How to Unlock the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (Video)

Ok, so maybe you love the Galaxy Note 4, but you aren’t the biggest fan of the carrier you have? Or maybe you love the phone and the carrier, but you’re going overseas and want to be able to save some serious cash by using a SIM card in the new country instead of roaming there using your SIM (after all long-distance, Skype, etc. are all way cheaper then roaming)? Either way, you’ll need to unlock the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 to get it to play nice with another SIM card and thanks to the new law here in the US, unlocking a phone is now completely legal (again).

The easiest way to unlock a phone is to use an unlock code. Anyone with a locked phone can purchase an unlock code through a reseller on the web. These resellers get the codes themselves from manufacturers and even carriers (yes, they lock your phone and then allow these companies to pay to have you unlock them –it’s a strange arrangement, but it’s how it has always been). In the below video, I’ll show you how to find a supplier, order your unlock code from them, input it into your Galaxy Note 4, and then setup the phone to make sure it works well on the new carrier.

I. Find Your IMEI

The IMEI is your device’s particular serial number and this is used to find the corresponding unlock code (there’s a database somewhere with your IMEI and an associated unlock code next to it essentially).

1. Pull down the notification shade.

2. Tap the gear icon in the top right to get to settings.

3. Tap General.

4. Tap About Device.

5. Tap Status.

6. Write down the IMEI listed there without any spaces or dashes.

II. Buy an Unlock Code

You can either Google around using the term “Galaxy Note 4 Unlock Code” or (and yes, this is a shameless, but at least transparent plug) you can buy one from us. I just started selling these codes again and have multiple suppliers I use to try and make the experience better for you guys (since some of these companies are a pain to deal with). Regardless of whether you use my site or find another, always make sure there is some money back guarantee if they cannot get the code (yes, we have that).

1. Once you find that supplier, follow their prompt to purchase the code (usually clicking buy now and inputting your IMEI and Make/Model of your device).

You can buy it from me here (It’s $39.95, but honestly, if you ever sell the phone, the fact that it’s unlocked will raise its value by more than that. Just sayin’.)

2. Wait the time frame for them/me to process the code (usually 2-3 business days depending on the device).

3. You’ll eventually get an email with your unlock code in it.

III. Input the Unlock Code into the Galaxy Note 4

1. Remove the current SIM card from the phone and take the SIM card you WANT to use on the device (it may have to be active, too, by the way) and insert it into the phone.

2. You will be prompted for the unlock code.

3. CAREFULLY, input the unlock code you were sent and triple check it before hitting OK. The phone has a limit of how many times you can input an unlock code, after that, you’ll never be able to unlock it if they all fail (point is, be careful).

4. If the code was successful on the first input, you’re all set! If it isn’t, contact the supplier of the code and let them know BEFORE you try to input it again.

That’s it. The device is now unlocked and you can use it on any GSM carrier. This unlock is permanent, too, even if you reset the phone etc. but just in case, save the email with the unlock code so you can re-input it if necessary.

Now, if you’re device doesn’t have data signal, that’s okay and doesn’t mean the unlock didn’t work. What it does mean, is that the phone didn’t automatically setup it’s internet settings. Because of that, here’s how to manually input the settings and get your internet and MMS working.

IV. Input the APN Settings (Optional)

First, you need to find your carrier’s internet settings. These settings essentially tell the phone where it should go to access the internet and picture messages from the carrier. I actually started a repository of these internet settings here on the site a long time ago, you can head to the Internet Settings section, then click on your country, then your carrier to be presented with the settings you need.

Next, let’s input these settings into the Note 4.

1. Pull down the notification shade.

2. Tap the gear icon in the top right to get to settings.

3. Tap on Connections.

4. Tap on More Networks.

5. Tap on Mobile Networks.

6. Tap on Access Point Names.

7. Tap the + sign at the top right

8. Enter whatever you want for the name field and then enter in the rest of appropriate fields with the information from my internet settings section.

9. Once all of that is in, tap the three dots at the top right and tap Save.

10. Tap the dot next to the new APN to turn it green and enable it.

Go to Chrome and try to go to a website (if I may add another shameless plug, http:///ForknPlate.com is a fantastic foodie site you should see). If the site loads, you’re all set.

And there you go, unlocking the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in the easiest way possible. Let me know in the comments below how it went for you, and if you used me to get the code, let others know how the experience was!

Head to my How To section for more tips and tricks!