Can you unlock a straight talk phone

Straight talk is a mobile virtual network operator that is commonly known to offer the best wireless services across the states. From cheap and non-contract tablets, hotspots, and phone plans, there are a lot of amazing services offered by this company. In addition, you are likely to get the best, quality yet affordable prepaid android and apple phones from this service provider. Although there are myriads of benefits associated with straight talk, it also has number of downsides. For instance, their phones come “locked” thus limiting you to switch to other service providers. Most importantly, you are denied the flexibility or freedom to upgrade your phone or switch to another carrier that offers amazing deals for new customers.   

If you are a victim, you need to unlock your straight talk phone. The problem is that most Straight Talk customers don’t know how to unlock their phones. In fact, the process is so easy to navigate. Before discussing in detail how to unlock a straight talk phone, it’s important to know that not all straight talk phones are eligible for unlocking. This is because there are a number of requirements to meet before obtaining the straight talk unlock Code. If you are wondering how to go about this, worry no more. In our page, we have put in place this comprehensive guide on how to unlock a straight talk phone, requirements to meet, and other important ideas. To find answers, walk with us to the latter!

Why Do You Unlock Your Phone?

For one reason or another, straight talk implemented a lock policy on their phones. The purpose of such policies is to limit phones to work with their network alone. This is also done to ensure you finish paying off the device and other pending bills before changing your service provider. If you are fully contented with straight talk services, then you don’t need to unlock your phone. However, there are incidences that may push you to unlock your straight talk phone. Some of these reasons are:

1. To avoid network / service inconveniences

Unlocking your phone gives the freedom to switch services anytime you feel like it. Although buying a locked phone might save you some cash, it might be inconvenient sometimes. This applies mostly when you shift to a new area/home where Straight Talk network doesn’t operate. Also, you might be dissatisfied with your current provider’s services thus forcing you to switch carriers. For shifting freedom and flexibility, you need to unlock your phone.

2. To avoid contract services

When you get a locked phone, you sign a contract with that specific carrier. In most cases, such contracts help you to get their new plan and phone at a massive discount. Also, these contracts are basically meant to ensure you pay the phone and all other pending bills before shifting to another carrier. However, when you unlock your phone, you are able to avert these contracts. How? Unlocked phones enable you to enter a company through the BYOP program. BYOP enables you to enjoy affordable plans without a contract.

3. To get better plan and deals

As you know, there are several wireless service providers across the states. Each of these providers has different plans. For instance, a different service provider might have cheaper plans and more enticing deals for new customers compared to your current provider. As a result, you should unlock your phone so to give you a true choice to shop the plans that suit you best.

4. To have a convenient international trip

One of the greatest cons of locked phones is the inability to work in certain countries. Therefore, if traveling for jobs or business trips in such a country, you have to enroll in an international roaming plan which is obviously expensive. For that reason, you should unlock your phone. This is because unlocked phones give you the freedom to temporarily put in your carrier’s international network which saves on cost.   

5. For easy upgrade

Another important benefit of unlocking your phone is to enable you to upgrade it every time you want. If you get a locked phone, chances are: you can’t upgrade it until the contract is over. So, if you unlock your phone and later find another device that is more updated, you can upgrade to that new gadget with less hassle.

Can A Straight Talk Phone Be Unlocked For Any Carrier?

Yes. After requesting for straight talk unlock code and successfully unlocking your phone, you can switch and bring it to another carrier. However, straight talk unlocked phones are only compatible with GSM signals. In this case, you can only use it in carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile.

Straight Talk Phone Unlock Policy Requirements

If you are using a straight talk phone and wish to shift to another network, you have to unlock it first. However, as mentioned earlier, not all straight talk phones are eligible for unlocking. This is because their company has a number of unlocking policy requirements to meet. These are:

• To unlock your phone, it must have been active on straight talk services for nothing less than 12 months. Also, you must have redeemed your service plans for at least 12 months
• For unlock your phone, it must have no record or report of it being lost, stolen or associated with any illegal or fraudulent activities.
• To unlock your straight talk phone as a deployed military, you must provide deployment papers and your phone must not be blacklisted.
• To unlock your phone as a non-former customer, you must pay some fee. However, straight talk always charge a reasonable fee.

If you don’t meet the above unlock policy requirement, am afraid you can’t unlock your straight talk phone. However, all is not lost for you. This is because once your unlock request is declined, there are chances of getting a partial refund or credit to buy another straight talk phone that can be unlocked. However, you get such an offer on the condition that you meet the following requirements:

• Your phone must have been locked on straight talk for at least 12 months
• Alternatively, you must have redeemed straight talk airtime cards for at least one year
• Your phone number must not have been ported or recycled.
• You must request for this offer while your straight talk service is still active or within 2 months after the service expired.
• Your phone model must have been launched or activated on straight talk services from 11th of February 2014.   
• Your phone must be in a good working condition.

To unlock a straight talk phone, you must have an unlock code from straight talk. The good thing is that this code is easily provided if you bought the phone from straight talk and meet the Straight Talk unlock requirements above. To ask for straight talk network unlock code, follow the following simple steps:

• Make a call: To obtain this code, contact straight talk customer care team on 877.430.2355 and ask for help. Note that their calling hours are limited. To get the help you need, you can call them Monday to Sunday 8 am to 11:45 pm.
• Get approval: Here, you need to explain to the representative that you need to unlock your phone. The represented will verify if your phone meet the above unlock policy. Once qualified, he/she will approve your request.
• Receive your CODE: Once you get verified, you will receive your code. More often than not, straight talk unlock code has 10 to 15 digits. Note down your code and proceed with the unlock procedure.  

 Unlocking Straight Talk Phone

Once you have your straight talk unlock Code at hand, time is now ripe to unlock your phone. Below is how to unlock your straight talk phone.

• Get a new SIM card: To unlock your straight talk phone, you must have a new SIM card perhaps from the service provider that you want to join. To get the new SIM, contact the carrier that you want to join for guidance. Once you receive it, proceed to the next step:
• Shut off your phone: Depending on your phone model, follow the right procedure to shut off your phone. To do this, some phones require users to press and hold the power button for about 10 to 15 seconds.
• Remove your straight talk SIM: While the phone is still off, remove your straight talk SIM card. Again, the process of removing the SIM depends with the type and model of your phone. While some SIM card slots are found under your phone’s back cover, others are found on the side of the case.
• Replace your card: Here, you are required to insert your new SIM card from the new carrier to the same slot that you removed your straight talk SIM card. Note that this should happen when your phone is still off.
• Power on: Once you insert the new line, press your phone’s power-on button. Instead of bringing the normal home screen, your phone will bring an unlock notification.
• Finalize the process: To finalize the process, enter the unlock code that you received earlier and tap on “unlock”. After, you receive a message that your phone is unlocked and ready to use with the new carrier. Contact your new carrier and inquire how activate their line for use.  

Are There Any Ways To Unlock Straight Talk Phone Without Carrier?

Yes. If you have actively used the Straight Talk phone for less than 12 months or have not met other Straight Talk unlock requirements above, Straight Talk will definitely decline your unlock request. Nevertheless, you still lucky as there are other third-party ways to unlock a straight talk phone. More often, these remedies are from other websites that offer unlock code at a fee of around $30 to $50. One thing to note, however, you must be extra vigilant because not all these websites are trustworthy. Some may just steal your unlock fee or spam your phone for illegal access. Below is a list of the top-rated and positively reviewed third-party sites to unlock Straight Talk phones.

• UnlockRiver
• UnlockUnit
• UnlockBase
• MobileUnlocked
• DoctorSIM
• Cellphone Unlock among others.   

How Long Does It Take For Straight Talk To Unlock Phone?

The duration of unlocking your straight talk depends on your type and model of phone. Although straight talk phone unlocks requests are processed as received, the entire unlock process might take up to two business days.

Read More: How Do I Transfer My Straight Talk Service From One Phone To Another?

Can You Unlock An iPhone From Straight Talk?

Yes. Similar to android phones, iPhones are allowed to be unlocked from straight talk. As long the phone has not been reported with any fraudulent activities, has been active with straight talk for more than a year, or has met other Straight Talk unlock policies, you are good to go. To unlock an iPhone from straight talk, call customer care services on 1-877-430-2355 for guidance.

Can I Unlock A Straight Talk Phone Without Password?

If you want to unlock your straight talk phone but don’t remember its access password, it might be hectic to proceed with the process. For security purposes, you should always unlock your phone screen through entering its screen lock password. When unlocking your straight talk phone, you should insert a new SIM and enter your unlock CODE. If you are locked out of your phone’s screen and don’t remember your screen password, it will be hard to enter the unlock code. The good thing is that retrieving your password is so easy. All you need to do is use a google account or android device manager.

Can Straight Talk Refuse To Unlock My Phone?

Yes. Under several circumstances, straight talk might refuse to unlock your phone. For instance, if your phone was branded by the manufacturer, straight talk can refuse to unlock it. This is because such a phone can only be used by one brand. Also, in the event your phone has any stolen or lost records, isn’t in a proper working condition, or has been activated in straight talk services for less than one year, Straight Talk will refuse to unlock it.

Can I Unlock My Straight Talk Phone Myself For Free?

Yes. The process of unlocking a straight forward phone is very easy, straightforward, and doesn’t require an expert. All you need to do is call straight talk customer for unlock Code, remove older SIM, replace with a new SIM and enter your provided lock code. Also, upon unlock request, straight talk sends you an email with instructions to follow and unlock the device yourself. As long as you are a current or former Straight Talk customer, you can unlock your device for free.

Can I Unlock My Phone With IMEI Number?

Yes. You can unlock your phone using an IMEI number. When you call straight talk customer representative to unlock the phone for you, they will require you to send your device’s IMEI number. This number is as essential as it helps the representative to identify your phone’s make, model, and serial number. Therefore, your phone’s IMEI number helps to hasten its unlock process. In the event, you don’t know your device’s IMEI number, dial *#06# and it will pop out on the screen. Alternatively, open your android phone’s settings, followed by “about device” followed by “status” and you will find your android IMEI number. For iPhone, open the “settings app”, tap on “general” then tap on “about”. Here, you will find its IMEI number at the bottom of the screen.

What is the code to unlock a Straight Talk phone?

How much does it cost to unlock a phone Straight Talk?