Have you purchased a smartphone that you’re considering unlocking? It’s not difficult to accomplish this and, contrary to popular opinion there’s no need to spend money to unlock it.
I’ve needed to unlock I’ve had to unlock a several phones. In the beginning, I had to do it using two Verizon phones I owned in the past, as well as an AT&T smartphone. It’s possible to say that I’m an expert on this issue. Therefore, I’ve taken a thorough look at it for you.
What is the cost to unlock a phone?
You don’t need to shell out one cent. All wireless providers have agreed to unlock eligible phones no cost, compatible to the Federal Communications Commission decision in 2013.
However, whether or not you’ll be able to accomplish this will depend on whether you meet certain requirements.
Let’s discuss them in the following paragraphs:
How Can You Unlock A Verizon Phone?
Verizon does not lock its devices forever. Smartphones that are newly purchased are connected to Verizon for up to 60 days. Yes, this applies to both prepaid and postpaid devices. After 60 days have expired the lock is instantly taken off.
If you’re a military personnel, you’d be exempt from this time-frame. It’s easy to contact to the Verizon hotline and request that they unlock your device at any time you’d like. The majority of other carriers offer the same thing as you’ll learn later .
How Can You Unlock Your Phone locked to AT&T?
As compared to Verizon unlocking the AT&T phone is a bit more effort. It is, however, cost-free, however you have to satisfy some prerequisites first:
- Have a smartphone that operates on AT&T’s network
- If you are a customer with an instalment agreement or plan, the contract should be completely paid off with early termination fees if are currently a customer
- Have a smartphone that hasn’t yet been reported as stolen, or has been implicated in fraud instances
- You own a mobile phone that is not linked or linked to another AT&T customers account
- If you’re together a postpaid account it has to be active for a period of 60 days and there is no balance due. If you’re with the prepaid phone it has to be in use for at minimum 6 months
- Get the permission of your company for together phones for business use
- You must be within 30-days of unlockeding your phone If you’ve upgraded your phone early earlier.
You’re exempt from most of these restrictions in the case of military personnel. All you need to do is send the AT&T team with your request, together with your permanent or temporary transfer of station.
If you’re a non-military civilian and you’ve met the above requirements, then what are you supposed to do?
- Go to the AT&T website
- Fill in the form to unlock your device
- You should wait for the confirmation link within 24 hours, there will be directions on how to unlock the device.
Visit at AT&T unblock status webpage to check the status of your request. Contacting their support line can benefit.
If you’re curious the answer, there’s no limit to unlocking. You’ll be able make requests for unlocking for as many times as you would like.
How Can You Unlock A Sprint Phone that is locked? Phone?
Before I begin make sure to keep in mind that printing devices are locked together CDMA technology. You will not be able to connect it to GSM network providers after you unlock the device, which happens as the most popular.
But, all unlock-capable domestic phones launched following Sprint joined with T-Mobile will automatically unlock when they are eligible. This is a good thing at the very least.
In order to be considered eligible for the program, you’ll have to satisfy the following criteria:
- Have an iPhone from Sprint with a domestic SIM unlock-able
- Your phone should not be involved in any type of fraud, or was reported as stolen or lost.
- You need to maintain a credit card in good standing. Also, there must be no outstanding balances
- Your device should be active for at least 40 days.
If you’re a part in the US military, you’re exempt from the majority of the above-mentioned requirements. You’ll need only an account that is in good standing. All you have to do is dial the carrier’s contact line and request that they open your phone. The line is available all over the world. You’ll need to favor evidence of your deployment.
Unlocking a device which is currently unlocked is also possible. Sprint allows you to do this by calling their customer support line. Keep in mind that you’ll need to force an update over the air first.
How do you unlock T-Mobile’s Phone?
T-Mobile is among the most well-known carrier networks all over the world. unlocking your device with T-Mobile would be simple. However, as with all unlocks you must satisfy a few prerequisites first:
- Are you together a phone that’s part of T-Mobile (or through Metro (which was their name before)
- You must possess an active device for at minimum 180 consecutive days
- The 180-day period must have completed based on the phone’s activation date if the phone is a warranty replacement device.
Military personnel are able to skip the 180-day requirement for service. T-Mobile will require you to bring evidence of your service by submitting the documents you used to be deployed.
How do you unlock a Boost Cell Phone?
Boost does not unlock automatically devices, neither will they let you know when you’re eligible to unlock. You’ll need monitor this on your own.
It is necessary to verify whether you meet the requirements Then, call their hotline to have the door unlocked
- You own an active SIM mobile that can be unlocked by Boost Mobile
- Have a phone that hasn’t been reported stolen
- Do you have a smartphone that is not marked as unlockable
- You own a handset that’s been in use for at least one year
- You must have an Boost Mobile account that is in good standing
Again the active military personnel are not subject to the regulations above. All they need to do is provide their papers of deployment to the carrier to prove their status. This is an extra benefit families of military personnel sharing the same account can have their phones unlocked, too. However, their account has to be in good standing.
Similar to Sprint remember this: Boost Mobile also uses CDMA technology to unlock their locks. It isn’t possible to use GSM/LTE phones after unlocking.
What can Third-Party companies do to help?
You can also use a third party firm to unlock it also. The majority of people agree that working with such businesses is superior to contacting service providers since there are fewer obstacles. I’d say I say yes. Be aware that you’ll be charged a fee.
In essence, these businesses can provide special codes you can purchase. It is necessary to provide them your IMEI number before you can purchase but.
Here’s the simplest method of determining your IMI number:
- You can turn off your mobile phone
- Make a pin, then remove your SIM tray from your SIM card.
- Check the tray until discover your IMEI’s number.
Now:
What is the significance of your IMEI number so important? It will inform companies that the device isn’t stolen. They will not be helping you with something illegal.
The cost you pay for unlocking the code is contingent on the brand of your phone. Here are some typical prices:
- Apple phones: $32
- Samsung: $25
- Motorola: $23
- Nokia: $18
There are a lot of companies that unlock their doors so choosing the excellent one to partner with is a challenge. Be sure to select a company that has an excellent reputation. Reviewing customer feedback will benefit.
How Can You Repair Errors after Locking Your iPhone?
Sometimes, the “SIM Card Inserted in this iPhone Doesn’t appear to be supported” error message will occur after unlocking. The first thing to check is the status of your device’s lock. While you might believe that it’s locked however, it’s not.
Everything you have to do is:
- Open Settings > General
- Click on the About
- Scroll down until you can see your Carrier Lock section
- Click the button”No SIM Restrictions. If you aren’t able to see it, your device remains locked.
If you’ve realized that your phone isn’t locked there are a number options to consider. They’re fairly comprehensive and include options like factory resets as well as entering the recovery mode.
1. Force Restart
Force-restarting refers to shutting down all processes in operation to fix the problem you’re facing. It’s like a normal reboot, but with more extensive. It’s perfect for small glitches.
The force restart procedure varies according to the iPhone model.
Here’s how to use models that have Face ID, along with the SE 2nd generation or 8:
- Release the Volume Up button.
- Release and press the Volume Down button.
- Continue to hold your Side button down until you see the Apple logo appears.
7, 7 Plus
- Hold and press both the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
6S and older models:
- Continue to hold your Power as well as Home keys until the phone’s screen goes back to normal.
2. Factory Reset iPhone
Be aware that you’ll lose all personal data. It is essential to backup your data prior to. iOS is wiped to remove any glitch that could be the cause of the error.
Here’s how to back up:
- Select Settings. ICloud account
- Tap Backup Now
Follow the steps below to reset the factory settings:
- Access Settings, General and Transfer, or Reset the iPhone. Reset
- Select Erase All Content and Settings
- Tap to confirm
Your device will look and feel like new after you’re finished. ready to take some time preparing your device following the completion of the project, but.
3. In Recovery Mode, you can start
Recovery mode can be described as reseting factory settings but is much more extensive. You will lose all personal information. Save your files in advance.
Also:
Restarting the computer can be risky if you are disconnected midway. Avoid this option unless you are prepared to fix a lot of issues.
Here’s how you can enter Recovery mode:
- Start iTunes on your PC (should be up-to-date)
- Connect your mobile device to your computer’s USB port.
- Shut down all programs that is running at the moment, as they may hinder the process of recovery.
- You’ll now need to press a few buttons based on the phone model you have.
- iPhones that have Face ID Use the volume up button followed by the Volume Down button, too. Do not let them go till the screen for recovery appears.
- 7 , 7 Plus Continue Holding the Power and Volume Down buttons. Let go when you can see the recovery screen pop up.
- 6S SE (2nd 6S, SE (2nd) and older models Hold and press the Power and Home buttons simultaneously and release both when you’re able to are able to see the bootup logo
- Choose Restore iPhone to confirm.
Remember to never unplug midway. This could lead to all kinds of problems. The entire process should take approximately 15 minutes.
4. Use Repair Software
If even using recovery mode can help You can test together Repair software. They’re similar but are much more extensive. Most repair software doesn’t cause any loss of data either.
There are many alternatives available. I’ve gone over how to make use of a personal favorite below : UltFone:
- Visit the Ultfone website.
- Click the Download button on the mainpage.
- Download the program
- Then wait for it to be installed
- Attach the USB port of your iPhone directly to the computer’s USB port.
- Choose Repair Operating System
- Make sure to click Fix Now for confirmation.
- Download the firmware that displays.
5. DFU Mode
Finally, you can go into DFU Mode. This is reserved for the most difficult software issues. Keep in mind that disconnecting halfway can cause mistakes.
Here’s how:
- Run iTunes on your PC
- Make sure to connect your phone’s USB port with your PC’s USB port.
- Follow the buttons below based on the iPhone mode:
- iPhones that have Face ID: Put your thumb on the Power Off button for about 5 seconds. Then, you’ll need to begin holding that Volume down key. Hold them for approximately 10 minutes. Release the Power button and continue holding that Volume down button five additional minutes.
- 7.7 and 7 plus : Press and hold the Power button and the Home button simultaneously. Repeat this for approximately 10 seconds.)
- 6S SE (first generation) and older models: Press Hold the power button. Then, place your fingers on the Home button. Release the Power button, but continue holding the Home button about 5 seconds.
- Find your device on iTunes
- Select Restore.
Final Thoughts
Android phones that are locked to cell phone providers can be removed easily without the need to pay fees. However, you’ll have to satisfy a few prerequisites.
Also, you should be aware that once you have an unlocked device that you may not be able to utilize it on all carriers.
Hope you found my guide to unlocking your phone helpful.
