Mr. A's Blog

Steps

Before trying anything else, contact your service provider and ask for an unlock code. Usually, if you’ve been a customer of theirs for some time, they will provide you with an unlock code for free. This is, by far, the best way to get your phone unlocked.
Download software to generate the unlocking code. Software is available on some websites for free and some pay websites that also offer support if things go wrong. See external links below.
Find the Serial number of the cell phone, also known as your IMEI number. This can be done by either removing the back of your cell phone and looking underneath the battery, or simply by typing in *#06# into your cell phone. It should looking something like: 010082321439976
Using the software you have downloaded, enter in your Manufacturer (which is in this case Nokia), your model number, and your IMEI number. Also enter your country and the Network. Calculate the code, this may be different depending on which software you are using. If your phone is the Nokia 3390 phone, select the model 3310, they are the same phone.
You will get a list of 7 groups of codes that look something like:
#pw+164284406576522 +1#
#pw+183774224451117 +2#
#pw+811821553272360 +3#
#pw+884301222527445 +4#
#pw+263725507471163 +5#
#pw+806981342733625 +6#
#pw+403927744443466 +7#
Remove the SIM card from your Nokia phone. This is typically done by removing the back cover of the phone and removing the battery and sliding the card out. Put the battery back in and power the phone on.
You should see a message “Insert SIM Card”. Enter all of the characters you see in your code, including the # symbols. To get a ‘p’ press * 3 times, to get a ‘+’ press the * key 2 times, to get a ‘w’ press the * key 4 times. Disregard any spaces in the code.
In order to unlock you phone you generally need to enter only one code. Start with the first one. If your phone is not unlocked by typing the first code (MCC+MNC), use code “7″ (Multilock)
Once you have finished entering a code that works you should see a message that says “SIM is not restricted” or “Restriction off” message depending on your model. If not, try entering another code. Messge “Cannot undo restrictions” means the phone is “hard-locked” and cannot be unlocked by code.

Tips

Unlocking only applies to GSM phones, phones using other cellular technologies, cannot be unlocked without special software and hardware.
Switch off the phone. Hold the keys “3″, “*” and “Call” and switch the phone on. Keep the buttons held down till you see the word “Formatting. ..” on the screen. Make sure that the battery is full charged before you attempt this. This should reset the phone lock code.

Warnings

Attempting to unlock your phone is done at your own risk. Although unlocking your phone is legal, some cell phone operators might choose to void your warranty should you unlock your phone (then again, some cell phone operators won’t mind).
Most phones only allow you to try a certain number of unlock tries, Nokia phones have a limit of 5 tries. After that, the phone becomes “hard-locked” , meaning it cannot be unlocked without using special equipment.
Most of the newer phones will not work with the codes generated by the free unlock programs.

How to Find the IMEI Number on a Mobile Phone

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is on all GSM and UMTS mobile phones, commonly found in Europe, Asia, Africa and increasingly in America. Cingular & T-Mobile are the major US carriers but there are growing numbers of regional carriers who are switching to GSM like Centennial Wireless, Highland Cellular, Dobson Cellular to name a few. Mobile phone companies can use the number to identify valid subscribers and the type of equipment used. The carrier could thus use the number to remotely disable the phone in the event it is stolen or reported lost and customize data content to be compatible with the type of equipment used, among other things.

Steps

Ensure your phone is powered on.
Unless currently on a call, in which case you would clear out any numbers on the screen that were pressed while on the call, use the same process as dialing a number to be called.
Press the following keys one by one: * # 0 6 #
As you press on the last #, a number will appear with the title, IMEI number, or similar. Read the screen.

Motorola iDen Units

With the handset on, press the following key sequence in rapid succession (without pause): # * [menu] [right arrow].
On units with SIM cards, scroll down until you see IMEI/SIM ID. Select Enter, and view your IMEI, SIM, and on some units, your MSN. The first fourteen digits are displayed; the fifteenth is always a 0.
On older units without SIM cards, continue to hit the [right arrow] key until you see IMEI [0] on the display. The first seven digits are displayed. Hit the menu key, then the “soft key” under next, and the next seven digits are displayed. The final, fifteenth, digit is most often a 0, however, this can be changed by altering the NAM.

Alternate Methods

Ensure the phone is powered off.
Remove the battery.
Look on the phone for a white sticker/label, which would be now exposed after removing the battery, for the IMEI. It would be 15 or 17 digits not including a few forward slashes included and without any letters. Only the first 15-digits are needed.
If the phone is not available or if the label is unreadable then have a look at the phone manufacturer’ s packaging for a white sticker/label. Near one bar code or another the IMEI would also be printed.

Tips

If your mobile phone is stolen, call or go to the nearest service center of your mobile network, and give that IMEI number to staff and ask them to block that number for a period of time, so no one can use your mobile phone for any illegal purpose.
Store your 15-Digit IMEI Number in a safe place, so you could find it if your phone is stolen.
If you are South African, you are required by law to report the theft to your Service Provider (Mobile Network) and to the Police (either SAPS or your local Metro Police). It will be blacklisted across ALL networks so that it can’t be used for criminal activities. If it is recovered, it is possible to de-blacklist it providing you have proof of ownership.

Warnings