You may have heard people talk about unlocking their cell phone. Why would someone do this and why is a cell phone locked in the first place? The answer to this question is simple. The company that you purchased the phone from wants to make sure you only use their network, and so the phone is locked into that network. Most people would rather use it on whatever network they prefer and so the need arises for the phone to be unlocked. The mobile phone industry is highly competitive, and most of the profits in the industry come from the use of the network rather than the sale of the phone itself. That is why so many network deals include either a free phone or one at greatly reduced cost when a contract is signed to use the service for an extended period of time.

It is completely legal to unlock a cell phone, and unlocking the cell phone increases its value should you decide to sell it. Once they are unlocked, they may be used on any network.
How do you know your phone is locked? The way to determine this is to borrow a SIM card from a phone that uses another network. Simply plug it in and turn it on. If you can place a call, you know your phone is unlocked. If you get a message that says the card can not be read, then the phone is locked.

How do you unlock a Motorola cell phone? Motorola makes a device called the Motorola Smart Clip. It is used to reset the security and user codes on Motorola model cell phones. The smart clip is a simple, one button device that does not require any technical know-how to operate. Unlocking the phone is absolutely safe for the unit, and it also does not in any way void its warranty. It simply unlocks what are called SIM locks from the phone, and then the unit will accept SIM cards for other networks.
The Smart Clip can also be used through an LPT port to connect to your computer. Once you have unlocked your Motorola mobile phone, it is possible to buy prepaid SIM cards that allow you to make calls all over the United States while you are traveling.

Many models can be unlocked without the use of a Motorola Smart Clip, or any type of smart clip device. The codes to do this can be found on the internet. There are many sites that offer this information. You need only to know the model information. You can then search these sites for the right codes, and enter them into your phone. However, you might not be able to totally unlock the phone as some have multiple locks, and the available codes are not able to unlock them all.
In conclusion, it is an easy matter to unlock the Motorola mobile phone models, and there is every reason to do so. Since most phones require long term agreements with the service provider anyway, there is no reason not to unlock your phone and enjoy the increased calling options that then become available to you.

Natalie Aranda writes on technology and communications. How do you unlock a Motorola cell phone? Motorola makes a device called the Motorola Smart Clip. It is used to reset the security and user codes on Motorola model cell phones. The smart clip is a simple, one button device that does not require any technical know-how to operate. Mobile phone unlocking is absolutely safe for the unit, and it also does not in any way void its warranty. It simply unlocks what are called SIM locks from the phone, and then the unit will accept SIM cards for other networks.

Unlocked Phone FAQ:

Question: How much extra would you pay for an unlocked phone/PDA on ebay?
I have PDA phone I want to sell on ebay. My cell phone provider will send me the unlock codes for a phone once every 90 days. I’m trying to decide whether to use this to unlock the phone before I put it on ebay or to use it to unlock the phone I am keeping for my personal use instead. I’m trying to assess how much more I would get on eBay if I got the phone unlocked first before I sell it versus the hassle of trying to get my current phone unlocked if necessary through some third party service.

Answer: If your going to sell it on ebay, the best idea is to unlock it, because then its able to cover more plans. I’d probably pay most at fifty bucks over the normal price. But don’t stretch it. Start the bid low, and someone will probably pay more than its worth. Once two bidders get in a fight it can be a brutal thing, but good for you profit wise. If you start it low it gives the bidder even more of a reason to bid. If your really concerned about getting your moneys worth, then set a reserve on it for the lowest you would want to be paid for the phone.

Question: Does anyone know if US cell phones will work in Guatemala? Or will we need an unlocked phone and a chip?
We are traveling from LA to Guatemala–we have regular US cell phones and have an unlocked phone we purchased in Thailand–over there we just had cards inserted as we traveled. Just curious which works in central America!

Answer: It is much simpler to buy a cheap phone once you arrive in Guatemala. They are inexpensive.

Question: If I want to buy an unlocked phone from ebay, can I use it on my cell phone provider? Will they be able to service it if it gets broken?

Answer: Unlocked phones only work on GSM networks. In the USA, that’s AT&T and T-Mobile.

Will they be able to service it if it gets broken? Nope. You didn’t buy it from them, so it’s not their problem. When buying aftermarket, that’s the risk you take.

Question: If I were to buy an unlocked phone online, would my service provider insure it?
I’ve decided to purchase an unlocked Nokia e63 online, since my service provider (Cincinnati Bell) doesn’t carry it. Would Cinci Bell be able to insure my phone or not, since I didn’t buy it through them?

Answer: They will only insure a phone you buy from them. You do need to make sure that the phone will work with your sim card.

Question: Can you use an unlocked phone with virgin mobile?

Answer: Unlocked phone works with any carriers who use SIM card.

Question: How do you pay for an unlocked phone?
I know that having an unlocked phone means that you can take it to any carrier (i.e. Tmobile and AT&T). But when you come to them for a plan, do you have to sign a two year-contract with them or are you free to choose from their other options like prepaid or in the case of Tmobile a one year contract.

I’m interested in the Motorola Ming (A1200) and I just wanted to know if it performs better with either carrier.

Answer: You can usually pick a plan that offers a free phone, and just use your phone instead. I think the phone features and the plan features are what you need to look at when performing better with either carrier.

T-mobile has better prepaid plans and AT&T has better normal plans. Additionally, the data plans at T-mobile are much better.

Question: Will any unlocked phone I buy work with any sim card?

Answer: If you have a Sim Card and the phone is Unlocked GSM then you are fine. But remember unlocked phones do not have the same features as Locked phones.

I just bought a Nokia 8801 from Amazon. The phone is great, except I can’t send Picture messages and can’t get on the Internet. I know that simply calling customer care they can send the settings to your phone, but that is a hassle unless you have T mobile. I have found they are the only customer service that treats you right.

Question: What’s the best place to buy an unlocked cell phone?
I dropped my cell phone (RAZR) in the water and it’s ruined. Other than eBay, what’s the best place to buy an unlocked phone (preferably new or refurbished)?

Answer: If you simply need a replacement for AT&T service, buy a prepaid RAZR from AT&T (currently $130 shipped free) and swap out the SIM card. If you need it for another provider, you can get it unlocked for a few bucks more (there are a number of unlock providers on Ebay). T-Mobile used to have a prepaid RAZR for ~$100, but it isn’t on the web site now. Another source of unlocked phones is TigerDirect.