If you have purchased a Nokia cell phone on a contract with your carrier, chances are that your carrier has locked the phone so it works only with its service. If you want to switch to another carrier and use a SIM of your choice, you have to "unlock" the phone using a password or an unlock code. Although unlock codes can be obtained for free from many websites, they do not guarantee code accuracy. If you try inaccurate codes more than five times, your phone will be hard locked, after which it can only be unlocked by a professional.
Instructions
1. Unlock the cellphone using the website The Travel Insider. After you sign up, you will be taken to a page where you can purchase the code using your credit card or PayPal account. Depending on the cell phone you have, you may be charged anywhere between $5 and $25, as of August 2010.
2. Use the website Express Unlock. Provide information including the phone's IMEI number. The website charges $4.95 as of August 2010. You will receive a guaranteed unlock code via email along with instructions for entering it.
3. Obtain the code using the website Nokia Free. Upon submitting your details, you will receive a couple of passwords that you can try. This is a free service, and the website doesn't guarantee success, but it may be worth a shot. Do not try more than five inaccurate codes, as that will cause your phone to lock permanently.
4. Enter the code in this format: #pw+CODE+1# (your phone should not have a SIM card at this point). If the code turns out to be inaccurate, you will be asked to try again. Once you enter the correct code, you will see the message "SIM Restriction Off" on the phone display.
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