How to SIM unlock the Samsung Galaxy S20 for free

Nick Gray
4 months ago

The Samsung Galaxy S20 and the larger S20+ are undoubtedly two of the best smartphones Samsung has delivered in a very long time. The phones are sleek, powerful and have cameras that can go head-to-head with the latest iPhone. But if you’re reading this article, you already know that and are simply looking for the best way to get you Galaxy S20 SIM unlocked so that you can switch service providers and save a bit of cash.

Samsung Galaxy S20+ review

Services like Android SIM Unlock are very reliable, offering Samsung Galaxy S20 SIM unlock codes at a reasonable price, but if you’re cash strapped, there are also ways you can get the code for free. It’s just a bit more complicated.

If you’re willing to put in the work, follow the instructions below to get your free Samsung Galaxy S20 SIM unlock code.

Free Samsung Galaxy S20 SIM unlock code

Despite what you may have heard, it is possible to SIM unlock your Samsung Galaxy S20 or the S20 Plus for free. The service provider you purchased the phone from will SIM unlock your phone, just as long as you meet certain requirements. The specific requirements for each service provider are different and are often hard to track down, but typically you’ll need to make sure that the Galaxy S20 you are trying to unlock is paid in full, your account is in good standing (no late or unpaid bills) and that you’ve owned the phone for 60-90 days. In some cases the service provider requires that the phone has been active on the network for 30-60 days, so make sure you have a valid SIM card in it and use it for at least two months.

If you meet these requirements, your service provider will hand over your Samsung Galaxy S20’s free SIM unlock code. If now, skip to the next section and we’ll walk you through the process to SIM unlock your phone using a paid service like Android SIM Unlock.

Request your Galaxy S20 free SIM unlock code

Dial #06# in the phone app to display your Samsung Galaxy S20’s IMEI number
Write the IMEI number down for quick reference
Call your service provider customer service line to request your SIM unlock code
When asked, give them your phone’s IMEI number
If your account and phone are eligible, your free Samsung Galaxy S20 SIM unlock code will be emailed to you in 2-3 days

SIM unlock your Samsung Galaxy S20

Once you receive your SIM unlock code, replace your Galaxy S20’s SIM card with one from another service provider
Follow the on-screen instructions and enter the SIM unlock code
If the code is entered correctly, your Samsung Galaxy S20 will be ISM unlocked

Paid Samsung Galaxy S20 SIM unlock

If you’re reading this section, there’s’ a good chance that your Samsung Galaxy S20 or S20 Plus doesn’t qualify for a free ISM unlock code through your service provider or you simply don’t want to wait the 2-3 days it takes them to send you the code. The good news is that third-party SIM unlocking services like Android SIM Unlock are affordable and extremely reliable, even offering money-back guarantees if they’re unable to find the code for your specific device.

Follow the instructions below to purchase a SIM unlock code for your Galaxy S20

Purchase your Galaxy S20 SIM unlock code

Dial #06# in the phone app to display your Samsung Galaxy S20’s IMEI number
Write the IMEI number down for quick reference
Visit Android SIM Unlock’s Samsung unlocking page
Enter your Galaxy S20’s IMEI number, your email address, phone number and payment details
If an unlock code is available, it will be sent to your via email or SMS

SIM unlock your Galaxy S20

Once you receive your SIM unlock code, replace your Galaxy S20’s SIM card with one from another service provider
Follow the on-screen instructions and enter the SIM unlock code
If the code is entered correctly, your Samsung Galaxy S20 will be ISM unlocked

T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile Galaxy S20 SIM unlock

The Samsung Galaxy S20 or Galaxy S20 Plus purchased from T-Mobile or Metro by T-Mobile comes with a unique SIM unlocking process. These devices will need to use an app to unlock the phones, so you won’t be able to use a SIM unlock code for your phone. Fortunately, you can still unlock your S20 even if you do not meet the service provider’s requirements, though the process is different. DoctorSIM offers unlocking services for the T-Mobile Unlock App and the Metro PCS Unlock app.

The instructions below walk you through the unlocking process using either app.

Find the T-Mobile Device Unlock or Metro PCS Device Unlock service for your phone
Enter your phone’s IMEI number and complete the checkout process
The service can take 1-3 days to complete
Once you receive confirmation that your order is complete, open the T-Mobile Device Unlock or Metro PCS Device Unlock app
Press Continue and then Permanent Unlock on the next screen
Once finished, reboot the phone to complete the unlock process

Once that’s completed, you will be able to swap in a SIM card from another service provider and use your phone on any GSM network.

If you know of any other ways to SIM unlock a Samsung Galaxy S20, feel free to drop it in the comments below.