HTC Desire unlocked

[idea3]

Hi
I am planning on getting my Desire with Telus. I understand it will be locked. Need to unlock it (assume it won't be a big deal, right?) with the idea of using it on my travels to Europe. Will buy a sim card there and use it that way. Here is the question. Will it be possible to do? Did anybody tried it. My wife got a blackberry with Telus, they mentioned that the phone can be unlocked later, but when we got around to to this, no no. Can't be unlocked.

I wanna make sure before I get it that
A. it can be unlocked
B. I can use it in Europe, with the sim card from one of the local carriers.

thanx a lot

 

[d.knight99]

Hi, welcome to the forums!

Well I unlocked my Desire 2 days ago to get the Froyo update, I'm on Orange so wanted to debrand it at the same time too. I used one of those websites where you just pay a small fee then they send you an 8 digit code to put into the phone. Worked immediately and was pretty hassle free. I would be careful who you choose though, they really vary in price and I bet a couple are probably scams!

Anyway check with the company you decide to go with if they can unlock the handset, because it depends what network you're on. Once it is unlocked though yes, it should work with any sim card from any carrier. If you can't find a third party website that will unlock it contact the network. It can definitely be done it's just a case of getting that code, whether it's from the network or a third party.

 

[idea3]

thanx for the reply. I will be with Telus (canada) and checked with them, but they won't unlock it. I might do it the way u have done it or simply get someone to do it There are a few stores around that can do it - it's around $30. Btw...what is Froyo update and what is debranding?

I am new to smart phones and just getting tired of my mobile boring phone...

 

[Tokoki]

Hey...

I'm in the same boat...question I have is regarding the HTC Sense Froyo update.

The Telus Desire is based on 2.1...and it likely won't be available for 2.2 until later in the fall.

If the phone gets unlocked (just unlocked, not rooted or anything else) - will it then automatically receive the HTC Sense 2.2 OTA update? THat seems to be what you (d.knight99) are implying...I just want to make sure.

If that's the case, I'm going to Best Buy tonight and picking one up...!

Thx

 

[idea3]

question to Totoki:
I was always interested why people buy it in the store instead of going on contract. It's much cheaper if you are on contract (although I hate contracts). I am in Montreal and all telus stores run out. No desires left - waiting for shipment. How much are they at BB?

thanx

 

[SUroot]

Hey...

I'm in the same boat...question I have is regarding the HTC Sense Froyo update.

The Telus Desire is based on 2.1...and it likely won't be available for 2.2 until later in the fall.

If the phone gets unlocked (just unlocked, not rooted or anything else) - will it then automatically receive the HTC Sense 2.2 OTA update? THat seems to be what you (d.knight99) are implying...I just want to make sure.

If that's the case, I'm going to Best Buy tonight and picking one up...!

Thx

No.

Its not the network lock preventing your update, its the branding. The 2.2 froyo update will go from google (vanilla) to HTC (to put sense on it) to your carrier to put the branding on it/test it with their branding.

Obviously, HTC have already done their bit, but the branding will be done or tested by the carrier and only then will it be availble.

 

[DaddyCee]

what was the site that was used to obtain the unlock code for Orange (UK) please?

 

[Tokoki]

I was always interested why people buy it in the store instead of going on contract. It's much cheaper if you are on contract (although I hate contracts). I am in Montreal and all telus stores run out. No desires left - waiting for shipment. How much are they at BB?

Heh - I often get asked the same question. Basically though - I'm on prePaid with Fido for $10/month. That's enough for my basic phone need...and I can live without data (and yes, I've heard all the arguments about why one should get data to fully use the phone, etc).

I have access to WiFi pretty much everywhere I go, and I've rarely felt the need to have data on my phone...no enough to pay the extra it would take (having a "regular" plan at a minimum of $25-$30 or so AND having an extra for the data play of $15-20 or more).

Way it is now, I'm paying $30 less than most of my friends...that covers the cost of the phone is less than 2 yrs...

They're at the same price at BB - you can either buy without a contract, or get it subsidized...

Its not the network lock preventing your update, its the branding. The 2.2 froyo update will go from google (vanilla) to HTC (to put sense on it) to your carrier to put the branding on it/test it with their branding.

Obviously, HTC have already done their bit, but the branding will be done or tested by the carrier and only then will it be availble.

Ah...I get it now...so, the only way to get the Froyo without root/goldcard/whatnot is to wait for the official release from Telus, even if it's unlocked.

That's kind of a bummer...Maybe I'll stick to my Nexus One. Just don't like the soft buttons on the N1...and I can get the Telus Desire for cheaper than I can sell the N1 for...!

 

[Frank_Toronto]

Another Canuck here with similar questions

I just found out from Telus (only after I called, got transfered 4 times and put on hold for 15 minutes) that the phone I ordered 9 days ago is out of stock. The service from that company is horrendous.

I did not know BB sold them without a contract. If they have it in stock locally here in Toronto, I am going to cancel my order with Telus and go snag one.

idea3, there is a company that others have confirmed will unlock the Telus Desire successfully. The name escapes me but a quick search here will find it. They have a 50% off coupon so it is under $20 for the unlock code. I checked the coupon on Friday and it was still valid.

Cheers!

EDIT: Interesting... Future Shop says they do not sell the phone without a contract or at least a pay as you go service. Will try BB now.

 

[ajanu]

Tokoki,
I'm still new to this, but I am fairly sure you can manually update your phone once the RUU is released, and that this does not require you to get it OTA. I know you can find the updates from HTC on the website for other phones, or other areas. If your going to unlock anyway, I doubt Telus will support your phone. You should then be able to snag an RUU from anywhere else that's a language you can read.

If that's not the case, rooting these phones is simple, I messed it up 2-3 times and it took me about 2 hours. If I had read the instructions more carefully I would have been done much faster. I will put a rom on soon, but this seems to be just as easy, if not easier. If you do root a Telus Desire though, make sure you get a guide for HBOOT 0.83 and an SLCD screen. If you don't your screen will go black in the best case, and that's scary enough. I assume it only gets worse from there.

 

[zak's z]

Hey guys,

Im new at the Desire/Android and have a question -

I bought my locked phone from Telus (Canada) and paid for an unlock code, now it's unlocked. I use the phone on Rogers. My phone boots with HTC logo but I assume it's still 'branded' as my software starts with 1.29..... instead of 1.21.

Now will I be able to update when Telus releases 2.2? Does Telus 'push' the update or how does it work? Im not on their network.

I also read about 'unlocked' phones being able to upgrade. Is my phone in the 'unlocked' category even though it was sold locked and I unlocked it?

Also I bought my phone at BB no contract and later my friend bought one from FutureShop, no contract. Whoever told you they won't sell you one without a contract is wrong I think. BB/FS is the best place to buy a Desire in Toronto at the moment, I called a bunch of Telus/BB/FS stores and telus was out mostly.

Thanks,
Zak

 

[Frank_Toronto]

Hey guys,

Im new at the Desire/Android and have a question -

I bought my locked phone from Telus (Canada) and paid for an unlock code, now it's unlocked. I use the phone on Rogers. My phone boots with HTC logo but I assume it's still 'branded' as my software starts with 1.29..... instead of 1.21.

Now will I be able to update when Telus releases 2.2? Does Telus 'push' the update or how does it work? Im not on their network.

I also read about 'unlocked' phones being able to upgrade. Is my phone in the 'unlocked' category even though it was sold locked and I unlocked it?

Also I bought my phone at BB no contract and later my friend bought one from FutureShop, no contract. Whoever told you they won't sell you one without a contract is wrong I think. BB/FS is the best place to buy a Desire in Toronto at the moment, I called a bunch of Telus/BB/FS stores and telus was out mostly.

Thanks,
Zak

Zak, I'm a newbie so your questions are the same as mine. Really curious about the 2.2 update after the handset is unlocked.

Re BB/FS - I have called 3 Toronto area BBs and 1 FS. Only one Best Buy said they would sell it contract free but it is too far. Still trying.

 

[idea3]

Tokoki - very interested point!!! I've been with telus for about 11 years now and men they make me angry. The service sucks and is much worse then it used to. I just finished talking to them, been on the phone for an hour, mostly on hold... They used to give me deals now they seem to be rude and don't care anymore plus the quality of calls (statics etc) is awful. My contract expires in January, and the phone I currently have is dying, so that's why I was thinking about going with the plan. I think I will wait till my contract expires and then buy the Desire (or whatever will be happening then). don't wanna be on contract again. especially after the way they were dealing with me.
It's just to bad, since I got excited about the Desire...

Yes, I checked the BB site and they are available with no contract.

 

[ajanu]

My Desire on Telus says it is checking the servers when I hit check for updates. I assume you would need to be on Telus for that to work, and it is probably part of the "branding", along with pre-loaded APNs and such. I am 90% sure you can add the OTA just using HTC sync, provided it is an upgrade. You need a goldcard to downgrade or sidegrade, this I know for sure, but those are easy to make and I'm not sure anyone can tell they were used without comparing what the phone had to start with.

I was in the Telus store last week, complaining about how service over the phone sucks. The guy mentioned that he had "heard", if you dial 2 for french and then explain you need English, you are transfered within Canada. The last 2 times I have called the idiots in India had no idea what I was talking about. The store got me sorted out in a timely manner, though I live 30 mins from the closest store.

I still like Telus as a carrier, and people seem just as pissed at Rogers. I will never ever use Bell, and I don't live in a big city so I can use these stupid discount ones that the big guys own.

 

[d.knight99]

Ok sorry maybe I didn't clarify things properly.

'Branding' is when a carrier flashes the phone with a custom version of the ROM. Just as HTC have made modifications to Google's basic 2.1/2.2 build with Sense etc, the carriers can make further modifications. Many choose to disable google talk for example and tethering because it means they lose money in the long run. This time around HTC have added an extremely easy way to create mobile Wifi hotspots in 2.2, something the carriers want to charge people more for. So HTC release 2.2, carrier specific handsets are delayed the update by the network to make the mods they wanna make. Orange go a little further by bloating the s**t out of it with demo games, stupid apps and a whole new 'Orange launcher' which is horrible. Anyway, the upshot is that it is possible to get hold of a stock version of the HTC ROM from the internet and wipe the device, reinstall the ROM and get it as nature (or in this case, HTC) intended. That means when HTC release something, the ROM goes directly to their servers and retrieves it.

Unlocking just means you can use the phone with any sim card, as you probably know.

Froyo is the codename for the 2.2 upgrade, in the UK it is (so far) ONLY available to unbranded, unlocked Desire's. although the networks are catching up apparently. As for the rest of the world, well that is up to HTC. I know some people in Europe are still waiting for 2.1 on the old Hero (although that's a different story!) I debranded, checked for updates, small 2.1 update. Installed, rebooted, 'Network Locked'! S**t. Unlocked, check for updates, VOILA! We have lift off... Now, if that network lock hadn't have forced me to unlock the phone to use it, I may have been able to get the update without unlocking. I couldn't check whether an unbranded but LOCKED phone could get 2.2 because they damn thing locked me out... so someone else may have to answer that one.

So, from what I gather the answer is, if your ROM is stock and you're unlocked but still not getting the update, contact HTC. I can't really advise you on country specific stuff or networks but I know that sometimes it isn't a worldwide thing when updates come out.

 

[idea3]

d.knight99 - thanx
Not sure what to do. After yesterdays "adventure" (beeing on the phone for 1 hour, 40 mins of it on hold, requearing about data plans, and some other extras), I am debating if I wanna be on 3 year contract yet again...

Will see...

 

[DaddyCee]

3 year contract..... phew that's a long time. I signed in to a 2 year deal and am regretting that now. Will definitely buy the phone outright next time rather than get locked in for a long period.

 

[idea3]

3 year contract..... phew that's a long time. I signed in to a 2 year deal and am regretting that now. Will definitely buy the phone outright next time rather than get locked in for a long period.

lol, see that's what I mean. Although it's painfull to dish out around $500 for a stupid cell phone, but then again...

 

[Frank_Toronto]

Turns out Telus now has the Desire on backorder but of course no one thought to contact me with an update.

I have no patience for crap service so I cancelled it. Ended up at a FS in Toronto that would allow me to buy it outright which I did.

I then got in unlocked for 19.99 CAD at cellunlock.net and it works like a charm on Rogers. Great service from these guys.. code was emailed within 1 hour.

Good luck getting it sorted.

Cheers!

 

[uaTO]

Frank_Toronto,
Do you mind telling us which FS you went to? I'm leaning heavily towards picking the Desire up, and was thinking of driving to the BB at Leaside to pick it up, as the one downtown seems to be sold out.

thanks!

 

[Frank_Toronto]

Frank_Toronto,
Do you mind telling us which FS you went to? I'm leaning heavily towards picking the Desire up, and was thinking of driving to the BB at Leaside to pick it up, as the one downtown seems to be sold out.

thanks!

Hi, no problem.. the FS was at Weston Rd./401. They had 3 left after I scooped mine yesterday aft.

And Leaside BB would have been so much more convenient but the person I spoked to there said they would not sell it without a contract or pay as you go arrangment. May want to double-check before making the trip.

Cheers!

 

[idea3]

Frank - are you saying you gave up the contract?
How much did you pay for the phone there, if you don't mind me asking? and how much will u pay for a data plan in TO? Here in Montreal, with Telus I would end up paying around $75. I know it all depends on what features you take, but the data was 500MB.

 

[Frank_Toronto]

idea3, I paid the going rate - $449.99. As for data, I have a plan with Rogers through my business that I was using with my BB Bold. Gives me 1GB and its around $80/month. After I unlocked it, I was up and running with my current plan.

Now my only stress is reconfiguring the Desire with my e-mail, contacts, notes etc. That, and how badly I failed at installing my screen protector..yikes!

 

[Tokoki]

Figured I'd give my status.

Picked up the Desire at BB in Fairview...they didn't raise a fuss as to getting it registered with Telus (I'm with Fido). Paid full price ($449 + tx)

Got home, hit CellUnlock.net and got my unlock code ($19.99 with the crackb50 50% off code)...waited 12 minutes (!) and received the unlock code by email.

Everything went smoothly...absolutely love it.

I had a Nexus One running Froyo...but I find the Desire so much better...

Will see if I feel the need to go to Sense 2.2 via the Goldcard/root route, but doubt it...

 

[koolbreeze]

Zak, I'm a newbie so your questions are the same as mine. Really curious about the 2.2 update after the handset is unlocked.

Re BB/FS - I have called 3 Toronto area BBs and 1 FS. Only one Best Buy said they would sell it contract free but it is too far. Still trying.

which store?