What is factory unlocked

Once the app receives the required code, customers must reboot the phone to complete the unlock process. For iPhones and iPads, Apple provides unlock instructions here. In addition to carriers, third-party services can unlock your phone, but doing so could violate your contract.

For Android phones, you pay a flat fee in return for an unlock code. These third-party services have access to databases managed by phone manufacturers that contain unlock codes tied to the device IMEI.

But be careful: Some third-party services may not be legit and could run with your money. With an unlocked phone, you have the freedom to choose the best compatible wireless carrier.

Even if you paid off the phone and completed contact obligations, the device is all yours, and you should have the freedom to switch. What is an unlocked phone, and how do I know if my phone is unlocked? Here's what you need to know to get your freedom from the major carriers. By Ryan Haines Writer. Ryan started writing for Android Authority when he finished college in , and he currently resides in Pennsylvania. When not contributing the latest and greatest recommendations, you can usually find Ryan hiking, climbing, or otherwise unplugged.

What is an unlocked phone? You can buy unlocked phones. Dual-SIM phones are typically sold unlocked. How can I tell if my phone is unlocked? Head to imei. Enter your IMEI number. Carrier disables some features. You cannot remove or change these features. They will have carrier-specific features that you may not uninstall later. It means you bought a mobile directly from a mobile-making company. Network unlocked from the start and not locked for any specific carrier.

The phone is ready for use. It is available at full retail price. Buying the phone directly from the company means the company unlocked it before selling it to their consumers. You can use any SIM card in your factory unlocked mobile phone. They come with antennas for catching the most familiar frequencies of GSM.

You should check if the internet 3G, 4G, 5G, etc you are using will work with your carrier. It does not require operating on any specific carrier. It is open to all networks. For example, you change your SIM card. Use a SIM card on your device or any other network. Then your mobile will work on that new network. Nokia , before shipping to the carrier.

Factory unlocked means that the company who made this mobile unlocked it, before selling it to customers. For example, the Microsoft factory unlocks Windows Phone. Such phones do not have software installed for some particular carrier. Mobile-making companies enable this feature, so you can use your mobile with any network. You do not need to retrieve any unlock code to unlock your phone.

You can use any SIM card on your device. If you want to use a phone on Verizon then you need to look into more details of unlocked phones. It frees you from the stress of locking and unlocking the phone. Carriers ask mobile manufacturing companies to install their apps in the phone. These extra apps are bloatware. We cannot remove bloatware apps. There is a slight difference between them. Carrier unlocked means carrier initially locked it. The owner of the phone needs to request for unlocking the phone.

Then the phone is no more locked and you can use it. In other words, you can use any SIM with it. Sometimes carriers want 60 days of service after which your phone is no more locked and is ready for use. There are minor differences between them. It means your phone is unlocked but only for Worldwide or International use. This means it will not work within the US on any carrier. It will work in the world, outside the US. You can use any SIM card of any carrier of other countries on your phone.

It is an unlocked phone only to operate on any carrier inside the US. Factory unlocked phones are locked based on location. If you go outside the US, you need to unlock it for use outside the US. Differences between Factory unlocked and Worldwide unlocked. Worldwide unlocked is a carrier locked inside the US. Factory unlocked is carrier unlocked inside the US. Worldwide unlocked phones do not have any warranty.

Factory unlocked phones come with a warranty. If you want a legitmately unlocked iPhone there is only one way to get one new: Purchase it directly from Apple, pay full price, and be sure to specify "unlocked". Some carriers will also unlock a phone, either for a fee, or if the original owner's contract has been satisfied for no charge. SIM-free means the phone can be used with any carrier, but the first time they are activated they become locked forever to the carrier they were activated with.

Question: Q: can you tell me what the different between factory unlocked and open line phone More Less. Communities Get Support. Sign in Sign in Sign in corporate. Browse Search.

Ask a question. User profile for user: erwindecalibre erwindecalibre. Question: Q: Question: Q: can you tell me what the different between factory unlocked and open line phone Can you explain the different between factory unlocked and open line phone..?

More Less. Reply I have this question too I have this question too Me too Me too. Question marked as Solved User profile for user: wegras wegras. Wireless Speciality level out of ten: 0. Answer: A: Answer: A: There is no such thing in Apple's vocabulary as" factory unlocked" All iPhones come out of the factory the same "open line" with certain exceptions in US Carriers when they sell in most cases apply a lock to ensure only their services are used and since they usually subsidise the cost of the handset this is probably reasonable Many carriers will offer to unlock their iPhones once the user meets the requirements laid down by each carrier Apple sell "open line" iPhones from their stores and online store Most other iPhones will be locked to a carrier.