The Ins And Outs Of Unlocking A Mobile Phone

What does it mean to "unlock" your mobile phone?

You may have heard people talk of how they "unlock their mobile phone", or used an "unlock code" to unlock their phone. But what does this mean exactly? Well, more likely than not, your current mobile phone is tied to a particular service provider (probably the one you bought it from). If you were to try and leave that service provider for another one, you probably wouldn't be able to use your mobile phone with the new service provider. This is due to the common practice of "locking" mobile phones that GSM networks use to keep you tied to their own network. In other words, phone manufacturers have special arrangements with networks to lock and distribute mobile phones so that they only work with the network provider that issued it. This can be incredibly frustrating. For example, if you want to keep your current mobile phone but want to switch to a different network or if you are traveling and need to make use of mobile networks in other countries. You would simply not be able to do these things with a locked mobile phone. So, in a nut shell, "unlocking a mobile phone" means to allow the phone to be used on various different compatible GSM networks and not be tethered to any one particular service provider.

Which phones can be unlocked?

To unlock mobile phones or to unlock the full benefits of your phone by using a mobile unlock code, you must first identify if the phone is unlockable or not. Most major brands are unlockable, such as phones from Blackberry, HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola and others. One of the main ingredients to be able to unlock mobile phones through the use of mobile unlock codes, is that the phone usually has to be equipped with a small removable data card, known as a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card. It is this card that contains specific network service provider information and it is this card that can be interchanged on an unlocked phone to gain access to other service providers' networks. So, one of the first steps to unlock a mobile phone by code is to locate the SIM card or at least know if one is present or not. If your phone has a SIM card slot, it can generally be unlocked. Phones without a SIM cards are generally using a different type of technology where unlocking is simply not possible.

How can you unlock your phone?

A typical mobile phone made by manufacturers such as Blackberry, HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola and others, usually has a very easy and straightforward way of unlocking it. It consists of doing no more than sourcing an unlock code from a professional supplier, many of whom can supply codes completely online and then entering the unlock code in to the phone using a specific set of instructions that can normally be performed via the phone keypad. Each set of mobile unlock codes are unique and are directly related to the phone's IMEI number. An IMEI is a unique serial number just for your phone which can normally be found by simply typing *#06# in to the keypad or hitting the call key once entered. Sourcing a good, reputable supplier of unlock codes is your first step. Unfortunately there are many unlocking companies online that claim to be able to source codes when they often can't. Carrying out research on the reputation of a particular mobile unlock code website is paramount before parting with any money. Many websites come with a full guarantee and can ensure that the unlock instructions you get for your phone will be accurate and correct but you should do your own research and always read the small print too. Once your mobile unlock code has been provided for your phone and you have performed the unlock, your phone should then accept any new SIM card. If your phone is a GSM compatible quad-band phone, the unlock process will essentially allow your phone to work on any compatible GSM network around the world and not just those networks in the same country of origin.

What are the benefits of having an unlocked mobile phone?

Using mobile unlock codes to unlock a phone for use on rival networks has many benefits aside from being able to use any network. The principal benefit of course is that that through the unlock process you are now able to swap out your SIM card and switch network service providers just like that. This can be especially useful when traveling to other countries that don't share a common mobile service or network coverage and you need to switch service providers on your phone as you travel. This way you won't need to invest in multiple mobile phones for the multiple countries you may be visiting. This alone can save you a great deal of money in call charges or roaming charges alone. Another advantage of the mobile unlocking process, is that phones that have been unlocked are usually worth a lot more money and have a much higher resale value on popular auction sites or at pawn brokers. Phones that have never had their unlock code entered and remain in a locked and tethered state are normally cheaper to buy and do not hold as much value. The process of unlocking a mobile phone can be a very simple, safe, and inexpensive way of increasing the value of your current mobile phone whilst also increasing its functionality.