Summary: I can't use a foreign SIM in my phone, despite VZW giving me the correct (verified by Motorola) SIM subsidy unlock code, because too many attempts have been made with a typo in the code... Any solution? TurboSIM? Here's the detail if you wish. . . . .
I had these series of events happen:
1) Verizon gave me the SIM subsidy unlock code for my device
2) I went overseas before putting in the code (not very smart on my part)
3) I bought a local SIM and the rep at a mall overseas put it in the phone
4) The rep entered the SIM unlock code incorrectly several times
5) The phone was still SIM subsidy locked
6) I entered the PIN correctly, and it still responded with "unsuccessful"
7) I called Verizon Global Support who verified it was the correct SIM unlock code
8) The Verizon support rep had me read the MEID code to double-check it was the unlock right code for my device. She verified it was.
9) The Verizon senior support rep emailed someone at Motorola (with a real motorola.com addy) and Cc'd me
10) The Motorola rep replied-all a day later and confirmed it was the correct SIM unlock code for that MEID
11) The Verizon rep said that if an unlock code is entered too many times incorrectly the phone will not accept the right code and the phone:
a) Will not count down your number of attempts left
b) Will not give you a message that is permanently locked and will simply continue to ask you to enter a code
c) will require a clean sweep of the phone to factory settings which will reset the number of SIM subsidy code unlock attempts tried to zero, however, because the phone would be off Verizon's network it may brick the phone permanently because it can't dial itself to initialize and so that can't be recommended
12) I cleaned swept the phone anyway
13) It locked me out when it tried to initialize by dialing *228# which it couldn't do off network as the rep said, but I searched forums and found the immediate problem/solution and that I could touch 4 corners of the screen to get back in to the operating system (it would have been nice if the "senior" support rep had told me this could be done ins)tead of either keeping it a secret (annoying) or being unaware (ignorant)
14) I was now back into the O.S.
15) But the SIM unlock code still would not work! So I could now neither roam with my phone at $3.50/minute through Verizon nor use a local SIM, however, I could use a SIP/softphone application to make calls and browse the web using WiFI, which was something positive
SIDE QUESTION: Is that a bug or poorly designed Android/Motorola programming thing that there is no count-down for the number of SIM subsidy unlock code entry attempts remaining and it doesn't tell you if it's permanently locked from too many attempts? It's extremely annoying!
15) Now, I took the phone to a local lab here in the foreign country.
16) They went onto a website where they buy unlock codes on their own dime and if it unlocks the phone they charge you for a successful unlock.
17) It was unsuccessful
18) This lab said nothing can reset the code, and there is no way to get past this SIM unlock...NO WAY, they said and were adamant about it and sent me on my way!
19) So I took it upon myself to root the phone, which I was successful at doing
20) Then I installed Cynogen 9 successfully
21) I thought I deleted everything in the phone as required/recommended to install the new OS
22) It's a very nice and cool looking operating system, but wouldn't you know it, the phone is still asking me for a SIM subsidy unlock code when I slip in a foreign SIM!
Can anyone tell me how the heck I can unlock this subsidy lock to make my phone usable with a foreign SIM? It would be HUGELY appreciated!! I am at my wits end!! I heard the radio/baseband is part of firmware, but does that mean it can't be hacked? Surely someone has hacked every part of the phone.
Is it humanly possible?
What would Verizon/Motorola/Google do if they got this phone back to refurbish it? Surely they'd have to re-install all the software/OS at its deepest levels and all the partitions of its memory, right? Can I do that? Would that work? Is this SIM subsidy lock in an an unreachable partition? How can there be an unreachable partition? That just doesn't make sense to me...can't be!
Is there anyone, somewhere out there in the world who is skillful enough to do this?
Thanks for any and all help!!!!!
Truly,
Sad Verizon Droid3 Customer Stuck Overseas :-(
The only way to bypass this, will be the kexec bootloader bypass. It will allow to load a custom kernel and a custom radio. But a dev is needed to make this happen.
Related
I just bought a g1 that is not unlocked, and I wondered if I have to have a tmobile sim card to unlock it.
No, the opposite, you need a sim card from another provider (along with the unlock code) to unlock it.
AndyBroke said:
I just bought a g1 that is not unlocked, and I wondered if I have to have a tmobile sim card to unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In The U.S., i saw you were not, you get the code from T-mobile unlike most other U.S. carriers they give it to you. Then any sim card other than an active T-mobile, even old non-active ones I have used as it just needs something to look against to enter the code. Here is the instructions....
T-Mobile Sim Unlock Request
Sim Unlock Reference: nnnnnnnn
IMEI: nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Unlock Code: nnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Thank you for taking the time to contact T-Mobile. Below you will see the Instructions for unlocking your HTC device.
1. Insert the foreign SIM card
2. Power on the device and the display should read "Please input unlock code"
3. Enter the unlock code and the device should display "Phone is unlocked."
4. Allow the phone to scan the network (or manually click on the antenna icon to do this)
It is very important that the instructions and SIM unlock code are entered correctly as listed. If you receive an error message while performing the instructions do not make any further attempts to unlock the handset. Please be aware that if an excessive amount of incorrect attempts are made, the phone will be permanently locked. You will need to verify the IMEI by pressing *#06# and contact Customer Care for support.
Thank You,
Sim Unlock Department
T-Mobile USA, Inc.
...I forget the time you need to be with them as I have for years....
I've done a lot of searching online for information about how the procedure is conducted, however either that information doesn't exist or there is just too much spam crap littered on the internet. I called T-mobile and requested the phone to be unlocked, and have recieved a confirmation email saying that I'll recieve my unlock code, however, after viewing someone actually changing out a sim card and inputing the unlock code I have to wonder if this procedure requires another sim card. I'm anxious...
It won't ask you for an unlock code until you put a different provider's SIM in the phone...
Just keep the unlock code around until you need it (I email myself with stuff like that)...
That does beg the question though of why you need a unlock code if you do not have another sim to use...? Just curious...
Also, I've been on a website called uniquephones.com and they claim to be able to unlock the G1 - has any actually tried them out?
Cheers,
Smiffy.
So does this mean that each time you start the phone with a different carriers sim card you'll have to enter the code, or only once? I'm a struggling student and I don't know if I can afford my contract here in the future, so I may have to use a different sim. Seems nice seeing how its a free service through T-mobile. TAKING FOREVER AND SOME though, I requested the unlock code last friday, I read others having their codes in 4 days, I'm going on 7 or 5 business days. Thanks though
hi I am new here, I get a g1 next week and I wondered if flashing a new rom affects the lock of the device... i bought it on ebay and have no tmobile plan. do i have to care about unlocking after flashing?
Was the device purchased "unlocked". I'm real fuzzy about this because I'm not sure if each time you use the device with a non-tmobile sim card I believe, but very well may be wrong, that you need to enter the unlock code before you can access the phone with that new sim. You shouldn't have any software boundaries that would make you unable to use the phone while rooting the device, as all the steps toward rooting are all done while the phone is either in fastboot or recovery mode.
it is locked.
maybe we have a non-tmobile user here, that can tell me whether or not he had to unlock after flashing. or does the locked/unlocked state "survive" a flash?
after rooting my device and flashing to the JF Dev 1.50 rom I was still asked for an unlock code for mine.
This is just my knowledge, don't fully rely on it. As far as I know, if the phone is rooted and is on one of the modified rom, it can be used with any sim card. If you have an unlocked code, you only have to enter it once. It will not ask you twice.
How do I find out what my PINs are? I'd like to know so that I can change them to my own personal numbers. PIN 1 (Phone) says there is only 1 attempt left and I've never even tried to access it to change it. PIN2 (Sim Card) says there are 3 attempts left and again, I've never tried to access it.
T-Mobile's Technical Support say they have no idea what they are.
Anyway to access this information so that I can find out what they are?
Thanks.
Well, to no avail I SIM locked my phone. lol. I ended up having to call T-Mobile and request my PUK (Pin Unlock Code) to unblock it. Apparently, each and every SIM has their own unique PUK so what your PUK # is won't work for someone else.
SHOULD you ever happen to fall in to the unfortunate event that I managed to do just call your service provider and request the PUK #.
There are different steps to unblock phones on different services.
My service provider is T-Mobile, USA, and I will list the PUK process to unblock your T-Mobile service phone should you ever need it.
Request PUK from T-Mobile customer service.
Unlock PIN code (PUK) (when PIN is entered wrong 3 times) **05*PUK*NewPIN*NewPIN#
If nothing happened after pressing the "#", then press send.
e.g. **05*XXXXXXXX*NewPIN*NewPIN#
Hello!
I would like to ask for help, since seems that my phone fall in a more locked state, a seems that is an issue that is starting to plague the Droid-3's models.
Well, the issue is, I bought a Droid 3 that came fine and with a Verizon SIM card, and activated. So I purchase an Unlock code on internet, in order to Unlock it for use in my country network ( I already unlocked succesfully others models in the past).
Well, the code seller sends me 2 codes as options for unlock, butin the first try both fails with my local SIM (following instructions), well, then I enter in a process of several tests with other option settings ( Changing Network to gsm, full resenting of the phone,etc), but aftera I almost sure was 10 attemps (I was 5 process in total, since I received 2 codes, so spend 2 by every stting that I was try), the phone reported "Dismiss mode" and since them the "Unlock Network" option was not available from the system and request for calling Verizon service.
So, I am not in USA, an neither have Verizon account, I am stuck with the phoen still network Locked and worst Locked also in "Dismiss Mode".
So, far, I would like to ask PLEASE some help in order to try to unlock the phone, since by now is almost bricked.
I also would like to resume the info that I found by my bad experience and related research in order to help avoid that others users may fall inthis locked state:
1) If you try to unlock your phone and the code is unsuccesfull, You have at the most a MAX of 10 times in total and if You reach 10 times, Your phone will be locked in "Dismiss MODE" and will be asking for calling to Verizon to try to solve and You will have to need a Verizon up to date account and in normal service.
2) The codes available in internet seems NOT ABLE to Network Unlock some Droid 3's and the issue seems in rising.
3)There is some info around about that Verizon change the internal codes of their phones, so seems that the Motorola provided code that some sellers offers seems that dont work.
Please, If somebody could help with a method or process to remove or pass the dismiss state, and some info about codes outside Verizon that really could work on network unlock, it will be very gratefull.
Thanks for attention and best regards.
If you leave the phone on for 9 hours (if I remember right) on this screen, it will go back to 'enter unlock code' mode. But this is all you could do. Verizon tends to alter unlock codes for their global phones - this started with Droid 2 Global and now we see growing reports of same happening to Droid 3.
The thing is they do not want you to be able to use the phone if you are not customer of theirs. For now, your only chance is to have phone activated on Verizon on account that's postpaid and has been in good standing for at least 60 days. Then owner of this account can call and request unlock code from Verizon Global Support. If all conditions are met - they will give him/her the code free of charge. I know this might not be possible for you to do. I believe the only other way is if bootloader gets unlocked and somebody knowledgeable can thinker with the baseband image to overcome the sim lock.
There is also one more thing you could try, but it likely won't work very reliably - it is called "TurboSIM/Smart Unlock SIM" - a thin module that inserts underneath sim card in the slot and fakes the phone to believe it is engineering SIM inserted, thus bypassing the lock code. Those sell for like $5 on eBay, but as I said - phone might not work very reliably when these are in use
Head over Droid 2 Global section to read for more information if you like.
Hello leobg!
First of all! thank You very much for take time to kind help and answer. Indeed, Your info is helping since make me with more clear scene about the phone status.
Well, by now I set the phone on with the original Verizon SIM inside, in order to look for the "Network Unlock Code" screen...
About this, I wonder, with some doubts... if there be possible that after around 9 hours the "Network Unlock Code" return, and if I do not have yet a proper code, IF I pass/dismiss the "Network Unlock Code" screen the phone will return to Subsidy status OR it may be remove the Subsidy status, and then, when I may get a proper code in future I was able to get again the "Network Unlock Code" screen again, OR, if I dismiss the "Network Unlock Code" screen, then the phone still will be in Subsidy status, so, the only way to reach again the "Network Unlock Code" screen will be put the phone ON for around 9 hours again?
The rest of the info is very usefull too.
Also, I wonder if somebody around here, may have the experience about made and complete succesfully a process of remove the subsidy lock with the Verizon service, and instructions, and in such case what could be the instructions that Verizon provides to a customer to remove the Subsidy lock in the normal way that Verizon does this.
And, of course, if some another good friend around have some additional help/info, it will be very gratefull.
Thanks to all and best regards!
Hello!
Well, still Locked... :-(
However, found that the tip about remove battery for a while (around 10-15min) and turn on with out SIM, then turn off, put a SIM and turn on again remove temporarily the Subsidy lock, so the "Unlock Network Code"screen option will be available again (but also if You type an unlock code and fail, it will turn to Subsidy mode again, but again You could reset by remove battery and so on...).
By now, I ordered a Turbo SIM but will take around 3 weeks to come...
Any info about a Recent succesfull unlock with a code from a seller?... May somebody succesfully unlock a D3 with a code from ebay seller unlock_fusion in the past 2 weeks?...
I would like to try to buy such codes, but I am afraid that all the ebay seller may have the same database codes (not verizon database...), so may be the same codes that I already have for my IMEI, and that didnt work in my case...
Thanks for any additional info/help... best regards!
damn happened the same to me. this is not nice. there should be a way to acces the portion of the memory that locks the sim card. if you can sbf, maybe you could acces it somehow.
Hey guys, recently I brought used Lumia 1320 from the US, it was originally locked to Cricket but when I got it it was unlocked. There was a bunch of crap on it so I just did factory reset and updated it to 8.1. After I finished playing with it I put the sim card in and it asked me for unlock code... So apparently factory reset locked it back to Cricket I asked them if they could give me the unlock code (again) but they need some info that came with the phone like account information or phone number and I don't have that and prob never will. So my question to you guys is there a way to remove simlock from the device? I come from Android and there it usually comes down to rooting the device, is it possible here as well?
is only two way to SIM unlock phone:
- carrier unlock
- or purchase unlock code from web (try here)
hard (factory) reset cant lock your phone. is possible your phone was locked from start but you not notice that
It was unlocked because it had a sim card inside from the same carrier I'm using and my friend was using it just fine. Idk what locked it, I did factory reset and then upgrade it to the newest version and it doesn't work anymore, asks for unlock code.
The price on these sites is a joke its more than half the phone's worth, I hope simlocks get banned by law and these thieves find a real job.
i make hard reset many times (maybe more than 20x on one phone because tests) and never lost SIM unlock...
if you want sim lock free phone next time buy phone from retail, not from operator... operator have rights to lock phone to prevent people to get cheaper phone and resale it, but must give free unlock service to customer... if you lost proof of purchase (or buy phone without), your problem...