
If your phone uses the MetroPCS network you’re not alone. An American wireless service provider and brand, owned by T-Mobile US, it’s one of the largest mobile operators in the States.
Also known as Metro by T-Mobile, MetroPCS phones tap into T-Mobile’s fast-performing cellular network.
Having access to this is a big benefit, offering good coverage and a reliable signal. But, despite this, its target audience is narrow.
Unlike T-Mobile (and most of the other major US carriers), MetroPCS doesn’t offer an extensive range of price plans and packages.
Or provide customers with access to the very latest mobile tech devices.
Focused on the budget-conscious, it specializes instead on offering affordable, prepaid plans and a limited range of no-contract smartphones.
Nothing wrong with that, of course. Paying upfront for services suits a lot of people.
But not everyone. And if you’ve got a MetroPCS phone, but are looking for a bit more variety or flexibility in how you use it, you may be considering switching provider.
After all, your circumstances have changed since opting for Metro and having a wider choice makes sense, right?
Agreed. But before you leap ahead, there’s one major factor to consider: How to remove the SIM lock that’s likely installed on your MetroPCS phone.
Without the unlocking code, your MetroPCS phone won’t work with any other network.
Ok.
Point taken.
But you haven’t got the code and you have no idea how to find it…
…you do now.
In this guide, we show you how easy it can be to source the unlock code needed to free your MetroPCS cell phone.
But before we rush ahead, it helps to understand a bit about how the lock works, why it’s there and what’s to be gained from removing it.
What Is a Locked Phone?
You won’t have seen it. Or probably even been aware of it.
But most phones (including both Apple and Android devices) have a software code installed that instructs them to connect to a specific network, for example MetroPCS.
This code is unique to each device and makes the device incompatible with any other mobile networks, such as T Mobile, AT&T and Sprint.
Just as the lock on your phone is hidden away, the unlock code needed to remove it is just as elusive. But why are phones locked in the first place? Let’s take a look.
Why Is My MetroPCS Phone Locked?
Despite the limitations it places on consumers, it’s still common practice for mobile carriers to lock phones.
Why? Well, their official reasoning is that a locked phone is a more secure phone.
Look up most carriers’ phone locking guidance on their website and you’ll probably find it filed under their customer safety policy as a means of preventing cell phone theft and fraud.
(The premise is that a locked phone is worth less than an unlocked phone. And, because of this, a deterrent to thieves.)
While this does ring true. It’s probably not the only reason. Let’s not ignore the fact that locking a phone ties an individual to their network provider.
An effective way of holding onto customers this, in turn, drives higher profits.
Is It Legal to Take Steps to Unlock a Cell Phone?
The short (and reassuring) answer is, no.
Thanks to the ‘Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act’ introduced by Barack Obama in 2013, it’s 100% legal for individuals across the US to unlock their phones.
In fact, it’s not just legal, it’s your right.
How Do I Unlock MetroPcs Phone?
We’ve covered all of the background, the theory behind phone locking, and the impact of this on you, the consumer.
Now let’s look at how you can regain control of your phone by answering the question: What’s the best way to unlock MetroPCS phones?
(Hint: The key word in that sentence is “best”.)
You can try going through MetroPCS.
For example, you could contact MetroPCS customer service, attempt to navigate the MetroPCS device unlock app, or use the MetroPCS unlock code generator.
But be prepared to answer lots of account questions. You’ll also need to comply with a long list of eligibility requirements.
And then you’ll have to wait. And wait.
If you’re looking for the easiest, quickest and most effective option (aka the “best” option) – and let’s face it, why wouldn’t you – going through a third-party phone unlocking provider like Mobile Unlocked is a good option.
Why? Well, here are eight key reasons:
- No awkward questions or complicated admin.
- No eligibility requirements to meet.
- No long wait.
- No app to download.
- No ‘on hold’ calls to customer service.
- No break in service.
- No temporary fix. Your phone unlock will be permanent.
- No change to your phone’s warranty.
So, How Does the Unlock Process Work?
If you use a phone unlocking service, everything takes place online.
And all the information you need is your mobile phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number.
Short for ‘International Mobile Equipment Identity’, an IMEI is a 15-digit number that’s unique to your phone.
Kind of like your device’s fingerprint, it’s fixed to your device and cannot be transferred from one phone to another.
See the Apple website for details.
Don’t know your IMEI? We’re not surprised. That’s nothing to worry about though.
As long as you have your phone with you, you’ve got everything you need to find your device’s IMEI.
You can type *#06# into your smartphone keypad. You can go via the Settings menu (IMEI Information is listed under the ‘About phone / Status’ section).
Or you find it on the white label under the battery.
Once you have your IMEI, you’re ready to start. Just enter this into the webform on your phone unlocking service’s webpage.
And then submit your request.
The process that follows all takes place automatically, behind-the-scenes.
Sophisticated software will scan the databases of phone manufacturers worldwide to find the data and MetroPCS unlock code needed to provide you with an unlocked Metro PCS phone.
What happens next depends on the type of phone you’ve got: Android or Apple.
How Does the Device Unlock Get Activated?
If you’ve got an iPhone, Apple watch or iPad, the SIM unlock will take place automatically (or “over-the-air”), using WIFI, 3G or 4G.
Where this is the case, you don’t need to type in a network unlock code.
You just put your new SIM card into your device, turn it on, and it will process an update and unlock the phone simultaneously.
For Android devices, you’ll need to type in an unlock code which your mobile phone unlocking service provider will send you. Just insert your new SIM card, and you’re all set.
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