We came up with 9 key points from a long article written on a popular website regarding cellphone unlocking. We hope you find it useful – time is money and who has time to hammer through an article when you have the cliff notes right here!
- Changing wireless providers can save you money and give you more options when traveling abroad and selling your phone.
- Before switching providers, you must unlock your phone from the current carrier’s network.
- This process varies from phone to phone and carrier to carrier, and is free once you’ve fully paid for the device or paid the early termination fee.
- Some carriers will push a software update to your phone, while others may require you to enter an unlock card before you can install a new SIM card.
- You can also pay a service to unlock the phone, but make sure to do your research on the company (we, at eSIM Planet do not recommend this).
- Make sure the phone is compatible with the new network by using the IMEI number and confirming it with the carrier’s website.
- AT&T requires that you agree to the eligibility requirements and submit a form, then you will receive a confirmation email. Link to ATT unlocking page here.
- T-Mobile restricts how many devices you can unlock in a 12-month period and requires 40 days to have passed since purchase and a good standing postpaid account. Link to T-Mobile unlock page here.
- Verizon automatically locks any phone bought through them for 60 days, and after that period it is unlocked. Link to Version unlock page here.
So overall a great summary I think, gets right to the meat of the topic. And of course the solution to your international data plan woes is an eSIM from AirAlo.