How to Unlock the Galaxy Note 8: What to Know

This guide explains how to SIM unlock the Galaxy Note 8 for use on another carrier. There are a few different ways to unlock a phone, and a few reasons many choose to unlock their device. Whether that’s to use the Note 8 with a different carrier or use it internationally.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8 is readily available from all major US carriers. Additionally, Samsung offers an unlocked model that works with any carrier. If you didn’t buy the unlocked model, you’ll have to manually unlock it.

Read: 40 Galaxy Note 8 Tips & Tricks

Carriers lock down devices in an effort to tie customers to their network. Thankfully SIM unlocking the Galaxy Note 8 is an easy task. Those in Europe or Asia can do this instantly, but owners in the US will want to read on for more details. This is how to get an unlock code, and how to use it.

So what is a SIM-locked phone? Carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile lock the device strictly to their network. You can’t take an AT&T Galaxy S8 and use it on T-Mobile. Not until you unlock it first. Most likely you bought the Note 8 with a discount from carriers, which means you have a locked device.

Once unlocked, you can use the Note 8 on almost any carrier, or different regions around the globe. See the benefits? One exception to this is Verizon Wireless, they no longer lock smartphones.

Additionally, the Galaxy Note 8 is relatively new and most owners are making monthly payments on it. Carriers will not unlock a phone unless it’s paid off or bought outright. This means owners need to use a 3rd party website like Unlockunit.com and follow our steps below. Either way, it doesn’t take very long and is completely fool-proof. Here are the instructions.

How to Unlock the Galaxy Note 8

To begin we’ll start with the initial instructions for those that already have a SIM unlock code. Just follow the easy steps below and you’ll be done in minutes. For everyone else that needs a code, keep reading.

Instructions

• Dial #06# from your phone and find the IMEI number (or check the box)
• Use the IMEI number to request a SIM unlock code from your carrier, or on a 3rd party website
• Turn off the Galaxy Note 8
• Remove SIM card tray (near the top) and insert a SIM card from a different carrier (put a T-Mobile SIM into an AT&T device, etc)
• Reboot your phone
• When prompted, enter the provided SIM unlock code in the pop-up box and click Unlock

Below is a sample of the popup owners should see after rebooting with an incompatible sim. This is on the Galaxy S7, but the same steps and interface are what you’ll see on the Note 8.

• Next, the phone will say Network successfully unlocked
• Occasionally the first code doesn’t work, if so, request another one
• If it worked, you’re free to use the Note 8 on any compatible carrier network.

It’s that easy, and you can do it right from home. The hardest part of this process is getting the unlock code in the first place, which is what we’ll tackle next.

SIM Unlock the Galaxy Note 8 for Free

The ideal situation is getting an unlock code for free, but most likely this isn’t an option for you. There are two ways to get a code. One is from carriers for free, and the second (below) is to pay around $20-25 from websites dedicated to this process.

As we said above, Verizon doesn’t lock phones. If you have a Verizon Galaxy Note 8, try putting a T-Mobile SIM card in and using it. You will likely need to manually configure the APN settings, which tells the phone which network to connect to.

Read: 10 Neat Things the Note 8 Can Do

Those with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint or other carriers will need to request a code or buy one.

AT&T SIM Unlock Code for Galaxy Note 8

All carriers require the phone be paid in full or bought outright before they will unlock it. Some circumstances can change that rule, but that’s doubtful. You can’t have early termination fees, any monthly installment payments remaining, and the device can’t be tied to another AT&T account. Also, if it isw reported lost or stolen (you bought on Craigslist) they probably will not unlock it.

If you meet all those requirements, follow these instructions.

• Dial #06# from your phone and find the IMEI number
• Head to AT&T’s device unlock website portal
• Fill out form with your number, name, IMEI and other steps
• Once complete hit next and request a SIM unlock code
• Remove the SIM card and replace it with a SIM from a different carrier
• Reboot phone and enter the code and hit Unlock per the instructions above

AT&T will complete your request within 24-48 hours. If approved, you’ll receive the code in an email to unlock your phone.

Sprint Galaxy Note 8 SIM Unlock

Sprint uses a similar method as AT&T, but there are some limits or caveats. With Sprint owners will get an international unlock code, or a domestic (US) unlock. It’s one or the other, not both. You can unlock a phone to take it to another country, but it will still be tied to Sprint in the US.

If you get the Note 8 unlocked for the US, it won’t work internationally.

Instructions

Your Sprint Note 8 must meet all the requirements before you’ll get a code. The account is in good standing, no remaining balance on the phone, and the device hasn’t been reported as stolen or used for fraudulent activities. Additionally, you must use it on their network for 50 days before requesting a code. So brand new Note 8 owners need to wait a few months.

• Dial #06# from your phone and find the IMEI number
• Call Sprint customer service by dialing 1-866-866-7509
• Request a Galaxy Note 8 SIM Unlock code
• Select either domestic or international SIM unlocking. If you request international, the phone will not work on other US carriers. Choose wisely
• If you pass all the requirements you’ll get a code within 24-48 hours

Once you get the code from Sprint, simply follow the same instructions at the top of the page. Enter a non-Sprint SIM, reboot, enter the code and hit unlock.

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 8 SIM Unlock App

Next is T-Mobile, who makes this process pretty simple. Instead of inserting a SIM and rebooting the phone, they have an app that does the unlock process for you.

Again you can’t have a balance on the phone, active for over 40 days on T-Mobile, and not reported lost or stolen. If you have any late fees on your account, this won’t work.

Instructions

• Find and open the T-Mobile Device Unlock App in the application tray
• If all requirements are met hit Continue, then select Permanent Unlock
• The phone will unlock itself and reboot

The T-Mobile app does everything for you, making it the easiest of all four major carriers in the United States. Not to mention, T-Mobile owns MetroPCS so the process is nearly identical. Remember, pay off the phone before giving this a try. That’s the only way it works.

Pay to Unlock the Galaxy Note 8

And finally, we can skip dealing with carriers and pay for an unlock code. This is the route most owners will take. If the phone was a gift, bought used online, or doesn’t meet carrier requirements you can STILL unlock it. Using all the same steps mentioned above, you just get the SIM unlock code from online sources. We recommend websites like Unlockunit, Androidsimunlock, or Unlockriver. Follow their steps to get a code as described below.

Instructions

• Dial #06# from your phone and find the IMEI number (write it down)
• Use the IMEI to request a SIM unlock code from a 3rd party website as mentioned above
• Turn off your Galaxy Note 8
• Remove SIM card tray and insert a SIM card from a different carrier (put a T-Mobile SIM into an AT&T device, etc)
• Reboot your phone
• When prompted, enter the provided SIM unlock code in the pop-up box and click Unlock 
• Use the Galaxy Note 8 on any compatible network

The entire process is pretty simple. Supply the same type of information carriers ask for, pay a small fee, and receive a code in your email a short while later.

You may notice these sites offer more than one code with the purchase. This is usually in case the first one doesn’t work. Each site has specific instructions or codes they send, so follow their guidelines while completing the Galaxy Note 8 unlock.

For whatever reason, if the code doesn’t work try the second one or email the site for another set. As a last resort, they will issue a full refund. Personally, these sites work every time I’ve tried them, so don’t be afraid to give it a try. Buy a code with confidence and enjoy your SIM unlocked Galaxy Note 8.