How to Unlock a Sim Card Without a PUK Code

Protecting your SIM card with a PIN can prevent unauthorized use of your cellular plan, but if you enter your SIM PIN incorrectly three times, you'll need an 8-digit PUK (Personal Unlocking Key) to unlock it. This wikiHow article will teach you how to get your PUK code from your mobile provider and unlock your SIM card.

Question 1 of 3:

What's my SIM PIN?

  1. Image titled Unlock a Sim Card Without a PUK Code Step 1
    Your SIM PIN protects your SIM card from unauthorized use of your mobile service. If you've protected your SIM card with a PIN, your phone will ask for the SIM PIN each time you restart it or remove and reinsert the SIM.[1] If you haven't changed the PIN, most SIM pins are 0123 or 1234 by default.[2] But don't try to guess the SIM PIN if you don't know what it is—if you mis-enter it 3 times, you'll only be able to unlock the SIM if you use a PUK code from the provider.
    • SIM PINs are different from the PIN you use to unlock your phone's screen, and most phones do not have SIM PINs by default.
    • If you see a message on your phone that says "Locked SIM" or similar, you'll need to enter the SIM PIN to do anything on the phone.
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Question 2 of 3:

My SIM is locked, so what do I do?

  1. Image titled Unlock a Sim Card Without a PUK Code Step 2
    The only thing that will unlock your SIM is the PUK key. Don't try to guess the PUK, as entering it incorrectly too many times will permanently lock the SIM—if this happens, you'll have to replace the SIM entirely.
    • Fortunately, your mobile provider will provide you the PUK so you can reset your SIM. You'll just have to prove your identity over the phone or at an in-person location.
    • If you're not sure who your provider is, remove the SIM card—you'll see the provider's name there.
    • Some providers let you see your PUK when you log in to your online account. Look for an area of your account dashboard called something like "SIM" or "SIM Card," which should have a sub-area called "PUK" or similar.[3]
Question 3 of 3:

What if I can't get my PUK or it doesn't work?

  1. Image titled Unlock a Sim Card Without a PUK Code Step 3
    Get a new SIM from your provider. The worst thing that can happen is that you lose access to your SIM card completely—as long as you have a removable SIM, your mobile provider should be able to issue you a new one. If you stored any contacts or texts on your old SIM, they'll be gone, but storing things on SIM cards is rarer these days.
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201529
  2. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/my/support/mobile-devices/a-new-sim-card-inserted-in-my-smartphone-and-now-it-is-asking-me-for-a-pin-to-unlock-it/
  3. ↑ https://www.vodafone.cz/pece/en/my-number/pin-and-puk/pin-and-puk-codes

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 46,678 times.
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Co-authors: 4
Updated: February 3, 2022
Views: 46,678
Categories: Operating Systems
Article SummaryX

If you enter your SIM PIN incorrectly 3 times, you'll only be able to unlock your SIM with an 8-digit Personal Unlocking Key (PUK). Fortunately, your provider will give you your PUK if you can prove your identity. If you can't get your PUK or enter it incorrectly too many times, you will need to replace the SIM card.

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