How to Unlock a Phone for Free

Domestic mobile service providers are required to unlock your phone free of charge as long as your account is in good standing and you’ve fulfilled all necessary contract obligations. Unlocking your phone requires you to contact your wireless service provider, which provides you with a unique code that unlocks your device.

Part 1

Unlocking Your Phone

1. 
   1
   Dial *#06# on the phone you want unlocked. This displays the phone’s unique IMEI number.
2. 
   2
   Write down the IMEI number. Your wireless service provider needs the IMEI number to unlock your phone.
3. 
   3
   Contact your mobile service provider and say you want to unlock your phone. Your service provider will review your account to confirm you meet all requirements to have your phone unlocked for free. You may not be eligible to unlock your phone if you owe money or have not fulfilled the service contract.

   • AT&T: Call 1-800-331-0500 or fill out an unlock request online at https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/.
   • Sprint: Call 1-888-211-4727 or go to https://sprintworldwide.custhelp.com/app/answers/list and click on the “Chat” tab.
   • T-Mobile: Call 1-877-746-0909 or go to https://support.t-mobile.com/community/contact-us and select the live chat option.
   • Verizon: Call 1-800-711-8300 and ask for a SIM unlock.
4. 
   4
   Provide your wireless carrier with the information required to process the unlock request. You must provide your phone’s unique IMEI number, name, and contact information. The wireless provider works directly with the phone manufacturer to obtain your unlock code. For example, if you use a Samsung Galaxy S4 on T-Mobile’s network, T-Mobile contacts Samsung to obtain the unlock code.
5. 
   5
   Wait for your wireless provider to provide you with your phone’s unlock code. Most major wireless carriers send the unlock code via email, while regional carriers may require you to visit a retail store.
6. 
   6
   Follow the instructions provided by your wireless carrier to unlock your phone. In most cases, you’ll be instructed to insert a SIM card from another carrier, then enter the unlock code at the prompt. After your phone is unlocked, you can use SIM cards from other compatible wireless networks.^[1]

Part 2

Troubleshooting

1. 
   1
   Ask your wireless carrier what you can do to bring your account into good standing if it refuses to unlock your phone. Wireless service providers are required by law to unlock your phone for free, as long as your account is in good standing and you’ve fulfilled all contract terms.
2. 
   2
   Contact the FCC if you experience problems unlocking your phone for free with your wireless carrier. The FCC is responsible for enforcing policies associated with unlocking your phone, and will escalate your situation as needed to unlock your device.

   • File a complaint online at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us, or call the FCC at 1-888-225-5322.^[2]
3. 
   3
   Contact your wireless carrier and confirm the IMEI on file matches the IMEI number of your phone if the unlock code fails to work. This occurs when your wireless carrier provides the phone manufacturer with the incorrect IMEI number.

Tips

• Ask your wireless carrier to unlock your phone immediately if you’re in the military and being deployed internationally. By law, wireless carriers are required to unlock your device after verifying deployment.

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