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Motorola V3i unlocking
Suzey
06-08-2006
Hi all

I posted this msg a couple of days ago and had a notification saying someone had replied, but when I click on the link it says the thread doesn't exist! Dunno if it's been deleted or what.

Anyway, the question I asked was whether anyone had been able to ge their V3i unlocked? I've heard horror stories about people buying them and not being able to get them unlocked, or having to open them up and having them soldered or something.

Any ideas?

Suze
RYPW
06-08-2006
The answeer was yes just take it to your local market where most stalls that deal with mobiles can unlock it.
dawson
06-08-2006
Your original thread/post was merged with the existing sticky thread on the same topic:

http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/...0#post10073440
Last edited by dawson : 06-08-2006 at 13:24
Suzey
06-08-2006
Thanks for the info. So it's not too new to be unlocked then?!

Suze


Originally Posted by ryanwilliams479:
“The answeer was yes just take it to your local market where most stalls that deal with mobiles can unlock it.”

Suzey
06-08-2006
Oh right - thanks! I'm not going mad then.

Would be nice if the system sent you a mail when this happened, as this new thread isn't in my subscribed list 9and the old one was).

cheers

Suze


Originally Posted by dawson:
“Your original thread/post was merged with the existing sticky thread on the same topic:

http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/...0#post10073440”

jonnym
06-08-2006
Not as easy as just getting it unlocked at a market stall. The handsets have to be unlocked via a procedure called testpoint. Motorola have now started to put protective cages over the testpoint meaning that the cage has to be damaged to get to the testpoint to unlock it.

This invalidates the warranty so think about that before you get it done.
Suzey
06-08-2006
I don't understand - I've read that some people have been able to get the unlock code from Virgin Mobile if they spent £30 on airtime??

Suze


Originally Posted by jonnym:
“Not as easy as just getting it unlocked at a market stall. The handsets have to be unlocked via a procedure called testpoint. Motorola have now started to put protective cages over the testpoint meaning that the cage has to be damaged to get to the testpoint to unlock it.

This invalidates the warranty so think about that before you get it done.”

dawson
06-08-2006
Originally Posted by jonnym:
“Not as easy as just getting it unlocked at a market stall. The handsets have to be unlocked via a procedure called testpoint. Motorola have now started to put protective cages over the testpoint meaning that the cage has to be damaged to get to the testpoint to unlock it.

This invalidates the warranty so think about that before you get it done.”

Local market stalls around here offer unlocking using smart-clip and testpoint.

You are however correct that the unauthorised removal or modification of the protective cage by the unlocker will invalidate any warranty.
Last edited by dawson : 06-08-2006 at 14:10
dawson
06-08-2006
Originally Posted by Suzey:
“I don't understand - I've read that some people have been able to get the unlock code from Virgin Mobile if they spent £30 on airtime??

Suze”

Virgin offer the unlock code for their own PAYG mobiles once the user has spent £30 on top-ups.

However they don't offer the unlock code to any other networks phones. You will need to contact your own network for your unlock code and they will charge you a fee for this (like most networks do) if you want to unlock it this route.
Last edited by dawson : 06-08-2006 at 14:13
Suzey
06-08-2006
Thanks.

Just to be clear - if I get a V3i can it be unlocked via code? i really don't want to have the handset opened up and the warranty invalidated.

Some of the posts on here seem to suggest codes can be used (I'm willing to pay the network provider) and others seem to be adamant that the handset needs to be opened.

Suze


Originally Posted by dawson:
“Virgin offer the unlock code for their own PAYG mobiles once the user has spent £30 on top-ups.

However they don't offer the unlock code to any other networks phones. You will need to contact your own network for your unlock code and they will charge you a fee for this (like most networks do) if you want to unlock it this route.”

RYPW
06-08-2006
Originally Posted by jonnym:
“Not as easy as just getting it unlocked at a market stall. The handsets have to be unlocked via a procedure called testpoint. Motorola have now started to put protective cages over the testpoint meaning that the cage has to be damaged to get to the testpoint to unlock it.

This invalidates the warranty so think about that before you get it done.”

Every market stal round here unlocks them and I know a few people who have had theirs done down the market.
Suzey
06-08-2006
Did they have to have their handset opened up though?

Suze


Originally Posted by ryanwilliams479:
“Every market stal round here unlocks them and I know a few people who have had theirs done down the market.”

dawson
06-08-2006
Originally Posted by Suzey:
“Thanks.

Just to be clear - if I get a V3i can it be unlocked via code? i really don't want to have the handset opened up and the warranty invalidated.

Some of the posts on here seem to suggest codes can be used (I'm willing to pay the network provider) and others seem to be adamant that the handset needs to be opened.

Suze”

Yes it should be able to be unlocked via a code obtainable from the network.

However, I'm not sure how much the network will charge and they probably won't offer the code until the contract expires (after which time the warranty on the phone will also probably have expired)

If you want to purchase a phone that can be used on any network from the off, get one sim free.

It's cheaper to buy a sim free V3i from amazon than it is to buy the phone on PAYG from virgin
Last edited by dawson : 06-08-2006 at 14:48
Suzey
06-08-2006
OK, thanks for the info Dawson!

I am seriously considering buying the phone from Motorola SIM-free and your advice is pushing me towards this option even more!

I was going to buy the phone on Orange PAYG. Someone else I know did this the other week and the Orange shop told them to go see the guy in the dodgy shop down the road - he said he couldn't do it and sent them to another Orange shop, who said they could do it but couldn't guarantee that it would work :|

Suze


Originally Posted by dawson:
“Yes it should be able to be unlocked via a code obtainable from the network.

However, I'm not sure how much the network will charge and they probably won't offer the code until the contract expires (after which time the warranty on the phone will also have expired)

If you want to purchase a phone that can be used on any network from the off, get one sim free.

It's cheaper to buy a sim free V3i from amazon than it is to buy the phone on PAYG from virgin”

ram33
06-08-2006
Originally Posted by Suzey:
“OK, thanks for the info Dawson!

I am seriously considering buying the phone from Motorola SIM-free and your advice is pushing me towards this option even more!

I was going to buy the phone on Orange PAYG. Someone else I know did this the other week and the Orange shop told them to go see the guy in the dodgy shop down the road - he said he couldn't do it and sent them to another Orange shop, who said they could do it but couldn't guarantee that it would work :|

Suze”

if you but from cpw you may find they are already unlocked as they usually use sim free stock i believe
RYPW
06-08-2006
Originally Posted by Suzey:
“Did they have to have their handset opened up though?

Suze”

what do you mean opened?
ram33
06-08-2006
Originally Posted by ryanwilliams479:
“what do you mean opened?”

needs to be opened and metal shield removed to make the testpoint
Suzey
07-08-2006
As in, the cover of the handset is taken off and soldering needs to take place inside, then it is all put together again. It invalidates the warranty, so I'm not keen on this option.

Suze


Originally Posted by ryanwilliams479:
“what do you mean opened?”

Suzey
07-08-2006
One thing I'm a bit annoyed about is that I wanted the purple one Orange is selling on PAYG, but I can't find this on sale anywhere from a reputable dealer (only ones which import from overseas and I'm worried about having to pay duty).

Think I'll ring Motorola on Saturday and see what they say.

Suze


Originally Posted by dawson:
“Yes it should be able to be unlocked via a code obtainable from the network.

However, I'm not sure how much the network will charge and they probably won't offer the code until the contract expires (after which time the warranty on the phone will also probably have expired)

If you want to purchase a phone that can be used on any network from the off, get one sim free.

It's cheaper to buy a sim free V3i from amazon than it is to buy the phone on PAYG from virgin”

Captain Cod
19-01-2007
Not quite free - costs £4.05, but this guy seems to be able to supply the "Subsidy codes" needed to unlock all Motorolas. He sorted my phone (a Pebl locked to Orange) in no time.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UNLOCK-Remote-...QQcmdZViewItem
dangermouse1
01-02-2007
I have the pink razor on vodafone anyone know how to unlock it?
I have tried the local markets but they say the software doesn't support it?
Captain Cod
01-02-2007
Try the man that I mentioned in the previous post - really quick and easy for £4.07.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UNLOCK-Motorol...QQcmdZViewItem

He has the data base to give you your "Subsidy Password" - no software required. Checkout the guy's 100% feedback if you're a disbeliever!
Last edited by Captain Cod : 01-02-2007 at 22:12
dangermouse1
01-02-2007
Thanks for that
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