Unlocking/S60 F.A.Q. WARNING: No unlock requests/warez discussion please

[Sid]

I don't want to see any more discussion about downloading N-gage games or how to play them on other S60 devices since it is clearly an illegal practice. Consider your account deleted if I find you doing so. This also applies to general warez or cracks.

This applies to a small minority and I would appreciate if the others could please report any posts about this.
Thanks
Sid

[Jose_R.A.M]

Phone Unlocking


Sometimes, when you buy a new phone there is a slight chance that your Network Provider (Vodafone, Orange, O2, T-Mobile, Globe, Smart, Verizon etc) have locked the handset only to accept their SIM card.


What does this mean?


E.g. if you have a “locked Vodafone handset” the only SIM that will work are those Vodafone. If you try inserting an Orange/O2 (any other non Vodafone) your phone will register an error message to notify that they are incompatible.

How do I check if my phone is unlocked?


First find out what NETWORK that phone is on, e.g. O2, then insert a SIM which is not of that network, e.g. Orange.

You may find the following messages if you have a LOCKED handset:



Nokia = "Enter restriction code" or "SIM card rejected"
Motorola = "Enter special code"
Ericsson = "Enter Correct SIM"
Sony Ericsson = "Incorrect SIM"
Samsung = "Invalid Network SIM...Enter Code"
Panasonic = "Invalid SIM"
Siemens = "Phone disabled! NETWORK LOCK"
Sharp = "Invalid Network SIM"


Note that certain SIMS are phone dependent and will not work on certain phones anyway.

Why would I want to unlock my phone?

If:

1. You want to use another network on the same phone,

2. You have more than one SIM that are of different Networks,


3. You want to sell your handset to a wider audience and at a higher price

4. You are travelling abroad and you want to use the local SIM for more value for money.

How do I unlock my phone?

1. It all depends on the type of phone you have.


2. If you are lucky all you need is a special code that is unique to your phone’s IMEI (serial number). This code can either be bought, from places like THIS ONE (http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorcontent/nokiaunlocking.htm)


3. Or you can go HERE (http://www.trycktill.com/unlock_swe.asp) and unlock it for free.

Please note that some manufacturers will not be listed, and some phones, you just cannot unlock.

5. You can also contact your Network Provider and ask them to unlock your phone. Some will charge you a range of prices, expect the price to be around £15-30.

Your phone will either be sent an unlocking signal, or you will be provided with a code that is unique to your phone’s IMEI. This you will have to “plug” into the phone yourself. Some networks may require you to complete a certain time period if you have just bought your phone, e.g. a year before you can unlock.

6. Certain phone shops have an unlocking service. The ones I have seen in the UK charge approvimately £7.00 for this service.

7. You can buy special equipment (e.g. data cables) and software to unlock your phone. Sometimes you will need a cable and software. In other types of phones (some models of Motorola Sony Ericsson and Siemens), where the unlock code is firmware dependent, this is the ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK it


Is unlocking my phone ILLEGAL?

No, but UNBLOCKING it is. If you have a locked stolen phone/black listed/reported “lost” it is now illegal (in the UK) to unblock it as it's IMEI would be barred.

So, my phone is unlocked but it still says the old network name?!
This LOGO is called the SPLASH SCREEN and it has been programmed into your phone by the company that sold it to you. It does not mean anything about your new Network.

Unlocking only removes electronic restriction so you can use other SIMS other than your original Network’s.

You can remove the splash screen without having to unlock your phone, but that’s another story.:D

__________________________________________________ _______________
Information adapted from mobileburn forums, unlockme.co.uk and thetravelinsider.info.
__________________________________________________ _______________

[brad]

S60 (or Series 60, as it used to be known), is a user interface used on Nokia smartphones, as well as a limited number of other manufacturer's smartphones.

In essence, this basically means S60 is what you see and interact with on the phones screen. Being a smartphone, it means the device has greater personal information management functions (such as a full-featured calendar) than regular handsets, and that you can install third party applications on it to a greater extent than you can with regular phones, which typically only support Java-based applications.

Behind the S60 user interface is a platform known as Symbian. You can picture Symbian as the translator between the S60 user interface, and the phones hardware (the chips and circuits inside). Symbian is also used underneath Sony Ericsson's UIQ user interface.

Examples of Nokia smartphones using S60 include the N-series (N70, N90, etc.), the 6680, 6630, and 7610, though there are many others.

[DEViANT]

It's been written all over this board that BB5 phones cannot be unlocked by code. So stop asking... NOW. I am getting fed up of some of you people who are too damn lazy to read the rules or do a search. I (or another moderator) will delete your thread and give you a warning, especially if you came to this board and your immediate post was in relation to this.

Stop doing it. It's not hard, a little research goes a long way, and won't end up pissing off all the regular members of the board who do bother to read the rules...

[Jose_R.A.M]

What is S60?


S60 (previously series60) is a feature rich software platform for Smartphones.A smartphone is generally considered any handheld device that integrates personal information management and mobile phone capabilities in the same device. Often, this includes adding phone functions to already capable PDAs or putting "smart" capabilities, such as PDA functions, into a mobile phone.

The S60 platform consists of a user interface for interacting with the device's data and software, and programs (S60 applications) that provide advanced phone functions such as messaging and the calendar. The S60 platform runs on top of the open Symbian OS operating system. In addition to existing applications, users can also install additional applications.Symbian OS is an operating system, designed for mobile devices. Symbian is currently owned by Ericsson, Panasonic, Siemens AG, Nokia, and Sony Ericsson. Symbian OS competes with other mobile operating systems, such as Windows Mobile, Palm OS, and Linux.

Note the difference between Series60/S60, UI and Symbian, OS. Sony Ericsson's P990, W950, M600, P910, P900 and P800 run on Symbian OS but have UIQ UI.
What Can I do with an S60 device?

First, an s60 device is a mobile phone, with all the features you would find in a regular (GSM, WCDMA, CDMA) phone.
Second and more importantly, as a Smartphone, S60 devices have enhanced functionality over regular/"dumb" phones.
S60 devices have software applications that allow users to manage their personal information (full-feature calendar, contacts, to do list etc)
With a myriad of applications on the market, e.g. a call manager, avi video player, messenger, image editor, you can install those that cater for your need to enhance and improve your mobile experience. (From Business - money managing - exel, Multimedia, Health & Medicine, Data/phone Management, Internet, Security etc)

There are also hundreds of games available, 2D or 3D, S60 even caters for dedicated gamers with the N-Gage devices from Nokia.

Personalise your phones with themes, ringtones and adjustable menu.Which devices use S60?

Lenovo:

P930
Nokia:

3230
3250
3650
3660
6260
6600
6620
6630
6670
6680
6681
7610
7650
E60
E61
E70
N-GAGE
N-GAGE QD
N70
N71
N72
N73
N80
N90
N91
N92
N93

Panasonic:

X700
X800

Samsung:

D700
D710
D720
D730
Z600

Sendo:

X1
X2

Siemens:

SXI

How does S60 benefit consumers and corporate users?


For consumers S60 offers exciting and efficient applications and services that are easy to use and provide more fun, e.g.:
Intuitive and easy user interface. User can change menus, folders and create short cuts to applications and content
Extendable and compatible with thousands of add-on applications and content
Easy access to Internet, entertainment, email and PC data
Personalize with themes, wallpapers, screensavers, bookmarks, ringing tones and more
Rich application suite for voice, messaging, business productivity, imaging, music and multimedia
For corporates, the S60 provides productivity increase through features such as:
Built-in email, calendar, messaging and browsing
Business and personal e-mail accounts in the same device
Local and Over-the-Air synchronization of calendar and contacts with popular PC applicationsSecurity & Terminal management
Application installation control
Third party VPN and Anti-Virus software availableInterfaces that an enterprise developer needs
APIs for networking, messaging and email
Efficient and flexible file system for storing local data in the device How do I personalise my S60 phone?

There are many ways to personalize your S60 phone. For example, you can
add a background image to the main screen
change ringtones
set up messaging groups
have specific ringtones for calling groups or individuals
add photos to contacts so that they show up when receiving a call
download new content and software
change the UI theme and rearrange and
rename many of the icons in the main menu.Where do I find applications/software and content, such as images and ringtones? How do I put software on my phone?


A S60 phone allows you to add content to it through many different routes. You can
download content with your browser
have it sent via MMS or
transfer it from you PC via InfraRed, Data Cable or Bluetooth connections.
There are many places you can find content, such as your operator portal, and on the Web. Here are some good websites to try and buy software, and also learn about Symbian OS:


All About Symbian (http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/)
My Symbian (http://www.my-symbian.com/)
Handango (http://www.handango.com/)
Psiloc (http://shop.psiloc.com/en/)
SymbianOne (http://www.symbianone.com/).What are S60 Editions?


S60 platform release versions are named as Editions. Editions include all the main features of the release. The latest S60 release is S60 3rd Edition. S60 3rd Edition includes all the main features of the S60 2nd Edition plus some new features.What are Feature Packs?


Feature Packs include features that are additional to Edition. Feature Packs may also include device specific features. For example, Series 60 2nd Edition, Feature Pack 2 introduces WCDMA technology into Series 60 devices.Can I upgrade the S60 device firmware?


The upgrade process is vendor specific. Generally it's not possible upgrade from one edition to another, for example from 2nd Edition to 3rd Edition.How does the S60 platform aid interoperability between terminals?


The S60 platform embraces the philosophy of openness. Built on the Symbian OS, put together by multiple mobility expert companies, and then licensed as source code to several eminent mobile phone manufacturers, the S60 platform also implements open specifications for service enablers developed by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA).
Mobile devices from different manufacturers that implement interoperable OMA enabler releases (sets of specifications) and that have undergone OMA interoperability testing, help mobile services to work across different platforms, networks and geographies. The latest version of the S60 platform implements OMA Digital Rights Management, OMA Instant Messaging and Presence Services, OMA Download, OMA Client Provisioning, OMA User Agent Profile, OMA Multimedia Messaging and OMA Data Synchronization.How security issues will be taken care of?


The new security framework in the S60 3rd Edition includes features such as Data Caging and Trusted Capabilities. These features mean that applications with sophisticated access to the phone will need to be certified, for example, under Symbian Signed. Uncertified applications will be subject to safer operations, with a limited set of higher-level functions allowed and which are under the user's control.


Information adapted from www.s60.com, wikipedia, gsmarena, mobileburn's brad.
Still to be further edited, feel free to add any information to improve the S60 FAQ, any other facts, hints, tips & tricks, news etc etc.

[brad]

Just out of curiosity, will the service providers (e.g. Vodafone) be able to unlock your Nokia BB5 handset for a certain price?

I presume the new Nokia N Series phones will be BB5 as well?
Yes, all Nseries are BB5. You can only get a BB5 phone unlocked from the provider you bought it from, so you can't take a 3 phone to Vodafone for unlocking, for example. Even then, it is their discretion whether they unlock it for you or not.

[scanepa]

I was given a new software that calculates BB5 unloking codes.

That includes Nokia 3250, 6270, 6280, 6620, 6630, 6680, 6681, 6682, 7370, 7710, 9300, 9500, N70 and N90.

The networks supported are: Hutchinson 3G, O2 - Cellnet, Orange, T-Mobile - One 2 One, Tesco Mobile, Virgin and Vodafone.

If you are interested in unlocking your phone send me your IMEI, Network and phone model and I can give you the unlock code.

Thanks