Unlocking Motorola Phones using IMEI #

Ok I know that the phone carriers can do this. What I want to know is how do they calculate the code they give you to unlock the phone?

I sent my IMEI number to Cingular, they sent me the unlock code, no cables, no flashing/flexing, no fancy button pushing, just followed the simple directions..

With non-Cingular SIM installed in the phone. (I have no idea what would happen if you kept the phone's sim card in the phone when doing it).

1. Turn on handset

2. Enter unlock code (we sent you), when prompted (only 8 digits)

3. Press OK

And poof phone was unlock and can now take other carrier SIM cards.

So I guess even now that I have my phone unlocked, I still would like to know what they use to calculate what the code is going to be or is it already built into a data base for certain Motorola phones, as to the unlock codes are, and they just "Flip through a book of codes" or is there a program that figures it out

(btw they said it would be 5 business days to get the code and I got it the next morning).

They also added the warning:

First then we give you warning before starting process. You have 5 tries to enter this code into your phone. If you go beyond the 5 tries your phone will not be able to be unlocked.


Now I know there are people out there with fat fingers, but come on it's 8 numbers and hitting the softkey OK prompt.

i think they use one of those big lottery ball scrambling glass things.

LOL well if that's the case I wonder if I can dust off my old bingo scrambler and start getting paid to do it!?!?!?

maybe, but people might get confused when trying to enter the 'b' before '10'

Hey i know this is pretty random, but will someone please tell me what CPF $: *insert number here* means? Like n1ckel5's is CPF $: 13200.00. What does that mean? Thanks. =D

What it means is how much CPF cash you have from posting messages, or people giving it to you through donations.

Go here to learn all about $CPF bucks

http://cellphoneforums.net/f108

Or here for the FAQ

http://cellphoneforums.net/faq.php

welcome to cpf!

check out the links in my signature. under the faq section it answers this question.

i would like to unlock my moto v220 like that whats the code for that?

is there something against hooking others up with info straight up instead of beating around the bush

Oley, I'm sorry you feel that it's beating around the bush, to call your cell phone provider to get the subsidy code to unlock your phone. But unless you are willing to modify your phone using a data cable and software that you download from the internet, to unclock the phone you have, Motorola V220. As far as I know, there are only four ways to do that, with only TWO of the options being free.

#1 get the code from the provider for free

#2 pay a unlocking service to do it, $15 to $35 bucks depending on where you live and who does it

#3 go to one of several cell phone modding sites and download software to do it yourself, to backup your phone, and re-flash it to get it to unlock.

#4 spend about $300 and buy one of the chip or mini computer unlocking kits that allow for unlocking several different types of cell phone (cables might be extra)

Just so you know, each and ever GSM phone, has it's OWN IMIE number so no mater what codes have worked on other phones, they won't work for yours. If Motorola phones were like many Nokia phones, you could look up on the internet for free online unlocking calculators to get codes to enter to unlock them. But Motorolras are not Nokias, that's not an option.

So it looks like #1 and #3 are what you want (free that is), with #1 being the easiest option to start with.

Whatever happened to saying "please"....




Good post Bear

Thank you Tony,

Now now don't be so hard on Oley, too much MTV will do that to a guy, or is that Cartoon Network? Please let it be MTV because I watch Adult Swim on the Cartoon Network!

what i think every IMEI# as a code to unlock it as long as it not unlock from the manufacturer of the phone

Sandy, welcome to CPF..

now, could run that post by me one more time?

It is just a simple tool that you enter the IMEI and click "find code". The unlock codes are specific to the IMEI and not the carrier you have service with and all IMEI's are not the same for every phone of th same brand. Generally unlocks codes are not available to your service provider and the request is made by your provider to the manufacturer of the phone.