Let’s admit it: Not all of us can buy a phone outright. We would need to save and penny-pinch on some unnecessary expenses for months just to gather enough cash. By the time we have saved enough, it would be most likely that the phone we are eyeing to buy is already not the latest. Thus, it makes sense for most of us to rely on a monthly contract with a carrier to make the phone’s cost more manageable, not to mention you can get the phone the moment you sign the contract. But then, once the contract period is over, you may already legally own the phone, but do you still want to carry on with your carrier? There may be plans with better value on other carriers, so you may want to use your phone when you make that switch.
Of course, the biggest hindrance to your plans is that more often than not, phones that are given through contracts are locked to the carrier. After all, phone locking is a way for carriers to maintain their hold on their customers and prevent them from using the phone they acquired with their contracts to other carriers. However, recent legislation has made it easier and legal for phone unlocking to be done. Finally, not just because it has become easier and legal does not mean that you can DIY yourself through the process.
T-Mobile
Should you bother to unlock your T-Mobile phone? Yes, because they are GSM-based. This means that an unlocked T-Mobile phone can be used with other international carriers, including AT&T.
T-Mobile makes it pretty easy to unlock your phone, but there are just a couple things you need to do first.
(Via: https://www.androidguys.com/guides/how-to-unlock-your-t-mobile-phone/)
Sprint
An unlocked Sprint phone can be used as a prepaid phone and can also be used in mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) brands like Net10, Twigby, and Boost Mobile, among others.
For postpaid customers with SIM unlock-capable devices, Sprint has chosen to simply unlock active eligible SIM unlock-capable devices without requiring our customers to initiate an unlock request. Once you meet the requirements outlined in the Unlock Policy, Sprint will automatically unlock your active eligible SIM unlock-capable device.
(Via: https://www.androidguys.com/guides/how-to-unlock-your-sprint-phone/)
AT&T
AT&T is one of the world’s largest wireless service providers with subscribers. With over 150 million in their fold, they are attracting more subscribers, but surely, there are also current AT&T who want to escape its clutches.
AT&T’s phones operate on a GSM-based network which means they can theoretically work with numerous other carriers. The catch, of course, being that the handsets need to be unlocked first.
(Via: https://www.androidguys.com/guides/how-to-unlock-your-att-phone/)
Verizon
A Verizon phone operates on a CDMA, which means even if unlocked there may not be a lot of options for you to use it with another carrier. This means your options are limited to international coverage, prepaid and MVNO brands. But there are still other options.
Also worth noting, you should still be able to use an unlocked Verizon LTE phone on AT&T or T-Mobile — or their MVNO brands. More and more we’re finding their handsets to be compatible with both carriers’ LTE bands.
(Via: https://www.androidguys.com/guides/how-to-unlock-your-verizon-phone/)
Have an S10? Here’s what you do
The Galaxy S10 is one of the more popular Android smartphones in the world. The good news is, if you got your S10 from Verizon and if you purchased an unlocked unit, then you don’t have to go through the trouble of unlocking it to be used with other carriers.
In order to unlock your phone, you will need an unlock code, which you will need to enter into your Galaxy S10 after inserting the SIM card from your new carrier.
(Via: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-unlock-samsung-galaxy)
Unlocking your phone so you can have more options is one of the most liberating things you can experience in your tech life. The opposite is true with having errors in your hard drive. Let our experts help you. Click here to see how we can ease your problems with your hard drive.