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Simlock & Unlocking Knowledge base





What is unlocking / a simlock?

Now you have probably already heard of unlocking / simlocks otherwise you probably wouldn't be on our website. But what is unlocking exactly? What are simlocks? And also important; what isn't?

What is simlocked?
A gsm can be simlocked the SIM is NEVER simlocked! The SIM itself is NEVER locked: you can use it in any compatible cellular phone. If your phone is asking for a PUK code this means you entered your sim pin code wrong more then 5 times and this has nothing to do with simlocks.

How do I know if my gsm is simlocked?
The easiest and fastest test is to put a different simcard in your phone. When the phone will ask for a code (other then your sim pin code) it is simlocked. Often called Network code, Service provider code, NCK, SPCK or something similar. However there is also something called a 'user code' or 'security code' which is a pin code on your phone (5 - 8 digits ) which you (or previous phone owner) set. Often we can help you reset this code also, however this is NOT a simlock.

Sometimes a phone won't ask you for a unlock code but will display 'insert correct sim' or something similar. Here it gets a little tricky. This can mean your phone is simlocked but it can also mean that the simcard is not compatible with your phone. For example if you have a 3G simcard (e.g. from provider '3') and you put this in a phone that doesn't have 3G (UMTS) it simply will never work (nothing can fix that). In case you are in doubt please contact support.

What sort of simlock exist?
A phone can have multiple simlocks, the most common are:
- Network lock (NCK)
- Service Provider lock (SPCK)
- Product lock (PCK)

Note that sometimes you can't use mp3's as ringtones, or can't use skype on your phone or can't change any internet connection settings. All these limitations have nothing to do with simlocks. These limitation can be solved by debranding.

So in conclusion on the question 'What is unlocking'; Unlocking is permanently removing all the simlocks from a mobile phone.

Permanently as in, the simlocks won't suddenly be on again after turning your phone on and off or after some period of time. However if you bring your phone to a service centre they can activate the simlocks again.