Generally, we seldom bother to learn about the words SIM lock, but when we do, it is usually when a SIM lock is bothering us in the following circumstances:
Want to switch to a new network provider before the contract with the original provider is up;
Need to use the mobile phone in a different country.
If you need to insert SIM card from other carrier, you have to bypass iPhone SIM lock. After it’s done, you are free to switch to any carrier worldwide and use the plan which meets your needs the.
Simply click on the My Account tab, pick your phone from the resulting list, and select Unlock device to use int’l SIM from the Manage this device drop-down menu. If you’d rather have a Sprint rep.
Restart the phone and if the new SIM card is not detected and the phone requests a unlock code or 'SIM Network Unlock PIN', your phone is locked. After you have verified that your phone is locked, you can try to remove the SIM lock via two simple methods. Contact Your Carriers to Unlock the Phone. Most carriers offer unlocking service for their.
If these sound like your case, then you don't want to miss this post, which is going to explain to you what a SIM lock is and how to unlock your mobile phones for any SIM card in simple methods.
What A SIM Lock Is
A SIM lock, simlock, network lock or subsidy lock, whatever you call it, is a restriction imposed by mobile phone manufacturers to GSM mobile phones, which limits the network use of the phone to specific countries or networks. In the U.S., Sprint, Verizon and U.S. Cellular use CDMA while AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM.( So normally mobile phones bought from Sprint or Verizon are network unlocked.)
How to Unlock Your Mobile Phones
Before getting your phone unlocked, please make sure that your phone is really locked:
Power off your phone, take the SIM card out from the phone and replace it with a SIM card of other carrier.
Restart the phone and if the new SIM card is not detected and the phone requests a unlock code or 'SIM Network Unlock PIN', your phone is locked.
After you have verified that your phone is locked, you can try to remove the SIM lock via two simple methods.
Contact Your Carriers to Unlock the Phone
Most carriers offer unlocking service for their users, but users have to meet certain requirements to access the service. Different carriers may have different unlocking policy, but they share somethings in common. For example, users should have service commitments and installment plans completed and all early termination fees paid in full. So if your plan hasn't been completed and you want to skip the early termination fee, the method 2 might fit you better.
Android SIM Unlock on Android Data Recovery
Android Data Recovery provides SIM unlock tool, which spares you the troubles of negotiating with your carriers and allows you to unlock your mobile phone in a few click within ten minutes. Now give it try and download the free trial version of the program.
How To Unlock Android Phone To Use Any Sim Card
Step 1 Navigate to Android SIM Unlock
Launch Android Data Recovery on your computer, Choose 'More Tools' > 'Android SIM Unlock' . Then use USB cable to connect your phone to computer, if your phone is supported by the program, you see 'Model matched successfully'. Click 'Next to continue.
Step 2 Follow Instructions to Unlock Your Phone
You'll then be leaded to the instruction page, follow the instructions on the program to input codes in phone dialer and set your phone. Then click 'Unlock' button.
Step 3 Wait for the Unlocking to Complete
The program will begin to remove the SIM lock on your phone. Wait patiently and once it is finished, you will see 'Unlocked successfully' message on the program. Then you can insert other SIM card in your phone and see how it work.
Currently, the program mainly works for Samsung phones, including Samsung Galaxy Note 1, Note 2, Note Edge, Note 4, Note 4 Edge, Note 5, S2, S3, S3 Mini, S3 Triband, S4, S4 Triband, S4 Active, S4 Mini, S5, S5 Mini, S5 Active, S5 Spor, S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge Plus, S7, S7 Edge and more.
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Most new smartphones under a telecommunications subscription contract are usually locked for a given duration. This agreement limits the owner or user to a single mobile carrier or network. By unlocking your phone and removing the tether to that specific carrier, you can then use different mobile networks’ SIM cards with the phone.
Unlocking a smartphone requires special tools and a certain degree of expertise. This is why most people opt to have their phones unlocked by experts.
What To Do To Unlock Your Phone
If you’ve been searching for ways to unlock your phone, you may be frustrated by all the time and effort it takes to figure out how to open one. If you have the right tools or contact professionals who could do this particular service, you can indeed free your phone in as little as five minutes.
Here are a few guidelines if you want to explore the process of unlocking your phone:
1. Ascertain That Your Phone Hasn’t Already Being Unlocked
Some carriers that sell phone line subscriptions attached to the latest gadget models sometimes don’t inform customers outright that the phone they’re purchasing is open-line. Sometimes, there’s an assumption that their locking or unlocking information is a given, but customers sometimes don’t know these details. Thus, you need to make sure that your phone isn’t already unlocked before trying to find ways to jailbreak it. It would save you time, money, and stress to find out early.
The easiest way to check if your phone is locked is through the SIM cards. Open your unit’s SIM card holder and try using another SIM card from another carrier with your phone. If you notice that your phone shows little or no cell signal or if you can’t make calls or send text messages, then the phone is undoubtedly locked. Once you’re 100% sure of it, you can now figure out how to reverse it.
2. Unlocking Your Phone Exploring Various Ways
There are many ways to unlock your phone, but you’re going to need a device with a SIM card slot and the right kind of tool. You should also consider the country or region in which your phone is locked. For example, if your phone is tied to a cellular service provider, you are locked into that particular carrier for as long as your lock-in contract with them doesn’t expire. If you want to use your phone anywhere else, you’ll have to get a different cellular service provider.
However, you can still unlock your phone tied to a carrier and use it with any SIM card. Here are a few ways to explore your options:
Information From The Carrier On How To Unlock Your Phone
If your phone is locked, your mobile carrier will most likely provide information on how you can jailbreak the device, provided you meet the requirements. Often, once the lock-in contract expires, you’re free to use the phone using any carrier as there’s an automatic unlocking done. Some networks offer the phones on an installment payment basis, and they impose a lock-in period for as long as the payment isn’t completed yet. Other carriers also have varying unlocking schemes when prepaid services are concerned.
Since different carriers have varying guidelines, you’ll need to go to your carrier’s website or chat with their customer service to find out the specific steps they require. Once you understand the mechanics, you’ll be able to discover how to open your phone eventually.
Unlocking Your Phone By Yourself
If you can’t get your phone unlocked directly through the gadget manufacturer or carrier, you can use a small device called a SIM unlocker to open your phone. This piece of hardware can be bought at a local cell service provider or on the internet.
With this invention, you simply plug it into your phone, turn it on, and insert the appropriate code to unlock your phone. The best thing about using a SIM unlocker is that it’s easy to use; you don’t have to sweat it out before you get your device unlocked. Also, you can get the phone unlocked from whatever region. If you successfully open the unit with it, you’re no longer tied to your cellular provider. You have to understand, though, that not all phones can be unlocked with this device—it’s a hit and miss thing.
You can also glean information online about how you can unlock your phone by yourself. Some can direct you on how to use special apps and software to unlock your device.
Using A Professional Unlocking Service
If you can’t wait for the duration specified by your phone’s operator and you can’t unlock it by yourself either, consult an expert like Official Sim Unlock to get your phone unlocked.
Although many sites provide information on how to unlock phones, some instructions might not be in-depth enough to guide you. Even the most detailed ones might be too complicated for you to understand if you aren’t much of a techie. So, at this juncture, getting an expert to help unlock your phone would be your best option.
Most phone jailbreaking providers offer their services at affordable prices. The cost is dependent on diverse factors, such as the phone’s brand, type of carrier, and location (whether local or international).
Another Alternative
People frequently complain about trying to unlock their phones without realizing that not all new phones come locked. If you know you can’t deal with this unlocking stress, you should search for newly launched phones that come unlocked right from the manufacturer and buy those instead. Note that not all brands or models have this option, though. Some tech companies do lock-in deals with certain carriers for specific models, so you might want to shop for another model instead of the one you’re eyeing.
How To Unlock Phone To Use Any Sim Cards
Conclusion
Unlocking a locked phone—also known as jailbreaking—to use the unit with any service provider used to be forbidden, even labeled as a crime back in the late ‘90s. However, thanks to the 2014 law called Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, opening phones became a legal act.
Still, there are certain restrictions and provisions of unlocking a phone, depending on the telecommunications carrier you chose to patronize. Make sure to research their respective guidelines on unlocking and follow the tips above for further guidance.