Unless you purchased a Samsung cellphone that was specifically described as unlocked, your phone is probably locked, which means it is tied to a specific carrier's cellular service. To use that phone with another carrier, you need to unlock it. You can ask your current service provider to unlock the phone for you. Assuming you don't have a contract or have paid an early termination fee and have paid for the phone itself, your carrier may unlock it in-store or unlock it remotely. If your carrier won't unlock the phone for some reason, you can try to unlock it yourself using one of the free unlocking services available on the internet.
Free Samsung Unlocking Software and Codes
Listed here are software programs and unlock code services designed to help you unlock your Samsung phone.
Unlock Your Phone With Us! When you unlock your phone with UnlockAuthority you’ll be able to use your phone with different network service providers / GSM. You will be treated with exceptional customer service and a dedicated representative to assist you 24/7. Restore access to the functionality of various Android phones and tablets by resetting the bootloader. The tool detects any Android device connected to your personal computer and recognizes compatible models. And then it runs an automated unlocking process. Download UnLock Phone 1.33 from our website for free. This PC program was developed to. Assuming you don't have a contract or have paid an early termination fee and have paid for the phone itself, your carrier may unlock it in-store or unlock it remotely. If your carrier won't unlock the phone for some reason, you can try to unlock it yourself using one of the free unlocking services available on the internet. Let’s dive into how to unlock a phone and break free of your ties to a carrier. What you’ll need. Before you set your mind on unlocking your phone, you’ll need to keep in mind that doing so.
Although this information is written specifically about Samsung phones, you may find that it applies to other Android phones also, including Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, LG, etc.
You'll need to know your Samsung phone's model number for most of these unlocking tools. It is usually located behind the battery, so you'll need to remove the battery to see it.
Be Cautious When You Unlock
Unlocking your phone yourself can be a risky business because doing so may void any warranty you have, and the process can irreparably harm your phone. However, in most countries, including the U.S., it's completely legal.
Plenty of people are interested in unlocking their cellphones. If it works, unlocking your phone gives you more freedom in how and where you use it. You may be able to make cheaper calls, install new software, and do more with your phone. After you unlock your phone, though, it may not work with all carriers. Technologies differ among cell service providers, and your phone's technology must be compatible with the provider you plan to use.
Even when the phone works with a different carrier, some of the features may not work as they did previously.
Carrier Compatibility
The two network standards in the U.S. are Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). There are a few GSM/CMDA hybrid phones available, and it looks like most carriers will switch over to GSM. GSM phones have SIM card slots, and Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a GSM standard. Any phone or tablet with LTE must have a SIM card slot.
The moral of this story is that compatibility matters. Contact any cellular provider you are considering before you unlock your phone to make sure that your phone will be compatible with the company's service after you unlock it.
Alternatives to Free Unlocking Codes for Your Smartphone
Buying an unlocked phone is a safer, but more expensive alternative to unlocking a phone yourself.
You can also purchase unlocking software that might work when the free software doesn't, but make sure you research it thoroughly so that you don't throw away your money. Here are a few services to check out:
You can also try the web-based unlock tool at SamMobile.com as a substitute for a software-based solution. Give the site a few details about your handset, and it emails you the appropriate unlock code. Even though it's not free, it has a high success rate at unlocking Samsung smartphones.
In the US, as in several other countries, mobile carriers sell phones with special offers or price cuts. But such phones are also often locked to their network. You can’t swap out the SIM card and use a different carrier’s network. Here are a few ways to unlock phones for free, or for a small price, while doing it legally and risk-free.
This article covers free unlock phone codes, as well as how to get your carrier to unlock your phone for free. If you’re a Samsung user, there is also a phone unlocking software that might work on several older devices.
Unlock Motorola Phone For FreeIs It Legal to Unlock Your Phone?
The US has flip-flopped on the legality of unlocking phones for some time. But the final verdict by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is resoundingly in favor of the consumer. Yes, it is legal to unlock phones.
More importantly, the FCC has mandated that all carriers should unlock phones for their consumers for free, if a consumer so desires.
That said, you need to know whether your phone is eligible to be unlocked. The FCC isn’t giving you a free pass to con the carriers. It explicitly states that you can unlock only “after you have fulfilled the applicable service contract, completed the device installment plan or paid an early termination fee.”
So, how can you tell if your phone is locked or not? Well, unless you intentionally bought an unlocked phone, it’s mostly likely locked.
Why Should You Unlock Your Phone?
The biggest benefit of unlocked phones is that you are no longer at the mercy of a single provider. You are free to change networks as you see fit, so that you can use the SIM that best works for you in any region of the USA.
Unlocked phones also help tremendously when you’re travelling abroad. Land in any country, buy a local SIM card, and use it. It’s going to be much cheaper than racking up international call and data charges.
Finally, unlocked phones are excellent backup devices. Whether your main phone isn’t working, or someone needs to borrow a device for a few days, an unlocked device gets the job done.
What Unlocking Does and Doesn’t Do
It’s pretty simple. SIM unlocking a phone is only about letting you use any SIM card from any carrier, as long as it is compatible. You don’t get access to any developer features or hidden commands in the phone.
It cannot break the GSM-CDMA limitations of the phoneGSM Vs. CDMA: What Is the Difference and Which Is Better?GSM Vs. CDMA: What Is the Difference and Which Is Better?You may have heard the terms GSM and CDMA thrown around before in a conversation about cell phones, but what do they really mean?Read More. So, unlocked phones from GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile will let you fit SIM cards from GSM networks. But you can’t fit SIMs from CDMA networks like Sprint and Verizon. And vice versa.
3 Ways to Unlock Phones for Free or Cheap![]()
Let’s say you have a locked mobile phone and want to get it unlocked. You want the safest and least expensive way possible, of course. Here’s what you can do.
1. Go to the Carrier
The first and best route is to go to the carrier. 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.”
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Here’s how to check if your phone is eligible to be unlocked:
If your phone is eligible, then either request to unlock it online or go to a store. Here are the direct links to contact each carrier:
2. Get an Unlock Code Online
Ideally, you should unlock your phone through the carrier. But if you aren’t eligible by their terms and still want to unlock it, you’ll need to get it done via a third party. But it probably won’t be free.
Note: This method is a little iffy to use with iPhones now. We have a full guide to unlocking your iPhoneEverything You Need To Know About Unlocking iPhonesEverything You Need To Know About Unlocking iPhonesIf you bought your iPhone direct from Apple, you've got an unlocked phone that's good for use with any network. But what if you bought it through your mobile carrier?Read More, and we suggest you follow that.
The internet is full of websites that sell unlock codes. Depending on the country you are in, the manufacturer of the phone, and the carrier you use, you should expect to pay up to $30. Don’t spend any more than that if the seller asks, because you will find it cheaper elsewhere. You can get some codes for as low as $10.
We checked online reviews and testimonials to find sites that usually work, and offer refunds in case the code didn’t work. Here are some of the best:
While all of these are paid websites, you can get free unlock codes on Free Unlocks. This site is a part of the TrialPay network, by which you can get the first code from the site for free. You will need to sign up for TrialPay as a part of it, of course.
Online reports show customers of Free Unlocks repeatedly got the free codes, and successfully unlocked their phones.
3. Use a Free Software for Samsung Phones
If you’re using a Samsung Android phone, one desktop software claims to also unlock devices for free. Wondershare’s Dr. Fone Toolkit is a paid program for Windows, but the trial version is free.
With the trial version, you can try out the SIM unlocking service for free. You will find it under the More Tools section, and you will need a USB cable to connect your phone to the computer.
Dr. Fone Toolkit is a little old and might not support all Samsung phones, but it claims to work with over 400 models across 60 countries. Here’s a full list of supported devices.
And in case you’re worried, Dr. Fone has an active customer care service, offers a money-back guarantee, and says the software won’t affect your data.
Download: Wondershare Dr. Fone Toolkit for Windows (Free)
It’s Better to Buy Unlocked Phones
The next time you are buying a phone, take a moment. The price of a SIM-locked phone is substantially cheaper than an unlocked phone at the outset. But there are hidden costs to this, such as specific tariffs and plans for that phone, and a lock-in period.
It’s why we always recommend that you buy unlocked phones and save hundreds of dollarsNever Buy a Phone From Your Carrier! Buy Unlocked Phones and Save HundredsNever Buy a Phone From Your Carrier! Buy Unlocked Phones and Save HundredsUnlocked phones can cost a fortune, but the savings more than make up for it. You can save thousands by not signing a contract. We've got six phones that come contract free!Read More. The flexibility to switch to different mobile plans, as well as the freedom to change SIM cards when you travel, will save you more money than the initial difference between the locked and unlocked handsets.
Image Credit: somrak jendee/Shutterstock
Explore more about: Mobile Plan, Samsung, Smartphone Security, Smartphone Tips.
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