{"id":1699,"date":"2020-09-08T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/?p=1699"},"modified":"2022-01-21T10:52:19","modified_gmt":"2022-01-21T16:52:19","slug":"what-it-means-to-buy-an-unlocked-phone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/what-it-means-to-buy-an-unlocked-phone\/","title":{"rendered":"What does an unlocked phone mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Since you\u2019ve found your way to <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/\">Swappa<\/a>, you already know that buying gently used is the best way to <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\">get a killer deal on your next smartphone or tablet<\/a>. But did you know that your savings don\u2019t have to end there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When shopping around for your next iPhone or Android phone, you may have noticed the term \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/unlocked\">unlocked<\/a>.\u201d This article will explain what <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/unlocked\">buying an unlocked phone<\/a> means, how you can unlock your existing phone, and most importantly, how it can <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/save-money-with-mvno-byop\/\">save you a ton of money<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Table of Contents:<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"#what-is\">What is an unlocked phone?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#benefits\">Benefits of an unlocked phone<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#my-phone\">Is my phone unlocked?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#how\">How do I get an unlocked phone?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#activate\">How do I activate an unlocked phone?<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is\">What is an unlocked phone?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An unlocked cell phone is an Android or iPhone that is <strong>not tied to a specific carrier<\/strong>. In other words, you can use an unlocked phone on any carrier that supports your specific device. And on most devices, this is as simple as popping in a new SIM card. In contrast, a locked cell phone can only be used with the specific carrier it was purchased from &#8212; typically AT&amp;T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or Sprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What does &#8220;Factory Unlocked&#8221; mean?<\/strong> A factory unlocked phone is a special type of unlocked phone that comes unlocked from the factory. This means that as soon as you open up the box, you are free to insert whatever SIM card you would like &#8212; assuming the phone is compatible with your carrier&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/networks\">network bands<\/a>. Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/unlocked-iphone-buyers-guide\/\">Unlocked iPhone Buyer\u2019s Guide<\/a> to find an iPhone that will work on your wireless network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can you put any SIM card into an unlocked phone?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/one-day-korea-sim-card-300x197.jpg\" alt=\"UNLOCKED PHONE SIM CARDS\" class=\"wp-image-14241 img-responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Although most unlocked phones are compatible with all major US carriers, this isn&#8217;t always the case. You should always double-check to make sure that the phone you\u2019re buying supports your carrier\u2019s network technology and <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/networks\">specific bands and frequencies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But don\u2019t let network compatibility scare you. Following the rise of 4G LTE, the vast majority of unlocked devices come equipped with the necessary network hardware to work on all major US networks in some capacity. Check our <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/unlocked-iphone-buyers-guide\/\">Unlocked iPhone Buyer\u2019s Guide<\/a> to find out which iPhones work on your wireless network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"benefits\">What does it mean to purchase an unlocked phone?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Freedom from carriers and contracts<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>There many benefits to buying an unlocked phone, ranging from cost to device choice, and everything in between. However, the most common reason people go with unlocked phones is freedom. With an unlocked phone, you aren\u2019t tied to a specific carrier. As a result, you are able to shop around for the <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/mobile\/plans\">best plans<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/phones\">phones<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/mobile\/deals\">deals<\/a> available without being limited to a small subset to choose from. This means that if you ever find yourself unhappy with your current service for whatever reason, you\u2019re free to take your unlocked phone to another carrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, unlocked phones make it easier for those who frequently travel internationally. If you take your device overseas, simply pop in a new SIM card and your unlocked phone will just work, provided that it\u2019s compatible with the appropriate <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/networks\">network bands and frequencies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Cost<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-skitterphoto-9660-1-300x196.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14244 img-responsive\" width=\"325\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>An unlocked phone gives you the freedom to choose whichever network and plan you\u2019d like. Naturally, this allows you to shop around for the <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/mobile\/plans\">best deals on cheap cell phone plans<\/a> and find the one that not only suits your needs but also saves you some green. And as we\u2019ve pointed out in the past, you can often <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/mint-mobile-review\/\">get the same wireless service for less by switching to a no-contract carrier<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the savings don\u2019t end with plan prices! Unlocked phones can also save you money on the phone itself. When you purchase a phone from a carrier, you typically finance it and <em>slowly<\/em> pay it off over the course of your two-year contract. Although financing a phone means that you don\u2019t have to pay as much initially, buying a phone outright from a third-party retailer often lets you get the same phone for hundreds less. And if you want to truly maximize your savings, you\u2019ll save even more by <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\">buying gently used on Swappa<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Better selection of phones and plans<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, buying unlocked lets you choose from a better selection of phones and plans. When you walk into a carrier\u2019s retail location or visit their online shop, you\u2019re presented with only a certain subset of phones that they\u2019ve preselected. These are generally the phones that will make them the most profit, rather than what\u2019s right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The story is pretty much the same when talking about wireless plans. Since wireless carriers make money off your monthly fees, it is in their best interest to squeeze as much money out of you as they can every billing cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be it expensive plans, overage fees, and everything in between; wireless service is a costly recurring expense. However, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/save-money-with-mvno-byop\/\">access the same major wireless networks and save money<\/a> by bringing your own device (BYOD) to a smaller prepaid wireless carrier (MVNO). And in order to save money with these alternative carriers, you will need an <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/unlocked\">unlocked phone<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"my-phone\">Is my phone unlocked?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/iphone-quesiton-mark-182x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14299 img-responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The next thing you may be wondering is whether your current phone is unlocked and can be used on another carrier. Unfortunately, there&#8217;s no foolproof way to check whether your phone is unlocked other than trying another SIM card. However, if you don&#8217;t have a SIM card from another carrier at your disposal, there are a few clues that you can use to help figure out if your phone is locked or unlocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you bought your phone from a wireless carrier, it is almost certainly locked to that particular carrier. On the other hand, if you purchased your device directly from the manufacturer, there is a good chance that it&#8217;s unlocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>How do I unlock my existing phone?<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Buying a <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/unlocked\">factory unlocked phone<\/a> is best, but what if you already own a SIM-locked phone that you\u2019re otherwise happy with? Thankfully, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/consumers\/guides\/cell-phone-unlocking-faqs\">all carriers are now required to unlock your phone for free<\/a> as long as certain criteria are met:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>You have <strong>completed your wireless service contract<\/strong> or paid an early termination fee<\/li><li>You have <strong>finished paying for your phone<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to take advantage of this, simply visit your carrier\u2019s unlocking website (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.att.com\/deviceunlock\/\">AT&amp;T<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verizon.com\/about\/consumer-safety\/overview#device-unlocking-policies\">Verizon<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.t-mobile.com\/support\/devices\/unlock-your-mobile-wireless-device\">T-Mobile<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sprint.com\/en\/legal\/unlocking-your-sprint-device\">Sprint<\/a>) or call your wireless carrier and ask if you are eligible to have your device unlocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are eligible, your carrier will either give you a SIM unlock code that you can type into your phone yourself or instruct you to go to your local retail store to have it unlocked there for free. After unlocking your phone, don\u2019t forget to compare all the <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/mobile\/plans\">best cheap cell phone plans<\/a> to find out how you can <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/save-money-with-mvno-byop\/\">save money for the same wireless service<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how\">How does buying an unlocked phone work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/buy-iphones-1-300x267.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14302 img-responsive\" width=\"280\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The easiest way to get an unlocked phone is to purchase one that comes unlocked from the factory. Although you won\u2019t typically be able to purchase an unlocked phone directly from your wireless carrier, device manufacturers and many third-party retailers offer unlocked devices that can be taken to any carrier of your choosing. While this means spending more upfront, it saves you money in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s an even better way. <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/unlocked\">Buying a gently used unlocked phone on Swappa<\/a> can save you hundreds on all the latest flagship phone from <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/iphones\">Apple<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/samsung-galaxy\">Samsung<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/google-pixels\">Google<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/mobile\/oneplus\/phones\">OnePlus<\/a>, and more. So let someone else <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/apple-iphone-samsung-galaxy-resale-value\/\">take the depreciation hit<\/a> and get the <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/unlocked\">best deals on a new<em>ish<\/em> unlocked phone<\/a> today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it okay to buy an unlocked cell phone?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With all the benefits to buying unlocked, you may be wondering if there are any drawbacks. Luckily, with unlocked phones, you can have your cake and eat it too. Aside from the initially higher purchase price, there are absolutely no downsides to buying an unlocked phone. They\u2019re cheaper in the long run, they let you choose the right phone and plan for your specific needs, and they give you the flexibility and freedom you deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"activate\">Do you need to activate an unlocked phone?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So now that we&#8217;ve hopefully convinced you that buying an unlocked phone is a great way to <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/mobile\/plans\">save on your wireless plan<\/a>, let&#8217;s get it activated. Unlike most locked phones, you generally don&#8217;t have to activate an unlocked phone.  Instead, all you have to do is put in your new SIM card. It&#8217;s as easy as 1-2-3!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Power off your unlocked phone<\/li><li>Open the SIM tray using the included SIM tool<\/li><li>Pop in your new SIM card<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>After installing the new SIM card, you can power on your device. After booting up, it may take 30 seconds or so to connect to your wireless network. If you see a signal icon and are able to make a call and access mobile data, your phone has successfully activated onto your carrier. If there&#8217;s no signal, try powering off your device, removing and reinserting your SIM card, and then powering back up again. If that doesn&#8217;t work, you may need to activate your SIM card. Keep reading to find out how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to activate an unlocked phone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/T-Mobile-340x340-1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14247 img-responsive\" width=\"260\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you installed your new SIM card properly and your phone still can&#8217;t connect to the network, you may need to activate your SIM card, enable your wireless account, or enter a few details into your device&#8217;s network settings. Here are a few troubleshooting steps to get you started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>If you have no wireless network connectivity at all and you are sure your device is compatible with your carrier&#8217;s network bands, you probably need to activate your wireless account with your new carrier. Please refer to the activation kit that came with your SIM card for more information.<\/li><li>If you are able to make calls but can&#8217;t connect to mobile data, you will need to enter the appropriate APN (Access Point Name) information into your device&#8217;s network settings. Please refer to your SIM card&#8217;s activation kit for the appropriate settings.<\/li><li>If neither of these work, contact your wireless carrier for help with activation<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which unlocked phones work with which carriers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlocked phones can work with any carrier, provided that the phone is compatible with the carrier&#8217;s specific network bands. Luckily, the majority of factory unlocked phones sold today are compatible with all major US carriers. This means that you&#8217;ll have no problems connecting to <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/mobile\/verizon\/plans\">Verizon<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/mobile\/att\">AT&amp;T<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/mobile\/t-mobile\/plans\">T-Mobile<\/a>, or prepaid carriers such as <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/mobile\/mint\">Mint Mobile<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/mobile\/straight-talk\">Straight Talk<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When purchasing unlocked phones in the past, you also had to worry about making sure that your phone was compatible with the correct network technology (<em>i.e.<\/em> GSM or CDMA). Luckily with the advent of 4G LTE and the widespread shutdowns of legacy 2G GSM and CDMA networks, this is no longer a major issue. Learn more about GSM and CDMA network compatibility in some of the most popular iPhones in our <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/unlocked-iphone-buyers-guide\/\">Unlocked iPhone Buyer&#8217;s Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">**********<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here at Swappa, <strong>it\u2019s our mission to save you money<\/strong>. From getting you the <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\">best deals on gently used tech<\/a> and helping you <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/sell\">sell your old phone<\/a> for the <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/places-to-sell-your-iphone\/\">most money<\/a> to finding you the <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/mobile\/plans\">best wireless plans<\/a> for your needs; Swappa is where you go when you want to save your hard-earned cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So what are you waiting for? Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/unlocked-iphone-buyers-guide\/\">Unlocked iPhone Buyer\u2019s Guide<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/faq\/answer\/unlocked-device\">Unlocked Device FAQ<\/a>, and then click the button below to get the best deal on an unlocked phone. Then once you&#8217;ve got your unlocked device in hand, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-cheap-phone-plans\/\">roundup of the best prepaid wireless plans<\/a> to save even more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"btn btn-lg btn-success\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/unlocked\"><span class=\"fa fa-\"><\/span> BEST DEALS ON UNLOCKED PHONES<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n&nbsp;\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since you\u2019ve found your way to Swappa, you already know that buying gently used is the best way to get a killer deal on your next smartphone or tablet. But did you know that your savings don\u2019t have to end there? When shopping around for your next iPhone or Android phone, you may have noticed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":1704,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-parts\/wpb-single-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,15,16,473,13],"tags":[650],"products":[677,760,765,780,788,792],"class_list":["post-1699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-android","category-apple","category-buyer-tips","category-carriers","category-protips","tag-unlocked","products-apple-iphone-11","products-apple-iphone-12","products-apple-iphone-xr","products-google-pixel-4","products-samsung-galaxy-s10","products-samsung-galaxy-s9"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1699","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1699"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1699\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25557,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1699\/revisions\/25557"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1704"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1699"},{"taxonomy":"products","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/products?post=1699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}