It is necessary to unlock the modem if you want to disconnect it from working with the SIM card of one specific cellular operator. If you use mobile Internet via a 3G/4G modem purchased from an operator, then sooner or later you will have to face a situation when, for objective reasons, you want to change it - for example, another one will have a more favorable tariff. Or you will go to the country, and outside the city in your area it will be better to receive communication from another operator.
If you insert, for example, a SIM card from MTS into a modem purchased from Megafon, it will not work. To correct the situation, you need to unlock the Megafon modem, that is, unblock it from being tied to a specific cellular operator. There are several ways to unlock a Huawei modem - free and paid. In this article we will talk about free ones.
How to unlock an OLD Huawei modem?
If you have a relatively old model that you bought a couple of years ago, then you can unlock the modem using its IMEI - an individual number assigned at the manufacturer. It is easy to find under the cover of the device.
Also, IMEI is usually present on a sticker or label included in the box with the modem. Now using this number we can get the unlock code for our MegaFon modem, and we will get it using several programs from third-party developers.
Basically, all “branded” modems that display the logos of mobile companies are actually produced by the Chinese company Huawei, so we will use utilities specifically for devices from this company.
Download the Huawei Modem program
We go to the website huawei.mobzon.ru and download one of the current versions of the program for working with Huawei modems. Choose any assembly - they differ only in functionality, you can read in detail about each of them directly on our website.
It will replace the standard program from the operator, which was installed when the modem was first connected to the computer. Since you already used it, it should have been installed, as well as the drivers for the modem. If you deleted them, you will need to install them again - to do this, insert the device into the computer and confirm the installation. Or manually run the EXE file from the modem’s internal flash memory.
Also, before downloading, make sure that your specific model is supported - the list will be at the bottom of the page. The model number of your modem is also usually indicated on the packaging or in the instructions.
So, if everything is fine, download and install the program, then insert the modem with the new SIM card into the USB port of the PC and launch it.
A window should appear asking you to enter the unlock code.
In some modem models, the same window appears when using standard software from the operator.
Huawei Calculator program
Great! The first part of the epic is over, now we download another application called HuaweiCalculator. Unzip it on your computer and run it. In the first field we need to enter the IMEI we already know, and then generate several other ciphers by pressing the “CALC” button.
Of all of them, we will need NCK - this is the modem unlock code, which will need to be entered into that same window in the first program. In my version, this value is “34994905” - remember it.
Huawei Modem Terminal
It happens that when connected to USB, the window for entering the unlock code described in step 1 does not automatically open. Then you will have to download another program - Huawei Modem Terminal to communicate with the modem through service commands.
Open it and select here the item that says “HUAWEI Mobile Connect - 3G PC UI Interface” and press the “Connect” button.
After that, enter the “AT” command in the lower field in order to check the connection with the modem. If the outcome is successful, the following message should appear in the main window:
"Send: AT
Receive: OK"
If everything is “OK”, then this means that we can now control the modem using the so-called service AT commands.
There are actually a lot of them, but we need exactly those that are required to unlock the modem. Here they are (when writing commands, quotes “” are required!):
- AT^CARDLOCK="nck code" - to unlock
- AT^CARDUNLOCK="nck md5 hash" - to reset unlock attempts to 10
- AT^CARDLOCK? - to check the lock status
The modem displays the following results for the last request:
- CARDLOCK: A,B,0
- A - “2” means that there is no symlock, “1” - if the modem is locked
- B — number of remaining unlock attempts.
- The new modem has 10 of them.
In our example, the modem is locked (1) and there are still 10 attempts left, that is, no one has tried to unlock it before. All that remains is to enter the code AT^CARDLOCK=”nck code”, where “nck code” is the value of the same NSK code that was obtained earlier in the Huawei Calculator program. For me it is equal to “34994905”.
2nd method of unlocking - for OLD and NEW modems
For those models that are not supported by the previous program, there has recently been another one - Huawei Unlock Code Calculator. In addition to two unlock codes (V1 and V2), it also contains a password for flashing the firmware.
- V1, or OLD Algo Unlock Code - unlock code for modems with an old firmware version,
- V2, or NEW Algo Unlock Code - for modems with new firmware.
Let's try to use this utility with my modem - enter the IMEI and generate codes.
As you can see, the value “v1” coincides with what the previous program gave us - this is what we need to use, since the modem is old and the firmware on it is also old.
Method 3 - online calculator
Recently, another convenient and free service for 2013-2014 models appeared on the Internet - here is the link. Look carefully and find your model in the list of one of the flashing options, then enter the IMEI code of your device and receive an unlock password.
Method 4 - universal PAID
Finally, for the really lazy ones who don’t want to bother with finding IMEI, determining the unlock code and other nonsense, there is one universal method that is suitable for most modems. But you will have to pay a little for it - about 5 euros. But we will talk about it in. I also recommend reading the Huawei modem untethered from the operators.
SIM lock, simlock, network lock or subsidy lock is a special type of phone lock, the essence of which is that the device can only work with SIM cards a specific operator ( SP lock or Service Provider Lock) or within a specific country. How to bypass these restrictions (do sim unlock), you can read in this post, but first a few words about the problem itself.
On Android smartphones are blocked using two codes - country code (MCC) And operator code (MNC). When starting up, the phone recognizes both codes shown on SIM card. If they do not match the values specified by the operator, the device does not start and displays a message stating that SIM card doesn't fit. If both codes correspond to the specified parameters, then the smartphone boots into normal operating mode. Can also be used as a blocker MSIN- code for each specific SIM-cards. In this case Android the smartphone will only work with one single SIM-by card.
SIM lock often used by operators on phones that are sold below the factory price, but with the obligation to use a contract for the provision of communication services of this operator for a specified time. Thus, the operator covers the costs associated with purchasing a smartphone and then selling it at a lower price: due to blocking Android the user simply cannot change SIM card, and use the services of a competing mobile communications provider.
To unlock Android smartphone ( sim unlock) you must use a special code. As a rule, when the contract expires, the operator informs the user about it, but for this you will have to wait at least a year, or even two. But the problem can be solved much faster. First, mobile operators sell unlock codes. Most likely, you will simply have to cover the costs incurred by the operator when selling the phone at a reduced price. You can also use special services and applications, but more on that a little later.
Separately, it is worth noting the legality of the procedure. On the territory of the CIS countries, there is not a single law that would prohibit sim unlock. Moreover, there is legislative practice in the world, according to which the sale of phones with locked SIM cards prohibited.
Basic methods of unlocking Android smartphones (sim unlock)
This is an application that allows you to unlock smartphones and tablets Samsung Galaxy(S, S2, S3, S4, Tab, Tab2, Note, Note2). In this case, no code is needed, and unlocking is carried out in a couple of taps. The application itself is free, but you will have to pay to remove restrictions. also allows you to create and restore backups EFS and provides complete information about nv/lock.
Unlock.io from SDWebs
But this application works on a slightly different principle. It provides unlock codes. On the page in Google Play it is written that from SDWebs works with all models Nokia, Samsung, Sony, Alcatel, LG, Motorola, HTC, Sony Ericsson, Huawei, Blackberry, iPhone. Users complain that the cost of the service is too high, but this did not stop it from gaining more than 20 thousand installations. Payment is made via PayPal. And to receive the code, you need to enter information about your Android smartphone and pay for the service.
Similar to the application described above. Receives the unlock code for the following Android smartphones:
- Samsung(Galaxy S2, Galaxy S3, Note, Note2 and )
- LG(Optimus L3, L7 and L9)
- HTC(One S, Inspire, Desire HD and Sensation)
- Motorola(RAZR XT, ATRIX HD, Defy mini, Motoluxe)
- Blackberry(Torch 9860, Curve 8520, Bold 9780)
- Huawei(Ascend, Huawei U8650, Fusion)
The cost of the unlock code in both cases depends on the model Android smartphone and operator country. Payment can also be made via PayPal. The only major difference is that the application allows you to become a reseller and unlock other smartphones with its help, earning money from it. To do this, you need to contact the developers and activate a special account.
Recently, mobile service providers have been making lucrative offers for their subscribers on communication services and Internet access.
A prerequisite is the purchase of a SIM card and a smartphone from this operator. As a rule, the name of the company that manufactured the gadget is not advertised, but on the phone body we see the name of one of the popular mobile providers. The cost of the kit is very low, and the benefits of the purchase are felt immediately, since for little money the subscriber receives many ready-made service packages with a long validity period, as well as a good smartphone with acceptable characteristics.
But sometimes a situation arises when the subscriber is no longer satisfied with the pricing policy of the selected operator or the quality of communication. A predictable course of action would be to purchase a SIM card from another operator with a more favorable tariff plan and try to install it in your existing smartphone.
In this case, the first thing the user will see on the gadget’s display is a message asking to enter the NCK code. This is where it turns out that the device is blocked by the manufacturer (Beeline, Tele2, MTS, Megafon) from attempts to use other SIM cards.
This idea was borrowed by our mobile operators from foreign providers. But the service for obtaining an NCK code abroad is provided and regulated, but the subscriber must additionally pay the cost of obtaining an NCK code. Often the cost of such information is quite significant and hits your pocket.
In Russia, the selected operator does not have the opportunity to obtain information about the NCK code. This level of protection blocks not only smartphones, but also tablets and USB modems. But demand, as always, creates supply. That is why on specialized websites you can find complete instructions for unlocking your smartphone. Sometimes the process of obtaining an NCK code is not possible for some devices - an alternative to this is a complete flashing, as a result of which the NCK code is no longer requested.
For users with an initial level of skill, these procedures can be difficult to complete, which is why there are a lot of paid services on the Internet for “unlocking” smartphones. Usually, for this you need to indicate its model and country of manufacturer. The price directly depends on the cost of the smartphone and the degree of difficulty of unlocking. The cost of the service starts from $0.5 and can reach $150. Usually, these costs are definitely worth it, since buying a new “free” smartphone will cost more.
We remind you that attempts to repeat the author’s actions may lead to loss of warranty on the equipment and even to its failure. The material is provided for informational purposes only. If you are going to reproduce the steps described below, we strongly advise you to carefully read the article to the end at least once. The editors of 3DNews do not bear any responsibility for any possible consequences.
Operator devices are not a new phenomenon. Even our “Big Three” have been offering branded devices for ten years, if not more. Several things can encourage a potential buyer to purchase a phone or anything else with the operator’s logo. Firstly, almost everywhere, various bonuses are given as a “gift” upon purchase, such as unlimited Internet access for a couple of months or a very favorable (in appearance, of course) tariff. Secondly, the price of a branded device may be lower than that of similar models, but not sold by the operator. Finally, it also happens that you need a specific model, but you can’t buy it freely anywhere.
Often people make impulsive purchases, coveting a free offer, and after the allotted time has passed, they simply throw the device into the far corner, since they, as a rule, are completely dissatisfied with the tariffs, which they will have to switch to on a forced-voluntary basis. Moreover, it is not so important whether the operator really asks for a lot of money for his services - you quickly get used to good (and free) things, but you don’t want to pay an additional amount for, in general, a not very obligatory and not very vital service . It's good if you bought the device from the same operator that you use constantly. But here’s the catch - devices often end up locked, and if you regularly use the services of another company, then even in theory you won’t be able to do anything useful with them. We will deal with the solution to this issue, that is, the unlocking.
Before we get started, we need to clarify a few points. To begin with, it is useful to make sure that the device is really locked. All you have to do is insert a non-native SIM card and see what happens. If nothing works or the device somehow hints that it would be a good idea to insert the SIM of the desired operator or enter some code, then it is really locked. The next stage is to find out the true manufacturer. The most popular are Chinese products from Huawei or ZTE, less often Alcatel or some other little-known companies. A simple search will give you all the secrets. Along the way, you can find out whether it is possible to buy an unlocked analogue somewhere else and whether it can be unlocked at all. It is quite possible that the operator itself or a third-party company for a small fee, or even for free, is ready to make the device less scrupulous. In general, you need to find out for yourself whether the game is worth the candle.
And we’ll start, perhaps, with unlocking the Megafon E173 modem, nee Huawei E173u-1. One of the many services for generating unlock codes will help us with this. For example, for Huawei, ZTE or Alcatel. There are lists of compatible models everywhere, but they are far from complete. For example, they did not have the E173 line. To get the unlock code, which must be entered on any of these sites, you need to find out the IMEI - a set of 15 digits, also known as a unique identifier. In the case of Huawei E173u-1, it was indicated on the modem case under the cover. Numbers must be entered without hyphens, spaces or other separating characters. Press the Calculator/Generate button and get the coveted eight digits of the unlock code (NCK). Copy them somewhere.
If the modem is still not connected, then it’s time to do it, and at the same time install the Megafon Internet program, since installing it also installs all the necessary drivers. We will also need the Huawei Modem Code Writer utility, a link to which is available just below the IMEI input field on the first site. Both programs work successfully in Windows 7. Download the archive with the utility (for some reason it also contains a song), unpack it and run the program. Click Select Com Port, and then Detect and Accept. If the drivers are installed correctly, the connected modem should be recognized normally in the program. All that remains is to press the magic Unlock Modem button and enter the generated eight digits. An entry should appear in the log: “Send Unlock Command... OK.”
Now you can remove the modem, insert a SIM card from another operator, and Megafon Internet will no longer complain that the wrong SIM was inserted. To connect to the Network, you can use some third-party utility, or you can simply create a new profile in Megafon Internet.
The next “victim” will be the Beeline A100 phone, produced in sunny China by ZTE. We will again need to find out the IMEI of the device. You can dial *#06# on the keypad or simply look at the number on the sticker located under the battery. Then you need to enter this number into one of the online calculators, links to which are given above, and receive an unlock code (NCK). After this, dial *983*8284# on the keyboard and enter the generated code. That’s it, now the phone easily accepts SIM cards not only from Beeline, but also from other operators.
Let's finally consider one more little trick - let's make the Samsung SWC-U200 modem work for the Yota WiMax network on the Comstar network. This is done using universal firmware, which can be downloaded. You must first install the proprietary Yota Access utility of a certain version. It is also recommended to exit Yota Access before installation. If everything went smoothly, the utility will detect the modem and offer to start the update (step 2). The process is slow, and it is better not to touch anything during the update. If it complains about the lack of drivers, then you will need to restart it and select the first item, wait a little, and only then start the firmware update.
After updating the firmware, go to the virtual CD drive that appears when you connect the adapter. There is a file called CSAccess_v.124_DA15.exe that needs to be launched. After that, from the main menu in the Yota Access section, run the “Install Comstar firmware” script and wait for the process to complete. Then you need to register with Comstar and in your personal account, in the “Management” → “Access” section, register our modem (we are interested in the MAC address), and also do not forget to top up your account. Now you can connect to the new network through the Comstar Access utility from the main menu. To return to your native bosom, run “Install Yota firmware” from there. For more detailed information about working in different WiMax networks, it is best to refer to.
We'll probably stop ranting here. We looked at only three devices as an example, but you can easily find specific instructions and tips for your devices on the Internet, if, of course, unlocking is possible at all. Once again, we recommend asking your operator about the possibility of officially unlocking your device. It may be a little more time consuming, but you won't have to do anything with your own hands. Good luck with your flashing and unlocking!
Most users of Apple technology are accustomed to believing that the procedure for decoupling an iPhone from a telecom operator is extremely complicated and requires some special knowledge. Most often this is true, but many AT&T iPhones can be unlocked after performing an extremely simple operation that anyone can do. This manual describes this method in detail.
Step 1. Go to the official one unlock page smartphones on the AT&T website.
Step 3. On the page that opens, opposite the field Are you an AT&T wireless customer? check the box No. This will clarify that you are not an AT&T customer.
Step 4: Specify IMEI smartphone in the column of the same name. You can find out the IMEI of your iPhone in the menu “ Settings» → « Basic» → « About the device».
Note: The Make and Model fields will be filled in automatically.
Step 5. Enter the captcha, accept the rules and click Next.
Step 6. On the next page, enter your first name, last name, email address and click Submit. The email must be entered correctly in order for you to be able to confirm the start of the unlocking procedure.
Step 7. In the letter you received from AT&T, follow the link confirm to confirm the start of the unlocking procedure.
This is how you simply ask AT&T to unlock your iPhone. If the unlock option is available, then within the next two days the smartphone will be unlocked. You can track the status of the procedure at special page AT&T website.
After entering the IMEI and request number (indicated in the letter), the service will inform you whether the unlocking has been completed or not. If the request has not yet been processed, in the column Current Status will be indicated In Progress, as in the image below.
If everything went well and the restriction on working with other cellular operators was removed from the iPhone, in the column Current Status will appear Approved.
In most cases, AT&T service works extremely quickly. Our test iPhone was unlocked within just a few minutes!
Is it really possible to remove the lock from any iPhone from AT&T in this way? Unfortunately no. If the smartphone is blacklisted by the operator, there are still debts under the iPhone contract, or there are other various factors, then in such cases it will not be possible to unlock it on your own. You will have to resort to the services of professionals who carry out the Premium unlock procedure.
How to determine why it is impossible to unlock?
If the service reports that it is impossible to perform an unlock, it also clarifies why exactly this happened, showing an error message.
- This device is not eligible for an unlock at this time- this message appears if an unlock application has been submitted three times in a row. In this case, you need to wait a week.
- The account holder information you provided does not match our records- iPhone activated by AT&T. It is necessary to completely reset the smartphone and not perform subsequent activation.
- Your device seems to be active on an AT&T customer’s account. Please re-submit your device unlock request with the appropriate customer type or device information- the smartphone is linked to an active AT&T user account. Only he can apply for an unlock.
- You have not completed all the payments for your device according to your AT&T Next service agreement- there are still debts under the contract.
- Your device was reported as lost or stolen- the device is blacklisted, that is, declared by its owner as lost/stolen.
- The IMEI number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX you entered does not match a device compatible with the AT&T network- if you entered the IMEI correctly, it means the iPhone is not tied to the AT&T operator.
- You haven’t fulfilled your service contract- the terms of the contract are not fulfilled.
