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Unlock the Captivate??

Except that Rogers ain't AT&T, and hasn't ever been, it just had an agreement with AT&T in the pre-Cingular buyout days, and used the AT&T name at the end for mostly marketing reasons.

Long story longer, neither AT&T or Rogers will help you unlock a Captivate, period. Not that I didn't try today.

AT&T will unlock it 10 months from the launch day, IF you are an AT&T pre-paid account holder in good standing...if you're not, they can and probably will tell you to buzz off.

We're going to have to wait until the third-party online and kiosk types get the unlock codes from their usual shady sources, which could be tomorrow, or it could be next year.

In the meantime, mine makes a damned nice PDA over WiFi. :)
 
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Strange - they gave me the unlock code for my backflip when I bought it cash in April.

Standard policy? Or maybe they didn't care about the BackFlop?

T

Something about the Captivate is an AT&T exclusive phone for 10 months (because the model is i897 not i9000 like the Galaxy S). Strange though, it's (the Galaxy S in some form or other) available on every frickin' carrier in the world just about, how is their's exclusive?? And I bought it outright, so it's not like I'm going to bail on a contract. I don't get it.
 
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When initiating my unlock code request the very first time for the backflip, less than 2mos after release, which is/was ALSO labelled as AT&T exclusive, (probably because no other carrier is STUPID enough to take it), they sent the below:


"Dear Valued Customer,

Unfortunately, your request for a device-unlock code has been denied as
a purchasing receipt/proof of purchase is required. The receipt should
include the purchase amount for the device at full no commitment
pricing; 2-year agreement/commitment/contract pricing is not valid. We
will hold the case open for 48 hours for the fax to be delivered. Once
the requested documents are received then your request will be worked.
Fax the receipt to 1-866-542-4170 with the following information
displayed prominently on the cover page and/or the receipt:
1. The term "Device Unlock Request"
2. Their name
3. Account Number
4. Mobile Number
5. Contact information
6. Clarify Case Number"

Now I DID have issues GETTING it, because AT&T was unable to generate it.
They WERE actually trying, and kept getting an error. It was finally
resolved by getting Motorola involved, and I was given the unlock code by
Motorola, once AT&T sent them information detailing their inability to generate
an unlock code. I also tested it with a T-Mo SIM the same afternoon, and all was fine. Of course, it worked EDGE-only, but I knew that already. I was successfully able to utilize a SIM from a french carrier in France without issue.

T
 
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Strange - they gave me the unlock code for my backflip when I bought it cash in April.

Standard policy? Or maybe they didn't care about the BackFlop?

T


I live in Canada, use Rogers, purchased (own outright) a Captivate, and called Att twice yesterday.

Both CSR's were helpful and tried to get the unlock code from their 'system' by using my IEMI, both told me that the lookup was not found.

I also tried unlockallcellular
Samsung i897 Captivate Unlock CODE + FREE Instructions Guide: Online Unlocking of Your Orange - FR Samsung i897 Captivate
and cellunlocker
Cellunlocker.net - The #1 Phone Unlocking Website. Unlock your phone by simply entering a code Fast and Easy

Neither site was able to unlock my phone. Unlockall has already refunded my cash... still waitign on cellunlocker.

It seems that the unlock codes are a tightly guarded secret. Obviously ATT and Samsung are able to unlock the phone, but I'm guessing the exclusivity agreement between the two is preventing the release of the sim lock codes to the csr's.

It's only a matter of time.. 8 digit simlock code.. 16 digit imei + carrier... They'll work out the hash, but if they don't by Friday, this phone is going back...
 
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I live in Canada, use Rogers, purchased (own outright) a Captivate, and called Att twice yesterday.

Both CSR's were helpful and tried to get the unlock code from their 'system' by using my IEMI, both told me that the lookup was not found.

I also tried unlockallcellular
Samsung i897 Captivate Unlock CODE + FREE Instructions Guide: Online Unlocking of Your Orange - FR Samsung i897 Captivate
and cellunlocker
Cellunlocker.net - The #1 Phone Unlocking Website. Unlock your phone by simply entering a code Fast and Easy

Neither site was able to unlock my phone. Unlockall has already refunded my cash... still waitign on cellunlocker.

It seems that the unlock codes are a tightly guarded secret. Obviously ATT and Samsung are able to unlock the phone, but I'm guessing the exclusivity agreement between the two is preventing the release of the sim lock codes to the csr's.

It's only a matter of time.. 8 digit simlock code.. 16 digit imei + carrier... They'll work out the hash, but if they don't by Friday, this phone is going back...

What you have to do, is press AT&T to get in contact with Samsung, as I had to do witht he Motorola Backflip. Actually, I engaged Motorola myself, and had the AT&T CSR rep email a contact at Motorola that they were indeed trying to generate the unlock code, but it wasn't working. For mine, it literally said "not found" on AT&T's system.

Once Motorola received the email and info from AT&T, to verify it was a legitimate request, I got the unlock code within a couple of hours.

T
 
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What you have to do, is press AT&T to get in contact with Samsung, as I had to do witht he Motorola Backflip. Actually, I engaged Motorola myself, and had the AT&T CSR rep email a contact at Motorola that they were indeed trying to generate the unlock code, but it wasn't working. For mine, it literally said "not found" on AT&T's system.

Once Motorola received the email and info from AT&T, to verify it was a legitimate request, I got the unlock code within a couple of hours.

T


Hmm. Both CSR's got the 'not found' message as well. one of them gave me a samsung number to call. I'll try going that route.
 
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AFAIK, AT&T upon request, will give the unlock code (if it's in their system or by getting from the manufacturer for older phones) for any of their branded phones except the Iphone. As long as you are in good standing and have been a customer for at least 3 months I believe. Unless this particular phone is some kind of special agreement, which I am not aware of, you should be able to put a request in and have them request it from the manufacturer, if it's not in their system.
 
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AFAIK, AT&T upon request, will give the unlock code (if it's in their system or by getting from the manufacturer for older phones) for any of their branded phones except the Iphone. As long as you are in good standing and have been a customer for at least 3 months I believe. Unless this particular phone is some kind of special agreement, which I am not aware of, you should be able to put a request in and have them request it from the manufacturer, if it's not in their system.


From the looks of things, either:

Samsung has not yet delivered the codes or
ATT has not given CSR's access to the code lookup in their database.

Samsung will not release the code to me.... I don't even think you NEED to be an ATT customer though. I'm from Canada, and purchased the phone outright. The CSR's attempted IMEI lookups, but there was no unlock code associated with the IMEI.

Hopefully I'll get this code sooner than later... Otherwise I'll have to return the phone.
 
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Ok. You are from Canada and purchased an AT&T locked phone, then you either need to get the unlock code from AT&T or buy it from a 3rd party, such as ebay. AT&T will ask for your account/phone number before they provide an unlock code.

From the looks of things, either:

Samsung has not yet delivered the codes or
ATT has not given CSR's access to the code lookup in their database.

Samsung will not release the code to me.... I don't even think you NEED to be an ATT customer though. I'm from Canada, and purchased the phone outright. The CSR's attempted IMEI lookups, but there was no unlock code associated with the IMEI.

Hopefully I'll get this code sooner than later... Otherwise I'll have to return the phone.
 
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Ok. You are from Canada and purchased an AT&T locked phone, then you either need to get the unlock code from AT&T or buy it from a 3rd party, such as ebay. AT&T will ask for your account/phone number before they provide an unlock code.

Friend,
You have not been reading the thread. ATT CSR's don't have access to the unlock code. It either hasn't been delivered by Samsung, or has not been loaded into teh CSR database or has not been granted access to CSR's.

All CSR's have reported code not found.

There aren't any unlockers on ebay who can unlock the phone, despite what they advertise. I've tried three, including Cellunlocker Team and UnlockAllCellular.com. No sale. They refunded my cash and told me it can't be done.
 
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I think you might be in the same boat as me (except I've already bought my Captivate). It's just a waiting game at this point. Or, as some people have suggested, you could use some incredible acting skills to get Samsung to give you an unlock (although I haven't heard of anyone being successful in that yet). But if anyone does find a way to unlock, Android Forums will be the first to know =P
 
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I think you might be in the same boat as me (except I've already bought my Captivate). It's just a waiting game at this point. Or, as some people have suggested, you could use some incredible acting skills to get Samsung to give you an unlock (although I haven't heard of anyone being successful in that yet). But if anyone does find a way to unlock, Android Forums will be the first to know =P


I bought this phone Monday... I'll return it to ATT in 2 weeks if they don't give me the code.. and they'll be the ones dealing with selling BStock refurbs..

As a matter of fact, I may repeat the process a few times if I feel angry enough..

Seriously though, I do like the phone.. it's fast.. and I like Android... I had an Omnia HD, and while I miss some of the features of the phone (it was the first TRUE superphone) I'm embracing this one with open arms... just get me an unlock code :)

At any rate it's a waiting game....

I heard TELUS will be making an 'EPIC' announcement... Does that mean EPIC is coming to Canada... Let's speculate.. shall we?

I thought I wanted a sliding keyboard, but man, swype is fast! I'd like the flash and ffc.....
 
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All you Canadians should sell the Captivate back on eBay and recover most of your money back. Rogers is bringing their Galaxy S phone out in September. That will likely be faster than getting the unlock code from AT&T or Samsung.

Where did you hear about the Samsung Galaxy S coming to Rogers? I have my Captivate coming in the mail... Reselling it would be a pain. And when you are excited about a new phone 2 months seems SO FAR AWAY:( I'll just keep praying to the phone gods to release an unlock code soon.
 
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Something about the Captivate is an AT&T exclusive phone for 10 months (because the model is i897 not i9000 like the Galaxy S). Strange though, it's (the Galaxy S in some form or other) available on every frickin' carrier in the world just about, how is their's exclusive?? And I bought it outright, so it's not like I'm going to bail on a contract. I don't get it.

Seems like Samsung made minor alterations to make the phone "exclusive" for AT&T and AT&T is not observing the spirit of the clause. Something should be done about that. They won't unlock the iPhone at all. They won't unlock the Captivate for 10 months even though there's the Galaxy S, Vibrant, Fascinate, Epic 4G. Really lame.
 
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