We all like something for free. So, when people see free cell phone unlocking, it is tempting. There are many guides and forum posts online all about how to unlock your phone for free. There is also information about software that you can download to 'calculate' unlock codes or ways to modify your phone using a cable.

Many people even wonder why you would pay to unlock your phone if the information is available online for free. What they don't understand is that free unlocking can come at a cost. This cost may be something as simple as voiding your phones warranty but may also erase of all the data on your phone (including contacts, messages, emails, games and ringtones) or completely destroy your phone.

Do yourself and your phone a favor by reading this article and avoiding the pitfalls of unlocking before you do anything.

Limited Attempts

Many phones (including all Nokia, Samsung, LG, Blackberry and Siemens) have a limit on how many times you can enter an unlock code. The limit is usually set to three attempts. After the third attempt you will no longer be able to unlock this phone using any unlock code. Your network provider and the manufacturer will be unable to unlock it. In many cases on the third attempt your phone will be permanently locked to that network.

Erase All Data

Many of these free unlock codes work by exploiting a bug in some very early software versions of phones. They provide you with a code that will remove the network lock by erasing all the data on the phone. This works on less than 2% of many phone models. If you happen to be in that lucky 2%, it means you have an unlocked phone but no contacts, messages, emails, ringtones etc. However if you are in the unlucky 98% your phone will remain locked and you have just lost all your data for nothing.

Void Warranty

You usually never care about your warranty until you need it. The last thing you want to do is void your warranty by using third party software on your phone in an attempt to unlock it. By unlocking your phone using software or using all the unlock code attempts you will void your warranty. You don't want to lose your warranty and have to purchase a new phone.

Missing Instructions

When purchasing an unlock code with us, you get a full set of instructions as well as customer support. We will assist you each step of the way. If you decide to use an unlock code you found somewhere on the internet, or some unlock software you found on a forum, your won't get any assistance and you'll end up wasting hours of your own time trying to understand what you are meant to do and why it isn't working for your phone.

Unusable Phone

Worst case scenario is you use unlock software that renders your phone unusable. This happens a lot more than you think. We get hundreds of e-mails every day from people that have used free unlock software that are looking for assistance trying to resurrect a dead phone. Unless you have a lot of expensive equipment, there is nothing you can do. Your phone provider, phone manufacturer or phone insurance will not cover you for the damages or repair your phone. You will be stuck with a repair bill, wasted time, and a locked phone.

All our unlock codes are sourced directly from the manufacturer of your handset and are guaranteed to unlock your phone without damaging it or erasing any information. Each unlock code that we get for your phone is unique to your handset and will work just for you. Our unlock codes don't 'hack' your phone nor do they exploit some bug in the software. They are the correct unlock codes for you handset direct from the makers.

We have successfully unlocked 3.1 million handsets so far, let's make yours the next one.