If you bought your Samsung Galaxy J5 or J5 Prime from your carrier, chances are that it is SIM locked. This means that you can only use it with the SIM card provided by the carrier. If you want to change carriers or use a SIM card from a local provider while abroad, you won’t be able to do it.
That’s why it might be a good idea to unlock your phone. Although this is perfectly legal, you have to make sure that your contract doesn’t prohibit it. Otherwise, you may forfeit your right to some of the perks provided by your carrier, like protection, mobile insurance, and free repairs.
Reasons to Unlock Your Phone
There are three main reasons why you might want to unlock your phone:
- You’re selling your phone and want the new owner to be able to use any carrier they choose
- You want to change carriers because you’ve found a better deal elsewhere
- You’re traveling abroad often and want to use a prepaid card from a local provider to save money
Whatever your reason, you will need help to unlock your Galaxy J5 or J5 Prime. But before you can do that, you need to find your IMEI number.
Finding Your IMEI Number
The IMEI number is a 15-digit code that’s unique to your phone. Without it, you won’t be able to unlock your phone. Luckily, there are several easy ways to find out what your IMEI number is:
1. Dial *#06# and Tap the Call Button
2. Find the IMEI Number in the Device Menu
Go to Apps > Settings > About Device > Status > IMEI.
3. Look for the IMEI Number on Your Phone
Turn off your phone, open it, and remove the battery. You’ll see a white sticker with your IMEI number printed on it.
4. Find the IMEI Number on the Box Your J5/J5 Prime Came In
5. Ask Your Carrier for the IMEI Number
Unlocking Your Phone via a Third-Party Service
Perhaps the easiest way to unlock your phone is to use a third-party online service. This will cost you some money, but the result will be worth the investment. In this tutorial, we’ll explain how to unlock your J5/J5 Prime using The Unlocking Company, one of the most popular online unlocking services.
1. Enter Phone Info
Go to the website, choose the manufacturer and the model of the phone you want to unlock, and click on Unlock Now.
2. Select Your Country and Your Carrier
Once you’ve done this, click on Next.
3. Enter the IMEI Number
Enter your IMEI number, your full name, and the email address where you want to receive the unlock code. Click on Order Now to proceed to the final step.
4. Enter Your Payment Information
As explained above, this service will cost you about $40. You will be taken to an encrypted payment terminal, where you’ll have to enter your debit/credit card details and make the payment.
5. Unlock Your Phone
As soon as you finalize the payment, you will receive a confirmation email to the address you provided. Depending on how long it takes the service to process your request, it can take up to 72 hours to receive the unlock code in your inbox. When you do receive it, turn off your phone, replace your current SIM card with one from a different carrier, and turn your phone back on.
The startup screen will prompt you to enter your unlock code (or unlock PIN). Type it in and tap on the Unlock button. You will now be able to use your phone with any SIM card from any provider.
Final Note
If you’ve paid for your Samsung Galaxy J5/J5 Prime in full and/or if your contract with your current carrier is about to expire, you may be eligible for a free unlock. Contact your carrier to ask them about this. If your carrier declines your request and you’re uncomfortable with leaving your payment data online, you can also take your phone to a repair shop and have them unlock it for you.
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