Database Users

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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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

unlock (simlock) g1

Is it possible to unlock for free ? Couldn't find an manual (only jtag).

should I risk to buy an locked phone?

This has been covered elsewhere.
Your simlock can be removed by the service provider.
either that or there is a site out there that charges about £20 to send you the unlock code.
Ive just got a G1 off my cousin today and have suffered the same. Luckily for me he is still a tmobile customer and should be able to get the unlock code from them for free.

Danh2009 said:
This has been covered elsewhere.
Your simlock can be removed by the service provider.
either that or there is a site out there that charges about £20 to send you the unlock code.
Ive just got a G1 off my cousin today and have suffered the same. Luckily for me he is still a tmobile customer and should be able to get the unlock code from them for free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your confirmation (wasn't sure about this).Jtag can also be done (but thats madness)

Just another question:
I've read that the locked version uses different gsm networks(dual band), while the unlocked versions use quad band.
Can an locked phone that has been unlocked use the quad band (with the right radio) too?

Anyway I've bought the google phone

I found that unlocking on ebay is the fastest and the cheapest way of doing this.
BTW: the phone I'm going to buy has already CM 4.6, should I root again after every build I flash (the kaiser builds were always rooted) ?

I wouldnt have thought you needed to root again if it already has the Cyanogenmod on it as i think its already rooted.
im still learning the android stuff!
i do know that within 3hrs of having my (still locked to tmobile) "virgin" G1 i had the Danger-spl and the latest release of CM on it!
ebay i will have to look into as i have discovered that because im in the UK Tmobile will charge £15 to unlock even though my cousin has had this phone since release.

robuser007 said:
BTW: the phone I'm going to buy has already CM 4.6, should I root again after every build I flash (the kaiser builds were always rooted) ?
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Click to collapse
Simlock has nothing to do with the rom, and a rooted rom has nothing to do with the simlock outside of prompting you for the code if the radio firmware tells the rom its needed to proceed.
There is no reason to unroot/reroot besides increasing the chances you make a mistake and brick the phone.
If you want a different rom that's your choice, but it will have no impact on the simlock.

ezterry said:
There is no reason to unroot/reroot besides increasing the chances you make a mistake and brick the phone.
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Click to collapse
So after flashing a custom rom (phone was already rooted) , the phone is still rooted?
Reroot is only needed when flashing the original image back (if you want a custom rom later) ?

Sim unlock code is best to unlock the HTC G1,But free unlock code is not possible to get for this Model Phone,You need to pay for it,Get the unlock code from the site Superunlockcodes.com/htc/rs12wp8/ and Unlock it.

bootloader unlock allowed: No with factory unlock SIM

Hello everyone.
Yesterday I bought my Z1 factory unlock SIM in a store. The box with the phone was perfectly sealed. Anyway, the first thing I wanted to do is unlok the bootloader. When I try, I realize that getting into the mobile me menu appears bootloader unlock allowed: No.
I have contacted Sony and they say I need the SIMlock (number of unlock) and of course this does not have it and the operator said that neither does.
This may be so, or have cheated me in the store and sold me a mobile unlok for them?
What I can do? No way to get the number SIMlock?
Thank you.
Greetings.
PD. Sorry my bad English.

I think you getting confused. SIMlock have nothing to do with Bootloader.
SIMlock is a SIMlock from you provider, that means if you brought you phone from Vodafone, you can use Vodafone Sim only from them on your phone. But like I can see is not your case because, like you said, your phone is SIM Unlocked, that's mean unbranded.
Bootloader is that part of you device which allow you to flash your phone or root it. In your case if there is Bootloader Unlock Allowed: NO, that mean you can't unlock you bootloader. There is no way to unlock it. And you should search on XDA first.
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2576948
What you can do with Locked Bootloader;
Root your phone, Flash Custom or Stock Roms, Flash Stock Kernels.
What you can't:
Flash Custom Kernels.
For the rest of the part search on XDA.

BoRoU said:
Hello everyone.
Yesterday I bought my Z1 factory unlock SIM in a store. The box with the phone was perfectly sealed. Anyway, the first thing I wanted to do is unlok the bootloader. When I try, I realize that getting into the mobile me menu appears bootloader unlock allowed: No.
I have contacted Sony and they say I need the SIMlock (number of unlock) and of course this does not have it and the operator said that neither does.
This may be so, or have cheated me in the store and sold me a mobile unlok for them?
What I can do? No way to get the number SIMlock?
Thank you.
Greetings.
PD. Sorry my bad English.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is kind of an off-topic, but how did you contact Sony? Email?
I'm also having a bootloader-lock issue similar to yours, but my phone is actually SIM-locked and I need to know how to proceed with my operator to be able to unlock it.

eclyptos said:
I think you getting confused. SIMlock have nothing to do with Bootloader.
SIMlock is a SIMlock from you provider, that means if you brought you phone from Vodafone, you can use Vodafone Sim only from them on your phone. But like I can see is not your case because, like you said, your phone is SIM Unlocked, that's mean unbranded.
Bootloader is that part of you device which allow you to flash your phone or root it. In your case if there is Bootloader Unlock Allowed: NO, that mean you can't unlock you bootloader. There is no way to unlock it. And you should search on XDA first.
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2576948
What you can do with Locked Bootloader;
Root your phone, Flash Custom or Stock Roms, Flash Stock Kernels.
What you can't:
Flash Custom Kernels.
For the rest of the part search on XDA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, thank you very much for responding.
The concepts have very clear, I come from a Xperia Z I bought right out. I had understood that to unlock the bootloader has to be mobile factory unlock or unlock if you have the attendant need to contact Sony to enable you to unlock the bootloader.
That condition must be met in order to unlock the bootloader with the traditional system?
Like I said it quite well how this works, I've had HTC's. The problem is that without the bootloader unlock AOSP I forget which I love. :silly::silly::laugh:
Emannxx said:
This is kind of an off-topic, but how did you contact Sony? Email?
I'm also having a bootloader-lock issue similar to yours, but my phone is actually SIM-locked and I need to know how to proceed with my operator to be able to unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I contacted Sony Spain via chat. Then I attended a girl who told me what I have to do.

Emannxx said:
This is kind of an off-topic, but how did you contact Sony? Email?
I'm also having a bootloader-lock issue similar to yours, but my phone is actually SIM-locked and I need to know how to proceed with my operator to be able to unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SIM unlock?
I had SIM lock...that's not problem.
Just check could your phone be SIM unlocked and if yes - order SIM unlock number from Internet.
There's million web pages and you'll receive your code in a day or two.
Sent from my Z1

BoRoU said:
That condition must be met in order to unlock the bootloader with the traditional system?
Like I said it quite well how this works, I've had HTC's. The problem is that without the bootloader unlock AOSP I forget which I love. :silly::silly::laugh:.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to say but if your Bootloader Unlocking Allowed saying NO you can't unlock you bootloader, So no AOSP, CM11 or PACMAN.
Read the part 2. Link: http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/instructions
I come from HTC too but is not the same with Sony, they made this more complicated.

eclyptos said:
Sorry to say but if your Bootloader Unlocking Allowed saying NO you can't unlock you bootloader, So no AOSP, CM11 or PACMAN.
Read the part 2. Link: http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/instructions
I come from HTC too but is not the same with Sony, they made this more complicated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is: people are reporting that this "bootloader unlocking allowed: no" is done by the operator/carrier, in my case, Vodafone and they have means to change the "status" in order for it to be enabled. I've read reports of other xperia users saying that through the official support channels it's possible to send the phone to Sony with the SIM-unlock code and they'll unlock everything.
Also, in Portugal theres a new law implemented in 2010 that goes like this:
You can always unlock your device from the operator: if you're on a contract, you have to pay the remaining months entirely. If your device is at least 2 years old, you don't pay anything.
If you're not on a contract, you pay the difference of the unlocked-version price with the price you paid for locked-version device - say, I paid 250€ for my locked Xperia L, the unlocked xperia L at the time I bought mine costed like 279€, i'd have to pay 279-250 = 29€ to unlock my device.
Also with this law, there's a National Communications Authority (ANACOM) which controls everything related to communications in Portugal, I'm going to contact them and report this "double lock" that's being applied by Vodafone, because I'm pretty sure that, if I unlock my phone, they're forced by law to remove every restriction on it.
I don't lose anything on trying to fight back with everything I got so... that's what I'll do.

Emannxx said:
The thing is: people are reporting that this "bootloader unlocking allowed: no" is done by the operator/carrier, in my case, Vodafone and they have means to change the "status" in order for it to be enabled. I've read reports of other xperia users saying that through the official support channels it's possible to send the phone to Sony with the SIM-unlock code and they'll unlock everything. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is something what clarified the situation. So this Lock on bootloader is done by the operator and there is a Double Lock on the phone Z1, SIM-Lock and Bootloader Lock.
And both can be unlocked?
But what have SIM-unlock code to do with Bootloader?

eclyptos said:
This is something what clarified the situation. So this Lock on bootloader is done by the operator and there is a Double Lock on the phone Z1, SIM-Lock and Bootloader Lock.
And both can be unlocked?
But what have SIM-unlock code to do with Bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely nothing.
They are different things

eclyptos said:
This is something what clarified the situation. So this Lock on bootloader is done by the operator and there is a Double Lock on the phone Z1, SIM-Lock and Bootloader Lock.
And both can be unlocked?
But what have SIM-unlock code to do with Bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I'm not sure. The SIM-lock is the basic thing the operators do in order to prevent users from switching to another one, but now they also apply the bootloader-lock in order to prevent users from installing modified-unnoficial software.
Sony might request the SIM-unlock code in order to "prove" that the phone has been released, thats my best guess. I don't really know if it is somehow related to the bootloader-unlock. But since it is a restriction applied by the operator, once I request it to be unlocked, I literally asking for the full access to the device... which can only be obtained by unlocking the SIM and unlocking the bootloader

Emannxx said:
I don't really know if it is somehow related to the bootloader-unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has nothing to do with the bootloader unlock!!!

I bought my first Z1 phone (i've got it replaced under warranty) branded and sim-locked, but the bootloader was ALLOWED to unlock.
So - i think sim-locking and not allowing the bootloader to be unlocked, are two DIFFERENT things.
p.s. - however, i think it's worth trying that request in Portugal law. There's nothing to lose.
Sent from my C6903 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

gregbradley said:
It has nothing to do with the bootloader unlock!!!
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Click to collapse
This is what I thought.

So what conditions have to have a phone to bootloader unlock allowed: YES?
What a difference one bootloader unlock allowed: YES and another bootloader unlock allowed: NO??

BoRoU said:
So what conditions have to have a phone to bootloader unlock allowed: YES?
What a difference one bootloader unlock allowed: YES and another bootloader unlock allowed: NO??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bootloader Unlocked: You can flash Custom Kernels, Bootloader Locked: You can't flash Custom Kernels, Stock Only but you can flash Custom Roms and be rooted.

Well. I gonna tell you what i did in spain. I got a Phone from movistar with the status to unlock bootloader set to "no". I ask to my provider for the sim-unlock code and I got it. I sended to sony an email "[email protected]" requesting to change this status. To certified that my phone is free i add the sim-unlock code, my imei, phone number and device model. After a week or two they answered to me with this:
In connection with an inquiry number 1-9......., we inform you that we will proceed to pick up your phone for the release of the bootloader of your phone.
For this we need you to contact us by phone to ask for the information needed to program the day of collection of the terminal.
Our phone hours are: 902 180 576 Monday to Friday, 9 to 19:30 hours uninterrupted.
Once you receive your terminal you will be able to unlock the Bootloader and make the process of "unlock" the bootloader, this operation could void the terminal as shown in the web http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com

My case
In my case, I'm survieving with a HTC Wildfire S because Sony has taken my Z1 to change from "NO" to "YES".
Mine was from Vodafone and after SIM-Unlocking I realized I can't unlock bootloader. I contacted Sony in Spain and they asked my about my IMEI and NCK code (SIM Unlocking code).
A week later they called me saying that they would pick my Z1 to "unlock" it and 3 days ago they pick it up.
I miss my Z1.
Regards,
Urko

eclyptos said:
Bootloader Unlocked: You can flash Custom Kernels, Bootloader Locked: You can't flash Custom Kernels, Stock Only but you can flash Custom Roms and be rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, what happens once I unlock it clear and I did with my old Xperia Z.
What is not clear is I have the phone in order to unlock the bootloader or not based.

I hope you succeed in getting an allowed bootloader-unlocking phone.
However, i'm curious if Sony will return you such a device, with the same IMEI as you originally had. Please keep us informed about that.
Sent from my C6903 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I hope not to have to send it to Sony. If I can not solve this surely return the phone and buy it somewhere else.
Yet if I make the process of sending you the story.

Cannot root or unlock bootloader

I just bought Xperia X Compact in Japan, phone's carrier is NTT Docomo. (model SO-02J)
I tried *#*#7378423 , but it shows "bootloader unlock allow : NO"
then I tried ADB , but I cannot use commands like "su" , "root" . It shows : /system/bin/sh: su: not found :crying:
What can I do now to root this phone?
Or maybe I should buy a new phone that is global-version,simfree ?
I need help !

I think you cannot root without unlocking bootloader...
Maybe Kingroot...but I'm not sure...

Rikanotank1 said:
I just bought Xperia X Compact in Japan, phone's carrier is NTT Docomo. (model SO-02J)
I tried *#*#7378423 , but it shows "bootloader unlock allow : NO"
then I tried ADB , but I cannot use commands like "su" , "root" . It shows : /system/bin/sh: su: not found :crying:
What can I do now to root this phone?
Or maybe I should buy a new phone that is global-version,simfree ?
I need help !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can not do anything if the bootloader is not allowed to unlock.
No bootloader unlock, no root, custom recovery (twrp), roms, etc.
What does the OEM Unlock switch in developer options say? if there is one? greyd out maybe with some explanation below?
A possible solution is to look for the F5321 model of this phone (sim free international) as I can see in xperifirm that only 1 provider (NTT DoCoMo) is tied to the SO-02J and they are also well behind with updates.

Theoretically you can use exploits in the system to gain root, but for this you need a vulnerable stock firmware. You can flash an older firmware even with locked bootloader, as long as it is stock. But I would strongly advise against permanently downgrading to a vulnerable firmware, you might not be the only one to exploit it . On that firmware, you could install root software that does not touch the kernel, but the use is limited for customizations and also realize that the whole community here revolves around unlocked phones, so all guides etc. expect that.
Hope you still enjoy your phone or find somebody else who does Not everybody cares about root and custom ROMs, I suggest you resell. If you get another model, as suggested, buy a F5321. Even branded ones, bootloader is unlockable and you remove the branding with flashing another (stock or custom) ROM.

ypnos42 said:
Theoretically you can use exploits in the system to gain root, but for this you need a vulnerable stock firmware. You can flash an older firmware even with locked bootloader, as long as it is stock. But I would strongly advise against permanently downgrading to a vulnerable firmware, you might not be the only one to exploit it . On that firmware, you could install root software that does not touch the kernel, but the use is limited for customizations and also realize that the whole community here revolves around unlocked phones, so all guides etc. expect that.
Hope you still enjoy your phone or find somebody else who does Not everybody cares about root and custom ROMs, I suggest you resell. If you get another model, as suggested, buy a F5321. Even branded ones, bootloader is unlockable and you remove the branding with flashing another (stock or custom) ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much !

Rikanotank1 said:
Thanks very much !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you succeed?

Unable to unlock

I got a g8141 and had used for a mounth. Recently I want to unlock my xzp to develop custom rom, but after turning on OEM unlock, the "Bootloader unlock allow" is still "NO".
What's the problem?

YumeMichi said:
I got a g8141 and had used for a mounth. Recently I want to unlock my xzp to develop custom rom, but after turning on OEM unlock, the "Bootloader unlock allow" is still "NO".
What's the problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing you can do, phone can't be unlocked unfortunately.

YumeMichi said:
I got a g8141 and had used for a mounth. Recently I want to unlock my xzp to develop custom rom, but after turning on OEM unlock, the "Bootloader unlock allow" is still "NO".
What's the problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sell it and buy one thats factory unlocked. Thats most likely your only solution. If your lucky see if Sony will replace it for one that is. They will probably charge you something to do so though.

Maybe you bought carried locked device?

maple_mak said:
Maybe you bought carried locked device?
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Click to collapse
I'm afraid so.

I find it hard to believe that there is n o way of unlocking these unless there is some fuse that's been blown.
Has anyone actually looked in to this or is this a case of everyone assuming they know it cant be done because that's what it says?
for instance, has anyone tried flashing a generic ROM over their OEM ROM?
If we could understand why it doesn't work then perhaps we can find a way of getting around it. As I said, unless there is fuse that's been blown in which case, no chance.

Its been the same way since the original Xperia Z phones. It has nothing to do with the software on the phone, its on the hardware level as far as i know.
I had a Z2 that was bought on contract with Bell (in Canada). My phone stated "bootloader unlock allowed: no" and there has never been a way since to change that option to allow: yes (at least by anyone trying on XDA). Flashing custom ROMs, OEM ROMs, nothing matters or changes the setting.
I have a friend that had the same phone bought from Sony directly and his has always said "bootloader unlock allowed: yes"
Unless I've missed something in the last 4 years, no one has ever been able to change that setting.