Frequently Asked Questions
What is phone unlocking?Carriers, providers and networks lock phones so customers have to use their network at their rates. This means that you cannot use other SIM cards in your phone and thus cannot change over to better providers who have cheaper rates. An unlocked phone is also subject to roaming charges making calls and SMS messages abroad very expensive. By unlocking your phone you are free of all restrictions. You can choose which network carrier you want to go with without having restrictions placed on your phone.
What advantages are there of unlocking my phone?
Once you have unlocked your phone you will be free to choose any network and any SIM card you like. This means that if you are abroad you can purchase a SIM card that has better rates for SMS messaging and calls. You will be able to switch between networks/carriers and you will not have to pay roaming charges.
Another advantage of unlocking your phone is that it will increase the value of your phone, so if you come to sell it, it will be worth more.
Is phone unlocking legal?
Mobile phone unlocking is legal. In the UK, USA and Canada it is not only legal, but very much accepted. When you buy your phone it becomes your property and you can with it whatever you like.
We do advise that you check your paper work and the implications involved if you were given a free phone by your network provider. It is unlikely that your network provider will know your have unlocked your phone as unlocking doesn’t harm the phone, so if you uphold your agreement with the network provider you shouldn’t have a problem.
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Is your phone unlocking service guaranteed?
If your phone is with the list of phones we unlock on our site then we can guarantee to unlock your phone. In the very unlikely event that your phone cannot be unlocked we will give you a complete refund.
I have purchased your unlocking service and I am getting an error, what shall I do?
Firstly, you need to read the FAQs relating to your handset.
Secondly, you need to ensure that you followed all the steps in the guide.
Thirdly, once you have done this and you still have a problem you can get in touch with our support team.
I placed my order successfully, but I haven’t receive my unlock purchase. What shall I do?
Firstly, you can check the status of your order at our order status page. If you are still having problems contact our support team.
How is information sent for unlocking my phone?
There are two ways by which this information can be received: via email and on your screen.
What is a SIM card?
SIM stands for ‘subscriber information module’. It is the chip which is inserted into the GSM phone handset and allows the phone to work on a certain network.
It is different for non-GSM phones. They work on an ESN basis. This means they have a unique serial number supplied to it by the provider. The number identifies who you are; it also knows to send calls to you when your number is dialled. It controls your calling rates in conjunction with your contract or your pay as you go plan you have with your carrier.
What is a GSM cell phone? How is it different, and how do I know I have one?
GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) is what most people have. Around 82% of the global mobile market uses GSM. The GSM standard is common in most countries except the USA, although AT&T and T-Mobile do have them in the U.S.A now. There are a lot of phone in the U.S.A which do not take SIM cards as they are CDMA phones.
Will my phone provider know if I unlock my phone?
It is very unlikely your provider would know if you unlocked your phone.
Do phone providers mind if customers unlock their phones?
Again it is unlikely that they will mind. If you have signed a contract with a provider you will probably have to spend a set amount each month with them whether or not you use your minutes with them.
Can my provider relock my phone without me knowing?
Absolutely not. You can only relock your phone by plugging in a cable and reprogramming the phone.
How will I know if my phone is unlocked or not?
All you have to do to check is borrow someone’s SIM card and insert it into your phone. If the phone works then your phone is already unlocked.
If there is an error message then your phone is locked.
Can my cell phone be unlocked?
GSM phones can be unlocked, but if your phone us a CMDA the chances of unlocking it are slim.
Will I have unlock my phone every time I change SIMs?
No, once you have unlocked your phone then it will be unlocked for good, unless you reprogram it.
Will my existing service still work if I unlock my phone?
Yes it will providing that the SIM card from your provider is still in the phone handset.
If I unlock my phone can I save money?
Yes, you can save money by unlocking your phone as you can use other SIM cards for different regions or countries if you are travelling. You can avoid roaming charges and have a look around for the best deals on rates. However, you will still pay your provider the normal monthly rate.
Can you still unlock my phone if I’ve tried to unlock it before and it hasn’t worked?
Generally the answer is yes. Some phones are limited to five unlock attempts and then the phone becomes hardlocked and then you will not be able to unlock your phone. However, our cable unlocking service should be able to unlock the phone still.
What technology do I need to unlock my phone?
You don’t need to know any technology for code unlocking. You will receive easy to follow instruction which will guide you through entering the code to unlock your phone. For cable unlocking you will need to be able to operate computers quite comfortably.
Can phone unlocking harm my phone?
No it can’t harm your phone. Unlocking just removes the network and SIM locks imposed by your network provider. We do advise that you check your contract to make sure that unlocking doesn’t affect your warranty or break the terms and conditions of your contract.
Do any American carriers have GSM phones?
AT & T and T-Mobile provide GSM phones along with a few others.
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