In 2014, President Barack Obama made it legal to unlock your phone from any carrier. But what does that mean, exactly? If your phone is locked, that means it can only be used by one network carrier. If you bought a locked phone while using Verizon but then switched to AT&T, you wouldn't be able to use that phone, even if you changed the SIM card.
As long as you're eligible to unlock your phone, your carrier will provide you with a several-digit code that you can use to unlock your phone. For some carriers, you can visit the carrier website, sign in, and enter your phone's information to retrieve the unlock code. You may need to pay a fee to unlock your phone. Check your carrier's specific phone unlocking policy before you buy a phone to make sure it suits your needs. Exceptions Military personnel that have received orders for international deployment can request to have their device unlocked, as long as they provide deployment verification.
Unlocking your phone from your carrier gives you more freedom. You can go ahead and buy that new phone even though you're not sure if you want to renew your contract with your current carrier.
The process of unlocking your phone can be a little tricky and take several hours, so make sure you double check that your phone is actually locked before you begin. We've broken down the process by wireless carrier for you below:
How to Unlock a Verizon Phone
If you bought a phone with Verizon before spring 2018, there's a good chance your phone is already unlocked. Before then, most Verizon phones were already unlocked. However, a new anti-theft policy means that Verizon is planning to lock future phones.
Verizon is the easiest carrier to unlock your phone. You only need an unlock code. You should try '000000' or '123456.' If those codes don't work, you can call Verizon and request one. If you need help, call its support line at (800) 922-0204.
Can A Carrier Lock An Unlocked Phone Battery
Verizon is a CDMA carrier, meaning it uses different technology than most other carriers. If you're unlocking your Verizon phone to move to a different carrier, double check with your new network to see that your phone will actually work with them. Some phones support both CDMA and GSM while others only support one of the two.
How to Unlock an AT&T Phone
Unlocking an AT&T phone is a little more complicated than unlocking a Verizon phone. To unlock your phone, you have to meet certain requirements. The phone must not have been reported lost or stolen, and it must not have been active on another customer's account.
The first step is submitting an unlock request form with AT&T. You can find all the eligibility rules for unlocking your phone on its website. After you send in the form, AT&T will email you an unlock request number. You have to confirm your request by clicking a link in the email. How to dimension in rhino layout for mac. If you don't click on that within 24 hours, your request will be canceled. You'll get an answer to your request within 2 business days.
If your request was okayed, AT&T will send you instructions on how to unlock your phone. For most devices, you simply power off your phone, insert the new SIM card, power it back on, and input an unlock code. If your request was denied, it doesn't mean you can never unlock your phone. You may have to wait to be able to unlock it and resubmit an unlock request.
How to Unlock a Sprint Phone
Like AT&T, Sprint requires you to meet certain criteria to unlock your phone. And like Verizon, Sprint operates using different technology than most carriers. It's especially important with a Sprint device that you check to see if your device can be unlocked at all or if it will be compatible with a different carrier.
For most phones launched after February 2015, Sprint will automatically unlock your phone when it becomes eligible. To be eligible, your phone must be postpaid. If you use a Sprint Forward phone, you have to contact Sprint Prepaid Customer Care. The number is (855) 639-4644. You also have to reach out to Customer Care if you want to unlock an inactive phone.
If you just want to unlock your phone to use it internationally, Sprint offers short-term unlocks for this purpose. To do it, go to your account online and select the option to unlock and insert an international SIM card.
How to Unlock a T-Mobile Phone
Unlocking a T-Mobile phone is very similar to unlocking an AT&T phone. The company has specific requirements for different types of devices. Prepaid and postpaid devices have different criteria. Be sure to check these requirements before moving forward in unlocking your phone.
Once you know that your phone is eligible to be unlocked, you have a few options on how to do it. You can download the T-Mobile Mobile Unlock app or call T-Mobile Customer Service. With either option, you will receive an unlock code and instructions for your exact device.
Unlocking your phone from your carrier gives you more freedom and control over your cellular plans. Try these steps to get yours unlocked.
Your iPhone might be locked to your carrier. Unlocking your iPhone means that you can use it with different carriers. To contact your carrier and unlock your iPhone, use these steps.
If you don't want to switch carriers and your device is locked because you forgot the passcode, then you don't need to use the steps in this article. Learn how to reset your passcode.
Apple can't unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier. Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone.
Contact your carrier
- Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone. Contact your carrier and request an unlock. Your account might need to meet requirements for unlocking. After you submit the request, it might take a few days to complete. Contact your carrier to check the status of your unlock request.
- After your carrier confirms that they unlocked your iPhone, follow the steps below.
If you have a SIM card from a carrier other than your current carrier
Use these steps to finish unlocking your iPhone:
- Remove your SIM card.
- Insert the new SIM card. Your device will activate.
Can A Carrier Lock An Unlocked Phone Verizon
If you don't have another SIM card to use
Use these steps to finish unlocking your iPhone:
- Back up your iPhone.
- After you make a backup, erase your iPhone.
- Restore your iPhone from the backup you just made.
Get help
You might see this message on your computer or on your iPhone: 'The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported. Only compatible SIM cards from a supported carrier may be used to activate iPhone. Please insert the SIM card that came with your iPhone or visit a supported carrier store.'
Can A Carrier Lock An Unlocked Phone Battery
If you see this message on your device with iOS 14, use these steps:
- Go to Settings > General, and tap About.
- Under Carrier Lock, you should see a message that says 'No SIM restrictions.' If you don't see that message, contact your carrier.
If your device is on iOS 13 or earlier, use these steps:
- Contact your carrier to make sure that they applied the unlock in their system.
- Restore your iPhone to factory settings.
- Restore your iPhone from a backup.
