What is unlocking

[Realist]

Here you can find the basics about WHAT unlocking is.

WHAT IS LOCKED?
A gsm can be locked the SIM is NEVER locked!!!
The SIM itself is NEVER locked: you can use it in any compatible cellular phone. There are 2 different kind of simcard for mobile phones beeing: 1.8volt version and 3.6 volt version. All newer sims are 3.6 versions. With real old phones there could occur a compability problems.

HOW TO KNOW IF PHONE IS LOCKED?
Only phones bought in a "package", together with a SIM, can be locked. If the phone is locked, it is always written on the box (legal reasons)! If you have to sign a contract before they let you take the phone home, it is likely to be NOT locked. But if you don't have to legitimate yourself at all, it is probably locked.
A phone is likely to be locked if:
- it is really cheap
- you didn't even have to tell your name in the shop (e.g. prepaid).
You can of course always try it to put a strange sim in the phone. If the simcard is rejected your phone is locked. This can't harm your phone EVER!

A phone is likely NOT to be locked if:
- it is really old (Nokia 2110 etc.)
- you signed a contract to pay abonnement for at least a year
- if you buy a loose phone without a sim.
But only by trying with a different SIM you can be sure. The simcard or the phones won't damage from this.

WHAT SORTS OF LOCK ARE THERE?
- lock phone to SIM
- lock phone to OPERATOR (network lock)
- lock phone to CODE (product lock = offer lock)
If your phone is locked to the sim you cannot use any other sim than the one you have: SIM broken makes phone useless.
If your phone is locked to an operator, you can use any SIM from this operator in your phone. You can switch between contract and prepaid as you wish, but not to a different operator.
If your phone is locked to a code, the phone checks a special "password" (GID) on the SIM that must match your phone. Providers often use different passwords for contract and prepaid.
Note: a phone can have more than 1 lock active at the same time! (BUT Never has 4 locks locked if you buy it; if that is so then there is something wrong; it doesn't except any simcard!!)
*Nowedays there are more locks like WAP lock etc, It differs a bit per brand like SonyEricsson has 6 locks.
For more info go to contact or mail me at Salami1_1@hotmail.com

So unlocking is:
Removing the locks on the phone so you can use the phone with any compatible simcard.
So unlocking is tampering with the software??
-It can be, most program to unlock on the internet change some data in the phone software other just make a log and calculate unlock code. You will have to type the unlock code with special code in your phone to unlock it.

Is unlocking legal?
In some country's it is illegal but luckly in my country it is still legal
(The Netherlands)
Just make sure you check the laws in your country. Imei changing is almost in every country illegal. Flashing is not illegal but having the flash files (or offering them) is mostly illegal (copyrights).

[LeifNelson]

hi, I am new to this but the post have just clear my mind about what is actaully an unlocking is?

[blakey_8]

Unlocking is the procedure undertaken on a mobile phone enabling it to accept a sim card from any network. For example, if you buy a phone from Orange, it will only take an Orange sim card. However, if the phone is unlocked, you can use a sim card from any other network.

[steve-woods]

I bought a T-Mobile dongle which was supposed to be unlocked. It may not be as I cant get it to work. How can I check this??

[unadkat]

Originally Posted by steve-woods

I bought a T-Mobile dongle which was supposed to be unlocked. It may not be as I cant get it to work. How can I check this??

if the dongle is unlocked then you should be able to use it on any network

I used to have the software and will find it for you which unlocks all dongles.

[blakey_8]

You can get the needed files from the downloads of this forum, follow the links in the Private FTA section .