The Google Nexus S was one of my favorite Android smartphones and it’s still a relatively decent Android phone that caters to your daily needs, such as watching videos and browsing the web. However, if you’re stuck with your carrier’s ridiculously expensive data plans, then there’s a simple way out. By learning how to unlock Samsung Google Nexus S, you’ll be able to break free from your carrier and the phone will truly become yours.
Why Unlock Your Google Nexus S
The methods mentioned below for unlocking the phone are all paid methods, but they’re worth the money as you can use any other carrier with your phone. If you’re still not convinced and are wondering whether you should unlock your device, here are the reasons why you should unlock your Google Nexus S:
Use any carrier around the world. This is probably the single biggest advantage as you can use any carrier around the world with your phone. Save money by avoiding your carrier’s expensive data plans. The problem that many users complain about is the high data charge that they have to pay. Once you unlock your phone, you’ll be able to use the cheapest packages from your favorite carrier. Better resale value. Once your phone is unlocked, its resale value will instantly increase as the potential buyer will be able to use it with her favorite carrier.
Prerequisite
Unlocking Android phones is quite easy as you only need to enter a code in your phone. While unlocking is a totally different process than the risky rooting process, you should still create a backup of all your important files either through your phone’s default backup feature or through a third party app from the Google Play Store. Also, make sure that your phone is charged at least 70% before proceeding with the unlocking process. If your battery is lagging, try one of the battery saver apps.
Method 1: Call Your Carrier
This is the most effective and reliable method for unlocking any Android device. There is a slight risk in using a third-party service for getting unlock codes since you can be sure that the codes you get directly from your carrier will work. While using your carrier for obtaining an unlock code can be a bit cheaper than third-party services, it is worth the money if you don’t want to take any risks.
Step 1
Dial *#06# in your dialer app to get the IMEI number. Take note of this number. Alternatively, you can also find the IMEI number from your phone’s box.
Step 2
Call your carrier’s customer service help line. There are different numbers for different carriers, such as Verizon and T-Mobile.
Step 3
Tell your carrier’s representative that you want to unlock your phone and ask her for an unlock code for your Google Nexus S.
Step 4
When the representative asks for your IMEI number, give him/her the IMEI number that you wrote down earlier. You might also need to give other details, such as your phone number and name.
Step 5
Make the payment for the unlock code and once it is processed, you’ll receive the code either through an email or through a text message. The delivery time will depend on your carrier.
Step 6
After receiving the code, turn off your Google Nexus S and remove your carrier’s SIM card. Insert the SIM card of any other carrier in your phone and turn it back on. You’ll see a popup asking for an unlock code. Enter the code that you received from your carrier. That’s it! Your Google Nexus S is now unlocked and you can use it with any other carrier.
Method 2: Sim-Unlock.net
If you had trouble unlocking your phone through your carrier or if you feel it’s too expensive, then this method is the next best alternative. Sim-Unlock.net is one of the most popular websites that specializes in providing unlock codes for devices from some of the biggest manufacturers, including Samsung, HTC and LG. While some people don’t trust third-party websites for unlock codes, a lot of users have successfully unlocked their phones with this particular website. One of the best things about Sim-Unlock.net is that it provides cheaper codes than some other unlocking websites.
Step 1
Open the dialer app and enter *#06# to find out your IMEI number. Write this number down.
Step 2
Go to the Sim-Unlock.net website, click on Samsung and select Nexus S from the list of devices. You can also search for Nexus S in the search text box.
Step 3
Select your carrier by clicking on the Find Network dropdown menu. If the code is available for your carrier, you’ll see the price and an option to order. Click on the ORDER button.
Step 4
Select Nexus S as the phone model, enter the IMEI number that you wrote down earlier and click on the Make an order button.
Step 5
Enter other details, such as your name, surname, email address and phone number. Click on the Make an order button.
Step 6
Select your desired payment method and make the payment. After making the payment, your order will be processed and you’ll receive the code through an email. The delivery time of the code will depend on your carrier.
Step 7
After receiving the code, turn off your phone and remove the SIM card. Enter a SIM card of any other carrier and turn your device on. You’ll now receive a popup asking for an unlock code. Enter the code that you received from Sim-Unlock.net through the email. That’s it! You have successfully unlocked your Google Nexus S.
Conclusion
With 512 MB of RAM and a super AMOLED screen, the Samsung Google Nexus S might not be the ideal smartphone in terms of specifications, however, it can certainly serve as a low-budget Android device for watching videos and playing games from the Google Play Store. Even though the phone is quite old, you can make the most out of the device by unlocking it and breaking free from your carrier. Not only will this help you save money by getting cheaper data plans, but you’ll also be able to travel around the world with your phone without worrying about your carrier’s restrictions. Whether you’re planning to take a trip abroad or you’re tired of your carrier’s restrictions, you can easily learn how to unlock Samsung Google Nexus S using one of the methods mentioned above. Method 1 is the ideal and most effective option for unlocking the device as you get a code directly from your carrier and even though it might be slightly expensive, it is worth the money if you don’t want to use any third-party services. Method 2 is the next best alternative if you’re comfortable with using a third-party service. Whichever method you choose, make sure that you follow all the instructions properly and feel free to ask any questions below.
