Locked mobiles

[Gibbo2286]

I know...…….right off topic.

The last time I was in the States, four years ago, where did that time go? . I picked up a cheap LG phone for use out there.

It's locked to a US carrier and they won't let it be unlocked because it hasn't been used for a whole year, not even when offered a payment.

It's been sitting here unused, the chances of me returning there again are pretty remote but it seems like a damned waste to just bin it..

I was chatting to a guy yesterday about it and he said that a good electronics man could get into it and programme out the lock file.

Is he right or was that just bull.....?

[Stickyfinger]

The "Lads" can do it.

[GiveMeABreak]

You also need to ensure that the phone uses the same GSM frequencies as the UK Gibbo - back in the years they were different in the USA, so really depends how old it is. iPhones and the like are ok, and most smart phones are 'world use' phones now. So although you say you bought it 4 years ago, how old was it at the time (model wise) that you bought it? If you have the model number I can check.

Just a thought as you wouldn't want to pay for an unlock to find it isn't compatible with UK networks.

[Gibbo2286]

The "Lads" can do it.

I'm a long way from being a 'lad'

[Gibbo2286]

It was brand new Marc but linked to the US carrier and possibly made by LG for them an LG 306 G something between an old fashioned mobile and a smart phone, I think the users call them feature phones.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so this is a 2G phone Gibbo, so will really be limited in terms of functionality - it will support calls, SMS text messaging and very slow data rates (narrowband) which means partial browsing and very slow.

However, 2G networks are likely to be phased out at some point - Vodafone is dropping it by 2025, so consider the benefits of getting it unlocked - but you'll also have to find a UK carrier that can still supply a 2G SIM card for UK use.

I've listed the popular UK carriers that currently still have 2G services:
In terms of 2G, 3G and 4G (LTE) for UK

• Vodafone - 2G only
• 3 Network - Zilch
• BT - 2G
• EE (Orange) - 2G
• GiffGaff - 2G
• O2 - 2G
• Virgin - 2G

[Gibbo2286]

Thanks Marc, finding someone who can unlock it is the big problem, none of the online unlock sites can do it, that's why I asked about electronic experts.

It must be a year since I switched it on but when I found it behind the bookshelf this morning and pressed to 'on' button it came on immediately and the battery indicator shows it's still fully charged.

[MikeT]

Have a look here, Gibbo. You might be lucky.
https://www.giffgaff.com/unlock/lg-phones

[GiveMeABreak]

I don't see that model on the list and I'm thinking it was a model specifically for the US market.

[Gibbo2286]

Have a look here, Gibbo. You might be lucky.
https://www.giffgaff.com/unlock/lg-phones

I did all those some time ago Mike, they all say the carrier involved (TracFone) is tough to get past.

Marc, I think it's a model made specifically for TracFone rather than the US.

Back behind the bookshelf for another year.

[GiveMeABreak]

I still have my old Nokia Communicator Gibbo that I cannot bear to part with! An excellent book stop:

[MikeT]

About 10 years ago I bought a used locked HTC Desire HD and learnt how to reflash the kernel back to stock which might be an option for you Gibbo though as Marc says, it won't help if the hardware doesn't support the frequencies. I'm still using that same phone having upgraded the OS and replaced the battery a few times.

[Paul-R]

About 10 years ago I bought a used locked HTC Desire HD and learnt how to reflash the kernel back to stock...

Was that to vanilla Android or with the extras that HTC add in?

[MikeT]

About 10 years ago I bought a used locked HTC Desire HD and learnt how to reflash the kernel back to stock...

Was that to vanilla Android or with the extras that HTC add in?

AFAIR, it was with the HTC "sense" something or another but have tried many custom roms as well to the point the phone ran too slow and settled on a custom (android 4.4.4 I think) rom.

[Gibbo2286]

About 10 years ago I bought a used locked HTC Desire HD and learnt how to reflash the kernel back to stock which might be an option for you Gibbo though as Marc says, it won't help if the hardware doesn't support the frequencies. I'm still using that same phone having upgraded the OS and replaced the battery a few times.

It's the 'how to re-flash' I'm interested in Mike but not being an electronics whizz it might be beyond me.