Hello Tattoo community! Need urgent advice to potential buyer :) - Click General

Hello,
Probably will buy this device tomorrow, used, dont sure ifs its unbranded or Vodafone (Portugal) branded.
I have a question ...
- If it's unbranded (and so on unlocked), there's anything I need to know (something in the firmware), so I can install "anything" I want?
- If its branded and sim locked... it's easy to unbrand and unlock? Should I take a look of something on the firmware?
Really appreciate your help.
Thanks,
Tiago

There is no good way yet to unlock the htc tattoo locked to orange uk except from using the ismart sim 2008. Besides the simlock problem, you have a smaller screen than other android devices. So some apps or games might not work properly.. but most of them do. Also you have limited access to the market, that is, you can access products that have been specified htc tattoo compliant only unless you root the device and install the cracked market app. Besides that everything is ok.

yash08 said:
There is no good way yet to unlock the htc tattoo locked to orange uk except from using the ismart sim 2008. Besides the simlock problem, you have a smaller screen than other android devices. So some apps or games might not work properly.. but most of them do. Also you have limited access to the market, that is, you can access products that have been specified htc tattoo compliant only unless you root the device and install the cracked market app. Besides that everything is ok.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never said it's tattoo orange uk... I said maybe its vodafone portugal tattoo...
smaller screen? what's the normal screen for tattoo ?

he ment its small screen, compared to other HTC phones, most phones got 3+ inches screen, tattoo is 2.8.
about unlocking - its ur rights to try put ur sim card in the phone before u buy it. Myn was unlocked, thought they sayd its locked to they network. At same time - they use same phones for selling as locked to they network with a contract, as same phones for selling it for full price...

Stiflerlv said:
he ment its small screen, compared to other HTC phones, most phones got 3+ inches screen, tattoo is 2.8.
about unlocking - its ur rights to try put ur sim card in the phone before u buy it. Myn was unlocked, thought they sayd its locked to they network. At same time - they use same phones for selling as locked to they network with a contract, as same phones for selling it for full price...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont want to count with simcard... always had problems with it.
So its not easily possible to unlock and unbrand a tattoo ?

Dude, if I had the chance I would have bought a device which is easily upgradeable to another Android OS or other ROMS (maybe with different OS').
But returning to your issue:
Unbranding shouldn't be a problem (I removed Vodafone Germany branding), but with unlocking there are problems with certain providers. Just put your SIM in first and see if it boots, otherwise I would take another device if the tattoo should be locked.

TheSSJ said:
Dude, if I had the chance I would have bought a device which is easily upgradeable to another Android OS or other ROMS (maybe with different OS').
But returning to your issue:
Unbranding shouldn't be a problem (I removed Vodafone Germany branding), but with unlocking there are problems with certain providers. Just put your SIM in first and see if it boots, otherwise I would take another device if the tattoo should be locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if I put my TMN sim card on Vodafone Tattoo, it's suppose to work ?
Not understood what you explained, sorry.

Some carriers sell phones that are locked to them, others sell unlocked phones.
Here in the UK for instance, vodafone phones are not locked and an HTC Tattoo bought from them can be used with any SIM. Ones sold by Orange are locked to them and can only be used with an Orange SIM.
I do not know if Vodafone in Portugal lock their phones or not, the simple way of checking is by trying your non vodafone SIM and seeing if it works.
Unlocking the Tattoo can be done but costs $15 or so I believe (although with the Desire they then charge you another $20 - a very dodgy practice), far better to buy one that's not locked in the first place unless you want to use it on the carrier it's locked to.
You posted a couple of days ago - have you already bought the phone? Was it unlocked? Or have you not bought it yet?

Confucious said:
Some carriers sell phones that are locked to them, others sell unlocked phones.
Here in the UK for instance, vodafone phones are not locked and an HTC Tattoo bought from them can be used with any SIM. Ones sold by Orange are locked to them and can only be used with an Orange SIM.
I do not know if Vodafone in Portugal lock their phones or not, the simple way of checking is by trying your non vodafone SIM and seeing if it works.
Unlocking the Tattoo can be done but costs $15 or so I believe (although with the Desire they then charge you another $20 - a very dodgy practice), far better to buy one that's not locked in the first place unless you want to use it on the carrier it's locked to.
You posted a couple of days ago - have you already bought the phone? Was it unlocked? Or have you not bought it yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I understood.
Here in Portugal, ALL phones are SIM Locked. Unlock goes from 50$ to 150$.
That's why I asked if it's easy to do it by us.

HTCCode.com say on the front page that it costs $15 but people in the Desire forum are saying they are being told that their device costs more - but only after they've paid the $15.

Related

How to unlock the blackstone?

Hello anyone knows how to unlock the Blackstone?
many thanks
HTC Touch HD
Me too, how to unlock the HTC Touch HD locked to Oange?
TA
there this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=430048
HTC Touch HD
XeonSX said:
there this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=430048
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant a cheap unlocking!
IF you mean free then I dont know but theres a link to 22$ unlocking service, not too much.
zmalach said:
I meant a cheap unlocking!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats the cheapest so far ... unless you ask your carrier for the sim unlock code. I know in US your carrier has to give it to you after 3 months of service don't know about UK regulations.
thesire said:
thats the cheapest so far ... unless you ask your carrier for the sim unlock code. I know in US your carrier has to give it to you after 3 months of service don't know about UK regulations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only here they are alllowed to charge you for it, 20 pounds for orange unlock code but thats not even posssible as the phone is only a month old in the UK I think
XeonSX said:
Only here they are alllowed to charge you for it, 20 pounds for orange unlock code but thats not even posssible as the phone is only a month old in the UK I think
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aah that sucks ... sorry .. That was a suggestion for op as he didn't want to pay the 50 (wait it out another 2 months ).
UK providers
UK phone providers Orange - will ask for the full value of the contract to unlock it - ie if you have 12 months left at £30 then £360 for the code + unlock fee £20 quidish.
Not sure about T-Mo - but i believe at the end of the contract they will give it for free, but dont say your going to another network, as they'll charge you for the privilidge.
Been there done that... htccode.com appear to be the cheapest at present at £15.
Reviews of service appear to be very positive!
crystal_clear said:
UK phone providers Orange - will ask for the full value of the contract to unlock it - ie if you have 12 months left at £30 then £360 for the code + unlock fee £20 quidish.
Not sure about T-Mo - but i believe at the end of the contract they will give it for free, but dont say your going to another network, as they'll charge you for the privilidge.
Been there done that... htccode.com appear to be the cheapest at present at £15.
Reviews of service appear to be very positive!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found this Forum whilst looking for quick way to unlock HTC Touch HD - follwed this recommendation and it's unlocked From sending Paypal payment to getting code took about 5 mins - made contact via MSN and they are really good - if anyone is going to do this, saves asking them the same question as I did - when you enter the unlock code it'll say it's accepted but will then say it's locked again - enter the code once more - that'll do it
hi
i need help i recently got a HTC Touch HD on a orange UK contract 18th of december to be precise from buymobilephones.net. The problem is i cannot unlock it i have tried (unlock-HTC.com0 and (htccode.com) both of them gave me the same code for my phone and it didnt work i have attempted it 7 times now and my phone has a long time out in order to try again please is anything i am doing wrong or do i have install something before inserting a sim locked card i am in the process with htccode to see if they can do anything for me or is it a case that the unlocking code isnt available i prepared to pay a donation or what ever it is to get it unlocked thanks.
HT
devioust said:
hi
i need help i recently got a HTC Touch HD on a orange UK contract 18th of december to be precise from buymobilephones.net. The problem is i cannot unlock it i have tried (unlock-HTC.com0 and (htccode.com) both of them gave me the same code for my phone and it didnt work i have attempted it 7 times now and my phone has a long time out in order to try again please is anything i am doing wrong or do i have install something before inserting a sim locked card i am in the process with htccode to see if they can do anything for me or is it a case that the unlocking code isnt available i prepared to pay a donation or what ever it is to get it unlocked thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the owner of HTC Code on my MSN Messenger contacts - I will quiz him about this and then get back to you mate... hang on. I intended to use HTCCODE as well upon delivery of my handset.
HTC Code
devioust said:
hi
i need help i recently got a HTC Touch HD on a orange UK contract 18th of december to be precise from buymobilephones.net. The problem is i cannot unlock it i have tried (unlock-HTC.com0 and (htccode.com) both of them gave me the same code for my phone and it didnt work i have attempted it 7 times now and my phone has a long time out in order to try again please is anything i am doing wrong or do i have install something before inserting a sim locked card i am in the process with htccode to see if they can do anything for me or is it a case that the unlocking code isnt available i prepared to pay a donation or what ever it is to get it unlocked thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the owner of HTC Code on my MSN Messenger contacts - I will quiz him about this and then get back to you mate... hang on. I intended to use HTCCODE as well upon delivery of my handset.
What's funny, I bought my HD at Bouygues Telecom in Paris. They claimed it's locked to them. Once I came to the hotel and inserted my SIM card - it worked with no problems. They lied! Actually, I think the same thing was at Fnac. They had two versions of the phone - locked to one of French providers for EUR 589 and unlocked for EUR 699. I guess it was the same phone. I bought my one for 549, flashed to WWE and it works like a charm!
its illegal
In france, its against the law to sell phones that are locked
crystal_clear said:
In france, its against the law to sell phones that are locked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
huh????? I get plenty of phones LOCKED to french networks from visitors here in Canada! what r u talking about?

Vodafone magic is supplied unlocked

Vodafone UK are supplying almost all of their handsets UNLOCKED AS STANDARD,
(Blackberry Storm excluded, and a few others)
This means that NO UNLOCKING IS REQUIRED by code or otherwise, as no UK Magic is supplied locked, confirmed to me by the HTC Employee doing my product training, and by Vodafone Second Line Technical Support.
Should you source a UK Magic that is locked, VODAFONE UK WILL UNLOCK FOR FREE, for contract customers (different terms for PAYT and Enterprise)
PM me for any queries you may have.
unlock codes
ok, guess we shall wait and see. but my experience as a corporate buyer from vodagroan business
all have been locked recently and cant be unlocked if they have an exclusive. just me experience.
anyway unlocked for us htc magic users is still good news non the less.
The devices are supplied from a single SKU code (it is the same phone regardless of who/how supplied)
and they are all sim free.
I can confirm... my Vodafone Magic is supplied unlocked - my Three SIM works in it. I didn't get a 3G data connection, but that's probably just a configuration or network issue - I didn't get the time to look into it.
yea my magic also came unlocked, my o2 sim worked fine.
My Magic cam unlocked too. Can confirm that my Orange Sim works fine.
We don't have the same luck in Spain.
My Magic came sim locked.
I noticed their are already loads of these on e bay, oddly some are marked as unlocked & some not which is confusing?
All Magic are unlocked, some sales chimps from Vodafone do not know this and so the customers also don't know or bother to check
How safe is it too buy a Magic off ebay?
It's just I was reading a few horror stories about the G1 off ebay in the relevant part of this forum.
viw9419 said:
All Magic are unlocked, some sales chimps from Vodafone do not know this and so the customers also don't know or bother to check
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that this comment can lead into confusion.
As i said, my Magic that i got from VF Spain came sim locked.
Maybe in UK and Germany are all unlocked. But based on my own experience, mine was locked.
I needed to buy a code in order to put a sim card from another company (another country).
rommelin said:
I needed to buy a code in order to put a sim card from another company (another country).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How much did you pay for it?
Can you tell us where did you get it?
Vodafone Spain Magic's are locked.
ferraripassion said:
Vodafone Spain Magic's are locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder why they seem to be unlocked in the UK but not other EU countries?
In Germany Vodafone versions are also supplied unlocked (not only in UK)
stickman said:
How much did you pay for it?
Can you tell us where did you get it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I paid 17.50EUR for the code. I got it in 5 minutes in my email.
I'm not sure if I can say the web page here (long time without reading the rules) but it was a very easy url link that appears one of the top when you search in google.
Something like unlock now, or similar.
Anybody in the U.S. been able to import one yet? Seriously interested in this phone
I can confirm that UK Vodafone Magic's seem to be unlocked..
I have just received one and it's working fine with an O2 Sim right out of the box!
unlucky in france
with SFR (vodafone in france)
it's locked
voila
any idea for unlock it will be welcome... or I ll wait 6 mounth (french law about unlocking)
Super Chimp said:
How safe is it too buy a Magic off ebay?
It's just I was reading a few horror stories about the G1 off ebay in the relevant part of this forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was that man...
I'm now running a Magic - bought in store at a Phones4U retail outlet as a "handset only" deal. The sales guy was very helpful and tested it out with my O2 SIM before I purchased. Cost GBP440 - about 100 more than they're going for on eBay but I couldn't face the risk again.
Caveat emptor big time..

Unlocking the Samsung Galaxy S I9000

This thread had to appear at somepoint.
I will soon have a phone from A1 Austria, so..
Anyone had success unlocking the phone already?
There are unlocking code sites, but not one of them offers a straight code for A1 of Austria for example. I guess you could get a code for unlocking a T-Mobile or Orange phone.
rkantos said:
This thread had to appear at somepoint.
I will soon have a phone from A1 Austria, so..
Anyone had success unlocking the phone already?
There are unlocking code sites, but not one of them offers a straight code for A1 of Austria for example. I guess you could get a code for unlocking a T-Mobile or Orange phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can just pay the operator a fee to unlock, otherwise it has to be rooted first.
Got mine on Monday, from Vodafone and popped my old orange sim in while waiting for my number to port and it worked so the 16gb from Vodafone is unlocked or I got extremely lucky
Lamatrast said:
Got mine on Monday, from Vodafone and popped my old orange sim in while waiting for my number to port and it worked so the 16gb from Vodafone is unlocked or I got extremely lucky
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, some of them have never been locked by the operator. But the rest of them have.
For example Saunalahti here in Finland doesn't lock their HTC phones. They say it saves them money.
sundip said:
you can just pay the operator a fee to unlock, otherwise it has to be rooted first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you mean by rooting first? Could the phone be unlocked if rooted?
Lamatrast said:
Got mine on Monday, from Vodafone and popped my old orange sim in while waiting for my number to port and it worked so the 16gb from Vodafone is unlocked or I got extremely lucky
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it have the Vodafone start up animation & any other voda crap on it. Thanks
zen123 said:
Does it have the Vodafone start up animation & any other voda crap on it. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None at all, no external badging and no internal ROM changes.
damianarnold said:
None at all, no external badging and no internal ROM changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So its basically an unlocked vanilla handset
rkantos, any news on the A1 locked version of the Galaxy s?
zen123 said:
So its basically an unlocked vanilla handset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine's the same, so unless Lamatrast got it from the Reading Oracle Vodafone shop and they randomly had a batch of unlocked ones, Voda don't seem to be branding or locking them at all. Have tested with Voda, T-Mob and O2 sims and they all work fine.
Hiya
Is buying an unlock code the only way to unlock the phone? Or is there a more reliable way? Even if it's more complicated
Hey its not just Vodafone
Got my new Galaxy S from Orange, FREE on a £15 a month contract, (think they messed up). Tried to get a code to unlock it, and the guy said the "number" wasn't in their database.
Saw this thread, and thought hey what the hell, tried my 3 card in it and it's not locked either! strange thing is though, it has the specific orange apps (including Orange Maps) pre-loaded.
There is a GOD after all.
Just bought a brand new virgin contract card off ebay and put my orange sim in it, its not locked either, nice surprise Now to compare it to my desire!
keeping my fingers crossed for the Bell Vibrant (SGS i9000 850), hoping it is unlocked out of the box
so Bell's Samsung Galaxy S is not unlocked. Does anyone know how I can get it unlocked?
thanks.
via turbo sim / isim and other alikes, until some one can complete the software unlock
What would be the turbo sim / isim?
What about those apps on the market, like Galaxy_S Unlock?
I have to admit I am a little skeptic about them, but they have decent reviews and I am a noobie, so...
Just install and run Galaxy_S Unlock from the market. Worked for me on Gingerbread 2.3.4 and 3UK. I can use any sim now.

locked HTC HD2 bought on e-bay

Hello everybody,
I'm kindly asking you to give me an advice concerning the possibility to use the phone in other network than that in which it is locked. Practically, I intend to buy a locked HD2 on e-bay (there are also unlocked phones offered, but the locked ones are cheaper) and I want to know if it would be possible to unlock it with my sim card (unlock it) and also to flash another (cooked) ROM on it. Is it relevant in which network is locked the phone, or it can be unlocked regardless the original network? If it's possible, which would be the safest way to do it (HardSPL?)?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Conrad
Conrad-007 said:
Hello everybody,
I'm kindly asking you to give me an advice concerning the possibility to use the phone in other network than that in which it is locked. Practically, I intend to buy a locked HD2 on e-bay (there are also unlocked phones offered, but the locked ones are cheaper) and I want to know if it would be possible to unlock it with my sim card (unlock it) and also to flash another (cooked) ROM on it. Is it relevant in which network is locked the phone, or it can be unlocked regardless the original network? If it's possible, which would be the safest way to do it (HardSPL?)?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Conrad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey
your phone can be unlocked, but you will have to use an unlocking service, some network providers will provide an unlock code for a fee (O2 is free) if you've been with them for a certain amount of time, or you could try http://www.unlock-now.com/ - very quick service (got my unlock code in 30mins) for €25.
just one option, you may find cheaper alternatives on ebay?
Conrad-007 said:
Hello everybody,
I'm kindly asking you to give me an advice concerning the possibility to use the phone in other network than that in which it is locked. Practically, I intend to buy a locked HD2 on e-bay (there are also unlocked phones offered, but the locked ones are cheaper) and I want to know if it would be possible to unlock it with my sim card (unlock it) and also to flash another (cooked) ROM on it. Is it relevant in which network is locked the phone, or it can be unlocked regardless the original network? If it's possible, which would be the safest way to do it (HardSPL?)?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Conrad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off is it a TMOUS HD2 or a EU version?
And Second where are you?? EU or US.
There is a guy on ebay that is very reliable, a lot of people here use him, and I as well, got my unlock code in 15 minutes , for $10 ..
The phone can be unlocked no matter where it is from and you can flash custom ROMs ...
Depending on which version of phone it is and where you are at , your mileage may vary on service ....
You cannot sim unlock the phone with a flash, but you can use HSPL3 to put pretty much any compatible ROM on it, again depends on which version of the phone ...
Hope that helps a little ....
Buy it on eBay. Save some money. They have unlock codes for as low as $10.00 and since it's eBay, your money is safe too just in case the code doesn't work, although I haven't heard of anyone complaining so far.
yup buy unlock code from ebay... i got it from swiftunlocks i think... 15 bux, but got it quick ...
drownage said:
yup buy unlock code from ebay... i got it from swiftunlocks i think... 15 bux, but got it quick ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I, also, used swiftunlocks.. $15.

Unlocking

This is probably a stupid question but is there an issue with unlocking a Desire HD from Vodafone UK? I was looking for code websites and one for instance said they couldn't supply codes for Desire HDs and Desire Zs etc...
If this is possible are there any recommendations for the UK?
Just ring vodaphone and tell em you wanna use a foreign sim when you go abroad they should give you unlock code
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
I just unlocked mine here in Australia (from Vodaphone).
Maybe there is a similar site in the uk
hxxps://unlock.vodafone.com.au/voila/handsetunlock/self-service.html?method=selectService
Mine was free to unlock.
Now just to work out how to get rid of the Voda bootscreen as my system folder is still read only after perm-root and using Root Explorer.
Cheers
I should add that I'm not a Vodafone customer - bought it from eBay...
Worst case the seller said he could call them up which I though was quite amiable...
I thought all Vodafone handsets came unlocked?
AndyCr15 said:
I thought all Vodafone handsets came unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is. Just tried an o2 SIM, worked perfectly.
chrisa86, please don't think I assume ur dumb but are you certain that it's locked? Because I've been on vodafone for quite some time now and mine always came lock free and happy I read smwr there's even some EU laws now against sim-locking phones that expensive ( correct me if im wrong ).
If after all that's the case, I suggest mancuk29's solution. Call, be nice and charming and they'll give u the unlock code.
gud luck
fitzysx10 said:
I just unlocked mine here in Australia (from Vodaphone).
Maybe there is a similar site in the uk
hxxps://unlock.vodafone.com.au/voila/handsetunlock/self-service.html?method=selectService
Mine was free to unlock.
Now just to work out how to get rid of the Voda bootscreen as my system folder is still read only after perm-root and using Root Explorer.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you have to S-OFF your Desire HD, this will allow you to read/write ALL flash
Maybe a fool question but let's assume that we have got a locked DHD (whether Vodafone or something else) and we could not get unlock code from carrier.
In this case, If we root + S-off + recovery + flash a new rom does this transaction make it unlocked?
No, sorry. SIM lock is very different.
AndyCr15, can u elaborate on that. What animal exactly simlock is?
Sorry, can't elaborate as I don't know how it works. All I can say is SIM unlock usually (always that I know of) has to be done using a code from a site or eBay. It's not part of the ROM.
Wow I did not know that Andy. Thanks for the heads up. So should be stay away from locked version.
bahkata said:
chrisa86, please don't think I assume ur dumb but are you certain that it's locked? Because I've been on vodafone for quite some time now and mine always came lock free and happy I read smwr there's even some EU laws now against sim-locking phones that expensive ( correct me if im wrong ).
If after all that's the case, I suggest mancuk29's solution. Call, be nice and charming and they'll give u the unlock code.
gud luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha... I don't currently have the phone (should come tomorrow) but seller has now found out it isn't actually SIM locked... problem solved.
I did however use a code website to unlock my old G2 Hero so my girlfriend can get away from her old Samsung Jet...
AndyCr15 said:
I thought all Vodafone handsets came unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not in OZ. Mine was definately carrier locked to VHA. I went through the 'online' process and it was free. If I had of rang them on the phone to do it it would have cost me $75.
That's easy money for a company that sells phones to people with no idea, and as they believe, no option - whats online mean ??
prank1 said:
I think you have to S-OFF your Desire HD, this will allow you to read/write ALL flash
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah done all that (new to Android) but still dont have r/w in the system folder. I can live with it though cause my phone is never off. It's summer, I will work on it when I am out of the pool.
Cheers for the response mate.
Now to find reasons to flash a cust ROM ?? other than cause I can. I am liking the ***** just the way she is at the moment. My car goes fast, I still cant work out why my phone needs to go faster than it does..
FITZY
Post deleted.
Cheers
t-mobile UK sent me an unlock code for my DHD in the first week FOC i just asked for one ....

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