How to Unlock a Motorola Cell Phone Overseas

When traveling overseas, you may find that the cost of long distance calls can quickly add up. There's also a good chance that you're roaming, which means that your phone is acquiring signals from other companies' towers. This will also add a hefty toll to your phone bill. Fortunately, there's a simple solution to your long distance and roaming woes, which is to unlock your phone. This will enable you to use pre-paid or foreign SIM cards. You can purchase one of these SIM cards while overseas, install it into your unlocked phone and use your phone like normal (but for much less expense).

How to Unlock a Motorola Cell Phone Overseas

Instructions

1. Get your phone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number by typing "*#06#" into your phone. Write this down on a sheet of scrap paper, as you will need it later.

2. Log on to a site such as unlocking.com, cell-unlock.com or unlockmotorolas.com. Select your phone maker and model, then buy your unlock code. You may have to put your IMEI code in now or after you proceed to the checkout, depending on which website you're using. The code will be emailed to you.

3. Check your email for the 8-digit unlock code that you purchased in the previous step.

4. Turn your phone off and remove your SIM card.

5.Insert your new foreign SIM card into the phone, then turn the phone on again. Enter the 8-digit unlock code that was given to you when the screen reads "Enter Subsidiary Code." Your Motorola phone has now been unlocked.

Tips & Warnings

Depending on which service provider you use, you may be able to get your phone unlocked for free. Simply call your service provider, ask them if they will unlock your phone for you and give them your IMEI number. You can still follow these steps to unlock your phone, but instead of purchasing the unlock code from a website, you can get it emailed to you from your service provider.