{"id":2939,"date":"2017-06-30T05:42:57","date_gmt":"2017-06-30T05:42:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unlockbase.com\/blog\/?p=2939"},"modified":"2017-12-22T13:24:01","modified_gmt":"2017-12-22T13:24:01","slug":"sim-locked-heres-how-to-unlock-your-phone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unlockbase.com\/blog\/sim-locked-heres-how-to-unlock-your-phone\/","title":{"rendered":"SIM LOCKED: Here’s How to Unlock Your Phone"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SIM<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Check your phone if it is SIM network locked.<\/li>\n
  2. Ask your carrier for SIM network unlock.<\/li>\n
  3. If your carrier is unable to provide a\u00a0SIM network unlock,\u00a0you can \u00a0manually unlock your phone through IMEI information, or<\/li>\n
  4. Unlock your phone through unlocking service.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Traveling overseas has been a trend today, and more often than not, generating SIM network unlock PIN<\/a><\/strong> codes is still an issue for most travelers. Some spend way higher on it than buying unlocked basic phones, or unfamiliar carrier phones may not be available to service in particular countries. With that said, it is only important to be aware of how to unlock your phone \u2013 should you need to do so.<\/p>\n

    But first, we will start with the basics.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Is Your SIM Network Locked?<\/h2>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \"Is<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    In most cases, certain mobile phone makers such as ASUS<\/strong><\/a> and Alcatel<\/strong><\/a> do not sell their phones as locked. Hence, it is only important to start off with the question: how to determine if your phone\u2019s SIM<\/strong> network is locked?<\/p>\n

    To be able to identify if your phone is locked, you can check its documentation. It can most likely be stated in the invoice or receipt if your phone is unlocked or locked<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Another way to determine if it is locked is through contacting the carrier or inserting another SIM<\/strong> card, which is the easiest way possible. If you tried a different SIM<\/strong> and it didn\u2019t work, then it can most certainly be locked on the original SIM\u2019s network<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    You can also note that most likely, phones bought directly from third-party retailers and manufacturers such as Huawei<\/a><\/strong>, Samsung<\/strong><\/a>, Motorola<\/strong><\/a>, or Amazon<\/a><\/strong> are unlocked. On the other hand, carriers such as T-Mobile<\/strong><\/a> and AT&T<\/strong> are usually selling SIM-locked phones<\/strong> to their respective networks.<\/p>\n

    Now, if your phone is SIM<\/strong> locked to a specific network, read on to know how to unlock it.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Ask Your Carrier for SIM Network Unlock<\/h2>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \"Ask<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Given that you cannot use your preferred SIM<\/strong> network on your phone, ask your carrier for help.<\/p>\n

    You can call them, tell them you need to unlock your phone for a network change, and eventually, they will give you a code that will help unlock your phone<\/a>. This code should be entered once the phone asks you for one when you insert a different SIM<\/strong> card on your device. Your phone should be unlocked after the code is entered or after a reboot (if prompted by the device).<\/p>\n

    However, in most cases, especially those phones that are under a financial contract or \u201cplan,\u201d carriers will not unlock your phone unless it qualifies on the terms that are specified in their unlocking policy. But don\u2019t worry, there is an alternative route around it.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    How to Manually Unlock Your Phone<\/strong><\/h2>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \"How<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    If you can\u2019t get through a carrier service, then you can do it on your own. You\u2019ll just need to perform a few tricks or use an unlocking service to help you with. Refer to the following information below:<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Unlocking Through IMEI Information<\/h3>\n

     <\/p>\n

    For Android<\/strong> phones, you will need to confirm the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)<\/strong> number first. This number serves as a unique distinction between phones and appears as an identification code of your phone on any given network.<\/p>\n

    To confirm your IMEI number<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Dial *#06#<\/em> or directly head on to your Settings<\/strong><\/li>\n
    2. Select About Phone<\/strong><\/li>\n
    3. Scroll to Status<\/strong> and look for your IMEI information <\/strong>(though in some phones, you can immediately see the IMEI information when you open the About Phone page).<\/li>\n
    4. By handing over the 15-digit IMEI information<\/strong>, your network should be able to provide you with the PIN code<\/strong> needed to unlock your phone.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      It should also be noted that the process may vary from across networks and your newly inserted SIM<\/strong> network may require you to input a particular code to enable its use on that specific carrier.<\/p>\n

      Additionally, carriers may charge you an additional administrative fee for unlocking your SIM<\/strong> network (except for American carriers as per the law).<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n