How To: Hack Your E71 To Install Unsigned Applications

One of the more frustrating things about S60 currently is the Symbian Signed initiative. Designed to eliminate malware and viruses on our phones, Symbian Signed is a great idea that was executed poorly. Developers became frustrated with the various testing procedures and requirements, and thus, have simply begun releasing their applications as ‘unsigned’. This prevents a problem for users who wish to use these applications, but don’t know how to sign applications.

Quite honestly, there are very few applications that I’ve found I need which are only available unsigned. For some, you can simply use the OpenSigned option to get a legitimately signed version for your phone. However, this doesn’t work for all applications, and it also only ’signs’ the application for a single IMEI – meaning if you have multiple phones, you have repeat the process for each one.

The other option is to simply ‘hack’ your phone to eliminate the Symbian Signed requirement. Please note that if you hose your phone doing this, we’re not responsible. Also, it’s been found that Nokia often ‘fixes’ the hack with firmware updates, so this is not a permanent solution. However, it works great on my E71 NAM, and doesn’t cause any harm to the stability of the phone.

You’ll need three files, which I’ve uploaded here in a ZIP that you can open right on your phone.

Now, you’ll need to follow these steps *exactly*:

1. Transfer all 3 of the files to your phone’s memory card. You can simply put them in the root, or you can create a ‘Hack’ folder, if you wish.
2. Install X-Plore
3. Open X-Plore, press Menu -> Tools -> Configuration. Check the first four boxes in this list, then click Back, then the Home key to minimize X-Plore.
4. Install the hellocarbide app
5. Run the hellocarbide application
6. Press Options and chose Menu1
7. Answer Yes (the right soft key)
8. The app will close.
9. Navigate to X-Plore (you will not be able to use the task manager, so you will need to press the Home key to get to your main menu, then go into the Installations folder)
10. Navigate in X-Plore to the installserver.exe file, and press Menu, Edit, Copy. Now, navigate to C:\sys\bin, and press the center d-pad to copy.
11. Reboot your phone, and you’re good to go!

Now you can install *any* application, whether it’s signed or not. Be careful, however, that you know the origins of the file. Installing *any* file could mess up your phone. Only install applications from trusted sources, such as E71Blog.com.

There are currently 52 responses

  1. Andrea

    Work on new firmware???

    November 12th, 2008 | 1:37 pm
  2. [...] would make browsing long webpages so much better! Well, I’m glad to let you know that, since we’ve learned how to install unsigned applications, this is now possible! Indeed, using an application called MagicKey, you can remap any button on [...]

    November 13th, 2008 | 2:10 pm
  3. Kuan-Yoon

    “Step 10. Navigate in X-Plore to the installserver.exe file, and press Menu, Edit, Copy. Now, navigate to C:\sys\bin, and press the center d-pad to copy.”

    I could not locate the folder “bin” in C:\SYS

    Any help, please?

    November 13th, 2008 | 11:37 pm
  4. Kuan-Yoon

    “Step 5. Run the hellocarbide application”,
    “Step 6. Press Options and chose Menu1″,
    “Step 7. Answer Yes (the right soft key)”,

    Once I choose the Menu1 It automatically closed the app instead of goes to the step 7.

    Any idea why?

    November 14th, 2008 | 12:25 am
  5. [...] recently updated the firmware on your E71, or if you just don’t want to go through the hacking bit I told you about earlier, you can still easily use Swim, and for [...]

    November 14th, 2008 | 1:18 pm
  6. [...] can still press and hold 0 to launch the browser). Initially, I loaded up MagicKey (after using this trick to install unsigned applications) and simply mapped the GPS key to ‘down’ and the MEdiaNet key to ‘left’. [...]

    November 15th, 2008 | 8:26 am
  7. Yann

    First check if your phone allows unsigned installation! It is a configurable setting, but may be locked by your provider. On my unlocked E71, it’s under App. manager -> Options -> Settings -> Software installation, which can be “Signed only” or “All”.

    November 15th, 2008 | 10:14 am
  8. Ahmed M. Sha'alan

    I’m afraid this doesn’t work after the new update.. when I open the HelloCardibe application and press menu1 it just closes :S.. Can you please help?

    November 19th, 2008 | 6:23 am
  9. Would you happen to know if this hack will still work with the new firmware?

    November 19th, 2008 | 11:43 pm
  10. Hi

    Thanks for the tutorial.

    There are problems I’m facing

    When I run hellocarbide and click on Menu 1 from options nothing happens and the application shuts off.

    Further when I try finding the bin directory in the sys directory.

    When I tried to copy the file installserver.exe to the sys directory x-plore returns an error saying cannot open the file

    Can you let me where I’m making a mistake?

    Thank you in advance.

    Pali Madra

    November 20th, 2008 | 10:12 am
  11. [...] be noted that this new firmware eliminates the ability for you to ‘hack’ your phone, using the process we described earlier here at E71Blog.com. If you’re using MagicKey, you may want to hold off for a bit, or look into [...]

    November 24th, 2008 | 12:38 pm
  12. logo

    unfortunately with the new E71 fw 110 this hack won’t work! I had it working on my fw 100.

    Does anyone know of an alternative or an update to this hack?????

    Please let us all know

    December 11th, 2008 | 5:04 am
  13. ninja sherman

    Yeah it looks like HelloCarbide will not work on Ver. 110….. I also get the same problem with the C-Bin file. Oh well any one with the old firmware should be able to take advantage of this. Please report if successful.

    December 12th, 2008 | 3:09 am
  14. Belall

    ” 10. Navigate in X-Plore to the installserver.exe file, and press Menu, Edit, Copy. Now, navigate to C:\sys\bin, and press the center d-pad to copy.”

    I could not locate the folder “bin” in C:\SYS

    plz help.. how did you do it…

    December 13th, 2008 | 10:43 pm
  15. John Tang

    Can I safely delete that hack folder and uninstall x-plore from the installation folder after the phone is restarted or do they have to stay there?

    December 14th, 2008 | 4:49 pm
  16. Kristoffer

    I’ve installed the thing. What apps can i try to see if it works? I’ve tried k-rally unsigned. But it doesn’t seem to function.

    December 18th, 2008 | 3:57 pm
  17. goat

    sorry, I have the last firware, and I’ve read and tested as well, that I cannot use this procedure to hack the mobile. could you tell me where I could find another procedure that works with the last firmware?

    December 26th, 2008 | 2:30 pm
  18. e71user

    after everything is done, is it safe to uninstall hellocarbide from the phone?

    December 27th, 2008 | 12:34 am
  19. Djo

    This method is not working with the firmware 110.x.x (!!!!)

    I did this hack on firmware 100.x.x, worked fine, until I upgraded to firmware 110, all the hacks are gone, my apps are gone, SMS, email, ringtones, etc…

    I guess that’s shitty, no?

    December 29th, 2008 | 4:53 am
  20. mc

    Are these instructions specific to Windows? The .exe file doesn’t sound like something that runs on E71. Is that right?

    January 3rd, 2009 | 8:03 am
  21. These instructions are not specific to Windows. If you visit this page from your phone and download the zip file directly to your phone, you don’t need a computer at all.

    January 3rd, 2009 | 9:28 am
  22. Oscar

    @ Djo:

    same problem. this method worked fine on the previous firmware. yesterday i did the upgrade, then i tried to hack my e71 again with this method, and the problem is the hellocarbide app. when i go to the options button an i choose the “menu 1″ the app just close itself and does not show the “yes” option.

    January 3rd, 2009 | 1:35 pm
  23. Correct, this hack will not currently work on the latest E71 firmware. Also, the Nokia E71 does not have UDP (User Data Preservation) so when you update your firmware, your phone is basically erased and set back to how it was when you pulled it out of the box.

    The update procedure makes this clear, and gives you the opportunity to go back and backup all your information.

    January 3rd, 2009 | 1:59 pm
  24. Oscar

    @ Eduardo

    i did the backup procedure to my meory card, but… i´ve got trouble with this card after the firmware update procedure and i had to format the card. is there any other way to do the “go back all the information”? maybe from another hacked e71 card with it own backup to muy cellphone? thanx.

    January 3rd, 2009 | 3:49 pm
  25. Djo

    @Eduardo, Oscar:
    affirmative. the firmware updater indeed INSIST that you make a backup; as long as you clicked on NEXT, the updater simply erase everything and do a ‘clean install’ (just like you format your pc/mac/unix/linux/whatever OS).

    @Oscar:
    hacked card is no good. backed-up system also no good. the HelloCarbide hack is something like the WGA-bypass on XP/Vista, but the firmware update is like the BIOS update, it goes beyond the operating system-layer (not the best analogy i can describe, but you get the idea)

    January 4th, 2009 | 4:25 pm
  26. Oscar

    @ Djo:

    Thank you, Djo. So the next hack tool will have to be a “hacked firmware” or something like that. isn’t it? thanks anyway. ill be waiting for news.

    regards

    January 4th, 2009 | 10:47 pm
  27. Oscar

    @ Djo
    @ Eduardo:

    Hey guys!!! IVE GOT NEWS!!! i culdnt find any way to “hack” mi new firmware, but i found this alternative way to sign any symbian app for our E71.
    (i dont know if i am allowed to share these links on this blog but.. here i go)

    this is the tutorial:
    http://www.imserba.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111487

    and this is the web i tell about. (is in chinese, so use watch the tutorial first)
    http://s60.vgooo.com:801/

    like always,,, im using it under my own risk, but it really works.

    regards!!!

    January 7th, 2009 | 1:16 am
  28. Georg

    New hacking methode for 200.xx firmware: http://www.ipmart-forum.com/showthread.php?t=326988

    cheers

    January 28th, 2009 | 4:03 am
  29. Leo

    Thank you very much to all of you…i was stucked in App. manager -> Options -> Settings -> Software installation, which can be “Signed only” or “All”….

    February 22nd, 2009 | 7:12 pm
  30. loki

    georg, that link is for n95, and explicitly states that it is only for that model. did you attempt the hack on an e71?

    March 7th, 2009 | 3:33 pm
  31. Darkhatexx

    Where is the c:\sys\bin
    i cant open the sys folder in c
    so is there an alternative place to put it?

    March 16th, 2009 | 11:15 pm
  32. Benny

    Hi. I wanted to try and use the open sign website to sign unsigned application like magic key but when i tried to do so, it says that the email i entered is the wrong email. I actually entered my own email since there wasnt any instructions on which email to use. I have the .sis application already but the error was the email that i input. Anyone can help? Much appreciated. Thanks.

    March 21st, 2009 | 12:00 pm
  33. [...] does not, so my only hope is if anyone has actually used this method, mentioned here, … How To: Hack Your E71 To Install Unsigned Applications | E71Blog.comCorrect, this hack will not currently work on the latest E71 firmware. Also, the Nokia E71 does not [...]

    March 23rd, 2009 | 9:54 pm
  34. flappy

    thanks, it works flawlessly on my old firmware

    March 28th, 2009 | 7:32 am
  35. [...] the more recent E71 firmwares made hacking a chore, which is frustrating. However, there is another option – just get a certificate for your [...]

    April 11th, 2009 | 10:01 am
  36. dave the rave

    you do not need to install that software on your pc all you have to do is change the date on your phone, set it back one year from now to install unsigned apps and leave the date a lone to install signed apps you do not need to spend hours finding software to hack the e71 just change the date. OK BYEBYE.

    April 14th, 2009 | 7:30 am
  37. QV

    can this one work with E66 ?

    April 19th, 2009 | 9:24 am
  38. Hello! I have tried3times and have been locked for trying to unlock my nokia 6650. apparently i was given the wrong codes. I realize im locked out, but I need this phone unlock,what do I do? please help!

    June 22nd, 2009 | 3:07 am
  39. Alex

    Does not work hellocarbid….Certificate expired?????What can I do?

    July 21st, 2009 | 1:50 pm
  40. tom

    CArbiDe does not work on my E71. It is to new. At the moment I havent heard anyone can do it. I think we’ll just have to wait.

    If someone has made it totomomo@gmail.com is my email and I will be very pleased if someone has the method.

    July 24th, 2009 | 9:17 am
  41. G3orG3

    doesn`t work “Certificare error! Contact…..” when i try to install X-Plore

    July 30th, 2009 | 10:29 am
  42. August 1st, 2009 | 5:08 am
  43. madhu

    HelloCarbide gives an expired certificate error…

    August 4th, 2009 | 1:27 pm
  44. xr5

    Ahh.. the expired certificate problem.

    Hint: play around with the date on your phone.

    August 11th, 2009 | 7:48 am
  45. h3

    If you’re seeing expired certificate errors on HelloCarbide install, set your phone’s date to the date of this blog article (2008-11-15 is what I used) and it should work.

    August 15th, 2009 | 12:59 am
  46. tmcthree

    it won’ let me install xplore. Because its not signed!

    August 22nd, 2009 | 12:37 pm
  47. deepak

    Hello admins and moderators how are u..? well i need ur help…

    Hello0x 2.1 is not working with e71 fw:300.21.012 it get stuck on unpacking files
    Helloox 1.3 get stuck on applyin patches

    i got new e71 and updated its fw:300.21.012
    previously i hacked it using mapdrives and rompatcher and hellocarbide all were working i get access to c:\sys\bin and can write files to a:

    —>>>i reformatted my phone and tried same steps again but i m unable to write files on A:
    and rompatcher is not opening too
    i got my certi and key

    August 23rd, 2009 | 1:19 am
  48. chetan

    is this hacking method doesn,t cause any problem to phone ……..?? is it safe to hack the phone…?

    October 31st, 2009 | 10:36 pm
  49. adan

    i have the upgrade 300.21.012 and is not possible to run the hellocarbide.
    any idea?

    November 4th, 2009 | 12:03 pm
  50. Daniel Serodio

    @adan, look for HelloOX 2

    November 30th, 2009 | 12:20 pm
  51. Perfect for my 5230.
    Thanx!

    December 5th, 2009 | 9:51 am
  52. Nuno Silva

    When i try to install X-Plore, i get certificate out of date. Can you help me?

    December 17th, 2009 | 11:53 am

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