Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a "subsidy password"?

A subsidy password is the special name that Motorola give to the 8 digit unlock code you need to unlock your phone. When Motorola phones are locked to their operator they either display "enter subsidy password" or "contact service provider". Our unlock solutions generate this subsidy password - either directly using IMEI unlocking, or by reading your phone using our software unlock (see below).

Unsupported phones

Please note that CDMA and iDEN phones (from networks in the US such as Verizon, Sprint PCS and Nextel) are not supported by any of our unlocking services. Only GSM phones can be unlocked via our services, and only GSM SIM cards can be used in GSM phones. 

Payment methods

What payment methods do you accept

We use the trusted online payment merchant PayPal to process all our payments. With PayPal you can be assured that your payment is being with the security of the largest online payment processor. You do not need a PayPal account - only your credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners etc).

IMEI Unlock

Which IMEI unlock should I buy?

If you have a Motorola phone, then you should purchase from the Motorola IMEI page. The exceptions are if you have a phone locked to 3 (which we cannot unlock), or if you have a phone locked to Cingular (see the Cingular IMEI page). If you have a Motorola phone locked to the Vodafone UK network, then please also use the Motorola IMEI page.

If you have a non-Motorola phone, then we can unlock it provided it is locked to either the Vodafone UK network or the Cingular Network in the US. Please see the relevant pages.

If you need help, then please contact us, and a sales representative will contact you shortly.

How does IMEI unlocking work?

IMEI unlocking provides you with your phone's unique "subsidy password". This password can be entered directly into your phone to unlock it - no computer or cables are required!

What do I need to unlock be IMEI?

To unlock by IMEI all you need is your phone and a SIM card from a network that your phone is not locked to. When you insert this SIM card, the phone will ask for the "subsidy password". Please note that this SIM card needs to be compatible with your phone (e.g. your phone needs to support this networks frequency).

What models can be unlocked by IMEI?

Absolutely all Motorola phones can be unlocked by IMEI - including recent models such as the Razr Maxx and the Rizr! If we cannot provide you with a subsidy password, then we will refund your purchase in full.

Can I get a refund if you cannot provide the subsidy password?

On the rare occasion that we cannot provide an IMEI code, then we will refund your payment to us. However, once we have provided you with a subsidy password we cannot verify if the code has been used, and therefore cannot provide a refund.

Does Vodafone/Cingular unlocking support BB5 phones

I'm afraid our network unlocking does not support Nokia BB5 phones (such as the N70). If you have one of these phones we suggest you unlock it via USB cable.

Software Unlock

Will this software damage my phone?

Our software is 100% safe for all Motorola phones. Unlike some other programs, ours WILL NOT damage your phone's firmware.

How do I know the software will work?

Very rarely, our software will not communicate properly with your phone. If you would like to make sure your phone will accept our software, download our free test here. This will in no way alter or damage your phone; it will simply guarantee that our program will unlock your phone. In any case, even if you do not test your phone first, we will offer you a full refund if our software is not compatible.

Why is my model not listed?

We are currently unable to unlock some of Motorola's newer models with our software. This includes the newer RAZR models (v3xx and MAXX), the RIZR and the L-series. However, we can unlock these models via IMEI - see the relevant page for details. If you would prefer to use our software, then we hope to be able to add these models in the coming months. To be alerted as soon as an unlock solution becomes available, contact our sales team with your email address and phone model.

Is this legal?

Cellular phone unlocking is completely legal in most countries, including Britain, the US, and most of western Europe. It is the responsibility of the customer to check if unlocking is legal in their country.

Can people use our service to un-bar stolen phones?

The unlocking we provide simply allows you to use different networks on your phone, allowing you to take advantage of cheaper call rates. This is completely legal in most countries (see above).

When a phone is stolen however, the IMEI is barred. Changing the IMEI, or getting around this barring, is illegal, and our service in no way enables people to use stolen phones. 

Can I get a refund if this doesn't work?

Absolutely. We process all refunds within 24 hours.