How To Unbrand (Debrand) Your LG Windows Phone 7

Your Windows Phone 7 device is usually associated with a specific carrier and this could prove to be a big limitation for the functionality and potential of your phone. There is certain content which is released for all carriers in general by Windows, but at times you won’t get it because your brand of mobile carrier blocks the newly rolled out update. Now what to do? If you are an LG user, there is luckily a way to unbrand your phone, and it’s quite simple to follow.

Here’s all you have to do to get rid of the carrier tag from your LG device. But beware, the method involves tinkering with the Engineering menu of your phone and changing a few registry values, so it can be risky.

Disclaimer: Please follow this guide at your own risk. AddictiveTips will not be liable if your device gets damaged or bricked during the process.

Instructions:

1. As with almost all WP7 devices, the diagnosis menu (called MFG in LG) can be reached by dialing ##634# from your phone. Access it.
2. Once there, input 277634#*# when prompted for password.
3. You will be presented with a menu, look for the option “Engineering menu” and tap it.
4. In the newly opened menu, go to the registry editor located in the option “Other Settings”.
5. As the registry path enter
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
6. As your sub path input
   \System\Platform\DeviceTargetingInfo
7. This will take you to the desired registry value you have to change. Set the KEY to MobileOperator.
8. In the Type field, choose String.
9. Tap “Query”. Your carrier’s brand name will appear in the input field. Delete it.
10. Save all the changes you have made and exit.

Thus you will have an unbranded LG phone.

[via WPPowerUser]