Question 1

Why should I unlock my phone ?

Accepted Answer

Unlocking your cell phone has multiple benefits : It increases the resell value and marketability of your phone by not restricting the resell to a specific carrier, it allows the handset to work worldwide (See What networks are compatible with my phone ?), it eliminates roaming charges by allowing you to switch to a local carrier in the local region.

Question 2

Is it Legal to unlock my phone ?

Accepted Answer

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, introduced an exemption on November 27, 2006 specifically permitting unlocking of cellular devices. The exemption was scheduled to expire on October 27, 2009, but was extended on an interim basis, because the Register of Copyrights had not yet completed its triennial review of DMCA exemptions. In July 2010, the Librarian of Congress extended the DMCA exemption for another 3 years.

Question 3

Why is my phone locked ?

Accepted Answer

When the purchase price of the mobile phone to the consumer is subsidized with revenue from subscriptions, operators must recoup this investment before a subscriber terminates service. In order to secure their investments, GSM network providers implements a software feature called SIM Lock on the handset to prevent usage outside their network. Such subsidies are worth more than several hundred US dollars and in that's why carriers also charge an early termination fee; another form to recoup the subsidy investment.

Question 4

How do I know my phone is locked ?

Accepted Answer

Insert a SIM Card from a different carrier than the one your handset is using. When power up is complete the handset will display a message like those below if it SIM locked :

- Enter Subsidy Code
- Enter Unlock Code
- Incorrect Sim Card
- Insert Correct Sim Card
- Invalid Smart Chip
- Phone Restricted
- Sim Network Unlock Code
- Sim Network Unlock Pin
- Special Code Required
- Wrong Sim Card
- Network Lock Control Key
- Sim Password
- Incompatible Sim
- Enter Subsidy Pin

Question 5

What is a phone SIM lock ?

Accepted Answer

It is a software capability built into GSM phones by mobile phone manufacturers. Network providers use this to restrict the use of these phones to specific countries and network providers.

Question 6

What is a phone unlock code ?

Accepted Answer

An Unlock Code is a numeric string. When entered into a locked handset it releases the SIM lock restriction and allows the handset to be used on other GSM carriers.

Question 7

What is an IMEI ?

Accepted Answer

The IMEI (i.e. International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is used by a GSM network to identify devices attempting to connect to them and therefore can be used for stopping a stolen phone from accessing that network. It's only used for identifying the device and has no permanent or semi-permanent relation to the subscriber. The IMEI number includes information on the origin, model, and serial number of the device.

IMEI = 14 digits + 1 Check Digit
IMEISV = 14 digits + 2 Digit Software Version Number
IMEI + SV = 14 digits + 1 Check Digit + 2 Digit Software Version Number

The format of the IMEI is AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D, (15 Digits) although it may not always be displayed this way. The IMEISV drops the Luhn CD (i.e. Check Digit) in favour of an additional two digits for the SVN (i.e. Software Version Number), making the format AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-EE. The IMEI+SV incorporates both the check digit and the additional two digits for the Software Verison Number, making the format AA-BBBBBB-CCCC

Question 8

Where do I find the IMEI # ?

Accepted Answer

On many devices, the IMEI number can be retrieved by entering *#06#, or is located in the battery compartment.

Android : Settings --> About Phone
Blackberry : Options --> Status
iOS : Settings --> General --> About
Sony Ericsson (New Devices) : Options --> status.
Sony Ericsson (Old Devices) : Dial * Right * Left Left * Left

Question 9

What is a phone SIM card ?

Accepted Answer

SIM (i.e. Subscriber Identity Module) card is one of the key features of GSM. It is a detachable smart card containing the user's subscription information and phone book. This allows the user to retain his or her information after switching handsets.

Question 10

What ARE results of unlocking a phone ?

Accepted Answer

An Unlock Code will SIM Unlock the handset from the original locked network, to be used on other GSM networks. (See What Networks are compatible with my phone ?)

Question 11

What are NOT results of unlocking a phone ?

Accepted Answer

Unlocking will NOT add frequency bands for usage on CDMA / IDEN networks, give customer free services (e.g. Internet, Talk, Text, Roaming, Ringtones), remove Lost / Stolen Ban, remove user passwords from SIM card or handset (See What is a PUK Code ?), void your Warranty.

Question 12

Phone shows 'unregistered SIM', what should I do?

Accepted Answer

By process of elimination you should be quickly able to narrow down the cause to either a locked/defective phone, or a faulty SIM. If the issue appears to be a faulty SIM visit your neared network provider store to get a replacement SIM Card. If your phone displays this message then try resetting your mobile, turn your mobile off, remove the battery, and ensure your SIM is securely in place. Turn your mobile on again. If you still get this message try your SIM in another working phone - if the SIM works fine in another phone then the issue may be a defective SIM If other SIMs also will not work in your phone then there is a handset fault, or it has been blocked.

Question 13

How to determine if your phone is GSM or CDMA?

Accepted Answer

If your phone requires a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card which is a small, removable card or chip that contains your mobile account information and is interchangeable between all GSM phones and if you use a SIM card in your mobile phone, then your phone is a GSM device. However if your phone does not require the use of a SIM card (or simply don't have SIM Tray), then your phone is a CDMA device.

Question 14

Can I use the original phone network after unlocking?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for example if you unlock an AT&T phone, it will still work flawlessly on AT&T.

Question 15

Is the phone unlock permanent ?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as soon as the phone has been unlocked with us, it will stay this way forever.

Question 16

Will a software update lock my phone ?

Accepted Answer

No, OEM software / OS updates should not lock the phone. However, in the event that the phone does lock again, the customer can reuse the original lock code already purchased to unlock the phone.

Question 17

Will my phone unlock code expire ?

Accepted Answer

No, unlock codes are permanent and do not expire.

Question 18

Will warranty repair lock my phone ?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the level of repair done to the handset. If the main board can not be repaired and will need to be replaced, the new main board will have an IMEI number separate from the one sent in for warranty repair and a new unlock code would be required. If the main board is not replaced normally the phone will stay unlocked, in the event it is not, then the customer can use the original unlock code that was purchased for reuse.

Question 19

What networks are compatible with my phone ?

Accepted Answer

To determine compatible networks the customer will need to verify the compatibility of the frequency band from their handset and desired network.

GSM networks operate in a number of different carrier frequency ranges with most 2G GSM networks operating in the 900 MHz or 1800 MHz bands and 3G networks 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands. In rare cases the 400 and 450 MHz frequency bands are assigned in some countries because they were previously used for first-generation systems. Most 3G networks in Europe operate in the 2100 MHz frequency band.

- Africa, Asia, & Middle East
900 MHz {Most widely used} & 1800 MHz
- Europe
900 MHz {Most widely used}, 1800 MHz, & 2100 MHz {3G}
- North America:
USA 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
Canada 850 MHz {Backup / Rural Areas}, 1900 MHz {Urban Areas}
- South America:
Brazil 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800/1900 MHz
Costa Rica 1800 MHz
Ecuador & Panama 850 MHz (Exclusively)
Guatemala, El Salvador, & Venezuela 850 MHz and 900/1900 MHz
Pe

Question 20

Why do some unlock codes cost more than others ?

Accepted Answer

The cost of unlocking a handset varies upon availability of the SIM unlock code. Some networks will release unlock codes based upon age of the phone or requirements of the subscriber. Typically in the these cases the price per unlocking is relatively low compared to other options. In the other instances the network will not release the unlock code because of strict eligibility requirements or exclusive sales arrangement with the manufacturer or plenty of other reasons, then the unlock code must be obtained through the manufacturer of the phone. Obtaining codes via the manufacturer will in most cases be more expensive than through the network. Additionally all networks don't have the same eligibility requirements and some never releases unlock codes under any circumstances. When this is the case, all models no matter the age of the handset should be requested through the manufacturer.

Question 21

What is a Carrier / Network phone unlock method ?

Accepted Answer

When using a Carrier / Network unlock method the unlock code is acquired directly from the Carrier / Network (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile). When you purchase your unlock code with us, we will have the ability to waive some of the eligibility requirements. This method is usually the cheapeast, but it only delivers, on average, 75% of orders successfully, the remaining 25% must then be acquired through Factory / Manufacture method.

Question 22

What is a Factory / Manufacturer unlock method ?

Accepted Answer

When using a Factory or Manufacturer unlock method the code is acquired directly from the Factory or Manufacturer of the handset (e.g. HTC, LG). This method is usually more expensive but delivers 95% of orders successfully.

Question 23

What is a phone hard lock ?

Accepted Answer

A Hard Lock is a permanent carrier lock. Your phone will become hard locked by attempting to enter an incorrect SIM unlock code more times than your phone allows, permanently locking the phone to the current carrier. Each phone has different limits regarding unsuccessful attempts before the device becomes hard locked. The usual amount for HTC, Motorola, Nokia, and Samsung is 5 attempts, usual amount for LG and Blackberry is 10 attempts. The messages below are examples of what a Hard Locked phone will display.

- BlackBerry :
(0 Left)
Code Error, Please Wait ...
- Huawei :
SIMLOCK block unlock reset KEY
SIM network subnet unlock PIN
- HTC :
You have tried 5 times, please wait for timeout ...
- LG :
Unlock Attempt: 10 of 10
- Motorola :
Contact Service
Contact Service Provider
Number of Attempts Remaining: 0
Tamper Alter
Wait before Enter Special Code
- Nokia :
Cannot Undo Restriction
Not Allowed
This phone only accepts SIMs from specific networks, and has bee

Question 24

What is a PUK code ?

Accepted Answer

A PUK (i.e. PIN Unlock Key) is required to unlock SIM cards that have become locked after three successive incorrect PIN entries.
Note : If you enter the wrong PUK code 10 times in a row, your SIM card will be invalidated, and you will need to purchase a new one. The phone will display the following error: "PUK blocked call operator".

Question 25

How will I know if my Phone is already "Unlocked"?

Accepted Answer

- Power off your phone and remove the SIM card.
- Insert an active SIM card from a different carrier and power your phone back on
- Attempt to make a phone call (If you are able to call or text then your phone is not locked to a particular carrier)

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