I got so excited about all this talk about roms and what not (Yes, I'm new here and haven't gotten a G1 yet) and completely forgot about the whole activate and unlock thing. I've been spoiled by how easy the iphone modders have made it but I'm not unwilling or unable to do it the hard way. Presently I have an unlocked iphone that I'm using for my prepaid tmobile sim, works fine. From what I've read around here, I'll need a data plan (the easy way) to activate the phone or will need RC29 or downgrade to RC29 and use adb to bypass activation. For some reason, I just assumed that all this flashing and coding frenzy would take care of the activation but I see that is not the case. If I'm mistaken or something has recently changed, please correct me. Otherwise, I'll expect to do some fiddling in getting the activation to work over wifi. Once it is done, will I need to do this every time I wipe and re-flash or just when I wipe and flash to stock?
I had considered getting a 2-year contract in getting the G1 (or the mytouch) but I prefer no contract since I don't use voice or data enough to justify the monthly cost.
megaoptimus said:
I got so excited about all this talk about roms and what not (Yes, I'm new here and haven't gotten a G1 yet) and completely forgot about the whole activate and unlock thing. I've been spoiled by how easy the iphone modders have made it but I'm not unwilling or unable to do it the hard way. Presently I have an unlocked iphone that I'm using for my prepaid tmobile sim, works fine. From what I've read around here, I'll need a data plan (the easy way) to activate the phone or will need RC29 or downgrade to RC29 and use adb to bypass activation. For some reason, I just assumed that all this flashing and coding frenzy would take care of the activation but I see that is not the case. If I'm mistaken or something has recently changed, please correct me. Otherwise, I'll expect to do some fiddling in getting the activation to work over wifi. Once it is done, will I need to do this every time I wipe and re-flash or just when I wipe and flash to stock?
I had considered getting a 2-year contract in getting the G1 (or the mytouch) but I prefer no contract since I don't use voice or data enough to justify the monthly cost.
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If you don't plan on getting a dataplan (for example if you want to primarily run on wifi), I suggest you flash an ADP1-based build when you've acquired root. ADP1-based builds have an option on the Google sign-in screen to bypass sign-in. That way you can get into the settings and set up your wifi without having to fiddle with the adb-based activation bypass methods.
jashsu said:
If you don't plan on getting a dataplan (for example if you want to primarily run on wifi), I suggest you flash an ADP1-based build when you've acquired root. ADP1-based builds have an option on the Google sign-in screen to bypass sign-in. That way you can get into the settings and set up your wifi without having to fiddle with the adb-based activation bypass methods.
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Ah..I'm not read enough about this subject to know which builds are ADP1 based but I'm sure it's not hard to discover. Also, I did read (but I would like to hear some confirming reports) of being able to activate the phone with a prepaid tomobile sim, I figured that was the case at first but there seemed to be more of a consensus that a data plan was required for activation.
Just use adb and activate through wifi
CompactDstrxion said:
Just use adb and activate through wifi
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trust me, its easier than it looks. It may be intimidating at first, but its not too hard as long as you follow the directions
B-man007 said:
trust me, its easier than it looks. It may be intimidating at first, but its not too hard as long as you follow the directions
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No doubt, a lot of things seem much more involved when ya gotta write it down for others. I presume once it is activated that the prepaid sim will work without having to unlock since it is a tmo sim.
Related
I've been thinking to get a g1 soon because now they will be a little cheaper because of the release of the mytouch 3g. I don't plan on getting the data plan because i dont need it. (please dont ask why)
I've read this thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=452316) by JesusFreke on how to "How to register the G1 without a sim or data plan". It states you need RC29, RC30 modded version or any earlier version.
My question is lets say i have RC 33, can i download the update for RC28, rename it to update.zip and update my phone that way so i can register it through wifi?
I plan on getting the updates though http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=OTA_Updates.
Thanks
bug666 said:
I've been thinking to get a g1 soon because now they will be a little cheaper because of the release of the mytouch 3g. I don't plan on getting the data plan because i dont need it. (please dont ask why)
I've read this thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=452316) by JesusFreke on how to "How to register the G1 without a sim or data plan". It states you need RC29, RC30 modded version or any earlier version.
My question is lets say i have RC 33, can i download the update for RC28, rename it to update.zip and update my phone that way so i can register it through wifi?
I plan on getting the updates though http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=OTA_Updates.
Thanks
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When you flash the rc29 image you would go into bootloader cam + power which looks for the .nbh file instead of update.zip.
so in simple terms, yes it will work?
I've updated my friends g1 with the official tmobile 1.5 update which i got on the web before them
so im guessing it will be the same process?
Yes it will work.
are you a t-mobile us costumer? Then you HAVE to get a data plan. I don't even think T-Mo will subsidize a G1 without it, so unless you're planning to get an unlocked one... Also, when you get it, and if you somehow manage to get it without a data plan, you still have to activate it, and guess what, that requires you to have a data connection. Lastly, if you do manage to get that (just use somebody's sim that has a g1 data plan), you're going to have to ask yourself, now what do I do with it? The phone, w/o a data plan, is only good for music, or phone calls, or pictures. No gmail, no market, no picture messaging, you might as well get a motorola
jubeh said:
are you a t-mobile us costumer? Then you HAVE to get a data plan. I don't even think T-Mo will subsidize a G1 without it, so unless you're planning to get an unlocked one... Also, when you get it, and if you somehow manage to get it without a data plan, you still have to activate it, and guess what, that requires you to have a data connection. Lastly, if you do manage to get that (just use somebody's sim that has a g1 data plan), you're going to have to ask yourself, now what do I do with it? The phone, w/o a data plan, is only good for music, or phone calls, or pictures. No gmail, no market, no picture messaging, you might as well get a motorola
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Now that's not entirely true... If you live around places where you are connected via WiFi most of the time, you won't even notice (I don't have a data plan so I know...) There are guides on how to register without SIM or data plan, and I got an unlocked G1 for $150, which is comparable to some of the deals on G1s with 2yr plan.
But he is right about the picture messaging, unless you have a data plan for that, you won't receive them. I have a 1MB plan with AT&T and just added their APN manually and I get picture messages no problem.
h.nocturna said:
Now that's not entirely true... If you live around places where you are connected via WiFi most of the time, you won't even notice (I don't have a data plan so I know...) There are guides on how to register without SIM or data plan, and I got an unlocked G1 for $150, which is comparable to some of the deals on G1s with 2yr plan.
But he is right about the picture messaging, unless you have a data plan for that, you won't receive them. I have a 1MB plan with AT&T and just added their APN manually and I get picture messages no problem.
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Wow $150? Man I got mine used for $250 locked. (I'm getting an unlock code though hopefully)
I also use my G1 w/o a data plan because I have Wifi everywhere I go. Yes, you can activate it over Wifi. I don't know about MMS/Text because I don't use them. Emails good enough for me
B-man007 said:
Wow $150? Man I got mine used for $250 locked. (I'm getting an unlock code though hopefully)
I also use my G1 w/o a data plan because I have Wifi everywhere I go. Yes, you can activate it over Wifi. I don't know about MMS/Text because I don't use them. Emails good enough for me
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Click to collapse
yeah, bought it off craigslist.
You can only activate over WiFi if you use the guide on how to do it, or if you use one of the ROMs with that feature built in... the default ROM will force you to activate using data (I added my APN for that). Texting works without problems, but MMS(aka Picture Messaging) requires data, WiFi will not work for it.
I plan on buying a second hand G1 and rooting it and installing CyanogenMOD 4.0.1. I currently just have a HTC Juno (Shadow) with no data plan and I do not want to get one, is there a way I can disable data so I don't get charged? And do I have to change the APN to use MMS and or SMS with out a data plan? Thank you.
also, will T-mobile give me a unlock code if I didn't buy the G1 from them? (I am a subscriber for more than 90 days)
i have the same question.
thx 4 help.
Just disable the sync and your good to go. Also if u dont have data plan, they wont charge you because it will not work. Thats how Tmobile is anyways. FInally I dont think Tmobile will give you one, just go purchase off of the internet.
shaolinx said:
Just disable the sync and your good to go. Also if u dont have data plan, they wont charge you because it will not work. Thats how Tmobile is anyways. FInally I dont think Tmobile will give you one, just go purchase off of the internet.
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Ok, thanks. I didn't know if they would just start charging me per mb. And do you have to change the APN to get MMS with out data, cause I have unlimited messaging but I heard that MMS uses data on the G1?
shaolinx said:
Just disable the sync and your good to go. Also if u dont have data plan, they wont charge you because it will not work. Thats how Tmobile is anyways. FInally I dont think Tmobile will give you one, just go purchase off of the internet.
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Click to collapse
Actually you have apps that go out and try to get updates and other info without you know, so just turning off sync won't work. There is an app on the market (can't remember the name) that stops all outgoing data.
Thx for the answers!
Could anyone tell us the name of this app?
If I remember right it's droid"something" or "something"droid, but of course without the "something"
And you will be charged if you don't have a data plan if you don't stop the data from going out.
here is the app!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=541380
its called " droid wall"
Yep that's it. I knew it was droid somthing.
First, T-mobile WILL give you an unlock code for a secondhand G1 if you're not delinquent and have been a customer for 90+ days. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. You have that "feature" every 90 days.
Second, T-mobile tracks G1s (and I'm sure MyTouch3Gs) by IMEI on their network, so they DO KNOW what phone you have. I think you can circumvent the need to buy a data plan, but more than likely you'll receive a "upgrade" message every time your phone tries to download some data. Could just be annoying, but if you're not using data, you might be able to get away with it.
That being said, why buy a smartphone if you're not going to use it as one? I can promise, you won't enjoy your phone to the fullest without data. Sorry.
Thank you everyone for your help.
I know it seems dumb to have a smart phone w/o data, but I don't really wanna pay t-mobile for it. And I can just use wi-fi most of the time.
uansari1 said:
That being said, why buy a smartphone if you're not going to use it as one? I can promise, you won't enjoy your phone to the fullest without data. Sorry.
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Actually, I think that data is a waste of money. I survive and enjoy my android just fine without it. Most places that people visit and commute to everyday has access to WiFi(school,home,work,cafe,etc). There is no need to pay the double bill, unless the said places doesnt have wifi.
I think this is the best place for this question.
I have a G1 now and am considering moving over to the Nexus one. My wife and I are on the family plan and we want to keep that going. Currently she only had a basic phone with basic cell service. I have the basic cell service with the Data Plan added to my line. Her contract is up and she can get a new phone, which is good because her Motorola is getting flakey. Anyhow she wants to start doing text messaging with family. So she wants a new phone that has a full keyboard for texting. She doesn't need/want the data plan as it is $30/mo that she won't use. The problem is that all the phones with full keyboards require a data plan. She is a stay at home mom so if she needs the internet she get on a computer. So my thoughts were to get the new Nexus One for me @ $533 for the unsubsidized rate. I take my SIM out of my G1 put it in the N1. Move her sim from her Motorola over to my old G1 then turn on texting on the her line.
She wouldn't be paying for data and I could just set the G1 up to use our Wifi anyhow. Not that it would be used for anything but updating and installing new apps. So it should be fine. I could wipe the phone and set it up on her Gmail account before pulling my sim so I could then configure Wifi.
Does anyone see any flaws in my thinking? I have already put her sim in my G1 as a test and it could make a receive calls on her number. The one thing that I did notice is that it said it had 3G coverage but I didn't try it.
Thanks
Well I was out running around today and stopped into the local T-mobile shop to run these questions across them.
Basically they said that it should be fine. They would only be concerned if I were trying to disable the data plan on my account while still under contract. Since I will be maintaining my data plan for use on the Nexus there are no concern. He said that I may have issues when trying to set up the phone for Her. I mentioned I could wipe the phone and set it up on her Gmail account before moving my SIM. He said that once her SIM is in it may have and issue the first time it powers on. He said that worst case we could come down to the store and turn on the data plan for an hour or so and get it updated then they could turn it off.
He also mentioned that I may have problems accessing the App Market as they were told that it needs the data network to function. However he admitted that he can access the App Market just fine on his old G1 at home over his Wifi and no SIM Card. So he again thought that I would be OK. The only real issue that I can see is that I may not be able to get OTA updates. That shouldn't be a big deal because the phone is rooted and I am running a cooked ROM on it. We plan on leaving it that way and I will be doing updates in that manner.
So it looks like my questions are answered. I am posting the resolution as others may have the same question.
So my friend is giving me her old G1 since she got a new phone and it is basically sitting in her glove compartment. She has T-Mobile I have AT&T.
I am on a family plan with no data plan and my parents went so far as to put a data block on all the phones. I read a few sites and I heard from one that once the phone is unlocked it is a one time deal, if this is true this may be good for me.
A) Since my friends phone is obviously unlocked since it was hers and she used it, if I put my ATT sim card in (she's not gonna factory reset), will it work? What would I have to do
Since I dont have a data plan and my parents blocked all data (internet, not messaging) but I have Wifi, can i tell my friend before she mails me her G1 to enable wifi?
B) Since I don't plan on getting wifi anytime soon, this would be good no? Ofcourse if question A is correct that I wouldn't have to unlock it and activate it.
Ba) If question A is fail, could i still activate the phone via my wifi on the gmail account set up?
So those are all the questions I have, I would like to know what I should do when i get the phone in anycase because I would really like to use it, and i plan to use the wifi feature instead of paying for a data plan since my town has a lot of free wifi hotspots!
Let me know!!!
- Joey
you can also reach me at,
AIM: inability2sleep
If the phone is up to date, it should allow you to skip the account sync process (which is one reason data is required). That way it should allow you to get into the phone and activate wifi yourself.
Of course it wouldn't hurt to have you friend do it for you. Convenience and all.
you meant to say "Since I don't plan on getting data anytime soon..." right?
If she doesn't factory reset, you can add multiple accounts on a single G1 through settings. So give that a go too. The main thing is, that before donut, it was mandatory to sync over data service to activate your phone on a fresh G1. So you should be ok.
Hey Innovated,
Shouldn't have any issues doing that. If you pop in the SIM card, the phone will first say Emergency Calls Only. You have to go into Settings, Wireless Controls, Mobile Networks, then Network Operators and select AT&T.
If it pops up with an unlock code screen, then you need to purchase an unlock code. eBay is usually good, around $5.
After that, everything will work. As you don't have a data plan, and have a data block in place, there's no need to enter new APN details.
As for wifi, you can turn it on or off as you want. To turn on and off, click Settings, Wireless Controls, Enable WiFi.
Hope this helps!
-XBrav
Wow thank you so much for both of your fast replies! This will help so much and hopefully it is as easy as you say! I can't wait to have this cool phone!
My friend wants to know if it can still work if she can factory reset it, and add my gmail account to activate it before mailing me the phone... Would that still be the same as what she 'WAS' going to do in my first description?
As far as I know that can work. What the sync does is add your contacts, and allow the phone to sync with your google account. With 1.6 and higher, android allows you to skip the step, but it should be possible if she does it for you.
Worst comes to worse, you factory reset and hit "skip" . So yup. hope that helps.
even if im ATT and she's Tmobile?
What if i want to root my dre]am and use this guide ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=563679 ) but have no data plan and have data blocked on phone plan (internet blocked, picture messages blocked, medianet blocked)
There are 2 reasons why i might want to root, first its because one of my friends said i would need to if i want to get my g1 to work on ATT (you can read the message below... Also, this is one way, the forum link that i will supply, there is another method to making my g1 work on ATT... can anyone confirm and/or deny either option?)
and two, because I want to have full access to my phone, and manipulate it... Though i am very satisfied if i dont need to root, and the option in my old forum thread is legitament and will work.
Here is the link, Thank you!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=649658
Friend message:
Yes, it's very possible. But you need root. Follow the instructions in the forums to root the phone, and flash pretty much any custom ROM (but if you're a noob, and you don't want to learn to develop or anything, just go with CyanogenMod). After you do that, when you boot the phone, you will have the option to skip signing in when you first boot, so that you can go turn on wifi, then sign in whenever you want over wifi. And you can block data with an app called APNDroid, so you don't rack up ATT data charges.
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Click to collapse
Root != SIM unlock. They can be applied at the same time or independently of each other. The only way to carrier unlock the phone is to call T-Mobile after 90 days in good standing (correct me if I have the wrong amount of time) or pay an unlocking service (~$10-$20 I've heard).
Most custom roms, if not all, will allow you to log into the server through wifi when you setup the phone. Google will turn up quite a few guides if you needed them.
good reply, thanks mate, though i have already searched google, which is why i am asking you fine people. XD