How to Unlock Walmart Unlocked Cell Phones in 2024

Walmart offers a selection of affordable unlocked cell phones that allow you to use any compatible carrier's SIM card. While Walmart phones come unlocked out of the box, you may still need to take a few steps to get full functionality when using them on different networks. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to unlock and use a Walmart unlocked phone in 2024.

>> Click Here to Unlock Walmart Unlocked Cell Phones in 2024

Check if Your Walmart Phone is Already Unlocked

Walmart markets most of their cell phones as "unlocked," meaning they are not tied to or locked to any specific carrier. However, it's a good idea to verify this by following these steps when you first get your new phone:

1. Insert the SIM Card from Your Desired Carrier

Turn off the phone and insert the SIM card you wish to use from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, or any other GSM or CDMA carrier.

2. Power on the Phone

Turn your phone back on and allow it to boot up completely.

3. Check for Network Connectivity

Check the status bar at the top of your screen for the name of your carrier and to see if it displays signal bars and a 4G LTE or 5G symbol to indicate connectivity.

If your phone connects to the carrier network without any unlocking necessary, then your Walmart unlocked phone is ready to use as-is. You can skip the rest of the unlocking steps below.

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Back Up Your Data

Before making any major changes to your device, it's wise to back up your data in case anything gets erased or lost in the process.

1. Copy media files and contacts to a computer through a USB cable or cloud backup service.
2. Note down any apps or settings you may need to manually reconfigure later.
3. Make sure you have your Gmail/iCloud/Samsung login credentials to restore data.

Backing up ahead of time lets you restore your device hassle free if you run into any problems while unlocking it.

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Unlock Your Walmart Phone

If your device did not automatically connect with your SIM card inserted from the Section 1 steps above, you will need to take further action to unlock it. Here is how:

Option 1: Unlock Through Your Carrier

The easiest way to unlock a phone is directly through your carrier by meeting their unlock requirements. In most cases, carriers will unlock devices that:

• Have completed the device payment plan contract or been fully paid off.
• Are not currently reported lost, stolen or otherwise flagged.
• Have had active service with that carrier for a certain period, usually at least 60 days.

To learn the exact eligibility and get your device unlocked by the carrier, you need to:

1. Walmart customer service Call 1-800-925-6278 (1-800-WALMART) or Toll-free TTY services:1-800-439-0266
2. Email Customer Service At Walmart.
3. Chat with customer service and request they submit an unlock request.
4. Accessibility Support [email protected]
5. Provide identifying details about the device - make/model/serial/IMEI number.
6. Confirm your account is in good standing and the phone meets eligibility rules.

It can take up to 2 days after approval for the wireless network unlock to fully complete. This will now allow you to insert and test another carrier's SIM card.

Option 2: Use Third-Party Unlock Services

If for any reason the carrier is unable or unwilling to unlock your device, you can use a professional unlocking service for assistance. Sites like DoctorSIM, DC-Unlocker, and UnlockBase employ teams that can directly access unlock credentials or unlock through specialized software tools.

The process will vary by make/model but generally involves:

1. Contacting the service via live chat or email support.
2. Submitting details about your phone (IMEI, firmware, etc).
3. Making payment for the specific unlock service.
4. Receiving instructions, software files, or an unlock code.
5. Inputting codes into your phone or connecting to the computer software.

This will unlock the SIM slot to then insert and test the working capability using your carrier of choice. Keep in mind fees range $10-$50+ depending on device complexity. Do research to pick a safe, credible unlocking company when using this method.

Option 3: Unlock Through the Manufacturer

Rather than using your specific carrier, the cell phone manufacturer may also be able to provide unlocking assistance directly. Contact them via phone or support chat and be prepared with:

• Phone purchase order/receipt
• IMEI/Serial and model details
• Backup data for reset step

Manufacturer unlocks can be free or low cost if you meet eligibility terms. Allow 1-3 days for completion once approved and any necessary software resets have occurred on the device itself.

Update Carrier Settings

After unlocking, one final step is to configure the network connectivity properly using these steps:

1. Insert the new carrier SIM card if not already done.
2. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Network Operators.
3. Choose the correct carrier network when prompted.
4. Toggle on automatic network selection and wait for configuration to complete.
5. Reboot the phone completely.

The device will read SIM card details and carrier branding should now reflect your chosen unlocked network!

Test Functionality on Your Desired Carrier

With unlocking fully completed, you must test that core phone features work properly on your carrier's network:

• Make test calls to check call quality over 4G and 5G.
• Send SMS messages to verify texting services.
• Connect to mobile data and wifi networks for internet browsing.
• Enable location services like Google Maps GPS navigation.
• Run speed tests to confirm expected LTE/5G data rates.

Contact carrier support if you see limitations to functionality that were not issues before unlocking the device. They can assist with further network configuration and troubleshooting as needed.

What to Do if You Have Problems Unlocking

Here are some tips if you encounter difficulties getting your Walmart unlocked phone to work on another wireless network:

• Double check the device is paid off fully and meets all carrier unlock eligibility. This is required before other methods will work.
• Try factory resetting the phone to wipe old carrier/SIM settings before unlocking.
• Ensure proper SIM card size - microSIM, nanoSIM, etc depending on phone model.
• Disable any device locks or security codes before inserting new SIM.
• If software unlock fails, you may need expert data recovery if bootloader is corrupted.
• For older phones, hardware limitations may prevent full functionality on new modern networks.

Be patient and contact Walmart support as well if unlock failures persist. Per their unlocking policy guarantees, you can request a replacement phone if unlocking cannot be resolved.

Get Ongoing Support For Your Unlocked Device

Even when successfully unlocked, you may have questions or need help from time to time with your phone as a non-contract customer. Here are useful ways to get continued help:

• Device Manufacturer Support: Reach out to Samsung, Apple, or other OEM support for warranty, troubleshooting and product assistance.
• Carrier Customer Service: Your chosen service provider can help with SIM/network issues, activation, and service plan questions.
• Walmart Help Center: Useful for order issues, returns/exchanges, or other transaction questions with the retailer.
• Community Tech Forums: Groups like XDA Developers have user forums accessing DIY fix tutorials for many phone models.

Know who to reach out to as an unlocked device owner for seamless ongoing support year after year.

Key Takeaways on Unlocking Walmart Cell Phones

The main options for unlocking Walmart unlocked phones for use on alternate carrier networks include:

• Getting the device unlocked directly through your service provider by meeting account tenure and payment requirements.
• Using third party unlocking services if unable to unlock through the carrier.
• Contacting the phone manufacturer which may offer unlocks after purchase terms are met.

Be sure to backup your phone, test functionality for call/text/data on the new carrier, and know your ongoing support options when using an unlocked BYOP device. Follow this guide and unlocking your Walmart phone for use on any GSM or CDMA network will be simple in 2024 and beyond!