Some users unlock an LG Velvet to change the carrier, go abroad, or simply to uplift its resale value. However much the unlocking of a phone may seem like a complicated procedure, it is not that hard if you know the right steps. This full-fledged review will look into the various methods of unlocking an LG Velvet along with their pros and cons; also, some crucial issues that you must weigh in so that you come out with the best solution in the end. By the time you are done with this review, you will have an all-around idea of how you can unlock your LG Velvet and what implications come with it.
1. What Should You Know About Phone Locking and Unlocking?
1.1 What Does It Mean to Unlock a Phone?
Phone locking means that the device can only operate under the network of a particular carrier. So, if you buy an LG Velvet from AT&T, normally the device will be locked with the AT&T network so that it cannot be used with any other carrier, such as Verizon, T-Mobile, or foreign networks.
Unlocking, therefore, means unbinding the phone from this restriction, thus permitting the device to work with any compatible network, in case you wish to change your carriers, sell the phone, or simply use a local SIM card when traveling abroad to avoid roaming fees.
1.2 Why Are Phones Locked?
The lock of the phone used by carriers is mainly a retention strategy. For example, the carrier sells a phone to the consumer for a subsidized amount or on an installment basis. The lock, then, ensures the customer’s stay for a certain minimum number of days, usually till the subsidized phone is fully paid for.
Locking may be in the interest of carriers to recover some of the expenditures incurred in providing discounted price: by imposing the lock, carriers diminish the chances of the customer buying a subsidized phone and then promptly hopping onto a rival network.
2. Benefits of Unlocking Your LG Velvet
Unlocking your LG Velvet offers several advantages, whether you stay with your present carrier or choose another. Listed below are the more prominent ones:
2.1 Freedom in Carrier Selection
Among the greatest advantages of unlocking an LG Velvet is that it liberates you from choosing carriers at will. This flexibility can save you money when better deals, coverage, or service plans from other carriers are put to the front. For example, if in your area T-Mobile is considered to have better coverage than AT&T, then unlocking a phone will allow for the freedom of switching.
2.2 Increased Resale Value
An unlocked LG Velvet is generally priced higher than a locked one. It is mainly because the unlocked phone guarantees purchasers coming from a variety of carriers, thereby giving the LG Velvet more opportunity to be sold. So, if you ever have the intention to sell your LG Velvet, you’ll be able to fetch a higher price if the phone is unlocked, as buyers will not be restricted to using a particular carrier.
2.3 Convenience When Traveling
An unlocked phone is a prerequisite for any frequent traveler. However, if you are traveling internationally, an unlocked LG Velvet will allow you to put in a local SIM card to use local networks rather than paying heavy international roaming charges. So, it saves your money and ensures service when you are abroad.
2.4 Access to Carrier-Specific Features
Some carriers provide certain features or services that your present carrier may not provide. Unlocking your LG Velvet can thus enable you to switch to a carrier that offers features that best meets your interest, such as Wi-Fi calling, better data plans, or improved network coverage.
3. Methods to Unlock an LG Velvet
There are many ways to unlock your LG Velvet with various steps, requirements, and considerations. Let us walk you through the methods.
3.1 Unlocking Via Your Carrier
The easiest and probably most recommended way of unlocking your LG Velvet is via the carrier. Most major carriers in the United States as well as other countries have a process for unlocking devices, given that certain eligibility criteria are met.
3.1.1 Eligibility Criteria
Your carrier will, however, usually require these before they can initiate an unlock:
Account Standing: The account must be in good standing; no payments must be outstanding, nor should absent payments have been allowed to stay due too long.
Device Paid Off: The phone must be fully paid for. If on a payment plan, paying off what remains on the phone would make the carrier unlock it.
Minimum Usage: A particular number of days of phone on that network must be passed in some cases (e.g., 60 or 90 days).
Not Lost or Stolen: A lost and found record for this phone cannot exist.
3.1.2 How the Unlocking Is Done
Once you confirm that you meet all the prerequisites, you can go ahead and request your carrier for an unlock code. This is generally how it goes:
Contact Your Carrier: Contact their customer service, through any means available i.e. calling, online chat, or via their website. Request an unlock for your LG Velvet, providing any information required pertaining to your account and the IMEI number of the phone.
Get the Unlock Code: If approved, the carrier generally provides you with an unlocking code in a couple of days. Some operators also unlock remotely without giving you a code, resulting in you never needing to input one.
Insert the New SIM Card: Power down and remove the SIM card of current carrier, then put in the SIM card of a different carrier.
Enter Code: Power-on your phone. IF you find the unlock code screen popping up, just enter the code supplied by your carrier. After the entry, your phone should be unlocked and ready to be serviced on your new carrier’s network.
3.1.3 Pros and Cons of Carrier Unlocking
Pros:
Official Method: Unlocking through your carrier is the official method and is perhaps the most reliable as it ensures that your phone is working perfectly.
Free: Most carriers will indeed unlock your phone free of charge given you meet the valid requirements.
Cons:
Requirements: If you don’t satisfy carrier requirements, you will not be able to unlock the phone.
Time Consuming: It can take days or weeks for the carrier to process the unlocking, depending on its internal processing.
3.2 Unlocking through Third-Party Services
If you cannot unlock your LG Velvet through the carrier, there is always the option of having a third party unlock it for you. These third-party services specialize in unlocking phones under any carrier, usually charging fees for their services.
3.2.1 Choosing a Reliable Service
The key requirement when choosing a third-party unlocking service is that you need to do your research so that the service provider you are going with is reputable. Popular services are the ones with positive reviews, an upfront policy for refunds, and quick customer service. Avoid the services that offer magic miracles for the lowest prices or ask you for a suspiciously cheap fee-they could be scams.
3.2.2 The Unlocking Procedures
Unlocking your LG Velvet by a third-party service can be similar to getting it unlocked by the carrier but with the purchase of the unlock code:
Find Reputable Service: Look for a reputable unlock service online. Popular options include DoctorSIM, UnlockBase, and TheUnlockingCompany.
Provide Device Details: On the unlocking service’s webpage, enter your LG Velvet’s IMEI number, carrier, and payment information.
Receive the Unlock Code: After paying for the service, you will receive the unlock code (usually within 24-72 hours).
Insert New SIM Card and Enter Code: Follow the steps for carrier unlock: insert new SIM card and enter the code when asked.
3.2.3 The Pros and Cons of Third-Party Unlocking
Pros:
Carrier Restrictions Are Not Applied to This Method: You do not need to have fulfilled any carrier-specific eligibility requirements, which works even if you still owe money on your LG Velvet or have never used it for a stipulated minimum period on the carrier’s network.
Faster Turnaround: Many third-party services are able to get your order processed faster than carriers, sometimes within just a few hours.
Cons with respect to:
Costs: Third-party services do have a fee, and that can vary depending on the carrier as well as the specific model of your phone.
Risk of Scams: Certain scam unlocking services might take your money without giving you an unlock code that even works.
3.3 Using Software Unlocking Tools
This is another option for unlocking your LG Velvet with the help of unlocking software. Such tools will sometimes cancel the network lock without the need for an unlock code. But it’s more of a complex method and highly recommended for a technical user.
3.3.1 Finding the Right Tool
Unlocking software tools are normally found in forums or websites that deal with mobile phone modifications. The most popular tools for unlocking LG devices are LGUP and Octoplus. Before you use any tool, you need to make sure that it is compatible with your phone model and software version.
3.3.2 The Unlocking Process
Depending on the tool, the process of unlocking your LG Velvet through software can differ, but usually, it will include:
Download and install the tool. Download the software tool properly, then install it onto your computer.
Connect Your Phone. Now, using a USB cable, connect your LG Velvet to the computer.
Run the unlocking process giving all the commands as per software instructions that might include putting the phone in some sort of mode, like Download Mode or Fastboot Mode.
Unlock Verification: After the entire process, restart the phone and insert a SIM card from another network, to check if the phone is unlocked.
3.3.3 Pros and Cons of Software Unlocking
Pros:
Direct control: Software unlocking tools can give you more control over the process, and you may bypass some carrier restrictions.
Cons:
Requires Technical Expertise: This type of unlocking is best left to technicians, as one of the steps being done wrongly can cause a serious problem to the device.
Bricking Risk: You may end up “bricking” your phone- making it unusable- should the unlocking process go wrong or get interrupted.
No Official Support: These third-party software tools will usually void your warranty, and neither your carrier nor your manufacturer will support you if issues arise.
4. Potential Issues and Considerations When Unlocking Your LG Velvet
Although unlocking your LG Velvet has its advantages, some problems and considerations require weighing beforehand.
4.1 Warranty and Support
Unlocking your phone through unofficial means such as third-party services or software tools can render the warranty void. This means that if your phone develops a fault after unlocking, the manufacturer or carrier may refuse to entertain support or repairs. It is essential to weigh benefits of the unlocking against the loss of a warranty in consideration.
4.2 Compatibility with Other Networks
No unlocked phone is compatible, thus with all carriers. Once your LG Velvet is unlocked, you may find that some features may not work correctly for 4G LTE and VoLTE on a different network. This is because different carriers use different frequency bands and network technologies. Therefore, always do some research to confirm whether the LG Velvet is fully compatible with the carrier you are going to use before unlocking.
4.3 Security Risks
Some security risks come with using third-party unlocking software or services. Some software tools may contain malicious software, and questionable service providers may ask for your details, which can be misused. Always use only legitimate sources or tools to unlock your phone.
4.4 Legal Considerations
Some regions consider an unlocking done without an operator’s permission as violating local law or regulations. Before proceeding, it is therefore advisable to check the legality of unlocking a phone in your region, especially when you intend to use a third-party service or software tool.
5. Frequently Asked Questions about Unlocking LG Velvet
5.1 Is unlocking my LG Velvet legal?
In most countries, it is legal to unlock your phone, in particular, if you have already fulfilled your contract with the carrier. Depending on what method you use to unlock the phone and the area in which you are located, they may some times be considered illegal. Always check the local laws before starting.
5.2 Will unlocking my LG Velvet delete my data?
No, unlocking the phone through the carrier, a third-party service, or certain software will generally not delete the data present on it. However, it is always a good idea to back up your data just in case something goes wrong during the unlocking process.
5.3 Can I unlock my LG Velvet if I still owe money on it?
The carrier will most often require you to have paid for the phone if they are to unlock it. You may have to finish paying the balance in order to have it unlocked by the carrier, or you could choose to pay a third-party service to do the unlocking for you, though that carries added risks.
5.4 How long will it take to unlock my LG Velvet?
The time taken to unlock your phone depends on how the method used. Carrier unlocking usually takes some days to some weeks. However, third-party services and software tools can finish unlocking within just a handful of hours or days.
5.5 What do I do if the unlock code doesn’t work?
If an unlock code awarded by the carrier or third-party service does not work, verify that the code is entered correctly and verify minimum compatibility regarding the SIM card you are trying to use. If the issue persists, reach out to the service provider for support. When using third-party services, analyze cases of non-fulfillment of the service by either providing incorrect unlocking codes or failing to support certain devices due to the wrong unlock code.
6. Conclusion
Unlocking an LG Velvet can be a rewarding process, with the freedom of choosing among various carriers, higher resale value, and the convenience of traveling internationally. Once the decision is made to unlock the phone, be it through the carrier, a third party, or some software tool, it is essential to be aware of the risks and benefits associated with each method.
For most users, unlocking through the carrier is the safest and most agreeable method if one is eligible to do so. Should a user not be eligible for carrier unlocking, third-party providers will make their pitch, for a fee and with some risk. From there, the technically savvy may go for the software unlocking path, afforded the greatest risk and complexity.
Whatever unlocking method is being considered, unlocking your LG Velvet will allow you to fully utilize your device, granting the freedom to switch carriers, increase its resale value, and enjoy flawless connectivity wherever you are.