Last Updated on June 11, 2019 by Husain Parvez
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 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 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:
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:
To learn about the best unlocking providers, read this article: How to Unlock iPhone from any carrier.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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