How To: Straight Talk and iPhone - SIM Swap from Nokia Smartphone

**MrRomeo** · 01-21-2011, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by cell2010

Will this method work for any other touchscreen phones? Or the first Iphone? Cant any of the other sim ST phones work i have a Samsung t255g

Seriously?!?! That question (about which sim will work) has been answered a billion times! NO IT WILL NOT WORKI ONLY THE SIM FROM A E71 WILL WORK!

iPhone 2g should work too but I havent done any tests on it, no point since it uses Edge and has no MMS.

**dannyboy888** · 01-21-2011, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by deathcab

i would jump all over this if i wasnt scared of them shutting it down at some point.

no, i'm not worried about losing the phone price or the monthly service fee -- its just my number is worth too much to me and if they actually went as far as terminating service your number would be gone.

Although this is not available at the moment to everyone, I saw on engadget yesterday that Google Voice will be allowing people to port their numbers over for $20. They supposedly showed that option on some people's Google Voice accounts, but not everyone. It's a limited test for some people right now. I bet eventually they'll roll it out to everyone and those who are afraid of losing their numbers can just port it to Google and then let Straight Talk assign any random phone number.

**getyup** · 01-21-2011, 01:00 PM

So I have the new straight talk deal on the E71. The only downside is that it's domestic only. Well worth the savings, but I noticed the E71 they sent me is locked. I want to still be able to use it with a foreign SIM when I travel, and I hear that updating the firmware to the generic firmware will remove the lockdown to Straight Talk. The problem is it won't let me update with the Straight Talk sim in it, and it won't let me without any sim or a non Straight Talk SIM.

Is there some tool that'll do it?

**harpo1** · 01-21-2011, 04:03 PM

Great instructions. Thanks OP.

**Jane B.** · 01-21-2011, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by getyup

So I have the new straight talk deal on the E71. The only downside is that it's domestic only. Well worth the savings, but I noticed the E71 they sent me is locked. I want to still be able to use it with a foreign SIM when I travel, and I hear that updating the firmware to the generic firmware will remove the lockdown to Straight Talk. The problem is it won't let me update with the Straight Talk sim in it, and it won't let me without any sim or a non Straight Talk SIM.

Is there some tool that'll do it?

I am doing some guessing here as I returned the one that I bought because what I needed it for requires 3G service and I had misread their map and discovered AFTER I got it that I am in a 2G area!

It seems to me that it can use a WIFI connection. If I am right could you connect that way without a SiM, download and apply the generic firmware and then put a SIM in. I have no idea if it would work and even if it does for your foreign use what it would do when you tried to re-use it with you StraightTalk SIM.

I sure don't want you blaming me it it BRICKS THE PHONE.

Good Luck — there are probably others that know more than I do.

**getyup** · 01-21-2011, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by Jane B.

I am doing some guessing here as I returned the one that I bought because what I needed it for requires 3G service and I had misread their map and discovered AFTER I got it that I am in a 2G area!

It seems to me that it can use a WIFI connection. If I am right could you connect that way without a SiM, download and apply the generic firmware and then put a SIM in. I have no idea if it would work and even if it does for your foreign use what it would do when you tried to re-use it with you StraightTalk SIM.

I sure don't want you blaming me it it BRICKS THE PHONE.

Good Luck — there are probably others that know more than I do.

Unfortunately, the software Straight Talk puts on it renders it useless unless it's attached to their network. If the SIM isn't in and active, no WiFi or bluetooth works. I'm wondering if there's a force-flash method to force the e71 to a new generic firmware or unlocked without having the SIM in there.

**gotanmp3** · 01-21-2011, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by getyup

The only downside is that it's domestic only. Well worth the savings, but I noticed the E71 they sent me is locked. I want to still be able to use it with a foreign SIM when I travel

This should really be in the E71 questions and answers thread. *sigh*

The E71 is locked to Straight Talk and so far no one seems to have had any luck getting an unlock code. Nokia's recent phones are notoriously well-secured in regards to SIM locks and debranding the phone won't remove the SIM lock.

**gotanmp3** · 01-21-2011, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by cell2010

Would Iphone 2g work?

It may not recognize the SIM as AT&T, in which case you'd have to unlock with BootNeuter. Since you'll only get EDGE anyway, it may be less trouble to go with Simple Mobile instead. Simple Mobile is $15 bucks a month more, but it will take 13 months of using Straight Talk before you've broken even on the $200 purchase of the E71 and actually started saving any money over Simple Mobile's $60/mo rate.

**getyup** · 01-21-2011, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by gotanmp3

This should really be in the E71 questions and answers thread. *sigh*

The E71 is locked to Straight Talk and so far no one seems to have had any luck getting an unlock code. Nokia's recent phones are notoriously well-secured in regards to SIM locks and debranding the phone won't remove the SIM lock.

Not sure why the sigh, this is a question pertaining to peoples' questions as to what they can do with the e71 to recoup some losses. My intention was to find out how it can be unlocked, and then take it to Thailand or Philippines next time I go, as presently they buy unlocked e71s there for roughly $140 USD. Would certainly be a good way to get rid of it unlocked, as it'd guarantee it would not be used on the AT&T\Straight Talk Networks.

I should also say, AT&T sims do not even work in the straight talk phone.

I don't even see an E71 forum on HoFo, but if you could point me in the direction, I'll ask there. I know there are "universal unlock" services online, and especially on eBay, where you provide the IMEI and they guarantee they'll send an unlock code or money back, so was thinking about trying that, but was looking for an endorsement of someone who'd done it hopefully.

Thanks!

**MrRomeo** · 01-22-2011, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by getyup

Not sure why the sigh, this is a question pertaining to peoples' questions as to what they can do with the e71 to recoup some losses.

Thanks!

If you had taken the time to read the thread, you would a found out that the answer to that question is NOTHING!!!!!! Trow the damn phone in the trash! Its useless, you pay the money for the sim and sim only. People cant be the F-in cheap!

**getyup** · 01-22-2011, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by MrRomeo

If you had taken the time to read the thread, you would a found out that the answer to that question is NOTHING!!!!!! Trow the damn phone in the trash! Its useless, you pay the money for the sim and sim only. People cant be the F-in cheap!

I've read every post in this forum, CLEARLY you have NOT.

To educate you, the REASON many people say put it in a drawer and don't use it, it because if someone uses it on Straight Talk (ie if you eBay it or Craigslist it or give to a friend), then you risk losing your plan. However, there's absolutely no reason to believe that anyone would ever use it on Straight Talk if I sell it in Thailand or The Philippines.

Before you go off on someone, you should do a little research yourself, and think about what you're saying.

It's not about being cheap, wait, yeah it is, moron. This entire thread is about being cheap (getting more for less). However, you're clearly uneducated and a hypocrite because you don't practice what you preach, as you would have READ why people say to put it in a drawer.

**sbirdsc** · 01-22-2011, 01:23 AM

So IF they pull the plug on this, is there any way to get your number ported to another carrier? Anyone know if legally they are bound to transfer your number or can they do what they want since it was unauthorized use?
Thanks for all the info - you guys are a huge help.

**getyup** · 01-22-2011, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by sbirdsc

So IF they pull the plug on this, is there any way to get your number ported to another carrier? Anyone know if legally they are bound to transfer your number or can they do what they want since it was unauthorized use?
Thanks for all the info - you guys are a huge help.

FCC Mandates that all accounts be portable (even prepaid and lifeline), provided the account is paid current. For prepaid, they have to allow the number to be ported out as long as you're within your prepaid window. If your account doesn't refill on the date due, then technically they CAN shut you off and not allow reactivation for porting purposes.

I'd say it's a risk, however, my GUESS is worst case, if they shut you down, and you call in and play dumb that they'll likely turn the service back on provided you put the SIM into the Nokia. At that point if you're overly concerned, you can port out at that point.

**gotanmp3** · 01-22-2011, 02:35 AM

Originally Posted by getyup

Not sure why the sigh, this is a question pertaining to peoples' questions as to what they can do with the e71 to recoup some losses.

It's just taken the thread off topic from questions and answers about using an iPhone on Straight Talk. There's several E71 threads active in the Straight Talk forum and unlocking has come up before. Basically, you're looking at trying to get a Nokia factory unlock code through a reseller and so far there hasn't been anyone saying they've had any luck with such an endeavor.

**getyup** · 01-22-2011, 02:45 AM

Originally Posted by gotanmp3

It's just taken the thread off topic from questions and answers about using an iPhone on Straight Talk. There's several E71 threads active in the Straight Talk forum and unlocking has come up before. Basically, you're looking at trying to get a Nokia factory unlock code through a reseller and so far there hasn't been anyone saying they've had any luck with such an endeavor.

You're out of line, buddy. The thread is "Straight Talk AND iPhone: Everything you need to know"

If you notice, the biggest objection people have is the up-front $200 cost of the Nokia, and MANY have expressed concern about weather or not they should unlock and use the Nokia on a different carrier, or sell it with if they have the opportunity to do so and be assured the buyer will not use it on ST.

It's absolutely on topic. It may not be a topic that you're interested in, but clearly MANY are.

Furthermore, it's not a Nokia unlock code, it's technically Straight Talk custom software that interacts with the soft-sim-lock. Any other branded or unbranded Nokia e71 works fine on WiFi without the SIM inserted, and this phone doesn't because of how locked down ST has it. So yeah, I'd say it's relevant to many in here.