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Info on Unlocking Phones

Added by Tom Lukeywood over 8 years ago

Dose Replicant remove restrictions dictating which phone provider you can use (aka unlock the phone)?

(for a Samsung Galaxy S II)

if not what is causing this restriction?

the bootloader?

is there anyway to remove it?

thanks for any info in advanced!


Replies (4)

RE: Info on Unlocking Phones - Added by My Self over 8 years ago

In my defense, I'm not familiar with this topic, but:

Dose Replicant remove restrictions dictating which phone provider you can use (aka unlock the phone)?

AFAIK: no, (like any other available custom ROM).

(for a Samsung Galaxy S II)

AFAIK: not for the I9100, (and for any other device, neither).

if not what is causing this restriction?

To my shame, I don't know. But the web knows for sure. Initial example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock

the bootloader?

AFAIK: no, because: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Basic_concepts#.22unlocking_a_phone.22

is there anyway to remove it?

AFAIK: yes. There are a bunch of "sim unlocking services", example: http://sim-unlock.net/ or (more or less) "free apps", example: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spocky.galaxsimunlock in the wild...

Hint: Please keep in mind, that you shouldn't use Replicant at the point you're planing to use one of these services, as you can see here (why): http://redmine.replicant.us/boards/9/topics/7467

RE: Info on Unlocking Phones - Added by Tom Lukeywood over 8 years ago

Thanks for the reply

and just in case you know why do these sim unlocking websites charge money for the codes
where to they get them from and if anyone can get them would they not just be available online?

RE: Info on Unlocking Phones - Added by Paul Kocialkowski over 8 years ago

SIM lock is stored in the modem's non-volatile data, which is at /efs/nv_data.bin
It's possible to remove the SIM lock by tempering with that file (always make a backup before, though). If you look deep enough in XDA, you might find instructions on how to do this.

The code is just to tell the modem to update its non-volatile data to remove the SIM lock. Those codes are usually not public, but databases of them are usually sold to big players (perhaps by Samsung directly, perhaps not) and smaller shops that offer SIM unlock will usually pay a small fee per code.

RE: Info on Unlocking Phones - Added by My Self over 8 years ago

[...] would they not just be available online?

As the wikipedia link (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock#Unlocking_technology) describes, there are various ways providers will secure that mechanism. I thought till now, the regular way is that the unlock code must be >generated< from the combination of your:
  • IMEI number, your
  • country (code) and your
  • operator details for the algorithm, which is used by your specific
  • device.

(But this is just one predefined option).

I've searched a bit and found a service, which should generate unlock codes for free, (several users said in the year 2010 in a forum). I tried that service with fictitious data (but the correct device) and at the end I was pleased to proceed, that I have to pay 28.-EUR to get the code mailed...

Those codes are usually not public [...]

IMHO this has to do with the buzzword money. You have to search a little bit deeper for really free services, so that you could buy a proper cheaper smartphone and just convert it (for free) to a value increaseed one.

[...] XDA [...]

I had the same thought. If you want to dive deeper in this material, the XDA developers forum is a really good place to ask questions like these.
You could start searching for answers right here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/themes-apps/root-sgs2-sim-unlock-code-finder-t1092451

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