DIY: Hack and unlock your T-Mobile G1 into an Android Dev Phone 1!
By Will Park on Monday, December 8th, 2008 at 6:39 PM PST In Android, HTC, Hottest Hardware, T-Mobile, Tutorial
Just the other day, Google announced that it will be offering its Android developers a special variant of the T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) 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 (NSDQ: GOOG) 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!
so after i unlock my g1 does that mean i can use it with cingular.
this is sort of iffy on that.
According to the original article linked, this hack will not network unlock the phone, rather it will allow u to modify files in the phone. I think u need to correct the article. Anyway, thanks a lot.
The process works great, BUT the phone is NOT SIM-unlocked at the end of it.
it doesn’t work at all..
Sheesh I buy my first ever “cool” phone. And now I have to wait for the system updates in order to enjoy the full experience of what the phone is capable. This $ucks. I mind as well buy an iphone. Arrg have a nice day
Only way to unlock is by code.
There is no free method.
You can try http://www.htccode.com or some other site.
really dont have idea abt it, but one thing i can help out of this if any one wanna unlock ur mobile walkin to nearest certified service center or visit this website to unlock phone
http://www.unlock-zone.com/
Can any tell me the procedures for imei number because i lost the number. But I got the unlock code & instructions from t-mobile-code but i am not having the imei number for my t- mobile can anybody tell me how to get imei number for t-mobile.
Thanks in advance!
this metod can’t unlock ur g1 for use with other carrier, g1 only can be unlocked by code if u wannt unlockit please contact me on msn FLOCHEROS@GMAIL.COM
this is garbage it doesn’t work
It didn’t work! I tried on two different G1 phones! bull s##t.