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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
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).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... 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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
£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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Just got my H918 T-Mobile Unlocked from an Ebay Seller. The good news is that it is on 10k, so I can downgrade and enjoy the twrp and root awesomeness! Just one thing: Will I lose the carrier unlock after I factory reset or flash another rom? (Sim unlock works as it should and I did not have to do anything with the T-Mobile Device Unlock app, which was preinstalled)
tweengr said:
Just got my H918 T-Mobile Unlocked from an Ebay Seller. The good news is that it is on 10k, so I can downgrade and enjoy the twrp and root awesomeness! Just one thing: Will I lose the carrier unlock after I factory reset or flash another rom? (Sim unlock works as it should and I did not have to do anything with the T-Mobile Device Unlock app, which was preinstalled)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't think you will but I would still check around first
I have checked around. Probably will not lose the unlock. Maybe someone else has been in the same situation. I have to make sure.
Not sure if I'm answering your question right but t mobile has the obligation to unlock fully paid off phones. So if the device is fully paid off and something happens you can call t mobile again to unlock it.
Update: Unlocked bootloader, installed custom rom, never lost sim unlock.
tweengr said:
Just got my H918 T-Mobile Unlocked from an Ebay Seller. The good news is that it is on 10k, so I can downgrade and enjoy the twrp and root awesomeness! Just one thing: Will I lose the carrier unlock after I factory reset or flash another rom? (Sim unlock works as it should and I did not have to do anything with the T-Mobile Device Unlock app, which was preinstalled)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I also have a locked H918, can you suggest the ebay seller so that I am able to use the phone
No you will not lose your unlock. Once unlocked it's for good.
I've tried the secret phone codes in google but unfortunately, they don't work anymore. I was wondering if there are any new ways.
BUMP
Are you talking about SIM unlock or bootloader unlock?
terminator911 said:
Are you talking about SIM unlock or bootloader unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SIM unlock, bro.
If this is your phone then you can ask AT&T to unlock it for you:
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/?#/
If not then look around eBay for sellers who specifically target this device; they can provide you with an unlock code for a small fee.
so i live in the us. I was going to get a S8 in a trade im in need of a new phone any more but its sprint and Im on tmobel
what are the chances it has a sim lock i dont think i request for a unlock has been put into sprint.
just buy a sim unlock and Im good to go right? Any problems with the s8 supporting tmoble bans?
What would it take to unlock the boat load and flash a rom. Will the boat loader be able to be unlocked.
I did look this up but im seeing conflicting answers thanks for reading my post.
raven.warsong said:
so i live in the us. I was going to get a S8 in a trade im in need of a new phone any more but its sprint and Im on tmobel
what are the chances it has a sim lock i dont think i request for a unlock has been put into sprint.
just buy a sim unlock and Im good to go right? Any problems with the s8 supporting tmoble bans?
What would it take to unlock the boat load and flash a rom. Will the boat loader be able to be unlocked.
I did look this up but im seeing conflicting answers thanks for reading my post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Their are paid services to sim unlock it
as for the bootloader it cannot be unlocked
perm locked
you can follow the edl rev 6 thread and possibly get root on nougat but no unlocked loader