What is a UDID?

Every iPhone, iPod, iPad & ATV has a 40 character long Unique Identifier (UDID) made up of numbers and letters that are specific to that one device. For example:

abc9683t8688t888t9e3208t6btbdd82ecpc8cbd

NOTE: the UDID is case sensitive so please ensure you type as its shown on screen

 

How do I get my UDID?

  1. Launch iTunes and connect your iPhone.
  2. In the right pane, locate the information about your iPhone, including its name, capacity, software version, serial number, and phone number.
  3. Reveal the Identifier by clicking on Serial Number:. Copy the Identifier to your clipboard by choosing Edit > Copy

 

How will I know if my phone is locked?

To find out if your phone is locked, simply place a different SIM card in the phone and turn the phone on. Ensure you use a different SIM and not the SIM that the phone was supplied with. If the phone does not allow you to view the menu and displays an error message such as “SIM not valid”, “Phone Restricted”, “SIM not accepted” then your phone is most likely to be locked. If the phone does allow you to view the menu then the phone in unlocked.

Is it safe and secure entering my card details on your website?

Your cards details are fully encrypted and processed over a secure server. We do not store your card details for maximum security. We support PayPal, which has a Thawte certified 128bit SSL Security site.

 

What information do I need to give you?

This varies depending on the solution. Typically you need to provide the model, the 15 digit IMEI number of the phone and the country / network it is locked to. Usually this is enough but this does vary for each handset and solution. Either way we provide you with full easy to follow instructions to unlock your phone.

 

Will my phone still work?

Yes, unlocking simply removes the network lock and SIM lock that are entered into the phones software when sold to you by the network.

 

What does unlocking mean?

First, you should understand why phones are locked in the first place. Network providers lock phones so that that you are forced to use their network at their rates. No other SIM card will work in their phones. You cannot take advantage of better rates from other providers. A locked phone is subject to roaming charges.

When you unlock your phone, you are free of these restrictions. There is no more restriction placed on the phone by a network carrier.

Are there advantages to unlocking my phone?

After a phone is unlocked, you are free to use any network and any SIM card of your choosing. You can insert and use SIM cards purchased while abroad and take advantage of better rates for calls and SMS messaging.

You no longer pay roaming charges, and you can switch back and forth between carriers/networks. Other advantages are the increased resale value of your phone. Locking is a guaranteed safe procedure for your phone and cannot harm it.

 

What is a SIM?

A SIM stands for a ‘subscriber information module’. It is a chip inserted into a GSM handset and allows the phone to work within a given network. It identifies who you are, knows to send calls to you when your number is dialed and also controls your calling rates according to your contract or pay-as-you go carrier plan.

 

How do I know if my phone is locked or not?

That’s a simple one. Just borrow a SIM card from a friend that comes from an alternative carrier from yours. If the phone works, your phone is unlocked. If you get an error message, it means that your phone is locked.

 

Do I have to unlock my phone every time I change SIM cards?

No. Once unlocked, your phone stays unlocked.

 

Do I save money by unlocking my phone?

Yes. While you will still be paying your provider the usual monthly rate, you can save money by using other SIM cards for other regions or countries if you are traveling. You can avoid roaming charges and you can search around for better rates wherever you are.

 

How much technical knowledge do I need to unlock my phone?

None at all. The instructions are easy to follow and simply require that you be able to enter the code unlocking number on your keypad. If you can dial a telephone number, you can unlock via code.

 

Is your unlocking guaranteed?

If your phone is listed on our site, we absolutely guarantee that we’ll provide you a working unlock code – or your money is refunded.

 

Can unlocking harm my phone?

No. Unlocking simply removes the network and SIM locks imposed by your network carrier. However, you should check your contract and paperwork to make sure that it doesn’t affect your phone’s warranty or that it breaks the terms and conditions of your contract. There is always the possibility that if you enter the wrong code (or a previous owner has tried) too many times that it will permanently lock your phone. We can help if this happens.

 

Is it Legal to unlock my phone ?

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, introduced an exemption on November 27, 2006 specifically permitting unlocking of cellular devices. The exemption was scheduled to expire on October 27, 2009, but was extended on an interim basis, because the Register of Copyrights had not yet completed its triennial review of DMCA exemptions. In July 2010, the Librarian of Congress extended the DMCA exemption for another 3 years.

 

Why is my phone locked ?

When the purchase price of the mobile phone to the consumer is subsidized with revenue from subscriptions, operators must recoup this investment before a subscriber terminates service. In order to secure their investments, GSM network providers implements a software feature called SIM Lock on the handset to prevent usage outside their network. Such subsidies are worth more than several hundred US dollars and in that’s why carriers also charge an early termination fee; another form to recoup the subsidy investment.

 

What is a phone SIM lock ?

It is a software capability built into GSM phones by mobile phone manufacturers. Network providers use this to restrict the use of these phones to specific countries and network providers.

 

What is a phone unlock code ?

An Unlock Code is a numeric string. When entered into a locked handset it releases the SIM lock restriction and allows the handset to be used on other GSM carriers.

 

What is an IMEI ?

The IMEI (i.e. International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is used by a GSM network to identify devices attempting to connect to them and therefore can be used for stopping a stolen phone from accessing that network. It’s only used for identifying the device and has no permanent or semi-permanent relation to the subscriber. The IMEI number includes information on the origin, model, and serial number of the device.

IMEI = 14 digits + 1 Check Digit

IMEISV = 14 digits + 2 Digit Software Version Number

IMEI + SV = 14 digits + 1 Check Digit + 2 Digit Software Version Number

The format of the IMEI is AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D, (15 Digits) although it may not always be displayed this way. The IMEISV drops the Luhn CD (i.e. Check Digit) in favour of an additional two digits for the SVN (i.e. Software Version Number), making the format AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-EE. The IMEI+SV incorporates both the check digit and the additional two digits for the Software Verison Number, making the format AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D-EE.

 

Where do I find the IMEI # ?

On many devices, the IMEI number can be retrieved by entering *#06#, or is located in the battery compartment.

Android : Settings –> About Phone

Blackberry : Options –> Status

iOS : Settings –> General –> About

Sony Ericsson (New Devices) : Options –> status.

Sony Ericsson (Old Devices) : Dial * Right * Left Left * Left

 

What are NOT results of unlocking a phone ?

Unlocking will NOT add frequency bands for usage on CDMA / IDEN networks, give customer free services (e.g. Internet, Talk, Text, Roaming, Ringtones), remove Lost / Stolen Ban, remove user passwords from SIM card or handset (See What is a PUK Code ?), void your Warranty.

 

Phone shows ‘unregistered SIM’, what should I do?

By process of elimination you should be quickly able to narrow down the cause to either a locked/defective phone, or a faulty SIM. If the issue appears to be a faulty SIM visit your neared network provider store to get a replacement SIM Card. If your phone displays this message then try resetting your mobile, turn your mobile off, remove the battery, and ensure your SIM is securely in place. Turn your mobile on again. If you still get this message try your SIM in another working phone – if the SIM works fine in another phone then the issue may be a defective SIM If other SIMs also will not work in your phone then there is a handset fault, or it has been blocked.

 

How to determine if your phone is GSM or CDMA?

If your phone requires a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card which is a small, removable card or chip that contains your mobile account information and is interchangeable between all GSM phones and if you use a SIM card in your mobile phone, then your phone is a GSM device. However if your phone does not require the use of a SIM card (or simply don’t have SIM Tray), then your phone is a CDMA device.

 

Can I use the original phone network after unlocking?

Yes, for example if you unlock an AT&T phone, it will still work flawlessly on AT&T.

 

Is the phone unlock permanent ?

Yes, as soon as the phone has been unlocked with us, it will stay this way forever.

 

Will a software update lock my phone ?

No, OEM software / OS updates should not lock the phone. However, in the event that the phone does lock again, the customer can reuse the original lock code already purchased to unlock the phone.

 

Will my phone unlock code expire ?

No, unlock codes are permanent and do not expire.

 

Will warranty repair lock my phone ?

It depends on the level of repair done to the handset. If the main board can not be repaired and will need to be replaced, the new main board will have an IMEI number separate from the one sent in for warranty repair and a new unlock code would be required. If the main board is not replaced normally the phone will stay unlocked, in the event it is not, then the customer can use the original unlock code that was purchased for reuse.

 

What networks are compatible with my phone ?

To determine compatible networks the customer will need to verify the compatibility of the frequency band from their handset and desired network.

GSM networks operate in a number of different carrier frequency ranges with most 2G GSM networks operating in the 900 MHz or 1800 MHz bands and 3G networks 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands. In rare cases the 400 and 450 MHz frequency bands are assigned in some countries because they were previously used for first-generation systems. Most 3G networks in Europe operate in the 2100 MHz frequency band.

Africa, Asia, & Middle East

900 MHz {Most widely used} & 1800 MHz

Europe

900 MHz {Most widely used}, 1800 MHz, & 2100 MHz {3G}

North America:

USA 850 MHz & 1900 MHz

Canada 850 MHz {Backup / Rural Areas}, 1900 MHz {Urban Areas}

South America:

Brazil 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800/1900 MHz

Costa Rica 1800 MHz

Ecuador & Panama 850 MHz (Exclusively)

Guatemala, El Salvador, & Venezuela 850 MHz and 900/1900 MHz

Peru 1900 MHz

 

Why do some unlock codes cost more than others ?

The cost of unlocking a handset varies upon availability of the SIM unlock code. Some networks will release unlock codes based upon age of the phone or requirements of the subscriber. Typically in the these cases the price per unlocking is relatively low compared to other options. In the other instances the network will not release the unlock code because of strict eligibility requirements or exclusive sales arrangement with the manufacturer or plenty of other reasons, then the unlock code must be obtained through the manufacturer of the phone. Obtaining codes via the manufacturer will in most cases be more expensive than through the network. Additionally all networks don’t have the same eligibility requirements and some never releases unlock codes under any circumstances. When this is the case, all models no matter the age of the handset should be requested through the manufacturer.

 

What is a Carrier / Network phone unlock method ?

When using a Carrier / Network unlock method the unlock code is acquired directly from the Carrier / Network (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile). When you purchase your unlock code with us, we will have the ability to waive some of the eligibility requirements. This method is usually the cheapeast, but it only delivers, on average, 75% of orders successfully, the remaining 25% must then be acquired through Factory / Manufacture method.

 

What is a Factory / Manufacturer unlock method ?

When using a Factory or Manufacturer unlock method the code is acquired directly from the Factory or Manufacturer of the handset (e.g. HTC, LG). This method is usually more expensive but delivers 95% of orders successfully.

 

What is a phone hard lock ?

A Hard Lock is a permanent carrier lock. Your phone will become hard locked by attempting to enter an incorrect SIM unlock code more times than your phone allows, permanently locking the phone to the current carrier. Each phone has different limits regarding unsuccessful attempts before the device becomes hard locked. The usual amount for HTC, Motorola, Nokia, and Samsung is 5 attempts, usual amount for LG and Blackberry is 10 attempts. The messages below are examples of what a Hard Locked phone will display.

BlackBerry :

(0 Left)

Code Error, Please Wait …

Huawei :

SIMLOCK block unlock reset KEY

SIM network subnet unlock PIN

HTC :

You have tried 5 times, please wait for timeout …

LG :

Unlock Attempt: 10 of 10

Motorola :

Contact Service

Contact Service Provider

Number of Attempts Remaining: 0

Tamper Alter

Wait before Enter Special Code

Nokia :

Cannot Undo Restriction

Not Allowed

This phone only accepts SIMs from specific networks, and has been blocked.

Pantech :

Contact your customer service center for the unblock code.

Samsung :

Phone Freeze

Sony Ericsson / Xperia :

Could not unlock network

NCK (0)

Network (0)

 

What is a PUK code ?

A PUK (i.e. PIN Unlock Key) is required to unlock SIM cards that have become locked after three successive incorrect PIN entries.

Note : If you enter the wrong PUK code 10 times in a row, your SIM card will be invalidated, and you will need to purchase a new one. The phone will display the following error: “PUK blocked call operator”.

 

How will I know if my Phone is already “Unlocked”?

– Power off your phone and remove the SIM card.

– Insert an active SIM card from a different carrier and power your phone back on

– Attempt to make a phone call (If you are able to call or text then your phone is not locked to a particular carrier)