Is it legal to unlock your phone?
A few years ago, it was illegal to unlock your smartphone.
Until 2014, that is, when President Barack Obama signed the law
Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act. Following this brief action (which itself followed the 2013 announcement that phone unlocking was illegal), the FCC ultimately decided to place decision-making power in the hands of the consumer.
Image credit: MIKI Yoshihito/Flickr
Thus, it is now legal to unlock your smartphone. This gives you certain advantages, not least the ability to change suppliers as soon as your contract allows. Just remember that you cannot overcome your device's GSM/CDMA limitations. A SIM card from one GSM network can replace another, but such a SIM card cannot be used on a device that is on a CDMA network.
However, it is a good idea to do this before leaving your carrier. Trying to unblock it after your contract expires (it doesn't happen automatically) when your carrier no longer cares about keeping your order may just leave you hanging.
DNS spoofing
As you know, the Domain Name System is used to access Internet pages. The DNS server addresses are kindly provided to us by the provider. But, since all providers are required to comply with the law, basic DNS servers have the same restrictions as those specified in government blacklists. It's easy to get around the problem - you just need to replace the standard DNS addresses with ones that do not restrict access to the content you are interested in.
If you are connecting to the Network via Wi-Fi, then you can spoof DNS addresses using standard Android tools. To do this you need:
1. Go to the settings of the selected Wi-Fi network;
2. In the window that appears, expand additional options;
3. Change the IP settings (DHCP by default) to “Static IP” or “Custom IP” (depending on the OS version and shell, the name will be different);
4. After the advanced settings appear, you need to change the server addresses in DNS1 and DNS2 to any third-party ones, for example, to Norton ConnectSafe DNS - 198.153.192.40 (DNS1) and 198.153.194.40 (DNS2).
5. Save changes.
DNS spoofing for mobile networks is a little more difficult. To do this, you will need a special application (for example Set DNS) and open Root access to the system. You can always find out how to get superuser rights in the topic about your Android device in the corresponding section of the w3bsit3-dns.com forum.
Why is your new phone blocked by your carrier?
Many phones are locked to a specific operator or network.
You have three options for unlocking your smartphone:
- Contact your operator.
- Buy unlock code online.
- Make sure your new phone is not locked first.
If you are in the US, you will also need a completed contract/payment plan. In the UK you don't have to complete the contract, but you will still pay for it.
All three options are fairly simple, but keep in mind that you must set aside time for this task. Whether you talk to the operator directly or use a third-party approach, unlocking your smartphone can take some time.
Is your phone already unlocked?
It's worth checking if your phone is already unlocked. Perhaps it was given to you (along with the contract of carriage) as a gift, and you were not told.
In any case, to find out whether your phone is locked or unlocked, you will need to try it with a SIM card from another provider. Make sure it is a compatible SIM card of the same size as well as the same network type.
Once you do this, boot up your phone. Usually you will immediately see if the SIM card is working; otherwise the phone will report that the SIM card is missing or invalid.
How to access blocked sites from an Android smartphone
Difficulty level: advanced. Every active Internet user has probably at least once encountered the problem of websites being blocked in their country of residence. There can be many reasons for restricting access, but sometimes, along with infringing sites, there are completely harmless resources on the same IP address that also turn out to be inaccessible. On PCs, ways to bypass these restrictions have long been known, but for mobile devices sometimes special tricks are required. Today we will tell you how to access blocked sites from Android devices.
Contact your operator to unlock your phone
Before you begin, however, you need to make sure you have some information.
- Your name (and, if you are contacting your carrier, your phone number or account number.
- IMEI number of your device.
- Any phone account management password you have set.
- Your phone must not have been lost, stolen, blocked or associated with any fraudulent activity.
- Any documents confirming foreign publications, whether military or corporate.
It's also wise to spend some time researching your mobile operator's policies for unlocking phones.
For example, Verizon doesn't block 4G LTE and some 3G devices. On the other hand, ATT has some hoops for you to jump through. On another network or media? No problem: refer to GiffGaff Unlockapedia for details.
Once you are confident in the policy, call them and present your case. Remain calm and be polite, even if there is a charge for the service. Don't like the amount indicated? Wait a few months and try again, it might be cheaper next time.
UK readers should contact Vodafone, EE or anyone else. A quick chat will show you if you can unlock your phone online.
There is usually a three-month period at the beginning of the contract when the smartphone cannot be unlocked. They can then do it either for a small fee or even for free.
Cleaning a partition via Fastboot
Another interesting question. How to unlock a forgotten Android password on smartphones from Chinese manufacturers such as Blackview, ZTE, Meizu, Xiaomi, Bluebu, Duji, Lenovo, Fly, Elephone, Oukitel, UMI, etc. that work on the MTK chip?
Want to know the answer?
So, first you need to download the utility from the spflashtool resource. It is better to look for image files and “scatter.txt” to match individually to the processor on resources that discuss the utility, such as 4pda.
In this case, place the downloaded files in one directory, the path to which should be written in Latin. Rename the image itself to “recovery.img”. After that, unpack the archive and open the only exe. archived file.
Already in the open program Click Scatter loading, open the folder with files and open the scatter file. Click the Download button. Turn off your phone and wait for a while. After half a minute, connect your phone to your computer. The utility should display a notification that the operation is 100% complete.
After that, go to your phone and reset the password in recovery mode.
Buy unlock code online
Another option is to register with one of several reputable websites that specialize in obtaining unlock codes for changing carriers or networks. However, you will need to pay for this privilege.
We checked reviews for the following five unlock code providers:
- Unblock radar
- Release my code
- Unlock Arena
- Doctor Sim
- Free unlocks
These sites are reputable and offer refunds if the unlock code fails to unlock your device.
The process is simple: click the link, register (if necessary) and follow the instructions to receive your unlock code. You don't have to pay more than $30; The average price is about $17. You can often pay via PayPal, although alternatives are often available
,
I have personally used this method and found it to be painless. The entire process only took 15 minutes, although your mileage may vary.
Proxy and VPN
Another popular way to bypass access restrictions to Internet pages is to use proxy servers. These servers can provide the user with additional security and anonymity. Moreover, if the server is located in another state, you will be able to open access to content blocked in your country of residence.
You can use proxy services using some browsers that support the corresponding function (Tor, UCBrowser), or using a VPN. You can learn more about VPN in our article “How to set up a VPN on Android.” If you don't want to set up your VPN connection manually, you can use a third-party app like Hotspot Shield VPN. For this you need:
1. Download, install and run the application;
2. Activate the connection;
3. Confirm your intentions in response to the system notification;
4. Launch any browser and check the connection is working.
Don't buy a locked phone
There is another way to avoid getting hit by a load carrier in the lock. Just don't buy a locked phone in the first place! This may be easier said than done if you're already locked into a carrier, but it's wise to avoid it in the future. In the end, it gets rid of all the hassle of phone calls, websites and IMEI numbers.
Of course, when a new phone is released and you have a "must have it" moment, avoiding carrier blocking can seem very difficult. With a new iPhone or Samsung, you may be absolutely desperate for a shiny smartphone. Factors such as monthly expenses may affect you; being tied to the network probably won't.
Factory reset
If you have forgotten the password for a locked phone, resetting the settings will help. But it is important to understand that in this case you will lose all data from the smartphone’s memory. Therefore, it is better to transfer them to your computer first.
- Turn off the smartphone and go to the recovery menu;
- To access it, you need to simultaneously press the Volume Up key and the Home button. There are other combinations, it all depends on the manufacturer and firmware version - power button + “Home” + volume up or volume down button + “Power”;
- In the recovery menu we are interested in the Wipe data or factory reset section. The name may vary depending on the smartphone model. To switch between items, use the volume buttons; touch controls do not work here;
- Click on the Wipe data/factory reset item and press the “Power” button to confirm the action;
- Select “Yes” and press the “Power” key again;
- Once the procedure is complete, restart your phone by clicking on “reboot system”.
After turning on, the phone will return to factory settings, which means the screen can be unlocked with a simple swipe or double tap. There will be no password.
You can also reset through the settings, if you managed to access them:
- Go to the personal data section, where you are interested in the item “Restore and reset settings;
- Click on reset settings and confirm.
What not to do
In addition to the three options to ensure your smartphone is unlocked, there are two things you should not do:
- Private "repair" stores: It is not difficult to find a smartphone accessory store that offers unlock codes. But to stay safe, it's wise to avoid this, at least when it comes to unlocking the carrier lock. After all, these businesses require access to your phone in order to unlock it. From a security point of view this is not reasonable.
- Downloadable Tools: An internet search will show downloadable tools that you can use to unlock your phone "for free". Stay away from them, which often contain malware; in short, they are scammers. Otherwise, these tools are intended for phones that have long been abandoned by their manufacturers.
It's easy to avoid this. Don't be swayed by the "convenience" of your local store or free software. Stick to our three recommended options to get a carrier-unlocked smartphone!
How to bypass the lock if you forgot your password
If the password on your smartphone was changed relatively recently, and then immediately lost (or forgotten), it needs to be reset. To do this, you will need to enter the “Recovery” section by simultaneously holding down two buttons “Power” and “Change sound volume”.
In the menu that appears, you need to select the “Reset settings to factory settings” option, and when the process is complete, reboot the device. This method is the only possible one, but it has one significant drawback: after the process is completed and the smartphone is rebooted, all user files and installed applications will be lost. If the device has been synchronized with cloud storage, it will be easy to restore the information. Otherwise, all utilities will have to be installed again.
Previously, after rolling back the settings, you no longer needed to enter the key. But on smartphones of several previous years this vulnerability was closed, and now even in this case the password still has to be entered
The latest generation devices are even more capricious, and if you lose the combination of numbers to access the phone, you need to change the firmware in them. Only experienced users can perform such actions; beginners are better off contacting a service center. But before that, you need to connect your smartphone to your PC and download a special utility and a file containing the factory settings.
Readers advise w3bsit3-dns.com
Hunter_032 advises : You can enable traffic saving in the Google Chrome browser. Since the data will be compressed on Google servers, blocked sites can be opened.
Wladen advises: OrBot and OrWeb to help. Here's your access. And they work quickly.
urrk advises: UC Browser and Puffin successfully open blocked sites.
Tanc0R0 advises: In China, the bandwidth saving method or using Puffin, UC or any other browsers do not work. We use Psiphon or VPN.
wwwama99 advises: The best and fastest VPN for Android is the Zenmate app. It’s free, doesn’t require root, and the speed is good, up to 10 Mbit/s, I didn’t experience any crashes or slowdowns even through mobile networks, which is enough for a smartphone.
Hynix26 advises: I use VPN on Hideme. I bought an annual subscription and don’t worry about it at all, you don’t even feel that it’s turned on.
vre advises: Anonymous Browser will solve all problems with access and anonymity both on a mobile connection and on Wi-Fi.
