Problem unlocking Z9 from AT&T and Motorola

[dezufnoC]

I have been trying to get my phone unlocked for several weeks now for a trip I have to Europe soon. AT&T was gracious enough to give me the unlock code without much hassle but alas the code they gave me did not unlock the phone. We even got Motorola involved and they verified the IMEI# and the code. Well to make a long story short I am on my 2nd Z9 and sure enough I have the same problem...new unlock code (with new phone obviously)but I still cannot get this phone unlocked either. I have tried different sim cards and everything. Both AT&T and Motorola will be calling me back tomorrow with hopefully some better news but for right now I am stuck with AT&T.

Has anyone had success unlocking their phone?

PS I even tried one of the online services and they returned my money stating they could not unlock my phone.

[brett k]

yeah, read the other similar thread

[dezufnoC]

I noticed this after doing a search on unlocked Z9's. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080426175622AAhOPua Apparently I am not the only one who has had problems unlocking this phone. Could it be a bad batch? I find it very unusual that neither ATT nor Motorola could actually unlock my phone. What gives?

UPDATE

According to Motorola the Z9 has a 16 digit unlock code not a normal 8 digit unlock code. Apparently the folks at AT&T were just made aware of this. So if you get an 8 digit unlock code from AT&T tell them that is not the right code. I have finally unlocked my Z9 and am ready for my international trip.

[Skv012a]

Could someone with the phone tell me if it has Macro mode or not?

[carrier8ter]

I have exceeded the 5 unlock attempts after AT&T kept insisting the 8 digit code they gave me was correct. The phone now boots up and shows an AT&T logo screen. I do not receive "Contact Provider." With the AT&T SIM the phone works perfectly fine. I doubt the phone is really "permanently" locked to AT&T. I found other posts stating to leave the phone for a few hours and the unlock prompt would return. I have now left the phone for days and nothing has changed. Does anyone know a workaround, p2k edit, or key code I can enter to get the unlock prompt to return?

[dezufnoC]

If you have not exceeded your 30 days of ownership take it back. It is not your fault that the peeps at AT&T are not up to speed on these devices. If you have exceeded your 30 days well then you have some arguing to do. Explain to them that Motorola has indeed verified that it is a 16 digit code not an 8 digit code. That is the main reason your phone has been locked to AT&T.

Also, I have not found any software that can unlock a phone once locked to the carrier.

[ibcop]

I have exceeded the 5 unlock attempts after AT&T kept insisting the 8 digit code they gave me was correct. The phone now boots up and shows an AT&T logo screen. I do not receive "Contact Provider." With the AT&T SIM the phone works perfectly fine. I doubt the phone is really "permanently" locked to AT&T. I found other posts stating to leave the phone for a few hours and the unlock prompt would return. I have now left the phone for days and nothing has changed. Does anyone know a workaround, p2k edit, or key code I can enter to get the unlock prompt to return?

I am having the same problem. When I use my AT&T SIM, everything is great. If I use my T-Mobile SIM, it shows "Check SIM" and can't do anything. I entered the unlock code (8 digit) as provided by AT&T - I did it multiple times as everytime I entered it, the phone showed the code was invalid.

Is the phone locked from the T-Mobile SIM? I spoke with Motorola, but they kept saying the SIM is bad - I can use the T-Mobile SIM in my Q9 Global and Moto V9 without any problems.

Help? Guidance? TIA!

[jumpdawg]

It looks like I will be keeping my V9 a little longer till some of these roadblocks get cleared.

[moto21]

I have exceeded the 5 unlock attempts after AT&T kept insisting the 8 digit code they gave me was correct. The phone now boots up and shows an AT&T logo screen. I do not receive "Contact Provider." With the AT&T SIM the phone works perfectly fine. I doubt the phone is really "permanently" locked to AT&T. I found other posts stating to leave the phone for a few hours and the unlock prompt would return. I have now left the phone for days and nothing has changed. Does anyone know a workaround, p2k edit, or key code I can enter to get the unlock prompt to return?

Your phone is now hard-locked. You will need to find someone with an unlocking equipment that can unlock this phone; codes will no longer work, even if it's the right unlock codes.

[avatar_43]

If you get contact operator wait an hour and you can reenter the codes

[moto21]

If you get contact operator wait an hour and you can reenter the codes


quote:
I found other posts stating to leave the phone for a few hours and the unlock prompt would return. I have now left the phone for days and nothing has changed. Does anyone know a workaround, p2k edit, or key code I can enter to get the unlock prompt to return?

[rockerenator]

i got one z9 and received codes from defrent log seller ( the same code ) but can't unlock it

[moto21]

Maybe the codes are wrong. To clearify, only window mobile and smart phones will give other chances to enter unlock codes if a user used up all his or her attempts. Motorolas, Nokias, Samsung, etc will NOT give a second chance to enter unlock codes should one used up all the attempts; the phone will become hard-lock and only unlocking equipment cant unlock the phone after that.

[ibcop]

Maybe the codes are wrong. To clearify, only window mobile and smart phones will give other chances to enter unlock codes if a user used up all his or her attempts. Motorolas, Nokias, Samsung, etc will NOT give a second chance to enter unlock codes should one used up all the attempts; the phone will become hard-lock and only unlocking equipment cant unlock the phone after that.

Who would be the best place to use? I assume this would be a mail in service?

[moto21]

Who would be the best place to use? I assume this would be a mail in service?

I don't think there is any equipment on the market right now that support unlocking of this phone. I might be wrong but you can check it out.

[SuperJoker]

Maybe the codes are wrong. To clearify, only window mobile and smart phones will give other chances to enter unlock codes if a user used up all his or her attempts. Motorolas, Nokias, Samsung, etc will NOT give a second chance to enter unlock codes should one used up all the attempts; the phone will become hard-lock and only unlocking equipment cant unlock the phone after that.

I happened to enter the code for my V8 several times wrong (about 5 or 6) because of an error in the e-mail. The phone "locked", I kept playing with it (on & off) and after a few times it prompted for the unlock code again.

[moto21]

I will really have to see this myself. Of all the phones that I have seen this happen to, the phones always say "contact service provider" and they never again prompt to enter the codes again.

[una grande libre]

hi guys, I'm new to this forum, but I found I had the same problem.

My first Z9 I received a 16 digit code from ATT. So I get another sim card from Spain that I use when I travel there. First do the PIN code, then I get asked for the "operator code" and it has a small padlock symbol on it. I try the unlock code... incorrect. Try it again, nothing. Long story short, ATT gives me a different Z9.

New code is only 8 digits. Same thing happens. This time I try Motorola to make sure that an 8 digit code is valid, and they tell me it is... as does ATT. Whatever, they can't be wrong right?

Needless to say, why the hell can ATT not get my phone unlocked?!

I wish I had some information to help

[brett k]

jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick man! I've been on the phone for 2 hours trying to get this stupid code, I'm bout to give up :(

edit: well i finally reached a supervisor at motorola he said they've been having problems unlocking the z9 and v3xx, he will forward my info to corporate and they are supposed to help me on Monday

[Clarkey]

^^ Same here, they forwarded the info to Tech support they are gonna get back to me

[brett k]

^^ Same here, they forwarded the info to Tech support they are gonna get back to me

They will give you a code if you're not an ATT customer?

[Clarkey]

i got BF to call for me

[brett k]

Sweet!

[una grande libre]

well let us know if you learn anything, because i'm on my second z9, and I have a non working 8 digit code, and have run out of ideas and people to call

[brett k]

Well, today I was on the phone for another hour with the motorola customer advocate and 2 people from ATT. They are supposed to email me a 16 digit code in the next few days, keep hope alive! my advice for anyone is talk to a supervisor or customer advocate at motorola, though eventually ATT will realize that the newer phones require 16 digit codes and get hip to the program.

Well after spending 3 hours on the phone w/motorola and att they gave me the very same 8 digit unlock code, that and a dollar will get me on the subway

IMEI: 35xxxxxxxxxxxx56

UNLOCK CODE: 75517832

Note:

* The customer only has five (5) tries to unlock the phone.
* If this process is unsuccessful five times in a row, the phone will be permanently locked to the Cingular network.
* Unless a specific model number is listed, use the "General" instructions for unlocking a device.

INSTRUCTIONS:



Step


Action 1
Power off device and remove AT&T SIM card.

2
Insert SIM card from another wireless carrier.

3

Power on handset - wait a few moments allowing your phone to fully power up.

4

Enter Unlock code.

5

Press "OK" - the handset is successfully unlocked.

Thank you,

Device Unlock Group

[magixian]

I have exceeded the 5 unlock attempts after AT&T kept insisting the 8 digit code they gave me was correct. The phone now boots up and shows an AT&T logo screen. I do not receive "Contact Provider." With the AT&T SIM the phone works perfectly fine. I doubt the phone is really "permanently" locked to AT&T. I found other posts stating to leave the phone for a few hours and the unlock prompt would return. I have now left the phone for days and nothing has changed. Does anyone know a workaround, p2k edit, or key code I can enter to get the unlock prompt to return?

it actually work that way, you must insert a different sim other than original sim and leave phone for some period of time, the subsidy password prompt will return

[una grande libre]

Hey Brett,

So I actually replied to the same email that I got from ATT giving me an 8 digit number. They replied back saying

"Thank you for the updated information. I apologize for the incorrect information. The Z9 is the only Motorola that requires the 16 digit code. I will request it from Motorola and we will email you the information as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Device unlock group"

that was this Monday.
Today I got the same email with the unlock code, but this time with a new code. It's actually the previous 8digit code plus 8 more digits. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet as i am at work, but it looks like maybe when ATT were given the codes, they were truncating them at 8 digits or something.

Just a thought, but this looks promising

-UGL


PS - magixian, have you tested this?

[moto21]

Well, today I was on the phone for another hour with the motorola customer advocate and 2 people from ATT. They are supposed to email me a 16 digit code in the next few days, keep hope alive! my advice for anyone is talk to a supervisor or customer advocate at motorola, though eventually ATT will realize that the newer phones require 16 digit codes and get hip to the program.

Well after spending 3 hours on the phone w/motorola and att they gave me the very same 8 digit unlock code, that and a dollar will get me on the subway

IMEI: 35xxxxxxxxxxxx56

UNLOCK CODE: 75517832

Note:

* The customer only has five (5) tries to unlock the phone.
* If this process is unsuccessful five times in a row, the phone will be permanently locked to the Cingular network. * Unless a specific model number is listed, use the "General" instructions for unlocking a device.

INSTRUCTIONS:



Step


Action 1
Power off device and remove AT&T SIM card.

2
Insert SIM card from another wireless carrier.

3

Power on handset - wait a few moments allowing your phone to fully power up.

4

Enter Unlock code.

5

Press "OK" - the handset is successfully unlocked.

Thank you,

Device Unlock Group

Not really sure why other folks are saying the phone will give more attempts to enter codes after using up all the allowed attemps. Thanks for clearing this up.

[brett k]

Alrighty then they finally sent me the 16 digit code and my Z9 is now unlocked, so it is possible...

[MUNEEB_AKHTAR_RAZA]

Well i also got one which locked on at t....I got 8digits code.....I put the no accepted sim and the phone ask for subsidy code.....I enter the 8 digits code...And after entering code phone stuck or hanged there.....It was still hanged on the same position even after one hour....Then i reinsert the battery but the phone hang at the at t logo......Again i put out the battery but still same....I think its hard locked...Is there any solution to unlock this phone!.....

[una grande libre]

So as it turns out ATT had sent me a wrong number, but I kept emailing them back and they finally sent me a correct code.

If your phone is hard locked, call ATT and tell them that the code they gave you didn't work. If it is still under warranty then you can probably exchange it for a new one.

[MUNEEB_AKHTAR_RAZA]

Thnaks for your answer....But i m in Pakistan and its a gift!.....SO dont having warrenty card here.....So any other solution....Do u think my phone is haning on at t logo due to hard lock or any other reason........And any solution to break hard lock...

[bzcellular]

I have another solution. I received the 16 digit unlock code but never got the phone to ask for the code (phone works fine with at&t or cingular sim but gets stuck on at&t logo screen with a different sim like t-mobile). I waited for hours, restarted several times but it never asked. I then flashed the firmware to another at&t version but had the same problem. I finally flashed the phone to movistar firmware I found on the forums and was able to successfully unlock it using the 16 digit code. I tried to reflash the at&t firmware but have been unable to do so. But the phone is now working very fine with the movistar firmware.
*Just make sure to backup all information from the phone before flashing.

[kn100]

Could someone with the phone tell me if it has Macro mode or not?

Nope :(

[software_solutions]

I have another solution. I received the 16 digit unlock code but never got the phone to ask for the code (phone works fine with at&t or cingular sim but gets stuck on at&t logo screen with a different sim like t-mobile). I waited for hours, restarted several times but it never asked. I then flashed the firmware to another at&t version but had the same problem. I finally flashed the phone to movistar firmware I found on the forums and was able to successfully unlock it using the 16 digit code. I tried to reflash the at&t firmware but have been unable to do so. But the phone is now working very fine with the movistar firmware.
*Just make sure to backup all information from the phone before flashing.

can you share your flash file with me i've same problem with Z9 locked to AT&T i've the code but it hangs on LOGO of AT&T


Take Care
ENJOY

[Vampredator]

The MoviStar firmware can be found in the downloads section, or by clicking below.

MoviStar Firmware Download (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=18451)