Sharp: Secret Codes and Tricks for All Vintage Models — Complete Guide 2026
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This is the definitive guide to Sharp secret codes for vintage phones. Sharp — the Japanese electronics company — produced GSM phones for the European market between 2002 and 2007, distributed almost exclusively by Vodafone across Europe. The Sharp GX flip phone series was the best-selling and most sought-after. The Sharp code system is unique — it uses the prefix *01763* followed by alphanumeric sequences that correspond to mnemonic commands (e.g. 8371 = VER0 = version, 3641 = ENG1 = Engineering Mode on). This guide includes all codes verified from primary technical sources, including the complete MEP unlock procedure for Vodafone-locked phones.
How the Sharp Code System Works — Read First
Sharp codes always use the prefix *01763* followed by a numeric code. Many of these codes have a corresponding mnemonic name — the number is the numeric encoding of letters on the phone keypad (e.g. 8=V, 3=E, 7=R → VER, 0=0 → VER0 = version 0).
Universal Sharp prefix:
*01763*— all special Sharp codes begin with this prefix. Without it the codes don't work.
Universal Sharp Codes — Full Verified List
| Code | Mnemonic name | Function |
|---|---|---|
*#06# |
— | Display IMEI code |
*01763*8371# |
VER0 | Full firmware version |
*01763*4634# |
— | IMEI (alternative display) |
*01763*3641# |
ENG1 | Enable Engineering Mode — hold power key to exit, then use *01763*3640# to disable |
*01763*3640# |
ENG0 | Disable Engineering Mode |
*01763*6371# |
— | Enable MEP menu (network unlock menu) → Settings → Security → MEP locks |
*01763*6370# |
— | Disable MEP menu |
*01763*63866331# |
— | Enable NetMode (network monitoring) |
*01763*63866330# |
— | Disable NetMode |
*01763*5641# |
— | Enable system LOG |
*01763*5640# |
— | Disable LOG |
*01763*278257# |
— | Clear Assert Fail Log (error log) |
*01763*8781# |
TST1 | Hardware test #1 (remove battery to exit!) |
*01763*8782# |
TST2 | Hardware test #2 (resets itself) |
*01763*8783#–*01763*8788# |
TST3–TST8 | Hardware tests #3–#8 |
*01763*87870#–*01763*87874# |
TST70–TST74 | Extended hardware tests |
How to read mnemonic names: each digit corresponds to letters on the phone keypad.
8371= VER1,3641= ENG1,8781= TST1. This scheme helps understand a code's meaning even without the full list.
Sharp Network Unlock — Two Verified Methods
The GX series was almost always locked to Vodafone. Here are the two verified procedures:
Method 1 — with code *#*#4669#*#* (GX15, GX25):
- From the main screen type
*#*#4669#*#* - Select the first menu item
- Enter the NCK unlock code → phone reboots
- Insert the ORIGINAL SIM card or a test SIM
- Phone is now unlocked
Method 2 — via MEP menu (all GX models):
- From the main screen type
*01763*6371# - Phone returns to main screen — press the Menu (M) button
- Go to Settings → Security → MEP locks
- Enter the handset code (default:
0000) - Scroll to Network and press SELECT
- Scroll to Deactivate and press SELECT
- Enter the NCK unlock code and press OK
- Phone displays "DONE" — lock removed
GX30, GX30i, TM100 — important warning: these models can ONLY be unlocked with a serial cable (NOT USB). USB only works for GX15 and GX25. For GX30/TM100 you need a specific serial cable with Sharp unlock software.
Sharp GX10 and GX10i — Full Secret Codes
The Sharp GX10 (2003) was the first Sharp flip phone for the European market — and the first flip with an integrated camera. Won "Best Handset" at the 3GSM World Congress 2003. Over 1 million units sold.
IMEI: *#06#
Firmware version: *01763*8371#
Engineering Mode ON: *01763*3641# (hold power key to exit)
Engineering Mode OFF: *01763*3640#
MEP unlock menu: *01763*6371#
NetMode: *01763*63866331# (enable) / *01763*63866330# (disable)
GX10/GX10i unlock: Method 2 via MEP menu (see above)
Collector note GX10: The first commercially successful European flip phone with integrated camera. The flip opening was completely silent thanks to a precision-calibrated spring mechanism — an engineering detail still appreciated today. GX10i = international version with more languages in firmware.
👉 View Sharp GX10 available at Infosate
Sharp GX15 and GX17 — Full Secret Codes
The Sharp GX15 (2004) is the best-selling Sharp in Europe with over 3 million units — candybar design, VGA camera, TFT 65K colour display. Sold almost exclusively by Vodafone. The GX17 is the updated version.
IMEI: *#06#
Firmware version: *01763*8371#
Engineering Mode ON/OFF: *01763*3641# / *01763*3640#
MEP unlock menu: *01763*6371#
NetMode: *01763*63866331# / *01763*63866330#
GX15 unlock — Method 1 (simpler): Type *#*#4669#*#* → select first menu item → enter NCK → phone reboots → insert original SIM → unlocked
GX15 unlock — Method 2 (via MEP menu): Type *01763*6371# → press M → Settings → Security → MEP locks → enter 0000 → Network → Deactivate → enter NCK → DONE
GX15 note: weighs only 84g, 17.8mm thick. QQVGA display (120×160). Standby 220-250 hours. The GZ100 is the Hong Kong/SmarTone variant of the GX15 — same hardware, same unlock codes.
👉 View Sharp GX15 available at Infosate
Sharp GX20 and GX21 — Full Secret Codes
The Sharp GX20 (2003) is the GX10 successor — flip with camera, video recording, infrared, tri-band. Standby 220-250 hours.
IMEI: *#06#
Firmware version: *01763*8371#
Engineering Mode: *01763*3641# / *01763*3640#
MEP unlock menu: *01763*6371#
NetMode: *01763*63866331# / *01763*63866330#
Clear error log: *01763*278257#
GX20 unlock: Method 2 via MEP menu
👉 View Sharp GX20 available at Infosate
Sharp GX25 and GX29 — Full Secret Codes
The Sharp GX25 (2005) is the Sharp flip phone with 640×480 VGA camera and QVGA 256K colour display. Over 2 million units sold. The GX29 is the updated GX25.
IMEI: *#06#
Firmware version: *01763*8371#
Engineering Mode: *01763*3641# / *01763*3640#
MEP unlock menu: *01763*6371#
GX25 unlock — Method 1: Type *#*#4669#*#* → first menu item → NCK → reboot → original SIM
GX25 unlock — Method 2: Type *01763*6371# → M → Settings → Security → MEP locks → 0000 → Network → Deactivate → NCK → DONE
GX29 note: essentially a repackaged GX25 with firmware optimisations. The code
*01763*8371#shows the firmware version that distinguishes them.
👉 View Sharp GX25 available at Infosate
Sharp GX30 and GX30i — Full Secret Codes
The Sharp GX30 (2005) was the first European phone with a 1 megapixel camera. Quad-band GSM. The GX30i is the international version.
IMEI: *#06#
Firmware version: *01763*8371#
Engineering Mode: *01763*3641# / *01763*3640#
MEP unlock menu: *01763*6371#
NetMode: *01763*63866331# / *01763*63866330#
Hardware tests: *01763*8781# through *01763*8788#
GX30 unlock — WARNING: The GX30 cannot be unlocked via USB — it requires a specific serial cable + Sharp software. The MEP menu method (*01763*6371#) remains the main software procedure.
GX30 unlock via MEP menu: Type *01763*6371# → press M → Settings → Security → MEP locks → enter 0000 → Network → Deactivate → enter NCK → "DONE" — unlocked
Collector note GX30: This was the first European consumer phone with a 1 megapixel camera — a historic milestone. The photographic quality was noticeably superior to VGA/QVGA predecessors. Quad-band makes it usable virtually anywhere in the world today.
👉 View Sharp GX30 available at Infosate
Sharp GX32, GX33, GX34, GX40 — Secret Codes
The GX32 and GX33 (2006-2007) were the last Sharp models for the European market — tri-band, VGA camera, GPRS Class 10.
IMEI: *#06# | Firmware: *01763*8371# | Engineering Mode: *01763*3641# / *01763*3640#
MEP unlock: *01763*6371# | Unlock: via MEP menu method 2
GX34 collector note: Extremely rare — only a few thousand units produced. GX33 hardware with memory card slot and MP3 player added.
Sharp TM100 and TM150 — Secret Codes
The Sharp TM100 (2004) is the messaging-focused variant of the GX20 — same hardware, different double-row keyboard form factor designed for easier texting.
IMEI: *#06# | Firmware: *01763*8371#
Engineering Mode: *01763*3641# / *01763*3640# | MEP unlock: *01763*6371#
TM100 unlock — serial cable only for USB method: Like the GX30, the TM100 cannot be unlocked via USB. Use the MEP menu method (*01763*6371#).
Sharp GZ100 — Secret Codes
The Sharp GZ100 is the Hong Kong/SmarTone version of the GX15 — same hardware, slightly different firmware.
All codes and unlock procedures are identical to the GX15 (see GX15 section above).
Sharp Hardware Test Codes — What They Do
The codes *01763*8781# through *01763*8788# (TST1-TST8) run specific hardware tests:
| Code | Name | Function | Warning |
|---|---|---|---|
*01763*8781# |
TST1 | Watchdog test — loop to dump | Remove battery to exit! |
*01763*8782# |
TST2 | IRQ disable test | Self-resets after seconds |
*01763*8783#–*01763*8788# |
TST3–TST8 | Hardware tests 3-8 | Use with caution |
Critical TST1 warning (
*01763*8781#): this test puts the phone into a watchdog loop and it stops responding. To exit you must physically remove the battery. Do not press this code out of curiosity.
TST2 warning (
*01763*8782#): disables interrupts (IRQ) and the phone temporarily stops responding — it resets itself after a few seconds.
Universal GSM Codes — Valid for All Sharp GSM
PIN and PUK management:
- Change PIN:
**04*[old]*[new]*[new]# - Change PIN2:
**042*[old]*[new]*[new]# - Unlock with PUK:
**05*[PUK]*[new PIN]*[new PIN]#
Call forwarding:
| Code | Function |
|---|---|
##002# |
Cancel all call forwarding |
##004# |
Cancel conditional forwarding |
*#21# |
Check unconditional forwarding |
*#61# |
Check "no answer" forwarding |
*#62# |
Check "not reachable" forwarding |
*#67# |
Check "busy" forwarding |
**21*[number]# |
Activate unconditional forwarding |
Call barring (default password 0000):
*33*(password)#→ bar outgoing calls*353*(password)#→ bar incoming calls*43#/#43#→ activate/deactivate call waiting
EFR: *3370# (enable) / #3370# (disable)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were almost all Sharp phones locked to Vodafone? Sharp had exclusive distribution agreements with Vodafone in almost all European markets. The GX15 was one of the best-selling Vodafone handsets ever made. A few early models (the GX1) were distributed by O2 in the UK, but the entire GX series from GX10 onwards was Vodafone.
How do you read the *01763* prefix? It's Sharp's engineering access code. "01763" corresponds to letters O-M-P-O-E in the numeric keypad mapping — it has no particular meaning, it was simply the code Sharp chose for their engineering access system. It remained unchanged across the entire GX family.
Why can't the GX30 and TM100 be unlocked via USB? The GX30 and TM100 MEP protection architecture requires serial port access (not USB) for low-level flash/unlock operations. The MEP menu method (*01763*6371#) remains available as a software approach and works on all models.
Does *#*#4669#*#* work on all Sharp phones? It works more reliably on GX15 and GX25. On GX30 and newer models, use Method 2 via *01763*6371#.
What happens if I press *01763*8781# (TST1)? The phone enters a watchdog loop and stops responding. You must remove the battery to exit. This is a low-level engineering test — do not press it out of curiosity.
What is the default MEP handset code for Sharp? The default handset code used to access the MEP locks menu is 0000 (four zeros). If someone has changed this code, the only way to reset it is via firmware reflash.
Original Vintage Sharp at Infosate
At Infosate you'll find a selection of original vintage Sharp phones — GX10, GX15, GX20, GX25, GX30, TM100 and other iconic GX series models, many already unlocked from Vodafone and ready for any SIM.