Once you've paid off the phone and confirmed that it will work on the new network, get ready to unlock the phone. Just to be clear, that doesn't mean you lose service; only that you can move the phone to the new network by swapping out the SIM card.

Be sure to keep the cellphone IMEI unlocking number handy, because you're likely to need it again.

Before reaching out to your current carrier (using the info below), take a moment to gather some account information. The list includes the account number, account holder’s name, Social Security number, and PIN or password, plus the phone number attached to the device you want to unlock.

If you’re in the military and about to be deployed overseas, the carriers will expedite the unlocking process, but you'll need to provide proof, so gather up your deployment papers, too.

Ready to go? Choose your carrier and complete the final steps.

AT&T: Go to att.com/deviceunlock and select "Unlock your device." You’ll need to read and agree that you meet the eligibility requirements, then submit the form. After that, you’ll get a confirmation email with the unlock request number. Click the link in the email within 24 hours to confirm the unlock request. If you wait too long, the request will be canceled.

AT&T will respond within two business days to confirm that your phone is unlocked.

Sprint: If you own an iPhone 5 purchased through Sprint or certain Android models sold before 2015, you won’t be able to unlock your phone, due to the vagaries of cellular technology. Sprint says only that they're "SIM unlockable."

For most other phones, call Sprint’s customer service line at 888-211-4727. If you bought a prepaid phone through the Sprint Forward program, call 855-639-4644 instead. The carrier will unlock your phone if your account is in good standing and you’ve been a customer for at least 50 days.

T-Mobile: This carrier restricts how many devices you can unlock in a 12-month period, which creates problems for those on a family plan. If you ask to have more than two T-Mobile phones unlocked in a given year, the company will deny your request.

To unlock a T-Mobile device, you have to call 877-746-0909 or go to T-Mobile’s unlock page (and sign in with your T-Mobile account). From there, you can schedule a callback time or message T-Mobile to request an unlock. If 40 days have passed since you bought your phone through the carrier and your account is in good standing, T-Mobile will unlock your phone.

Certain Android phones purchased through T-Mobile come with the T-Mobile Device Unlock app, which allows you to apply for the process and complete it without calling customer service. If the app is not preinstalled on your phone, though, you can’t download it from the Play store. There’s also no iOS version.

Verizon: This carrier automatically locks any phone bought through Verizon for 60 days. However, after that 60-day period, your phone is unlocked—with no extra steps needed. To confirm your phone is indeed unlocked, you can dial *611 from the device or call Verizon’s customer service at 800-922-0204.

The one exception to the 60-day rule is Verizon prepaid smartphones, which are locked to the carrier's service for 12 months. After that, you can call and request an unlock at 800-922-0204.

Published by Kopertis Wilayah X

Jalan Khatib Sulaiman Padang
Sumatera Barat
Phone: +62751705637
Fax: +62751705637
Email: bibiet@kopertis10.or.id