How to Unlock a T-Mobile Subsidy Password
T-Mobile USA, like most mobile service providers, uses a SIM subsidy lock on its phones after the manufacturer makes the phone. This lock is in place to prevent the phone from using SIM cards from other companies. This a good security measure for T-Mobile but it's bad news for you if you plan to take your phone to another company's network. To unlock the SIM subsidy lock, you need the unique SIM unlock password to your individual phone.
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Instructions
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Contact T-Mobile Support by dialing 611 on your T-Mobile phone. Ask for your free SIM unlock password and give them an email address to send the password to.
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Turn off your T-Mobile phone when your SIM unlock password comes. Remove the T-Mobile SIM card from the SIM holder in the battery compartment and replace it with one from another company.
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Turn your T-Mobile phone back on. Note the SIM card error message that explains that the phone doesn't recognize the SIM card. Click "OK."
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Enter the SIM unlock password that you received from T-Mobile. Press the "Enter" key.
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Tips & Warnings
T-Mobile doesn't provide the SIM unlock password instantly. It can take up to two weeks to receive the password in your email's inbox.
With the number of T-Mobile phones on the market, it's difficult to be specific about replacing the SIM card or unlocking the SIM subsidy lock without knowing the exact model of the phone. Consult your user manual for specific instructions for your particular model.
T-Mobile has its own eligibility requirements when it distributes free SIM unlock passwords. If you don't meet the requirements, you have to wait until you do or buy the password from a company that sells them. You can buy a SIM unlock password from any retailer that sells them for your phone, which includes Unlock to Talk and GSM Liberty.
