A simple explanation. How can I tell if my phone is locked? It's easy to find out. Here's how. Is it legal to unlock phones? A brief look at the legality of phone unlocking. How do I unlock my phone? Need to unlock an iPhone? Or an Android phone? Here's the help you need. Why should I unlock my phone? From saving money to flexibility and freedom, there are lots of very good reasons to unlock your phone.
What's your network's policy on unlocking phones? We take a look at each of the major network's policies for unlocking phones. Switch now. Join millions of savers. Was this article helpful? Read next Transferring your mobile number to a new phone A step by step guide to porting your number. Which mobile phone to choose? Get the right phone at the right price. Joe Minihane Last updated: 20 August Category: Guides.
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Essential Performance Marketing Functionality Social. Save my preferences Accept all cookies. What are the explicit differences between a locked and unlocked phone? The difference between a locked and an unlocked phone is that a locked device has a software code on it that prevents you from taking a GSM-based device and using it on another GSM carrier's network. An unlocked phone either doesn't have the lock software on it or someone was able to get a code that unlocks the software.
Remember that this issue of locked and unlocked phones today is really only relevant when you're talking about devices made for GSM networks. As I explained above, most carriers use different frequencies and band plans for their LTE networks, so even without a software lock on the device, it still won't operate on these networks.
That will soon change, but for now don't expect unlocked LTE devices to perform at top speeds on any other carrier's LTE network. Why is the iPhone treated differently by carriers relative to other phones? In the past, the iPhone was treated differently than other devices when it came to lock codes. So to control how and where the device was used, it refused to unlock it. That's changed. Usually, this means the phone is fully paid for and the customers are no longer on a contract.
And they have to be customers in "good standing" for a certain period of time. But if you have an LTE device from Verizon, you don't need an unlock code. The device is already unlocked. So if your device is locked, you must get the appropriate unlock code from your carrier, or if you are getting the code elsewhere, you should specify which carrier network your device is affiliated with. Another way to get an unlocked phone is to buy one that's specifically advertised as unlocked.
For instance, Google's Nexus series of smartphones come unlocked. The international unlocked version of the iPhone is also sold without a lock. And again it can be used on any GSM network. As I said, the iPhone 5 on Verizon is already unlocked out of the box. If you want to do this on the cheap, make sure you turn off all the data functions on the iPhone, and you'll just be able to use the voice network.
I would call a Verizon customer service agent and tell her you're going out of the country on vacation and you want to use a local SIM card. She'll tell you the requirements for getting your phone unlocked. And if you have met the appropriate criteria, the agent should provide you with the code and instructions for unlocking.
I hope I answered your questions and helped you better understand the differences between locked and unlocked devices. Virgin Mobile is not offering the Samsung Galaxy S4 yet. I'm sorry to tell you, but the answer to your question is yes. Virgin Mobile is a prepaid brand owned and operated by Sprint. As I explained as part of my above answer to the question about locked and unlocked phones, CDMA devices don't have the same flexibility in terms of device portability as GSM phones.
Sadly, even if you were able to get your hands on a Sprint Samsung GS4, it still wouldn't work on Virgin's network. Your postpaid device is eligible to be unlocked by a participating provider after you have fulfilled the applicable service contract, completed the device installment plan or paid an early termination fee. Yes, participating providers have agreed to unlock prepaid devices within one year of initial activation, consistent with reasonable time, payment or usage requirements.
It depends on your service provider. Participating providers will notify you at the time your postpaid device is eligible for unlocking if the device is not automatically unlocked. For prepaid devices, participating providers will notify you when your device is eligible for unlocking at the point of sale, at the time of eligibility or through a clear and concise statement of the provider's policy on its website.
When your device is eligible, some providers may automatically unlock it remotely. In this case, providers of postpaid devices are not required under the adopted standards to notify you at the time when the device is eligible for unlocking.
Other providers may require you to formally request to have your phone unlocked. Under the adopted standards, participating providers have agreed to unlock eligible devices, provide you with unlocking instructions, or initiate an unlocking request to the device manufacturer — or provide an easily understood explanation of denial — within two business days of receiving an unlock request.
Participating providers may not charge existing or former customers additional fees to unlock a device if it is eligible to be unlocked. Providers may charge a fee to unlock eligible devices for non-customers and former customers. You will have a new local number and it will be cheaper to make calls in country and access the internet than if you used a US carrier's service that would require roaming on the foreign network.
The good news is that phones are a bit more compatible and portable among carriers than they were a few years ago. But phone makers, like Apple, still tend to make multiple versions of their phones so you need to know which model you're buying before you can know if you can take it to another carrier.
Unlocked versions of these phones that aren't sold through a carrier are compatible on all four US carriers. The bottom line is that you should check before you buy if you think there's a chance you'll be switching carriers.
Depending on how you bought your phone, it may already be unlocked. For example, if you didn't buy your phone through a US carrier or you purchased it directly from Apple or on Amazon and either company indicated it was unlocked, you don't have to do anything. And you'll need to find out what criteria needs to be satisfied before you can ask for a code to unlock it.
Even then, the company still requires you wait 14 days to make your request. Sprint also requires that your phone be paid off. And it requires a day wait, though the phone is automatically unlocked. T-Mobile also requires the phone be paid for in full, and it has a day wait period.
But it will offer customers traveling abroad a temporarily unlock code. Verizon wouldn't say how long the locked period will be once the policy change is made in the spring.
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