When buying a mobile device, you’ll notice that you’re restricted to a specific SIM card with that unit. Many downsides come with this sort of restriction; primarily, the owner’s experience is limited overall.
In order to be able to use the device as you wish with no limitations, you would need to have the “operator lock” removed. What is an operator lock (hva er operatørlås)?
The carrier or retailer supplying the mobile disallows you as the user from accessing other networks, locking your phone from these networks, making that carrier the only network available for that device; thus, an operator lock has been imposed on the phone, also referred to as a network lock.
Your network terminal or cellular band can only read the cellular frequency related to that carrier’s frequency, essentially. That means if you had one of the prominent providers, perhaps Verizon, and you tried to enter a T-Mobile SIM card, the device would not respond as though there were no signal.
As the owner, you will know when your phone is operator-locked if you try to enter a different SIM card. A locked device will alert you that the SIM is invalid and request a specific code to unlock the mobile and continue with the SIM. Let’s look at some drawbacks and methods for removing this restriction.
What Are the Downsides of a Locked Mobile
For those who use their mobile for generic details like photos, scanning social networks, making calls, and on, a locked phone wouldn’t be as challenging as someone who integrates the phone into their personal and professional lifestyle.
In that instance, the need for a greater degree of flexibility is essential. Some of the downsides associated with having an operator or network-locked phone include the following:
- The networks are restricted
As a user, you will be restricted to merely one network with the carrier who supplied the phone. The opportunity to take advantage of other services will be limited, and you will be forced to pay the fees associated with that provider.
If there’s no opportunity to remove the operator lock, there would be no freedom or flexibility with that particular mobile, and the user’s experience would be significantly diminished.
- Updates would be delayed with a locked phone
With a locked phone, it’s suggested that updates are received later than a standard mobile. The reason is that the manufacturer is typically responsible for sending updates to phones the consumer buys.
However, when the carrier locks phones, this carrier supplies the updates after receiving them from the manufacturer. It results in an inconvenience for the individual with the delays.
It can take a considerable time for the update to finally reach their phone, considering the process of the carrier checking for the update, first optimizing, and then deploying.
- Reduced value
Customers are initially unaware, believing they’re getting a great value on a phone since the locked phones are more affordable than standard mobiles. Still, they don’t realize that operator-locked phones will be less valuable to them.
Fortunately, buyers aren’t stuck with network-locked devices. The locks can be removed in a few different ways. Let’s look at some of these.
Tips for Removing Operator Locks
People were prohibited from removing locks from their phones at one point in the distant past. Because so many didn’t like the restrictions, the bans were removed, and now it’s allowed virtually everywhere. Plus, there are a few different ways you can have these locks removed. Let’s look at some.
- Contact the service provider for a carrier unlock
Typically, this unlock is permanent, meaning once the lock has been removed from the device, you should be able to use the mobile with any carrier you choose. In order to have the lock released, you have to reach out to the carrier and inquire about the unlock code.
Find out how to unlock your phone from any primary carrier at https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-unlock-a-phone-on-every-carrier/ .
With this code entered into the mobile system, the lock will be permanently disabled, and you can start using the device with various carriers. This sounds easy enough, but it’s not cut and dry. The carrier will only supply the code if the mobile meets the necessary eligibility criteria.
Carriers who place locks don’t want to unlock the devices readily. That means the criteria are stringent. Some include:
- The mobile’s original carrier needs to be contacted specifically
- You must be the device’s original owner
- Your account needs to be in good standing
- The phone must have been active for no less than a year with the network
- If the phone is being financed, it must be paid in full
If you don’t meet these criteria, it’s recommended to go to the manufacturer to get the temporary removal and follow that process as long as you need to keep it unlocked since that is deemed a legitimate unlocking method.
Again, being temporary, you’ll need to follow the process and redo it as often as the manufacturer will allow or until you meet the carrier’s criteria.
- Contact the manufacturer for Android or iPhone factory unlock
This lock removal is often temporary and will need to be redone after some time has passed. In order to do a factory lock removal with the mobile, you’ll need to reach out to the device’s manufacturer, and they will supply the necessary unlock code.
Again, this code will be entered into the mobile system, and the phone will unlock, ready for use with any carrier you choose, but temporarily. Because it’s temporary, the phone will, at some point, relock.
If you aren’t prepared to meet the carrier’s criteria by then, you’ll need to reach out once again to the manufacturer to redo the operator lock removal once more. View here for cell phone unlocking details.
It’s suggested that operator locks can also be removed from third-party services. Remember that you want to use trusted, reputable services to be safe with your device in the future.
Ideally, you want to avoid buying a SIM-locked phone, but if you do buy a SIM-locked or even unlocked phone, make sure you’re only dealing with reliable sellers.
If you’re having difficulty getting a mobile unlocked that you bought unaware of its locked status, perhaps you’re not the original owner and can’t meet the carrier’s criteria, it’s okay to reach out to a third party if that’s you’re only choice.
Still, due diligence is essential in researching the most trustworthy, reliable unlock resource with only the best available credentials.
Final Thought
Network carriers will lock devices to ensure consumers can only access their network, pay their price point, and, unfortunately, have limited experiences with their mobiles. The only way to permanently remove these operator locks is to go to that carrier and request a code to input into the device.
The carrier prefers that the phone remain locked, providing exceptionally tough criteria to meet in order to receive the code permanently. Users can also get a code from the manufacturer, but this only works temporarily.
Ideally, if you don’t want a locked phone, inquire when buying a mobile if it’s SIM-locked before committing to avoid any hassles.