There are a variety of methods for unlocking a phone. By contrast, many Android phones require you to enter an unlock code before you can install a new SIM card. The exception could be older, less expensive phones that might still be confined to one standard or the other.
Almost every carrier, whether one of the three largest or a smaller provider, will have a section on its website where you can confirm via your IMEI that your phone is compatible.
Then scroll down to find the number near the bottom of the page. On Android phones, the steps will vary, depending on the make of the phone and the version of Android you use. Before reaching out to your current carrier using the info below , take a moment to gather some account information.
Click the link in the email within 24 hours to confirm the unlock request. If you wait too long, the request will be canceled. T-Mobile: This carrier restricts how many devices you can unlock in a month period, which can create problems for those on a family plan. If you ask to have more than two T-Mobile phones unlocked in a given year, the company will deny your request.
If 40 days have passed since you bought your phone through the carrier and your postpaid account is in good standing, T-Mobile will unlock your phone. Verizon: This carrier automatically locks any phone bought through Verizon for 60 days. After that day period, your phone is unlocked—with no extra steps needed. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights.
Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Liane Cassavoy. Liane Cassavoy is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire who has been reviewing and writing articles about smartphones since Twitter LinkedIn. Updated on September 07, Jerrick Leger. Lifewire Technology Review Board Member. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses.
Article reviewed on Nov 13, Tweet Share Email. Android Switching from iOS. What to Know To unlock a phone, you need to contact and provide the carrier with the account holder's info, as well as the phone's IMEI number.
Signatories to the Consumer Code for Wireless Service implemented all of these standards on or before February 11, Q3: Why do providers lock mobile wireless devices?
A: In many instances, devices are sold with subsidies or discounts in exchange for a required service plan commitment, often months or years in length, or pursuant to a device financing plan. Most service plan agreements have an early termination clause that includes a penalty to be paid to end the agreement ahead of schedule.
Locking software is meant to ensure that devices will be active for a certain period of time or amount of usage on the network of the provider that sold that device with a subsidy or discount or with a device installment plan. Q4: Is my cell phone locked? A: With many providers, unless you purchased a phone or device specifically sold as "unlocked" at the point of purchase, you should presume that it is locked to a specific wireless service provider's network. This may be true whether you purchase the device from a wireless service provider, at a general retail outlet in person or on the web , or through a third-party.
Some wireless service providers do not generally lock the phones or devices they sell. Q5: Can other mobile devices besides phones be locked? A: Tablets and other mobile devices can be locked to networks. The commitment covers phones and tablets. You should check with your service provider to see if your phone or tablet is locked and what terms and conditions apply to unlocking it. Q6: Will my provider unlock my phone upon request? A: You should speak with your service provider to understand the terms and conditions of your agreement with your provider and the provider's policies on unlocking mobile devices.
Participating providers will provide you with a clear, concise and readily accessible policy on mobile wireless device unlocking on their websites, and will respond to your unlock request pursuant to their unlocking policy. Q7: When is my device eligible for unlocking?
A: Participating providers will unlock your postpaid device after you have fulfilled the applicable service contract, device installment plan terms or payment of an early termination fee and are in good standing. Your prepaid device is eligible to be unlocked by participating providers no later than one year after activation, consistent with each provider's reasonable time, payment or usage requirements.
Q8: Will my phone automatically be unlocked when my contract is fulfilled? A: It depends on your provider. Under the commitment, participating providers will notify you at the time when your postpaid device is eligible for unlocking if the device is not automatically unlocked.
For prepaid devices, participating providers will notify when your device is eligible for unlocking at the point of sale, at the time of eligibility, or through a clear and concise statement of the wireless service provider's policy on its website.
When your device is eligible, some providers may automatically unlock it remotely. In this case, providers of postpaid devices are not required to notify you at the time when the device is eligible for unlocking. Other providers may require you to formally request to have your phone unlocked. Under the commitment, participating providers will unlock eligible devices, provide you with unlocking instructions, or initiate an unlocking request to the device manufacturer — or provide an easily understood explanation of denial — within two business days of receiving an unlock request, or will explain why the wireless service provider reasonably needs additional time to process the request.
Q9: Will I be charged fees to unlock my device?
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