You desire to change networks, but your new SIM menu won't work in your phone. Baffled, you call your new carrier, only to learn that your smartphone is locked to the first network, and in that location's not much yous can do about it.

Of class, this isn't strictly truthful. If you're using an Android device, there's always something y'all tin can do. Here's how to SIM unlock your Android phone or tablet.

Does Rooting a Phone Unlock the SIM? No

Earlier learning how to unlock your Android phone'due south SIM, let's expect at what unlocking the network/SIM is, and is non.

Unlocking the SIM requires a generated code that is input into your phone via the keypad. It'south done to break the link betwixt your phone and the network that shipped it. This enables you lot to insert a compatible SIM menu from a different network and connect to their service.

Can you unlock your Android SIM for free?

However---and this cardinal---unlocking the SIM does not root your phone or mobile internet-equipped tablet.

Rooting your phone unlocks the bootloader, which is a dissimilar thing entirely. Rooting a phone will not carrier-unlock it, only information technology will let you customize the operating organisation or install a new one.

Both types of unlock are legal, although a SIM unlock oft requires help from the network/carrier.

Is Your Phone SIM Locked?

Unlocking your tablet or phone to a new network frequently isn't that hard. Not all phones are SIM or network locked, anyway.

Phones bought directly from a manufacturer or tertiary-party retailer similar Motorola, OnePlus, or Amazon for an unsubsidized price (unremarkably $500-$700) are more likely to exist unlocked than phones purchased from carriers similar Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T for subsidized prices (commonly free to $200).

But how tin you tell if your SIM is locked?

  • Check the device'south documentation: if "unlocked" appears on the invoice, you can be confident it isn't locked to a carrier.
  • Try a new SIM card: if you pop in a SIM from a different carrier and information technology doesn't work, you lot know the telephone is locked.
  • Contact your carrier: band them up and ask if the phone is locked.

But if you've discovered that your Android phone is locked to a particular carrier/network, how tin y'all unlock information technology?

Enquire Your Carrier to Unlock Your Phone or Tablet for Gratuitous

Amazingly, you can get in bear on with your carrier near SIM unlocking your telephone or tablet.

Since February 2015, US cell telephone owners accept been able to request networks unlock their devices to switch carriers. A similar arrangement is in place for phone owners in the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

Further, carriers must inform customers on their monthly beak whether the device is eligible for unlocking.

Begin by calling your carrier and request if the telephone is eligible. There is a clause on smartphones bought on contract, so if the initial two-yr bargain isn't yet up, you'll accept to pay a fee. This volition cancel the contract and give you the unlock code.

This leaves you lot gratuitous to use another SIM in your phone.

If you bought your phone outright from a network, information technology will typically exist locked for 12 months. Later on this time, if the account is up to date, the network should surrender the unlock code.

How to Unlock the SIM on Your Android Phone or Tablet

To cease the network/SIM lock, your network will need the IMEI number. The International Mobile Equipment Identity is a unique code used to identify your telephone or tablet on any network.

In Android, there are ii means to find the IMEI number:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. In the dialer, enter *#06#.
  3. Make a note of the IMEI information.

Alternatively:

  1. Open Settings > About phone (on older phones, go toSettings > Most phone > Status).
  2. Coil down to find the IMEI Information and make a note of information technology.

When you contact your network, either by phone or through the website, this 15-digit string is all they need. The network should then provide y'all with a lawmaking to enable your device to use the new network's SIM carte du jour.

(Note that the total procedure tin can differ across networks. Likewise, be aware that your new network may crave you to input a specific code to work with that carrier.)

While American carriers are not permitted to charge for this service, in the UK and Europe your network may charge a modest administrative fee for unlocking your phone.

Meanwhile, if you accept trouble with the "SIM non provisioned MM 2" error, we've offered some tips to help.

Find a Reputable Smartphone Unlock Service

If your network is not all-around requests to unlock your phone, some specialized websites provide the service.

Yet, we would suggest only using such a service if there is no style your network will unlock the device. Equally such sites are unregulated, they're not always reliable. You can gain some protection by paying for the service via PayPal.

Try these sites (provided at your own risk) to unlock your phone or tablet SIM:

  • safeunlockcode.com
  • doctorsim.com
  • freesimunlocker.com/unlock-free-sim

Note that regardless of the service you choose, there is no guarantee that it will unlock your smartphone or tablet SIM.

Avert Android SIM Unlock App Scams

As we've seen, unlocking your Android's SIM is relatively simple. So much so that you won't need any SIM unlock apps.

These apps are faux and represent a gamble to the security of your device and the data stored on it. They're scams and as such should be avoided.

So, don't head to Google Play to expect for a SIM unlock tool. Similarly, don't search for whatever "phone unlock tools" on download sites, Bittorrent, or Usenet. These are typically laced with Trojans and other malware.

Prophylactic, legal means exist for unlocking your smartphone'southward SIM/network relationship.

But while you should be cautious of SIM unlock app scams, Google Play does have useful apps for SIM bill of fare management.

Did You Unlock Your Device?

SIM unlocking your smartphone or tablet isn't ideal for everyone. We would recommend that you lot spend a expert deal of time weighing upward the pros and cons of this process. Information technology's useful for some, such as if y'all're travelling overseas and don't have a dual SIM device, for example.

And if you lot're switching mobile network providers, brand sure yous're getting the all-time bachelor deal!