It's legal to unlock your cell phone, but it might invalidate your warranty.
Many mobile phones are locked when you buy them, meaning you can only use them with the network you bought the phone from. SIM cards from other companies won't work on the phone. Unlocking your phone lets you switch to another network and saves you roaming fees. However, you can't unlock all phones. Phones like Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel use Code Division Multiple Access technology, which keeps network and subscriber information in memory, effectively locking those phones to their own networks. Unlocking your phone is legal, but it may invalidate your warranty. Mobile phone users who want to unlock their phones in Alabama have several places they can go for help.
Fone Zone
Fone Zone buys, sells and trades used cell phones. In addition, the store repairs phones and unlocks them. It can also fix broken phone screens. Fone Zone works on iPhone, BlackBerry, LG cell phones, HTC mobile phones, Motorola and Samsung. Fone Zone has two stores, one in West Mobile and the other in Daphne.
Dr. Smart Phone
Dr. Smart Phone is a cell phone repair service with a large inventory of certified original equipment manufacturer replacement parts. According to its website, the service does same-day repairs and will unlock your phone so you can travel in areas your carrier doesn't cover. Dr. Smart Phone is located in Birmingham.
The Cell Phone Place
The Cell Phone Place provides "no contract" phone service. The company also unlocks and reprograms phones. It has locations in Mobile and Foley and plans to open a store in Montgomery.
AT&T
AT&T will help you unlock your AT&T branded phone if you have a prepaid plan and can either show proof of purchase or have been receiving service from the company for at least six months. If you don't have an AT&T branded phone, you need an AT&T account that's been in service for at least 90 days and in good standing. In addition, your phone's unlock code must be available from the manufacturer. AT&T cannot unlock iPhones. You can find AT&T stores in Montgomery, Birmingham and Tuscaloosa.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile will provide the SIM unlock code to you as a T-Mobile post-paid plan customer as long as you've had at least 40 days of active service with T-Mobile. If you have a T-Mobile prepaid plan, you can receive the unlock code if you've had at least 60 days of active service. You also need at least $10 in your account balance, or you need to have received a refill within the past 30 days. T-Mobile will also provide the unlock code to eligible former customers if it has the code or can get it from the manufacturer. T-Mobile has 167 locations all over Alabama. Call customer care to request the code and instructions.
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