Should You Unlock Your Phone?

Are you trying to decide whether or not you should unlock your phone? Continue reading to discover more about this option today!

80% of millennials say that the first thing they do when they wake up is check their cellphones. In fact, 95% of all Americans currently own and use a cell phone.

Believe it or not, people spend a combined total of about 23 days every year on their cell phones!

With so much of our lives spent using cell phones and other mobile devices, many people are considering if they should unlock their phones.

In this post, we’re answering the question “Should you unlock your phone?”

Keep reading to find out if unlocking your phone is the right idea for you.

What is Phone Unlocking?

Before we answer the question, “Should you unlock your phone?” let’s first make sure you know exactly what doing so means.

There are two main types of phone unlocking: Bootloader Unlocking and SIM unlocking. Let’s take a look at the two main options below.

Bootloader Unlocking

This is a more complex form of unlocking, designed for people that want to make basic changes to the software that came with their original cellphones. Your initial software has a locked bootloader to prevent hacking and to keep your phone secure.

In general, lots of manufacturing companies will agree to let you unlock your bootloader, as long as you agree to void the warranty on your phone. But, as it always goes, it’s the network provider that will likely answer “no” to the question, “Should you unlock your phone?”

This is pretty tough to figure out, and though most people won’t need it, it’s still important to understand what it is.

SIM Unlocking

Also referred to as simply, “Network Unlocking,” this is an unlocking step that will let your phone get service from a network other than your initial carrier.

Especially if you live in the United States, where many phones are designed not to operate if you switch carriers, this is crucial.

This is also why you’re likely to be faced with lots of resistance and “special offers” from your original cell phone provider when you make a request to have your SIM unlocked.

Ideally, your original seller would just provide you with a code that would let you use your same cell phone on your new network and new SIM card. Sometimes, your original phone company understands should you want to unlock your phone and is helpful.

Other times, not so much.

When that happens, it’s time to use a professional phone unlocking service (like us!)

Why You Should Unlock Your Phone

Now that you’re clear on what exactly unlocking is, let’s talk about why it’s such a great idea, and why more and more people are interested in doing it.

You Travel Internationally A Lot

It can be a total nightmare, not to mention a waste of time, to deal with switching to a different phone when you’re traveling internationally.

If you unlock your phone, all you need to do is switch out your home-based SIM card to a local provider’s option, and you’re good to go.

Your Contract Is Up

So, the relationship between you and your current network provider wasn’t exactly a match made in heaven – but you still want to be able to keep your phone!

When your current contract runs out, you should unlock your phone so you can have more choices about which provider you choose next.

You Want To Make Some Cash

So, your phone has served you well for many years, but you know you’re ready to make the switch to a newer model.

Why not use this opportunity to make a little extra cash by selling your old phone?

Unlocking your phone before you list it for sale online will actually help you to get a better price.

Why?

Because you’re offering potential buyers the option to choose any carrier they want – they don’t have to have your same carrier in order to buy your old phone.

You Want To Go Pre-Paid

This is another popular reason why so many people are choosing to unlock their cellphones.

With cellphone contracts getting crazier and filled with more and more red tape, lots of people today prefer a pre-paid option. If you unlock your phone, you’ll be eligible to switch over to a plan that’s pre-paid – saving you lots of money if you’re the type to frequently try to get out of phone contracts.

It’s A Great Way To Pass Down Your Phone

If you have kids, you already know just how interested in your smartphone they always seem to be. But as a parent, you know there’s no way you’re going to spend the money on a new phone that they’re likely to smash or to lose.

If you decide to unlock your phone, you’ll save lots of money not just because you’ve gotten out of paying for a new phone, but also because you’ll have more carrier flexibility.

You can even choose a pre-paid plan for your child, especially if you’re concerned that having a cell phone is going to interfere with homework and their social life.

Especially if your child will be mainly using the cell to make basic calls, this is a great option.