What is Cell Phone Unlocking?
I'd be willing to bet that your phone can only work with your current carrier. If you wanted to switch to another carrier, your phone would not work. If and when you switch, you'll need to buy a new phone, even if you are happy with the one you have. It wouldn't even matter if you travelled to another country, it still wouldn't work. Your phone is locked.
However, it doesn't have to stay this way. Generally, with most types of phones and carriers, there are methods to have your phone unlocked. When your phone is unlocked, you can do things like change your number, change your service provider, or change the account your phone is on.
The two main technologies that modern cell phones work on are Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Only phones that work on GSM can be unlocked, however.
It's super easy to tell if your phone works on GSM. This is because all phones that use GSM use something called subscriber identity module (or SIM) cards. All of your setting, contacts, and account info are stored on this card. If you have an unlocked phone, SIM cards from different carriers will still work inside your phone. Locked cellphones have special software on them that match the serial number on the phone with the account information stored on the SIM card, and if the two do not match, then the phone will not function.
There is one really simple way to find out if your phone is unlocked. Step one is find a friend with an unlocked phone. Take the SIM card out of your phone, and put theirs in. If your phone continues to work with their SIM card, then your phone is unlocked. You know your phone is locked if they are unable to do either of these things.
There are typically three reasons to unlock a phone:
The first simply to switch to another carrier. It's very common to have no problems with your phone, but not like your carrier. Another reason is that unlocking your phone allows you to travel to different countries and be able to get service with the phone you already own. All you have to do is get a new SIM card. The last reason is that unlocking your phone can give you the ability to add all kinds of features that you never had before. You can find really simple, step-by-step guides for unlocking your phone on the web. Get online today.
I'd be willing to bet that your phone can only work with your current carrier. If you wanted to switch to another carrier, your phone would not work. If and when you switch, you'll need to buy a new phone, even if you are happy with the one you have. It wouldn't even matter if you travelled to another country, it still wouldn't work. Your phone is locked.
However, it doesn't have to stay this way. Generally, with most types of phones and carriers, there are methods to have your phone unlocked. When your phone is unlocked, you can do things like change your number, change your service provider, or change the account your phone is on.
The two main technologies that modern cell phones work on are Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Only phones that work on GSM can be unlocked, however.
It's super easy to tell if your phone works on GSM. This is because all phones that use GSM use something called subscriber identity module (or SIM) cards. All of your setting, contacts, and account info are stored on this card. If you have an unlocked phone, SIM cards from different carriers will still work inside your phone. Locked cellphones have special software on them that match the serial number on the phone with the account information stored on the SIM card, and if the two do not match, then the phone will not function.
There is one really simple way to find out if your phone is unlocked. Step one is find a friend with an unlocked phone. Take the SIM card out of your phone, and put theirs in. If your phone continues to work with their SIM card, then your phone is unlocked. You know your phone is locked if they are unable to do either of these things.
There are typically three reasons to unlock a phone:
The first simply to switch to another carrier. It's very common to have no problems with your phone, but not like your carrier. Another reason is that unlocking your phone allows you to travel to different countries and be able to get service with the phone you already own. All you have to do is get a new SIM card. The last reason is that unlocking your phone can give you the ability to add all kinds of features that you never had before. You can find really simple, step-by-step guides for unlocking your phone on the web. Get online today.