what does it mean to have your cell phone unlocked

If you've purchased a cell phone recently, it'southward probable already unlocked. But if you've had it for a while or if you're planning to purchase a used phone, yous should check to see if information technology's locked or not.

You don't want to get into a situation where a used telephone you've purchased doesn't work on your cell carrier.

At that place are a few ways to tell if your phone is unlocked. The steps differ for iPhones and Androids, but we'll become through them both below. Also, if your phone needs a heave, don't worry because weBoost cell phone signal boosters volition work with whatsoever jail cell carrier.

What does information technology mean if a phone is unlocked?

If a cell phone is unlocked, it means that the telephone can only exist used on 1 specific carrier's network, like only on Verizon service, or only on AT&T. Carriers will install software on the phone to lock it to their network.

Carriers lock phones to their service and then phone buyers can't purchase a subsidized phone from a carrier at a disbelieve and and so quickly move to some other carrier for service. Or to prevent theft on newly purchased phones.

It's a good thought to check a used telephone to see if it'southward locked before you purchase it. Why? If the phone is unlocked you lot can employ it to receive mobile phone service from the carrier of your pick. If you lot purchase a new phone, information technology's nonetheless ideal to make certain it'southward unlocked in case you want to switch carriers.

If the phone is locked, it can exist used merely on the carrier information technology's locked to. That could make a big difference to yous when you decide to purchase a used phone.

Continue in mind that the unlocked phone may not work completely the same on another carrier network because of different technologies.

Is My Android Phone Unlocked?

Read here for how to check if an Android telephone is locked.

Method #1

• Get-go go to Settings.
• Go to Connections.
• Go to Networks (peradventure Mobile Networks or Cellular Networks, depending on your phone model and the version of Android Os it'south using).
• Select Networks Operators .*It may take a short time for the phone to search for available networks.

If available networks announced, the phone is probably unlocked. To make sure, choose one and try to make a call.

If only one result comes back from the network search, or if the Search Networks choice is unavailable in the Networks carte, and so the telephone is nigh likely locked to the carrier.

However, keep in mind that this method is not 100% accurate. To confirm your telephone's condition try using this side by side examination. It's a little more complicated, only it'll give you a terminal answer on if your phone is locked or unlocked.

Method #2

For this test, you need two SIM cards for your telephone from two dissimilar carriers.

• Kickoff, turn off your telephone's ability.
• Remove your phone'due south SIM carte du jour with a removal tool or a paperclip. Watch this video for how to tell if an Android telephone is unlocked.
• Replace the SIM carte with the other SIM card from a different carrier.
• Turn on the power again.
• Y'all can now meet that the carrier's name at the top of your domicile screen has changed.
• At present dial a telephone call.

If the call connects, your telephone is unlocked. If y'all at present tin can't place a call, the phone is locked to the first carrier. At this betoken, yous may as well see on the screen a message explaining that the phone is locked.

Is My iPhone Unlocked?

Read hither for how to check if your iPhone is unlocked.

Method #1

• First go to Settings and and then Cellular.
• If you see a Cellular Data pick under the Cellular carte, and then your iPhone is unlocked.
• If you don't see "Cellular Data Network" as an option under Cellular, then the phone is locked.

However, this method for checking your iPhone's status isn't foolproof. For that reason, we recommend that you also utilize the method below if you can. It's more complicated, but it'll give a definitive result on whether your iPhone is locked.

Method #ii

For this exam, you need two SIM cards for your iPhone from ii dissimilar carriers .

• Get-go, turn off your phone'south power.
• And so open your iPhone's SIM card slot with a removal tool or a paper clip. If you lot don't know how to practice this, watch this video .
• Remove the phone'southward SIM carte du jour and supersede it with the other bill of fare from a different carrier.
• Turn on the power once more.
• You can now see that the carrier's proper noun at the top of your home screen has changed.
• At present dial a call.

If the call goes through, your phone is unlocked. If the call doesn't connect, the phone is locked to the other carrier. At this point, you may also see on the screen a message explaining that the phone is locked.

How to Cheque if a Boost Phone is Unlocked

If you've purchased a Heave Mobile phone, there are a couple of requirements earlier you tin can unlock it. Your account must have been active for at least 12 months, the device must be unlockable, and the account must be in good standing.

If you come across these requirements listed above, telephone call 1-888-Heave-4U to unlock your Boost phone.

AT&T & Verizon Phone Unlock Requests

If y'all have an AT&T or Verizon telephone follow these steps to unlock your phone.

To unlock your AT&T phone, kickoff, get to att.com/deviceunlock/ and select "Unlock your device". Consummate the class and submit information technology. Await for an email so you can ostend your asking and and so you'll receive an electronic mail shortly with the status of the asking. For detailed instructions get here .

Verizon prepaid and postpaid phones remain locked for 60 days after activation then volition automatically become unlocked at the 60-day mark. And then no steps are necessary hither!

What to Do if Your Phone is Locked

Now that you've learned how to check if a phone is unlocked, What do you do if it'due south locked?

If the phone is no longer under contract or if it was purchased outright, rather than on an installment payment plan, you can accept it unlocked past the carrier. The Federal Communications Committee (in the U.South.) requires carriers to unlock phones that are not under contract.

If y'all're the phone'southward original purchaser, getting it unlocked is simple. Just contact the carrier's customer service department to request an unlock. You'll receive instructions on how to unlock your jail cell phone.

If y'all're buying a used locked phone from the original owner, have them unlock the phone before you pay for it.

See how to boost your cell phone signal on any telephone or whatsoever carrier with a weBoost cell phone booster ! Betoken boosters or prison cell telephone repeaters amplify jail cell signal into your home or vehicle to give you faster information, improve call quality and strong cell signal. Click below to learn more.

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