What is an unlocked android smartphone

Things to Consider Before You Buy an Unlocked Smartphone

Is an unlocked device really your best bet?

You may have heard people talk about unlocked smartphones. An unlocked smartphone is one that will work on more than one service provider (such as Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint). There are some advantages and some disadvantages to an unlocked phone. Here’s what you need to know before you buy one.

With iPhones, unlocking is often called jailbreaking.

Pros and Cons of an Unlocked Phone

Each carrier offers a limited number of (locked) phone models to use with its services. Purchasing an unlocked phone elsewhere (such as from a retailer or the phone manufacturer) expands the number of models you have access to for use with your provider. However, if you use a phone not provided by the carrier, you may not get all the services that are available from that carrier.

Your Carrier May Unlock Your Phone for You

Some carriers will unlock your phone, but usually only after certain conditions have been met, such as your phone is completely paid for. You might want to have this done if you want to sell your phone or switch carriers without having to buy a new one. Unlocked phones make it much easier to change your cellular service carrier while keeping the same phone.

If you’re thinking of having your phone unlocked by your carrier, keep in mind that purchasing an unlocked smartphone can be a much easier, and more reliable, option than attempting to unlock a previously locked phone.

Unlocking a Smartphone Yourself

You can unlock a smartphone on your own, but you may need help. You can pay a third party to unlock your phone, but doing so may void any warranty you may have, or cause problems when you want to update the phone’s software. Therefore, research these issues thoroughly before moving forward.

SIM Cards and eSIMs

A subscriber identity module (SIM) card is a tiny card in your phone that contains information tied to a specific mobile network. The SIM provides the device with its phone number, as well as its voice and data services. When you unlock your phone and switch carriers, you may need to get a new SIM from that carrier.

Some smartphones, such as the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, don’t use SIM cards. Instead, they have an embedded SIM (eSIM) that eliminates the need for a separate card. To use this type of phone with a specific carrier, that carrier must support eSIM operation, and most major carriers do support it. With an eSIM, there’s no need to swap physical SIM cards when switching between carriers.

With some unlocked phones, you may have two SIMs, one for domestic use, and one for international use; or one for a personal line and one for a business line.

Using Unlocked Smartphones

As noted above, if you buy an unlocked smartphone, you’ll need a SIM to get service unless your device is equipped with an eSIM. Otherwise, there’s little difference between using an unlocked smartphone and a locked one, assuming the phone was unlocked by a carrier or was purchased unlocked.

Smartphones unlocked by a third party can be trickier to use because their warranties are likely void as a result of this action. Also, updates to your smartphone’s software can relock the phone, requiring you to unlock it again, an option that may not be available immediately after an update.

Bottom line, buying and using an unlocked phone gives you more freedom to use your phone as you like, and it can save you money. But, before making your purchase, take time to do your research.

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What is an unlocked phone, and how do I know if my phone is unlocked?

If you’re shopping for a new smartphone, chances are you’ll stumble across the term “unlocked phone.” What is an unlocked phone exactly, and how do you know if it’s unlocked? Even more, do you even want an unlocked phone, and would it be safe to use? We answer all these burning questions inquiring minds want to know.

What is an unlocked phone?

What is an unlocked phone anyhow? In simple terms, an unlocked phone is a device that isn’t tied to one specific carrier. Typically, when you’re locked into a ball-and-chain monthly contract, the associated phone remains locked to that specific carrier’s network.

Why? Because wireless carriers sell phones at a discount. To recover financial losses from subsidizing, carriers lock customers into a multi-year contract of device payments while locking the phone to its network. This prevents customers from getting a discounted phone and jumping networks without paying off their phones.

That said, you can’t install SIM cards from competing networks and expect instant connectivity. Even if the phone has the hardware to support other networks and you’ve made all the payments, it usually remains carrier-locked until you pay it off or meet certain requirements.

Here are links to the unlock requirements for the three major carriers in North America:

Of the three, Verizon is the only carrier that doesn’t lock phones even if contracts and payment plans aren’t complete. This stemmed from Verizon’s agreement with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) when it acquired block C spectrum. However, Verizon does lock your phone for the first 60 days after purchase. While it’s not perfect, 60 days is much shorter than the competition.

In addition to postpaid plans and phones, restrictions also apply to prepaid plans and associated devices purchased through wireless carriers. These phones do not have payment plans, but carriers still want time and financial investments before unlocking these devices.

Unlocking versus jailbreaking

One of the big errors we see is the term “jailbreak” (or even rooting) incorrectly associated with unlocking phones. Jailbreaking specifically pertains to software, as you remove the phone’s media restrictions to install a different operating system or delete/hide unwanted pre-installed apps that you’re stuck with. To that extent, you are “unlocking” the phone’s true potential or “unlocking” it from software-based restrictions, but it’s still not carrier unlocked.

Typically, phone locking starts on the SIM card level to accept a specific mobile network code. But the other half of that restriction stems from your phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity number (IMEI). This number is unique to each phone and used to identify all devices accessing terrestrial cellular networks, including smartwatches, laptops, modems, tablets, and more.

Moreover, all IMEI numbers have linked codes used to unlock a phone. Manufacturers store these codes in a database accessible by carriers and other third-party services. This prevents you from ripping the SIM card out of the Galaxy S21 you’re currently buying through AT&T and use it on T-Mobile’s network. The IMEI number is still tied to AT&T; thus, the only way to unlock the phone is to make all the payments, send AT&T an unlock request, and get the unlock code.

According to a quick chat with T-Mobile, you can take this route or allow the carrier to pay up to $650 in device and termination fees. In turn, you must give T-Mobile the phone and purchase a new device through the company.

You can buy unlocked phones

You can get a carrier-free phone from most retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and more. You’ll pay full price upfront versus the typical payment plan through carrier contracts; thus, the fancier the phone, the bigger the bite from your wallet.

For instance, you can get factory-unlocked versions of the Samsung Galaxy S21, the Sony Xperia 1 III, Google’s Pixel 5, and even Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Gamers can grab the unlocked Asus ROG Phone 5 for $799.

But before you purchase an unlocked phone, you need to see if it’s compatible. Wireless networks in North America use two different standards: Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications used by AT&T, T-Mobile, and a few prepaid carriers, and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) used by Verizon, U.S. Cellular, and other prepaid carriers. Most carriers outside the United States rely on GSM networks, as the founding GSM Association is an international organization originally established in 1987.

Due to these two separate standards, a phone built specifically for Verizon may not have the bands needed to support AT&T and T-Mobile. The good news is that you can find phones that support both GSM and CDMA connectivity, but you’ll need to dig deeper into the phone’s hardware specifications before investing.

Here we run into step 2 of the compatibility roadblock. While AT&T and T-Mobile provide GSM-based cellular networks, they own and use different radio frequencies. T-Mobile openly provides its frequency list here, while you can find the other three here along with many other carriers like FreedomPop, Google Fi, Straight Talk, U.S. Cellular, and more. You’ll need to verify that the supported frequencies of the phone match the target carrier frequencies.

“Even if your phone, tablet, or mobile Internet device is compatible with carriers, your device may not operate the same on a different mobile carrier’s network,” T-Mobile warns regarding device compatibility.

SIM vs eSIM

Short for Subscriber Identification Module, the SIM card stores what your phone needs to access a specific network. This data includes your mobile subscriber identity number, encryption keys, contacts, SMS messages, and more. It’s a small, physical card that typically fits into a pull-out slot on the side of your phone. When you swap wireless carriers, you swap SIM cards as well.

Originally introduced in 1991, newer, smaller generations are typically released every six to eight years. What we have today is the nano-SIM card introduced in 2012, measuring just over a square centimeter. Some devices also use the new embedded SIM module (eSIM) mounted inside the device, eliminating the need for swappable, disposable cards that can be lost or damaged.

Due to the difference between SIM cards and eSIM modules, check if the unlocked smartphone you want to buy includes the latter eSIM module and if your wireless carrier supports it. Recent devices packing eSIM modules include Apple’s iPhone 12 series, Samsung’s Galaxy S21 devices, select Google Pixel 5s, and the Oppo Find X3 Pro.

You’ll also find phones with two SIM card slots, allowing the device to access two separate networks. This is good for separating business and personal calls, as you’ll have two separate phone numbers. This duality also provides better coverage, as you could switch from one network to another after moving into a dead area. You can even use one SIM card locally and a separate card internationally, eliminating costly roaming fees.

Dual-SIM phones are typically sold unlocked.

How can I tell if my phone is unlocked?

If you’re currently making monthly device payments to a carrier other than Verizon, chances are the device is locked. If you paid off the device and submitted an unlock request, the first method of checking its status is to remove the current SIM card and install another card from a different network.

You can also check your phone’s unlock status using its IMEI number. Simply follow these instructions for Apple iOS and Google Android platforms:

1. Dial *#06# to get your IMEI number in a pop-up window.
2. Head to imei.info.
3. Enter your IMEI number.
4. Click on the Warranty & Carrier button. However, you’ll need to create a free account to use this specific service.

If you own an iPhone or cellular-capable iPad, there’s another way to check the unlock status:

1. Open Settings.
2. Open Cellular.
3. Open Cellular Data.
4. Cellular Data Options should be present on an unlocked phone.

Again, if your qualified phone is locked to a specific carrier, you’ll need to send an unlock request. The required information includes the device IMEI number, your account number, the account owner’s social security number, phone number, and overseas deployment papers if needed.

The method of unlocking a phone using a code depends on the device. After requesting an unlock for an Android phone, customers receive a code from the carrier through a text message and an on-device pop-up window. The customer then shuts down the phone, removes the first carrier’s SIM card, installs the second carrier’s SIM card, powers on the device, and follows prompts to enter the unlock code.

Another route is to use a special app supplied by carriers. For example, Cricket Wireless provides the myCricket app with an “Unlock Device” option on the app’s sign-in screen. Once the app receives the required code, customers must reboot the phone to complete the unlock process.

In addition to carriers, third-party services can unlock your phone, but doing so could violate your contract. For Android phones, you pay a flat fee in return for an unlock code. These third-party services have access to databases managed by phone manufacturers that contain unlock codes tied to the device IMEI. But be careful: Some third-party services may not be legit and could run with your money.

Unlocked means freedom

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what “unlocked” means regarding phones and how to tell if your current device is locked to a specific network. With an unlocked phone, you have the freedom to choose the best compatible wireless carrier. Even if you paid off the phone and completed contact obligations, the device is all yours, and you should have the freedom to switch. Call your carrier today if you’ve met all the required obligations.

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What Is an Unlocked Phone?

Everyone talks about unlocked phones but what are they?

When dealing with an unlocked or locked phone, the question is whether or not the device can work on a specific wireless network that’s different than the network the phone was designed to work on.

What is an Unlocked Phone?

An unlocked smartphone is a phone that can work with any cell phone carrier. Some phones are not unlocked and so they can only be used on one provider like Verizon, or with just AT&T, or T-Mobile, etc. An unlocked phone doesn’t have that limitation.

However, a phone’s compatibility with a network is only relevant for cell phone carriers, not wireless networks like Wi-Fi; any phone, as long as Wi-Fi is working, can connect to a Wi-Fi network regardless of whether or not the phone is unlocked or locked.

What It Means to Have an Unlocked Phone

Most cell phones and smartphones are tied, or locked, to a certain cellular carrier, such as Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, or Sprint. Even if you don’t actually buy the phone from the carrier, the phone is still tied to a carrier. For example, you could purchase an iPhone from Best Buy, but it still might require that you sign up for service from AT&T or your respective carrier.

For many people, purchasing a locked phone makes sense: The carrier offers a discount on the handset in exchange for you signing a service contract with them. In addition to the discount, you also get the voice and data service that you need to use the phone.

However, not everyone wants to be tied to a certain carrier’s network, for a variety of reasons. For example, if you frequently travel overseas, it may not make sense to be tied to a phone that won’t work internationally (or one that will cost you an arm and a leg to use in foreign countries).

Other people are unwilling to sign the lengthy service contracts (two years, typically) that many carriers require. That’s why purchasing an unlocked phone can be a desirable alternative; they can purchase the phone unlocked and then activate it with any company.

Or, maybe you don’t get very good service where you live and you want to switch to a network that has better coverage, but you don’t want to leave your phone behind. Unlocking the phone, in this case, would let you keep your device but get the better coverage you desire.

Moreover, nowadays, companies like OnePlus tend to sell only SIM-free unlocked devices. This way, they have control over software upgrades; they don’t need to get the update tested from a network provider every time they want to roll out an update.

Why Phones Are Locked

Phones do not inherently need to be locked to any carrier. All phones could, in theory, be released as unlocked so that you could activate them with any mobile carrier. However, for a carrier to maintain business, they might lock their phone to their network so that if you want the phone, you have to pay for a plan with them.

For example, if the iPhone were locked to the Verizon Wireless network and only worked with Verizon service, then you’d have to switch over to Verizon in order to use the iPhone. However, if you were to unlock the iPhone so that it could work with other carriers, you could unsubscribe to Verizon’s service and use your iPhone with AT&T, Sprint, etc.

How to Unlock Your Phone

There are often very specific rules that you have to follow before you can unlock a phone. For example, the phone can’t be reported stolen or missing, needs to have been paid for in full, and might need to have been active on the carrier’s network for so-many days.

Not every phone needs to be unlocked in order to take it with you to another carrier. However, if you do need to unlock your phone, you have to contact the carrier that the phone was last used with.

For instance, to unlock an AT&T phone, you need to fill out AT&T’s device unlock procedure so that they can remove the lock and let you use it with another carrier. However, Verizon is a company that doesn’t lock most of their phones, so no special code is needed in order to use a Verizon phone with another carrier.

T-Mobile has its own set of eligibility requirements and rules, too. Your carrier will be able to tell you exactly what to do if your phone is eligible for unlocking.

How to Find an Unlocked Phone

If you’re ready to buy a new phone and want one that’s already unlocked for use on the mobile carrier you already use, you can usually find one online.

For example, Amazon has an entire section for unlocked cell phones where you can filter the results by brand like Apple or Huawei, by operating system like iOS and Windows, and by other criteria like storage, screen size, features, price, color, etc.

You can also buy unlocked phones virtually anywhere you can buy locked smartphones, like Best Buy, Walmart, Gazelle, etc.

More Information on Unlocked Phones

A locked phone is locked even if you pay full price for the phone. It might make sense that a phone is carrier-locked only if and when you’re making payments, and then it will be unlocked when it’s fully yours (when you make the last payment), but that’s not the case.

While an unlocked cell phone can work on any mobile carrier’s network, unlocking a phone does not switch it between radio communication technologies like GSM or CDMA. For example, you can’t unlock a GSM phone and expect it to be CDMA compatible.

The term «locked phone» also refers to the simple act of password protecting your phone or putting it into lockscreen mode where you can no longer see the homescreen icons. In this case, to «unlock the phone» just means to enter the password or to reach the homescreen where you can launch apps.

If you have a SIM card from another carrier lying around, try putting it in the phone and see if it works. If you see a message asking for a SIM unlock code, your phone is locked. You can also try contacting your carrier and asking them whether or not your particular phone model is unlocked.

Yes, any SIM card should work in an unlocked phone, provided the phone’s wireless technology (usually GSM) is compatible with the network. If the SIM you’re trying to use is the wrong size, you can get an adapter or request a new SIM from the carrier.

Activating an unlocked phone should work the same way as activating a locked one. First, make sure the phone is powered off, then insert the SIM card. Next, turn the phone back on and follow the on-screen directions to activate it and set it up.

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