Sometime we fall in love with a phone but are not happy with the phone provider. In most cases, people just deal with the unsatisfactory service because they do not want to part with the phone. Some providers will allow you to use their phone with another provider. In order to do this, you will have to obtain an unlock code from your current provider.
Instructions
1. Investigate the type of network that your phone operates on. GSM phones have a SIM card and CDMA cell phones function without a SIM card. When switching carriers, GSM cell phones are more convenient to activate.
2. Pick a new carrier. If your previous cell phone was GSM, you will have to make sure your new carrier is GSM-based. The same goes for CDMA phones: the carrier must be CDMA-based. T-Mobile and AT&T are the biggest GSM-based providers in the U.S., while Sprint and Verizon are the biggest CDMA-based providers in the U.S.
3. Call your cell phone provider to request a SIM unlock code for your GSM-enabled phone. This cannot be done if you have an outstanding balance.
4. Use a phone unlocking service, such as GSM Liberty, Unlocking.com or The Phone Unlockers. Most of these sites charge a fee (GSM Liberty is free) to provide you with an unlock code for your GSM-enabled phone, or to reprogram your CDMA cell phone to your new carrier',s service.
5. Reactivate your cell phone with the new provider. Call your new provider and let them know you already have a phone, and they will provide you with a SIM card for a GSM phone, or a new number and programming code for a CDMA phone. Your provider will give you instructions to complete your phone activation.
Tags: cell phone, unlock code, with phone, Call your, CDMA cell, cell phones