the easiest/quickest way imho is to borrow/make a goldcard, download the euro HTC Sync, the WWE Rom, and run the ROM install program. It does the rest of the work for you
I was gonna go buy the phone today but Bell won't sell it unless I go on a plan.
I called up several different places, all the same reply, they won't let the phone go unless it's going out with a plan.
Does anyone know where I could buy it in and around Toronto?
Nighte said:
I was gonna go buy the phone today but Bell won't sell it unless I go on a plan.
I called up several different places, all the same reply, they won't let the phone go unless it's going out with a plan.
Does anyone know where I could buy it in and around Toronto?
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I asked at our local Best Buy (Oshawa) yesterday and they said they can sell the phone without a plan, no problem.
I bought mine today, you can buy it at WirelessWave or Telephone booth for the retail price.
I did notice the timestamp on the text messages are incorrect though, does anyone else have this problem?
I bought mine brand new on ebay for $375, t-mobile branded.. paid $15 to unlock it.
I suggest watching for a cheap one on ebay, maybe even try to bargain with some sellers.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
I suggest not buying from bell, or anything that is compatible with bell, unless you need it for ATT US or in Australia. Reason is that they use the wrong frequencies for use in Canada and would lock you to ROBELUS (the old evil phone companies). The US version of the vision is better... still compatible with robbers, but also with the best things that have happened to telecommunications in canada.... ever.
It sounds like we should start an exchange:
T-Mobile/Wind compatible phones exchanged for Bell/Telus/Rogers/AT&T compatible phones...
I'm on AT&T and I'd love to find the Bell Desire Z for purchase at a reasonable price. All the prices I've seen are ~$650 but the phones retail price is $500. Maybe I'm just not used to Canadian taxes... can my Canadian brethren enlighten this ignorant American as to how much the phone would cost unsubsidized after taxes?
You can get them straight from Bell for $565, with tax (13% on 499.95). If you look on kijiji and CL you can get them anywhere from $400-$500.
I bought mine yesterday for $480, no tax, and factory unlocked. It was brand new and sealed and came with a receipt for the warranty.
A lot of people are fooled into paying $600-$650 for an unlocked phone because sellers try to tell them that it costs $80-$100 to unlock it. But if people would take the time to look they would find you can get it unlocked for $25.
MyNameIsWepeel said:
A lot of people are fooled into paying $600-$650 for an unlocked phone because sellers try to tell them that it costs $80-$100 to unlock it. But if people would take the time to look they would find you can get it unlocked for $25.
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You can get it locked for free now, thanks to the fantastic work of scotty. See http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=857390
I'm on Rogers and I'm having a heck of a time trying to find out. Everyone wants to charge an arm and a leg. Trying to trade my Xperia X10 and some cash for a Desire Z.
Hi,
I have bought HTC Desire (New) from eBay and seller said that he got it from T-Mobile and he don't know if it is unlocked or not. The thing is that from all topics I went throught it always says that if my phone is locked and I put different sim there then I will be prompted at boot to put code. I have tried with different sims (Vodafone, o2) but I have no such code input. Now I am using T-Mobile some cheap card and everything works but when using another card it gives me LIMITED Service Warning and no signal. It cannot register to any network as well. Any ideas if I should go and try to unlock it via some codes or it is unlocked already but I have to rebrand it?
Thank You,
Golotap
I was at Police/Vodafone/T-Mobile/T-Mobile/Another T-Mobile and everyone says this phone has been blacklisted in UK this is why it has such problem ._. so now I am just sending it back to Ebay seller.
Thank You,
Golotap
The amount of people buying from eBay and having problems is unreal. Go buy it from a retailer sicne your guaranteed it actually works.
The problem is money, normal phones are just too expensive for me so many people are just going to eBay.
So I'm getting a Galaxy Nexus from Vodafone on a contract, for various reasons. But I'd like it unlocked. I read in a few places that Nexus phones are unlocked by default, does anyone know if it would be unlocked. If not, how would I get it unlocked as it's a new phone so I'm guessing it's difficult.
Also are the phones branded, so would there be a vodafone boot logo or any voda apps?
if you are getting it from UK, then yes, chances are it is going to be locked.
funny though, cuz I tried getting one from vodafone but they didn't even have a schedule for it (only yesterday) so I had mine at phones 4U which is only retailer who seem to have one in my area :S
...this one (as usual along with CPW) was unlocked
I got mine from three (on payngo) yesterday, and it is sim unlocked I have used it with my T-Mobile sim. (I am pretty sure that they are all sim unlocked, as has been the case with past nexus phones).
edit: Also no branding, apps from the carrier at all, again like previous nexus phones.
loudestsilence said:
if you are getting it from UK, then yes, chances are it is going to be locked.
funny though, cuz I tried getting one from vodafone but they didn't even have a schedule for it (only yesterday) so I had mine at phones 4U which is only retailer who seem to have one in my area :S
...this one (as usual along with CPW) was unlocked
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Sorry but your incorrect, galaxy nexus is sold unlocked weather you purchase it direct from your network, a third part phone store, on contract or pay as you go.
jms.flynn said:
Sorry but your incorrect, galaxy nexus is sold unlocked weather you purchase it direct from your network, a third part phone store, on contract or pay as you go.
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apparantly o2 ones are locked, read on here someone who got one from o2 is asking for a code when he puts in another sim.
Question about sim lock
Question here. Suppose the phone is sim locked, will it be unlocked by root or fastboot unlock? Or are they different things? Thanks.
luffyp said:
Question here. Suppose the phone is sim locked, will it be unlocked by root or fastboot unlock? Or are they different things? Thanks.
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Totally different. SIM-lock has nothing to do with bootloader lock. To my knowledge the only way to SIM-unlock any phone is with an unlock code (or some nasty hardware hacking). Unlock codes can usually be purchased online and many carriers will do it for a fee. I once bought an unlock code online for $5 for my old Nokia N95.
Since you're in the UK, see this thread for more info and a link to a legit ebay seller offering unlock codes.
i can confirm that the handsets bought from O2 are SIM locked to O2.
I can confirm Vodafone UK from p4u are sim unlocked.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
All phones from Phones4U are unlocked.
I bought my GN from the 3 Store in the UK 2 days ago - They said it was locked but I put my Giffgaff sim in and it worked no problem.
oscillik said:
i can confirm that the handsets bought from O2 are SIM locked to O2.
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o2 simlock their phones, if you are on contract with them they will unlock it for free with a 1 week lead time. PAYG you need to spend some money (£10 if memory serves correct) to unlock the device.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
lexarjump said:
I bought my GN from the 3 Store in the UK 2 days ago - They said it was locked but I put my Giffgaff sim in and it worked no problem.
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+1
Got my GN on three contract yesterday, popped my t-mobile sim in whilst waiting for a number port.
For most of you this info will be redundant, however, if you are one of the odd people who may still find a deal on Ebay or swappa for an AT&T locked fire phone and want to buy it, please be advised that AT&T will not give you the unlock code because: "The device is no longer supported by the manufacturer and we cannot obtain an unlock code." and they tell you to contact the manufacturer. Then if you try to contact Amazon they will tell you that only AT&T can unlock the phone and they send you back to them and you can spend a good part of one week between the two companies and at the end you will likely have to go to a phone repair shop and pay them $$$ to unlock it for you or purchase a code online.
So be warned, don't buy a sim-locked amazon fire phone unless you are willing to stay with AT&T forever.
This isn't true. At least not for me, I unlocked mine today via ATT request site and had it in least then 10 minutes.
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/
maxinfo said:
This isn't true. At least not for me, I unlocked mine today via ATT request site and had it in least then 10 minutes.
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/
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I also couldn't get an unlock code from AT&T a few months back. After multiple calls to both AT&T and Amazon, what I found out was that Fire phones were sold through multiple third-party companies other than Amazon and AT&T. AT&T is willing to provide unlock code if the phone was directly bought from AT&T but if an AT&T branded phone was bought from a third-party (like mine), they were not allowed to give out unlock codes. Your phone was probably originally sold by AT&T directly and this is why you were able to get the unlock code. In my case I even tried unlock services on eBay but they also refunded my money saying they can't get the code. Recently, I bought another Fire phone on eBay for $20 (which was sold for parts but was almost new, nothing wrong with it) but it turned out it was locked to AT&T, and I was unable to get it unlocked so just been using it as a media player.
I also wouldn't recommend anyone intending to use the phone on carriers other than AT&T to not buy the locked version because more than likely you will not be able to get it unlocked (this is why AT&T locked Fire phones on eBay are considerably cheaper than the unlocked versions).
Mine was bought from some eBay reseller 2 years ago to get something for upgrading prime for another year.
I suddenly needed to use it as a backup up phone for a short bit and tested the site above and it worked fine.
I believe you that ATT won't bother with some phones. Just sharing my experience. I would steer anyone away from buying a Fire Phone without any bootloader unlock.
However, if you're like me and have one then might as well plug the IMEI in on the ATT form and see what happens.
Somebody knows a fix for fire phone? Mine is stucked at black amazon logo, can't reach fire logo, reboots continously and can t get into recovery. I am from Romania and i bought fire phone 1 year ago(i have 2 year warranty), so i send it in warranty and they said that my phone have touchscreen broken and liquid sign near usb charging port. I claimed the reseller to consumer protection. I want to say that my phone looks like a new one, and they lie about borken touchscreen and liquid sign. Btw, i can't fix this phone, pc doesn;t recognize fire phone. Fire os 4.6.6.1 all stock. Knows somebody a fix,please...?
maxinfo said:
This isn't true. At least not for me, I unlocked mine today via ATT request site and had it in least then 10 minutes.
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/
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@Android# is right. If the AT&T branded phone is originally purchased from any outlet other than AT&T then they don't have the unlock code to give you. In your case the original owner had probably got it from AT&T directly and that is why you could get the unlock code from their website.
Somehow amazon offloaded at&t branded phones onto third party vendors without giving them the unlock codes, and now if you are in the unfortunate position of owning one of those phones no one can give you the unlock could. The people who sell you the codes on ebay likely have an insider at AT&T to obtain the codes and as I said AT&T doesn't have those codes. So the only entity in the world who has those codes is amazon, which is being an a$$ and not giving you the code. I don't understand why they are doing this.
Been using Moto X (2013) for 6 years, finally decided to upgrade. As a fan of smaller phones instantly fell in love with this on amazon. Does anyone know if I can unlock it to work with a local carrier (in Azerbaijan)? Looking at question and answers on Amazon got me really confused.
Edit: Also, how much would it cost to unlock it?
Edit2: After "researching" what unlocked means (haven't used carrier plan phones ever), seems like it can get locked after an update. Does anyone have experience with the phone I linked? Also, I found this which says "T-Mobile GSM Unlocked". Wth does that mean? Is it usable worldwide/any carrier, or only with T-Mobile, or is unlocked by T-Mobile officially and is somehow more reliable or something? Sorry but I'm completely uneducated in this matter. Hope I'll get some help before it runs out of stock.
Thanks!