Reset iPhone on Your Preferred Network • Best Way How to Do!

When you pay good money for an iPhone, whether it’s old or new, it’s annoying if you’re then faced with a limited choice from the network that it’s locked to. To find out how you can have the freedom to shop around for a deal that works for you, take a look at our handy guide that will tell you everything there is to know about how to reset iPhone handsets.

How to Reset iPhone : What does it really mean?

Resetting or unlocking your iPhone is where you remove the restrictions that currently mean you can only use it on a specific network. This works in your favor because it means you’ll have the freedom to choose a carrier package that works for you. When your handset is locked to a specific carrier, they know they can charge you basically whatever they want. So, it certainly pays to invest a little bit of time in liberating your iPhone from this restricted setup.

Is what I’m doing legal?

This is a big question that many people rightly ask because they don’t want to fall foul of rules and regulations. Especially, when all they’re trying to do is get a better deal for themselves from the phone carriers.

The critical thing to note before you unlock iPhone handsets is that you need to own them outright. If you’ve bought an old device from a friend, then you own it outright, and if you’ve finished your fixed term contract, then you also own it outright. In these cases, you have complete freedom to unlock your iPhone and use it however you please.

If on the other hand, your handset is still under contract then you don’t fully own it, you’re still paying it off just like the mortgage on your house or the finance on your car. Play it safe and check with your network carrier that they’re happy for you to unlock. There are no guarantees what they’ll say, but it’s always prudent to ask first.

The first steps to unlock your iPhone

Ok, so you’ve decided you want to unlock an iPhone and give yourself the freedom to choose from the many networks which cover your area. Now all you have to do is start working through the steps below:

• Step 1: Contact your network provider and ask them to send you an ‘iPhone unlock.’

• Step 2: Power down your handset and ‘remove the old SIM.’

• Step 3: Insert a ‘SIM’ from a different network to the one it is currently locked to

• Step 4: Power it back on and double check that you can make a call from your new network

If step 4 is successful, then you’ve just learned how to reset iPhone handsets, and you now have the freedom to shop around. There are however a few things that can go wrong so let’s double back and go through each of those 4-steps in a little more detail…

What should I say to my provider when I contact them?

There are two central questions to ask here once you know they’re willing to let you unlock iPhone:

• How much ‘will it cost’ to ‘unlock my iPhone?.

• How long will it take for you to do it?

Unfortunately, this is where things start to diverge a little bit as the level of service and help you can expect from your carrier will vary from network to network.

A small admin fee of $10-20 is not uncommon, while times will vary from within 48-hours to up to about 7-days. As I say, there is variation at this stage of the unlocking process. So, it’s definitely worth making sure you ask those two critical questions above straight off the bat.

That way you’ll know exactly what you’re dealing with and whether or not you still want to figure out how to reset iPhone handset.

Do I have to do it via my provider?

No, there’s plenty of other ways to liberate your iPhone. Many people opt to use third-party unlocking companies to get around the restrictions placed on them by their carriers. What’s important is that you find a reputable company as there are so many out there and some will be much better than others…

What should I look for in a third-party unlock company?

Follow these simple tips and ask the questions below and you’ll be able to find a company that will get the job done to the high standards you deserve:

• How much do you charge to unlock my iPhone? • How long will you take to unlock my iPhone? • Which networks will I be able to use my iPhone on once you’ve unlocked it?

The last question is one that people often overlook. A potential issue with going down the third-party route in the hope of speeding things along is that not every company possesses the ability to grant you a universal unlock.

There can be variations in the level of access and choice you will have, with the most influential determining factor being where you live. Most third-party companies provide good coverage for the US and Europe, but it’s certainly worth making sure you know what you’ll be getting for your money before you decide to part with it.

Anything else I should know about third-parties?

Absolutely! With many less than reputable third-party companies out there, it pays to check the following:

• The small print! Are there any catches, caveats, or costly hidden charges buried away in there, that you really should know about before parting with your hard earned money? • Do they offer a full refund if the unlock is unsuccessful? • What are their reviews like online? If in doubt pick a company that has a mountain of 5-star reviews, even if they cost a little bit more than the others. That’s really the only way to give yourself peace of mind if you decide to go down the third-party route.

With that covered let’s look in more detail at step 2 from above: resetting your iPhone and removing the old SIM.

How do I reset my iPhone?

The jargon can get a little confusing because resetting your iPhone is a bit different to just popping it on standby like you would when you’re done browsing for the day. Here’s everything you need to know to power through step 2:

Resetting your iPhone means that you’re going to set everything back to the original settings. You can do it like this:

• Backup any files and photos that you want to keep. You can do this either by using your lightning cable to connect it to your Mac and using iTunes to sync everything to your computer or back up via iCloud. • If you choose to backup via iCloud make sure you have enough iCloud storage to fit everything in and follow this process: (Settings -> iCloud -> Storage & Backup -> Back Up Now). Wait for everything to work its way through and double check that everything is in your iCloud before proceeding. • Now do the following to erase the data on your iPhone (Settings -> General -> Reset -> Erase All Content and Settings.) • Work through the remained of the setup assistant that appears before restoring the files from your backup onto your iPhone.

If the iPhone unlock provided from your carrier is valid then this should be all you need to do. Keep reading though as there are a few common pitfalls that it’s always worth being aware of before you get started.

How do I remove my SIM?

The SIMs in iPhones are much smaller than with the old Nokia phones you may have used 10-15 years ago. There’s a little access port on the side of your handset that allows you to remove a tray and load in a new SIM card. The exact position will depend on your model, but what you’re looking for is a long thin rectangular shape with a small hole in one corner.

Many people try and push it and expect it to pop out with a spring but you, in fact, need a special tool that comes in the iPhone’s box when you buy it. If you’ve lost it or bought your handset from a friend then straightening out a small length of wire will work just as well in the hole.

Now all you have to do is pull the tray out and insert your new SIM card from the network that you want to use. Pop it back in and power up your iPhone.

How can I check if my unlock was successful?

Once your unlock is successful, you should always receive a notification from your carrier. If you find you are left waiting, then my advice is always to chase them up and find out what’s causing the delay. Make sure to get a definite answer as to how long they think it will take so that you avoid the frustration of having to wait indefinitely.

Once you’ve taken care of that you can quickly and easily work through the following simple steps to check that your unlock has been successful:

Step 1: Power down your handset by holding the sleep button for 2 seconds. A power off button will then appear on the screen. Swipe as directed to power off your iPhone. Step 2: Using your SIM card removal tool (whether it’s the official one or the trusty homemade one you made earlier on doesn’t matter) and remove the SIM tray from the iPhone. Step 3: If you haven’t already done so then remove the original SIM card and insert the one from your new network. It makes sense to always go with a different provider so that you can tell if the unlock has actually worked or not. Step 4: With the new SIM carefully laid flat on the holder, gently reinsert it back into the body of the iPhone and power the device back on by holding down the power button for a couple of seconds. Step 5: The only real test that matters here is to try and make a call to another number. If you can, then you’ve just unlocked your first iPhone; congratulations! If not then you might want to try these troubleshooting tips below…

What if my unlock was unsuccessful?

This can be a frustrating turn of events, but stay calm, work through the following checks, and you’ll be unlocked in no time at all.

• Have you left enough time? You may be in a rush to free up your handset which is understandable, but unfortunately, when you deal with carriers, they can take their time sometimes. Make sure you’ve received the notification from them telling you your device has been unlocked. If you’ve been waiting longer than you anticipated then be proactive and give them a call. • Do you have a universal unlock? It’s definitely worth making sure that your new network will be covered by your unlock. Not every unlock is universal, so you’ll want to check that yours covers your chosen new network. If not then you will have to reconsider which monthly package you want to go for. • Are there any signs of damage to your new SIM card? It may sound unlikely, but it’s not unknown for scratches across the metal contacts to impair the performance of a SIM card. That can easily happen if you rush swapping it over or don’t lay it flat in the tray before reinserting into the body of your iPhone. Take your SIM out and give it a closer look just in case you’re missing something simple.

I hope all of the above helps you on your way to unlocking your iPhone so that you can use it on any and every network you please. There are a few steps there that you’ll want to take your time working through, but I know that with a little patience and persistence you’ll be there in no time at all.

How to Reset iPhone – Unlocked on Your Preferred Network