Unlocking at&t Pre 3 without using a sim

[ManufacturedGanesh]

Is there a way to unlock a pre 3 without throwing in a sim from another carrier? I have the unlock code and I'd like to play with it over wifi.

[ToniCipriani]

Originally Posted by manufacturedganesh

Is there a way to unlock a pre 3 without throwing in a sim from another carrier? I have the unlock code and I'd like to play with it over wifi.

If you just want to play with it without a SIM you don't need to unlock it yet.

Enter #*DEVMODE# and press dial in the emergency dialing screen to enable dev mode, and it'll boot.

[bignoze]

how can you load your profile after that?

[treo2die4]

Originally Posted by bignoze

how can you load your profile after that?

Install Preware and then activate via Impostah.

[Sapient2k7]

In impostah, you will delete your current profile (developer profile has a specific name dr first use or something similar can't remember right now). Once rebooted it will ask for unlock code if the sim is not recognized. If it is at&t then it will not ask for unlock code but ask you to put in profile credentials (either create one or login to one)
If you already have a wifi attached then the profile activation goes over wifi instead of searching for 3G/2G over the sim card. This can help if you are trying to use the phone on a prepaid account with no data. I have also had issues with crappy 3G connection making the phone not get activated as connection to the servers couldn't be established over 3G. Wifi worked really well. I am surprised HP hasn't fixed this (allow one to connect to wifi prior to logging in to palm profile)

[abweiss]

I just noticed that my pre3 has a unlock code as well, what is an unlock code? Why do I want one? And how do I use it?

-- Sent from my HP TouchPad using Communities

[tooearly]

Originally Posted by abweiss

I just noticed that my pre3 has a unlock code as well, what is an unlock code? Why do I want one? And how do I use it?

-- Sent from my HP TouchPad using Communities

You only want an unlocked device if you're not going to use it for the specified carrier, i.e. AT&T.

[Sanjay]

Originally Posted by treo2die4

Install Preware and then activate via Impostah.

But this does not restore your data, apps, logs etc from your profile.

[pre4]

Originally Posted by abweiss

I just noticed that my pre3 has a unlock code as well, what is an unlock code? Why do I want one? And how do I use it?

-- Sent from my HP TouchPad using Communities

If you have an AT&T Pre3, the unlock code will allow you to unlock the phone to use it on another GSM carrier (T-Mobile in the USA or other GSM carrier worldwide like Rogers in Canada). To unlock the phone, insert any non-AT&T GSM carrier SIM card (borrow one from a friend or buy a cheap T-Mobile prepaid SIM card) into the Pre3 and it will ask you to enter the unlock code. After you enter the code once, the phone is permanently unlocked and can be used on any GSM network. If you do not unlock the phone, it can only be used on the original carrier network (AT&T).

[laoh]

Once you unlock the phone, will it stay unlocked even if you doctor your phone?

Also, back to OP's question, can you unlock without SIM?

[fredflinstone1]

I have the same issue. I turned on dev mode and then used a tmobile sim and it prompted for unlock code and it worked. Now the phone is in dev mode. how do I get back to adding a HP profile? What are the advantages of using profile vs continuing to work with the phone in dev mode?

[pepebuho]

Originally Posted by sapient2k7

In impostah, you will delete your current profile (developer profile has a specific name dr first use or something similar can't remember right now). Once rebooted it will ask for unlock code if the sim is not recognized. If it is at&t then it will not ask for unlock code but ask you to put in profile credentials (either create one or login to one)
If you already have a wifi attached then the profile activation goes over wifi instead of searching for 3G/2G over the sim card. This can help if you are trying to use the phone on a prepaid account with no data. I have also had issues with crappy 3G connection making the phone not get activated as connection to the servers couldn't be established over 3G. Wifi worked really well. I am surprised HP hasn't fixed this (allow one to connect to wifi prior to logging in to palm profile)

This is not my experience. I turn off developer mode, reboot and I am still at the Dr. First Use account.

[fredflinstone1]

I am having the same issue.

[Sanjay]

Originally Posted by laoh

Once you unlock the phone, will it stay unlocked even if you doctor your phone?

Also, back to OP's question, can you unlock without SIM?

Once a webOS phone is unlocked, it stays unlocked forever, even if you doctor and/or update the firmware. The only exception to the 'forever', is if you have to send the phone to HP for repairs and they may relock the phone and/or send you a replacement which would be locked.

NO. YOU cannot unlock without a SIM.

[Sanjay]

Originally Posted by fredflinstone1

I have the same issue. I turned on dev mode and then used a tmobile sim and it prompted for unlock code and it worked. Now the phone is in dev mode. how do I get back to adding a HP profile? What are the advantages of using profile vs continuing to work with the phone in dev mode?

Actually, you did not need to go into 'dev mode' to use the T-Mobile sim to unlock the phone. Simply starting the phone with the T-Mobile SIM would have sufficed. Anyhow, what you need to do now, is start 'Device Info' -> 'Reset Options' -> 'Full Erase'. This should do it's business and restart the phone and will then give you the option to create a new profile or sign in with an existing one.

Advantages of using a profile:

1. Purchase apps from the app catalog.
2. Backup of your call log/txt messages/contacts, email, & instant messenger accounts. This will allow you to restore your device in the case you have to doctor it and/or replace it. Also, it will restore your profile to another device that you may add later.

Bottom line, you do not want ot use the phone without a profile.

[veerar]

Ok, I have got a Pre3 and I wanted to use it for the next two months without a sim. However, when I turn on the device, it goes straight to the insert SIM instruction page. I dont get an option to enter #*DEVMODE# and skip the SIM step. Any advice ?

Thanks!

Edit: I pressed 911 and lo! I saw the numeric keypad. I then entered #*DEVMODE#. Lets see how things go....

[Qamar Jafery]

Originally Posted by veerar

Ok, I have got a Pre3 and I wanted to use it for the next two months without a sim. However, when I turn on the device, it goes straight to the insert SIM instruction page. I dont get an option to enter #*DEVMODE# and skip the SIM step. Any advice ?

Thanks!

Edit: I pressed 911 and lo! I saw the numeric keypad. I then entered #*DEVMODE#. Lets see how things go....

How do you enter #*DEVMODE# when I use the keyboad it just types number not letters.

[Qamar Jafery]

Need help! I reset my phone (hard reset) now when I try to install it ask for a wireless connection setup. Trying to do it without the SIM. I created a new profile for my son but cannot do access it without wireless. Don't want to use the sim (3g) for that.
Please help!