Why Your Next Cell Phone Should Be Unlocked

1. Is it better to get an unlocked phone?
2. Is there a downside to unlocking your phone?
3. Why would you want to unlock your phone?
4. Does unlocking your phone affect your service?
5. How do I activate an unlocked phone?
6. Can I just put my SIM card in an unlocked phone?
7. When you unlock a phone does it erase everything?
8. Is there a way to unlock a phone for free?
9. How do you unlock a phone that has a password?
10. What does ## 72786 do?
11. Is it illegal to unlock a phone under contract?
12. Can a locked phone be unlocked?

Is it better to get an unlocked phone?

But if you hate the idea of being tied to a carrier and you have the money to splurge on a flagship phone whenever you want, then buying an unlocked phone is probably the best option. Going the unlocked route is also great for people who want a phone for less than $500, or even as low as $200.

Is there a downside to unlocking your phone?

Unlocked phones get no support from carriers

This is easily the biggest disadvantage of going with an unlocked phone. Carriers will let you use unlocked phones, but they won't offer support if anything goes wrong.

Why would you want to unlock your phone?

Unlocking your phone means breaking the carrier-lock imposed on many handsets that stops them working on rival cellular networks. By unlocking your phone you can bring your phone to a carrier on a compatible network and sign on to their services.

Does unlocking your phone affect your service?

Once you've paid off the phone and confirmed that it will work on the new network, get ready to unlock the phone. Just to be clear, that doesn't mean you lose service; only that you can move the phone to the new network by swapping out the SIM card.

How do I activate an unlocked phone?

Activating Phones: What You Should Know About Each Carrier.
...
How to Activate Your Android Phone: 7 Super Simple Steps

1. Step 1: Use an Existing Account. ...
2. Step 2: Make Sure It Is Compatible. ...
3. Step 3: Authorize Your New Device. ...
4. Step 4: Check the SIM. ...
5. Step 5: Add a Device with an App. ...
6. Step 6: Confirm with the App. ...
7. Step 7: Phone it In.

Can I just put my SIM card in an unlocked phone?

You can often switch your SIM card to a different phone, provided the phone is unlocked (meaning, it is not tied to a particular carrier or device) and the new phone will accept the SIM card. All you need to do is remove the SIM from the phone it is in currently, then place it into the new unlocked phone.

When you unlock a phone does it erase everything?

PhoneRescue for Android – Unlock Android

Removes the lock screen with one click on the Android phone. No harm to the existing data or erase anything on your Android.

Is there a way to unlock a phone for free?

If you are eligible to unlock your phone, then it's completely free! The FCC says: "Participating providers may not charge existing or former customers additional fees to unlock a device if it is eligible to be unlocked. Providers may charge a fee to unlock eligible devices for non-customers and former customers."

How do you unlock a phone that has a password?

Trick #2. Unlock Password Using ADM

1. Go to Android device manager site.
2. Sign in to your google account.
3. Now click on 'Lock' option.
4. Enter a new Password and confirm your new password.
5. Now reboot your locked phone and enter the newly set password. Voila! You've unlocked your phone successfully!

What does ## 72786 do?

Without a PRL, the device may not be able to roam, i.e. obtain service outside of the home area. ... For Sprint, it is ##873283# (it is also possible to use code ##72786# on Android or ##25327# on iOS to completely clear out the service programming and redo OTA activation, which includes updating the PRL).

Is it illegal to unlock a phone under contract?

It is not technically illegal to unlock a phone that is under contract. However, many cell phone companies lock the device if you have an installment payment plan so that they can guarantee that you will remain with them under contract until the phone is paid off.

Can a locked phone be unlocked?

When a handset is locked it means it will only work with the provider from whom you bought it. If your phone is locked it won't automatically become unlocked when your contract expires with your provider. You'll have to specifically ask your carrier to unlock it.