Newer phones can be purchased as unlocked, and if you are interested in the newer features that they offer, then there is no problem and your phone is not locked. If your old phone works just fine, you may come out cheaper in the long run to just get it unlocked, whether you unlock it yourself or hire someone else to do it.
What Does Unlocked And Locked Mean
There are so many really neat cell phones on the market today compared to say ten years, that you are probably just itching to get out there and get yourself a new super-deluxe model, aren’t you? Or, are you looking for a better deal and do not want to be locked into the same carrier? Maybe your contract has finally expired, and you think there may be some better options out there?
Are you locked in or unlocked with your present phone? First, you need to figure out what locked and unlocked really means. Then, you need to determine if you wish to change your current situation and just how to go about making this change.
Usually, when you purchase a new cell phone, the company that you purchase it from will lock the phone. Company names that you may be familiar with are AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and so on. What locking means to you is that you can only use the phone on their network. Therefore, in order to use the phone on a variety of networks, you would need to have your phone unlocked. This is putting it in simple terms, and you can read more in-depth articles online if you wish.
Unlock/Locking Information Online
The Travel Insider has some great information on GSM cell phone unlocking for FAQ. They are at http://thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorcontent/unlockingfaq.htm. They have links that can provide you with instructions to follow, or they will provide their service for a charge.
Some of their help links are “GSM cell phone unlocking FAQ,” “Unlocking your BlackBerry® GSM phone,” and “Unlock using a Smart SIM overlay card.” There are a great number of help links that you should read for good information. Visit this site for frequently asked questions and answers at http://www.unlockcellphone.com/faq.html. The site at http://www.gsmliberty.net/shop/ offers an easy, reliable, and effective unlocking service.
Steps To Unlock Your Cell Phone
Before you undertake unlocking your cell phone, it is important that you understand that you are taking a risk that it will become “hard-locked.” This term means that your phone is totally locked, and you will never be able to unlock it. This warning is only put before you so you understand the risks that you are taking. If you really do not feel comfortable doing this procedure, then you should locate a free service online or pay somebody who offers the service.
One of the first things to check into, would be to get in touch with your current service provider and simply ask them for the unlock code. If you have had a long-standing relationship with your provider, they may give you the code with no big fuss. Or, if your contract is no longer current or valid, they may not care one way or another about giving you the code.
In many instances, it is easy to change the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card out with another SIM card so you can access another service provider. If that is the case with your particular phone, then that’s great, no big deal, and you are good to go! It may be that just changing out the SIM card will not work with the phone that you have. If that is the case, then there are a number of other options for you to try.
Another method is to download the unlocking software that you can get from your service provider or an online source. The software will generate the unlocking code for you. First, you need to locate the serial number on the cell phone, which can be done in one of two ways.
Remove the back panel of your cell phone and check underneath the battery for the number. The second option is to type in *#06# into your cell, and you should see the serial number come up. Using the instructions and software that you have downloaded into the phone, enter the manufacturer’s name. Slide the card out, re-insert the battery, and power the phone back on. You can find an unlocked cell phone free of charge, but if it does not feel right, then maybe you had better pay for it with an expert.
You should see a message telling you to “insert SIM card.” Next, enter all the characters of your code with no spaces in between and include the # symbols as well. To create a “w” you will need to hit the * key four times. To create a “+,” hit the * key two times. To create a “p,” hit the * key three times. Usually, you only need to enter one code; if this is not the case, you may need to use code “7” (Multilock).
When your code has been accepted, you will see a confirmation something to the effect of “SIM is not restricted” or possibly “Restriction off” message. If you do not get this positive confirmation, then you may have to try another code until you get the proper message.
Unfortunately, if you get a message that says “Cannot undo restrictions,” then your phone is “hard-locked,” and it cannot be unlocked by the code. If this occurs, your best bet is to contact your service provider to see if there is anything that can be done to remedy the situation.
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