If you are a cell phone lover, chances are you are aggravated with at least one aspect of your cell phone plan. Of course we all wish something about it was better – whether it be the sound quality, roaming charges, or the amount of service we get. But what if we had the opportunity to unlock our mobile phones? We have all wanted to switch services but keep our old beloved phone. Luckily, technology has now given us the means to do so. Better yet, it’s legal!

Mobile phone unlocking is a great way for people to get the most from their cell phones. We have all tried out a service that just doesn’t provide us with enough features, yet we haven’t wanted to go through the hassle of switching phones. Fortunately, mobile phone unlocking is extremely easy and legal! Although most cell phone companies want you to believe that they put cell phone locks on their devices, it is actually false. Of course no company wants you to leave! Every bright business wants to not only keep you as a customer, but keep your monthly cash that you send to them so frequently. Therefore, you have every right and ability to unlock your phone if needed. However, some companies will try to lock it permanently, so it was crucial to stay alert.

Another benefit to mobile phone unlocking is that it could save you a lot of money in the long run. For instance, if you were an avid traveler and wanted to save money on international phone rates, you could change your service. If you kept the same service, you would be charged for roaming fees, thus leaving you with an unnecessary bill. By unlocking your cell phone, you could spend more money on other features!

The greatest part about mobile phone unlocking is that is simple to access! Surprisingly, there are cell phone unlock codes you can use to do this procedure. Many websites online offer such codes that usually are quite affordable, ranging from $5-$10. However, some phones may need more than a cell phone unlock code. For instance, if you have a certain Motorola model, a data plug may have to be used to connect to a programming unit. This will reprogram your phone and allow you to pick another service.

Although mobile phone unlocking is a great way for people to switch services, not all phones can be unlocked. The only phone companies that have this feature are AT&T, Cingular, and T-Mobile. If you are not using a GSM company, chances are your phone has no ability to unlock. Nevertheless, if you have the opportunity to unlock your mobile phone, and you want to change services, then it is a wonderful opportunity. We now have the freedom to do what we want, when we want it. Cell phone companies are no longer holding us with these plans that cannot be changed. We finally have realized the secret and for that reason, cell phone unlock codes will always be our favorite feature.

Natalie Aranda writes on culture and technology. The greatest part about mobile phone unlocking is that is simple to access! Surprisingly, there are cell phone unlock codes you can use to do this procedure. For instance, if you have a certain Motorola model, a data plug may have to be used to connect to a programming unit. This will reprogram your phone and allow you to pick another service.

Unlocked Phone FAQ:

Question: What do I need to make an unlocked phone work?
I don’t really know much about unlocked phones. Assuming I currently have absolutely no phone service, what steps would I have to take after buying this phone to have full service? What kind of plan would I have to get? Somebody told me that unlocked phones already have free talk, so you only need to get a data plan.

Answer: “Someone” is wrong. You need voice service and a text plan if you plan to text. Go visit AT&T and T-Mobile to see what they offer. T-Mobile generally has less expensive plans but service can be spotty. If you sign a contract, you will probably get a free phone that you can sell. However, you can go month to month if you choose.

Question: Can I use an unlocked phone on my current t-mobile plan?
I currently have a plan on t-mobile with a blackberry with unlimited minutes and text messaging. But I want to get an unlocked phone “XPERIA”. Could I just pop out the sim card in my blackberry and just put it in the xperia? Would I still get the unlimited minutes/messaging on the xperia?

Answer: Yes you can put your sim in an unlocked “XPERIA” & yes you will still get your unlimited minutes etc as all the info on your account is on your sim card not on the phone.

Question: Does buying an unlocked phone effect how my phone works?

Answer: Generally, no. If your provider includes software on their locked phones (like an email reader or IM client) you may lose those, but other than that you should be fine.

If you are having issues connecting to the internet (WAP) or texting, its usually because you have wrong settings in your phone for the provider you are using. Technical support from your cellular provider should be able to remedy that.

Question: Can you lock a phone after its been unlocked?
I have an unlocked phone made for t-mobile that I used when I had cingular but now I’m with T-mobile and I was just wondering if I can lock it again so I will be able to send picture texts and stuff.

Answer: When they unlocked your phone did they just remove the network lock and leave the t-mobile branded software in the phone? If so you should still be able to see the tzone icon and you would be able to connect on the internet send pics etc.
If the t-zone and all other t-mobile branding of your phone is gone you will need to reflash the phone with a t-mobile monsterpack of software for your phone.

Question: Do carriers care if you have an unlocked phone?
I want to contact fido support but I have an unlocked phone, and I’m afraid they’ll refuse service to me or something because I bought an unlocked phone. Do they care at all?

Answer: I know at T-Mobile we don’t. I mean, some things we can’t help with because we don’t know about that phone’s specifics, or because it’s not covered under warranty, but we still try to help. Unless they have a rule specifically forbidding the use of other phones, I doubt they’ll care.

I can see when my customers are using non-T-Mobile phones, there’s a tool to see what phone models they’ve used. I don’t know if all carriers have a tool like that.

Question: Does any sim card work in an unlocked phone?
My phone company doesn’t have any phones with a qwerty keyboard, and I’m locked in with that company for at least 2 years, so i was thinking of buying an unlocked phone on ebay (like a Samsung U740 or an LG rumour) and just putting my SIM chip in – would that work?

Answer: That’s what they say. When you get an unlocked phone, it’s supposed to work with any SIM.

Question: Will my cellular one SIM card work on a unlocked phone?
I wanted to know if my Cellular one SIM card will work on a unlocked blackberry pearl phone, I tried it but when I get a call I can hear the other person but they cant hear me?? Should I get a T-mobile sim card?

Answer: It should still work, maybe try a tmobile sim card in the phone and see if it works if not call cellular one and tell them you are having a problem with people not hearing you. Sometimes it can be a problem with the sim card.

Question: Does a SIM card from other phone work in an unlocked phone?
I have an unlocked motorola L6 phone and I’m planning to buy a cheap GoPhone (AT&T) and put that SIM card into my unlocked phone. would that work?

Answer: Any SIM will work with an unlocked phone.