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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Velexia on March 27, 2019, 09:09:22 PM

Title: How to Unlock Your Phone?
Post by: Velexia on March 27, 2019, 09:09:22 PM
I'd like to switch to Googlefi, and I'm terrified I'll break my phone by unlocking it wrong (as you can tell, I'm not super tech savvy). I have a Samsung S8 Active which seems like it should be compatible. It's paid off. I'm on a month-to-month plan with AT&T at the moment. Is there a safe way to unlock your phone vs a dangerous way? Thank you in advance for your wisdom!
Title: Re: How to Unlock Your Phone?
Post by: Velexia on March 27, 2019, 09:24:38 PM
So... I may look a little silly but in case other people search the forums, apparently after I paid off the phone a new link popped up in my ATT online account that lets me request an unlock for free. Now again I'm not super tech savvy but I figure if it's the actual provider doing it, that's about as safe as it gets.
Title: Re: How to Unlock Your Phone?
Post by: reeshau on March 28, 2019, 07:32:55 AM
Yes, the major companies (reluctantly) should let you unlock if you are out of a payment plan for the hardware.  This was something they fought in court.  It's nice AT&T lets you do this yourself, but even if you have to visit a store for them to do it, you are entitled when you own the hardware.

If any method refers to "jailbreaking" your phone, that is both technically complex and risky, in the sense of no guarantee of success, no guarantee against side effects, and no assurance as to the safety of the tools you are using to make it less technically challenging.

You could also just buy your phone upfront, not through a provider, and it will come "free" already.  Then just get a SIM card.
Title: Re: How to Unlock Your Phone?
Post by: shingy on March 28, 2019, 07:34:38 AM
Doing the unlock through the carrier is safe and pretty easy - I've done it many times now. Where it can get tricky and risky is when trying to do it through a third party. Follow the instructions from your carrier and you'll be unlocked within minutes.

Also, Google Fi is great - been with them for 2 years now and have had nothing but a good experience.
Title: Re: How to Unlock Your Phone?
Post by: Velexia on March 28, 2019, 10:07:18 AM
I live in the country - to give you an idea we have 5 mbps internet speed and that's as good as we can get! I wanted to swap to Verizon last year (phone purchase deal) but they refused to because I wasn't in a coverage area. (Oddly Verizon users who visit have thier phones work fine)  So, if you don't hear from me, the GoogleFi 3G coverage it claims in my area is for real!