Some Android phones are locked to one particular carrier, but there are ways to unlock the phone so that you can use any SIM card from another carrier. This can be a huge money-saver if you want to switch carriers, or if you travel internationally and want to buy local SIM cards instead of paying outrageous international roaming fees through your home carrier. There are several ways to unlock your Android phone, and this guide will explain how to do so.
Is it legal to unlock your phone?
If you bought your phone outrightly, or you’ve finished paying for the contract, then there is no law preventing you from unlocking your phone. It is completely legal.
On the other hand, it can be illegal to unlock a phone that you are yet to completely pay off its debt. Although some carriers may allow it, you will have to confirm first if they do before proceeding with the unlock.
How to Unlock your Android Phone
You can easily unlock your Android phone by following the below process.
Contact your network provider / Carrier
We have highlighted several carriers below and their specific instructions to enable you to unlock your phone.
US Carriers
T-Mobile
You can unlock your phone on the T-Mobile network as long as you’ve paid off, and have used it for at least 40 days.
You can check for eligibility and follow the instructions on the T-Mobile page to unlock your Android.
AT&T
You can only unlock an AT&T phone if you have paid off your plan. However, for a prepaid device, you must have used it for at least six months. Head over to the AT&T unlock page for more.
Sprint
Sprint automatically unlocks your device as soon as you paid off your plan, and has been on the Sprint network for at least 40 days. You can head over to their unlock page for more.
Verizon
Verizon also unlocks users’ devices automatically 60 days after purchase. You can contact their support if your phone is still locked after this period.
UK Carriers
EE
Visit EE unlock page here.
Giffgaff
Visit Giffgaff for instructions on how to unlock your Android phone.
O2
On this page, you will find detailed information on unlocking your device on the O2 network.
Tesco Mobile
Tesco will unlock your device as soon as you submit a request irrespective of your current contract situation.
Sky Mobile
If you purchased your phone via Sky, it should already be unlocked, hence no action will be required on your part.
Vodafone
You can request for an unlock code on Vodafone, however, it can take up to 10 days to get a response.
Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile devices are usually unlocked at the time of purchase, so you may just need to insert your new sim.
Unlock your device with a third-party software
If you are looking for a much easier and quicker route to unlock your Android phone, then perhaps using third-party software is the answer you seek. However, some of these software charge exorbitant prices so be watchful out there to avoid overpaying. For this process, we usually recommend Doctor Sim, as it is trusted and does not overcharge for its service. What’s better? If an unlock was not successful, they will refund you your money as soon as possible.
Wrapping Up
The above guide outlines everything you need to know when it comes to unlocking your Android phone in order to be able to use any sim on it without restriction. Be sure to always go with the first option (through your mobile carrier), before resorting to third-party software. If you have an iPhone, you can check out our guide on unlocking an iPhone.
