Smartphones come locked for good reasons. A ‘SIM locked’ phone means that you can only use a SIM card tied to that specific network. You won’t be able to use other networks as long the phone remains in such a state.
If you’re wondering why phones are confined to a specific provider, it’s because a SIM-locked phone assures carriers that you’ll stick to your contract. The monthly payment you make covers both the device and the service. A locked phone typically lasts from one to two years, after which it’ll be eligible for unlocking so you can explore other network plans.
That’s the case for most brand-new phones, whether it’s running on Android, iOS, or Windows. What if you inherited an older model and you plan on using a different carrier? Well, things might become tricky from here on. Chances are, you may need to do a bit more to make it available for your chosen network.
There’s no reason to fret, as this article has you covered in your quest to unlock your device. You’ll learn how to unlock your phone so you can switch from one carrier to another with ease.
How To Check If Phone Is Unlocked
You can find out if your phone is unlocked in two ways: try putting in a different SIM card or check the phone’s settings.
If you choose the first option, you’d need to power off the phone and use the SIM ejector (or a pin) to remove your current SIM and replace it with another one. Turn the phone on and try to make a call. If it doesn’t go through, then the phone is SIM locked.
If you don’t have another SIM on hand, you can check it by opening Settings. Tap Mobile Data> Mobile Data Options, then look for Mobile Data Network (or Cellular Data Network). If you don’t see one, then the phone is still locked.
How To Unlock Phone
If your phone is SIM-locked, you can follow the steps below to get it unlocked. If you’d like to skip it altogether, you can unlock your phone at officialsimunlock.com to save you the trouble.
- Contact Your Network Provider
If you obtained your phone through a network plan, it’ll usually unlock after you finish your contract. Depending on your carrier, this can be anywhere from one to two years. Some carriers, for instance, assure users that any device purchased after a certain date, is automatically unlocked after 18 months. Should you decide to unlock your phone while still on contract, they can unlock it for a minimal fee. You’d need to wait for 72 hours for them to unlock your device.
In certain cases, you need to use their online unlocking form to avail of the service. It takes the provider 72 hours to complete the process, but the good news is that it’s free of charge.
Some carriers use an online form that requires you to input your personal and phone details. You may need to back up your data or transfer files to a cloud storage app before they can proceed restoring and unlocking your phone.
For some carriers, you need to use their app or use their live chat to request a free phone unlock. They usually send a text message to confirm the unlock.
- Find Your IMEI
Crucial to your phone’s network switch is knowing its IMEI number or International Mobile Equipment Identity. This acts as your phone’s ID, and it is helpful not just for unlocking used phones but for future repairs as well. You can access this 15-digit number by dialing *#06#. Network providers often require the IMEI number to perform phone unlocks, so make sure you have this ready when contacting them or filling out a request form.
- Backup Your Phone
Don’t get too excited when your carrier confirms the unlock since you’d need to make sure you get to keep your data (photos, videos, etc.) before you change networks. Backing up your phone is a good idea since it ensures that you can recover your data after the reset. You can back up your phone using cloud storage apps like Dropbox and Google Drive.
- Reset And Restore
Once you’re done with the backup, you can go ahead and reset your phone to its factory settings. It’s in a clean slate, and you restore your previous data to your phone once again. You can also use secret codes to unlock additional features that may come in handy.
How To Change To A Network
Finishing all the steps above brings you to the ultimate purpose of the unlock process—that is, to switch networks. At this point, you can now test if contacting your carrier or using a third-party service for unlocking your phone worked.
Press the power button to turn off the device. Use the sim card tool or a paper clip to remove the SIM card. Replace it with a new SIM from your preferred network into the card slot. Reinsert the SIM card holder into the phone. Power on your phone and try to make a call. If it goes through, then you’ve completed your unlock and network switch journey!
Alternately, you can switch the SIM card step and choose to reset your phone instead. Just run the setup assistant or go to settings and restore your phone from a backup. You can then put in a new SIM, and you should be good to go.
Take Away
So, there you have it: a few simple steps on how you can unlock your phone and switch networks. Contacting your network provider is the first step, and depending on your carrier, you can use this service for free or with a charge. They can also ask you to fill in an online request form in which you’ll need the IMEI number of your device along with other personal information.
Alternately, you can always use a legitimate third-party unlocking service to save you from all the hassle. Just remember to back up your phone so you can reclaim all your data and enjoy your service of choice after your phone is restored.
