T-Mobile G1 – Unlocking For Use With O2… September 21st, 2009
* 17-11-2009 Updated APN settings for o2 Pay As You Go with working MMS at bottom of post *
I’ve had my G1 for a while now and so far so good with everything apart from the T-Mobile signal. According to T-Mobile, the coverage in the village where I am living should be good but my G1 can barely muster 1-2 bars signal strength on a good day. On a bad day it doesn’t get coverage at all. Now this is not a new thing, previously I lived in Swindon and even there I struggled with signal even though according to their spectrum charts the signal should have been good. Previous to the G1 I used a Nokia E71. The E71 was even worse, where perhaps the G1 has 2 bars of strength; the E71 struggled to get anything. I attribute this in part to the stupid notion by Nokia of putting an aerial inside a metal frame, a great idea hey? What is interesting with both phones is that when you go outside, the signal improves significantly to the degree that it is as good as suggested by T-Mobile even 3G works!
So I have come to the conclusion that whilst I love my android, T-Mobile has to go and I’m going to use o2 again, which I know to work properly where I live.
This means that I have to unlock my G1. According to my research, there are a couple of ways of doing this. Firstly, I’m lead to believe that once you have been a customer of T-Mobile for around 90 days, they will give you the unlock code that you need on request, after all you may need the code for a legitimate reason such as putting a foreign SIM in temporarily if you’re travelling abroad. I tried this approach and whilst on the face of it the answer is yes there seemed to be a lot of red tape and conditions, not really the answer I was looking for when I have already paid for the phone twice over in subscriber costs. Secondly, there are a lot of companies advertising online that claim to be able to offer you the unlock code for a fee. After doing a lot of research and checking out other people’s experience, I decided to use a company called www.unlock-tmobileg1.com who will supply you with the code you need within 24 hours for a fee of £15.99
Here’s the steps you’ll need to go from a T-mobile G1 to an o2 G1:
- Perform a factory reset of your android.
- Slide out the keyboard and open the left hand side notch to unlock the battery cover, then take it off.
- Insert your T-Mobile SIM if not already done so and the battery.
- Press the MENU button whilst you turn the phone on, keeping your finger on the MENU button until the phone boots, you’ll notice that it now boots up in SAFE MODE.
- Press the EMERGENCY DIAL button and dial *#06# which will give you your IMEI number, this should be 15 numerics in length. Make a note of this as you’ll need this on the website to get your unlock code.
- Head over to www.unlock-tmobileg1.com and follow the instructions to get your unlock code, using the IMEI number you’ve just got in the above step.
- Back on your phone, return to the main screen and press the MENU button, this will pop up the APN button, press it.
- Go to the APN settings, you’ll find the APN for T-Mobile. Press MENU again and press NEW APN.
- Use the following settings:
O2 Pre-Pay
NAME: o2 uk payandgo
APN: payandgo.o2.co.uk
PROXY: Not Set
Port: Not Set
USERNAME: Vertigo
PASSWORD: password
SERVER: http://mmsc.mms.o2.co.uk
MMSC: http://mmsc.mms.o2.co.uk
MMS PROXY: 193.113.200.195
MMS PORT: 8080
MCC: 234
MNC: 10
APN TYPE: Not Set
O2 Post-Pay
NAME: o2 uk postpay
APN: wap.o2.co.uk
PROXY: Not Set
PORT: Not Set
USERNAME: O2wap
PASSWORD: password
SERVER: http://mmsc.mms.o2.co.uk
MMSC: http://mmsc.mms.o2.co.uk
MMS PROXY: 193.113.200.195
MMS PORT: 8080
MCC: 234
MNC: 10
APN TYPE: Not Set - Now switch off your phone and wait for your unlock code.
- Now you can insert your new o2 SIM card and switch the phone back on normally (for the sign up to work and to link with your Google account, make sure the SIM is data activated).
- Your G1 will now ask you for your unlock code, make sure you get this right as entering it wrong 3 times will make your phone hardware lock.
- Once unlocked, your data service will be active as per the APN settings you entered in the above steps.
- You can now customise to your choice the settings for things such as homepage etc.
I had my unlock code back within 5 hours which I thought to be a pretty good service, given the stated time is 24 hours. One tip though, remember to check the days exchange rates before you buy. Why? because it may be cheaper to select to pay in US$ at the checkout, OK so you will only save about £1 at best but in these troubled times every penny counts! As a service, I’d recommend these guys, quick turn-around and they do exactly what they say on the website, no fuss, no hassle. Easy payment too using PayPal.
You should now be able to fully enjoy your G1 again and the annoying ‘No Network Coverage’ message will be a thing of the past.
Enjoy!
____________________
I’ve now managed to get MMS to work, the settings are:
O2 Pre-Pay
NAME: o2 uk payandgo
APN: payandgo.o2.co.uk
PROXY: Not Set
Port: Not Set
USERNAME: payandgo
PASSWORD: password
SERVER: Not Set
MMSC: http://mmsc.mms.o2.co.uk:8002
MMS PROXY: 193.113.200.195
MMS PORT: 8080
MCC: 234
MNC: 10
APN TYPE: Not Set
*UPDATES FOR OTHER NETWORKS BELOW*
This entry was posted on Monday, September 21st, 2009 at 16:52 and is filed under Android OS, Blah, G1, Technology Related. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
39 Responses
jonny bowley Says:
hey mike, thanks for the tip on how to unlock. i’d already previously rooted a friend’s G1 with cyanogens mod, and he’s now selling me it as he can’t cope with the low battery life.
i need to unlock it for my orange sim card. would i follow the same steps, but using the orange apn information? slightly cheeky request, but do you have any idea where i can find said information?
thanks again for the free tech tips! appreciated!
Mike Says:
Hi Jonny, no worries at all, glad its come in useful. I’ve only recently started this blog so good to see it’s actually getting some visitors!
The unlocking steps are the same for Orange but of course you’ll need different APN settings, you didn’t mention if you are going to be using contract or pay as you go? I’ll see if I can find the Orange APN details for you, will update shortly if I can find them.
Thanks for the feedback, appriciated.
Mike Says:
OK, I’ve had a scout round a few sources and as far as I can tell the APN settings for Orange are:
NAME: Orange UK
APN: orangeinternet
PROXY: Not Set
PORT: Not Set
USERNAME: Net Set
PASSWORD: Not Set
SERVER: Not Set
MMSC: http://mms.orange.co.uk
MMS PROXY: 192.168.71.35
MMS PORT: 9201 or 8080
MCC: 234
MNC: 33
APN TYPE: Not Set
If doesn’t appear to matter if using contract or pay as you go but cannot check either this or the settings personally as I do not have an Orange SIM here. If someone can confirm either way and update all the better!
jonny bowley Says:
hey mike, just a quick update. i’ve recently gotten ahold of the phone and have rooted it and flashed to the latest experimental cyanogen mod. exciting stuff! ordered my unlock code as per your guide and am waiting for the email. will post to confirm in the next couple of days.
Mike Says:
That’s great news.
I’m running the stable release, tried the experimental and whilst it ran absolutly fine, I didn’t find enough *extra* to make me want to use it full time and run the risk of problems. Let me know how you get on :)
jonny bowley Says:
well, i must say, what a faff! the settings you kindly found for me didn’t work unfortunately, so i had a root around various forums and encountered a fair few people with the same problem as me. i’ve tried 4 different sets of apn information with no success. i’ll keep trying though.
as a standard phone / wifi enabled browsing device, the G1 is amazing, but i would like to get MMS and 3G services set up. ringing orange is the next step, but i’m unsure how helpful they’ll be seeing as they don’t officially support the phone… we shall soon see.
Mike Says:
Hi Jonny, sorry to hear that the Orange settings are not working for you. As I mentioned, I don’t have an Orange SIM here so couldn’t check the settings myself. Having another look around the forums this morning your absolutly right that most people are reporting that MMS doesn’t work with Orange, or with hit and miss results at best. The 3G issue is a little more worrying though, kind of makes data useage useless on a device such as the G1.
Can you post up details of the APN settings you have tried which you know not to work so others can benefit from your experiences too, hopefully someone will find a combination that works. Please let us know if you manage to get any sense from Orange too, as you say though I’m not sure how helpful they will be.
I’ll have another look tonight and see if I can find any more information and also pop over to Orange’s website later today and see if they are still giving away free SIMs, if they are I’ll order one and have a play myself see if we can figure this out between us all!
Mike Says:
Hi Jonny, does this help, again I can’t try it myself as I don’t have a SIM to hand.
Orange have a page with settings for HTC Dream http://setuporange.wdsglobal.com/index.html
Photo Messaging:
1. On the handset, tap on the tab display on the screen.
2. Tap the Settings icon.
3. Tap Wireless controls.
4. Tap Mobile networks.
5. Tap Access Point Names.
6. Press Menu button.
7. Tap New APN.
8. Tap Name.
9. Enter Orange MMS. Tap OK.
10. Tap APN.
11. Enter orangemms. Tap OK
12. Tap Username.
13. Enter . Tap OK.
14. Tap Password.
15. Enter . Tap OK
16. Tap MMSC.
17. Enter http://mms.orange.co.uk/. Tap OK.
18. Tap MMS Proxy.
19. Enter 192.168.224.10 Tap OK.
20. Tap MMS port.
21. Enter 8080. Tap OK.
22. Press Back.
23. Press Home icon to go back to main page.
WAP (Not Pay as you Go):
1. On the handset, tap on the tab display on the screen.
2. Tap the Settings icon.
3. Tap Wireless controls.
4. Tap Mobile networks.
5. Tap Access Point Names.
6. Press Menu button.
7. Tap New APN.
8. Tap Name.
9. Enter Orange GPRS WAP. Tap OK.
10. Tap APN.
11. Enter orangewap. Tap OK.
12. Tap Proxy.
13. Enter 192.168.71.35. Tap OK.
14. Tap Port.
15. Enter 8080. Tap OK.
16. Tap Username.
17. Enter Orange. Tap OK.
18. Tap Password.
19. Enter Multimedia. Tap OK
20. Press Back.
21. Press Home icon to go back to main page.
WAP (Pay as you Go):
1. On the handset, tap on the tab display on the screen.
2. Tap the Settings icon.
3. Tap Wireless controls.
4. Tap Mobile networks.
5. Tap Access Point Names.
6. Press Menu button.
7. Tap New APN.
8. Tap Name.
9. Enter Orange WAP Payg. Tap OK.
10. Tap APN.
11. Enter paygwap. Tap OK.
12. Tap Proxy.
13. Enter 192.168.71.35. Tap OK.
14. Tap Port.
15. Enter 8080. Tap OK.
16. Tap Username.
17. Enter Orange. Tap OK.
18. Tap Password.
19. Enter Multimedia. Tap OK
20. Press Back.
21. Press Home icon to go back to main page.
GPRS Internet:
1. On the handset, tap on the tab display on the screen.
2. Tap the Settings icon.
3. Tap Wireless controls.
4. Tap Mobile networks.
5. Tap Access Point Names.
6. Press Menu button.
7. Tap New APN.
8. Tap Name.
9. Enter Orange WEB. Tap OK.
10. Tap APN.
11. Enter orangeinternet. Tap OK.
12. Tap Username.
13. Enter . Tap OK.
14. Tap Password.
15. Enter . Tap OK
16. Press Back.
17. Press Home icon to go back to main page.
Let me know if you can get MMS / 3G working using any of these settings.
jonny bowley Says:
Once again I find myself offering my sincerest thanks!
3G is working, as is MMS! Had I gotten round to checking the Orange website I feel sure that I too would have found these answers… but in typical n00b fashion, I forgot that Google truly is my friend.
Cheers!
Mike Says:
No worries, just glad you got it all sorted :)
It’d be really useful if you could post up the exact combination that you have proven works so others can get their G1′s working with Orange, there does seem to be a lot of people still having issues with MMS and Orange with a G1 according to some of the forums.
Once again, glad it’s all working for you.
jonny bowley Says:
Good idea! These are the settings I used. I have the Dolphin 35 tariff… Apparently all settings are case sensitive…
Photo Messaging
Name: Orange MMS
APN: orangemms
Username: .
Password: .
MMSC: http://mms.orange.co.uk/
MMS Proxy: 192.168.224.10
MMS port: 8080
GPRS Internet
Name:Orange WEB
APN: orangeinternet
Username: .
Password: .
Mike Says:
Thanks Jonny.
If anyone finds these settings useful; or the o2 ones for that matter. Please leave a comment below.
Searryisy Says:
Other variant is possible also
Mike Says:
Yes, it goes without saying that the g1 can be unlocked for just about any network; please do add a comment if you have details for any other. The more network APN details we have together the more useful the resource will be. Thanks…
T-Mobile G1/HTC Dream: Upgrading To Cyanogen v4.2.4 ROM… | Mike Southby Says:
[...] All that remains now is to go through the initial configuration of your G1 and mate it with your Google Account details however, on the initial screen check your APN details as I have found that whilst the APN lists have been updated since v4.0.4 some of them are no longer accurate (specifically the password), as in my case, the o2 payandgo APN is now slightly wrong and needs to be edited otherwise data will not work. The following steps are o2 payandgo specific so adjust this based on your SIM provider and data plan; other APN details are discussed in a previous post [...]
T-Mobile Tap Review | TechoTalk.Com Says:
[...] T-Mobile G1 – Unlocking For Use With O2… | Mike Southby [...]
gina Says:
im unlocking a t mobile g1 android today so i can use it on orange network i found ur information useful but confusing what are the exact apn for internet and mms and watever else is needed please can you simplify it for me as ive looked on loads of websites and they all say different things
thank you
PS3 Fan Says:
Cheers for the great info – I loved reading it! I always enjoy this blog. :)
backup files windows xp Says:
Hi, thanks for posting this article. Do you know where I can find more information on this. Thanks
Mike Says:
Hi Gina, my post is more related for o2 settings as this is what I did on my G1, however as you can see above I do have the Orange settings; though I have not confirmed them personally.
Which part are you finding confusing and I will clarify and help where I can.
Neil Says:
Mike, I really appreciate the time you’ve taken to do this. I’ve used your settings and unlocked my G1 for use with my O2 sim this evening and it’s all working great.
Many thanks.
Neil
Mike Says:
Hey Neil, I’m glad that you have managed to unlock your G1, now the fun begins :)
Darshan Says:
Hi Mike, I have unlocked my G1 using http://www.unlock-tmobileg1.com and followed your APN details but when I insert the 02 sim card (which has a unlimited iphone data plan) keeps coming up with a network error when trying to sing into google to activate it, any advice? Thanks
Mike Says:
Hi Darshan,
What ROM have you got loaded? I’m not familiar with the iPhone data plans, my memory tells me that they have both post-pay and pay-as-you-go but not sure? Can you confirm which plan exactly you are on? o2 APNs are quite complicated as they have loads of different ones depending on tariff and stuff.
Mike
Janell Rodeman Says:
Came across your blog from google .You actually have some good posts on here.Just wanted to stop by and say thanks for the read and keep up the good work bud. You’ve been BOOMARKED!
katie Says:
ah I also found this blog on google and thankyou so much for the help in getting my o2 internet to work on this phone, they weren’t very helpful when i called them to change over and I probably would have gone the next year without internet if I hadn’t found this page.
thanks so much!
jennifer Says:
guys i need help!!
Ok i have G1 google t mobile received unlock code
i wannt to use my o2 contract simcard
unlocked phone tried to do apn settings and im totally baffled :(
all that comes up afterwards is not registered on network
my instructions where to just put in the mnc and the mcc
Mike Says:
Hi Jennifer,
You say you have tried APN settings? What exactly have you done. You should have checked the APN settings and adjusted if needed right at the very start of the setting up process i.e. when your device is first powered on after unlocking and applying a new ROM. Can you confirm that this is where you did or didn’t go into the APN settings and also, what settings are you trying to use?
Mike
Barry Hemmons Says:
Same story – found this blog looking for ways to unlock my G1 onto my new Orange contract (Dolphin 35)…
Tmob wanted £15 for my sim-lock code, which could take “up to 28 days” (which I thought was disgusting – been a customer for 6 years, fully out of contract so have effectively ‘bought’ the fone…) anyway… was a little dubious about using the site mentioned above but worked brilliantly – ordered in the evening (just over £12 due to favorable conversion rate from USD$), code was waiting for me the next morning – excellent!
As for APN settings, used those given by Mike above, 3G and MMS working perfectly. Thankyou!!!!! One thing – don’t make the easy mistake I did and think the username and password are blank, they’re not, they’re “.” – full stops. Sorted,
thanks again, you’ve got me through a tricky transition with ease!
b
Mike Says:
No worries Barry, thanks for leaving a comment. Glad you have found the post useful :)
Darren Taggart Says:
hi real need help setting up my unlock g1 i have a pay and go sim 3g please help me and need to overclock it as well HELP
Mike Says:
Thanks to Mark who has researched through a friend who works with Google and has come up with another set of APN settings for using o2 with the G1, they are as follows:
Name: O2 Monthly (WAP & MMS)
APN: wap.o2.co.uk
Username: o2wap
Password: password
Server: http://mmsc.mms.o2.co.uk:8002
MMSC: http://mmsc.mms.o2.co.uk:8002
MMS Proxy: 193.113.200.195
MMS Port: 8080
MCC: 234 (should get this from the SIM)
MNC 10 (as above)
Everything else: Not Set
Also, some futher settings which are supposedly designed to give faster mobile web access:
Name: O2 Monthly (Mobile Web)
APN: mobile.o2.co.uk
Username: faster
Password: password
Everything else: (as above)
Cameron Says:
I follow all the above steps, the problem im having is its not finding any network, im running a pag 02 sim and it says your sim card does not allow a connection to this network ne idea’s??
ant Says:
hi i have the g1 unlocked but i carnt get text messages can you help me i have done all the setting on here and im on 02 thanks
Mike Says:
Hi Ant, can you confirm exactly what APN details you have entered and if you are on PAYG or Contract. It’s known that MMS can be a little ‘flaky’ but SMS should work just fine.
Dan Says:
Hi Mike,
Just wanted to say thanks for this little guide, saved my bacon!
Paul Vaughan Says:
Hi Mike.
Just wanted to say thanks, you got my data up and running on O2. Keep up the good work!
Paul.
Eline Says:
Hi,
I used the O2 details (APN) you kindly provided, but now my gmail is all messed up, I’m locked out! I am trying to reset the password…problem started when my G1 TMobile asked for me to sign in after I put in the APN details. My old gmail password no longer worked….any idea what’s going on?
Thanks.
Eline
Mike Says:
Hi Eline, sorry that you are having issues although changing the APN details would not cause any conflicts with Gmail. The APN is simply a set of configurations which allow your phone to be able to correctly connect to your carriers network for data/MMS. The very fact that you are being asked for a password which is being refused suggests that your phone is able to connect via, indirectly, the APN details you have entered in order to authenticate.
Have you installed any other software lately? have you installed any updates and which ROM are you using etc etc.
If you can post some more information hopefully we can help.
