Unlock Your Phone: Easily Use Any SIM in an Android or iPhone

Are you ready to switch wireless providers? Unlocking your contract phone is easier than ever! While paying for unlock codes used to be a popular way to switch your mobile provider, nearly all global mobile providers will now unlock your phone for free so you can use it with any mobile provider. As long as you've fulfilled your contract obligations and your account is in good standing, you can easily unlock your phone without paying a dime. This wikiHow article will teach you everything you need to know about unlocking your phone to use with any compatible carrier.

Section 1 of 4:

Beware of Third-Party Services

  1. Image titled Unlock a Contract Phone Step 1
    Don't pay a third-party service to unlock your phone. While many providers used to make unlocking mobile phones so difficult that users resorted to paying third-party services, it's now extremely rare that a carrier will refuse to unlock your phone as long as your contract is fulfilled.
    • If your contract is not fulfilled or your account is not in good standing, it's very unlikely that a third-party unlocking service can unlock your phone—even if you pay them money to do so. If they do manage to unlock your phone, your IMEI may be blacklisted, which will make your phone unusable on any network.
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Section 2 of 4:

Before You Unlock

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    Check your contract details. If you bought a phone that's locked to a carrier, you're usually obligated to keep your phone with that carrier for a predetermined amount of time. Contact your carrier to find out how long you must use the phone on their network before you can unlock it.
    • Depending on your provider, you may be able to terminate your contract early by paying an early termination fee.
    • US Military personnel: If you're deployed before your contract ends, most providers will unlock your phone if you supply proof of deployment.[1]
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    2
    Make sure your account is in good standing. For postpaid (contract) phone plans, carriers in the US (and many other regions) are required to unlock phones for customers who have fulfilled their contracts if their accounts are in good standing.[2]
    • If you're late on payments or have not yet finished paying off a phone you've financed through the carrier, you'll usually need to take care of these obligations before your carrier will unlock your phone.
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    3
    Get your phone’s IMEI code. The IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) is a unique 15-digit code used to identify your phone. To unlock a phone for any carrier, you'll need your IMEI. There are many ways to find it:
    • On many phones, including iPhones and Androids, you get the IMEI by dialing *#06# using your phone's keypad.
    • On an iPhone, your IMEI is easy to find. Just go to Settings > General > About.[3]
    • If your phone has a SIM tray, you can usually pop out the tray and find the IMEI printed on the back.
    • If your phone has a removable battery, you'll usually find the IMEI underneath the battery cover or the battery itself.
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    4
    Find a new carrier that is compatible with your phone. While there are many carriers to choose from, not all carriers support all phone models. Before terminating your service with your current provider, make sure you've settled on a provider that supports your phone.
    • Many carriers offer a "Bring Your Own Device" feature on their websites. You can use this feature to enter your IMEI, which can tell you if you can bring your unlocked device to their service.
    • If the carrier you're interested in doesn't have an online BYOD feature, just give them a call. They'll ask for your IMEI to confirm eligibility.
    • In most cases, you'll be able to port your current phone number to your new phone upon transferring to a new mobile provider.
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    5
    Find out your carrier's unlocking instructions. There are many wireless providers all over the world, and they all have their own unlocking instructions. The best way to find out how to unlock your phone is to call or visit your carrier to ask for their specific unlocking steps.
    • Some providers will provide you a special PIN and instructions over the phone, while others have unlocking apps or websites.[4]
    • If you have an iPhone, the carrier must unlock the phone for you.[5]
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Section 3 of 4:

Unlocking Instructions by Carrier

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    AT&T Wireless. Visit https://www.att.com/deviceunlock and click Unlock your device. Provide the requested information (including your IMEI). After you submit your request, check your email—you'll need to open the message from AT&T wireless and click Confirm request to complete your request.[6]
    • Once your request is approved, AT&T will send you a text message or email containing unlocking instructions. Depending on your phone, they'll either unlock the phone for you or provide you with an unlock code and instructions.
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    Bell Mobility. If you've purchased your phone from Bell after November 30, 2017 (or you have an iPhone 6 or later), your phone is already unlocked. If you're using an older phone, visit https://support.bell.ca/mobility/smartphones_and_mobile_internet/unlock_your_bell_device and click Unlock your device for specific instructions.
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    3
    EE. Visit https://myaccount.ee.co.uk/app/device-unlock and follow the on-screen instructions to unlock your phone.[7]
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    4
    Fido. Contact Fido's billing department by phone or live chat at https://www.fido.ca/contact/billing-payment. Let them know you want to unlock your phone, and provide your IMEI when prompted. Fido will then give you specific instructions for unlocking your phone.[8]
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    NTT Docomo. You can unlock your phone 100 days after your phone is paid in full.[9] To unlock, dial 151 from your phone to reach customer service, use the My Docomo app, or visit a Docomo shop.
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    6
    O2. All O2 shipped after January 2019 are already unlocked, as are all iPhones purchased in August 2018 and after.[10] To unlock your phone, go to https://www.o2.co.uk/, sign in, and go to More > Unlock your device. Enter your IMEI and follow the on-screen instructions.
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    Rogers. Contact the Rogers billing department to request that your phone be unlocked. Once you provide your IMEI and other identifying information, Rogers will provide you with an unlock code to input once you've inserted your new provider's SIM card.[11]
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    8
    Telus. There's no way to unlock a Telus device yourself, so you'll need to contact the Telus support team at 1-866-558-2273.[12] Once you provide your IMEI and other identifying information (and you've fulfilled your contractual requirements), Telus will unlock your phone.
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    9
    Tesco Mobile. Most modern Tesco phones are unlocked. If yours isn't, visit https://support.tescomobile.com/unlock, enter your IMEI, and click Start.
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    Three. Devices purchased in 2014 and after are already unlocked.[13] To unlock other Three phones, visit https://www.three.co.uk/Support/Device_Unlock and fill out the form. You'll need to provide your IMEI and other identifying information.
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    11
    T-Mobile. Sign in to your account at https://my.tmobile.com, click Accounts, and then choose Check device unlock status. If you see that your phone qualifies to be unlocked, you can continue.
    • If you have an iPhone or any other phone that is not an Android, call T-Mobile by dialing 611 and ask them to unlock your phone. If your phone requires you to enter an unlock code, T-Mobile will provide you specific instructions.
    • If you have an Android, you can unlock qualifying phones in the Settings app, which is the gear icon in your app drawer. Once you're in the settings app, here's how you can find the option to unlock your phone:
      • Samsung: Connections > More Connection Settings > Network Unlock > Permanent Unlock.
      • OnePlus: Wi-Fi & internet > SIM & network > Advanced or Network Unlock > Permanent Unlock.
      • LG: Network & internet > Mobile networks > Network unlock > Continue > Permanent Unlock.
      • Motorola: About phone > Device unlock > Continue > Permanent Unlock.
      • REVVLRY: Network & Internet > Mobile network > Advanced > Network Unlock > Permanent Unlock.
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    12
    Verizon Wireless. Verizon will automatically unlock your phone 60 days from purchase unless your account is flagged for fraud or reported lost or stolen.[14]
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    Virgin Plus. Log in to your Virgin Plus account at https://www.virginplus.ca/en/members-lounge/login.html to submit an unlocking request.[15] If you have an iPhone, Virgin will unlock the phone for you. If you have an Android, they'll provide you with an unlock code you can enter after inserting your new carrier's SIM.
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    Vodafone. Visit https://www.vodafone.co.uk/vodafone-uk/forms/unlock-code-request to request your unlock code. Once you have your code, insert a non-Vodafone SIM into your phone, restart your phone, and enter the code when prompted.[16]
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Section 4 of 4:

Using an Unlock Code

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    1
    Get an unlock code. If your provider allows you to unlock your own phone with an unlock code, the process is easy. Just call your provider and let them know you'd like to unlock your phone. Once you provide your IMEI and other requested information, they'll provide you with a special key that you can enter to unlock your phone.
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    2
    Purchase a SIM card from a new provider. You won't be able to enter your phone's unlock code until you swap out your current provider's SIM card for your new provider's SIM.
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    3
    Switch off your phone. Press and hold the Power button located either at the top or along the sides of the phone. The Power button’s location depends on the make and model of your phone, but is commonly placed on these parts
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    4
    Replace your old provider's SIM card with your new provider's card. The steps to remove and insert the SIM varies by phone make and model.
    • iPhones (and many Androids) have SIM trays. Look for a slot around the sides of your phone—there's usually a small hole on the slit. Gently insert the end of a SIM tool (or extend a paperclip and insert the long end) into the hole until the tray comes loose. Then, slowly pull out the tray and take out the SIM card, replacing it with the new card.
    • Some Androids and feature phones have SIM cards underneath the battery cover. Check your manufacturer's instructions to find the location of your SIM card.
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    5
    Switch on your phone. Press and hold the Power button on your phone. After a few moments, you'll be prompted to enter a code or key.
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    6
    Enter the unlock key. Using your phone’s keypad, type in the 8-digit unlock key. Press the “Enter” or “OK” button to enter the code.
    • A confirmation message will appear on the screen notifying you that the key has been accepted.
    • Your contract phone is now unlocked and ready to use on any compatible service carrier.
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    Can you use two phones on one contract?
    Nicole Levine, MFA
    Nicole Levine, MFA
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions.
    Nicole Levine, MFA
    Nicole Levine, MFA
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Expert Answer
    Your contract is tied to your SIM card. If you haven't added two lines to your contract, you can only use your service in the phone in which you've installed the SIM. However, you can move the SIM card between phones if you'd like to use the same phone number and service with another phone. You just can't use both phones at the same time unless you add a separate line to your account.
  • Question
    I followed all of the steps but when I turned the phone back on the screen did not ask for a code. It said to contact Sprint to unlock it. Why?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It is likely the SIM is permanently locked. Yes, you will need to contact Sprint but if your wondering what the cause is, it's when you or your phone have entered the wrong PIN too many times. Or the SIM card you have inserted is invalid, if you used to use AT&T, you can only use GSM, Sprint is CGSM.
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Warnings

  • Some sites that offer unlock keys require payment. Do a little review first about the website you’re going to use to make sure it’s legitimate to avoid wasting money.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Unlocking phones that are still within the lock-in period violates the contract set by the service carrier. It may also violate your phone's warranty.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.ctia.org/the-wireless-industry/industry-commitments/consumer-code-for-wireless-service
  2. ↑ https://www.fcc.gov/general/cell-phone-unlocking
  3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204073
  4. ↑ https://www.t-mobile.com/support/devices/t-mobile-device-unlock-app1
  5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201328
  6. ↑ https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1008728/
  7. ↑ https://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/getting-started-and-upgrading/unlock-your-phone/unlock-a-ee-device-to-use-with-another-network
  8. ↑ https://www.fido.ca/support/mobility/device-unlocking-faqs
  9. ↑ https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/support/procedure/simcard/unlock_dcm/
  1. ↑ https://www.o2.co.uk/help/device-and-sim-support/unlocking-an-o2-mobile-to-use-on-a-different-network
  2. ↑ https://www.rogers.com/support/mobility/device-unlocking-faqs#divSection_6
  3. ↑ https://www.telus.com/en/support/article/unlock-mobile-device
  4. ↑ https://www.three.co.uk/Support/Device_Unlock
  5. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/device-locking-faqs/
  6. ↑ https://www.virginplus.ca/en/support/faq.html?q=unlocking-your-phone&province=ON&geoResult=failed
  7. ↑ https://www.vodafone.co.uk/explore/network/unlocking-your-phone/how-do-I-use-my-nuc/

About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
Nicole Levine, MFA
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 57,744 times.
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Co-authors: 8
Updated: September 1, 2022
Views: 57,744
Categories: Unlocking Phones
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