Unless you purchased a Samsung cellphone that was specifically described as unlocked, your phone is probably locked, which means it is tied to a specific carrier's cellular service. To use that phone with another carrier, you need to unlock it. You can ask your current service provider to unlock the phone for you. Assuming you don't have a contract or have paid an early termination fee and have paid for the phone itself, your carrier may unlock it in-store or unlock it remotely. If your carrier won't unlock the phone for some reason, you can try to unlock it yourself using one of the free unlocking services available on the internet.
Free Samsung Unlocking Software and Codes
The reason why you should clear everything from Samsung Galaxy phone is because your phone may contain tons of private and personal pictures, messages, videos, music, chats and so on and you don't any stranger to look at them. So, in this short guide, we will show you how to clear data from Samsung Galaxy phones and make it totally fresh and new. A collection of mobile phone tools programs for Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10 along with software reviews and downloads for 32-bit and 64-bit titles.
Listed here are software programs and unlock code services designed to help you unlock your Samsung phone.
Although this information is written specifically about Samsung phones, you may find that it applies to other Android phones also, including Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, LG, etc.
You'll need to know your Samsung phone's model number for most of these unlocking tools. It is usually located behind the battery, so you'll need to remove the battery to see it.
- WorldUnlock Codes Calculator — This small Windows software program generates unlock codes for many of the cell phones from major manufacturers including Samsung. After you download it and input your phone's details, including the model, manufacturer, location, and IMEI number, the unlock code calculator generates a code. The code must be entered while your phone does not have its SIM card installed.
- UnlockSamsungOnline — There are highly detailed instructions on this site that explain how to unlock your Samsung phone using a program called SRS.
- Free SIM Unlock Samsung Online — is an online service that generates a code you use to unlock your Samsung phone.
- Universal Simlock Remover — This third-party software is designed to unlock a variety of mobile phones including Samsung phones.
- FreeUnlocks — You can either pay for the unlock from this website or get it free through TrialPay.
Be Cautious When You Unlock
Unlocking your phone yourself can be a risky business because doing so may void any warranty you have, and the process can irreparably harm your phone. However, in most countries, including the U.S., it's completely legal.
Plenty of people are interested in unlocking their cellphones. If it works, unlocking your phone gives you more freedom in how and where you use it. You may be able to make cheaper calls, install new software, and do more with your phone. After you unlock your phone, though, it may not work with all carriers. Technologies differ among cell service providers, and your phone's technology must be compatible with the provider you plan to use.
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Even when the phone works with a different carrier, some of the features may not work as they did previously.
Carrier Compatibility
The two network standards in the U.S. are Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). There are a few GSM/CMDA hybrid phones available, and it looks like most carriers will switch over to GSM. GSM phones have SIM card slots, and Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a GSM standard. Any phone or tablet with LTE must have a SIM card slot.
The moral of this story is that compatibility matters. Contact any cellular provider you are considering before you unlock your phone to make sure that your phone will be compatible with the company's service after you unlock it.
Alternatives to Free Unlocking Codes for Your Smartphone
Buying an unlocked phone is a safer, but more expensive alternative to unlocking a phone yourself.
You can also purchase unlocking software that might work when the free software doesn't, but make sure you research it thoroughly so that you don't throw away your money. Here are a few services to check out:
- UnlockBase — claims to have unlock codes for more than 3,000 Samsung smartphone models. They aren't free, but you can't beat the selection.
- Dr.fone toolkit — a paid service that offers a free trial you may find useful.
- CellUnlocker.net — covers a wide range of Samsung model unlock codes.
You can also try the web-based unlock tool at SamMobile.com as a substitute for a software-based solution. Give the site a few details about your handset, and it emails you the appropriate unlock code. Even though it's not free, it has a high success rate at unlocking Samsung smartphones.
All Samsung phones are not created equally, and as such, each has its own update schedule. Each carrier sells its own model that is updated on its own terms, but you can also buy unlocked versions that get updates straight from the company. You’d think the latter phones are prioritized for Android updates, that’s not the case. But it looks like that’s about to change.
While every major carrier has pushed its own Nougat update for the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge over the past couple months, unlocked versions of the phone are still waiting for it. In fact, they’re still waiting for a post-December security update, a symptom of the company’s unfortunate decision to push quarterly updates rather than monthly ones.
According to an email obtained by ZDNet, Samsung will be moving to a monthly schedule for software updates, meaning unlocked phones should get regular Android security updates in a timely manner. In a reply to an update query from Samsung Mobile Security Technologies, the company admitted to a less-than-ideal schedule and resolved to fix it: “Due to various circumstances, we have been releasing security updates for unlocked (open) Galaxy devices in the U.S. on a quarterly basis,” the message stated. “However, we have now resolved the challenges; and we are committed to releasing security updates for those devices on a monthly basis.”
That means unlocked Galaxy phones won’t be regarded as second-class citizens anymore and should receive updates at least as fast (and perhaps even faster) than the carrier-locked ones. Samsung didn’t announce a time frame for the switch, but said the March Android update (which hopefully will include the Nougat one as well) is coming “soon.”
Achievement unlocked: If you own an unlocked Galaxy phone, you know full well how frustrating it is to be at the back of the line for updates. And it’s not just about getting to play around with the coolest new features in Nougat. Google pushes out important monthly security updates that unlocked Galaxy phone users often missed, and it’s great to see that that won’t be the case anymore, especially for those of use who have our eyes on a brand new unlocked S8.
Samsung Cell Phone Backup Software
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