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Debrand your P990i / M600i / W950i

Posted by Ryan Cullen | Posted in Mobiles | Posted on 20th February 2007

109

Jan 2008 Update – The new EASY and FREE method is here, which also works on the W960 and the P1.

Jun 2007 Update – Feel like doing it the hardway and for FREE? New step by step guide for the P990 and M600 here!

Got Vodafone, o2 or Orange branding on your Sony Ericsson smartphone? Slightly annoyed that those who have the Generic version have had several firmware updates, whilst your service provider has limited the functions of the phone? Well now you can change the phones version to the generic one via USB on your own PC for only €6.
Now I can’t confirm that it actually works, nor does anything I say mean that I’m liable, however these people on esato and these on my-symbian are extremely happy.
Remember any action you take on your phone is completely your own choice. If you’re not 100% confident then DON’T do it.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Perform a back-up of your phone via the PC Suite (or however you prefer)
  2. Download KulanKendiClient.exe
  3. Give it a try to ensure that it runs on your computer.
  4. Purchase a credit for €6 (you only need one)
  5. Sit back and wait for KK to contact you with your username and password (you may have to wait 24 hours and weekends don’t count, be patient)
  6. Run the software
  7. Turn off your phone, hold down the C button (or back button if you can find C), plug the phone into the PC via the USB cable. (Don’t worry if it thinks your M600 or W950 are P990s)
  8. Tick change CDA and enter CDA162007/1 (P990i) or CDA162011/1 (M600i) or CDA162014/1 (W950i)
  9. DON’T tick anything else!
  10. Press Flash Phone
  11. Wait a short while
  12. Turn the phone back on. You should now have an extra CDA.
  13. Wipe your phone via the hidden service menu. Up * Down Down * Down * -> Format internal disk
  14. Run the Sony Ericsson Update Service, you should now see that you have a Generic World One phone. Hit the Update Phone button and follow the on-screen instructions.
  15. Wait 10-20 minutes
  16. Turn the phone back on. Bingo phone is now brandless.

Hope this helps those who are stuck, or have been visiting this blog looking for the answers.

Updates
7th March 2007 – I can now confirm that this works after testing it on a friends phone.

Comments (109)

CJ said on 24-09-2007

so you all know, ive still not recieved my username and password i ordered it around 7pm on thursday 20th, and its now monday 24th………..
Ryan Cullen said on 24-09-2007

CJ, I have NO links with KulanKendi. For questions about credits you should visit their Support Forums
taneipoo said on 14-10-2007

Did somebody figure out how to get rid of the Singapore chinese input? I just got the M600i & it’s driving me up the wall tryna figure out how to get rid of it. Bought my fone on eBay in the USA but the shipped from Hong Kong :-(

Phil said on 18-10-2007

Ryan,
Can this debranding solution be done on the new SE P1i?
My phone is O2 branded.
Ryan Cullen said on 12-01-2008

For those who are stuck, or have got themselves a P1 or a W960 (Phil), the new EASY and FREE step by step guide is here:
http://blog.artesea.co.uk/2008/01/debrand-your-w960-p1-for-free-or-your-p990-m600-w950.html
pile of poop said on 22-01-2008

artesea edit please put questions in the correct comment section. Comment moved.
alex_667 said on 04-04-2008

Hello !
I have a SE P990i branded with the Vodafone software. I would like to use the method presented here. I have read on some other sites that if the phone is locked on a specific network [ it doesn't accept SIM cards from other networks ], the debranding process might block the phone permanently. Before I start the debranding process I would like someone to tell me if this is true and if I should be concerned. Firstly, should I take care of this problem ?

Thank you.
Ryan Cullen said on 04-04-2008

alex_667 you’ll have no problem. However your phone will remain locked to Vodafone after the process. I recommend using this method as it’s a lot easier.
NIcholas(malaysia) said on 05-04-2008

hey ryan ,

i tried ur method with my p990i .it didnt work and instead locked my phone up .. even though i have a working sim inside. it says “insert sim card”.i tried to undo the whole thing by using the old file to do the update but it didnt work . i sent it to several shopd to fix the problem but they don even know whats wrong . can anyone help me with this ? i am currently in malaysia and i really nit to revive my phone back . can anyone help me ? i read about some phone unlocking services but i dont own a credit card . can there be any other ways to fix it ? pls reply asap ..
thanks

cheers,
nic

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