Unlocked Cell Phones
"I want to switch to another mobile provider, but I love my current phone and don't want to buy a new one. How can I unlock my phone so it will work on any cellular network?" |
Why Unlock a Cell Phone?
Why doesn't a cell phone work with any carrier, and not just the one from which you got the phone? Well, the company probably gave you the phone, or sold it to you at less than the carrier paid for it. So you got a great deal on a wonderful piece of technology and the mobile provider feels you owe it loyalty in return. So it gave you a phone that is programmed to work only with the SIM card that ties you to the carrier. The phone is "locked" to that one carrier.
Or maybe you didn't get a great bargain, but the carrier locked your phone anyway, to make it worthless if you decide to switch carriers.
Either way, consumers would like the freedom to switch carriers without getting new phones, obviously. You may move to an area where your current carrier's service is not as reliable or high-quality as another's, temporarily or permanently. While in that area, you'd like to use another carrier.
That should be as simple as switching the phone's SIM card - a small electronic gadget about the size of a postage stamp, which your phone uses to connect to mobile carrier network.
But not if the phone is locked. That's why some consumers want unlocked cell phones. And there are several ways to get an unlocked phone.
How to Unlock Your Cell Phone
First, ask your carrier to unlock your locked phone. Some will do so, especially after your initial contract period expires. Often, a carrier will want to charge you a fee to unlock your phone. Sometimes you can get that fee waived if you convince the carrier its in its best interest to do so. "Unlock this thing or I won't renew my contract with you," in other words.
Second, buy an unlocked phone from a non-carrier vendor. The drawback is that you will probably pay full retail price for it. But you'll be able to use that phone with just about any carrier's SIM card.
The third method is a bit risky. You can unlock many phones yourself without your carrier's knowledge or cooperation. The risk is that your phone may not work at all once it's unlocked, or work imperfectly with other carriers. And even though unlocking your phone is legal, some providers may void your warranty if you do so. It's best to check first…
You can unlock your phone using software hacks downloaded online or pay a third-party service that, presumably, knows what it's doing to unlock your phone for you. Both free and paid unlocking applications are available for specific phones and carriers. A bit of googling will show you a variety of websites that offer unlocking information. But you get what you pay for; some of these hacks can turn your phone into a useless brick, and some may contain hidden software that turns your phone into a spammer's slave.
If you have satisfactory service in your area and don't travel widely, you may not need an unlocked cell phone. But if you want to change carriers and don't want to pay for another phone, or if you have to have multiple carriers to maintain quality coverage during your travels, then an unlocked phone is the way to go. The safest bet is to pay the fee for professional third-party unlocking.
Not All Phones Can Be Unlocked
Before you try to unlock your phone, there's an important caveat you should be aware of. Not all cell phones can be unlocked. In fact, only phones that are GSM-based can be unlocked, because they're the only ones that have SIM cards. Phones that are CDMA-based cannot be unlocked. It doesn't matter much what the acronyms stand for, as long as you know which type of phone you have.
If you live in the USA, you'll probably have to go with AT&T, Cingular or T-Mobile to find a GSM-based phone. Most other US-based mobile providers, such as Verizon, Sprint and Nextel DO NOT offer GSM phones, so phones from these carriers cannot be unlocked. Outside the USA, your chances of being able to unlock your phone are better, since GSM is standard in most parts of the world.
Got something to say about unlocked mobile phones? Post your comment or question below…
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Posted by Bob Rankin on 3 Jan 2010
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Article information: AskBobRankin -- Unlocked Cell Phones (Posted: 3 Jan 2010)
Source: http://askbobrankin.com/unlocked_cell_phones.html
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Most recent comments on "Unlocked Cell Phones"
(See all 17 comments for this article.)Posted by:
Jenny
07 Jan 2010
Well what I am wondering about is: can I take a GSM phone (I would like an iphone) and get it unlocked, and have it work in a CDMA area? I only have Alltel and Verizon networks where I live.
EDITOR'S NOTE: As far as I know, you just CAN'T buy an iPhone without getting the AT&T service plan. And a GSM phone can't be used on a CDMA network.
Posted by:
pat
08 Jan 2010
Actually, like all software driven devices, ALL cell phones can be unlocked. It's just a matter of putting in the proper codes. If your carrier won't unlock your phone, go to an "agent" (ie, independent) location and 99 times out of a hundred, someone there will have the unlock codes and will get you free in a few minutes. I know, because I AM an agent.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Ummm, an agent of what?
Posted by:
Barry Stephens
03 Feb 2010
I travel in Mexico and USA. I use ATT&T GSM cell phone. I have 4 months left on current contract. My Question; Can I unlock my phone - buy a sim card from local Mexico area - return to USA and reinsert ATT sim card and use again in the USA. Then 2 months later, return to Mex and reinstert the Mex sim card and use that one again~??
EDITOR'S NOTE: Sounds like it should work to me.
Posted by:
Marcy Wiggins
07 Feb 2010
I bought a T-Mobile Blackberry 8520 and had it unlocked. I put My AT&T sim card in and it worked for texting and phone service. But the internet does not work. No email or browser at all. How can I configure the phone to connect to AT&T Media Net? I wanted this phone for the email and internet.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Do you have a data/internet plan with AT&T? If so, contact them and ask why it's not working.
Posted by:
Rhys Syme
06 Apr 2010
Along the lines of Barry Stephens' comment Feb 3rd I have two cell phones one for Rogers and one for British Tel. Would a dual sim phone solve the duplication problem? I hate leaving the hotel in London only to find it is my Rogers phone in my pocket not BTs'.
Posted by:
Debra
25 Jun 2010
I have been a Sprint Customer for Years but Verizon has a new phone I have fallen in LOVE with! The Kin 1 is everything I need and want....small, compact and durable...it just fits me! But it is only offered through Verizon. If I purchased an unlocked Kin 1, could I still stay with Sprint or would I have to start all over again wih a new Carrier? I am happy with Sprint but would be MUCH happier with this phone!
Am awaiting your advice...and placing calls to see if Sprint can support the software required...
Posted by:
Justin
09 Jul 2010
Great info Bob,
To those that need a bit of help with unlocking their phones I suggest looking at the guides over at free-cell-phone-unlock.com. It's where I have unlocked my Samsung and a few motos.
Posted by:
S.M
18 Jul 2010
Question-I have AT&T with a 3G sim card but I no longer have a data plan.I want to buy a Samsung i637 Jack. I am getting different answers from everybody.
1.If I use a AT&T phone and use my sim card,will a data plan automatically be added?
2.If I use a unlocked Samsung i637 with my sim card will a data plan automatically be added?
Note:I have ATT with a 3G sim card (NO data plan).
I may want to change carriers later.
Thanks for your help
Posted by:
Sam Konadu
03 Aug 2010
Dear Sir/Madam,
My son bought and brought me a Nokia C3 phone from the UK. I have the receipt etc with me.
I tried to use it in Ghana but I could not do so. I went to the offices of Vodafone in Ghana to get them help me to use it in Ghana. I was told that they do not do unlocking/decoding in Ghana.
What can I do to use the phone in Ghana? Vodafone is my service provider in Ghana and that is why I went in for the Nokia C3. The details on the receipt are as follows:
NOKIA C3 GREY PAYG f70.00
IMEI : 351984040580722
Payg Upgrade
CTN 07585354701
Manual SIM Swap
Your Salesperson was: JAY
22/07/10 13:13 060954 0031 0263
Please I am standing by to hear from you on what to do to be able to use my phone in Ghana.
Please give me detailed instructions on steps to take to be able to use the phone.
Thank you.
Samuel Konadu
Posted by:
Andy Smallman
01 Aug 2011
I'm just back from a year in France. I paid big money to have cell service, and used the carrier Orange. My contract included a free phone that would be eligible to be unlocked after 6 months. I got the Nokia E71. Unfortunately, when Orange tried to unlock it, they messed up the code multiple times. Now the phone is hard-locked. My understanding is that the only way to unlock it is to have somebody hack into it. I'm back in the states and want to use this phone but can't unless I get it unlocked. Can you help me? Thanks!