Not only does the unlocked phone allow us to take advantage of low-cost SIM only across a wide range of networks. It also makes it easier to get a family member or a friend on your old phone.
But even though phones have been a part of our lives for the best part of 15 years,confusion still surrounds the process of unlocking them. And that's exactly where we come in.
On this page,we're going to outline some useful tips about unlocking your phone. We'll also talk to you through major UK networks' policies,so you'll know exactly what you need to do to unlock your phone.
And we're going to dispel some of the persistent myths around the subject. Is it illegal,for example? Are you supposed to pay to get your phone unlocked? And if so,how much of it?
Are there any risks involved? And what's going to happen to your guarantee? Read on and we're going to tell you everything you need to know including [dcl=7941]
You have several options if you want to unlock your phone.
You can take it to a local phone shop,which will usually charge you around $25 to $50 for the service.
Another method is to do this yourself by buying the unlock code from a website or using online software. In this case,you do need a fair degree of technical know-how to do this.
It's not illegal to unlock your phone using either of these methods. In both cases,however,you risk invalidating your warranty.
But the safest and smartest way to unlock mobile phones is to call your network and ask them to unlock it.
Whether a charge applies and how quickly and easily it can be unlocked depends on your carrier's policy.
If you're going to unlock your phone from your network you need to contact your network to unlock your phone,they'll ask for your IMEI number.
This is an identifier that is unique to your phone and enables your network to identify the model,as well as its serial number.
You can get that IMEI number in a variety of ways. But maybe the easiest way to do this is by opening the phone calling app,then dialing *#06# The IMEI number will pop up on the screen instantly and you can then write it down with a pen and paper.
Alternatively,if you have an iPhone,you can find it through your Settings app. Open the settings first,then press 'General,' followed by 'About.' You're going to find it at the bottom of the screen.
If you have an Android,you can also get your IMEI through the Settings section of your phone. Open Settings,go to 'About Device' and go to 'Status.' And you're going to find it there.
Once you have provided your IMEI to your network,you can start the unlocking process.
How long it takes and whether a charge applies depends mainly on the policy of your network.
However,it also affects whether you pay monthly or pay as you go to the customer and the model of your phone.
Each carrier also has its own set of rules,which is referred to as their unlocking policy.
Why should I unlock my phone?
Our research show that the most common reason for unlocking a phone is to take advantage of well-priced SIM-only deals.
When your phone is unlocked,you are not limited to the tariffs offered by the network from which you purchased your phone. You can take your pick from every deal on the market.
The good SIM-only deals tend to be available for a limited time only.
Having a SIM-only deal gives you the freedom you need to chop and change and snap the best offers while they're still around.
A lot of people unlock their phones when they want to sell it. Generally,unlocked phones charge higher prices and sell faster than those still attached to a carrier's network.
If you travel often and want to save money on roaming charges then you'll need a phone that's unlocked in order to be able to use local sim cards.
Can I unlock my phone for free,please? How long is it going to take to unlock my phone?
Usually,you'll have to pay to get it unlocked. Either to your carrier or to a third-party service like this[dcl=7943] or buy buying software or by paying a local shop.
In terms of timings,one-third of consumers believe that the unlocking of a phone will be immediate.
In reality,it's up to your provider to unlock your phone. But you should be aware that you might be waiting for anything between a couple of days or up to 30 days to complete the process.
To clarify the policy of your network,check out our telecom's unlock policy which by law has to be published on their website (somewhere).
I hope that clarifies the unlock process. If we missed something important please contact us or refer to this link for more info on the topic:
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