Most GSM cellular-service providers in the United States contain a SIM lock to prevent the phone from being used on other networks. Unlocking your cell phone makes it usable with a SIM card from another provider, allowing you to switch providers without having to scrap your phone. It can reduce phone costs while travelling abroad, as you could buy a prepaid SIM from a local provider to use in your phone and not have to pay international roaming rates to your domestic carrier.
Instructions
1. Place a Subscriber Information Module, or SIM, card in the phone if it doesn't already have one.
2. Enter "*#06*" (without the quotation marks) on the phone's dialer and push the send button to display the phone's IMEI number, its unique identifier.
3. Enter the IMEI number into a website that will find your unlock code. Many sites provide unlock codes for a fee.
4. Enter "*#*#" and then your unlock code and then "#" on your phone's dialer. Press the send button.
Tags: your phone, your unlock code, IMEI number, phone dialer, send button