Oct

22

How To: Getting started with an unactivated T-mobile G1

Filed Under Gadgets, Mobile 

As of right now, there still no quick way of unlocking or “jailbreaking” the T-mobile G1. But, it’s fairly easy to set up the phone to be used for everything besides making calls (unless a VoIP app becomes available in the future like the iPhone). I was able to purchase a G1 earlier today without signing up for a new 2 year contract with T-mobile (at the $399 price). The store manager was reluctant to sell it at first without a contract but finally agreed after some convincing. The fact that it didn’t look like the launch demand was as high as they thought it would be, definitely helped. It seems that the stores have been given specific instructions not to sell any G1’s without a new 2 year contract, at least until the first couple of shipments are sold. It’s a hit or miss.

The G1 was purchased for my company to use for testing purposes only, so we just wanted to be able to access all the phone features, apps, and internet browsing whenever connected to a nearby Wi-Fi network. And we did not want to get stuck paying for 2 years of monthly service to do so. Here are the steps we followed to get past the initial setup without having an activated SIM card. (Note: You will need a friends activated T-mobile SIM card for only a couple of minutes – data charges may apply.)

  1. Insert friends activated T-mobile SIM into G1 along with battery
  2. Power on and wait for setup screen
  3. Go through setup process to link any Gmail account
  4. Go to Settings > Wireless Controls > Wi-Fi Settings > Enable Wi-Fi
  5. Connect to nearby Wi-Fi network if one is available
  6. Optional: Stop the phone from syncing with Gmail account by going to Data Synchronization and unchecking Auto-sync, Gmail, Calendar, and Contacts
  7. Once done, take out friends SIM card and insert unactivated SIM that came with G1

If you already have T-mobile service, you should be able to pop your SIM right in and get going. You can also do the same with a G1 purchased from eBay and using a prepaid T-mobile SIM card. I doubt T-mobile will do anything to change this because you are paying full price for the phone! One other thing to note is if you would like to change the Gmail account in which the phone syncs with, a soft reset is necessary and you must follow these steps again. For a comprehensive review of the G1, check out Engadget’s hardware and software posts which are very detailed. Also, check out my colleagues initial thoughts on how Google is becoming more evil because of this.

If you know of any other ways, please leave a comment. I will also be keeping an eye out for unlocking instructions as they become available. Connect with me on Twitter @jsmakr.

Update: Got linked to by Engadget and Gizmodo! Please see my comment below if you are confused about the difference between ‘unactivated’ and ‘unlocked’.

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Comments

  • JENNYSOWICKED
    i got my g1 just now , i put my prepaid sidekick card and i change the plan in t-mobile .com still says i have no sim card in it . what should i do ? becuaser is only letting me do emergency calls , can i still do it borrowing a friends plan tmobile sim card?
  • lostone13
    soo will i HAVE to borrow an activated t-mobile sim in order to pass the gmail setup ?
  • NINJACOP
    if i activate the phone with a friends sim can i then use a prepaid card and do the regular stuff with it?
  • ashbassh
    i just got a g1. i had to reactivate another sim card. I did that at around 6oclockpm it is now 10oclock. Does the new sim card take this long to activate? Ps: yes the plan on the card has a unlimited internet plan is that the same as data plan?
  • flyboy183
    u can use the g1 prepaid
  • kazuorussell
    I have a g1 without the original simcard.
    Does this mean i can still go through this process to make it prepaid, as long as I have someonelse's t-mobile sim card to activate it?
  • KM
    how did you convince them??
  • Paul Cordoba
    hi can you tell me the steps to put in an prepaid t mobiel on it
    sidekick plan maybe?
    I bought it on e bay and the man did have it connected, and he gae it to me without a sims I see his g mail on there
    Thanks
  • Kevinmn0450
    When your borrowing your friend's t-mobile SIM card, do they need to have data plan with them or no? Also, I will try this at school, but when you start syncing, do you need to connect to wifi or no need? Thanks !
  • christopher santa
    lets say that my contract was canceled cause i didn't pay my bill. i use my cousins sim card for the g1 and its not going through the gmail setup. how do i get around that?
  • Askia
    Can I get a g1 insured if I bought it off ebay?...I do have a plan with tmobile but I have a different phone.
  • Tom
    When i go into my mobile network settings and hit operator selection.It says available networks T-Mobile and AT&T.I use T-Mobile now but does this mean I can use a AT&T sim and just check the AT&T instead of T-Mobile?
  • Sam
    I bought the T-Mobile G1 from a private party in newspaper add. I borrowed the SIM card from a friend to activate it and after that I pop in the prepaid SIM. It works fine. I use the T-Mobile G1 to connect to my home WIFI many times without any problem. I went online to different websites without any charge from T-Mobile. Yesterday I just notice that when I use Yahoo Messenger, it started to charge me every time I sent or received messages. It cost 10 cents for sending or receiving on my own home WIFI internet. I turn off WIFI on the phone and try to connect to Yahoo Messenger, it gave me an error. So, I enable the phone and connect to my home WIFI again and able to connect to the Yahoo Messenger. Still, I got charge 10 cents every time I am sending or receiving messaging. Calling customer service, they connected me to G1 technical support. She told me even I am on my own WIFI network; every instant message will setup to go directly to the T-Mobile connection point and will treat as regular text message. She said T-Mobile have to pay for the pre install software license like IM, Google talk and Yahoo Messenger in order to put these programs onto the phone, so, when these programs are activated, it automatically re-direct connection for all instant messages to T-Mobile server point. Sound stupid, right? But I did get charge for it while I am using Yahoo Messenger with my prepaid SIM without internet plan. I haven't try MSN yet, but I notice I did not get charge for using Google Instant Message, I don't know about Skype though. If anyone knows the way to get around it, please give me an advice, <spp135@netzero.com> and if anyone tries to use Yahoo Messenger on the T-Mobile G1 with prepaid account, just watch out. They will charge you for every message you sent or receive.</spp135@netzero.com>
  • youssef El Senoussi
    i've already bought a g1 phone from texas america. but i live in egypt when i get it my friend gave me a code to unlock it for free but when i opened it works very fine. but i had to do a format to the phone because it had a contact and the location was set at america. and i made the format. and when it opens it askes for the gmail account first i didn't have one. but when i creat one at the computer and after activate it. i went to put it at the phone but after waiting a minute it says that the were a proplem communicating with google servers and i made a new one but the same habbend to me. now i don't know what to do. so if anyone had the same proplem and fixed it in egypt. please leave a comment about how he fixed it
    and i will be greatfullllllllllllllllllll.
  • muhammedchaltout
    youssef i hope u solved your problem cause i got the same problem too please let me know what u did so i can fix mine thank you my e-mail is mick_love_777@hotmail.com and my mobile @ is 0164946966
  • Gabriel
    And another question, does this phone truely have GPS or just google maps because GPS should be able to be used offline freely anyway correct? so if it does have GPS will i be able to download another application that will let me use GPS offline?
  • Gabriel
    So heres a str8 4ward Question: will you or will you not be able to make calls without the 3g Data plan. because i just got a free one. because i convinced the person on the phone i should get one without the internet after having problems with my wing (i got two one for me and one for my sister dont ask me how i did it but i did)
  • Lexi
    I have the g1 coming in the mail, I have the 2 year contract with tmobile but I dont have internet on my previous phone..do I need to buy the “data plan” just to be able to turn on my phone, cuz I was reading and ppl seem to be having problems with that? I dont really understand? I cant get on google or the internet without buying the data plan correct? pleasssee help!
  • Kate
    Yes! You can use flex play with no data plan and you can use the free wifi. The G1 is the best phone ever!
  • Kate
    I currently have no t mobile service and wifi works fine. I am always on the internet. Since my service was already on I guess now I can use their prepaid service.
  • don
    I have the sidekick lx. And the sidekick prepaid plan...can I put my prepaid plan sim card into the g1?
  • Big O
    i just got my G1 from T-mobile store it not working when i put my Tmobile sim card in.btw i didn Purchase the Data plan i got it for 400$ bucks without a contract and the sim card was one of my friends.he had this sim card contract with Tmbobile like 2 yrs already.i dunno why is not working..when i put my sim card in.it just pop up a Gmail account setup well i press sign[i already apply one Gmail] it just come out with:THERE IS A PROBLEM COMMUNICATING WITH THE GOOGLE SERVERS. THIS COULD BE A TEMPORARY PROBLEM OR YOUR SIM CARD MAY NOT B PROVISIONED FOR DATA SERVICES"
    can any1 help me plez
  • Cin
    Hi, I currently have a tmobile sim card but without the data service plan with it. Is there anyways that I could activate the phone without getting the service plan??
  • Martin
    My friend bought a G1 and hated it, so I bought it off him. I'm going to switch over from a Curve on the t-mobile network with BIS and all that... is there an easy way for me to change the data plan online to work with the G1, or do I have to call or go into a store? Anyone done anything similar?

    Thanks.
  • Jignesh
    John

    You can use all the service that's on the phone. You'll be able to use the wifi also so it'll be like the one they advertise expect you dont have the data plan but where there is wifi u can use it.
  • John
    Hey, if I got my friends sim card that has the data plan on it, then i got through the activation process at the beginning, then I did your #4, and #6, on your list at the top, then i put in my sim card which is a normal plan, will i be able to just make calls, and use it as a normal phone without the internet service??? THANKS!
  • nab
    does anyone need to know how to set up mms on a phone without data plan and yes you can turn ur phone off and on without data plan you will only need to enter gmail account the first time without data plan on wifi and everything should be fine I have directions on the apn to allow using mms with the g1
  • jim
    After using a a sim card with G1 dataplan, I can easily turn my phone on and off without having to reenter my gmail username and password correct? Or do i have to be in a wifi zone to do this?
  • Jay
    I need someone with G1 data plan sim , I got my phone unlocked but it doesnt pass throught the gmail activation screen.. Someone plz help ... Iam visiting here in Irving, Texas. plz email me if u could help ... flytillurhigh@hotmail.com
  • Dear all,
    I'm living in Vietnam now. I've just had a G-1 mobile which is sent by my sister from the United State. My device has unlock after I receive the code from T-mobile. Frankly, I don't know how to access the informations in SIM card ( such as phone number list, SMS...)that I saved.
    Please show me way out. Thanks alot
  • harper
    Hey guys! I just bought the G1 with the 2 year contract and everything but my service is temporarily suspended. why cant i get past the set up part where it asks me to set up a gmail? because I already have a gmail account and my computer has wi fi. Am I having these problems simply because my service is suspended?
  • nab
    g1 settings

    The only thing I did have a problem with is MMS, but I got around it by going with the settings I used on my old unlocked HTC 8125:

    Menu > Setting > Wireless controls > Mobile networks > Access point names

    Once you get in there, scroll down until you see T-Mobile US and input the following settings:

    Name = T-Mobile US
    APN = wap.voicestream.com
    Proxy = 216.155.165.050
    Port= 8080
    Username= None
    Password = None (delete the 4 digit PW that is there)
    Server = Not set (also delete the 1 digit PW there)
    MMSC = Unchanged (do not change it)
    MMS proxy = 216.155.165.050
    MMS port = 8080

    MCC, MNC, and APN type all stay they was they are.

    Now as far as remembering the old information goes, you can always go into T-Mobile US 160 (right below T-Mobile US), which has all the same settings as T-Mobile US including the password. All you have to do is copy and paste it.

    How do you copy and paste? To do this let’s say you go into T-Mobile US and where it says “Name.” Click it and the edit box will pop up; hold your finger on the name, and then another box will pop up; click “Copy all” (this is only going to copy what is in that box). To paste, you go wherever you want to paste it and do the same steps.

    Hope this can help you guys.
  • nab
    for those who cant sent picture messages i found this information on another forum and it works on mine
    ____________________________________________

    g1 settings

    The only thing I did have a problem with is MMS, but I got around it by going with the settings I used on my old unlocked HTC 8125:

    Menu > Setting > Wireless controls > Mobile networks > Access point names

    Once you get in there, scroll down until you see T-Mobile US and input the following settings:

    Name = T-Mobile US
    APN = wap.voicestream.com
    Proxy = 216.155.165.050
    Port= 8080
    Username= None
    Password = None (delete the 4 digit PW that is there)
    Server = Not set (also delete the 1 digit PW there)
    MMSC = Unchanged (do not change it)
    MMS proxy = 216.155.165.050
    MMS port = 8080

    MCC, MNC, and APN type all stay they was they are.

    Now as far as remembering the old information goes, you can always go into T-Mobile US 160 (right below T-Mobile US), which has all the same settings as T-Mobile US including the password. All you have to do is copy and paste it.

    How do you copy and paste? To do this let’s say you go into T-Mobile US and where it says “Name.” Click it and the edit box will pop up; hold your finger on the name, and then another box will pop up; click “Copy all” (this is only going to copy what is in that box). To paste, you go wherever you want to paste it and do the same steps.
  • Phil
    hi i just bought a g1 brand new. i am a nextel customer so i do not have tmo service. anyways this phone is frustrating me since i cant get past the setup screen. i have the unactive sim in the phone and when i go to school i ask my freind who has tmo if i can borrow his sim. i put it in phone and try to sign in with my gmail and it says there s a prob connecting to google servers? and my freind ran it in safe mode to try and get past setup that didnt work. i need help please. i just want to skip the setup and go to the home screen. please help me or give me specific steps! thanks!
  • nab
    customer service doesnt care i called them to cancel it and they did immediately no questions asked im using the phone without the data plan right now
  • Jignesh Bhakta
    Alex yea u can buy the data plan just to set up the gmail account and after disabling the auto sync you can cancel the account and everything should work just fine. It works on mine so there should be no problem. the t-mobile customer service is a piece of SH** they kept telling me that there is no way around the data plan and the phone wont work without it what a bunch of Ass*^&%.
  • Alex
    Hey I been reading these comments and to just clarify things, can I just buy the data service just to activate the gmail account and later canceling the data service, and still use the phone and everything just with wifi.

    thanks alex
  • M-UNIT
    Jignesh Bhakta
    i use the wifi and can get on the internet and use most of the functions of the phone. when you use wifi you should not be charged for downloading besides paying for your regular monthly internet provider. i have not received my first statement yet but i do not foresee any charges being related to wifi. also if you accidentally try to go on the internet without wifi turned on it will take you to an error screen which expresses that you need to update your plan. i just exited out of that screen and the data service doesn't get re-added.
  • Jignesh Bhakta
    hey M-UNIT thank you for your help i had one more question for you after you canceled your data plan can you use the Wi-fi for free without getting charged for internet usage on your t-mobile bill because when i went to cancel my plan the customer service rep. told me that the phone wont work at all without it but i know it worked when i put in my brother's sim card so i knw it works but i'm scared to use the wifi thinking that they might charge me for internet usage. Can you please let me know if they charge for wifi or they dont and also if there is a setting in phone where it only goes to internet if its connected to wifi that way i dont accidentely use the internet without being connected to wifi. thank you so much for your help
  • M-UNIT
    I have a G1 and I had the data plan on for a day so that I could get through the Google set up. After turning off the syncing I called and canceled my data plan. My G1 now works fine for calls and text and wifi. I am not able to send or receive MMS (picture messages). even to my wife who we also got a G1 for on the same plan as me. Can anyone help? Is there a setting like APN that I need to change?
  • Sorry Jignesh Bhakta you have to have the data plan no way around that....
  • Jignesh Bhakta
    Hi can anyone please tell me how to unlock. I mean my phone is unlocked but I cant get out of the gmail proccess even though I'm a t-moblie customer. I dont have the data plan and I dont want to buy the data plan anyone please help me I wanna use the wifi and not the data plan. I tried calling the customer service and the stupid ppl told me that I have to buy the data plan. Anyone please help me.
  • Savanna
    Is there anyway to skip the gmail process? It will not work for me.
  • Anu
    Hi! I just bought the google g1 and I have a major problem. I think its unlocked, the problem is I switch it on and they ask me to register or sign in initially I have a gmail account I try to sign in and I keep getting an error message which says there's been a communication error or that my sim may not have some privileges and stuff..I tried with 2 other sims as well...still no avail..
  • Nab
    theyll charge 24.99 and if you get the insurance for it its an extra 4.70 I also have the family plan with unlimited messaging
  • julian
    I'm going 2 buy the G1 tomorrow... I already have a shared minutes plan... and unlimited messaging for families.. the cost of the data plan is $24 for unlimited internet and 400 text messages... I dont need that 400 messages because I have unlimited messages for families...so how much will they charge me monthly for internet??
  • Alicia
    I'm having the same issue as Tony also. My initial problem is that I already had a blackberry data plan and tried to change the plan to G1 online. The Tmobile website dated my rate plan change to a month later. customer service has been trying to fix this issue since last weekend. apparently they cant even cancel my account or change my rate plan until the new changes come into effect on December 14th. I have had this stupid G1 since thanksgiving and can't even use until mid December. What a waste. I have had 3 helpdesk tickets with Tmobile, visited the store 4 times, and still no service. they said that they are having this issue with other customers as well when you change your plan online for the G1.
  • Tu
    I have the same issue as Tony.
  • Tony
    I just received unopened G1 I bought from Ebay, read all comments above. Got a friend with T-mobile blackberry data plan SIM and inserted into the G1. Ran through gmail setup but I keep getting "This could be a temporary problem or your SIM card may not be provisioned for data." Ran it about ten times. Will this not work even with BB data plan? Do I need to find a friend that has a G1 with data plan? I do not want data plan, just activated and use current T-mobile SIM. Thanks for any comments.
  • nab
    You can use the g1 without data service just have to disable syncing as I tried on the other line of service which was used with a razr so there was no g1 service on that line and the phone worked fine I will try to use the phone on other line after resetting it to see if you can use it without g1 service when reset.
  • Shakeer
    Hi, my question is that if i sign up for the 2 year contract and the data plan, and later I cancel the data plan before 2 years is over. Is this breaking the Contract? Will I be fined? Also I saw someone above said he cancelled his data plan and then his phone stopped working, but then he stopped the syncing and now everything is fine? Also do u need an Internet (Plan) Activated T-Mobile Sim to activate the G1, Or will normal T-Mobile Voice Plan (only) sim work to activate the G1? Thanks.
  • Bob
    Kenny, are you using a prepaid SIM card? FlexPlan?
    How did you eventually get your G1 activated?
  • Kenny
    I got the G1 activated this morning...after like 9 attempts to log-in to the google servers. I'm so excited...I spent most of the day playing and downloading apps!! =)

    The only thing I hate about the g1 is that when you want to view pictures, everything comes up in one folder. Is there a way to create folders? I like to have my pictures organized. Maybe I can d/l an app for that?? does anybody know??
  • Nadeem
    Hi, I was hoping to ask my friend to buy the G1 who lives in the US and ship it to me in India...where I can unlock and use it but I want him to buy it for 179$ and then send it to me ... Also I dont want him to be paying the minthly bills... cant I break the contract after a month saying that I lost the phone or something like that ?? :D

    Thanx for any help,
    Nadeem.
  • Kenny
    Thanks Johnny. I just got my G1 via FedEx last night @ 8pm!!!

    Its confirmed, I can't activate the G1 using a T-Mobile Prepaid SIM card.

    I also tried my brother's T-Mobile SIM card with his sidekick internet. Failed.

    I'll probably get the T-Mobile FlexPlan (no contract) and just use the service for a month since there's no termination fee if cancel early.

    Good luck you guys =)
  • Matt
    Thanks Johnny. The reason I was asking about the SIM card is none of my friends have phones, much less T-Mobile ones. :x


    Will wait for prices to drop and for them to show up in stores freely.
  • @Matt The G1 should cost $399 + tax without contract. Though I am not sure if stores are allowing people to buy the phone outright yet. We just got lucky but def worth a shot if they have plenty in stock. They answers to your others questions should be yes but when I it, I used a SIM card on a regular plan. It looks like some people are having trouble with pre-paid cards because they are restricted only to voice and I don't think they can access data which is needed for the Gmail setup process.

    @Kenny It looks like you have to call T-mobile to add data on your prepaid SIM according to John's comment above yours.
  • Kenny
    How do you add internet on a prepaid SIM card? I can't find any info on it. Please help.
  • Matt
    So I'm new to phones, and I'm interested in getting the G1. I do NOT want to be stuck to a contract, and just go with pre-paid. However, looking around and at some of the posts, I'm confused.

    First off: How much is a store going to charge you for the phone? I looked on EBay and everyone wants ~$500.

    Second off: Once I acquire the phone, I can just use a pre-paid card and follow the steps in the tutorial?

    Third: Once it's 'activated' by following the instructions above, that gives you everything but Calling? And theoretically once a Skype/VoIP App comes out, then you can call through that? (Assuming your connected to a wireless network)

    How much is the average price for the G1, without plan, etc. (I'm sure it's less then the $2070 (over 2 years) for the 2 Year T-Mobile Plan.)

    Thanks for any answers.
  • John Nguyen
    Apparently, you HAVE to have internet service on that prepaid SIM. Thats why mine didnt work, but i called in and got service and now im using the G1 perfectly. I guess just get the service to get it started, then cancel it(if you dont want the internet service).
  • Kenny
    Does anybody with a T-Mobile Prepaid SIM card getting the G1 running?
  • John Nguyen
    I just got my G1 in the mail, and I popped in my ACTIVATED T-mobile sim card, yet it keeps taking me to the screen where I have to create a gmail account or use a current gmail account. What do I do!?!?!? I tried creating one AND i tried using my friends gmail account. Neither work.
  • Nab
    I got the G1 by upgrading the phone for a line on the family plan. It works on my line which I have the G1 service for and set it up with that when I got it. I bought another SIM for another line in my fam plan and it worked but I disabled the syncing so it shouldn't charge me for the 3G access.
  • I'm using it with a pay as you go card and its not working...any ideas...its not activating at all.....it keeps sayin there is a problem with googles servers.
  • Jared Garcia
    Hello if I buy the g1 without any service and I got a code to unlock it can I just put in my prepaid sim card?
  • Mikey
    So I went through my phones settings to the data sync option and unchecked the options (Auto-sync, Gmail, Calendar, and Contacts) and now it seems to be working just fine. Another question, am I going to be charged per kb for using the internet or anything?
  • Jared
    Hello, with your friends activated sim card, can prepaid work?
  • @Mikey That seems very unlikely that. What do you mean you're not able to make call outside of the house? You can only make calls at home? My friend just got the T-mobile wireless router because he had no service in his new house. Do you have that setup also? Seems like there may be something wrong with the phone or in the settings.
  • Mikey
    So I cancelled my G1 data plan a few days ago and now it seems like I am not being able to make calls outside of my house. This just started happening today, and I am assuming that you really do need a data plan even to just make calls. Anyone using the phone without data plan with no problems?
  • Sunil S. Sidhwani
    @Steve,

    What if you wanted to use the data features of the phone in a non- Wi-Fi area? Could you use a lower data plan than what T-Mobile offers up?
  • @Sunil S.

    I have rebooted my phone several times and has never asked for my Gmail credentials and even if it did the phone does have wifi so dont have to have a data plan with your provider.
  • Sunil S.
    @Johnny

    What if you have to reboot your phone, will it ask for the Gmail credentials everytime once you have an active SIM in the phone that has no data plan provisioned on it?
  • Sunil S.
    @Johnny,

    If I use your instructions from the article to bypass the Initial Setup with the use of a SIM that had been provisioned with the data plan the G1 requires, I should be able to cancel it after the setup is completed and resume internet usage through a lesser expensive data plan option like T-Zones or T-Mobile's up and coming Web2Go right? I am asking this question in the context of using the internet when not on a Wi-Fi Hotspot location.

    @PeterZ,

    I tried the instructions given in Johnny's article here and went one step further to test the voice piece with an activated SIM Card in there. Guess what? There was no effect on the usability of the phone for voice calling. Everything was smooth sailing with no voice issues whatsoever.
  • @PeterZ I am not entirely sure but I think that rep was most likely just BSing you. Try calling back and asking someone else. My experience with Verizon was similar when I had a Treo. I was told I HAD to have a data plan even though there was a data plan in the system that was $0 a month Pay Per KB use. I added that then just disabled data access on the Treo and had no issues. With the G1, I have not seen anything yet on simply disabling the 3G data access while keeping Wi-Fi enabled but I see no reason why you can't have the phone with just a voice plan. Unless they really don't give you an option like AT&T; and the iPhone.
  • PeterZ
    One more question. If I will be able to cancel data plan and still use the phone for phone calls and wifi how to disable T-Mobile 3G so they don't charge me for using data on 3G or edge per minute. PZ
  • PeterZ
    I live in Chicago subs and did my research on T-Mobile web site on how my area is covered with tmob 3g. And it looks excellent on their website but in reality it sucks comparing to Sprint or ATT. I got the phone thru mail for 179 with 2 year contract ext + $25 data plan. I called cust service and told them I will not pay for data bec it sucks comparing to others. They told me that if I cancel data plan the phone will not work and I will not be able to make phone calls. I would like to keep the phone to make phone calls and use wifi. Can I do that without data plan? Or was the service rep right? Or just BS me to have me pay for data. Can any one clarify? By the way the battery life isn’t that great either. Thanks PeterZ
  • Rjones
    ahha at above comment.
  • Tmobile Rep
    WOW good info you guys are just letting T-mobile know what to do to prevent u guys from doing this in the future, This will be "It Was Fun While It Lasted".
  • Rob
    Michel,
    I asked them if it had data, but they said no. So I purchased a $20 prepaid anyway. I was able to activate it. After unlocking it, I'm now using the phone on AT&T. The only thing not working is the mms. I got the internet to work on the edge network and wifi.
  • Nope don't need a credit card to get a contract.. just need good credit... I have a fraud alert on my credit report so I had to bring in ID, SS Card and Utility bill that they had to fax in to credit department then had to wait an hour so left did some stuff came back and said I was approved. I gave them cash they activated phone...
  • Mike
    @Steve How were you able to sign up for a G1 contract (implicit in you getting the G1 for $179) yet you say t-mobile doesn't have your cc#? Don't you _need_ to provide a cc to get a contract? Something about your story doesn't check out...
  • How they gonna take back the discount? I already have the phone I already paid for it and they don't have my credit card info...

    And it clearly states we have a 14 day trial period.
  • @Sam I paid the full price, $399. I actually went back with a co-worker to buy a second one and the manager said no because she realized she should not have sold us the first one. I believe within a couple weeks you will be able to walk into a store and buy one with a contract, its just that they want to save the first couple of shipments for contract only customers. You may just be able to call T-mobile directly and buy one outright. Or just try more stores.

    @Steve I thought when you did that, they take back the $200 discount because that is only given with new contracts. At least I think that's what Verizon does.
  • I got it for $179 just bought the phone went home and called T-Mobile and cancelled the contract.
  • Sam
    Hey! Thanks for the article!

    Just a quick question... mind sharing your secrets on what you did to convince the manager to give you the phone? Also, if you dont mind, how much did you get it for? :D

    Thanks man!
  • Interesting I didn't have to activate mine with T-Mobile to unlock or anything.
  • Mohammed
    How much was the cheapest prepaid plan?
  • @Rob
    Perhaps T-mob allows data access on all prepaid cards, but only on postpaid if a data plan is added? I've not used their prepaid plans for 2yrs.
  • Rob
    I got my unlock code and was stumped that I needed to be on the T-mobile network to activate. Anyway, I went to tmobile, purchased the cheapest prepaid sim card, popped it in and I was able to activate. I then popped in my AT&T sim and so far the calls work, though I'll have to try what else will/wont work.

    Rob
  • My G1 is unlocked and I am using with AT&T. I just took out the T-Mobile SIM Card and inserted the AT&T SIM Card and it asked for the unlock code. I entered the unlock code that I bought from gsmphonesource.com and it unlocked it.
  • @Dennis Yes, it's possible. I am able to browse the app marketplace, download, and then use the apps over Wi-Fi with no issues.
  • Dennis
    Is it possible to use the apps on the G1 through Wi-Fi only?
  • I just tried this, and unfortunately, you do need the borrowed SIM card to have been enabled for data access. Which, with T-mobile, requires a data plan.
  • Hm.... I live in Viet Nam, but I want to have one new G1. My counsin's living in US and she can buy one for me, she uses T-mobile SIM card 2. But how can I unlock it to use Viet Nam's SIM? If I do like u told, I'm only use Wi-Fi to make call, SMS and internet by Wi-Fi?
  • @John Again, I am not 100% sure about this, but you should be able to still use your prepaid minutes to make calls and access the internet/email using Wi-Fi. You will either get a error message or will get prepaid $ deducted when you don't have Wi-Fi access.
  • John
    Hi, do you know if after activating the phone, can you continue using the phone with the prepaid T-mobile SIM card? Will I be able to use the Wi-Fi and make calls?
  • @Brian Not sure if you are kidding or serious but Verizon phones do not use SIM cards because they are CDMA (the other wireless network technology).

    @Ken This article is not about unlocking the G1. Once that is possible, I could imagine people will want to unlock it to be used when they are traveling or if AT&T; provides better coverage in their area.

    @AshTR Any activated or prepaid SIM card will enable you to get past the initial setup to get into settings and turn on the Wi-Fi. After that, be careful not to use data over 3G or else you will most likely get charged per KB of usage which can add up quickly.
  • So will this work with an activated SIM that just has the voice plan? Or do you have to have the data plan too?
  • Ken
    The only other network the G1 can run on is AT&T;'s, and who wants to unlock their phone so they could use AT&T;? The 3G radio won't work, and then you will still have to pay those traitorous scumbags.
  • Brian
    So like, if I put in my Verizon SIM would it work? Don't know much about phones haha.
  • Just wanted to clarify for anyone confused, this is simply a way to get past the initial setup screen when you turn on the phone. If you bought the G1 without signing up for a new 2 year agreement, you got an "unactivated" SIM as opposed to an "activated" one with a new 2 year agreement with T-mobile.

    Unactivated should not be confused with unlocked! There is still no news on unlocking the G1 without T-mobile's help or purchasing an unlock code online. I only need to be able to use the G1 over W-Fi and not make calls, and was just annoyed at the fact that I couldn't get past the setup screen without following these instructions. Calls over Wi-Fi will most likely be an option soon when an app comes out like what happened with the iPhone.
  • Pik
    Can I unlock T-mobile G1 using T-mobile SIM cards bought in Montenegro? Or US cards only?
  • Ant the Man
    What about using an AT&T; SIM card? Try that out yet?
  • @Alamgir I believe so, but I am not sure. That is something to call and ask T-mobile. My guess would be you can just swap your SIM in and whenever you are using data over 3G, you will get charged per KB of usage.
  • Alamgir
    If I already have the T-mobile voice plan, can I activate it without a data plan? Thank You.
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