on 07-04-2022 17:14
I have a Samsung J3 i bought from Virgin several years ago. I now have a new phone and am still using a Virgin sim but want to use my old phone to use abroad. How can i tell if it's unlocked so that i can get another sim for it? Or is it already unlocked ?
Answered! Go to Answer
on 08-04-2022 13:58
Hi @Sheila10, some Samsung devices do allow you to see if this is the case or not (but not all unfortunately).
Please see the below steps - use the Phone dialer:
For some select Samsung devices, dialing this code will show you if it’s network locked or not: *#7465625#
If your phone shows an a screen with these three items, check out the explanations below to know what each of them means:
[ ] Network lock
[ ] Subset lock
[ ] SP lock
If all three items are indicated as OFF, then your Samsung phone must be network unlocked.
If Network lock says ON, then your Samsung device is network locked.
If Subset lock is ON, then your Samsung device has to be unlocked and requires a code from the original carrier.
If SP lock is ON, then your Samsung device has to be unlocked and requires a code from the service provider. Some third party retail shops can provide you this code.
If nothing happens when you dial *#7465625# you can assume that your phone’s firmware does not allow the code, or its service menu has been disabled.
Many thanks
on 07-04-2022 17:47
Hi @Sheila10, thanks for your post here in the community.
Generally, a phone is unlocked once you've either bought it outright and it's listed as "SIM-Free" or you've finished paying your monthly plan for the handset - once you've all paid up, that phone then becomes unlocked too.
If you try popping in an alternative SIM to your Virgin Media one (do your family or friends have an alternative network SIM?), then this will work in the handset and display reception from the relevant network with no issues.
I hope this helps and please let me know if you need further support.
Many thanks
on 08-04-2022 13:33
I' d like to know if my phone is unlocked BEFORE I buy a sim card. I have paid for my phone. Would unlocking be automatic?
on 08-04-2022 13:58
Hi @Sheila10, some Samsung devices do allow you to see if this is the case or not (but not all unfortunately).
Please see the below steps - use the Phone dialer:
For some select Samsung devices, dialing this code will show you if it’s network locked or not: *#7465625#
If your phone shows an a screen with these three items, check out the explanations below to know what each of them means:
[ ] Network lock
[ ] Subset lock
[ ] SP lock
If all three items are indicated as OFF, then your Samsung phone must be network unlocked.
If Network lock says ON, then your Samsung device is network locked.
If Subset lock is ON, then your Samsung device has to be unlocked and requires a code from the original carrier.
If SP lock is ON, then your Samsung device has to be unlocked and requires a code from the service provider. Some third party retail shops can provide you this code.
If nothing happens when you dial *#7465625# you can assume that your phone’s firmware does not allow the code, or its service menu has been disabled.
Many thanks
on 08-04-2022 16:51
Thanks Tom, I'll check these things out.
on 08-04-2022 17:14
Hi @Sheila10, no problem at all!
Please let me know if you need any further help in the future.
Many thanks
on 22-05-2022 20:41
Hi Tom,
I'm interested in knowing about my old iPhone 8 and how I check to see if that's unlocked?
I too am planning on going to Thailand later in the year and would like a local SIM card to use whilst I'm there.
Any advice?
TIA 😀
HC
on 22-05-2022 21:37
I'm a Very Insightful Person, I'm here to share knowledge, I don't work for Virgin Media. Learn more
Have I helped? Click Mark as Helpful Answer or use Kudos to say thanks
on 22-05-2022 22:15