Just the other day, Google announced that it will be offering its Android developers a special variant of the T-Mobile G1 (the first ever Android-powered smartphone to hit market) – the Android Dev Phone 1. Today, we’ve stumbled across a new hack that allows T-Mobile G1 owners with a bit of gumption and a dash of courage to turn their T-Mobile G1 into an unlocked Android Dev Phone 1.
The Android Dev Phone 1 is intended for Android developers with a need to load up custom firmware builds and test out unsigned software.
Fortunately for G1 owners, Google mistakenly shipped an Android Dev Phone 1 as a warranty replacement to an intrepid Android hacker. With a little help from those in the know, dream_kill managed to extract the Android Dev Phone 1’s unlocked bootloader and has posted the file online for all. Now, anyone can unlock their T-Mobile G1 to work just like an Android Dev Phone 1.
The G1-to-DevPhone1 conversion is easier than you think. The conversion requires little more than applying the update.zip file and rebooting the G1. In the end, you’ll have an unlocked G1 capable of running unsigned code. Unfortunately, this hack doesn’t endow your G1 with the Android Dev Phone 1’s cool battery-cover graphics.
More detailed T-Mobile G1 unlock instructions after the jump.
- You’ll need an Android-powered T-Mobile G1 running RC30 with root access – that means you updated your G1 to RC30 using this workaround method to preserve root access.
- You must have root access!
- Download the unlocked bootloader here.
- Rename the unlocked bootloader file to “update.zip”
- Move the newly renamed “update.zip” file to a microSD card.
- Insert microSD card into G1.
- Restart the handset by holding down the “Power” and “Home” buttons simultaneously
- When you see the triangle logo (you’ll know it when you see it), hold press “Alt” and “L” simultaneously
- Ensure that you see “using test keys” along the top
- Press “Alt” and “S” simultaneously
- Follow the on-screen instructions
- Press “Home” and “Back” buttons simultaneously when you’re done and ready to reboot
- The G1 will reboot as it does its thing – let it do so.
- You have now hacked/unlocked your T-Mobile G1 to work just like an Android Dev Phone 1 – enjoy all those unsigned Android builds and the freedom to use whatever GSM network tickles your fancy!