How to SIM Unlock Pixel 6 & 6 Pro

Carrier plans are getting more and more expensive by the day, and this has only been amplified by the introduction of 5G connectivity. When it first launched, 5G was only available on select handsets. But now, pretty much every new (and major) smartphone released, such as the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro includes the ability to connect to the fastest networks.

The problem is that while the cost of carrier plans continues to rise, there are greener pastures to be found, even if you go down the route of a pre-paid network or even something like Google Fi. Today, we’re going to take you through the process to SIM unlock Pixel 6 and everything that entails, including enlisting the help of Android SIM Unlock if nothing else works.

Before Getting Started

If you’ve already picked up the Pixel 6 but have decided to switch over to another carrier, there are a few things to be aware of. The first of which is that you’ll first need to make sure that you unlock the SIM and device so that it can be used with those other carriers. In order to do so, you’ll need to make sure that the phone is fully paid off with the carrier.

This means that you can’t owe anything else towards the balance of the phone itself, which is included in your bill, but separate from your monthly service fees. In most instances, the device must be activated on your account for at least 60 days. In the case of a carrier like Verizon, after the 60-days have elapsed, you’ll be able to simply pop in a new SIM card from a different carrier.

How to get the unlock code from your Carrier

With the Pixel 6, the device is pretty much available from any carrier that you can think of, including Google Fi, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. The process for getting an unlock code will depend on the carrier. Here’s how you can get the unlock code to SIM unlock Pixel 6:

1. From the Pixel 6, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to display your phone’s IMEI number
2. Write the IMEI number down somewhere where you can refer to it easily
3. Call your carrier’s customer service hotline and request your SIM unlock code
4. You will then be asked to provide the service rep with your device’s IMEI number
5. If you meet all the requirements that we mentioned above, the SIM unlock code will be sent to the email address you provided in the next 2–5 days.
6. Once you’ve received your code, you can now swap out the SIM card for another one
7. If prompted enter the SIM unlock code that was sent to your email address and you’re all set

And if you happen to be using the Pixel 6 with T-Mobile, these are the steps that you’ll need to take after getting your IMEI.

1. Find the T-Mobile Device Unlock or MetroPCS Device Unlock service for your phone
2. Enter your phone’s IMEI number and complete the checkout process
3. You might have to wait a bit, but you will receive an email upon confirmation that your phone has been successfully unlocked
4. Insert a non-T-Mobile or MetroPCS SIM card
5. Launch the Device Unlock app and select “Permanent Unlock”.

If everything goes according to plan, then you should see a message that says “Unlock Approved: Mobile device is permanently unlocked”. Now you can use your T-Mobile Pixel 6 on the carrier of your choosing.

SIM Unlock with a third-party service

Unlocking your Pixel 6 can be frustrating and rather cumbersome when dealing with a service provider. Using a paid third-party service can ease those frustrations while often unlocking your phone much quicker than dealing with your service provider directly.

1. On your Pixel 6 or 6 Pro, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to display your phone’s IMEI number
2. Write the IMEI number down somewhere where you can refer to it easily
3. Go to Android SIM Unlock’s website.
4. Enter the device’s IMEI number
5. Complete the checkout process with your payment and contact information
6. Your SIM unlock code should arrive via either SMS or email.
7. Once you’ve received your code, swap out the old SIM card for the new one from a different carrier
8. Enter the SIM unlock code that you received earlier.

We would like to remind you that unlocking your phone’s SIM does not release you from your contract with your carrier and you’ll still need to make payments to them, but at the very least it does give you some freedom if you need to use the phone with another carrier or SIM card.