How to Unlock an LG Phone for Free

7:20 PM

Authorized sim = From same network as provider locked to.

Unauthorized sim = From a different provider than phone is locked to.
Terminology:


NCK/SIM_UNLOCK/NETWORK= = Unlock Code
SPCK or SP_UNLOCK= Service Provider Code



Submit: IMEI: 356525044437107

Result: IMEI_NO=354046042437694 SIM_UNLOCK=5740712540521295 NSLCKUNLOCK=9098065553006463 CLCKUNLOCK=0915010950611140 PCKUNLOCK=0390163260318131 ESLCKUNLOCK= SP_LOCK=8261277069821562


Unlock Code: 5740712540521295 ;
Service Provider Code: 8261277069821562




LG Unlock Code (WHICH TO USE FOR YOUR PROVIDER)?


All Networks (MOST) = Unlock Code can be 8 or 16 digits Usually NCK (Network)
Fido/Telus/METROPCS/Tesco = REQUIRE both Unlock Code and Service Provider Codes (NCK AND SP_UNLOCK)






Different phones have different Unlock Code Input Instructions, Try the following Instructions in Order:




Method #1 Insert a non accepted simcard, and enter code when prompted for a code

OR

Method #2 Go to the dial screen and press “2945#*model number#”

for example if its a p999 you enter “2945#*999#” or if its a p990 you enter “2945#*990#” etc…

OR

Method #3 to the dial screen and press 2945#*71001# as if making a call, enter code when prompted

OR

Method #4 Go to the dial screen and press *#865625# as if making a call, enter code when prompted



If Phone says, "Code Accepted" or "Network Unlock Successful" or "Not Yet Personalized" your phone is fully Unlocked










New and LG Most Models

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Phone will display \"Phone Restricted\"

3. Select \"Cancel\" and phone will show \"Phone Restriction Code\"

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Select OK

1. The handset is now successfully unlocked




Model: LG P769 / LG Optimus L9




1: Turn on phone without Sim card.

2: Dial 2945#*769#.

3: A menu will popup to enter the code.

4: Insert the provided code and press OK

5: Device is now unlocked.




Model: LG Optimus L70




1. Power off device
2. Insert a non-accepted SIM
3. Power on device
4. Go to dial pad
5. Type 2945#*323#
6. Select Network Lock option
7. Enter unlock code
8. Press Unlock or Done, phone is now unlocked







Model: LG MS500


1. Power phone on with accepted SIM card
2. Enter 2945#*500#
3. Unlock menu will appear
4. Enter the code NCK code for network lock or SPCK code for service provider if service provider is locked
5. Press ok



Model: LG C2000, CG225

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. The phone will display \"Phone Restricted\"

3. Select \"Cancel\"

4. The phone will display \"Phone Restriction Code\"

5. Enter Unlock Code

6. Select OK

7. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG Mytouch 4G (E739)

1. After turning on your mobile phone with no simcard

2. Get to the dial screen and press 2945#*739#

3. Click \"Network\"

4. Click \"Unlock Network\"

5. Enter Unlock Code, press OK

6. The handset is now successfully unlocked




Model: LG Mytouch 4G (E739)



1: Turn on phone without Sim card.

2: Dial 2945#*769#.







LG DoublePlay Unlocking Instructions:

1. Turn on phone with a non-accepted SIM card
2. Phone will prompt you for unlock code
3. Enter code that we provided
4. Your phone is unlocked!

or

1. Turn on phone with no simcard
2. Go to the dial screen and press 2945#*729#
3. Enter code that we provided
4. Your phone is unlocked!






Model: LG C800 MyTouch Q



1. After turning on your mobile phone with no simcard



2. Type 2945#*800#



3. Click \"Network\"



4. Click \"Unlock Network\"



5. Enter Unlock Code, press OK



6. The handset is now successfully unlocked








Model: LG Fathom VS750

1. Go to Settings

2. Advanced Settings

3. Personal

4. Slide to right to security

5. Tap Sim lock and enter code.





Model: LG CB630 Invision

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card

2. Type *#865825#

3. Press CALL

4. Phone should ask for unlock code, enter code

5. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG CE110

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. The phone display “Invalid Smart Chip”

3. Select \"Cancel\"

4. The phone displays \"Phone Restriction Code\"

5. Enter Unlock Code

6. Select OK

7. The phone may reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG CF360

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Power on the handset- phone will display \"phone restricted\"

3. Select \"Cancel\" - phone will display \"phone restriction code\"

4. Enter the SIM unlock code

5. Select \"OK\" - the handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG CT810 Incite

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*810#

3. A Menu will open up

4. Select Sim unlock

5. Enter Unlock Code

6. Press OK

7. The phone will reboot and the unlock is complete



Model: LG CU320

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 277634#*#

3. Enter Unlock Code

4. Access the Sub-Menu \"Sim Test\" in the Test Mode

5. Enter 2945#*#

6. Access the Sub-Menu \"Sim Unlock\" which is activated after the special code

7. Enter Unlock Code in the \"Enter Unlock Code\"

8. Phone is now unlocked



Model: LG CU400 & CU405

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. The phone display “Invalid Smart Chip”

3. In Idle screen, enter 159753#*#

4. Phone will display \"Enter NCK, Remaining 5\"

5. Enter Unlock Code

6. Select OK

7. The phone may reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG CU500

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. The phone display “Invalid Smart Chip”

3. If the phone DOES NOT display invalid smartchip, please power off and on again.

4. In Idle screen, enter 159753#*#

5. Phone will display \"Enter NCK, Remaining 5\"

6. Enter Unlock Code

7. Select OK

8. The phone may reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG CU515, CU757 Trax

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter *#865625#

3. Select 1 and then 1 again

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone may reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG CU720, TU720 & All LG Shine Series

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter *#865625#

3. Enter Unlock Code

4. Press OK

5. The phone may reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG CU915 & CU920 Vu

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter *#865625#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. Device should say “Network Lock Deactivated”

7. Phone may automatically reboot and is now unlocked



Model: LG E720, E720b Chic

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*88110#

3. Phone should ask for \"USim Unlock\"

4. Enter the unlock code

5. The handset is now successfully unlocked

Or

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Type *#865825#

3. Select \"USim Unlock\", then Select Network Lock

4. Enter the unlock code

5. Select OK

6. Phone may reboot

Or

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*720#

3. Phone should ask for \"USim Unlock\"

4. Enter the unlock code



Model: LG e739 MyTouch

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Type 2945#*739#

3. Click \"Network\"

4. Click \"Unlock Network\"

5. Enter Unlock Code, press OK

6. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG E900 Optimus 7

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Type Sim Card PIN Code and submit

3. The message \"Please call your network provider to get the unlock\" will appear

4. At bottom of the screen, show keyboard with # and *, and asking for you to \"Type PIN\", enter code

5. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG E900h

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Phone will ask for \"SIM PIN\"

3. Enter Unlock Code

4. Press OK

5. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG F2250

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*3311#

3. Phone shows saved, then return to startup screen

4. Press Menu key, choose Settings > Security > Sim Lock> Network > Deactivate, handset will now show “Enter NCK”

5. Enter Unlock Code and press OK



Model: LG G2x P999 or P990





1. Input a non-accepted simcard
2. Go to the unlock menu
3. Input the unlock code
4. Phone is unlocked!



or



1. Power phone ON with original SIM
2. Type 2945#*999# to enter unlock menu
3. Enter the unlocking code



or



1. Power phone ON with original SIM
2. Type 2945#*990# to enter unlock menu
3. Enter the unlocking code






Model: LG GB255g

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*71001#

3. Select \"USim Unlock\" and press OK when prompted for unlock code

4. Select Service Provider Lock. You will see this message \"You are about to SIM unlock your phone. Continue? Select Yes

5. Enter the unlock code and press OK

6. Enter the unlock code again and press OK

7. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG GD510 Pop

1. Insert without a Sim Card (Some version need an authorized Sim Card) and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*510#

3. Select \"Network Unlock\" option

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK



Model: LG GD570 Pop

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card

2. Type *#865625#

3. Screen says you have entered unlock function, and cautions that after 10 failed attempts the phone will be permanently locked. Press OK to continue.

4. The phone will ask you to input the unlock code twice, do it. Be careful and type the code exactly as given

5. After entering the code a second time, the phone will be unlocked.

6. Press OK to exit and the pone will reboot by itself



Model: LG GD710 Shine II

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Type *#865825#

3. The Phone will ask you to input the unlock code twice, enter code

4. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG GR500 Xenon

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter *#865625#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. Device should say “Network Lock Deactivated”

7. Phone may automatically reboot and is now unlocked

Or

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Phone will display \"Phone restricted\"

3. Select \"Cancel\", phone will display \"Phone restriction code\"

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. Device should say “Network Lock Deactivated”

7. Phone may automatically reboot and is now unlocked



Model: LG GS170

1. Power phone ON without SIM

2. Type 2945#*71001# to enter unlock menu

3. Enter unlock code



Model: LG GS290 Guide, Cookie

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*290#

3. The Phone will ask you to input the unlock code twice, enter code

4. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: AT&T GS390 Prime GoPhone

Notice: Do not type 2945#*390# as this may cause an “Unknown Error” message

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Power on the Device

3. Device will display with Invalid SIM Network Lock

4. Press Unlock

5. You see SIM Unlock Process

6. Select Yes

7. Enter CODE and press OK

8. Re-enter the CODE and select “OK”

9. Your phone is unlocked.



Model: LG GS505 Sentio

1. Power phone ON with original SIM

2. Type 2945#*505# to enter unlock menu

3. Enter the unlocking code



Model: LG GC900, GT360, GT810, KC550, KF600, KP230, KP500, KP501, KP270, KS360, KM500, KM900, GR500 Xenon Method 3

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*71001#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG GT365 Neon

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card

2. Type *#865825#

3. Press CALL

4. Phone should ask for unlock code, enter code

5. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG GT505

1. Power on the phone without any sim card

2. Type 2945#*505#

3. The Phone will ask you to input the unlock code twice, enter code

4. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG GT540 Optimus

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*540#

3. Tap empty space to enter code

4. The Phone will ask you to input the unlock code twice, enter code

5. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG GU297 Wink

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Phone show \"Enter Special or Subsidy Code\"

3. Enter the unlock code

4. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG GW300 Viewty or Gossip

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*300#

3. A menu will pop up, select SIM Unlock

4. Enter your unlock code and hit OK

5. Phone may reboot

Or

1. Power phone ON without SIM

2. Type 2945#*71001# to enter unlock menu

3. Enter unlock code or codes

Or

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card - phone will display \"phone restricted\"

2. Select \"Cancel\" - phone will display \"phone restriction code\"

3. Enter the SIM unlock code

4. Select \"OK\" - the handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG GW520

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*71001#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is complete



Model: LG GW620, GW620r

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card

2. Enter 2945#*620#

3. A menu will pop up, select sim unlock

4. Enter your unlock code and press OK

5. The phone will then reboot and the unlock is complete



Model: LG KC910, KF910 (aka LG Prada)

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*910#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG KE850 Prada

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter Sim PIN if required

3. Enter 2945#*8501# and press the call button (middle button, bottom of the screen)

4. SIM unlock mode will appear on screen

5. Enter Unlock Code

6. Select Reboot

7. Turn phone OFF, and then turn back ON again. Phone is now unlocked



Model: LG KE990 & KU990 Viewty Method 1

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Press telephone icon at bottom of screen to bring up the phone keypad

3. Enter 2945#*990#

4. Sim unlock mode will open up

5. Enter Unlock Code

6. Press OK

7. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG KE990 & KU990 Viewty Method 2

1. Power On the phone without a Sim Card

2. Hold \"Camera\" + \"Lock\" button

3. You will get keypad and Enter 2945#*990#

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Your cell phone will be restart

6. Turn off cell phone and insert Sim Card

7. Unlock is completed



Model: LG KF300

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Phone alert \"Insert Correct Card\"

In the screen, right under you see deblokkeren (Dutch), Click on it

3. Click \"Network Lock Off\"

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Select OK



Model: LG KF390, KF390q, CF360 Method 2

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter *#865625#

3. Select Unlock USIM

4. Select Network Lock

5. Enter Unlock Code

6. Select OK



Model: LG KF600

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*71001#

3. A menu will pop up, select Sim unlock

4. Enter your unlock code and press OK

5. The phone will then reboot and the unlock is complete



Model: LG KF700 (aka LG Virgo)

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*700#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG KF750

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*750#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG KF755d

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*755#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG KM900 Arena

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*71001#

3. Menu appears, select Security>Sim Lock

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG KP100

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON the phone

2. Enter 2945#*20001#

3. Enter Unlock Code

4. Phone will reboot and phone is unlocked.



Model: LG KP265

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON the phone

2. Enter 2945#*265#

3. Menu will appear

4. Select Settings

5. Select Security

6. Select Sim Lock

7. Select Network

8. Select Deactivate

9. Enter Unlock Code



Model: LG ME550

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON the phone

2. Enter 2945#*71101#

3. Menu will appear

4. Select Settings

5. Select Security

6. Select Sim Lock

7. Enter Unlock Code

8. Press OK



Model: LG ME970

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*9701#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG P500h Optimus T

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*500#

3. The Phone will ask you to input the unlock code twice, enter code

4. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG P505 Phoenix

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*506#

3. Tap empty space to enter code

4. The Phone will ask you to input the unlock code twice, enter code

5. The handset is now successfully unlocked

Or

1. Turn the phone on and type *#865625#

2. Select Yes to continue

3. Enter the unlock code twice

4. Phone should said \"Network Lock Deactivated\"

5. Phone may reboot



Model: LG P506 Thrive

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*506#

3. Tap empty space to enter code

4. The Phone will ask you to input the unlock code twice, enter code

5. The handset is now successfully unlocked

Or

1. Turn the phone on and type *#865825#

2. Select Yes to continue

3. Enter the unlock code twice

4. Phone should said \"Network Lock Deactivated\"

5. Phone may reboot



Model: LG P509 Optimus T

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*509# to enter unlock menu

3. The Phone will ask you to input the unlock code twice, enter code

4. The handset is now successfully unlocked

Or

1. Power phone ON without SIM

2. Type 2945#*509# to enter unlock menu

3. Tap empty space to enter code

4. The Phone will ask you to input the unlock code twice, enter code

5. The handset is now successfully unlocked

Or

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*509#

3. Tap empty space to enter code

4. The Phone will ask you to input the unlock code twice, enter code

5. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG P999 G2x

5. Insert an Authorized Sim Card

6. Type 2945#*999#

7. The Phone will ask you to input the unlock code twice, enter code

8. The handset is now successfully unlocked

Or

6. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

7. Phone will display \"Phone Restricted\"

8. Select \"Cancel\" and phone will show \"Phone Restriction Code\"

9. Enter Unlock Code

10. Select OK

2. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG Quantum

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Phone will display \"Phone Restricted\"

3. Select \"Cancel\" and the phone will display \"Phone Restriction Code\"

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: LG TE365 Neon

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter *#865625#

3. Select Yes

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Enter Unlock Code again.

6. Press OK

7. The phone may reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG TU330

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter *#865625#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG TU550

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*9701#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: TU915

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*9701#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed

Or

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter *#865625#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG U300

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 815118#*#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG U310

1. Turn ON the phone without Sim Card

2. Enter 815118#*#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG U400

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*88110#

3. Phone will prompt “Unlock Sim”

4. Press OK

5. Phone will prompt “Network Unlock”

6. Press OK

7. Phone will prompt “Input Network Control Key”

8. Enter Unlock Code (If the unlocking code comes with only 7 digits, add 0 in front of the 7 digit code. If the unlocking code comes with only 6 digits, add 00 in front of the 6 digits code)

9. Press OK

10. The phone may reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG U830

1. Insert 3G Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 94471877#*#

3. Select \"Unlock USIM\"

4. Select \"Network Unlock\"

5. Enter Unlock Code

6. Phone will show \"Network Unlock Success\" and The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG U970

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 2945#*970#

3. Sim unlock mode will open up

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. Press OK

6. The phone will reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: LG U81xx

1. To bring up the unlock menu on the phone with a SIM card, type 2945#*88110#

2. Enter Unlock code

In case you need to reset the phone without a SIM card first, type 277634#*# or 47328545454#



Model: LG U8150 Method 1

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 277634#*#

3. Select Menu then \"SIM Lock\"

4. Enter Unlock Code



Model: LG U8150 Method 2 with Service Provider lock

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter 277634#*#

3. Select Menu then \"SIM Lock\"

4. Enter Unlock Code

5. The phone will then prompt \"Input Network Control Key\" (Enter the 8 digit unlock code. Press OK. If the unlock code comes wiht 7 digits, add a 0 in front. If the unlock code comes with 6 digits, add 00 in front

6. It should give you the message Success

7. The phone will then prompt for Unlock Sim. Press OK

8. The phone will then prompt Network Unlock/Lock. If you scrool down, you will see a message Enter SP Lock. Enter Service Provider Code

9. Then press OK



Model: LG U8210

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card, enter Pin code then validate

2. Type 277634#*#

3. Shows test menu, choose sim test menu

4. Type: 2945#*#, choose Sim Unlock menu

5. Phone shows \"Enter NCK\"

6. Enter Unlock Code, then hit OK



Model: LG X2 Optimus

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card

2. Type 2945#*990#

3. The Phone will ask you to input the unlock code twice, enter code

4. The handset is now successfully unlocked



Model: ALL other model

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter:
LG 510W: Enter 2945#*5101#
LG 1200 & B1200: Enter 1945#*5101#
LG 5200 & 52200: Enter 2945#*5221#
LG 5300: Enter 2945#*5301#
LG 5400: Enter 2945#*5401#
LG 7020: Enter 2945#*70001#
LG 7100: Enter 2945#*7101#
LG 1100: Enter 2945#*1201# or 2945#*70001#
LG 7250T: Enter 2945#*70001#
LG C2200: Enter 2945#*2201#
LG C3310: Enter 2945#*3311#
LG T5100: Enter 2945#*5301#

3. Select Menu

4. Select Settings

5. Select Security

6. Select Network Provider

7. Select Deactivate

8. Enter Unlock Code



Model: Classified by Model

1. Insert an Authorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter:
LG C3100: Enter 2945#*3101#
LG C3380: Enter 2945#*7101#
LG F2300: Enter 2945#*7101#
LG KE260: Enter 2945#*2601#
LG KE970: Enter 2945#*9701#
LG KG120: Enter 2945#*1201#
LG KG220: Enter 2945#*1201#
LG KG240: Enter 2945#*3311#
LG KG280: Enter 2945#*7101#
LG KG290: Enter 2945#*7101#
LG KG800: Enter 2945#*7101#
LG KU250: Enter 2945#*250#
LG KU380: Enter 2945#*380#

3. Select Menu

4. Select Settings

5. Select Security

6. Select Sim Lock

7. Enter Unlock Code

8. Press OK

9. The phone may reboot and the unlock is completed



Model: Classified by Model

1. Insert an Unauthorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone

2. Enter:
LG C3100: Enter 2945#*3101#
LG C3380: Enter 2945#*7101#
LG F2300: Enter 2945#*7101#
LG KC550: Enter 2945#*71001#
LG KE260: Enter 2945#*2601#
LG KF240: Enter 2945#*240# or 2945#*2401#
LG KF600: Enter 2945#*71001#
LG KF750: Enter 2945#*750#
LG KG120: Enter 2945#*1201#
LG KG220: Enter 2945#*1201#
LG KG240: Enter 2945#*3311#
LG KG275: Enter 2945#*20001#
LG KG280: Enter 2945#*7101#
LG KG290: Enter 2945#*7101#
LG KP270: Enter 2945#*270#
LG KS500: Enter 2945#*500#
LG KT520: Enter 2945#*520#
LG KU250: Enter 2945#*250#
LG KU311: Enter 815118#*#
LG KU380: Enter 2945#*380#
LG KU580: Enter 2945#*580#
LG KU800: Enter 82652#*#
LG L600v: Enter 815118#*#
LG U400: Enter 2945#*88110#
LG U8150: Enter 277634#*#
LG U8210: Enter 277634#*#
LG U8500: Enter 277634#*#

3. Enter Unlock Code

4. Press OK

5. The phone may reboot and the unlock is completedncncn

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How to SIM-Unlock Your HTC One for Free

5:04 PM

Mobile carriers have been the bane of my existence for as long as I've had a phone. First, they take away unlimited data, and then when you try and switch carriers, they hold your phone hostage for a up to a week before unlocking it from their network.

There are services out there that can unlock your phone right away for a fee, but why not do the same thing right from your own home? Thanks to the people over at Sieempi, there is a way to SIM-Unlock any HTC One that is already S-Off!


What You'll Need

You'll need a couple of different things, depending on which HTC One you have:

HTC One M8
S-Off
MicroSD Card

HTC One M7
S-Off
USB OTG Cable with USB power support
USB Drive

Keep in mind this is only for GSM versions of the HTC One, meaning thatSprint and Verizon users are out of luck.
Step 1: Find Your IMEI Number

To get your unlock code, you are first going to need your International Mobile Station Equipment Identity number, or IMEI. When you input this into the Sieempi website, the service will tailor-make an unlock file for your phone.

To get started, you will need to open your Phone app and dial *#06#. You could also go to Settings -> About -> Phone Identity. Either way, just copy that number down somewhere.
Step 2: Creating an Unlock Code

To generate an unlock code, you are going to need to go to the Universal SIM Unlock page at Sieempi and input the following information:
Email address (to download the file after it's generated)
Phone Type: Enter HTC One M7 or HTC One M8
IMEI number

Once entered, click Send and wait for your Config.dat, aka your unlock code, to be emailed over.
Step 3: Prepping Your USB Drive/SD Card

It does not matter what USB drive or SD card you use, just be sure your phone can read it beforehand. To check, either place your SD Card into your M8 or attach your USB Drive into a USB OTG cable and make sure you get a notification saying your device is in Host Mode.

After that's all settled, copy the Config.dat to the main directory of your USB drive (M7) or SD card (M8), meaning, do not place it in a folder.

You can now attach your USB Drive or SD card to your One. If you are using an M7, you will need to also attach a power cable to the OTG Y-cable—your standard charging cable will do just fine here.

Step 4: Reboot into Bootloader

You are going to need to flash the config.dat file through the bootloader menu. To get there, hold down the Power and Volume Down buttons until you see the bootloader menu—this should take about 15~20 seconds.
Step 5: Flashing the Config.dat

From the bootloader menu, scroll down using the Volume Down button and highlight SIMLOCK. Press the Power button and let your One do its thing.


Once you get the Process done, reboot device? message, you are all done, so press the Volume Up button and let you device restart. You will know everything went fine after inserting your new SIM card.
Troubleshooting

If you have any connectivity issues, the first thing you should check is your APN settings. The APN, or access point name, settings are what your One uses to connect to the right cell towers. Each carrier has different settings, but BuzzMobile has a pretty extensive list that covers all major U.S. carriers.

To change your APN settings, open your Settings app, tap Mobile Data, and select Access Point Names. From there, tap the three-dot menu and selectNew APN to add your new settings.

Alternatively, if you have a M7, you can always flash a carrier-specific RUU to avoid any issues.

And that's all there is folks! You should now be the proud owner of a SIM-unlocked GSM HTC One. If you run into any issues, or just need help getting your APN settings down, be sure to leave me a comment.

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How to Unlock Acer Liquid E600 if You Forgot PIN Password or Screen Lock

6:23 PM

How to Unlock Acer Liquid E600 if You Forgot PIN Password or Screen Lock

Some weeks ago, a friend of the University of Colorado_Boulder made me a phone and asked “How to unlock Acer Liquid E600 ?”. Many Acer Liquid E600 users wish to unlock their phones in order to use them with local SIM cards while traveling, or on domestic carriers that don’t offer an Android phone for sale.
Learn unlock your Acer Liquid E600:

If you wish to unlock your Acer Liquid E600 immediately, purchase an unlock code online. You’ll need your IMEI number, which you can find by going to Settings > About Phone > Status.

Turn off your Android device and remove the back cover and battery. Look for the SIM card, and remove the one that’s currently in your phone. Set it aside. Insert the new SIM card and replace the battery and back cover. Turn your phone back on.

When the phone boots up, it will display a screen asking for an unlock code for the new SIM. Enter the unlock code when prompted. Your Acer Liquid E600 is now unlocked.

If you cannot unlock or access the content of the Acer Liquid E600 then the best thing to do is a hard reset. A hard reset will perform the factory data reset on the device without having to navigate or access the phones settings. A hard reset also sets the phone back to its factory settings and the phone will be like it was when it was brand new.

But it’s really not. It comes equipped with a powerful dual core processor sporting GHz, an 8 megapixel rear facing camera packing 1080p video recording, a front facing camera in High Definition, mobile hotspot with Wi Fi built into the phone. Control your Android device with your voice using applications that integrate text to speech and speech to text recognition. While most hardware manufacturers bundle voice command apps with new devices, many of these apps fail to provide a completely hands free solution for text messaging. Hands free messaging can be a safer alternative to sending text messages while driving. If you’re looking for a speech recognition app for your Android device capable of managing your messages, then you may want to consider one of these free apps.

Should have been kept at I also hate how american carriers always have to stick there names all over a phone, looks really tacky.Other speculated changes include fixes for random data drops and an improvement in camera shutter speeds. They were the first to stop using harmful chemicals, they are the ones who know the true nature of common pests, such as slugs and aphids, and how to deal with them, and they are well aware of the time and energy it takes to maintain challenging landscape features, such as lawns and hedges and structures that don’t stand the test of time.Pop this cover off and you expose the nice and big 4020mAh battery.I used to edit Innovation Management.It costs MacMillan 8 for an assessment pack that enables a cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist to assess and care plan the needs of 100 people with cancer.

And it’s great for those times when you have little to no data service.Last years Tab 2 had no physical buttons on the front, as encouraged by Google, which supplies the Android software.Even more impressive for both Microsoft and Nokia is the fact that it accomplished the feat just two months after introducing the Lumia 800c to the Chinese market.Let’s look at both the applications in depth before comparing them.Together with the capacitive touchscreen there is a new way of controlling the game.

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How to flash a custom recovery (like CWM or TWRP) on Android

6:24 PM

If you have decided to take a trip to the land of custom ROMs and Android hacking in general, you’d need to take one first step - flash (install) a custom recovery. In this article, we explain what exactly is a ‘custom recovery’, how you install it, and what are some popular solutions.

Let’s start with the fact that every phone ships with stock recovery software. Stock recoveries vary slightly between phone makers, but they are identical in their essence - they allow you to manually flash official updates and clear your phone’s cache. Sounds limited? It is, and that’s why custom recoveries exist.

Custom recoveries that we’ll flash here replace the limited stock ones, adding all sorts of functionality to your phone. Flashing a custom recovery is often a key part of the rooting process, but that is not its only use. Here is a short summary of all that you can do with a custom recovery:


Create and restore a backup image - A backup image makes a copy of all your phone settings, application and app data. Such a backup copy is crucial if your hacking experiments fail - in such cases, you can use the created backup image to restore your phone to a fully functional earlier state without losing any data.

Flash custom ROMs - custom ROMs can completely overhaul the looks and functionality of an Android smartphone, and usually they are the main reason for first flashing a custom recovery.
Important: You have to unlock the bootloader on your phone before flashing a custom recovery! Here’show to do it on Motorola phones.


How to flash a custom recovery


Now that you know what a custom recovery is and what it does, it’s time to go through some popular names of recovery software. ClockworkMod (shortened to CWM) and Team Win’s Recovery Project (commonly referred to as TWRP) are the two most popular solutions, and while the two differ slightly, they both have the essential features you need.

Pre-requisites:

USB drivers for your phone must be installed on a computer. You can grab them from the official website of the company that made the phone. Get the latest:Samsung Android USB drivers here
HTC Android USB drivers (included in HTC Sync) here
LG Android USB drivers here (go to “Software updates” > Select your phone > Click on “Install USB Drivers”)
Sony Android USB drivers here
Motorola Android USB drivers (included in Motorola Device Manager) here


Android SDK must be installed on your computer. You can download from the official Android developer portal.


Download the latest version of either CWM or TWRP (we prefer CWM, but both work equally well). For CWM go to this website, find your device, and download the image for it:Download CWM here
For TWRP go to this website, click on “Get TWRP for your device” and type you device's name to download the image for it:
Download TWRP here

Your phone must be connected to your computer via USB. If you get stuck at some point in the tutorial, a common fix is to try disconnecting the phone and re-connecting it again.



How to flash a custom recovery (like CWM or TWRP) on Android








1. Enable USB debugging on your Android device. Connect your phone to a computer via USB.

view as one page »

Note: You can use this how-to tutorial guide to install custom recovery on phones like the Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 2, HTC One (M8), LG G3, LG G2, Moto X, Moto G, Sony Xperia Z2, Xperia Z1, etc.

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How to unlock the bootloader on Motorola phones (Moto X, Moto G)

5:57 PM

Unlocking the bootloader is the first step in a journey to the land of custom ROMs, rooting, mods, and all other Android hackery, but for a newbie, it might also be a scary undertaking. In this article, we’ll explain in simple terms what’s a bootloader, and guide you through the surprisingly easy process of unlocking the bootloader of Motorola device like the Moto X and Moto G.

First, let’s clear up all confusion around the term ‘bootloader’. Bootloader has a very literal meaning - it’s the piece of code that’s executed before even the operating system loads. The function of the bootloader is basically to instruct the device how to load the OS. To do so, it has to communicate directly with the processor and motherboard (which are different for virtually every phone), so all in all, the bootloader is a very phone- and platform-specific piece of code. That is why it differs on, say, a Motorola and a Samsung phone. Some manufacturers decide to lock the bootloader on their phones as a way to ensure that no one can change their custom Android user interfaces. Luckily, Motorola has gone the more developer-friendly way, and the company itself provides a bootloader unlock, making the whole process extremely easy.

Why would you want to unlock the bootloader, though? Installing a custom ROM is one reason, but an unlocked bootloader is also often required for getting root access to the system.

If you have already made up your mind about unlocking the bootloader, we can get started with the unlocking process now. This guide applies for the Motorola Moto X and Moto G.

First, here are the pre-requisites for it all to work:

BACK UP YOUR PHONE FIRST!!!The phone’s battery must be charged to at least 80%.
USB debugging must be “ON”.
Motorola USB drivers must be installed on a computer, you can grab them from here.
Android SDK must be installed on your computer.

Warning: Unlocking your phone’s bootloader voids its warranty. It also completely wipes (formats) your Android phone’s internal memory including applications, contacts, images and so on.
1. Connect your phone to your computer via a USB cable. You have to enable USB debugging mode on your smartphone. To do so, simply navigate to Settings > About Phone > scroll to the bottom > tap Build number seven (7) times. You'll get a short pop-up in the lower area of your display saying that you're now a developer.






2. Go back and now access the Developer options menu, check ‘USB debugging’ and click OK on the prompt.






3. Now, it’s time to open Command Prompt (terminal) and get serious. Don’t worry, all you’d need to do is copy and paste some code in it, it's not hard at all. To open the terminal in Windows 7 hit the ‘Windows’ key, type ‘cmd’, and hit Enter; in Windows 8, you’d need to navigate to the new Modern UI home panel, and just type in ‘cmd’ there.

Once you open the terminal, you need to change the folder to Platform Tools in the Android SDK. Typically, it looks something like this, but you have to find the exact path where you installed the Android SDK on your computer:
C:/Android SDK/adt-bundle-windows-x86_64-20131030/sdk/platform-tools/

To change the folder you just copy the above path (as it is on your computer) and put ‘cd’ in front of it, so the whole command would look like so:
cd C:/Android SDK/adt-bundle-windows-x86_64-20131030/sdk/platform-tools/






4. Now, you are ready to start putting in the first commands that control your phone. In the command line type in the following:

adb devices

Hit ‘Enter’, and you should see the following:
List of devices attached
TA8900F923 device

The code will differ for different devices, so just make sure that something along these lines appears in the list of devices.

Next, type in:
adb reboot bootloader

This will make the phone reboot in bootloader mode. You’d need to wait a short while and see the bootloader menu.

Next, type the following in the terminal:
fastboot oem get_unlock_data

This will return you a unique string of code spread across five lines. It should look something like this:
(bootloader) 3A95720615784488#5441383833304C
(bootloader) 47325600585431303332000000#361D
(bootloader) 7293361E178D7D591294131B57789CA
(bootloader) 86EC4#C39412020F000000000000000
(bootloader) 0000000
OKAY [ 0.164s]
finished. total time: 0.164s






Congratulations, you have completed the first important part - this is your unique phone identifier. Now, you need to copy just the numbers appearing after ‘(bootloader)’, and that’s a bit tricky in the Windows Command Prompt. First, right click anywhere in the Terminal, select Mark, and mark the whole block of text. Then, hit enter. This will put all this copied text in the clipboard. Now, in an app like Notepad, simply paste the copied text and delete everything except for the numbers. Combine all numbers together so that they appear as a single string like so:

3A95720615784488#5441383833304C47325600585431303332000000#361D7293361E178D7D591294131B57789CA86EC4#C39412020F0000000000000000000000

5. Copy this super-long string and head straight to Motorola’s official website, sign and skip right to step 6.






Paste the already copied super-long string and click on the “Can my device be unlocked?” button. Make sure you have removed all blank spaces from the copied string, and you should get a green light to get your bootloader unlocked.

Accept the user agreements, and head to your email, where Motorola has sent you the final instructions.

6. FINAL INSTRUCTIONS: Copy the 20-character key that Motorola sent you via email. Then, in the terminal (make sure your phone is still connected to your computer via USB), type:

fastboot devices
To check that your phone is listed, and next:






fastboot oem unlock UNIQUE_KEY
Where instead of 'UNIQUE_KEY' you type in your own 20-character key that Motorola sent you via email.

7. Congrats! If you have entered all info correctly, your phone should be rebooting by itself, showing you the image you see on the right. And yes, now you have your bootloader unlocked!

It was a bit tedious, but not hard, was it? Let us know if this worked out for you and how the whole process went in the comments section below.



STORY TIMELINE

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The Complete Guide To Rooting Any Android Phone

7:58 PM

We love Android, but rooting your phone can give you the opportunity to do so much more than your phone can do out of the box — whether it’s speeding it up with overclocking or customising the look of your phone with themes. Here’s how to root some of the most popular phones with minimal effort.

Rooting, for those of you that don’t know, means giving yourself root permissions on your phone (we’ve heard all the “root” gags before, thanks). It’s similar to running programs as an administrator in Windows, or running a command with “sudo” in Linux. With a rooted phone, you can run more apps (like backup ortethering apps), as well as flash custom ROMs to your phone, which add all sorts of extra features. If you’re on the fence about rooting, check out our top 10 root-only apps that make it worth the hassle.

There are lots of different Android phones out there, and while some rooting methods might work for multiple phones, there is no one-size-fits-all guide for rooting every one of them. As such, we can’t show you how to root every phone in existence, especially since we can’t test every method. So we’re going to post methods for the most popular Android phones and keep it updated as new phones come out.

Glossary of Rooting Terms

As you learn more about the rooting process, you’ll probably run into a bunch of terms that can be confusing. Here are some of the most important ones and what they mean.

• Root: Rooting means you have root access to your device — that is, it can run the sudo command and has enhanced privileges allowing it to run apps like Wireless Tether or SetCPU. You can root either by installing the Superuser application — which many of the below root processes include — or by flashing a custom ROM that has root access included.
• ROM: A ROM is a modified version of Android. It may contain extra features, a different look, speed enhancements, or even a version of Android that hasn’t been released yet. We won’t discuss ROMs in depth here, but if you want to use one once you’re rooted, you can read more about doing that here.
• Flash: Flashing essentially means installing something on your device, whether it be a ROM, akernel or something else that comes in the form of a ZIP file. Sometimes the rooting process requires flashing ZIP file, sometimes it doesn’t.
• Bootloader: Your bootloader is the lowest level of software on your phone, running all the code that’s necessary to start up your operating system. Most bootloaders come locked, which keeps you from rooting your phone. Unlocking your bootloader doesn’t root your phone directly, but it does allow you to root, then flash custom ROMs if you so desire.
• Recovery: Your recovery is the software on your phone that lets you make backups, flash ROMs and perform other system-level tasks. The default recoveries can’t do much, but you can flash a custom recovery — like ClockworkMod — after you’ve unlocked your bootloader that will give you much more control over your device. This is often an integral part of the rooting process.
• ADB: ADB stands for Android Debug Bridge, and it’s a command line tool for your computer that can communicate with an Android device you’ve connected to it. It’s part of the Android Software Developers Kit (SDK). Many of the root tools below use ADB, whether you’re typing the commands yourself or not. Unless the instructions call for installing the SDK and running ADB commands, you won’t need to mess with it — you’ll just need to know that it’s what most of the tools use to root your phone.
• S-OFF: HTC phones use a feature called Signature Verification in HBOOT, their bootloader. By default, your phone has S-ON, which means it blocks you from flashing radio images — the code that manages your data, Wi-Fi and GPS connections. Switching your phone to S-OFF lets you flash new radios. Rooting doesn’t require S-OFF, but many rooting tools will give you S-OFF in addition to root access, which is nice.
• RUU and SBF: ROM Upgrade Utilities (for HTC phones) and System Boot Files (for Motorola phones) are files direct from the manufacturer that change the software on your phone. RUU and SBF files are how the manufacturers deliver your over-the-air upgrades, and modders often post leaked RUU and SBF files for flashing when the updates haven’t been released yet. They’re also handy when downgrading your phone, if a rooting method isn’t available for the newest software version yet. You can flash RUUs right from your HTC phone, but Motorola users will need a Windows program called RSD Lite to flash SBF files.

Most Android Phones: The SuperOneClick Method

The majority of you will be able to use previously mentioned SuperOneClick for Windows to root your phone. So far, it’s been officially tested on the following phones:

Acer Liquid Metal
Dell Streak
HTC Magic (Sapphire) 32B
LG Optimus 2x
Motorola Defy
Motorola Flipout
Motorola Milestone
Motorola Milestone 2
Nexus One
Samsung Galaxy Ace. Note: SuperOneClick only works on the Galaxy Ace running 2.2.1 and below. If you have 2.3 or above on your phone, you’ll need to follow the steps at this XDA thread to root your phone.
Samsung Galaxy S
Samsung Galaxy S II
Samsung Galaxy Tab
Sony Ericsson Xperia X8
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
However, it should work on many more. Forum threads abound on the internet where people claim it works with other devices, and they just haven’t been added to the “official” list. With that in mind, I’d recommend checking the rest of the methods on this page before you try SuperOneClick, to see if your phone already has an alternative method.

Also, if you want to double-check that SuperOneClick will work with your phone, a quick Google (e.g.superoneclick motorola milestone) will probably reveal whether it’s compatible.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows PC: SuperOneClick has ports for Mac and Linux, but it’s pretty complicated to get it working. I haven’t used it myself, but you can check out its XDA Developers thread for more information. For the purposes of this guide, we’ll assume you have a working Windows PC to get this working. If you don’t have one, borrow one from a friend — after all, you’ll only need it once.
• The USB Drivers for Your Phone: In order for your phone to fully communicate with your PC, you’ll need its USB drivers. To get them head to your phone’s manufacturer’s website and search for them on the Support page. Note: You can now grab an automatic driver installer at theSuperOneClick page on XDA and skip this step — though you can always download the drivers yourself if you so choose.
• Previously mentioned SuperOneClick: This is the Windows program that will root your phone. It’s portable, so just download it and unzip it somewhere safe — no installation necessary.

The Process

First, find, download and install the USB drivers for your particular phone, if necessary. You can generally do a Google search for your device’s drivers, but you can just head to your manufacturer’s website too (e.g. HTC users will head to HTC’s website) and navigate to your device’s support page. Go ahead and install the drivers once they’re downloaded. Note: Again, you can now grab an automatic driver installer from SuperOneClick’s XDA page and skip this step if you so choose.

Next, make sure your phone is in USB Debugging mode. Head to Settings > Applications > Development, and check the USB Debugging box at the top.

Once you’ve done all that, start up SuperOneClick. Plug in your phone (make sure NOT to mount the SD card), and hit the “Root” button to root your phone — it’s that simple. When it finishes, you’ll see a message that says “Root files have been installed!” Hit Yes if it asks you to run a test, and if everything went according to plan, it should confirm that you have root permissions. You can now close out of the app.

To double check and make sure everything went well, when you open up your app drawer you should see an app called “Superuser”. If so, you’re good to go! You can now flash custom ROMs, run root-only apps and more. See the “What Now?” section below for more ideas.

Certain HTC Phones: The Unrevoked Method

If you’re running an HTC phone from 2010 and earlier, chances are you’ll need to use the Unrevoked tool. More specifically, Unrevoked roots the following phones:

• HTC Incredible. Update: You’ll need to downgrade Android before using Unrevoked.
• HTC Desire
• HTC Wildfire

If you have an HTC phone that isn’t supported by either method, Unrevoked may be working on support for it — they’re still actively developing the program and doing a great job. It usually takes them a few months, but once they get it up and running, it’s worth it. Unrevoked’s one-click method is a ton easier than the manual hacking you’ll have to do if you want root access right after a phone is released.

What You’ll Need

• A Computer: Thankfully, Unrevoked is available for Windows, Mac and Linux. So as long as you have a PC handy, you can run it.
• Previously mentioned Unrevoked3: When you head to Unrevoked’s website, you’ll see a list of phones. Click on yours, and you’ll probably be presented with two options — for a traditional root, you’ll want to make sure you download the “Unrevoked3″ tool, not “Unrevoked Forever”. It will automatically detect your operating system (Windows, Mac or Linux), so just hit the download link to grab the appropriate version.
• HBOOT Drivers (Windows only): Windows users using Unrevoked will need to install a few drivers to get it working properly. Mac and Linux versions should be a plug-and-go affair.

The Process

If you’re running Windows, the first thing you’ll want to do is install the Unrevoked modified USB drivers (Mac and Linux users can skip the next two paragraphs). Download the drivers from this page, and extract them somewhere you’ll remember. Turn off your phone, then reboot into the HBOOT menu by holding the volume down button and then holding power. You should boot into a white screen. Plug your phone into your computer via USB, and wait for your phone to say HBOOT USB PLUG.

When it does, head to Start and search for Device Manager. Start it up and head to “Other Devices”, where you’ll see an “Android 1.0″ device. Right click on it and hit Update Driver Software. Click “Browse my computer for driver software” and navigate to the folder you extracted earlier. Hit next and let it install. If you get any warnings, just hit OK. When you’re done, and you should see the Device Manager now lists an Android Phone with “Android Bootloader Interface” under it.

Next, make sure your phone is in USB Debugging mode. Head to Settings > Applications > Development, and check the USB Debugging box at the top.

Now, start up the Unrevoked tool and plug in your phone (again, make sure to hit “charge only”). It should do everything for you automatically. Make sure you wait until Unrevoked says “Done” before unplugging your phone. If you open up your app drawer and see an app called “Superuser Permissions”, you’re done and can continue to flash custom ROMs, use root only apps and more (see the “What Now?” section for more inspiration).

Newer HTC Phones: The Revolutionary Method

From the makers of Unrevoked comes Revolutionary, a great new tool that unlocks the bootloader of many new HTC phones. This won’t actually root your phone, but after unlocking the bootloader, you can flash ClockworkMod Recovery and then flash a ROM of your choice, meaning you can flash a ROM that gives you root access. Currently, Revolutionary is in developer preview, but you can download it and try it on these supported phones:

• HTC Desire
• HTC Wildfire
• HTC Aria
• HTC Incredible S
• HTC Desire S
• HTC Sensation
• HTC Evo 3D. Note: Revolutionary only works on the HTC Evo 3D running HBOOT 1.4 and below. If you’re running HBOOT 1.5 or above, you’ll need to unlock your bootloader using HTC’s official tool androot your phone using these instructions.

What You’ll Need

• A computer: You’ll need either a Windows or Linux computer to run Revolutionary.
• Revolutionary: At the bottom of the page, you’ll see downloads for both Windows and Linux. After you click on one, you’ll be asked to name your phone, your HBOOT version, and enter your serial number, which will give you a beta key allowing you to use the program. You can find both your HBOOT version and serial number after you start up the program.
• HTC Fastboot Drivers (Windows only): Windows users using Revolutionary will need to install a few drivers to get it working properly. Linux users won’t need these.

The Process

To unlock and root your phone with Revolutionary, first download the program as described above and extract the files to your desktop. If you’re on Windows, grab the HTC Fastboot drivers and install them as well. On your phone, head to Settings > Applications > Development, and make sure USB Debugging is turned on. Plug in your phone, and make sure it’s set to “Charge Only”.

Start up Revolutionary and make not of your HBOOT version. Head back to Revolutionary’s download page and pick your HBOOT version from the drop-down menu. The Revolutionary command prompt window should also list your serial number; copy that and paste it into the beta key box. Hit OK, copy your beta key, and then paste it into the command prompt. Revolutionary will root the phone, and reboot it a few times — just let it do its thing.

When it prompts you to download ClockworkMod Recovery, type Y and press Enter. If all goes well, it should flash ClockworkMod Recovery to your device, which allows you to root your phone and flash custom ROMs. Again, this will take a while; let your phone work. If it doesn’t work, you should be able to flash ClockworkMod by downloading ROM Manager from the Android Market and flashing it from the top option on the app’s home screen.

When all that’s done, you still need to gain root access to your phone. Download this ZIP file and put it on the root of your SD card (without extracting it). Shut down your phone, and boot it up into HBOOT. Usually this means holding the volume down button and then pressing the power button, though it may differ from phone to phone. Choose Recovery from the menu (using your volume rocker) and press the power button to enter ClockworkMod.

Once inside ClockworkMod, choose “Install ZIP from SD Card”, then pick “Choose ZIP from SD Card”. Choose the ZIP file you just added to your SD card, and let it do its thing. When you’re done, head back to the main menu and choose “Reboot System Now”. Once you’ve rebooted, check your app drawer for the Superuser app. If it’s there, you’ve achieved root, and you can get on to the really fun stuff (see the “What Now?” section at the bottom for ideas).

Newer Motorola Phones: The Pete Method

As you’ve undoubtedly heard, Motorola has gotten pretty controlling with its most recent phones, so SuperOneClick no longer works if you’ve updated Android to 2.3 Gingerbread. Luckily, in an attempt to root his Droid 3, developer Pete created a program that roots a number of Motorola phones, after which you can remove bloat and do whatever else you want to them (though certain phones may have a harder time flashing custom ROMs and kernels — you’ll need to search for specific methods related to your phone). Phones known to work with Pete’s Root Tool are:

Motorola Milestone 2

We haven’t tested this one ourselves, so we won’t go through the detailed process here. Hit the link below to download the program and see how it works.

[Pete’s Motorola Root Tools]

Rooting the HTC Desire Z

The Desire Z is a special case. If you’re running 2.3 or above, you need to downgrade your phone back to 2.2 using this very involved method, then use a tool called Visionary to give it temporary root, and then go through a bit of manual hacking to make that root permanent. None of the Lifehacker editors have a Desire Z to test this on, but you can hit the link below to try it out for yourself. I’d also recommend heading over to The Unlockr for their video of the first step, using Visionary.

[XDA Developers]

Rooting the Motorola Atrix

The Atrix now has an unlockable bootloader, meaning root is fairly easy to achieve. You’ll need to unlock your phone first (if you have Gingerbread already, skip to step 6), after which you can flash the ClockworkMod recovery and then flash a rooted version of the stock Gingerbread ROM. Alternatively, you can root it with some terminal commands, though it’s a bit more complicated and the Atrix guides at XDA Developers are pretty bad. Also check out how Elly did it on Gizmodo Australia. Hit the links below for a guide to each step in the process.

Unlock Motorola Atrix 4G Bootloader, Install ClockworkMod Recovery, Root the Motorola Atrix 4G[AddictiveTips]

Rooting the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Rooting the Galaxy Nexus is a simple matter of unlocking the bootloader and installing the proper superuser binaries. You have quite a few options, including a fairly simple flashing method that you can read about at the link below.

[Android Forums]

Rooting the Samsung Galaxy S II

Rooting the Galaxy S II is fairly easy, as long as you have a Windows PC handy. Like its predecessor, the Galaxy S, the Galaxy S II has many variants, meaning there’s no one rooting method that will work for everyone. Your rooting method will depend on which carrier you’re on, as well as what country you’re in. Non-US users with the i9100 version of the phone can check out this method. Be extra sure you’re following a guide for your specific device — most guides will have country codes that can help you find the right one.

For now, most of the guides require that you have the Samsung drivers for Windows and a program called Odin, which you’ll find in the guide for your phone. Odin will flash the ClockworkMod recovery to your phone, which you can use to push the Superuser app to your device, which gives you root access. You can then also flash ROMs and other things from ClockworkMod, if you so desire.

For more information, check out the All Things Root guides for the international Galaxy S II over at Android Forums.

What Now?

Now, the world is your oyster. Here are some things you can do:

• Flashing a custom ROM like the popular CyanogenMod
• Speeding up your phone if it’s feeling a little sluggish
• Setting up an automated backup (and removing crapware) with Titanium Bakcup
• Overclocking (or underclocking) your phone with SetCPU
• Getting your tethering on with Wireless Tether or Wired Tether

Troubleshooting Problems

If you run into a problem rooting or flashing a ROM on your phone, we’ve written a guide to troubleshooting an almost-bricked Android phone. Be sure to check that out, as well as the instructions below on how to unroot your phone if worst comes to worst.

Unrooting Your Phone

If, in the end, you decide you want to go back to your over-the-air updates, stock ROM and unrooted goodness, you can unroot your phone. The process is a bit different for every manufacturer and every device, but these guidelines should get you on the right track.

This will return it to exactly how it was when you bought it from the store. You’ll lose all your apps, settings, ClockworkMod recovery and you’ll get over-the-air updates again.

For Motorola Phones: If you have a Motorola phone, you’ll need to use RSD Lite, the program that Motorola and its partnered carriers use to restore almost-bricked phones. RSD Lite isn’t exactly an official program open to the public, so you’ll have to Google around to find a version that works for you. You’ll also need an SBF file for your device, which is the original stock ROM that RSD Lite will flash to your phone. Google for this as well. RSD Lite only runs on Windows, so if you’re a Mac or Linux user, you’ll need a Windows partition or a friend with a Windows machine to help you out.

For HTC Phones: HTC phones can flash stock ROMs, known as RUUs, right from the phone’s bootloader. You’ll need to Google around for your device’s specific RUU file, but once you download it, save the ZIP file to your SD card and rename it (to something like PG05IMG.zip — the download page for the RUU file should specify which filename is required), booting up your phone should automatically flash the stock ROM from HBOOT, HTC’s bootloader. Check out the video at the left to see an example of this on the HTC Thunderbolt.

For Samsung Phones: If you’re using a Samsung Galaxy phone, you can use a tool called Odin to reflash an OPS file, which is a stock ROM that will return your phone to factory settings. You’ll need a Windows machine and a copy of Odin, which you can find by Googling around the net (as its not an official tool). Check out the video to the left to see an example of Odin, and check out The Unlockr’s guide to using Odinto familiarise yourself. You may need to Google around for your specific device’s OPS file and instructions.

This guide should have you up and running with root permissions on nearly every Android phone out there. I can’t test every Android phone in existence, so your mileage may vary. Let us know how you go in the comments below.

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