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
Domestic mobile service providers are required to unlock your phone free of charge as long as your account is in good standing and you’ve fulfilled all necessary contract obligations. Unlocking your phone requires you to contact your wireless service provider, which provides you with a unique code that unlocks your device.
Download free unlock Software
Dial *#06# on the phone you want unlocked. This displays the phone’s unique IMEI number.
Write down the IMEI number. Your wireless service provider needs the IMEI number to unlock your phone.
Contact your mobile service provider and say you want to unlock your phone. Your service provider will review your account to confirm you meet all requirements to have your phone unlocked for free. You may not be eligible to unlock your phone if you owe money or have not fulfilled the service contract.AT&T: Call 1-800-331-0500 or fill out an unlock request online at https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/.
Sprint: Call 1-888-211-4727 or go to https://sprintworldwide.custhelp.com/app/answers/list and click on the “Chat” tab.
T-Mobile: Call 1-877-746-0909 or go to https://support.t-mobile.com/community/contact-us and select the live chat option.
Verizon: Call 1-800-711-8300 and ask for a SIM unlock.
Provide your wireless carrier with the information required to process the unlock request. You must provide your phone’s unique IMEI number, name, and contact information. The wireless provider works directly with the phone manufacturer to obtain your unlock code. For example, if you use a Samsung Galaxy S4 on T-Mobile’s network, T-Mobile contacts Samsung to obtain the unlock code.
Wait for your wireless provider to provide you with your phone’s unlock code. Most major wireless carriers send the unlock code via email, while regional carriers may require you to visit a retail store.
Follow the instructions provided by your wireless carrier to unlock your phone. In most cases, you’ll be instructed to insert a SIM card from another carrier, then enter the unlock code at the prompt. After your phone is unlocked, you can use SIM cards from other compatible wireless networks
Top 10 Unlock method’s
| 1 | Use Google account |
| 2 | Use Android Debug Bridge |
| 3 | Unlock Samsung with PC |
| 4 | Use dr.fone |
| 5 | Boot into safe mode |
| 6 | Crash lock screen UI |
| 7 | Use Android Device Manager |
| 8 | Factory reset |
| 9 | Use fingerprint |
| 10 | Use face unlock |
How to unlock a phone on every carrier in 2022
- The device must work on AT&T’s networks.
- If you’re a current customer, your contract or installment plan must be fully paid off (including early termination fees). If not, pay off your plan early and wait 48 hours before making a request.
- It must not have been reported lost or stolen or involved in fraud.
- The account must be in “good standing” — not associated with fraudulent activity.
- It must not be active on a different AT&T customer’s account.
- On a postpaid account, it must have been active for at least 60 days, with “no past due or unpaid balance.”
- If it’s an AT&T prepaid device, it must be in service for at least six months.
- If you’ve upgraded early, you must wait for the 14-day “buyer’s remorse” period (30 days for business customers) before unlocking your old phone.
- If it’s a business device, then you must have your company’s permission.
- For military personnel, email AT&T your TCS or PCS (Temporary/permanent change of station) documents to unlock before your contract or payments end.
FAQ
Can I unlock my phone myself?
Unlocking your phone isn’t hard to do—and it’s completely legal—but a little help can go a long way, because the process varies from phone to phone and carrier to carrier. If you didn’t make a point of buying an unlocked model when you purchased your phone, it’s likely tied to your current network
Can I unlock my phone with IMEI number or not?
No, changing the IMEI number will not unblock the number as the only carrier is able to do that. If your number gets blocked after activation, you can reach the carrier where it is locked to