Best Way to Unlock Your Android

If you want to change networks, why buy another phone while you can unlock the current one to work with all networks? Unlocking a phone makes it possible to use the same phone with all networks or even when traveling abroad. One important thing that you must note is that SIM unlocking is not illegal. However, you require the assistance of the service provider. The following is the best way to unlock your Android smartphone or tablet.

Best Way to Unlock Your Android

Establish whether your phone is locked

Many companies lock their phones to keep clients tied to them or make it difficult to migrate. If you bought the handset from a carrier, there are high chances that it is already locked to their networks. Main companies such as T-Mobile and AT&T are always locked phones to their networks. However, if you buy a phone from Amazon or eBay, it will always be unlocked so that you can use it with the network of choice. Notably, some of companies such as Verizon and Sprint do not sell phones locked to their networks. However, this does not mean that such phones will always work with different networks.

Using the carrier to unlock the phone

This is the best way to open the phone to use any SIM. When phone network companies lock phones, they maintain secret codes that have to be used to open the handset to other networks. To have the phone company unlock your phone, follow this procedure:

• Review and meet all the carrier requirements: Every carrier has a set of rules that clients have to follow before having their phones unlocked. Most of them will require that you must have used the line actively for a specific period. Besides, they will always insist that your phone must be fully cleared if it was bought through a contract. If you meet the respective carrier’s requirements, they will not hesitate to help you unlock the phone.
• Make a formal request to the carrier for SIM unlock: After meeting all the outlined requirements, make a formal request to the company to get a reference number and then wait for a reply. The carrier will give you an unlocking code that you are required to use on the phone.
• Use the unlock code and reboot the phone: Most unlocking codes require you to insert the SIM of the new network and turn the phone on. The phone will ask you to input the code provided by the previous carrier, and it will be unlocked to operate on any network. For all the new settings to take effect, make sure to reboot the phone again.

Using paid service to unlock the phone

If you find it difficult to follow the outlined procedure for unlocking the phone, consider using a paid service. Some companies buy unlock codes from network companies and resell to the public at a higher price.

Though the process of unlocking will be the same to the DIY procedure, they are experienced and complete it faster. However, the code you are given might require a different procedure to have the phone unlocked completely.

Always remember to establish whether your phone will be compatible with the network you want to migrate to. Besides, you should compare the terms of service, network coverage, and customer satisfaction from the new network before migrating.

 

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