Thanks to the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Law, which came into effect back in 2014, cell phone carriers are forced to to unlock eligible phones for free. If you try to bypass this lock the wrong way, you may end up with a SIM-locked device that essentially bricks your device.Ī bricked device is a bad thing! This means that the carrier blacklists your device, blocking any means of unlocking, as well as banning you from their service, rendering the device nearly useless. This happens when multiple unsuccessful incorrect unlock codes are entered. In addition to this, carriers often limit the phone’s network bands, significantly limiting their compatibility with other networks. It will either ask you to contact your carrier’s customer service or enter an unlock code. This means you cannot just swap out the SIM card in your phone with that from another network, as it will simply not work.

Your device is carrier locked and only works on their network.Ĭarriers enforce software/firmware locks in the phones they sell to ensure customers cannot switch to other carriers without their consent, which comes at a price. These include a discount on the price while buying a new phone, plans that let you pay for the phone and the service in monthly installments, and assured phone upgrade options. The bait is the variety of offers that you get while purchasing a phone from a carrier.

However, the competition is tough, and most carriers do not want to compromise profit margins, so they use the old bait and hook. Like all businesses, network carriers want to keep customers on their service for as long as possible. Here’s all you need to know about the cost to unlock a phone in 2020 in the United States. Lastly, if you’re just thinking I want to sell my old phone online then give us a try. Try the options we list below to try and get the free unlock first if that doesn’t work move to the paid options. The issue is, you get locked to the network carrier, and even though technically carriers are not allowed to lock devices they still do and unlocking your phone can cost a pretty penny. Types of mobile phone plans owned in the United States (2016-2018) Source: StatistaĪs such, it’s tempting to pay a lower initial price and sign that dotted line. These let you get the latest phones with an initial payment that’s a fraction of the full price, with monthly payments for the balance. On the other hand, you have multiple offers from different network carriers. For one, you’re spoiled for choice with the number of devices that are available in various price ranges.

A phone purchase is a rather complicated decision to make.

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