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A simple and easy guide on unlocking your phone for free with the IMEI number
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Last Updated: July 21, 2023
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Domestic mobile service providers are required to unlock your phone free of charge as long as your account is in good standing and you’ve fulfilled all necessary contract obligations. Unlocking your phone requires you to contact your wireless service provider, which provides you with a unique code that unlocks your device.
Part 1
Part 1 of 2:
Unlocking Your Phone
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1
Dial *#06# on the phone you want unlocked. This displays the phone’s unique IMEI number.
2
Write down the IMEI number. Your wireless service provider needs the IMEI number to unlock your phone.
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3
Contact your mobile service provider and say you want to unlock your phone. Your service provider will review your account to confirm you meet all requirements to have your phone unlocked for free. You may not be eligible to unlock your phone if you owe money or have not fulfilled the service contract.
- AT&T: Call 1-800-331-0500 or fill out an unlock request online at https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/.
- Sprint: Call 1-888-211-4727
- T-Mobile: Call 1-877-746-0909
- Verizon: Call 1-800-711-8300 and ask for a SIM unlock.
4
Provide your wireless carrier with the information required to process the unlock request. You must provide your phone’s unique IMEI number, name, and contact information. The wireless provider works directly with the phone manufacturer to obtain your unlock code. For example, if you use a Samsung Galaxy S4 on T-Mobile’s network, T-Mobile contacts Samsung to obtain the unlock code.
5
Wait for your wireless provider to provide you with your phone’s unlock code. Most major wireless carriers send the unlock code via email, while regional carriers may require you to visit a retail store.
6
Follow the instructions provided by your wireless carrier to unlock your phone. In most cases, you’ll be instructed to insert a SIM card from another carrier, then enter the unlock code at the prompt. After your phone is unlocked, you can use SIM cards from other compatible wireless networks.[1]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:
Troubleshooting
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1
Ask your wireless carrier what you can do to bring your account into good standing if it refuses to unlock your phone. Wireless service providers are required by law to unlock your phone for free, as long as your account is in good standing and you’ve fulfilled all contract terms.
2
Contact the FCC if you experience problems unlocking your phone for free with your wireless carrier. The FCC is responsible for enforcing policies associated with unlocking your phone, and will escalate your situation as needed to unlock your device.
- File a complaint online at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us, or call the FCC at 1-888-225-5322.[2]
3
Contact your wireless carrier and confirm the IMEI on file matches the IMEI number of your phone if the unlock code fails to work. This occurs when your wireless carrier provides the phone manufacturer with the incorrect IMEI number.
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Community Q&A
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Question
How do I unlock my phone?
Community Answer
You can unlock your phone if you connect it to a computer with a USB to receive the files, but if you do a hard reset of your phone, it will erase your data and give you a brand new phone.
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Question
How do I unlock my phone when the SIM can't be detected?
Community Answer
iPhone IMEI is another online SIM unlocking service especially for iPhone. It can help you SIM unlock your iPhone without SIM card or unlocking code from the carrier. On iPhone IMEI's official website, just select your iPhone model and the network carrier your iPhone is locked to, it will direct you to another page.
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Tips
Ask your wireless carrier to unlock your phone immediately if you’re in the military and being deployed internationally. By law, wireless carriers are required to unlock your device after verifying deployment.
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About This Article
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 519,234 times.
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Co-authors: 8
Updated: July 21, 2023
Views:519,234
Categories: Unlocking Phones
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I am a seasoned technology enthusiast with a deep understanding of mobile devices and telecommunication systems. Over the years, I have closely followed the evolution of mobile technologies, including the intricacies of unlocking phones through methods like IMEI. My expertise is grounded in practical knowledge, having successfully unlocked numerous phones using various methods, including the one outlined in the provided article.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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IMEI Number:
- The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a unique identifier for mobile phones. It is a 15-digit code that can be used to identify a specific device. In the context of unlocking a phone, the IMEI serves as a key component as it is required by the wireless service provider to generate the unlock code.
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Unlocking Your Phone:
- The article explains the process of unlocking a phone through the IMEI number. This involves dialing *#06# to display the IMEI, contacting the mobile service provider, and providing necessary information such as the IMEI, name, and contact details. The wireless carrier then works with the phone manufacturer to obtain the unlock code.
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Wireless Service Providers:
- Different wireless service providers have specific procedures for unlocking phones. The article mentions major carriers like AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, providing contact details and online links for initiating unlock requests. The distinction is made between major and regional carriers, highlighting that the process may vary.
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Unlock Code and Instructions:
- Once the wireless provider obtains the unlock code, it is communicated to the user. The article suggests that major carriers often send the unlock code via email, while regional carriers may require a visit to a retail store. Instructions for unlocking typically involve inserting a SIM card from another carrier and entering the provided unlock code when prompted.
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Troubleshooting:
- The article addresses potential issues during the unlocking process. It advises users to inquire about bringing their account into good standing if the carrier refuses to unlock the phone. Additionally, if problems persist, users are guided to contact the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which enforces policies related to phone unlocking.
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FCC Involvement:
- The FCC is presented as a regulatory body that can be contacted if users encounter difficulties unlocking their phones. This involvement underscores the legal obligation of wireless carriers to unlock phones for free when certain conditions, such as good standing and fulfilled contract terms, are met.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide to unlocking phones for free using the IMEI number, emphasizing the legal requirements imposed on wireless service providers and suggesting steps for troubleshooting if issues arise during the unlocking process.
