What is an unlocked phone?
An unlocked phone is one that is not linked to any specific cellular network.
For example, when you buy your phone from a mobile provider, you will only be able to use it with that carrier until you unlock it.
Legislation now allows all Canadians to unlock their phones, regardless of the original carrier. Unlocking your phone means you are able to use it with any carrier, provided that your phone is compatible with its network and bands.
If you bought your phone from a Canadian provider after December 1, 2017, it is unlocked by default.
When your phone is unlocked, you can insert a SIM card from any mobile provider to use your phone on their network.
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How can I see if my phone is locked
Insert your Fizz SIM card (activated or not activated) into your phone.
When your card is inserted:- Your phone is unlocked if it connects to the network or asks you for a PIN code to unlock the SIM card.
- Your phone is locked if it asks you for a SIM unlock code. Follow the instructions below to unlock it
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How to unlock my phone
Because Fizz is not the company that locked your phone, we cannot unlock it. Only the provider who sold you your phone can unlock it for you. Make sure you have your phone’s IMEI and insert your Fizz SIM card in your phone. Then contact this provider’s customer service team to ask for an unlock code and instructions for unlocking your phone. Know that some websites specialize in unlocking phones and will offer this service for a fee.
Good to know: The IMEI is your phone’s ‘identity card’. It allows you to obtain your unlock code. It’s also an anti-theft provision that allows you to identify and block your phone if it is lost or stolen.
Where to find the IMEI?
- By dialing *#06# on your phone’s keypad
- Under your phone’s battery (if removable) or on the supporting card that holds an iPhone’s SIM card
- On a sticker attached to your phone’s original packaging
In some cases, it will be necessary to reset a phone to its original settings to unlock it. If this is the case, make sure you backup your personal data before resetting your phone. This backup can be restored, if necessary, after resetting your phone.
Don’t remember where you bought your phone? Look in your phone’s settings to find the name of the original provider. Go to settings > cellular data > service operator
To unlock a phone, it must not be declared lost or stolen. If you buy a phone from a private source, verify that it’s not on the National Stolen Device Blacklist by entering the phone’s IMEI on the Device Check Canada website.
Make sure the person who sells you a phone has unlocked it.