- Before you try to unlock the phone, make sure you know the requirements your carrier has for unlocking phones.
- Once you know that your phone can be unlocked, get an appropriate SIM card for your phone and enter the code your carrier gives you to unlock it.
- Third-party services that offer to unlock your phone are unreliable and you should use them at your own risk.
Via Carrier
Find out your carrier's policy on unlocking phones. Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile have different criteria--though in most cases, you must own the phone. Specific carrier criteria include the following: Verizon doesn't place a lock on most of their devices. If for some reason there is a lock, you can usually request an unlock as early as six months into the contract. Sprint will unlock your device for you if it has both been on the Sprint network for at least 50 days and been purchased in full. AT&T requires you to submit your device's information for review. If your device is eligible for an unlock, AT&T will let you know within five business days. T-Mobile will unlock your phone for you if you've paid the phone off and the phone has been on a T-Mobile network for at least 40 days.
Make sure your carrier will unlock your phone. Even if your contract looks like it specifies that they must unlock your phone, calling ahead will ensure that you don't waste a trip. Your carrier has a legal obligation to unlock your phone for you if you have entirely paid off your phone. Some carrier branches won't have the means to unlock your phone, in which case you'll have to visit a corporate branch.
Purchase a SIM card for your preferred network. You can do so from online or from the network's carrier store. Having the SIM card on hand will allow you to install it directly after unlocking your phone. Skip this step if you aren't planning on switching to a new network immediately after unlocking. You'll need to make sure that your selected network is compatible with your phone's data network (CDMA, GSM, or LTE) before purchasing the SIM card. Your carrier can verify this information for you.
Gather the information your carrier needs to unlock your phone. In order to make your carrier's job easier, make sure that you know the following information before going into the store: IMEI number - Your Android's ID number. You can find this by dialing *#06#. Account holder information - This includes the account holder's first and last name and the last four digits of their social security number. Device phone number - Your phone's official phone number and area code.
Visit your service provider's store. While it's possible to perform the unlocking process over the phone, the process will be much less frustrating if performed in-person. If you must call your carrier, make sure you write down any information with which they provide you.
Ask your carrier to install the SIM card you purchased earlier. If they refuse or you don't want to install your SIM card right now, you can install it later by opening the SIM tray with a paperclip, removing the old SIM card (if there was one) and sliding the new one in. If you're simply unlocking the phone for now, proceed to the next step.
Enter the code your carrier gives to you when prompted. You'll do this after installing a different SIM card and rebooting your device. Your carrier may also just enter this for you if they've agreed to install the SIM. Asking your carrier to install your SIM card and complete the unlock process for you may result in extra fees. Until you replace the SIM card, you won't be able to enter the unlock code.
Via Third-Party Service
Find an unlock service. There are plenty of companies that will sell you stock unlock codes for your phone. "Unlock Radar" is one such service that has generally positive reviews.
Research the company. Research the company as thoroughly as possible by looking for user reviews, forum posts, and any other indication that the company is reputable and not a scam. Never enter your phone or payment information on a website that doesn't start with "HTTPS", sites without the "HTTPS" prefix are not secure. Apps that claim to unlock your phone are scams. Don't download unlocking software onto your phone.
Open the service's page. Once you decide on a service, you're free to proceed with acquiring an unlock code.
Retrieve your ZTE phone's IMEI code. To find your phone's IMEI code: Dial *#06# and your IMEI code will be displayed. You can also open your Android's Settings, tap About Phone, tap Status, and look for the "IMEI" heading. Make sure you're looking at the number below "IMEI" and not "IMEI SV", etc.
Enter your phone's IMEI code. Enter your phone's IMEI code into the "IMEI" field when prompted. Some unlock services will require you to enter your phone's model (e.g., "ZTE Axon") as well.
Pay for the service. Enter your payment information when prompted. Using services like PayPal are a good idea when available because they provide a degree of separation between the IMEI unlocking service and your bank information.
Purchase and install a SIM card. This must be a supported card; if needed, you can call your carrier to confirm that the selected card will work in your phone.
Enter your unlock code when prompted. You'll see the code field pop up when you reboot your phone after installing your SIM card. Doing so will unlock the SIM slot and allow you to use the SIM carrier's network.
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