In technical terms, I don’t think there’s any illegality about doing so in the UK. I can remember doing so with an old Nokia symbian phone ages ago, how would it work on something more modern like a Samsung android handset?
Google offers both those who say yes and those who say no, but neither offers a compelling case. Any offers of a definitive source?
The real question is do you actually need it to be unlocked or not, then you can decide if it’s worth the trouble. A far as I know, there aren’t any real security risks involved, but depending what your particular phone requires to be unlocked, you could potentially brick it if you mis-flash something.
In the States, most carriers will provide you with an unlock code if you are persistent, or if you’re traveling abroad.
Be sure not confuse “unlocking” a phone with “rooting” an Android phone or “jailbreaking” an iPhone. They are unrelated.
Locking the phone is for the benefit of the provider, not for your benefit.
In the United States, most people get phones from their service provider who gives them the phone free or deeply discounted. In return the subscriber commits to a two-year service contract. Locking the phone makes it difficult to take the discounted phone to a different service provider.
Locked AFAIK means it will only accept sim cards from that provider it is locked to. Unlocking means getting the phone changed to allow a SIM from any provider to work.
For an iPhone, for example, this can be done either by the provider (your contract is up, phone is paid for) or by “jailbreaking” first so you can load an unauthorized unlock program. An iPhone for example is tied to the Apple store, who do not allow unlock programs (even if you had the codes). Jailbreaking allows you to load the phone with an app/program from elsewhere. On of those outside apps could be the unlock program.
Jailbreak typically fails when you upgrade the phone’s operating system. Whatever bug the jailbreak program exploits to bypass the phone’s security, they fix it and you’re screwed until someone figures out a new jailbreak.
(bolding mine)
Just for the record, I acquired an ATT Nokia flip phone (not a ‘smart phone’) from a friend.
The phone wouldn’t accept my T-Mobile SIM card, but after a little ‘googling’ I eventually found a site that would provide the ‘unlock code’, for a fee. IIRC, the cost was about $75.00 US, which was reasonable, in my case. (The phone didn’t cost me anything.)
The phone works fine for most of the ‘apps’ that were already installed on the phone.
Some of the ATT ‘specific’ functions do not work, which is ok for my purposes. YMMV
Rooting or jail breaking may be one way to remove the locking , this is dangerous as you may brick it, although its only the first step, you may then have a failure which requires a reversion which fails which requires an attempt at a full reload , which might fail … Rooting or jailbreaking MUST interfere with the vital process of loading the main system, so it must be risky
Simple unlocking by entering a mere code, like a password, is safe enough , for the phone.
The phone is locked because your phone company subsidised it (probably, they might just be unscrupulous basturds who left the lock on …)
So be aware
a. You should only pay the phone company for the unlock code
eg because they will guarantee it works
b. A hacker that sells you a suspect code
5.may steal your credit card details - you may admit what you were buying to your bank/credit card company, and they may say that you were engaged in a criminal activity when you gave them the credit card details, you don’t deserve compensation (for the misuse of your credit card details…)
I’ve rooted and unlocked plenty of Android phones, and never had a problem (and never paid anything, either).
In the UK, if the phone is off contract, the supplier will provide the means to unlock it (without cost). I believe this is a legal requirement.
Some manufacturers (HTC does for recent Android phones) also provide a mechanism to root your phone. This allows you to change the OS (maybe for one without manufacturer/provider customisation).
So I am in the “pretty safe, but YMMV” camp
Yeah, Canada has no legal requirement to unlock. I unlocked my old Rogers iPhone for a fee of $C50 after I upgraded. They will unlock a phone that is paid off. (You get the phone for a discount, then pay a few dollars every month on a 3-year contract). There’s rmblings about making it free but nothing yet. IIRC for most phones, the code is specific to the phone, tied to the internal serial number.
Unlocking an iPhone (properly and permanently) is more complex than some other phones; instead of entering a code, they send a code to Apple. When you login to the Apple Store, it downloads that code and your phone is unlocked.
A jailbreak-unlock will likely be undone if you upgrade the iPhone’s IOS.
You can just ask your phone company and they might do it.
I’ve got a 1 year old iPhone 4s from ATT that I bought under a 2 year contract. Actually, it’s about 3 weeks shy of 1 year old at this point. Anywho, I filled outATT’s online form requesting to get it unlocked. They emailed me the next day saying my request was approved and provided instructions on how to do it. This all happened in the last 3 days.
Technically, my phone doesn’t meet their written guidelines for being unlocked-- I’m most definitely still under contract. I read on a message board that ATT generally approves these things without much review, particularly if you use the online form.
FWIW, my phone is also jailbroken and has been for quite a while now. I’ve never had any issues with that either.
I’m ok with not rooting the phone, I’m happy with Android as is on the handset (version 4.0 or thereabouts). I guess if the network provider offers codes to unlock handsets, it can’t be harmful technically.
I was going to buy it off my ex partner who has a spot of financial difficulties and could probably do with the money (she has a second Blackberry handset, she won’t be short of a phone…)
She can be a little secretive about things though and the way she said she wasn’t paying for the phone could mean that she’s finished her contract or there’s something else afoot. If the SIM was removed, could the network provider brick or lock it remotely in any way?
First thing - she needs to unlock the phone via her provider. That way, everything is legit and above board, and you just get an unlocked phone, free and clear.
If the phone has been reported stolen/lost/claimed on insurance etc the IMEI will be blocked and the phone won’t work anyhow. However, if she does try to pull a fast one and report it lost after you have taken the phone, the IMEI could be blocked (the UK is good like that, stolen phones have no value in Europe if the provider is informed). This could cause you problems.
This may be as good a place as any to ask this question:
My daughter has notified me that for her birthday next month she wants nothing except a Galaxy S3 or SIII, or whatever the devil it is the kid are calling them these days. Since I am her only source of income, she’s okay with, and indeed understands that it must be compatible with T-Mobile, or some other provider that doesn’t require an $80/month commitment.
The catch-22, of course being that I will never consider spending $400 or more on any cell phone.
So I’m looking into hunting around for [del]a cheap[/del] an inexpensive second-hand one from ebay or the recycler.
How does one go about evaluating a description of one of these to determine if it is compatible with T-Mobile?
Oops. Evidently I meant Metro PCS, not T-Mobile.
Same principle, though.
Metro PCS uses CDMA cellular technology, so you must ensure that the S3 that you purchase is an unlocked CDMA one (as opposed to a GSM one). Also, the older S3 may not support the touted 4G network.
Easily. The correct model for MetroPCS is SCH-R530 Contrary to what the poster above me wrote, this model supports LTE “4G” service. Find one on craigslist or your local equivalent and have the seller meet you at your MetroPCS store to have a tech confirm that the phone doesn’t have a bad ESN and can be activate don MertoPCS. You won’t pay $400 for an S3, especially given that the S4 is on the way.
edit: Technically the poster above me is correct, as there is no true “4G” available in the US. No carrier offers a solution that meets the speed requirements originally laid out for 4G. It’s all marketing at this point, but still plenty darned quick.
My provider (Sprint - boo!) claims that they will unlock iPhones for use internationally assuming my account is in good standing. Is that something they can do specifically, or once they unlock could I throw an AT&T SIM in there and use it domestically with AT&T all I want?