When you buy a phone from a carrier, you might be tempted by a great contract deal, but there’s a good chance the deal has some fine print that locks your handset to the network provider you bought it from.That means if you try to switch to a different network provider, your phone simply can’t make calls or use data services.
The good news is that you can usually unlock these phones by simply using an unlock phone code.
But first there are some important things you should know.Is Unlocking Your Phone Legal?As always, when it comes to legal issues, it’s up to you to determine if something is legal where you live.
Well, perhaps not immediately.You Might Not Need a CodeInstead of trying to get a code yourself and unlocking your phone independently, it’s a good idea to first get the carrier on the line and ask them to unlock the handset for you or guide you through the process.
This is a good method, because they can confirm whether you are legally eligible for an unlock.If you are eligible, in the USA at least, carriers are obliged to unlock your handset for free.
So go ahead and give them a call.Unlock Codes Usually Cost Money, But Free Codes Exist!If, for some reason, getting help directly from the carrier isn’t possible, you’ll need an unlock code.This could be because you’ve bought the handset used or perhaps have moved to another country.Regardless of why you need to unlock a phone, most of the online providers of codes want a little money from you for the privilege.