Unlock Your GSM Phone!
By Will Park on Wednesday, March 14th, 2007 at 12:02 AM PST In Carriers, Devices, Services
There’s been a recent surge in the unlocked GSM mobile phone market. But, for the most part, you would have to pay your carrier or a third party retailer to get you some unlocking codes or to actually unlock the handset for you. Another possibility would be to buy a whole new phone outright. But that can be prohibitively expensive, as there is no carrier subsidy.
It is a lesser known idea that you can simply unlock a phone all by yourself (depending on your particular handset model and manufacturer)! Wikipedia says that Cingular and Tmobile offers free unlock codes to customers who have been subscribed for 3, or more, months. Some phones will require direct unlocking through the use of a special cable or a special machine, we will talk more about that later. But many phones can be unlocked by keying in a simple little code into your phone. Let’s take a look at how this works….
First lets gather some information on your phone:
Phone make and model –
Who made your phone? Which model is it? Don’t know?
IMEI number -
This number can usually be found under your battery cover, sometimes under the battery itself. This number is essentially the serial number for the phone and can be easily retrieved from the phone itself by dialing in the appropriate code – *#06#.
Provider code –
This is a code that identifies the particular carrier that you are currently using. Find your US carrier code here. UK users can check this list. And everyone else can go here.
(Additional phones will be added as we compile information on other phones)
For Nokia (NYSE: NOK) phones:
DCT4: 1100, 1101, 1110, 1600, 2100, 2300, 2600, 2650, 2652, 3100, 3120, 3200, 3220, 3210, 3230, 3300, 3310, 3330, 3410, 3510, 3510i, 3650, 3660, 5100, 5110, 5130, 5140, 5146, 5210, 5510, 6020, 6021, 6030, 6100, 6101, 6110, 6111, 6130, 6150, 6170, 6210, 6220, 6230, 6230i, 6250, 6260, 6310, 6310i, 6510, 6600, 6610, 6610i, 6650, 6670, 6800, 6810, 6820, 6822, 7110, 7200, 7210, 7250, 7250i, 7260, 7270, 7280 7600, 7610, 7650, 7700, 7710, 8210, 8310, 8800, 8810, 8850, 8890, 8910, 8910i, 9110, 9110i, 9210, 9210i, 9300, 9300i, 9500, and N-Gage, N-Gage QD
If you see your phone on this list, you can unlock your phone.
Download this unlock code calculator. Unizip the file to wherever you want (preferably your Desktop).
Step 1-
Run the "DCT4 Calculator 1.4.exe" program by double-clicking it. ,
Step 2 -
Enter your IMEI number in the appropriate field. In the MCC+MNC field you will enter your provider code. Then select your country and provider using the drop down boxes. Select a lock type (choose "Type 2" unless you are unlocking a Nokia 7650 or 3650 in which case, choose "Type 5"). Make sure that the check box for "v2 codes" is checked. You will get 7 unlock codes.
Step 3 –
Remove the SIM card from your phone!
Step 4 –
Start by keying in the last (7#) code. Again, make sure you have removed the SIM card. If this code fails, try the first code in the list (1#). Any one of the codes should work to unlock the phone, but sometimes it takes a couple tries. But you only get five tries, so be extra careful (see warning below).
Step 5 –
Enjoy your new unlocked phone on any GSM network in the world! Of course you will need a SIM card for that network, but now your phone will work with that SIM card.
WARNING: YOU ONLY GET FIVE (5) CODE ENTRIES BEFORE YOU CAN NO LONGER UNLOCK YOUR PHONE. If you enter the incorrect code 5 times, you will recieve an error message and will no longer be able to unlock by simply entering codes. For this reason, it is IMPORTANT that you correctly enter you IMEI number (as well as your Provider information).
For Nokia phones:
DCT3: 2100, 3210, ,3310, 3330, 3410, 402, 5110, 5210, 5510, 6110, 6150, 6210, 6250, 7110, 8210, 8250, 8850, 8890 (and US variants)
If you see your phone on this list, you can unlock your phone.
Download this unlock code calculator. Unizip the file to wherever you want (preferrably your Desktop).
Step 1-
Run the "DCT3 codes client " program by double-clicking it.
Step 2 -
Enter your IMEI number in the appropriate field.
Step 3 -
Enter your provider code in the "Network" box
Step 4 -
Click on "Lock 1" button.
Step 5 -
Jot down or take note of the code that you are given.
Step 6 –
Remove the SIM card from your phone!
Step 7 –
Start by keying in entire code. Again, make sure you have removed the SIM card. But you only get five tries, so be extra careful (see warning below).
Step 8 –
Enjoy your new unlocked phone on any GSM network in the world! Of course you will need a SIM card for that network, but now your phone will work with that SIM card.
WARNING: YOU ONLY GET FIVE (5) CODE ENTRIES BEFORE YOU CAN NO LONGER UNLOCK YOUR PHONE. If you enter the incorrect code 5 times, you will recieve an error message and will no longer be able to unlock by simply entering codes. For this reason, it is IMPORTANT that you correctly enter you IMEI number (as well as your Provider information).
For Motorola (NYSE: MOT) P2K Phones:
So far only the following models can be unlocked using this software:
v80, v220, e380, c450, c550, c650
Make sure you remove your SIM card prior to entering flash mode on the phone. There is no need to gather any data from these phones, the software will take care of that
Step 1 –
First remove your SIM card.
Step 2 –
Turn your phone off
Step 3 –
Plug in the data cable and connect your phone to your computer.
Step 4 –
Enter the flash mode of the phone by pressing the following buttons simultaneously: *, #, "Power button". You should be pressing three buttons simultaneously, no more, no less.
Step 5 -
Open the Motorola Unlocker Software.
Step 6 -
Click "Connect Rfone"
Step 7 –
Click "Yes’
Step 8 -
You will see a "Done!" prompt indicating a successful unlock. If you dont see this, make sure you have all the drivers for your p2k phone. Once all drivers are installed, repeat this process.
If you can’t see your phone or you get a message saying that your Rfone cannot be detected, again, make sure you have the appropriate drivers. Also its important to be in flash mode, Step 3 must be done correctly.
Excuse me. I don’t speak English very well. How do I do to unblock the touches MP3 of Samsung U510?
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do you know if you have the code for the motorola V3? THanks
Hello
i’m afraid that before i find this wonderfull simply to understand page i already tried more that 10 times, so i screw up.. so what should i do??
Please help!!!
thanks
i was wondering if the motorola v173 can be unlocked, is their some software to do that. i wanna give my phone to my friend who wants use to t mobile, but i have cingular on it, so can you help me.
Thanks.
um once you take out your sim card how are you supposed to type in the numbers?
it is possible to unlock vodafone ZTE 225 and 125?
thanx.
Please help me , how do I unlock an Samsung A717 for T-mobile services.
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Cher
What do I do to unlock a ZTE F156 that is locked to the Telstra network in order to use it in my home country network – Digicel.
ZTE Telstra F156 that is locked to the Telstra network in order to use it in my home country network.
I need 16 digits unlock code how to get.
I will insert a optus sim card.
Thank you
Cornelia
It is possible to unlock vodafone ZTE 225?
can a motorola i455 be unlocked?
i need help what is the unlock code for sidekick 3???
waht is the sidekick 3 unlock code i wanna use it for cingular
idk
i got a telstra ZTE 156 and y’all need sum1 to unlock it how id do this shit motherfcukers
ZTE Telstra F156 that is locked to the Telstra network in order to use it, I need 16 digit unlock code how to get.
I will insert a optus sim card.Does anyone know the code..
Thank you
Defhead
ZTE Telstra F156 that is locked to the Telstra network. How to unlock it…
i need my F156 ph unlocked can tou please provide me with the code thank you
Do you have unlock codes for blackberry curve 8310
i need to unlock this cellphone can you please provide me with the unlock code# motorola model TFC139B imei#010912005883297 and model#PG.C3 with imei#011039001560601
can you help me to unlock my vodafone 255 made By ZTE?
my IMEI:355862016102778
i have a vodafone 125 sim clocked, emei:355861016722155, please help me unlock it. Thank you very much
well i have a helio phone and i locked it by accident and i dont know the code to unlock it so do yall have any ideas
I have an LG KG225 by Tmobile that will not unlock. I was able to get all 7 codes but can’t input on the phone. When I input the (#) it gives an error to put in the SIM CARD.
What is the deal not allowing the # input? It allows the * as an initial input but not the #.
The phone is new with a new T Mobile Sim card but want to use a different network. Any help?
Thanks
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imei 35941200152581
can you help me to unlock my cell roger canada to gsm
imei 35941200152581
motorola KRZR
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imei 35941200152581
motorola KRZR
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TO UNLOCK ANY CELL PHONE BY CODE GO TO:
http://www.unlockmode.com
they send me the code for my razr and my sister’s blackberry within 12hours
its the only website with a direct phone number
theyre the best !!
help me onlock my phone
i brought a telstra f156 and i need it unlocked can you give me the 16 digit code
Pls help me unclock my vodafone 125
imei:357306016122525
The unlock code for an i455 motorola
Thanks
I have downloaded the DCT4 calculator but it generates 15 digits. The phone (ZTE F156) requires 16 digits so the unlock code does not work. Anybody with knowledge about this delema???
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ok another ZTE f156 were u get the 16 digit code can u give it 2 me?
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hi my vodafone 125 is locked can u unlock that imei no 357570018432741 if u can pls send me code i will be really thank full for u ….
Hi. Can you PLEASE help me unlock my samsung a717? My IMEI is 356383010061380 ,lithuania gsm-omnitel,gsm-bite. my emeil is remigijus.svipas@gmail.com .
Thanks
guys and gals… make sure to look into giving your IMEI out so easily on the board
correction:
guys and gals… make sure to NOT look into giving your IMEI out so easily on the board
Hi all..This website wants MONEY for the unlock code IF they can provide you with one..They are in some cases more expensive than your phone carier..Be aware
I have downloaded the DCT4 calculator but it generates 15 digits. The phone (ZTE F156) requires 16 digits so the unlock code does not work. My IMEI is 356113010572197
i dont know how to unlock it, even with the DCT4 calculator, i need help to unlock my motorola v3 razr. if it is possible, could you help me? My IMEI is 351538011614074
i have a sk3 and want to use it with cingular can you help me out with the code
Vodafone 125 IMEI: 357306016159139
please
hi there,
can you PLEASE supply me with the 16 digit unlock code for my telstra 3g phone. it’s a ZTE F256.
EMEI: 356137010634822
hi toby…did u already unlocked ur phone?pls reply…i need help,also to unlock my phone..thank u..