Frequent Asked Questions:

If you want to know more about the particular details of using our unlocking service, please read: Quick answers to common questions

How does your service work?
We provide unlock codes for most popular models of GSM cell phones. You buy the code on our web site, and we will begin processing it on the same business day. Depending on the phone and the network to which it is locked, it can take from few hours to few days to get the unlock code. Once you have the unlock code, you may follow the instruction we send to input it into your cell phone. It's easy and quick.

Do I need to mail my phone to you?
Not any more. Since 2002, we offered the first nation-wide cell phone unlocking by mail service. However, now we discontinued that program in favor of selling unlock code, which means you don't need to leave your phone.

What is a locked cell phone?
A locked cell phone could mean different things. It could be the phone or user security code to prevent unauthorized use of your cell phone, or a cell phone that has been restricted to the use on one particular network.

When speaking of a "locked" cell phone on this web site, we mean a cell phone that is restricted to a particular service provider (network). This restriction prevents you from using your cell phone on a different yet compatible network. So it would be more correct to call this type of phone "network restricted".

Let's say you have a GSM or iDEN cell phone, when you insert a SIM card from a different network, you probably will see one of the following messages: Remove phone restriction, Enter Subsidy password, SP (Service Provider) lock, Phone restricted, NCK, NSCK, SPCK locked, Insert Correct SIM Card, Phone Restricted, Enter Special Code, Contact Service Provider, Cannot Undo Restriction, Wrong SIM Card, Not Allowed error, SIM locked, Subsidy locked.

This means you are restricted to use only the service / SIM card from that one particular network provider. If you want to use a SIM card or service or another provider, your phone will reject it.

This is true even if you have a world phone. You can't really use other providers in other countries, which makes it either prohibitively expensive if your destination has roaming agreement with your home network, or useless if it doesn't have roaming.

There are also different levels of locking to the network such as Service Provider (SP) lock, Network Lock, Network Subnet Lock, and Corporate Lock. The most common is SP/SIM lock. Note: this is different from the personal PIN or security code you set yourself to protect your phone from being used by unauthorized persons or the SIM PIN code you use to protect your phone book. In the latter case you have a SIM-protection or phone-protection, not a SP (service provider) or SIM or phone network restriction.

Common error messages you'll find are: "Enter Subsidy Password", "Enter Special Code" (Motorola), "Phone Restricted" (Nokia), "Insert Correct SIM Card" (Ericsson, Siemens), etc.

For those who are curious about the jargons of mobile phones, read Common mobile phone jargons

For example, if you have service with XYZ Wireless. You paid for your phone and yet it is locked to XYZ network. If you try to use ABC Wireless SIM card, your phone won't accept it. If you take it abroad and try to use Orange SIM card, you won't be able to either. Once your phone is unlocked (unrestricted), however, you will be able to use any SIM cards you like, whether it's ATT, TMobile, Cingular, Orange, Vodafone, TIM, China Mobile, etc.

SIM Error Messages:

Invalid SIM: This error means that the SIM you have inserted into your phone is either inactive or is not compatible.

Remove phone restriction, Enter Subsidy password, SP (Service Provider) lock, Phone restricted, NCK, NSCK, SPCK locked, Insert Correct SIM Card, Phone Restricted, Enter Special Code, Contact Service Provider, Cannot Undo Restriction, Wrong SIM Card, Not Allowed error, SIM locked, Subsidy locked: Your phone is "locked" (restricted) to another network, you need to unlock it.

Insert SIM: Your SIM is either not inserted in your phone or is inserted improperly. Please remove and re-insert your SIM card. If you continue to receive this error message, your SIM card or phone may be defective.

Unregistered SIM: This error may occur if your SIM card is not fully activated. For example, if you insert an used SIM that is no longer active, or if you insert a SIM from a non-GSM carrier such as Nextel, you will see this error.

SIM Not Ready: This error occurs when you have just powered your phone and is due to the phone not being fully initialized. Please wait a few moments before accessing your phonebook or placing a call.

OTA OK: This message is displayed when your phone receives a network update, phonebook download, or an Over-The-Air t-zones or Picture Messaging configuration.

Enter PUK: These errors can occur if you have entered your SIM PIN three times incorrectly. If you receive this error message, please contact customer service of your mobile network for a PIN Unblocking Key (PUK) to restore access to your phone.

Check card, Card Blocked See Supplier, Blocked, SIM Blocked, or Contact Card/Service Provider: These errors may occur if you have entered your PUK ten times incorrectly. If these errors display your SIM is unusable and you will need to purchase a new SIM card.

SIM PIN:
A SIM PIN can be used to prevent access to your phone. When enabled, your phone will prompt you for the SIM PIN when the phone is powered on. Entering the wrong PIN will prevent you from making or receiving calls. SIM PINs are different from a Security Code that your phone may use to secure other phone functions. Please check your phone’s manual for further security details.

Why should I consider unlocking my phone?
If you are considering one of the following, you must unlock your phone first:

1. If you need to travel abroad and save a lot of money on phone bills
2. You want to switch wireless providers
3. You need to resell the phone
4. You bought a second-hand phone (most likely locked)

Most wireless carriers are likely to give you a run-around when you try to request an unlocking solution. Why waste your valuable time driving to the service center only to be told that they can't unlock the phone for you. You will then make a twenty minute call and the customer service may or may not be willing to help you.

Can I use my phone for international travel?
If you have a GSM phone and it is a world phone, then the simple answer is yes. To find out whether your phone will work abroad or not, you must know the model and band it uses. Most North American countries use 1900MHz or 850MHz. All other countries use 900MHz and/or 1800MHz. If your phone does not have the band frequency required abroad, then you'll need a world phone. Unlocking a non-world phone will not change the hardware radio frequency.

Does unlock mean that I could use a 1800/900MHz phone here in the US?
Unfortunately, in most cases, No. If the phone is not designed to support GSM network 1900MHz band, then you cannot use it even if it is unlocked. Unlocked phone means you are free to choose network provider but it does not mean you can change the hardware limitation of the phone. If you are planning to use your phone in the US, make sure you buy one that supports 1900MHz. All world phones support 1900MHz and at least one other international band.

We have made a list of popular phones and their network frequency. Please check your phone against the list. If it is not a 1900MHz phone, we cannot change it to 1900MHz.

What about my world phone?

Often the world phone such as Motorola V3, Nokia 8890, Ericsson T28W, Siemens S40 are supposed to work on most GSM networks in the world. Yet the wireless provider locked the phone to their network. This means despite having a phone that is capable of working on different networks, it allows only one wireless provider. This is how the wireless providers provide a phone for a substantially lower price than the actual retail value.

By locking your phone into their network, you cannot buy another SIM card and put it into the phone (hence the name SIM-locked or SP-locked). When you are traveling abroad, they will charge you substantial rates (e.g. $1 to $4 a minute).

With an unlocked phone, you are not locked to any single service provider. You have the choice of whom to use. Then, you don't have to pay the high roaming fee when going abroad. You can just buy a local SIM card and pay very reasonable per minute charge.

So if you are planning to travel with your phone, make sure 1. it is unlocked, 2. it has the capability to support 1800MHz or 900MHz radio band.

Carrier / Network Technology Compatibility List as of July 2006. Note: By unlocking a phone, it will only work among carriers of the same network technology

What about my Verizon / Sprint / Cricket / Alltel / U.S. Cellular / MetroPCS / Qwest phone?
Verizon and Sprint (except Nextel which Sprint just acquired) both operate on the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) network. Verizon generally do not lock the phones it sell, and you may reprogram it either over the air or manually when switching to another CDMA provider. However, in order for it to work properly, a PRL (Preferred Roaming List) should be uploaded into the phone.

Sprint locks all the phones they sell and will not release the unlock code or SPC (Service Provider Code). According to Sprint (subject to change, please double check this with Sprint), they will not activate any CDMA phone that was not sold by Sprint. While you can make some Sprint phones into Verizon, due to Sprint's activation policy, the other way around is not possible at this time. It is also possible to change some Sprint, Verizon, Qwest or Alltel phone into Cricket or vice versa.

Since CDMA is a different technology from GSM, you cannot use a CDMA handset on a GSM network (e. g. using a Sanyo 8400 or Motorola V60c on T-Mobile's network), and vice versa. This is because completely different hardware is required in the phone, it cannot be changed in software.

We discontinued CDMA phone unlocking and reprogramming service. However, we launched a new web site UnlockCDMA.com where you can download the same in-house instruction we used to unlock models such as Audiovox, Kyocera, Motorola, LG, Sanyo, and Samsung. All information about where to get the software and cables are located on UnlockCDMA.com for do-it-yourself. If you prefer to use a professional mail service, please contact GS Wireless at 619-640-0032. Please note that GS Wireless is another company and not affiliated with us.

Nextel / Boost (iDEN)
Nextel and Boost phones work on the iDEN network, a modified version of the GSM technology. Despite the fact that these phones use SIM cards, they are not compatible technologies. You cannot use an iDEN phone on a GSM network and vice versa.

Outside the US, you can put a Nextel SIM card in a GSM phone, and if there is a roaming agreement with the local GSM service provider you can make calls. Please note that Nextel only has roaming agreements in place with overseas GSM carriers. You can't use Nextel service on a GSM phone in the U.S., as Nextel has no roaming agreements with any GSM carriers here.

You cannot use a regular GSM SIM card in a Nextel/Boost phone to make or receive calls. We offer unlocking for selected models of iDEN phones.

My wireless plan has roaming, should I still unlock my phone?
Even if your plan offers nation wide roaming as part of your monthly plan, it does not cover international roaming. If you plan to use your phone abroad, it is highly recommended that you unlock the phone. Your wireless provider may not have roaming agreement in the country you are traveling. In addition, the international roaming cost can be as high as $2 to $4.50 per minute for both incoming and outgoing calls! Compare this to buying a pre-paid local SIM card which can be as low as $0.20 per minute calling the US from abroad. In addition, most wireless service providers abroad do not charge incoming calls.

I have seen some unlocking services based in foreign countries, should I use them ?
Some times, foreign unlocking service can successfully perform the unlock. However, take in consideration the long wait during mailing both ways and the uncertainty of dealing with an unfamiliar company. The hassles involved is not worth it in case something goes wrong. Some countries are also known for high credit card fraudulent activities. If you decide not to use a reputable company like us, proceed to others with caution.

What is IMEI / ESN?
International Mobile Equipment Identification, this is the unique number that identifies your GSM phone. Each phone has a different IMEI.

Electronic Serial Number is used to uniquely identify CDMA phones. We do not and will not change either IMEI or ESN. Please do not make such request.

Is this legal?
Yes, it's legal. The phone is yours just like your telephone at home. If your home phone could only work with ATT long distance service, does that make sense?

I have a cell phone store or am a dealer, do I get a discount?
When you unlock more than 10 phones a month you will get a volume discount. Please contact us for special rate.

Check SP lock on your phone
Tip: For Sony Ericsson user. Please press:

 >*<<*<* 

in your keypad ( the < and > are the joystick directions or the arrow keys on your keypad.) Then go to Service Info and check with your SIM Lock entry trial. If you see all four locks are 0. That's mean your phone HARD LOCKED. AT&T user will see only 1 attempt. All others will be 5, 10, or 15 attempts.