Unlock your phone to work on any network.
A lot of mobile phone companies will give the handset away for free or at a very low cost, and in return they put you on a contract. They will also lock the phone, preventing you from moving to a different company once the contract is up. This is done to insure a steady supply of customers, but what if you don't like the company's service and want to move to a different company? The simple answer is, unlock the phone using a code.
Instructions
1. Look for a site that has mobile phone unlock codes. There are plenty of these sites out there. Some that you might consider looking at are GSMLiberty.net, Unlocktotalk, and GlobalUnlock. The one you choose will largely depend on whether they have the unlock codes for the mobile service provider you use. As of 2010, these codes range in price from $12.99 to $24.99.
2. Find the international mobile equipment identification number, or IMEI for short. This is a serial number that companies use to identify your phone with. Get this by dialing *#06# and waiting for a few seconds. You will get a 15-digit code that appears on your screen. Write the number down on a piece of paper.
3. Go to the website that you've chosen to use and type in the IMEI in the first drop-down box. Then enter your country, your mobile phone service and your phone make and model. Hit "Submit."
4. Enter your payment details and your email address and press "Buy."
5. Wait one to two days. Your unlock codes and instructions on use them will be sent to your email address. When you get the code, write it down on a piece of paper.
6. Turn your phone off and take the battery out. Remove the SIM (subscriber identity module) card and replace it with one from a different network. If you don't have one, you can purchase a prepaid card at a convenience store or borrow a friend's. Replace the battery and turn your phone back on.
7. Enter the unlock code exactly as you see it. Double-check to make sure that it is correct and hit "Ok." Wait for a few seconds and the phone will blink, beep, and turn off and then on again. Once it has restarted, look at the top of the screen and you should see the name of the new network. If it is there, then you have succeeded in unlocking your mobile phone. If it isn't there, then try reentering your unlock code again.
Tags: your phone, mobile phone, unlock codes, different company, down piece, down piece paper