If you need to switch to a different network or carrier, you must ensure all service providers unlock your phone. If you don’t do this, you risk not being able to use your new SIM card.
Benefits of unlocking your Motorola phone
Unlocking your Motorola smartphone offers the following benefits:
Works with any GSM SIM card worldwide: Your unlocked Phone can work with various SIM cards from carriers worldwide. This gives you more flexibility when traveling abroad.
Switch between carriers freely: No longer tied to one carrier. You can switch to a new carrier or prepaid plan anytime without the hassle of buying a new phone.
Resale value: Unlocked phones have a higher resale value because they work on multiple carriers.
Customization: Unlocked devices give you more customization options for ringtones, apps, themes, and more.
How to check if a Motorola phone is unlocked or locked?
Step 1. Through settings
Because Motorola phones use the Android operating system, there is no easy way to check SIM restrictions through settings.
Nonetheless, a little trick can help you check if your phone is locked or unlocked. Although it is not a 100% accurate method, the results will likely be correct.
Determining whether your phone can automatically select networks from multiple carriers is the trick. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app.
- Select Connections in the sidebar, then choose Network & Internet.
- Find and click the Mobile Network button. Some phones may not have this feature, so look for a cellular network instead.
- From there, select Advanced, select Network, and then select manual selection.
After completing these steps, a list of networks will appear. Your phone is likely unlocked to various networks if this list includes multiple carriers.
2. Check Motorola phone is locked using a SIM card
Using its SIM card is another simple way to check if your Motorola phone is locked. To use this method, open the SIM card tray by inserting a pin into the hole and pressing lightly. You may need to twist the nail slightly.
When the tray pops up, remove the old SIM card and replace it with a SIM card from a different network. For example, if your current SIM card is from T-Mobile, you can exchange it for a SIM card from Verizon Wireless or AT&T.
Get a SIM card: After replacing the SIM card, reinsert the SIM tray into its slot. If you restart your phone and everything works fine, it may mean it is unlocked for all networks. You can freely switch carriers without any hassle.
3. Use IMEI Checker
A reliable IMEI checker can give you 100% accurate results for your Motorola phone. Just provide your IMEI number, and we’ll cover the rest. You can also find the Network your Motorola phone is locked to in the report.
How do you unlock a Motorola Phone to any network for free?
Motorola Phone Unlocking Requirements 2024:
Before starting the unlocking process, make sure your Motorola phone meets the following requirements:
- The Device is not currently blocked, lost, or stolen.
- The Device has not contracted or completed the minimum term with your carrier.
- There are no outstanding balances or bills.
- The phone is currently being used by the airlines that sold it to you.
- If your phone meets these conditions, you can unlock it for free through Motorola.
1. Contact the original carrier to unlock a Motorola phone
The first method is to open your Motorola phone for free. All you need to do is contact the actual carrier. Your carrier is responsible for locking your phone and generating the required codes for unlocking.
Before you start, back up your data to an SD card, cloud storage platform, computer, or hard drive. There is a chance that you will lose all the data on your phone unless you save it externally.
You will also need to find the IMEI number. IMEI stands for International Mobile Station Equipment Identity, and although it may seem complicated, it is essentially just a number that helps service providers identify your Device.
Each phone is assigned a unique 15- to 17-digit code, which carriers can use to track, locate, and activate the Device. The easiest way to find your IMEI number is to dial *#06# in the Phone app.
Alternatively, you can go to your Motorola phone settings and select About phone> Device Information. Then, you can find your IMEI number.
If neither method works, you can find your Phone’s IMEI number in the original box and sometimes under your phone’s battery.
Unlock your Motorola Phone to all carriers.
How to unlock your Motorola phone largely depends on the carrier you use. To save you time, we’ve detailed the unlocking process for the most extensive network providers in the country.
1. AT&T
If you meet AT&T’s requirements, you can submit a request to unlock your Motorola phone with AT&T. Include:
- You are the owner of the Device.
- Your installment plan has been paid off.
- There are no past-due account balances.
- The Device has not been reported stolen, lost, or involved in fraud.
- AT&T prepaid plan.
Here’s how to unlock your Motorola phone on the AT&T network.
You will need to find the IMEI number of your Motorola phone and then visit the AT&T Unlock Device carrier. You can submit your unlock request on this carrier. You will be prompted to enter your phone number, IMEI, and other relevant information when you do this.
Once your AT&T unlock request has been submitted and confirmed, you will receive an unlock code via message or email. You can also check the status of your unlock request on the Unlock Device carrier.
Enter the IMEI and request number provided in the SMS or email sent upon submission. This will display the status of your unlock request.
2. Verizon
Under Verizon’s Device unlock policy, most Verizon phones are locked for 60 days after activation. For 60 days, Verizon will most likely be unable to unlock your phone.
After this period, your phone may unlock automatically, but this is not guaranteed as some Motorola phones are blocked (reported stolen or lost).
The only exception to this rule is if you are a deployed military member. In this case, you will need to provide some proof of placement, and if this is approved, Verizon will unlock your Device at any time.
Here is How To Unlock a Verizon Motorola Phone in 2024
3. T-Mobile
Eligibility for unlocking depends on several factors outlined in T-Mobile’s Device Unlocking Policy. To be eligible, your Device must:
- T-Mobile must sell it.
- You cannot report loss or theft.
- Must be active for at least 40 days (postpaid plans) or 14 days (prepaid plans).
- I paid it back.
- Must be owned by deployed military members.
Most T-Mobile accounts are locked by default, so you must check if you can unlock your Device first. You can do this by following these steps:
Log in to My T-Mobile, go to your account carrier, and select your line. Find and click on the Check Device unlock status option. This will check whether your Device is already unlocked or not. If your Motorola phone is eligible for unlocking, you can open it yourself.
- Go to Settings > About phone> Unlock Device> Continue.
- Tap on Permanent Unlock and wait for the unlocking process to complete.
- Finally, restart your Motorola phone and insert a new SIM card, which should work now.
If you have any issues, you can contact T-Mobile by Phone.
1-800-T-MOBILE (for personal accounts).
1-833-929-0726 (for business accounts).
1-505-998-3793 (for international calls).
1-800-676-3777 (for TTY services if you are hearing or speech impaired).
4. Mint Mobile
All phones purchased through Mint Mobile are locked to your carrier for the first 12 months. After this period, most devices will automatically unlock.
If your Device is not unlocked after one year, you can contact customer support for assistance.
Visit mintmobile.com to try ChatBot.
Download the MintMobile app and try ChatBot.
Call Customer Support at 1(800) 683-7392.
We cannot help you unlock your phone, but we will discuss your options for a replacement phone. Mint Mobile’s Device unlock policy states that accounts that cannot open may be eligible for a replacement phone.
Eligibility depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Try your Phone with Mint Mobile for at least 12 months.
- You have an active account.
- You have a working phone.
- No phones have been reported stolen or lost.
- No requests have been made in the last 12 months.
Your request may be approved if you meet all eligibility requirements. You will be asked to prove your identity and provide some basic information. The direct number for cell phone unlocking requests is 213-372-7777.
Unlock your Motorola Phone by using a third-party service
DoctorSIM
DoctorSIM is a third-party service that provides phone unlocking solutions for various phone brands, including Motorola.
Here’s how to unlock your Motorola phone using DoctorSIM:
- Go to the DoctorSIM website and select “Unlock Phone.”
- Select ‘Motorola’ from the list of phone brands.
- You need to provide your Motorola phone model and the name of the carrier you want to unlock your phone with.
- Enter your name, email address, and other required information. DoctorSIM will use this information to send you an unlock code and instructions.
- Pay for the service. The price may vary depending on your phone model and mobile carrier.
- After your payment is processed, DoctorSIM will generate an unlock code for your phone. This code will be emailed to you, along with instructions on how to use it.
- Insert a SIM card from another carrier into your phone. You will be prompted to enter an unlock code when you turn on your phone. Enter the code you received from doctors.
- Once the code has been approved, you must ensure that your phone is connected to the network of the new SIM card and that the unlocking is successful.
Cell Unlocker
If your carrier isn’t cooperative or you’re having trouble unlocking your phone, you can use a third-party service like CellUnlocker. They can provide unlock codes for a fee. You must provide your phone’s brand, model, and IMEI number.
Conclusion
If you meet the eligibility requirements, unlocking your Motorola phone is simple. Motorola generates an unlock code directly for you and enters it on your Device, allowing you to switch between carriers freely. However, please back up your data in advance.
An unlocked phone lets you use cheaper local SIM cards while traveling abroad. Additionally, for unlocked devices, the resale value increases significantly. Unlock your Motorola smartphone and take full advantage of its features in 2024!
Most asked questions about unlocking Motorola phones
Does unlocking it void my warranty?
No, unlocking your phone does not void the manufacturer’s warranty. Hardware defects and problems remain covered under warranty. However, software problems caused by opening may not be covered.
What information do I need to provide to unlock it?
To unlock your phone, you must provide your Device make and model, IMEI number, and some CBER or account information.
Can all Motorola phones be unlocked?
Most Motorola smartphones can be unlocked, but very old or obscure models may not. Please check with the manufacturer to determine if your specific Device is suitable.
Is it legal to unlock your phone?
Yes, unlocking your phone after purchase in the US and many other countries is 100% legal. A 2013 law made unlocking all phones in the United States legal.
Will I lose my data if I unlock my phone?
The unlocking process itself does not cause any data loss. However, you may need to factory reset your phone after entering the unlock code. This will erase your data. So, please back up your phone before opening it.
How long does it take to unlock a Motorola phone?
Depending on the unlocking method, this can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 24 hours. Unlocking via software or unlock code is the fastest and takes the longest time waiting for carrier approval.
Can I relock my phone if I need to?
Unfortunately, there is no way to relock an unlocked Motorola phone. Unlocking is a permanent process. If necessary, you must perform a factory reset and relock your phone from your carrier.
Can I still get software updates after unlocking?
Yes, you will continue to receive regular software updates from Motorola even after unlocking your phone. The only exceptions are carrier-specific updates, such as WiFi calling features.
Do I need to activate the service to unlock my phone?
No, you don’t need a current service to unlock your Motorola phone. If you previously activated your Device with your carrier, you can open it even if your service is interrupted.
Can I use an unlocked phone with any airlines for some carriers?
Once unlocked, your Device can be used on major GSM carriers that accept standard SIM cards. This includes AT&T, T-Mobile, and most international carriers. It won’t work on CDMA networks like Verizon.
What is the Master Unlock Code for Motorola?
If your Motorola phone is carrier-locked, you will need a network unlock code to unlock it. However, if you enter the wrong unlock code multiple times, your Motorola phone will refuse to enter anymore.
To continue, you’ll need to request a master unlock code from your carrier and join it to make the unlock code available.
What is Motorola’s SIM network unlock PIN?
A SIM network unlock PIN, also known as a network unlock code, is a 4 to 16-digit number that you must enter to open your locked phone. AftePhone inserts a new SIM into your phone, and you are prompted to enter your unlock pin.
Are Motorola phones CDMA or GSM?
Most Motorola phones are compatible with Global System for Mobile (GSM) and CDMA and most networks worldwide, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon in the United States.
An unlocked phone can identify and use a SIM card on a GSM or CDMA network to make calls, send messages, and access other services.
