- Unlocking your cell phone lets you switch carriers without buying a new device.
- All carriers are required to let you do this, as long as you’ve paid off the phone.
- Many smartphones can work with any U.S. carrier. You can check your phone’s compatibility online.
If you’re looking to save money, shopping for a new cell-phone plan is a great way to do it. As I discovered not long ago, it can trim $1,000 a year from your budget.
But before you sign up for a new service, you may have to unlock your phone from your current carrier’s network.
That’s not hard to do, but it helps to have a little guidance, because the process varies from phone to phone and carrier to carrier.
If you didn’t specifically request an unlocked model when you purchased your phone, odds are good that it’s tied to your current network.