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View Full Version : What is an "unlocked phone"

spencer22l
06-29-2009, 09:55 PM
I've seen people selling "unlocked phones" but what are they?

Are they phones that are hacked so anyone can use it anywhere ?? :confused:
Jakl
06-29-2009, 10:29 PM
Most service providers put an encryption on the phone that can only recognize their SIM Card. By Unlocking the phone, you can put any SIM card from any service provider and you can use the phone. If its a smart phone, u can easily purchase a Data plan and your phone will normally like if you would have a Locked phone.
spencer22l
06-29-2009, 10:31 PM
Most service providers put an encryption on the phone that can only recognize their SIM Card. By Unlocking the phone, you can put any SIM card from any service provider and you can use the phone. If its a smart phone, u can easily purchase a Data plan and your phone will normally like if you would have a Locked phone.

I see.. so you can unlock smart phones too? how can I do that? :)
thanks
Jakl
06-29-2009, 11:09 PM
I see.. so you can unlock smart phones too? how can I do that? :)
thanks

Unfortunately I don't believe you are able to unlock the phone yourself, its simply just adding a code to your phone and it will unlock, and there are companies that sell them for cheap (Around $20-50). There are manual ways with some phones, simply google your phone on how to unlock it and see if anyone else has some results and they share it, other than that, that's all I know.

I Found this as well, read it up
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock#Unlocking_technology

A handset can be unlocked by entering a special code, or in some cases, over-the-air by the carrier.

Typically, a locked phone will display a message if a restricted SIM is used, requesting the unlock code.
wiak
06-30-2009, 09:20 AM
locked means that you can only use the phone with the carrier you bought it from, aka you cant change SIM card from another carrier until the contract runs out
Black Panther
06-30-2009, 02:59 PM
locked means that you can only use the phone with the carrier you bought it from, aka you cant change SIM card from another carrier until the contract runs out

I think you'd be stuck with the carrier for the lifetime of the phone.

When I bought my arena, I was careful to get an unlocked one. If I got one on Orange for example, I'd be screwed since Orange don't exist in Malta! And I'd prefer to be able to change provider when it suits me...
spencer22l
07-04-2009, 07:21 PM
I think you'd be stuck with the carrier for the lifetime of the phone.

When I bought my arena, I was careful to get an unlocked one. If I got one on Orange for example, I'd be screwed since Orange don't exist in Malta! And I'd prefer to be able to change provider when it suits me...


So if I get anyphone from anywhere and get it unlocked I can use it in any country with any provider?
Like I think I heard from somwhere that it need to support GSM or some kind of mobile network system or whatever it is called..?? :confused:
h3llb3nd4
07-08-2009, 06:02 PM
So if I get anyphone from anywhere and get it unlocked I can use it in any country with any provider?
Like I think I heard from somwhere that it need to support GSM or some kind of mobile network system or whatever it is called..?? :confused:

yes you can, and all current mobile fones support those.