Unlocking phone with new SIM

[Moto0hno]

After gaining the unlock code from your carrier, I've been told you need to insert a sim card to get the screen pop up to input the unlock code for your device. I'm curious about a couple of things here.

A) Does it matter what kind or brand sim card I purchase to unlock the phone? Was thinking of buying a cheap TMobile one from Amazon if that'll work.

B) If it does matter, can you make any GSM carrier recommendations(or warnings to stay away from) other than Cricket?

Thanks all.

 

[lunatic59]

a) The sim must fit the slot and be a different carrier than the one you're unlocking it from.

b) as for recommendations, that would depend on where you are and what's important to you. Data? Coverage? Cost? I had a cheap SIM from H2O, which i picked up at Target. They are an MVNO of AT&T, FWIW.

 

[Moto0hno]

a) The sim must fit the slot and be a different carrier than the one you're unlocking it from.

b) as for recommendations, that would depend on where you are and what's important to you. Data? Coverage? Cost? I had a cheap SIM from H2O, which i picked up at Target. They are an MVNO of AT&T, FWIW.

Great, I thought so but wasn't sure. Does it lock you to the sim cards brand when used to unlock? Or not until you actually purchase a plan I would hope.

That would have to be cost, and number two whichever has the best speeds on their unlimited data plan. Cricket was painfully slow and inconsistent, they throttle like crazy.

 

[lunatic59]

When you unlock a carrier-locked phone, then it's unlocked permanently. You can swap sims with impunity. As for cost, it's always going to be a trade off, depending on your usage. Since I was almost always near Wi-Fi, my H20 sim had minimal data minutes and I rarely used all the voice minutes in a billing period (it was about $10/month). I'm not saying they are the best, just what my experience has been. The nice thing about off-the-rack sims is there's no contract and it's a fairly small investment if the service isn't that good.