Unlocking a Samsung phone lets it accept SIM cards from any network, which is useful when you change provider, buy a used Galaxy or travel abroad. Samsung handsets are opened with a numeric network unlock code that you type on the phone itself. You order online, send us the IMEI, and the code is emailed to you, so the phone never leaves your hands.
How do I know if my Samsung is network locked?
Power the phone down, put in an active SIM from another provider and restart. A locked Galaxy displays a screen headed SIM network unlock PIN with an entry box and buttons marked Unlock and Dismiss. If the new SIM simply connects and shows the network name, your Samsung is already unlocked and needs nothing further.
Use a SIM that is active, because an expired card can produce an invalid SIM warning that looks like a lock but is not one. Galaxy phones do not have a reliable settings menu that reports lock status, so the SIM swap remains the clearest test.
| Message on your Samsung | What it usually means | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| SIM network unlock PIN | The phone is locked to its original network | Enter the unlock code you ordered |
| Invalid SIM or No SIM card | The SIM is inactive, damaged or badly seated | Try a different working SIM before ordering |
| Network lock code, on an older keypad Samsung | The same lock, worded for older software | Enter the code in the box shown |
| Google account or Samsung account sign-in after a reset | Factory reset protection, not a network lock | Sign in with the owner’s account details |
What do I need before ordering a Samsung unlock code?
You need three things: the phone’s IMEI, the name of the network it is locked to, and the model, such as Galaxy A, S or Z series. Dial *#06# for the IMEI, or open Settings > About phone. On dual-SIM Galaxy handsets two IMEIs appear; quote IMEI 1, which a single code normally covers.
- Our guide explains every way to find your IMEI number, including on the box.
- If you are unsure which network locked the phone, the original box, a sticker on the back or the boot screen logo can give a clue.
- Keep a working SIM from another network nearby; you will need it to bring up the code screen.
How do I type a network code into a Samsung Galaxy?
With the phone switched off, insert the SIM from another network, then power on. When the SIM network unlock PIN screen appears, key in the digits from our email and press Unlock. A message confirms that the network has been unlocked, and within a short while the new network’s name and signal appear at the top of the screen.
- Choose the matching service in our Samsung unlock codes and supply the IMEI, model and network.
- Pay by PayPal, or by bank transfer using your order number as the reference. We begin once the money has been confirmed.
- When the email with your code arrives, power the Galaxy down and fit the new SIM.
- Switch on and wait for the unlock screen. Type the digits exactly, with no spaces.
- Tap Unlock. Make a test call to check everything works.
If you tap Dismiss by mistake, the box disappears. Restart the phone with the other network’s SIM still inside and it comes back.
How many attempts does a Samsung allow?
Samsung phones accept only a small, fixed number of wrong codes before they stop taking network codes altogether. After that, a standard unlock code no longer helps, and the handset may need a different, more involved service. That is why a rejected code is a signal to pause, not to keep guessing or trying variations of the digits.
If your first entry fails, check the code against the email character by character. If it still will not go through, stop and contact us with your order number before trying again, so we can look at the order and the IMEI.
Will unlocking my Samsung affect my data or Samsung account?
No. Typing a network code does not wipe your photos, contacts or apps, and it leaves your Samsung account and Google account as they are. The unlock also survives software updates and factory resets. It does not, however, remove factory reset protection, a Samsung Find My Mobile lock or a lost-or-stolen block on the IMEI.
Once unlocked, your Galaxy can take any pay as you go SIM. Browse our pay as you go SIM cards if you are switching network, and note that many recent Galaxy models also support eSIM.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to unlock both SIM slots on a dual-SIM Galaxy?
Normally not. The code ordered against IMEI 1 opens the handset as a whole. If the second slot still rejects a SIM, contact us before entering anything else.
Can I get a refund once the code has been sent?
An unlock code is a digital product, so cancellation is no longer possible after delivery. Our refunds and cancellations page explains what happens if a code does not work.
How long does a Samsung code take?
It depends on the model and the network, and each product page shows the current estimate. Your Samsung code is emailed to you when it has been generated.
Order from the full list of Samsung unlock codes, or compare every brand we unlock.
For Samsung device help and software updates, see Samsung UK support. The GSMA explains what the IMEI is, the number your unlock code is made for.