T-Mobile G1 up and running with no activation
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Oct 23rd 2008 4:44PM
posted Oct 23rd 2008 4:44PM
It looks like getting up and running on an unactivated G1 is going to be a little easier than Apple made it for iPhone users. No jailbreak required. All you really need to do is beg, steal or borrow an active T-Mobile SIM card and slip it in the phone for the duration of the setup process (it should only take a few minutes). Once you've enabled WiFi you can go back to your old SIM: you're ready to browse the web, run your apps and do everything you expect your Android-powered phone to do (except talk on the phone). If you'd like to get in on this action, check out the read link for the step-by-step instructions.
Why no phones need activation anyway? None of my other phones ever needed it.
I meant "Why DO phones need activation anyway?".
oops
Rather, why don't these companies just offer unlocked versions like everyone else does?
Activation is a way for the carriers to tie a phone to their service. I am sure T-Mobile is flipping out over this since they pay some of the cost of each G1 sold.
Remember that you are agreeing to stay with a carrier for 2-years when you buy the phone. In exchange the carrier pays (subsidizes) for a part of the cost of the phone. Thats why you can buy an iPhone or a G1 for $199 or less.
Not sure why anyone would want to do this since in order to get the G1 at that price you have to sign a 2-year contract with T-Mobile anyway. Your paying for the service whether you use it or not.
They do offer unlocked phones dumbass, you just have to pay the un-subsidized price for it.
No, they don't offer unlocked phones. You can buy a G1 from T-Mobile without a contract though. Then after three months you can call up T-Mobile to get the unlock codes. If someone is able to crack this process then you don't need to wait three months.
CBGB434's just pissed because John McSame's getting his ass kicked
Pleas take notes.... the REST of the Cellphone makers.
Your statement seems to indicate that no activation is an exception rather than a norm. It is the other way round.
I've never had to activate a GSM phone (SE, moto, Nokia) ... then again I've never bought an iphone. Say King, do you see a pattern here?
Mmmm, my new phone... Maybe. I hate WinMo.
Mh well, guess what, my WinMo phone didn't need an activation.^^
@ Jon
It is the norm for smartphones (as good or better than WinMo ones) to require activation. I'm just looking for any alternative to the crap in my pocket right now.
There are only 2 phones that require activation: iPhone and G1
@PeterF
Wrong.
My Samsung Blackjack (WinMo 6) did not require activation. I bought it on eBay (new) and just put my old AT&T card in.
My previous WinMo phone (HTC 2125) was bought on Amazon, and it did not require activation either.
So whatever other phones you had to activate, it does not mean that WinMo requires activation.
@Electromodo
Well duh! If you buy it second hand, of course you don't need to activate it! I thought we were talking about buying it new.
I got my Tilt new and it didn't require activation either... You seem to have no idea of what you're talking about.
Who?, WM phones don't require activation. If you mean you need to activate a MINUTE/DATA PLAN or a SIM to use them effectively, then yes. But the phone itself does not need activation. If you already have a plan, just drop in your SIM that has the plan programmed to it, and you're good to go.
I received my G1, put my old SIM in, went thru the setup and got going. Whilw going babk and forth, I realized the phone would boot w/o a SIM. From my experience that's something locked phones don't do. Strange part is, I didn't realize`there was another SIM in the box for a few hours. Tried the new one, and nothing. Phone connects to T-Mo, but will only go to 611, and no data connection. That SIM, needs to be activated. Mty old works (incl. 3G).
Therefore: G1 does need to be activated if you have a valid T-Mo SIM.
Refutations?
bonus question for G1 owners does your G1 data plan show up when you check your account online?
Whats the point of having a phone you can't talk on? And is this Tmobile web, or wifi? If just wifi, not to be labeled a fan boy or anything but wouldn't an ipod touch be better?
no.
this would have a physical keyboard and camera, though no 3.5 jack
it might be better, depending on what you're using it for.
I know this phone looks better in person but man... It's soooooo generic looking. Almost boring.
I wouldn't say that it's sexy in person, but there is definitely nothing offensive about the design when it's in front of you. Not attention-grabbing, but certainly not ugly or unpleasant looking.
That's what happens when you all you have now are touchscreens and slide out keyboards...
What is the point? You cannot buy one for cheap without the 3 year contract anyway...
...unlike Apple that sold the 1st gen iPhone for a rediculous low price of $299 4GB and refurbs at $199 from AT&T...
those were truely good times... everyone was able to affoard an iPhone... Steve Jobs was such a great guy for those price cuts...
do you think we will ever see a time like that again?
The reason why he did that was the phone was really useless outside the US without 3G and people in Europe couldn't be bothered with 8 years old technology like EDGE. Once the 3G model came out he locked the bitch down.
I know, I know, don't respond to trolls. For everyone else out there, though, it's a two year contract with T-Mobile, just like purchasing the iPhone through AT&T.
iEye knows what he's doing. He may like iPhones and Steve Jobs and all, but he's not being serious with half the shit he spews here.
I read the comment, and thought which famous Engadget commenter this could be... lol I was right!
Stop being such a fanboy, and remember when iPhones were just released and went for, what, 600 dollars?
Don't worry iEye. There are a select few of us who spot your humor. You make my day sometimes.
bag of hurt
Don't make me come open up no bag o' hurt on yo' ass!!
I was at the store last night when I bought it, and I slipped my SIM card right in, added my google email addy, and the whole thing was up and running. :D
No waiting for activation, really. Now how's that for cool?
Only problem I find, is that the battery runs hot and fast.
Not exactly all up and running since you still had no phone service. Again, what would be the point? You'd be paying a 3rd-rate mobile carrier for monthly service but never be able to make a call?
I'm not sure what this article means by "activation"
There is no activation process with T-Mobile - just ten seconds of entering your Gmail account and then you're off.
No activation, so it can run on other networks around the globe ?
Same as unlocked ?
is it possible to use a G1 without 3G service, I have Wi-Fi where I need it
Yes.
Here in Hartford, CT, there is no 3G. Earlier today,I was at the T-Mobile store playing with a G1. It works on EDGE just fine.
okay but let me be more clear, can I use it without a data plan, no 3G or Edge, since I have Wifi at home, college, and work, and also would it be possible to get the phone at a discount without the data plan
You cannot buy the phone (subsidized) without signing up for unlimited data. Honestly, I don't think this is the right phone for you if you don't want a data plan, anyway. Damn near every aspect of the phone is designed specifically with constant connectivity in mind.
You're John Titor. You should know this. /ducks
Well, I guess you could try getting the phone and going to your acct through the website, changing your phone to any phone other than the G1 making sure that the data plan has been removed.
Also, change the phone to "2G networks only" and change the Sync options to no automatic syncing (which makes sure the phone doesn't get lonely and start trying to access the network for companionship when you're not lavishing attention on it).
Thing is I believe the network can tell what phone you're using.
Perhaps with an unlocked one they can't?
If you're in a city or just tend to be places that have Wi-Fi access, you really can get by w/o the 3G. It is nice, but not having it doesn't keep the phone from being useful. Personally, I'd prefer to keep just use 2G so I can check e-mail and do searches. I was even using imeem with 2G, worked well enough to me.
Only problem is I think the network can tell what phone you're using.
p.s.: the G1 turns into quite the pocket hand warmer with steady use of 3G. Waiting for the blend app to show up on Market.
what happened to dell wanting to make this
meet the iPhone killer ladies and gentlemen, it has entered the building.
Seriously, why do you think that?
Please explain how & why you think the G1 is an iPhone killer!
not being an iphone is all it actually needs.
I disagree it is the iPhone killer, merely another competitor which has its merits but also a few downfalls. I personally would much rather have the iPhone which has a superior media player and is also a little more slick, from what I heard.
However, I'm still hoping that Android will improve with time, and open source apps would fix the media player problem, and also some cool devices from the Alliance.
And an 8mp camera, while we are playing the wishing game
Hey guys! FJM here.
But if a device isn't eye-catching or flat out gorgeous then isn't there really no point in getting it? I mean really, when was the last time you saw an ugly girl/guy and said "hey maybe they are beautiful on the inside"?
Yes but can it Facebook?
Facebook doesn't like Google.
It runs the Facebook website just fine.
Hello, I wrote the post. 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 on 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. I only need to be able to use the G1 over W-Fi and not make calls, and was just annoyed at the fact I couldn't get past the setup screen without following these instructions.
Here is how to use the G1 on Wifi
(1) Buy the phone on ebay - It got mine for $400
(2) Insert a Tmobile Prepaid Sim card in it. I borrowed my friends card that had a$1.35 balance on it
(3) Poweup the phone , create a new gmail account / enter your current account
(4) Phone gets setup successfully and can validate the Gmail account over 3G without using a single cent from the balance on the prepaid card
(5) Go the settings menu , enable and select your WIFI.
(6) Everything works
Still though, whats the point? why would you want a phone you couldn't make calls on? Unless they have a VOIP app which I"m sure they will. I guess if your holding out for that then it'd be ok. I really enjoyed my ipod touch but wanted email and internet everywhere so went with the iphone. I mean I guess you could get an archos or some other MID. I mean to each his own. I just don't see it. The open platform is nice though.
GIMME.........why tmobile...i hate my iphone. Unlock it FOOLZ
What about AT&T? Could you slip an AT&T simcard in there once it is activated and use it that way?
AT&T doesn't have 3G in my area, so I won't miss that.
Has anybody checked this out?
so i went to tmobile i i put my sim card in the display model and everything worked fine. the employee said in a month tmobile is going to run a sweep and anyphone with out the data plan will have the imei blocked and can only make 911 calls.. i decided not to buy one
I want to know why the phones need activation as well. In many countries (incl. where I live) the operators sell you the phone (at a subsidized price) with the contract. The phone comes unlocked, so you can use it with any other operators. But they tether you to the plan by making you pay a hefty price if you cancel the contract early.
So ya, you get the phone at a cheap price, and you can use it with any other operator, but the operator who subsidized your phone still gets you to pay for the contract (you could use the SIM card with another phone though).
"Android-powered phone"
I thought it was battery powered...
Is it posible to activate after it has been unlocked?
yes go here:
http://www.unlock-tmobileg1.com/EN/procedures/activate.php