An unlocked phone is required to use KnowRoaming abroad.
What does it mean to have an unlocked phone? Unlocking refers to removing the network restrictions on a phone so that the phone can be used with a SIM card from a different network. This term can sometimes be confused with the removal of other security or locking mechanisms.
Your home cellular service provider can unlock your phone for you. You can find information about your carrier's unlock policies by visiting their website or calling their support line.
Please see below for phone unlocking information for networks in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa.
United States
AT&T MOBILITY
- Must be a current or former AT&T customer
- Device must be designed for use on AT&T network
- Device must be paid for in full
- Device was not reported lost or stolen
- Current customers are allowed up to 5 unlocks per account per year
- Former customers are allowed a total of 5 device unlocks per former account
Instructions
- Complete online UNLOCK REQUEST form
Additional Info
- Takes approximately 1-5 business days
SPRINT CORPORATION
Eligibility
- Phone needs to be capable of international roaming
- Account must not have an account spending limit
- Phone must be active on current number for 90+ days
- One unlocked device per subscriber
Instructions
- Contact international department through Live Chat
- OR call 888-226-7212
T-MOBILE US
Eligibility
- Must be an active or former customer
- Device not reported lost, stolen, or blocked
- Device must have been purchased from T-Mobile or an authorized dealer and activated on T-Mobile service
- Account is in good standing
- Device is paid for in full
- Postpaid: service must be active for more than 40 consecutive days, customer must not have requested a code in the last 90 days
- 2-year contract: at least 18 consecutive months have been paid for or migration fee was paid for device
- Prepaid: device must have had more than $50 in total refills
- Former customer: account balance is zero, did not port out a line associate with device during buyer’s remorse period
Instructions
- Contact T-Mobile Customer Care
VERIZON WIRELESS
Eligibility
- Account must have been active and in good standing for 60+ days
Instructions
- Contact Verizon customer service
Canada
TELUS MOBILITY
Eligibility
- Device must be compatible (please reference source link)
- Device must have been on TELUS network for 90+ days
- Account is up to date and in good standing
Fees
- $35 fee will be applied to TELUS account
Instructions
- Call TELUS Support to obtain unlock code
ROGERS WIRELESS
Eligibility
- Device must have been active for at least 90 days
- OR device was purchased at the no-term price
Fees
- $50 fee (plus tax)
Instructions
- Contact Rogers remotely or go to a retail/dealer store
BELL MOBILITY
Eligibility
- Subsidized phone: at least 90 days into term
- Prepaid, outright, or Bell employee accounts: can unlock immediately
- Credit limit or restriction on account (i.e. paid deposit or existing spending cap): at least 90 days into term regardless how how phone was purchased
- Tablets cannot be unlocked
Fees
- No credit limit or restrictions on account: $50 fee
- Credit limit or restrictions on account: $150 fee
Instructions
- Contact customer service
FIDO SOLUTIONS
Eligibility
- Rebate with contract: device must have been registered in account for more than 90 days
- No rebate with contract: device must be registered in account
Fees
- $50 fee (plus tax)
Instructions
- Visit a Fido store or contact customer service
SASKTEL MOBILITY
Eligibility
- Must be a SaskTel customer
Fees
- $50 fee (plus tax)
Instructions
- Visit a SaskTel Store or Authorized Cellular Dealer, or call 1-800-SASKTEL to obtain unlock code
- For more thorough step by step instructions please reference source link below
WIND MOBILE
Eligibility
- Service must be active
- Start date must be earlier than 6 months/ 180 days from today
Fees
- $10 fee
Instructions
- Call 611 or 1 877-WIND-184
MTS MOBILITY
Eligibility
- Not available for prepaid devices
- Available for some SIM-based postpaid phones (please reference source link below)
- Account must be in good standing
Fees
- $50 fee
Instructions
- Complete the MTS Mobile Device Unlock Request form
EE
Eligibility
- Current customer with account for at least six months
- IMEI must not be blacklisted (EE will confirm)
- Monthly paying customers must have an account balance of zero – everything needs to be paid up to date
Fees
- £20.42 fee
Instructions
- Complete request form (see source link below)
Additional Info
- Takes up to 20 days
O2
Eligibility
- Monthly and Business customers: can unlock at any time
- Pay&Go customers: can unlock 12 months after purchase
Fees
- Monthly and Business customers: no fee
- Pay&Go customers: £15
Instructions
- Complete unlocking form
Additional info
- iPhone users will be notified via text when their phone is unlocked
- Otherwise O2 will respond via email in 7 days with instructions
- Non-iPhone source
- iPhone source
Vodafone UK
Eligibility
- must be a Pay Monthy or Small Business customer
- IMEI cannot be blacklisted
Fees
- £19.99 for small business customers (unless plan is over) and pay-monthly customers (unless plan has been active for over a year)
Instructions
- Complete request form (please see source link below)
Three
Eligibility
- Pay Monthly customers: need to be at least 30 days into contract and have first bill paid (unless customer just upgraded plan)
- Customers without Three account: must purchase a Three Pay As You Go SIM card
Fees
- £15.53 fee
Instructions
- Complete request form (please see source link below)
Additional info
- May take up to 7 days
Telstra Mobile
Instructions
- Postpaid iPhone: use web app
- Prepaid iPhone: call 125 8880
- iPhone with business plan: call 132 000
- Other prepaid devices:Call 1300 720 179 for unlocking centre direct and provide IMEI code
Fees
- Possible fee of $50, $100, or $150
Additional info
- Devices purchased with postpaid service may already be unlocked
Optus Mobile
Prepaid iPhone/BlackBerry
- If service has been recharged to a minimum of $80 then there is no fee, otherwise there is an $80 fee
Other Prepaid devices
- Purchased before September 3, 2012: no fee
- Purchased on or after September 3, 2012: service continuously active for less than 6 months - $80 fee. Service continuously active for more than 6 months - $25 fee
Postpaid iPhone/BlackBerry/MotoBlur
- No fee
Other postpaid devices
- Should be unlocked when purchased
Instructions
- Prepaid iPhone: call Optus and provide IMEI number and mobile phone number
- Other prepaid devices and postpaid iPhone/BlackBerry/MotoBlur: complete request form (see source link below) and pay fee online with credit card (if applicable)
Vodafone
Eligibility
- Can only unlock phones supplied by Vodafone Australia
- iPhone: please refer to iPhone specific instructions
- Other devices: obtain IMEI code and use web app
Fees
- Less than 6 months (customer care: $100, unlocking tool: $75)
- More than 6 months (customer care: $50, unlocking tool: $25)