Author:
Alice Brown
Date Of Creation:
23 May 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
Samsung mobile phones that TracFone issues are locked and can only be used with that specific service provider. The user cannot use it in other networks, as this would violate the contract and the provision of services. This is not a problem if you are located in the United States and do not plan to change providers. But if you plan to visit places where TracFone services are not available (for example, abroad), you will have to unlock Samsung TracFone so that it can connect to other networks.
Steps
1 Get an unlock code from TracFone. Call the Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-867-7183 anytime between 8 am and midnight, any day of the week. When connected with a representative, tell them that you need the unlock code for your phone. - TracFone is a prepaid service provider, so getting a code won't be difficult. However, they will require prepayment of the invoice before giving the unlock code. The representative will either dictate the code to you over the phone (so keep a pen and paper handy) or email it.
2 Buy a SIM card from a different network. You can use any SIM card, local or international. 
3 Turn off your phone and remove the back cover of your Samsung phone. Press the power button of your device to turn it off. Depending on your phone model, you can simply lift the back cover to get to the back. 
4 Insert a new SIM card. Replace the TracFone SIM on your phone with a SIM from a different network. Replace the back cover and press the power button to turn on your machine. 
5 Wait for the phone to boot up. Once enabled, instead of the normal home screen, a message will appear stating that your phone must be unlocked before it can use the SIM card of other networks. 
6 Enter the unlock code. Enter the unlock code you received from a TracFone representative on the screen or using a regular keyboard (depending on your Samsung phone model) and press the "OK" button to enter the unlock code. 
7 Wait for the code to be accepted. A confirmation message will appear on the screen stating that the unlock code has been accepted and you can now use your Samsung TracFone on a different network.
Tips
- This method can be used on any Android or Bada Samsung phones from TracFone.
- Unlike other providers from whom you can obtain unlock codes over the internet, TracFone codes are difficult to decrypt and very few sites generate unlock codes for this provider.
- Unlocking will not affect files stored on your phone.
- Phone unlocking only applies to GSM phones or those that use SIM cards. If you are using a CDMA phone or device that does not need a SIM card, you will not be able to unlock it.
