{"id":7331,"date":"2024-01-08T15:49:53","date_gmt":"2024-01-08T09:49:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mobilehardreset.com\/?p=7331"},"modified":"2024-01-08T15:49:54","modified_gmt":"2024-01-08T09:49:54","slug":"unlock-your-us-cellular-phone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mobilehardreset.com\/unlock-your-us-cellular-phone\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Unlock Your US Cellular Phone in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 2024, unlocking your cell phone in the United States has become easier and more accessible than ever before. With major legislative changes in recent years that made phone unlocking legal regardless of contract status, you now have several options to unlock your device from the carrier it is currently locked to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about unlocking a US cellular device in 2024\u2014from understanding the benefits and legality to step-by-step instructions for different phone models and carriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Unlocking Your Phone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several major advantages to having an unlocked phone in the US:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use Any Carrier You Want<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The biggest benefit is that unlocking a phone allows you to use it on any GSM or CDMA carrier worldwide. That means you can switch freely between major US carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and international carriers without the hassle of activation issues. This gives you more flexibility if you travel frequently or move locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No Carrier Bloatware or Restrictions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unlocked phones do not contain any carrier bloatware or apps that take up space and cannot be removed. You also won\u2019t have to deal with any carrier-imposed restrictions on features like tethering or visual voicemail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Higher Resale Value<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An unlocked device will command a higher resale value down the road versus its locked counterpart. There is always a market for unlocked phones that can work on multiple networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better Selection of Phone Models<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By purchasing an unlocked device, you open yourself up to a better variety of smartphone models that may be restricted to certain carriers in the US. This includes niche and international models you won\u2019t find elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is It Legal to Unlock a Phone in 2024?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, unlocking cell phones became legal in the United States for good in 2014 thanks to the passage of the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act. Signed into law by President Obama, this legislation made it legal to unlock any phone under contract or out of contract without facing criminal penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This law overturned a previous 2012 ruling by the Library of Congress that made unlocking phones illegal due to copyright infringement claims from cellular carriers. However, massive public pressure changed this decision and led to the 2024 status quo of unlocking legality no matter your specific carrier contract status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only time unlocking would be illegal again would require another Act of Congress signed into law. As of 2024, there is no foreseeable change to the legal status of cell phone unlocking in the US market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlocking Eligibility Timelines for Top US Carriers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While unlocking phones is legal regardless of contract status, individual cellular carriers still have their own eligibility timelines before they will unlock devices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AT&T Unlock Policy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n