Cellular Phones/Samsung Phone

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/15/2009


Question
We transferred the SIMM into a Samsung phone.  When it is powered on the display reads "Phone Locked Enter Password".  We don't remember a password.  What is interesting is that an incoming call clears this, however, I am wondering if you can tell us how to unlock the phone.

Answer
Unfortunately, there isn't a special master password to unlock a locked phone. If this phone was yours originally, you can try to contact your carrier and see if they can send you a code to unlock it. The phone is only locked from dialing and from going into the contents, that is why you can receive calls. A phone that is SIM locked (which means that it can only be used by a SIM card from the carrier it is locked to), would show Subsidy Password or another similar message on the screen and would not allow you to make or receive calls. Your phone is simply keypad locked so that someone can't see the contents, but it is your SIM card that contains your phone number and the phone recogizes the SIM, so it allows calls to come through. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN

Cellular Phones

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

DebiN

Expertise

I can answer questions on cellular phones, the physical device, the network, contracts, billing, ordering, porting and what to look for when purchasing cell phones. I am located in the United States. I am an expert on BlackBerrys, Treos, HTC devices and iPhones as well as cellphones and aircards. I have over 15 years of experience in both the wireless and wireline world with the carriers. I have a lot of knowledge regarding the wireless providers - their services, prices and policies, both GSM AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon, Sprint/Nextel). I am very familiar with the individual devices and their specifications. I can also answer questions regarding BlackBerrys, iPhones and other PDAs, both Palm-based and Windows-based. I can troubleshoot most any problem someone is having with their cellular device or with the provider.

Experience

Over 20 years in the Telecom industry working for the carriers with individuals, small business, medium business and large corporations(Fortune 500). Also worked as a professor in Maryland for 10 years teaching telecommunications.

Organizations
I belong to several organizations

Education/Credentials
Master's in Telecommunications

Awards and Honors
Received several awards for papers that I have published over the years

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.