Can anyone use a locked phone?

If the phone is locked, it can be used only on the carrier it's locked to. That could make a big difference to you when you decide to purchase a used phone. Keep in mind that the unlocked phone may not work completely the same on another carrier network because of different technologies.

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Can you use any SIM card in a locked phone?

Is your smartphone (or mobile internet-capable tablet) locked to one single carrier? If so, it's carrier-locked. But what if you want to use a SIM card from another carrier (or network)? The answer is that you'll need to unlock your phone.

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What happens if you put a SIM card in a locked phone?

If the cell phone is locked, it means that it will only work on one specific network. Consequently, if you insert a SIM card that is from a different carrier, it will simply not work.

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Is it possible to unlock a locked phone?

Unlocking your phone isn't hard to do—and it's completely legal—but a little help can go a long way, because the process varies from phone to phone and carrier to carrier. If you didn't make a point of buying an unlocked model when you purchased your phone, it's likely tied to your current network.

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Can you get in trouble for selling a locked phone?

If your phone is locked to a network, it is legal to sell.

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What is an unlocked phone? Tech Talk from The Lab.

36 related questions found

What happens if I buy a locked phone?

There are a couple of benefits to purchasing a locked device. First, it is generally sold at a discounted price. By having you agree to stay on their network, the carrier subsidizes a portion of the cost (or bundles it into your monthly subscription rate). Also, locked phones prevent theft.

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Can a stolen phone be unlocked and used?

Yes.

The IMEI can be found on the back of the mobile phone's box or on the box itself, and it is a 15-digit number. Phones that have been misplaced or stolen might be located using this number. If the carrier has the device's IMEI number, it can unlock it.

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Can you do anything with a locked phone?

When a handset is locked it means it will only work with the provider that you bought it from. If your phone is locked it won't automatically become unlocked when your contract expires with your provider. You'll have to specifically ask your carrier to unlock it.

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Why is it illegal to unlock a phone?

According to the claims of major U.S. wireless carriers, unlocking a phone bought after January 26 without your carrier's permission violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) whether the phone is under contract or not. In a way, this is not as bad as it sounds.

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Does factory reset remove network lock?

Performing a factory reset on a phone returns it to its out-of-box state. All your apps and data are wiped clean and you have to go through the setup process again. If a third party reset the phone, the codes that changed the phone from locked to unlocked are removed.

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Can I still use a locked phone without SIM card?

The short answer, yes. Your Android smartphone will totally work without a SIM card. In fact, you can do almost everything you can do with it right now, without paying a carrier anything or using a SIM card. All you need is Wi-Fi (internet access), a few different apps, and a device to use.

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Can you unlock a phone without the carrier?

Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone. Contact them and request an unlock. After you submit the request, it might take a few days to complete. Contact your carrier to check the status of your request.

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What happens if you take out your SIM card and put it in another phone?

In summary, when you put your SIM card in another phone, the only data that will be transferred is your own phone number and possibly a few text messages and contacts saved on the SIM card. The rest of your data, including photos, videos, and other files, will remain on your old phone.

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Can I just buy a phone and put my SIM card in it?

If you purchase a replacement phone or upgrade to a new unlocked phone, you can take out the SIM card in your old phone and pop it in the new one. If your old SIM is not compatible (size difference) or you are changing carriers, you will need to purchase a new SIM card.

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What is the 16 digit network unlock code?

What Is SIM Network Unlock PIN? SIM Network Unlock Pin (NUP) is a code used to unlock an Android phone or iPhone from its original carrier so that it may be used on other carriers. This code is typically 8 or 16 digits long and is used to unlock a smartphone.

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What does it mean if a phone is locked?

For example, a locked phone might only be able to be used on the T-Mobile or Verizon network. Another thing to know about locked phones is they are locked individually. So, you might have an iPhone or Android device, and your friend has the exact same model, but yours is unlocked and your friends is locked.

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How do you start a locked phone?

Reset your pattern (Android 4.4 or lower only)
  1. After you've tried to unlock your phone multiple times, you'll see "Forgot pattern." Tap Forgot pattern.
  2. Enter the Google Account username and password you previously added to your phone.
  3. Reset your screen lock. Learn how to set a screen lock.

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Can I use apps on a locked phone?

Alocked phone is a phone secured by one or more pieces of software that have two functions: Prevents users from having full access to the phone's code, which limits the kinds of apps that the user can download and use. Prevents users from using a specific mobile device with another carrier.

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Can someone still use a stolen phone?

Even if you have a phone passcode and enabled biometric security (like fingerprint ID), hackers can still gain access to your device. With your phone, thieves can: Make unauthorized purchases using your linked credit cards and Apple or Google Pay. Access your passwords and login information for various accounts.

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Can you factory reset a stolen phone?

Go to your phone's 'Settings' and click 'Android Device Manager' Select 'Allow Remote Lock and Factory Reset' Make sure the 'Remotely Locate This Device' button is clicked.

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What happens if you buy a stolen phone?

In case you buy a second-hand phone and it turns out to be stolen, then you might be jailed. Those found in possession of a stolen mobile phone are booked under Section 411 of the Indian Penal Code (dishonestly receiving stolen property), a non-bailable offence.

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Is it legal to sell a locked iPhone?

Yes, you can sell your locked iPhone – provided you can find a buyer. Most buyback vendors and carriers require activation lock to be disabled before they release payment. However, you can browse or search for your iPhone on Flipsy to find Trust Verified stores that will buy iCloud activation locked iPhones.

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Can you get in trouble for selling a locked iPhone?

Selling an iPhone that has been iCloud-locked is not prohibited. In order to use the phone and fully unlock its functions, you have to be upfront with the person who is buying your phone and make sure they are aware that you can't remember the Apple ID password.

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How long will a phone be locked?

Carriers, upon request, will unlock mobile wireless devices no later than one year after initial activation, consistent with reasonable time, payment, or usage requirements.

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