When you purchase a smartphone, the device is typically locked to the carrier's network. That means the phone can only work with the carrier you bought the phone from, even if it's compatible with another network. If you know how to unlock a Samsung phone, you can use it with your carrier of choice.
Carriers install software on the phone to lock it to their network. If a cell phone is locked, it means it can only be used on that carrier, such as only on Verizon or only on AT&T. If you switch carriers, the phone won't work.
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.
A carrier-imposed “lock” is a software code that prevents your phone from working on another cellular network. With an “unlocked” phone, on the other hand, you can get service with any carrier on a compatible network — and that's just one of the benefits of an unlocked phone.
To access Recovery Mode, you typically need to turn off your device and then press and hold a combination of buttons, such as the power button and volume up button, until the recovery screen appears. From there, you can navigate the menu using the volume buttons and select the factory reset option.
If you can't unlock your phone, you'll need to erase it. Then you can set it up again and set a new screen lock. If you can't sign in to your Google Account, learn how to recover your account.
In some cases, the only thing you need to unlock your phone is a software update your carrier will push to your device, and then you insert the new carrier's SIM card and you're good to go. Or you might need to enter an unlock code provided by your current cell phone company before you can install a new SIM card.
Services like these will typically cost you anywhere from $50 to $150 per unlock code. You only have to unlock your phone once, but each device must be unlocked individually. Once your Galaxy phone is unlocked, you should be able to use SIM cards from any carrier in any country.
If you are a Pay-Monthly customer, who got their phone from O2, and you are still in your contract, you can normally get your Samsung phone unlocked for free. You do need to provide security information about your account and the IMEI number but after about a week it should be unlocked.
Unlocking a Samsung phone when you forget your password involves using the Samsung Find My Mobile feature. This remote management tool by Samsung can help you unlock your phone and reset your password. To use this feature, you must have previously set up a Samsung account and registered your device.
You can ask your provider to unlock your phone. If you're out of your initial phone contract, the company must do this for free. Even if you're still within the contract term, all the major networks should allow you to unlock the device without a fee. Most phone networks ask you to fill in an online form.
The only way a phone becomes permanently locked is if an invalid unlock code has been entered too many times.
wireless phone companies must unlock handsets upon request, without fee, when a consumer purchases a new phone outright (unsubsidized) without a contract; wireless phone companies must unlock handsets upon request, without fee, when a consumer comes to the end of their contract, or at any time thereafter.
The process by which a phone is locked to one carrier is called a SIM lock or network lock.
Your phone has not been paid off in full. You have any past due payments or unpaid balances with your carrier. Your phone is reported lost or stolen. You haven't met their unlocking requirements.
You can use your connected Google account to unlock your phone without a password. The Android Device Manager can help you erase or reset a locked phone.
Yes, it is legal to unlock phones. More importantly, the FCC has mandated that all carriers should unlock phones for their consumers for free if a consumer so desires. That said, you need to know whether your phone can be unlocked. The FCC isn't giving you a free pass to con the carriers.
IPhones do not have an unlock code and the unlock is processed through Apple servers, and does not require a SIM card from another carrier. Android phones require another sim card to trigger the pop up box to enter the unlock code.
Go to the nearest Samsung Service Center. Provide proof of ownership to the service center staff. They are required to verify the ownership before they proceed with any transaction. Request them to unlock your phone.
Unlocked by Samsung lets you pick more than just your new smartphone. You can choose your compatible carrier, data plan, and exclusive ways to purchase with Samsung AccessA and the guaranteed buy-back offer. Buying Unlocked by Samsung on Samsung.com gets you your phone on your terms.
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.