Unlocking and Unbranding - What are they and what do they mean? by
Tronyx 04:08 PM 03-13-2009 --
[Reply] This topic is simply to let people know what unlocking and unbranding are in an effort to reduce the amount of threads that get created regarding these two subjects. This is not the place to ask about unbranding your device since it is a taboo topic. Do not post anything about how you are on this step and now it stopped working. Nothing regarding unbranding your device should be posted here. There are other forums that will gladly talk to you about it, but Crackberry.com does not support it.
Unlocking:
Unlocking your device simply allows you to use it with any other GSM carrier in the world. It is a good way for you to not incur roaming charges since you can travel out of the country and pick up a prepaid SIM card from a local cell phone service provider and use it in your device. It does not damage your phone, disable any features or functionality and does not void the warranty. Unlocking your phone can also increase its value since it is now able to be used by someone who may not use a carrier that offers the Bold. A set of instructions for unlocking your device can be found HERE. There are some carriers, however, who do not like to give out the Subsidiary Unlock Code (such as Rogers) and you will have to pay to have someone provide you with a Subsidiary Unlock Code. There is a method to check to see if your device is unlocked or not and thank you to Garz for bringing it to our attention.
Do this:
1. Go to Options
2. Then Advanced Options
3. Then Sim Card
4. Then type MEPD (may or may not have to hold shift while typing, I don't have to)
Under network, it will say disabled if unlocked or active if locked.
Unbranding:
Unbranding, or debranding as it is some times referred to, is where you remove the carrier branding from your device. This will in fact void your warranty since you are essentially removing any and all carrier affiliation (except for the network logo) from your device. It is possible for you to "rebrand" your device with your carrier again, but it seems like it is hardly worth all of that work. One of the effects of unbranding is that it will remove the carrier splash screen that is displayed when your phone is turning on. It will also revert your device back to the factory defaults. These default settings include:
1. The RIM splash screen is typically displayed displayed, but there have been cases where it is just a white screen. You are able to apply your own customized splash screen with the right software.
2. The engineering menu is now typically accessible by pressing Alt+Shift+H where the Help Me screen used to come up. You have the ability to see all of the sinner workings of your device and can change whatever you want, but I know that I wouldn't want to mess with anything since I have no idea what 99% of it even means or does.
3. Several items within the menu now have more advanced details listed then they did before. GPS is one of the few items that gets changed.
4. With an AT&T device you will gain the ability to switch between 2G, 3G and 2G + 3G within your Mobile Network options. To some this is a huge benefit because it really helps with the battery life of the phone. Some carriers, AT&T for example, limit you to just 3G.
5. Depending on your carrier, certain applications may even become available to you as well.
6. Some carriers do not allow the use of uploaded MP3's as ring tones because they want you to purchase ring tones from them. Unbranding your device will allow you to do so.
7. You are able to force your phone to use the AMR-F Voice Codec for higher quality calls. Most devices will switch between AMR-F (Full-range) and AMR-H (Half-range), but typically use AMR-H (Half-range) a majority of the time.
Actually unbranding your device is not illegal, but the software that currently exists that allows you to do so is. It was leaked from someone at RIM and is a piece of pirated software. This is the reason for it being a taboo topic within the forums. For those of you looking for how to unbrand your device, try Google, because it is doubtful that anyone here will be able to help you or want to help you with it. This is not us being mean or rude, rather us respecting the wishes of the Mods as well as the morals that these boards and their users like to uphold.
Chris
Tronyx 04:09 PM 03-13-2009 --
[Reply] Please try not to hose this thread up too much. Use the old one to continue conversations about these two topics.
Thanks,
Chris
bineon 04:26 PM 03-13-2009 --
[Reply] This was probably not the best idea..
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
webhead 04:45 PM 03-13-2009 --
[Reply] Originally Posted by bineon:
This was probably not the best idea..
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
Why not? I still don't know exactly what "bricking your bold" really means. This is of informative nature, not promoting or conspiring.
dsac 05:20 PM 03-13-2009 --
[Reply] Originally Posted by bineon:
This was probably not the best idea..
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
Image
dsac 05:21 PM 03-13-2009 --
[Reply] Originally Posted by webhead:
Why not? I still don't know exactly what "bricking your bold" really means. This is of informative nature, not promoting or conspiring.
"bricking" is the act of turning your once-useful device into a brick.
Brick (electronics) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
wirelessgal 05:34 PM 03-13-2009 --
[Reply] Yes I think it's an excellent idea. I won't bring up the unbranding again. LOL
popiz 05:41 PM 03-13-2009 --
[Reply] thanks for explaining that!
Tronyx 02:33 AM 03-14-2009 --
[Reply] Not a problem. I've been wanting to make something like this for a while.
Chris
tekneakz 03:26 AM 03-14-2009 --
[Reply] I gave you a good opportunity lol. Hopefully this one will be stickied, very informative.
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
Tronyx 04:01 AM 03-14-2009 --
[Reply] Yes you did, thank you and I hope it gets stickied or used somewhere too.
Chris
???? by
hicksta13 08:35 AM 03-14-2009 --
[Reply] How does one get access to some of the BlackBerry goodies you host?
Tronyx 02:21 PM 03-14-2009 --
[Reply] Perhaps some of the many links in my signature? That might be a good place to start.
Chris
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
neocaster 02:27 PM 03-14-2009 --
[Reply] Is for no to the sticky. Only one sticky should be search tutorial. Teach your children for teach themselves the smart-making.
Tronyx 05:54 PM 03-15-2009 --
[Reply] Was that supposed to be English?
For those of you who voted "No", I'm curious as to why.
Chris
