Locked versus unlocked cell phone?

[InDebtInDC]

I'm putting a couple of used cell phones on ebay. Does anyone know what's the difference between a locked and unlocked phone? These are just old phones that I kept after I changed carrier due to moving.

Thanks.

[eisor]

Locked means it can only be used on one carrier (i.e. T-Mobile, AT&T, etc.)
Unlocked means it can be used on any carrier.

You can buy a kit to unlock a cell phone. An unlocked phone usually sells for higher because any person on any network can buy it.

If you aren't going to unlock the phones, be sure to put in the description what network it works on.

[InDebtInDC]

Thank you. It looks like it's not worth it to try to unlock it. I may just donate it to charity and try to get a tax deduction.

[safari]

There are companies that buy used cell phones. You can Google for them online. Here are two examples: link1 and link2.

[InDebtInDC]

Thank you!

[shizane101]

Hi, I think you can a lot of times find these unlocked codes for free on the Internet. My wife's friend gave her a used cell phone that was on T-mobiles network, but we needed it to work on At&T. I did a google search on the model of her phone and the word "unlocked". I found the codes I needed. Maybe I found them for free because the phone was about a year old. Perhaps on the newest phones, they keep that info in a safe!

[rimirojar]

phone

I'm putting a couple of used cell phones on ebay. Does anyone know what's the difference between a locked and unlocked phone? These are just old phones that I kept after I changed carrier due to moving.

Thanks.

The main difference between unlocked and locked cell phones is their ability to be used on a particular wireless carrier. Unlocked cell phones can be used with any carrier as long as they operate with SIM technology,it will recognize a SIM card from any service provider.A locked cell phone will only recognize a SIM card from the service provider that has programmed it. Some cellular providers will unlock a locked cell phone. Unlocking a locked cell phone is an option to consider if a new cell phone is needed but a service contract has not yet expired.

[snafu]

For folks buying a phone...an unlocked phone can be used in other countries, just buy a new SIM card for a couple of bucks and sign on to whatever service WalMart sells, it's dirt cheap.