FAQ
What is an unlocked phone and unlocking?
- An unlocked GSM phone can operate on different GSM networks/Carriers/Providers, such as T-Mobile, AT&T/Cingular, Rogers, O2 etc.
However, since the network providers don't want their own phones being used with other providers, when they supply the phones (on contract or pay as you go), they set "Lock Codes" on phones which can cause the phone to accept SIM Cards from their network only. So all phones from network providers are "Locked" Phones. - Unlocking phones or unlocking refers to the operation to remove the Service Provider's lock codes in order to make the phone able to work with SIM Cards from other networks.
Is Unlocking Cell Phones Legal or Illegal?
- Unlocking your Cell phone is legal in most, or almost all countries around the world. This includes the Canada, US and UK.
- Once you purchase a cell phone it is your legal property and you can do whatever it is you please with your phone. No one can tell you what to do or not with it.
- Some people view unlocking a cell phone as a "Grey market" issue, not illegal however not "fully" legal either. Others have also argued that unlocking a cell phone could tamper with a phone's firmware, which is in it self copyright material and therefore would render unlocking illegal.
- Although the above points to seem to have merit, they are in fact not true. US Congress has recently passed a law that specifically deals with this issue.
Quoted:
"Computer programs in the form of firmware that enable wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telephone communication network, when circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of lawfully connecting to a wireless telephone communication network."
In a nutshell the law exempts cell phone unlocking programs/methods from any violation of data rights managment, for more information please consult the following article: http://www.theregister.com/2006/11/23/congress_dmca_cellphones_censorware/
Is unlocking safe? Will it damage my phone?
- Unlocking is completely safe if the operation is done according to the proper instruction. However, unlocking sometimes requires the opening of the phones which in turn sometimes void the warranty depending on the manufacturer's policy. That being said, it still depends on the make and model of the phone, and the method/tool that is used to unlock it.
- If you are uncertain of any service kit's functionality, please kindly send us an email with your inquiry and one of our service professional will be happy to answer your question.
How can I tell if my phone is locked?
When you insert a SIM card that is from a different carrier than the one the phone is from (say you put in a T-Mobile SIM card into an at&t phone), if the phone does not go to the main screen but display any of the following messages, that means your phone is locked.
- Card Disabled
- Contact Service Provider
- Enter Unlock Code
- Enter Subsidy Password
- Enter Special Code
- Enter Restriction Code
- Incorrect SIM
- Insert Correct SIM
- Insert Correct Smart Chip
- Invalid Network SIM
- Invalid SIM
- Network Lock
- Phone Disabled
- Phone Locked
- SIM Not Valid
- SIM Card Rejected
- Wrong Card
- Your phone cannot be used with this SIM card
- etc.
What are the advantages of unlocking phone?
- You will be able to use your phone with any SIM card from any GSM network worldwide;
- Increase the resale value of your phones;
- Restore the functionality of your locked phones;
- When you travel, you can use your phones with local GSM network and save on roaming charges;
- Increase activation lines for cellular phone dealers;
- Make good money by offering unlocking service for cellular phone dealers;
- Own more SIM cards running on different networks, swap the SIM cards from time to time;
- Switch to other network when you would like to use your current phone with the other one.
What are the types of Locks on the phone?
- SP Lock = Service Provider Lock = Network Lock, normally set by the service provider to prevent users use their phones with different service providers
- User Lock = Personal Lock = Phone Lock, which is set by the owner to prevent someone use or look up information in the phone.
- SIM Lock, this sometimes could be set either by the service provider or the user, it is used to prevent unauthorized use of the SIM card.
What is my phones IMEI number, what does it mean and how do i get it?
Your phone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is an unique international "serial number" for your phone to be properly identified from any other phones. It is normally a 15-digit number. However, sometimes you might find it to be 17 digits. But the real effective IMEI number is only the first 15 digits, the last 2 digits are unimportant as they are just checksum numbers.
Your IMEI can be found by the following 2 ways:
1. You can press *#06# on your phone's main screen (where you enter phone numbers) to see it displayed on screen.
2. Remove the back cover (if any) and the battery, there is a 15 digit serial number printed on the back of the phone.
We recommend you to always use method 1 to retrieve your IMEI number since it is truely the IMEI number of the mobile phone. When you are sending us the IMEI for unlocking purpose, please only send the 15 digtis without dashes (-) or space ( ).
Please do not supply the imei listed on the outside of your phones box as it can be different than that of the phone.
How do you send me the information/product ordered for unlocking my phone?
- Remote unlocking products that involving software and unlock codes are delivered to the email address that is registered with your SkyStarTrade.com account.
- Turnaround time is listed for each product in its description page. Most products are delivered automatically and instantly upon payment completion and verification.
- If you cannot locate the product ordered in your inbox, please check your junk mail folder
- Orders that consist of cables, unlock clips, kits or any hardware products are delivered via mail. Depending on your method of shipping, SkyStarTrade.com will ship out your order same day if they are ordered before 5PM Pacific Time. Actual arrival date will depend on the carrier and your chosen method of shipping.
What is firmware flashing/flash/upgrading ? What does it do?
Fimrware Flashing is the process of upgrading the firmware, or operating system software and files on your mobile phone.
Upgrading your firmware ensures you have the latest software and features on it. There are numerous benefits to upgrading your mobile phone, which includes but not limited to:
1. Extra features and bug fixes. Newly released firmwares usually contain newly added features and functional including games, custom languages, and enhanced accessory support. Newer firmwares also fix bugs that were found in previous firmwares, resulting in smoother and more stable performance on your mobile phone.
2. Drastically improved reception: in almost all cases, upgrading your mobile phone results in drastically improved RF signal reception. Bluetooth reception is also enhanced (if available).
3. Restore to OEM: de-brand your mobile phone, remove all carrier logos and annoying startup or shutdown tones.
4. Remove data locks: unlock any data locks on your mobile phone. This includes locked internet browser settings.
5. Increased value: increase the resale value of your mobile phone by up to 300%.
I downloaded my unlocking software, but it is in a format my computer does not recongize. What is a RAR file?
RAR files are like ZIP files, they are compressed (to save space) archive files. If your operating system does not recognize it, then you need to download a FREE tool called WINRAR. It can be downloaded from http://www.rarsoft.com/download.htm
How and why should I turn off Windows XP firewall?
Reason: sometimes the unlocking software requires internet connection to communicate with the unlock server to process certain information in order to unlock your phone. Since this action sometimes is not registered in Windows, the Windows Firewall might prevent it from connecting to server which in turn disallow you to perform required operation. Therefore it needs to be turned off in order for the normal operation to be performed
Solution 1:
1) Go to Start>Control Panel
2) Double click on Windows Firewall
3) Check the option "Off (not recommended)" and hit OK
4) Retry your unlocking process
5) Turn it back on after your unlocking is completed
Solution 2:
1) Go to Start>Control Panel>Network Connections.
2) Right click your internet provider icon, (example: Local Area Connection).
3) Go to Properties>Advanced
4) Un-check your Internet Connection Firewall
5) Close and then try to unlock your phone.
6) Dont forget to check this feature back on after you unlock your phone.
|
