How to SIM unlock your T-Mobile G1 for FREE

If you’re one of the one million or so people who have already purchased the T-mobile G1, you might be wondering how to SIM unlock your new Android handset. There are a lot of websites out there offering paid unlocking services and others that require you to mail your phone to them for it to be unlocked. Don’t use any of these services! I’m not saying that they don’t work, but why send your phone off or pay someone for an unlock code that T-mobile is willing to give to you for free. Any T-Mobile customer in good standing (you pay your bills on time) who has had service with them for more than three months can simply call their customer service number and ask for their unlock code to their T-Mobile G1. When you call in, all they will need to do is verify the account information and get your phone’s IMEI number.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• T-mobile G1
• IMEI Number

1. One the hope screen of your T-mobile G1, press the menu button

2. Press Settings > About Phone > Status

3. Scroll half way down the Status page and you will find your phone’s IMEI number.

4. If you are going to use your G1 to call T-mobile, write the IMEI number down on a piece of paper

5. Call T-mobile customer service at 1-877-453-1304 or dial 611 from your G1

6. Tell customer service you want to the unlock code for your phone and give them the IMEI number you write down. The customer service rep has to fill out a request form. Once it is processed, they will e-mail you the unlock code with instructions on how to use it.

7. Once you have received your e-mail with the unlock code from T-Mobile, turn off your phone, remove your battery and replace your SIM card with one from another service provider.

8. Place the battery back in and turn your G1 back on.

9. Upon restart, your G1 will recognize the new SIM card and prompt you to enter the unlock code that you received. Enter your unlock code.

Resources

• T-Mobile G1 updated

[steeda432]

on 7/11/2009 great article, was searching for this info for a while!

[eliana2009]

on 5/27/2009 Hi to all,PLEASR NEED YOUR HELP ASAP! I was sucsessfull unlocking my phone with my att sim card, however I made the mistake to reset it to factory standards to erase all the previous data, etc.When I turn it on again I get the android screen prompting me to sign in to my google account. I tried but can't get in because I get this message "sim card has to be provisioned for data" (my att sim card is)Do you know what can I do now?Thank you very muchE.

[gsmwong]

on 5/7/2009 Those who are outside US can get factory unlock code at www.fastgsm.com

[andrewharder]

on 4/29/2009 When I put the new sim card in the phone, it doesn't ask for the unlock code. Does anyone know how to enter the unlock code otherwise? Is it in the settings somewhere?

[szymonsiewior]

on 3/4/2009 Sometimes the agent you will talk to won't be able to help you out because of some reason. Don't get mad at him just end the convo and call back. I got it after second try, so it depends on who you talk with. Be polite because they make notes on the calls with you and the next agent will see them. I've never had any problems with T-mobile unlocking any phones, they can do that and it's normal. good luck!