T-Mobile G1 up and running with no activation

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.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Oct 23rd 2008 4:50PM]

Why no phones need activation anyway? None of my other phones ever needed it.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Oct 23rd 2008 4:54PM]

I meant "Why DO phones need activation anyway?".

oops

[Sarig @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:01PM]

Rather, why don't these companies just offer unlocked versions like everyone else does?

[Andrew @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:26PM]

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.

[kjb434 @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:15PM]

They do offer unlocked phones dumbass, you just have to pay the un-subsidized price for it.

[Jeremy K. @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:40PM]

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.

[phanbouy @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:32PM]

CBGB434's just pissed because John McSame's getting his ass kicked

[kingofwale @ Oct 23rd 2008 4:50PM]

Pleas take notes.... the REST of the Cellphone makers.

[Jon @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:24PM]

Your statement seems to indicate that no activation is an exception rather than a norm. It is the other way round.

[simon @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:30PM]

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?

[who? @ Oct 23rd 2008 4:50PM]

Mmmm, my new phone... Maybe. I hate WinMo.

[frauhottelmann @ Oct 23rd 2008 4:59PM]

Mh well, guess what, my WinMo phone didn't need an activation.^^

[who? @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:24PM]

@ 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.

[PeterF @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:38PM]

There are only 2 phones that require activation: iPhone and G1

[who? @ Oct 23rd 2008 8:14PM]

@PeterF

Wrong.

[Electromodo @ Oct 23rd 2008 9:02PM]

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.

[who? @ Oct 23rd 2008 9:05PM]

@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.

[Ayle @ Oct 23rd 2008 10:14PM]

I got my Tilt new and it didn't require activation either... You seem to have no idea of what you're talking about.

[Mobile Phone Diva @ Oct 24th 2008 12:09AM]

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.

[cwj @ Oct 24th 2008 3:28AM]

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?

[csmitty @ Oct 23rd 2008 4:58PM]

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?

[Knives_Out @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:01PM]

no.

[Josh @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:03PM]

this would have a physical keyboard and camera, though no 3.5 jack

[El Taco @ Oct 23rd 2008 8:33PM]

it might be better, depending on what you're using it for.

[BJ Sisco @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:12PM]

I know this phone looks better in person but man... It's soooooo generic looking. Almost boring.

[chefgon_ign @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:22PM]

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.

[mvp @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:24PM]

That's what happens when you all you have now are touchscreens and slide out keyboards...

[iEye @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:06PM]

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?

[sr @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:12PM]

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.

[oZ @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:54PM]

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.

[fistpittingnork @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:02PM]

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.

[Mobius_1 @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:03PM]

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?

[Canoo @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:17PM]

Don't worry iEye. There are a select few of us who spot your humor. You make my day sometimes.

[phanbouy @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:33PM]

bag of hurt

[happy_penguin @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:46PM]

Don't make me come open up no bag o' hurt on yo' ass!!

[gerrrg @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:06PM]

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.

[Bloobie @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:09PM]

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?

[chefgon_ign @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:19PM]

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.

[g2ok @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:23PM]

No activation, so it can run on other networks around the globe ?
Same as unlocked ?

[JohnTitor @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:29PM]

is it possible to use a G1 without 3G service, I have Wi-Fi where I need it

[dave @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:50PM]

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.

[JohnTitor @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:05PM]

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

[chefgon_ign @ Oct 23rd 2008 9:54PM]

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.

[Overgauss @ Oct 24th 2008 12:31AM]

You're John Titor. You should know this. /ducks

[cwj @ Oct 24th 2008 1:32PM]

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.

[bob sakamano @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:48PM]

what happened to dell wanting to make this

[spellprince @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:51PM]

meet the iPhone killer ladies and gentlemen, it has entered the building.

[Montage @ Oct 23rd 2008 5:56PM]

Seriously, why do you think that?

Please explain how & why you think the G1 is an iPhone killer!

[Blad3 @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:05PM]

not being an iphone is all it actually needs.

[Mobius_1 @ Oct 23rd 2008 6:10PM]

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