Motorola Microtac MR601 unlocking on Orange EE T-Mobile (service provider hack)

This is how you unlock / remove the service provider lock on a Motorola MR601 microtac dual band phone.

[@BrickCellphones]

It works by accessing the ROM on the phone which holds the PLMN restriction code. In this case that is the network code for Orange in the UK which is 234-35. Every cellular network in the world has it's own PLMN code unique to itself. The first 3 digits are the country code the next two or three digits are the individual cellular networks.

[@porkwilliam]

Nice video! Remember having one of these phones on Orange; must have been 1998? It was Orange's first dual-band phone I believe

[@BrickCellphones]

Yes these came out as far as I can remember in 1997-98 and orange at the time didn't have any other dual band phone. It was state of the art back then and this phone opened up the possibility of being able to roam on all GSM900 networks in europe. A while later they also release the motorola timeport phone and that was the first phone you could use to roam in the USA on GSM1900.

[@stevecoatesdotnet]

Cool. Did you write the programme on the SIM card yourself?

[@nextg5062]

How would I go about making or getting those test sim cards you use to unlock the phones or get the lock/unlock codes?

[@BrickCellphones]

You can buy blank sim cards online and just load the code onto the sim yourself with a card read/writter. I did not write the code myself. It is a fellow phone collector and ex motorola engineer that gave me the code and showed me how to do this.

[@BrickCellphones]

what requisite software?? I don't use a cable and computer to unlock my phones - just a SIM from an ex motorola engineer. there's a video on the select range of phones I did a while back....check it out.

[@stevecoatesdotnet]

How does that test mode SIM card work?

[@Shack-time]

Hello. I have the mr601 and need it unlocking to other providers. Can I buy a tool like that from you ? Or could I send you my phone to unlock ? Kind regards James

[@dwaynedibbley6124]

How much do you charge for making the old motorola type phones functional again on the modern networks? I have quite a few.

[@BrickCellphones]

+wayne crookes Hi Wayne. I don't charge anything. this is not a business for me. I'd be happy to unlock one or two provided you cover all shipping costs & taxes etc. When you say making the old motorolas functional again....you can only still use certain types of motorolas. Not all can still be used. Do you have models numbers of yours? I can advise you.

[@dwaynedibbley6124]

+Vintage Cellular Mobile Phones Many thx for reply. Im super busy but i will at some time definitely take you up on your offer. Real nice of you to do this and will speak soon.

[@BrickCellphones]

No problem. we're all here to support each other in whatever way we can.

[@ppppugh7892]

@@BrickCellphones hi, do you still offer the sim hack? For MR30. Cheers.

[@danMdan]

Various people on eBay claim to be able to unlock phones - can they do so with vintage phones like the mr601 ? I seem to be accumulating Orange locked phones whereas my best reception in a Country area is from Vodafone !

[@danMdan]

I'm replying to my own note: Here is answer from one online unlocker I just tried -------- "Unfortunately we have been unable to calculate your unique unlock code at this time. This could have been down to a number of factors from the age of the handset to the code simply not being in our unlock code database or partners database." -- so no luck there !

[@BrickCellphones]

I have yet to find anyone who provides the actual unlock code as in the "SPECIAL CODE" that motorola phones asked for online. everyone online that says they can either flakes, or refunds or just doesn't provide a lock code. Back in the day Orange did provide the lock code for their Orange badged nokias and motorolas....I unlocked about half a dozen that way. The reason I eventually got my unlock tools was because I have phones from all over the world and the unlock tools (either the SIM or the box) don't care what network it's locked to. Orange phones can be used on vodafone with a vodafone SIM where there is GSM1800 vodafone coverage/service. That tends to be in particular areas. MR601's are particularly good because they are durable and mine has lasted me 18 years so far. If you have a few handsets I'd be prepared to help ya out.

[@BBC600]

4:41 Yay a Canadian SIM card!

[@BrickCellphones]

Ha! Yes I do have a selection of SIM cards from all over the world and do try out my phones with various ones from various countries. This MR601 won't work in Canada though. If you want a similar microtac phone that WILL work in Canada then have a look at the Motorola Select range of microtacs. There are three: the select 2000, the select 3000 and the select 6000 or 6000e.

[@kahsmieszek3620]

Test Card is prepared as Clone - not normal test one?

[@BrickCellphones]

There are three types of test cards, two of which are shown in the video. The card which brings up the "clone" menu as you put it is for removing the service provider restriction. The other test card shown is for getting the Lock code and getting the security code so you can reset it. The third type of test card just lets you access the full menu and display statuses but doesn't unlock the phone (I don't have one of those cards).

[@kenjitakemoto1701]

Hello! I live in Brazil and I want buy a motorola MR601. But the problem is.... the mr601 just sale in UK or another contry in europe..... Hou can I but this special unlocker card? And most important ask..... The Mr601 will work in Brazil? We have here 900 or 1800 mhz networks.I would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you.

[@BrickCellphones]

Hi Kenji, Firstly the SIM you see in this video does NOT exist to buy. You can't buy this king of unlock tool because it's a professional motorola tool. it's not available to the public. The MR601 is common but if you buy it you will need to remove the service SIM restriction. The Mr601 works only on GSM900 and GSM1800 so this should work with Claro, TIM, Vivo and algar once the phone is fully unlocked. I am happy to sell you one of my unlocked ones but if there is brazilian customs to pay then that is something you would need to take care off from your end.

[@pixelman8044]

Hello. Where i can buy this test card?

[@Super_Charged4life]

I want one of these badly but I cant find one that takes a sim

[@BrickCellphones]

You want an MR601? they are so common....I have about 20 of them. Where are you in the world? I could probably let you have an unlocked one if you're in europe.

[@Super_Charged4life]

im in the usa i can trade u my nokia 2180 if u send me one

[@BrickCellphones]

use the youtube "contact this user" to email me direct if you have some photos of the 2180. If it's in good condition I might do a swap because the 2180's I have aren't in great shape.

[@Super_Charged4life]

Vintage Cellular Mobile Phones i cant find it the only thing i can find is google+ but i cant find a way to show u pics

[@BrickCellphones]

You can go to the videos page on my channel. there is a button there where you can email me direct. I'm not keen on posting an email address on here as I'll get flooded with video requests and other mails!

[@ogorekkiszony7236]

Please help, mine works with calls perfectly on O2, however I have tried several SIM cards and messages will not work. Keeps saying see extended menus even though they are on

[@paulowozniak]

Hello How do you put on a test card?

[@BrickCellphones]

I'm not sure I understand you question.... You slide the card in like normal.

[@paulowozniak]

I have a test but there is no certainty that is from Motorola. After you insert a message it is not like you

[@BrickCellphones]

what kind of card is it? when you insert the test SIM you have to tell the phone to enter test mode first!!!! it won't do anything on its own if you don't enter test mode.

[@paulowozniak]

Write Please combinations which you typed

[@BrickCellphones]

email me directly. Also you haven't answered my question about which SIM you're using. without that I can't advise you any further as to how to enter test mode.