Device Unlock is an application that allows you to request and apply a Mobile Device Unlock directly from the device. For many of you Android users out there, you probably know your way around, but there are many out there with tied-down phones who have no idea where to start. And since unlocked phones are basically a civil liberty for the time being, T-Mobile plans to help them.
Note: Unlocking your smartphone is completely different from rooting your Android device. For walk-through on how to root most Android devices, kindly read: 3 Steps to Root any Android Phone with 1 Click
A Coin of Two Sides
The Device Unlock App offers you two options: one that permanently unlocks a device, for those who want complete freedom from the carrier, and a temporary unlock, which frees the phone for 30 days so you an use it overseas. The permanent unlocking option will check to see if your device is actually eligible for it before it completes the process.
The Downside
While the functionality of this app remains flawless, the limitation of supported devices remains the Achilles heel: So far, the application may install successfully on devices like T-mobile variant of the LG G3 but only works on Samsung Avant devices as clearly stated on the Play Store description. This has earned it a number of criticism among Android users in the Play Store. However, according to TmoNews.com, the US’s fourth biggest carrier is working on an app that lets its users easily unlock their phones with the literal touch of a button. It’s a really smart idea, and it’s probably how the carrier plans to appeal to all the novice smartphone users out there.
When unlocking is unsuccessful an alert pops up with details on why the your unlocking failed (See screenshot above).