Help How do I check if my Nexus S is unlocked?

[mjschmidt]

I was under the impression the Nexus S was supposed to be sold unlocked, but I noticed in the comments section of another blog that someone with a Nexus S from Telus (Canadian carrier) claims his Nexus S is not unlocked.

So it occurred to me... how do I know whether or not my Rogers Nexus S is unlocked?

 

[kegacide]

if by unlocked you mean rooted, no a new phone would not come rooted...

but what is it you are trying to do that you can't that you are even worried about this?

 

[B2L]

I was under the impression the Nexus S was supposed to be sold unlocked, but I noticed in the comments section of another blog that someone with a Nexus S from Telus (Canadian carrier) claims his Nexus S is not unlocked.

So it occurred to me... how do I know whether or not my Rogers Nexus S is unlocked?

Every Nexus S should be unlocked. I bought mine shortly after the launch date. I originally used it on Tmobile for a little while, and now i am using it on simple mobile. The only way i know of testing it is to try out a different carrier sim card that will work on GSM.

 

[Deleted User]

I was under the impression the Nexus S was supposed to be sold unlocked, but I noticed in the comments section of another blog that someone with a Nexus S from Telus (Canadian carrier) claims his Nexus S is not unlocked.

All Nexus S models are sold carrier SIM unlocked so you can use it with any carrier simply by inserting another SIM card. Even subsidized models are unlocked, but many salespeople and customer service reps are telling customers that subsidized Nexus S phones are locked to the carrier and can only be used on that carrier. They are not locked, but many people just believe whatever the sales or CSR people say without question. If you look at the BestBuy.ca website it even shows the Nexus S models "unlocked" when you buy them outright. They don't specfically state the subsidized models are locked because that would be a blatant lie, but they infer it by stating that outright/no contract priced models are unlocked. It's sneaky marketing.

So it occurred to me... how do I know whether or not my Rogers Nexus S is unlocked?

As has already been stated, it's very simple really...find a friend or coworker with a GSM phone and try their SIM card in your Nexus S - it'll start up with their carrier name and you can use the phone as normal with their SIM. If you get an error about the SIM card or carrier not working, then the phone is locked.

If you meant unlocked bootloader, then what you're talking about is called rooting the phone where you unlock the bootloader so you can gain full "root" access to the device. From there you can load custom ROM's and updates.

 

[mjschmidt]

As has already been stated, it's very simple really...find a friend or coworker with a GSM phone and try their SIM card in your Nexus S - it'll start up with their carrier name and you can use the phone as normal with their SIM. If you get an error about the SIM card or carrier not working, then the phone is locked.

If you meant unlocked bootloader, then what you're talking about is called rooting the phone where you unlock the bootloader so you can gain full "root" access to the device. From there you can load custom ROM's and updates.

Thanks, bfksc (et al). Yes, I meant "unlocked", not rooted. (I should hope given the number of posts I've made, and the number of Android devices I've owned I should know the difference. ;-) )

I will check using a friend's SIM to satisfy my curiosity.

 

[kegacide]

Thanks, bfksc (et al). Yes, I meant "unlocked", not rooted. (I should hope given the number of posts I've made, and the number of Android devices I've owned I should know the difference. ;-) )

I will check using a friend's SIM to satisfy my curiosity.

yeah my bad, just browsing quickly and didnt really pay attention, haha...

 

[susanjm]

Thanks, bfksc (et al). Yes, I meant "unlocked", not rooted. (I should hope given the number of posts I've made, and the number of Android devices I've owned I should know the difference. ;-) )

I will check using a friend's SIM to satisfy my curiosity.

Hey mjsschmidt ... did you ever check this out? If so, what was the result? I'm looking at buying the new Galaxy Nexus from Bell when it becomes available in December and they of course say it's locked ... just curious about your Nexus S.

Thanks,
Susan