Unlocking and activating the G1 is very simple. To unlock all you have to do is purchase an unlock code for your G1, insert your sim card and enter in the code. Activating on the other hand is a bit more of a problem.
I have read on many sites that the only way to activate is to have a valid T-mobile sim card and use that to activate. This is wrong. There is a much simpler way to activate the G1 with any sim card of your choosing after you have unlocked the phone.
The rest of this post will guide you on how to free and activate your Android phone from the T-mobile network in about 5 minutes (assuming you already have the unlock code). Sorry for the low-res pics I didn't have nice camera on me at the time.
Step 1
Purchase the unlock code for your G1. I used
unlock-tmobileg1.com for $23.99. They were pretty quick and had my unlock code for me in about 12 hours.
Step 2
Put your carrier's sim in the phone. I'm using an AT&T sim.
Step 3
Turn on your phone. It will ask you for the unlock code. Simply type in the unlock code you got in step one using the keypad.
Step 4
The phone will tell you to touch the Andriod after which you need to setp up a new gmail account or sign in with an existing gmail account. This is the activation process and it will of course fail since we aren't using a tmobile sim in our G1. Move on to step 5
Step 5
After my activation failed I pressed try again which took me back to the screen where I needed to enter in my gmail account and password. This time instead of providing the information press the Menu button on the phone. A nice little pop up will appear for APN Settings. Select it.
Step 6
Now you have a list of carrier APNs showing and they are all T-mobile. Select one and you will see all the Settings for that APN. From here you can either press menu to add a new APN or edit the settings for the existing one you are viewing. I chose to edit the existing one since I wont need it.
Here is the trick. You need to enter in your carriers APN Settings when you create a new APN or edit an existing one. I am using AT&T so my settings are as follows:
Name: AT&T
APN: wap.cingular
Proxy: leave blank
Port: leave blank
Username:WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM
Password:CINGULAR1
Server: leave blank
MMSC:
http://mmsc.cingular.com
MMS Proxy: wireless.cingular.com
MMS Port: 80
MCC:310
MNC:410
APN Type: leave blank
If you don't know your carrier's we have
built a large list of carrier APNs so you can give it a shot. Are we missing an APN or have an incorrect APN? Simply sign into the site and you can edit the list to help others out. If that doesn't work you may need to call your carrier and ask them for the APN settings.
Step 7
You have now entered in your carrier APN settings so hit the Menu button and select Save.
Step 8
Press the back button on your phone until you get back to the sign in or create gmail account. Follow the steps. This time assuming you have entered in the correct APN settings for your carrier instead of the "There is a problem communicating with the Google servers" error you will get a nice signed in screen.
Congrats! Your Andriod phone is now unlocked and activated running on the network of your choice. You should be able to use all the phone's features and be totally good to go!
Keep checking back here on ModMyGphone. We will be convering all asptects of Andriod phones and the G1 and we will be posting more guides, tips, and tricks teaching about things you can do with your phone later this week.
Unlock and Activate The G1 With Out a T-mobile Sim Card
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