Let’s take a look at three methods that work great for your LG Optimus. We’ll cover two options that are typically free and then show you a way to unlock your phone for a small fee.
Things to Remember Before Unlocking Your Phone
Before we walk through how to unlock LG Optimus, make sure you backup all the information on your phone. It’s not nearly as difficult to unlock your phone as it is to root, but you’re better off being safe than sorry. You shouldn’t have any problems with bricking your phone, but just make sure your phone is charged to about 70 percent so you can complete the entire unlocking process without the phone dying.
Method 1: PhoneUnlockers.me – A Free Third Party Service
There are various third-party companies out there that help you unlock your phone. Unfortunately, most of them require a small fee to get your unlock code. Many companies even try to get you to sign up for random promotional offers that are usually a pain to work with. We recommend either just paying a fee and getting your code quickly or using the PhoneUnlockers.me service for free.
Step 1
Go to Phone Unlockers to get the process started.
Step 2
Click on the Unlock? option to unlock your LG Optimus. You’ll notice that there is also a Fast Track option, but this is if you want to spend some money to get your unlock code a little quicker. This is how they get you to pay, but if you have a little time to wait, then you can get your code for free by just going to the Unlock button and waiting a few days for the code email.
Step 3
Type in all of the information needed to unlock your phone. This occasionally changes depending on the website design, but you typically just have to type in your Email, Phone Model, Network and IMEI. In order to find your IMEI on an Optimus you can take out the removable battery and find it there, or type in *#06# in the dialer area of your phone.
Step 4
Click on the Request Unlock button to submit your information.
Step 5
The Statistics and Info area will tell you how long it will take for the company to send you an email with your unlock code. Phone Unlockers is one of the few places online where you can find a free code, but it does take a few days. If you really don’t want to wait long for the code then you can use one of the methods we have listed below. Unfortunately, the third method doesn’t always work depending on your provider, and the second method requires a fee.
Method 2: UnlockRiver.com – A Paid Third Party Service
UnlockRiver.com is another service that is great for unlocking your LG Optimus. You have to pay a fee in order to unlock the phone, but it’s a reputable service for breaking away from the restrictions of your current cell phone provider. You can also try to find a different or cheaper company online, but keep in mind that not every unlocking service is that reliable. You might get scammed or have to walk through a bunch of long promotional offers.
Step 1
Take your LG Optimus phone and remove the SIM card. Go to the dialer area, as if you were making a call and type in *#06# to get your IMEI number. This number is unique for every phone, so write it down for later use.
Step 2
Go to UnlockRiver.com.
Step 3
You simply have to type in your information to get your unlock code. Fill in your Carrier, Manufacturer, Model, IMEI and Email. Once all of this information is accurate you can click on the Unlock Now button. Once you click on this button the website will ask you for your payment information. The rates change depending on phone, but it shouldn’t be more than $15 or $20. For my LG Optimus it quoted me $13 to receive the code within 1-24 hours.
Step 4
Keep an eye on your email account. Once the email comes in you should write down the unlock code.
Step 5
Turn off your phone, and insert the new SIM card that you want to use. Once the phone reboots it will ask you for the unlock code. Type it in and you are good to go!
Method 3: Calling Up Your Service Provider
This is our final, and least recommended option, but if you really don’t want to handle any manual setups then you can go with this method. You basically call up your service provider and they give you the unlock code. If you haven’t been with your service provider in a while then they may not give you a code. Feel free to call them and check it out. The good thing about this method is that it’s completely free and legal so the providers don’t really care.
Step 1
Type *#06# into the phone where you typically dial phone numbers. Write down the IMEI code that shows up.
Step 2
Call your service provider and ask them for an unlock code. Each service provider has a different phone number to call and varying procedures for unlock codes, so it may take a while to get through with an actual person. Give them your IMEI code.
Step 3
Reset your phone and place the new SIM card in the device. Turn the phone back on, and wait for a new screen to come up that asks for your unlock code. Type this in and then your phone should be completely unlocked!
Conclusion
If you have any questions about how to unlock LG Optimus then feel free to drop us a line in the comments section below. We recommend trying the first method to see if you can get a free code. After that, try contacting your service provider and then move onto a company that might charge you a fee. The methods are quite simple, and once you get a new SIM card in your phone you have the chance to use any network you desire. Have fun!
