How do I unlock a mobile phone?

[artforartssake]

I recently bought a Samsung mobile phone from Target. It's the model GT-E3309T also known as the "Manhattan"

Unfortunately, it's locked to Optus and comes with an Optus sim card. I was unaware of this when I bought the phone as it was displayed in the counter with the unlocked phones. But I'm a Telstra user.

I checked the Optus web site and they say I should pay $80 to unlock. Then, trawling around the web, searching for "mob ph unlocking", I  came across a few sites that offer to unlock for much less.

One site quoted me $6 to unlock and instantly took me to checkout and Paypal after I'd entered the phone details. But I thought I'd better check it out first.

So my questions are:

- are these unlocking sites legit? 

- is it safe to use them to unlock my phone?

- how is it poss that Optus charges $80 to unlock a mob phone, but other sites chg much less i.e. $6 and one charges $12?

- is there any other way around this without taking the phone back (which I don't want to do) or selling it on ebay?

Thanks

[love*today]

Not sure about nowadays but years ago yes it was $80 to get the unlock code OR if you have spent $80 or more on credit then that is enough to get the code.
I'm shocked big time that the price has not changed!!!

[cherry*135]

Optus sells the mobile at a set price with the expectation the buyer will use their mobile service for 6 mths (or longer, maybe 12 mths).
After that time they will unlock it for free.

You can't compare OPTUS business practices with a small businesses who's main line of work is to unlock random peoples mobiles for them.


As for unlockers being dodgy or not you may only find that out by trying them out.

[cherry*135]

Google the phone model and unlock code. You may be able to do it yourself,

[poddster]

I had to buy a pfone when i was overseas because mine was lost or stolen.

When i got back i used an unlock site and all i had to do was let them know the IMEI number and pay $8 and they sent back an unlock code. even though it was licked to an overseas provider 🙂

[artforartssake]

Thanks but I'm even more confused. Now I see that I can do it for free, so is that safe or should I stick to a paying site?

[joz*garage]

joining this forum.....

https://forum.dc-unlocker.com/

i'm sure there would be someone there who could unlock your phone for "Free"

[jean2579]

Do you need a PUK number for this.  There was one inside the box along with the IME number someone else mentioned and I have just quoteed that to Telstra when my phone had to be unlocked. But that was about 18 months ago.

[mate-ter-p3vw4v6puk]

Hi. I know this post was a year ago, but it just happened to me, I didn't realize that it was locked to optus. Were you able to unlock the phone? 

[countessalmirena]

@joosa18,

This thread was started on ‎24-04-2014 at 09:33 PM.

The last post here was on ‎09-11-2015 at 11:30 PM.

The OP's original problem has probably been well and truly solved in the 7 years since he/she posted. You joined on ‎17-02-2021 and posted 2 replies to old threads (4 years old), with both replies being about review sites. There is a distinct flavour in your 3 posts about trying to drum up affiliate site links; you even say specifically ❝I want to ask is there any affiliate mechanism with eBay, so my client could add affiliate links of ...❞ (No, there isn't. You're not allowed to advertise in these Community boards.)

Additionally, the site you reference in your reply on this thread does not inspire any confidence. On Trust Pilot, there are 129 reviews for the site you mention, and its TrustScore is 2.4 (rated poor).

I suggest that you stop this sort of post, and cease dragging up old threads for no better purpose than to attempt to create some sort of advertising/affiliate advantage. It will not work, and the moderators here do enforce the guidelines.