What does an unlocked phone even mean??? Got a new Samsung tracfone and it's saying

[a kennedy]

something about unlocking a phone?? And damn I am sooooooooo cell phone stupid.

[Me.]

1. JUst Went Through This With An IPhone

it has to do with passwords/ pass codes...it's about security...at least for me

[Eyeball_Kid]

2. I think it means that it's not connected to a phone service vendor.

You can buy a phone and THEN choose which corporation you want to pay. Most phones come with a cell phone PLAN. You buy a phone AND you buy a contract with AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.

Other posters may have more to say.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

3. It means it's not tied to a specific carrier like AT&T

Verizon uses a different digital system than all the other US brands so a Verizon phone is a Verizon phone. Don't quote me but I think it's called CDMA.

But the other carriers like AT&T and Sprint use the same digital system (iirc called GSM) so technically a phone that works on one of them will work on the others if it's unlocked.

If you buy at like an AT&T store it's likely locked (but can be unlocked) but if you buy online, and not from a specific carrier (I bought my Samsung S20+ from the Microsoft EBay store when they had a good deal on it) it'll be unlocked from the start.

[OneBlueDotS-Carolina]

4. Locked phones are locked to the network of a carrier.

Meaning one can only use the phone on a network like AT&T, T-Mobile etc.
Unlocked phones generally can operate on the network of the carrier you choose, it the network is compatible with your phone. GSM, CDMA etc.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. I bought an iPhone 6S from Tracfone three years ago.

The only thing that locks that phone to Tracfone is the SIM. When it starts up, there is no Tracfone welcome screen.

Earlier phones I had owned were locked to Tracfone, period. When they started up, there was a Tracfone welcome screen.

[Effete Snob]

6. "it's saying"

What is saying? The phone is talking to you on its own or are you attempting to do something and getting a message from the phone itself or some app installed on the phone?

What is it you are attempting to do when you get this message? Or are you saying it randomly gives you this message in the middle of the night when you are sleeping.

In general, a "locked" cell phone is one which is configured to only work with a particular cell phone carrier. Mobile service providers are able to offer to provide phones at deeply discounted costs or payment plans, but the phones are set up to ONLY work on their network. The point is that you can't get a deal on an iPhone at AT&T and then take your phone and your business to Sprint. The value proposition is that if you want to use that discounted phone, you have to use it with the mobile service provider from whom you purchased it.

Mobile providers are required to allow you to unlock a phone after you have fulfilled your contractual commitment to either a service plan for x years or the payment plan for the device.

[Faux pas]

7. I

always buy unlocked phones. When they are unlocked you can use any sim card in them.