Do you travel a lot and want to be able to use your phone in another country? Are you bored with your current carrier and want to switch to a new one before your contract expires? Unlocking a Samsung phone allows you to use a SIM card from another carrier and connect to their network. You may be able to unlock your phone by calling your carrier, but they likely won't allow it if your contract isn't up yet. If that is the case then you will have to unlock it via a third party or do it manually if you have the right model. See Step 1 below to learn how.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Contacting Your Carrier
Step 1. Contact your carrier and ask about their unlocking policy
Most carriers will unlock your phone after some time has elapsed or after your contract has expired. If your contract is still running, they may ask you to pay a termination fee before it's time to unlock your phone.
You may be able to unlock it earlier if you explain that you need to unlock your phone for overseas use on business
Step 2. Contact the other carrier you want to use
Many carriers are happy to unlock the phone if you come from one of their rivals. Call the new carrier you want to use and see if you can make a deal that makes them willing to unlock the phone for you.
Make sure the new carrier you choose uses the same type of network your phone supports. The two main network types are GSM (AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Sprint and Verizon)
Step 3. Look for the code for your Samsung phone
As phones get older, generic unlock codes are often provided by the manufacturers. Search the internet for your phone model to see if the code is available. Most likely you will not be able to find the code for the new models.
Method 2 of 4: Using Paid Unlocking Services
Step 1. Get your phone's IMEI/MEID number
This unique identification number is required if you order an unlock code. Open the dialer and use the keypad to dial *# 06#. A screen will appear with a 15-digit code.
Copy the code so you can retrieve it easily later
Step 2. Look for a trusted unlocking service
Surprisingly, there are many companies online that claim to be able to unlock your phone for a fee. Since you're paying a hefty price tag to unlock your phone, make sure that the service you choose has good reviews and offers a solid guarantee.
Step 3. Ask for a code
You will be asked to provide your IMEI/MEID number, along with contact and payment information. The amount you have to pay depends on the model of phone you want to unlock and the speed with which the code is fetched.
- It may take a few days to retrieve the code, as many of these companies rely on contacts within the carrier.
- When entering your phone information when requesting a code, make sure that everything is 100% accurate so that you can receive the right code for your device.
Step 4. Insert your new SIM card
Once you receive the unlock code, turn off your phone and remove the SIM card from your old carrier. Then, insert the card from your new carrier. The SIM card slot is usually located behind the battery or on the side of the device.
See this guide for further instructions on how to find and remove the SIM card
Step 5. Turn on your phone
You will be asked to enter an unlock code in order to connect to the mobile network. Enter the code you received from the unlock service.
You may have to be within range of the new network in order to enter the code. This is different for each device
Step 6. Make sure that you are connected
If the code has been entered correctly, you will see your phone is connected to the new mobile network. If you can't connect to your new network, make sure you're within coverage, then contact your carrier to see if your phone is properly unlocked.
Method 3 of 4: Manually Unlocking Samsung Galaxy S3 and Note 2
Step 1. Make sure your phone is up to date
Your phone must be running Android 4.1.1 or later for this method to work. You can check your device version by going to Settings, then scrolling down and selecting About Device. Your version will be listed under the Android Version heading.
- To update your phone, go to Settings then scroll to About Device. In the next menu, select System Updates then Check for Updates. Your phone will search for available updates and if they find them, they will be downloaded and installed.
- This does not work on devices whose ROM has been modified.
Step 2. Open the keypad of your phone
You must enter the code on the keypad to open the Service menu. After the keypad opens, enter the following code:
*#197328640#
Step 3. Select "[1] UMTS"
After you enter the code, the phone will automatically open the ServiceMode menu. From here, select "[1] UMTS".
Tap the on-screen menu selection to select it. If you choose the wrong option, press the Menu button on your phone and select Back
Step 4. Open the Debug menu
In the UTMS menu, select "[1] DEBUG SCREEN". In the Debug menu, select "[8] PHONE CONTROL". In the Phone Control menu, select "[6] NETWORK LOCK".
Step 5. Select "[3] Perso SHA256 Off"
Once you select this option, wait for about 30 seconds. Press the Menu key and select Back. Select "[4] NW Lock NV Data INITIALLIZ".
Step 6. Wait and reboot
After you select "[4] NW Lock NV Data INITIALLIZ", wait for about a minute then reboot your phone. You won't receive a confirmation if the process was successful, so you'll need to test the phone by inserting a SIM card from another carrier. If you are not prompted to enter a code to unlock, the process was successful.
If this method doesn't work on your phone, you can contact your carrier to unlock it or pay for an unlock service to retrieve a code
Method 4 of 4: Manually Unlocking Samsung Galaxy S4
Step 1. Make sure your phone is compatible this way
This method can only be applied to the Galaxy S4s on AT&T and T-Mobile. This must be done on an unmodified phone (stock phone); Modified ROMs will not work.
This method will most likely not work on CDMA phones, such as Sprint and Verizon phones
Step 2. Open the keypad
You must enter the code on the keypad to open the Service menu. After the keypad opens, enter the following code:
*#27663368378#
Step 3. Select "[1] UMTS"
After you enter the code, the phone will automatically open the ServiceMode menu. From here, select "[1] UMTS".
- Tap the on-screen menu selection to select it. If you choose the wrong option, press the Menu button on your phone and select Back.
- The Service Mode menu is a diagnostic menu for your phone, and is very powerful. Make changes only to the settings described in this guide. Changing other settings may cause your phone to freeze.
Step 4. Open the Debug menu
In the UTMS menu, select "[1] DEBUG SCREEN". In the Debug menu, select "[8] PHONE CONTROL". In the Phone Control menu, select "[6] NETWORK LOCK".
Select "[3] Perso SHA256 Off". If you select this option, you will receive a display like this on your phone screen:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[1]SHA256_OFF =>SHA256_ON
Tap the first line. Select "SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG [1]" with your finger. The phone will display:
MENU NOT EXISTPRESS BACK KEY
Step 1.
To continue, press the menu button on your phone and select Back
Make sure that the settings are changed correctly. When you make a backup, the message display from Step 4 will now be:
SHA256_ENABLED_FLAG[0]SHA256_OFF =>Not Change
Return to the UMTS menu. Press the menu button and select Back four times until you return to the UMTS Main Menu. Select "[6] COMMON", then select "[6] NV REBUILD". The following message will be displayed:
Golden-Backup existYou can Restore Cal/NV
Step 1. Restore your backup
In the NV REBUILD menu, select "[4] Restore Back-up". The phone will automatically reboot. Now your phone is unlocked. Insert the SIM card from your new carrier; if you are not prompted to enter the unlock code, the process was successful. Make sure you can connect to the network.
