Software updates after the unlock? - Essential Phone Questions & Answers

Hi bought the essential phone from Sprint and paid off the next day. I want to unlock the bootloader to be used on att. I want to know if the phone gets updates or not once it is unlocked. Please advice.

Ronyar said:
Hi bought the essential phone from Sprint and paid off the next day. I want to unlock the bootloader to be used on att. I want to know if the phone gets updates or not once it is unlocked. Please advice.
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Bootloader and carrier phone unlocks are 2 different things. Unlock bootloader to install custom roms. Unlock phone to use other carriers networks. Even if you unlock your bootloader but your phone is still locked to Sprint then you can't use it on AT&T network. You need Sprint to unlock your phone first but your phone has to be active with them for 50 days to be eligible for unlocking your phone.

Related

Can an ulocked G1 be locked by upgrade or root?

If I have an unlocked G1, can anyone tell me if I root my phone and update to some of the firmwares posted hete (RC33), is it possibel that my phone becomes locked again? I now have RC19 and the phone is fully unlocked, but I'm afraid it can become locked again if I root it or flash it with another firmware. I have enough technical background to do the rooting and flashing as I have expoerience with windows mobile, but this is something new for me. Btw - i totally love the G1 and regret not leaving windows mobile.
The Sim-Lock is in an area of the phone that can not be "flashed' by the user. You are good to go!
Thanks a lot for that !
daveid said:
The Sim-Lock is in an area of the phone that can not be "flashed' by the user. You are good to go!
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I have been looking for this answer, as well. I have a brand new g1 that I traded my 3g iphone for. It's unlocked and on my AT&T account with no problems. But I had my iphone modded to the hilt and so of course I want to do the with the g1. That was the answer i was looking for!
Anyone else?
Yes. Please, anyone who has rooted and upgraded their UNLOCKED g1 , share experience. It may seem like a stupid question to some of the "advanced" users
bt remember - you weren't born with knowledge, so share it!
For example - an ulocked Iphone can be locked when upgrading so are you sure that the G1 won't lock as well!
What do you mean unlocked? As in sim unlocked, if so it can not be locked by upgrading software.
If you mean unlocked as in you have access to root. Then yes, but that is why you use JF's firmware.
alright ive got a rooted rc33 and im on at&t, ive upgraded from rc30..
so even when you upgrade you're good to go
I mean sim unlocked
I mean what unlocked means - SIM unlocked. My device is rc19 and came unlocked for any sim cards. I haven't done anything with it yet - root or upgrade and I wanted to ask if it's safe root and upgrade a sim unlocked device.
I was concerned it may become locked again because I don't know anything about the unlocking process on the G1 - I know there is a code that's generated according to the IMEI and tahat's about it but I wanted to know if this code can be erased by flashing newer firmware. I have read the steps described on this site for root and upgrade and I plan to do those with my device but I wanted to gather some opinions first. I hope this topic will be useful to others who have bought the G1 unlocked and are concerned.
axlastro said:
I mean what unlocked means - SIM unlocked. My device is rc19 and came unlocked for any sim cards. I haven't done anything with it yet - root or upgrade and I wanted to ask if it's safe root and upgrade a sim unlocked device.
I was concerned it may become locked again because I don't know anything about the unlocking process on the G1 - I know there is a code that's generated according to the IMEI and tahat's about it but I wanted to know if this code can be erased by flashing newer firmware. I have read the steps described on this site for root and upgrade and I plan to do those with my device but I wanted to gather some opinions first. I hope this topic will be useful to others who have bought the G1 unlocked and are concerned.
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youre safe to upgrade and root, ive done both and mine has stayed unlocked..
Ok. That sounds encouraging. I recall that there were more than one ways to unlock the Iphone. Is it the same with the G1 - I know the main way to unlock
it is by entering a code but I also know there are HARDWARE unlocked devices (as the developer edition of the G1) - Is yours only simUnlocked or is it hardware unlocked too? I'm sorry if I'm asking too much, but I don't want to pay 30$ to get an unlock code again.
It's not like the iphone. The iphone is has to be 'unlocked' by hacking the firmware, since apple have never released any legitimate way of unlocking it, and seem to take great delight in re-locking 'unlocked' iphones every couple of months (this is one of the reasons why my iphone sits at home gathering dust).
The G1 has a standard unlock code, just like just about every phone on the market. Once that code has been entered the phone is unlocked permanently. There's no such thing as a hardware unlocked device - it's merely never been locked to a provider. In the same way if I buy a 5800 from Nokia it's unlocked but it's no different to one got on contract, it's just never been locked.
Google don't care much if you run JF firmware or something you cooked up yourself... they give away the source code so you can do just that.
Thanks.
So entering the simunlock code is irreversible process, having nothing to do with the firmware. That's what I wanted to hear. Thanks guys.
Successfully rooted, upgraded to Jf RC33 with multitouch, put apps on SD and very happy now

[Q] bootloader unlock allowed - no

I have a T-mobile uk Arc that has been network unlocked using Octopus SE.
Unfortunately when I go into the service menu it still says "Bootloader unlock allowed - no".
I though that unlocking it from the network might have changed this.
Is there anyway to unlock the bootloader and/or root the device if the bootloader unlock says no? i tried re-flashing using the namaste guide, but it didn't work.
I really don't understand why this is the case though. What is the determining factor for the bootloader status?
(sorry i know there's a few questions here but i'm so frustrated from having no look in researching this)
Thanks for any help you can offer!
In the service menu if your Bootloader Unlock says no then you cannot UNLOCK it.
The only way is VIA TEST POINT method (which carries RISK of bricking your device) can be done to have unlocked.
You can still HOWEVER root your phone. Cheers mate.
First of all thank you for the quick response.
I unlocked my phone from its network using the testpoint method (using Octopus Box). Is this the same as what you are referring to or is it a method of re-flashing that uses the testpoint?
Thanks!
If you done it correctly "TEST POINT" method your Bootloader should be unlocked.
fluxgfx said:
If you done it correctly "TEST POINT" method your Bootloader should be unlocked.
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Hold the menu button, plug in your phone.
If the LED turns blue (fastboot mode), your bootloader is unlocked.
Pumphandle said:
I have a T-mobile uk Arc that has been network unlocked using Octopus SE.
Unfortunately when I go into the service menu it still says "Bootloader unlock allowed - no".
I though that unlocking it from the network might have changed this.
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Click to collapse
You now have a unlocked phone, not a SIM-FREE phone. Only a SIM-FREE phone that was never sold via a network will come with a unlockable bootloader.
It's why these sell for a bit more (£30ish).
CrazyPeter said:
You now have a unlocked phone, not a SIM-FREE phone. Only a SIM-FREE phone that was never sold via a network will come with a unlockable bootloader.
It's why these sell for a bit more (£30ish).
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... he's already said he unlocked it from the network. Therefore, he does have a SIM/network free/unlocked phone.
However, SIM/network unlock is completely separate from the bootloader.
If the Service Menu says bootloader unlock is not allowed, you need a paid tool like SE Tool to unlock it.
Perhaps it's a regional terminology thing.
In the UK, unlocked means it was once locked to a network (but usually still with network branding)
Sim-free, means it's totally unbranded, not sold with a contract and not sold by a phone network. ie. totally independant of any phone network.
Only Sim-free is unlocked bootloader.
CrazyPeter said:
Perhaps it's a regional terminology thing.
In the UK, unlocked means it was once locked to a network (but usually still with network branding)
Sim-free, means it's totally unbranded, not sold with a contract and not sold by a phone network. ie. totally independant of any phone network.
Only Sim-free is unlocked bootloader.
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I agree with you, I don't think they really understood exactly what you meant.
I remember Rikard from the SE Blog when they announced about bootloader unlocking on the new xperia phones. He also said that phones with generic firmware will be allowed to unlock bootloader.
So just because, you have unlocked a phone from t mobile it isn't a Sim free phone.
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium
I have to be thankful that my actual carrier doesn't do sim-lock.
First of all, thank you for your contributions.
So to re-cap, it is a T-mobile branded arc, that is now network free, but not sim free.
Is it possible to flash the phone to make it sim free? Would would using SETools acheive this?
Pumphandle said:
First of all, thank you for your contributions.
So to re-cap, it is a T-mobile branded arc, that is now network free, but not sim free.
Is it possible to flash the phone to make it sim free? Would would using SETools acheive this?
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Ugh. SIM and network are the SAME thing: locked to a specific carrier / cannot use a different carrier's SIM card.
The bootloader is different. Generic (unbranded) phones have unlockABLE bootloaders through a FREE process. Carrier-branded phones ALSO have unlockABLE bootloaders but the process is NOT free.
Any bootloader can be unlocked, regardless of SIM/network status. I suggest you watch the video and pay attention to the FAQ.
There is no firmware or software that you can flash onto a phone to SIM/network unlock it. Buy an unlock code or tool credit (Omnius, SE Tool, etc.).
There is also no firmware or software that you can flash onto a phone to unlock a bootloader. Either use http://unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com or pay to get it unlocked.
BluechipJ said:
Ugh. SIM and network are the SAME thing: locked to a specific carrier / cannot use a different carrier's SIM card.
The bootloader is different. Generic (unbranded) phones have unlockABLE bootloaders through a FREE process. Carrier-branded phones ALSO have unlockABLE bootloaders but the process is NOT free.
Any bootloader can be unlocked, regardless of SIM/network status. I suggest you watch the video and pay attention to the FAQ.
There is no firmware or software that you can flash onto a phone to SIM/network unlock it. Buy an unlock code or tool credit (Omnius, SE Tool, etc.).
There is also no firmware or software that you can flash onto a phone to unlock a bootloader. Either use xxxxxxxx or pay to get it unlocked.
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Thanks for the answer but CrazyPeter is right. There's a regional terminology issue here that is not not translating.
That being said it does look like SETool is the way forward. I should've checked exactly what result unlocking with Octopus box would have.
Contact Jinx13 who will be able to unlock and open bootloader
I had sim locked three phone he did mine Sunday and it is easy and quick
Thanks cheify009. Heard his name being mentioned a few times now.
If u don't mind me asking, was it expensive?
Pumphandle said:
Thanks cheify009. Heard his name being mentioned a few times now.
If u don't mind me asking, was it expensive?
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£15.00 done mine as well as my arc was on tmobile,now it is sim free and bootloader is unlocked.
Although you can still update via PC but not ota as it will brick the phone.
Sent from somewhere.......
dude?
BluechipJ said:
... he's already said he unlocked it from the network. Therefore, he does have a SIM/network free/unlocked phone.
However, SIM/network unlock is completely separate from the bootloader.
If the Service Menu says bootloader unlock is not allowed, you need a paid tool like SE Tool to unlock it.
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Good morning to all! I have a big question! I have a Sony Ericsson Experia ARC vodafone brand new and comes with android 2.3.4 compilation: 4.0.2.A.0.62, and when connect it via the PC COMPANION tells me there's a new update 4.1.A.0.562, should I update it?
I've seen in many forums that updating the phone slow down the performance and assure me I'll regret of that. the other thing I was thinking is to make a backup of my original rom, but there is some way to make a backup of the original rom if something goes wrong? with the update? thanks

How to Carrier / imei unlock the Huawei Ascend XT ?

Hello,
I just acquired a new 'Huawei Ascend XT' phone which is sim locked to AT&T. I am currently in the process of unlocking the boot loader and rooting the phone.
I was wondering is there any tool available to Carrier / imei unlock this phone after I have rooted it (or may be even befor rooting it)?
Thanks.
I'm fairly certain you just need to change the apn settings manually.. need to do something weird to bring up the option to add/edit, believe it's holding down the tasks button
Without being carrier unlocked, the phone can only be used on AT&T Prepaid, AT&T, or AT&T based MVNOs. These days AT&T won't give you an unlock code unless you use the phone on AT&T Prepaid for 6 months. You can check eBay to see if any unlockers will sell you an unlock code for a few bucks. Only buy from sellers who have a money back guarantee if their unlock code fails.
rhoniel said:
Hello,
I just acquired a new 'Huawei Ascend XT' phone which is sim locked to AT&T. I am currently in the process of unlocking the boot loader and rooting the phone.
I was wondering is there any tool available to Carrier / imei unlock this phone after I have rooted it (or may be even befor rooting it)?
Thanks.
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Bought 2nd-Hand
I would like to ask if there is any way to carrier unlock. I bought this phone for 20$ on offer up. But when I contacted at&t to request unlock they said it has to be used for 6 months. For me that does not work, as I am already with tMobile and bought the XT for a second phone because of the large device support. I actually love the phone, but as is it is just sitting around. If anyone has or has heard of a way to accomplish an unlock please p.m. Me.or answer in forum. Thanks in advance.
Ps. phone is already bootloader unlocked and rooted with magisk 14.0. And latest TwRP.

Sprint Essential, unlock bootloader?

Can the Sprint essential be bootloader unlocked?
Looking to take advantage of the Sprint deal for $5/mo but only if I can unlock the bootloader.
Yep, it's the same procedure. There's no "Sprint" version. All guides/procedures/roms/etc can be used on the Sprint variant
Bootloader, yes. But if you use a Sprint SIM it will be carrier-locked until you pay the phone off and get the code from Sprint.
*EDIT* Just realized that the OP was asking about Unlocking the Bootloader, which of course is absolutely possible., regardless of the Unlocked version or the Sprint version.
Do u get essential software updates after unlocking the bootloader.

Unlockboot expensive, but do you recommend?

Hi,
I found that "unlockboot" can help me to unlock my S10+ SMG-G975U, that previusly UnlockUnit identify my device as Unavailable - CDMA and something like that topic.
Do you recommend unlockboot to unlock by 99USD?
Thank in advance!
Are you wanting to carrier unlock it or bootloader unlock it? The phone is already carrier unlocked, just insert your SIM. The bootloader cannot be unlocked on the G975U.
StoneyJSG said:
Are you wanting to carrier unlock it or bootloader unlock it? The phone is already carrier unlocked, just insert your SIM. The bootloader cannot be unlocked on the G975U.
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Hi,
No, there is a message that said "Sorry, your device can´t be activated on another carrier's..."
What carrier are you on? If you flash the U1 unlocked firmware and insert a SIM, it should work. If you don't want to flash then it looks like you need an unlock code, which is odd because from what I have read the G975U is already carrier unlocked.
StoneyJSG said:
What carrier are you on? If you flash the U1 unlocked firmware and insert a SIM, it should work. If you don't want to flash then it looks like you need an unlock code, which is odd because from what I have read the G975U is already carrier unlocked.
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Thanks, I will try to flash U1 fw. The cellphone is Verizon, and I am looking to move to Movistar (Telefonica) of Mexico.
StoneyJSG said:
What carrier are you on? If you flash the U1 unlocked firmware and insert a SIM, it should work. If you don't want to flash then it looks like you need an unlock code, which is odd because from what I have read the G975U is already carrier unlocked.
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Wait wait. So you're saying my Sprint S10+ is already unlocked? Just need to flash the U1 software?
If you purchased a carrier branded model new it doesn't normally come unlocked. You need to own the phone outright before a carrier will unlock it and some carriers require that the phone be used on their network for a minimum period of time (usually 1 or 2 months) even if you did purchase it outright from them.
You cannot flash U1 firmware on an S10+ unless it's carrier unlocked.
Hello,
I flashed this one: https://forum.xda-developers.com/s10-plus/how-to/sm-g975u-firmware-downloads-tmo-spr-att-t3908657. Everything goes ok, and the message of unlocking appears, requesting me the unlock code.
Any suggestion?
Thank you!
jhs39 said:
If you purchased a carrier branded model new it doesn't normally come unlocked. You need to own the phone outright before a carrier will unlock it and some carriers require that the phone be used on their network for a minimum period of time (usually 1 or 2 months) even if you did purchase it outright from them.
You cannot flash U1 firmware on an S10+ unless it's carrier unlocked.
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Click to collapse
Actually you can flash U1 firmware anyway, but it will still be locked to the same carrier without the unlock code. Carrier locking is IMEI based, not software or device based.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using XDA Labs
Have you tried calling the carrier and asking them to unlock it? Most carriers will unlock your phone once you've had it for 3 months.
Psedog said:
Have you tried calling the carrier and asking them to unlock it? Most carriers will unlock your phone once you've had it for 3 months.
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I cannot get contact with agent support, I need to have a Verizon number get into the call
jwarrior319 said:
Actually you can flash U1 firmware anyway, but it will still be locked to the same carrier without the unlock code. Carrier locking is IMEI based, not software or device based.
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Recently the firmware for the S10+ became all-inclusive like on the S9 models so I'm not sure if flashing U1 firmware over carrier firmware will get rid of the carrier apps anymore. They seem to get installed now automatically as part of the provisioning for the installed SIM card. If you have a network unlocked Verizon phone and insert a T-mobile SIM you end up with the T-mobile boot animation and T-mobile apps and all the Verizon stuff is gone. Maybe the U1 firmware doesn't work the same way.
I read in a different thread that you have to activate the phone with Verizon and wait 3 days. After that just put in another carrier SIM and the phone should auto unlock.
jhs39 said:
If you purchased a carrier branded model new it doesn't normally come unlocked. You need to own the phone outright before a carrier will unlock it and some carriers require that the phone be used on their network for a minimum period of time (usually 1 or 2 months) even if you did purchase it outright from them.
You cannot flash U1 firmware on an S10+ unless it's carrier unlocked.
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this is incomplete and some is inaccurate..
his vzw device doesnt need to be paid off but does need to wait 60 days from activating on the verizon network before they unlock it..
also you can absolutely flash u1 firmware on a u device, it has literally nothing to do with the sim lock.. and no, flashing u1 on u doesnt magically unlock the sim..
pretty sure on U firmware vzw device will say message cannot be used on another carrier yet.. on u1 will i believe prompt for unlock code when a dif. carrier sim is inserted
https://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy
sprint however needs to be fully paid off and active at least 50 days and account needs to be in good standing to be eligible for sim unlock
StoneyJSG said:
I read in a different thread that you have to activate the phone with Verizon and wait 3 days. After that just put in another carrier SIM and the phone should auto unlock.
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Click to collapse
its a 60 day period, not 3 days lmao
hackerjj22 said:
Hi,
I found that "unlockboot" can help me to unlock my S10+ SMG-G975U, that previusly UnlockUnit identify my device as Unavailable - CDMA and something like that topic.
Do you recommend unlockboot to unlock by 99USD?
Thank in advance!
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Click to collapse
are you trying to unlock the Sim or the bootloader? i have the same phone and was disappointed to find out i couldn't unlock my bootloader. no root no custom rom smh. but it's because Samsung removed the developer option to "oem unlock" which must be enabled to unlock. so done online service claiming to be able to do so is crap and waste of money. also if you're trying to unlock the Sim which I think that's what the site is claiming to be able to do because Sprint is a CDMA network if you unlock the SIM the only other service you can put it onto would be boost or Virgin Mobile which just use Sprint's towers. they're the only network still using CDMA. so pointless all the way around sorry buddy.
kw69747 said:
are you trying to unlock the Sim or the bootloader? i have the same phone and was disappointed to find out i couldn't unlock my bootloader. no root no custom rom smh. but it's because Samsung removed the developer option to "oem unlock" which must be enabled to unlock. so done online service claiming to be able to do so is crap and waste of money. also if you're trying to unlock the Sim which I think that's what the site is claiming to be able to do because Sprint is a CDMA network if you unlock the SIM the only other service you can put it onto would be boost or Virgin Mobile which just use Sprint's towers. they're the only network still using CDMA. so pointless all the way around sorry buddy.
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Thanks for your reply!
I am trying to unlock the sim, the cellphone was Verizon US, (refurbished by asurion). And wanted to use Movistar (Telefonica, from Mexico just GSM). I am searching to do a root and try to follow this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1693491. So what I understand, the site "Unlockboot" could do a CDMA unlock, and after 3 days of chatting with the person that is on service there, sounds that are possible, also is possible that I can continue using my GSM provider of Mexico. But it is very expensive 99$ USD is 2000$ MXN... Also, I do not trust a web service, also if there isn't a reference on this forum.
So that's the update...
kw69747 said:
are you trying to unlock the Sim or the bootloader? i have the same phone and was disappointed to find out i couldn't unlock my bootloader. no root no custom rom smh. but it's because Samsung removed the developer option to "oem unlock" which must be enabled to unlock. so done online service claiming to be able to do so is crap and waste of money. also if you're trying to unlock the Sim which I think that's what the site is claiming to be able to do because Sprint is a CDMA network if you unlock the SIM the only other service you can put it onto would be boost or Virgin Mobile which just use Sprint's towers. they're the only network still using CDMA. so pointless all the way around sorry buddy.
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you are wrong.. U variants will work on all us carriers once sim unlocked.. its been this way a few years now..
also, i can get oem unlock but youre still not missing anything because bl unlock doesnt work still lol
I think ibowtoandroid who maintains multiple Samsung device threads on XDA has an unlock service but I'm not sure what he charges.
---------- Post added at 01:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 AM ----------
Where I live there are multiple independent phone shops that sell SIM cards and phones and are not affiliated with a single carrier and also phone repair shops that offer to SIM unlock a phone as a walk in service. You can probably find a shop to do it if you don't trust an online service.
jhs39 said:
I think ibowtoandroid who maintains multiple Samsung device threads on XDA has an unlock service but I'm not sure what he charges.
---------- Post added at 01:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 AM ----------
Where I live there are multiple independent phone shops that sell SIM cards and phones and are not affiliated with a single carrier and also phone repair shops that offer to SIM unlock a phone as a walk in service. You can probably find a shop to do it if you don't trust an online service.
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Click to collapse
Let me contact him, thanks!

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