Does Your Phone Say “Invalid SIM” or “SIM Not Supported”?
If you see a message such as “Invalid SIM” or “SIM Not Supported” after inserting your Silvercell Wireless SIM card into your phone, your phone is most likely SIM locked. What does that mean? A SIM lock means the phone is restricted by the original phone service provider to only work with their service. This is a common practice with phones that were financed, purchased at a too good to be true discount, or included in a special promotion from the service provider. With this, Silvercell Wireless does not participate in this practice, and we do not lock any of the phones we sell.
It is still possible to use your phone with Silvercell Wireless, the phone must first be SIM unlocked by the original service provider. Your previous provider will not let Silvercell Wireless unlock your phone. Only the original provider can remove the SIM lock.
“SIM Locked” Explained
Some carriers lock phones so they can only be used on their own network and make it harder for you to leave their service. This is often done when:
- There is still a balance owed on the phone
- The phone was sold at a discounted price
- The phone was part of a contract or promotion
- The carrier requires a certain amount of active service before unlocking
Until the phone is unlocked, it may not work with other wireless companies, including Silvercell Wireless.
How Do You Get Them To Unlock Your Phone?
The easiest way to get them to unlock your phone is to contact the company where the phone was originally purchased or activated.
In many cases, unlocking can be completed by:
- Visiting their website
- Contacting their customer support
- Logging into your online account
- Requesting an unlock after the phone is paid off or eligible
Once approved, the carrier will usually unlock the phone remotely or provide instructions to complete the process.
Which Carrier Do I Contact?
If your phone originally came from one of these providers, you will need to contact them directly:
If you purchased a new phone from a store such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, etc., and want to use it with Silvercell, it must be unlocked by the original service provider.
How Do I Know If My Phone Is Unlocked?
The easiest way to check is to contact the original carrier and ask them directly. They can tell you:
- If the phone is already unlocked
- If the phone is eligible to be unlocked
- What steps are needed before it can be unlocked
What Happens After My Phone Is Unlocked?
Once your phone has unlocked by the original provider, you can insert your Silvercell Wireless SIM card again and continue with activation. In many cases, restarting the phone after the unlock is completed can also help the phone activate properly.
What If My Phone Cannot Be Unlocked?
If your phone does not qualify for unlocking, you will need a different phone that is already unlocked and compatible with the Silvercell Wireless network. All phones offered by Silvercell are unlocked, meaning we have to earn your service, verse lock you to it. You can view our easy-to-use phones here: https://silvercellwireless.com/phones/.
Need More Help? Just Ask!
If you are unsure whether your phone is unlocked or need help during activation, the SilverService™ support team is here to help walk you through the process step by step. You can click the red “Chat With Us” button at the bottom right corner of our website or click here.