To bring your phone to Q Link Wireless, it’s essential that you first ‘unlock’ your phone prior to activating it. We operate using GSM Technology. You might be wondering, what is a ‘locked’ phone? And should you find yourself in possession of a locked phone, what steps should you take to unlock it?
Continue reading , and we’ll lead you step-by-step through the process of unlocking your phone.
What does it mean when we say a phone is "Locked/Restricted"?
A locked phone refers to a phone that is tied or ‘locked’ to a specific carrier’s network. This means that your phone can only be used with that carrier’s SIM card and services. This restriction is often due to a code that’s put on the phone by your previous carrier. This code needs to be ‘unlocked’ or removed for your phone to be used on our network.
To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a friendly and comprehensive guide that will walk you through the steps to unlock your phone from different providers. Click here to access the guide.
Checking whether your phone is locked or unlocked is easy. Here’s how you can do it for both iPhone and Android:
For iPhone:
- Check in Settings: Go to Settings > General > About. Scroll down to the bottom to find the “Carrier Lock” status. If it says, “No SIM restrictions,” then your iPhone is unlocked. However, not all iPhones have this feature.
- Insert your Q Link SIM card: Another way to check is by inserting your new Q Link SIM card. If you can make a call using the new SIM card, then your iPhone is unlocked. If not, or if you see an error message like “SIM Not Valid” or “Invalid SIM,” your iPhone is likely locked.
For Android:
- Insert your Q Link SIM card: The quickest way to check if your Android phone is unlocked is by inserting your new Q Link SIM Card. Power off your phone, replace your existing SIM card with the new Q Link SIM Card and then power your phone back on. If you can make a call using the new SIM card, then your phone is unlocked. If not, or if you see a message like “Invalid SIM,” your phone is likely locked.
- Check in Network Settings: On some Android phones, you can check in the Network Settings. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Advanced > Network Unlock. However, not all Android phones have this feature.
Remember, when in doubt, you can always contact your previous service provider, and they can tell you whether your phone is locked or unlocked.
Need help finding your current provider?
Discovering your phone’s current service provider can be essential when you’re considering switching carriers or unlocking your device. Whether you’re planning to change your network or need to determine your phone’s compatibility with a new provider, finding this information is relatively straightforward.
Click here to find more information on how to find your current provider.
What does it mean when we say a phone is "Locked/Restricted"?
A locked phone refers to a phone that is tied or ‘locked’ to a specific carrier’s network. This means that your phone can only be used with that carrier’s SIM card and services. This restriction is often due to a code that’s put on the phone by your previous carrier. This code needs to be ‘unlocked’ or removed for your phone to be used on our network.
What happens when I own a Locked/Restricted phone?
Your phone, when locked, is tied to the network of your previous provider. Inserting a SIM card from a different provider won’t enable it to function. Hence, it’s necessary for you to unlock your phone from its existing network before it can be used with Q Link Wireless. The good news is that once your phone is unlocked, it gives you the freedom to switch to any wireless carrier of your choice.
Don’t fret about the unlocking process – it’s quite straightforward! Simply reach out to your current provider and request an unlock for your phone. We’ll delve into the specifics of how to unlock your phone later in this guide.
How do I find my phone’s current provider?
Finding your phone’s current service provider is usually straightforward:
- Check your old SIM card: The logo or name of your previous service provider is typically printed on your SIM card.
- Inspect your phone: Some phones have the provider’s logo on them.
- Go through your phone settings: The name of your carrier often appears in the “About” or “Phone Status” section of your phone settings. For iPhone users, you can find this information in Settings > General > About > Network. Android users can usually find this in Settings > About Phone > Status or Network.
- Use an online IMEI checker: Every phone has a unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. You can find your IMEI number by dialing *#06# on your phone. Once you have this number, you can use an online IMEI checker to determine your phone’s carrier.
- Contact customer service: If all else fails, you can always contact your phone manufacturer’s customer service and they can guide you on how to find your service provider.
Remember, you might need to confirm this with your service provider, especially if your phone was purchased second-hand or used.
How do I check if my phone is locked?
Checking whether your phone is locked or unlocked is easy. Here’s how you can do it for both iPhone and Android:
For iPhone:
- Check in Settings: Go to Settings > General > About. Scroll down to the bottom to find the “Carrier Lock” status. If it says, “No SIM restrictions,” then your iPhone is unlocked. However, not all iPhones have this feature.
- Insert your Q Link SIM card: Another way to check is by inserting your new Q Link SIM card. If you can make a call using the new SIM card, then your iPhone is unlocked. If not, or if you see an error message like “SIM Not Valid” or “Invalid SIM,” your iPhone is likely locked.
For Android:
- Insert your Q Link SIM card: The quickest way to check if your Android phone is unlocked is by inserting your new Q Link SIM Card. Power off your phone, replace your existing SIM card with the new Q Link SIM Card and then power your phone back on. If you can make a call using the new SIM card, then your phone is unlocked. If not, or if you see a message like “Invalid SIM,” your phone is likely locked.
- Check in Network Settings: On some Android phones, you can check in the Network Settings. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Advanced > Network Unlock. However, not all Android phones have this feature.
Remember, when in doubt, you can always contact your previous service provider, and they can tell you whether your phone is locked or unlocked.