Is it locked or unlocked? That is the question most people ask before getting a new smartphone from retail stores. Even though it is easier to get a locked phone (affordable monthly payment plans), locked ones usually turn out to be the cheapest in the long run.
In this article, we will learn more about locked phones (what they are and why you should get one), find out whether Carphone warehouse phones are locked or unlocked and learn how to unlock any SIM-locked smartphone.
What Does a Locked Carphone Warehouse Phone Mean?
A locked Carphone Warehouse phone is simply a phone with carrier restrictions. In other words, it has a software code that ensures it can only work on Carphone Warehourse network. Insert another carrier's SIM card into a locked phone, and you will be immediately informed that it is not allowed.
An unlocked cell phone, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. An unlocked Carphone Warehouse lacks the network restricting code, meaning you are free to use the network carrier of your choice. Just pop in a new SIM card, and you are set.
Wondering why some smartphones are locked? Well, most locked phones are usually from mobile service providers, and they lock their smartphones to prevent theft (locked phones are less likely to be stolen). That is the reason most of them give.
The real reason, however, is they want you to stay with them for as long as possible. Of course, no carrier wants to give business to its competitors, so you will be given a contract to sign to ensure you stay on the network for the stated period.
Are Carphone Warehouse Phones Unlocked?
Most Carphone warehouse phones, including the SIM-free ones, are sold unlocked, meaning they are not locked to any network carrier. Just pop in a new SIM card and find out what the mobile provider has to offer.
Benefits of an Unlocked Carphone Warehouse Phone
From carrier freedom to flexibility when traveling abroad, owning an unlocked smartphone comes with countless advantages that will change your phone experience. Below are some benefits you can enjoy with an unlocked phone.
Carrier freedom
No contracts, zero restrictions and no ties to Carphone Warehouse. Unlocked phones allow you to use the network carrier of your choice. No one is stopping you from chasing quality or coverage. Unlocked phone owners can come and go from any network carrier.
Two networks, same phone!
Do you want to separate your work SIM card from your personal card? Or maybe you prefer having separate SIM cards for data and calls/texts. Instead of having two SIM cards from the same carrier, unlocked dual-SIM phones allow you to use different networks on the same smartphone.
No roaming charges
Tired of outrageous roaming charges? An unlocked Carphone Warehouse phone is the number one solution to eliminating roaming charges. No need to incur crazy charges from your home carrier; just buy a SIM card from the local carrier and enjoy the local rates.
Customization and Software updates
The freedom to customize your Carphone Warehouse phone to your needs is unmatched. You can install a new operating system, remove unnecessary software, etc., without worrying about breaching your contract with the network provider. Furthermore, software updates are much faster in unlocked devices as they are installed as soon as the manufacturer releases them. With locked Carphone Warehouse devices, you have to wait for Carphone Warehouse to send them.
Better resale values
If you prefer selling your current phone before upgrading, always go for the unlocked ones. Unlocked Carphone Warehouse phones are highly sought after in the second-hand market, which means they sell faster and at higher prices than their locked counterparts.
No carrier bloatware
As if manufacturer bloatware is not annoying enough, some carriers still sell their phones with more unnecessary apps. With an unlocked Carphone Warehouse phone, you can say goodbye to the useless and sometimes uninstallable apps that clutter your screen and consume storage space.
Saves money
Purchasing a phone in monthly installments may initially seem affordable and convenient, but it is more expensive in the long run than paying the full price upfront. On most occasions, the cumulative payments always exceed the actual market selling price.
Buying an unlocked Carphone Warehouse phone also saves you from overspending on high-end phones you don't need. A reasonable person (not the extremely rich) would think twice before spending $1,700 on a phone, yet will be tempted if the same phone is offered at $50 monthly. Opting for an unlocked phone ultimately saves you money by ensuring you stay within your budget and needs.
How to Check if Your Carphone Warehouse Phone is Unlocked?
There are several ways to check if a phone is locked or unlocked. However, using a none-Carphone Warehouse SIM card is the most guaranteed way to know if your phone is unlocked.
While locked phones only operate on the carrier’s network, unlocked ones should activate all SIM cards and allow all the SIM service, i.e. calls, text messages and cellular data. To confirm if your Carphone Warehouse phone is unlocked, just replace your carrier’s SIM card with another carrier’s and try making calls, sending text messages, or using cellular data.
If all are working, the phone is unlocked. A locked phone will most likely display "Invalid SIM", "SIM Not Supported", or something along those lines.
Other methods, such as checking the phone's network settings or using IMEI network check tools, can also be used but only as second choices since they can be modified to display an "unlocked" status.
How to Unlock Phone to Any Carrier - DirectUnlocks
Carphone Warehouse says that most of their phones are unlocked, and if you happen to purchase a locked handset, you should contact the carrier to unlock it. However, we know how carrier-unlocking can be tedious. That’s why we recommend using DirectUnlocks phone unlock service.
DirectUnlocks is a fantastic online phone unlocking service that can unlock your SIM-locked device, whether Android or iOS, from any carrier. Unlocking your device using DirectUnlocks requires only three steps; provide your details, wait for your order to be processed and check your email for unlocking instructions.
Benefits of Using DirectUnlocks to Unlock Any Phone
Some of the features making DirectUnlocks the number one phone unlocking service include:
No eligibility requirements
Unlocking your phone through the carrier means you have to meet their device unlocking requirements, send an unlock request (or wait for them to detect that it is eligible) and wait for unlocking. You can avoid all of that by unlocking the phone using DirectUnlocks. All you need is your phone’s IMEI number, an internet connection and a browser.
Unlock your phone forever.
There is no going back once you taste the freedom of using the carrier you want. Instead of the phone getting locked again when it is factory reset (if you used software solutions) or when the chip is removed ( if you used unlock chips), DirectUnlocks' unlocking method ensures your phone remains unlocked forever!
Besides carrier unlocking, DirectUnlocks is the only method that offers permanent network unlocking.
Keep your phone's warranty.
A phone warranty can be a lifesaver when you finally need to use it. Most software solutions root (Android) or jailbreak (iOS) devices during unlocking, resulting in voided warranties. With DirectUnlocks, your phone is unlocked using the IMEI method, which does modify any software or hardware settings on your phone. Your phone's warranty is one of DirectUnlocks' top priorities!
Unlock any phone from any carrier.
Network carriers only unlock their phones, and software solutions unlock specific models and iOS versions. With DirectUnlocks, you can unlock any phone brand (Android or iOS) and model (All Android and iOS versions) from any carrier worldwide.
Unlock your phone within 6hrs
As stated earlier, unlocking your phone via the carrier requires retrieving your account details. Sending an unlock request, account verification and finally the approval. For most network carriers, this process usually takes 48 hrs or more.
With DirectUnlocks, you can unlock your device within 6 hrs or less, making it the perfect choice for those looking to unlock their phones urgently.
Zero tech knowledge required
Though common, software solutions require one to have some tech knowledge to be able to download, install and set up the application on a computer. Unlocking any phone using DirectUnlocks only requires an internet connection and a browser.
How to Use DirectUnlocks
As long as you have a browser (even your phone's) and an internet connection, you can unlock any phone anywhere in the world using DirectUnlocks. Just fill out the form below to unlock your Carphone warehouse phone.
Unlock Your Phone from Straight Talk Now
Step 1: Dial *#06# to obtain your phone’s IMEI number
Step 2: Provide the required details, then click the "Unlock Your Carphone Warehouse Phone" button.
Step 3: Pay the unlocking fee. DirectUnlocks will begin processing your order immediately.
Step 4: Wait for success confirmation. For Android devices, DirectUnlocks will send the unlock code instructions. Apple devices are unlocked remotely.
Conclusion
Thanks to the UK ban on the sale of locked devices, Carphone Warehouse customers (and even other carriers) no longer have to worry about being locked to a single mobile network for long. Don't worry if you purchased your phone before the ban; DirectUnlocks will have it operating on all mobile networks in less than 6hrs.
Unlock your phone using DirectUnlocks and enjoy an unlocked device's benefits!