![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.hovatek.com\/blog\/bpyeki\/uploads\/2014\/06\/how_to_unlock_an_android_phone.jpg\")
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When you mention ‘unlocking’ in the Android world, two things would usually come to mind<\/p>\n
In this guide, the focus will be on unlocking Android phones locked to a foreign carrier \/ network. If you have forgotten your Android phone’s pattern lock \/ PIN , exceeded your trial limits by making too many failed unlock attempts or got yourself locked out of your phone then follow this guide on\u00a0https:\/\/www.hovatek.com\/forum\/thread-144.html<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n Why do Android phones get locked to a particular network?<\/span><\/p>\n Some Android phones are branded, sold during a promo or are covered by a subscription agreement. For this reason, such phones are locked to the\u00a0carrier for a certain period of time (and in some cases, intended to be forever). Some carriers use this as a marketing \/ customer base building \u00a0strategy to keep you locked to their network.<\/p>\n What are the benefits of an unlocked Android phone?<\/span><\/p>\n With an unlocked Android phone, you can use any carrier \/ network’s SIM card on your phone as opposed to being able to use just one.<\/p>\n Can I still use my Android phone without unlocking it?<\/span><\/p>\n Perfectly! The only function which will be disabled (unless the carrier’s SIM is present) is your ability to make \/ receive phone calls. You’ll have to access the internet over WIFI.<\/p>\n Will rooting unlock an Android phone?<\/span><\/p>\n No it wont. Rooting only grants root (or Admin as in Windows) access, it doesn’t unlock an Android phone by itself. Rooting might however be the first step in using alternative unlocking approaches (See\u00a0https:\/\/www.hovatek.com\/blog\/how-to-root-android-easily-without-pc\/<\/a>\u00a0).<\/p>\n Will upgrading \/ updating the OS unlock an Android phone?<\/span><\/p>\n Not in all cases, at least, not by itself. All the same, see https:\/\/www.hovatek.com\/blog\/how-to-upgrade-an-android-smartphone-or-tablet-operating-system-os\/<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n What happens if I\u00a0exceed then number of network unlock attempts?<\/span><\/p>\n If you exceed the number of network unlock attempts, the phone will get hard-locked. Though its still possible to unlock a hard-locked \u00a0Android phone (via a timer reset or patching), its a very expensive procedure so STOP GUESSING! You best not exceed the limit.<\/p>\n Will the Android phone get re-locked after an OS upgrade \/ update?<\/span><\/p>\n This depends on the method used to unlock it. If you obtained the network unlock code then its a one-time unlock. If; however, you unlocked via some form of patching then an OS change ‘might’ re-lock the phone just like in the iPhone (See https:\/\/www.hovatek.com\/blog\/how-to-unlock-the-iphone\/<\/a>\u00a0).<\/p>\n How do I unlock an Android phone locked to a network \/ carrier?<\/span><\/p>\n There are two basic methods:<\/p>\n\n