Locking and Unlocking Your SIM and Mobile Device

You can lock your device's SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card to prevent unauthorized individuals from using your device to establish connections. You control access to the SIM Card using a SIM Personal Identification Number (PIN). When the SIM PIN is enabled, the SIM card remains locked until you enter the correct PIN to unlock it. You may also want to unlock the device itself to accept a non-T-Mobile SIM by entering a Subsidy Unlock Code provided by T-Mobile customer service.

Enabling your SIM PIN

To control access to the SIM card through your SIM PIN, do the following:

1. Open the Configuration screen to the General tab.
2. Click the Enable PIN Lock checkbox in the SIM PIN Settings area. The "Enable SIM PIN" dialog appears.
3. Enter your current SIM PIN in the PIN Code field.
4. Click Enable PIN to lock the device. The "SIM PIN Enabled" dialog appears.
5. Click OK to close the dialog or click Power Off Now to activate the PIN lock on your device. If you click OK, the PIN lock will be enabled the next time you cycle the power on your device.

Disabling Your SIM PIN

To no longer control access to the SIM card through your SIM PIN, do the following:

1. Open the Configuration screen to the General tab.
2. Deselect the Enable PIN Lock checkbox in the SIM PIN Settings area. The Disable SIM PIN dialog appears.
3. Enter your current SIM PIN in the space provided.
4. Click Disable PIN to unlock the device. You will no longer have to unlock the SIM each time you want to connect to the mobile broadband network.

Changing Your SIM PIN

You can change your SIM PIN when the SIM PIN lock is enabled. To change your SIM PIN, do the following:

1. Open the Configuration screen to the General tab.
2. Click Change PIN in the SIM PIN Settings area. The Change SIM PIN dialog appears.
3. Enter your current SIM PIN in the PIN field.
4. Enter your new SIM PIN in the New PIN and Verify PIN fields. These values must match.
5. Click Change PIN to change your SIM PIN.

Unlocking Your SIM

If your SIM PIN is enabled, you must unlock your SIM before you can connect to the mobile broadband network. To unlock your SIM, do the following:

1. Open the Dashboard screen.
2. Click Unlock SIM in the Device Status area. The "Unlock SIM" dialog appears.

Note: If your SIM is PUK locked, the "PUK Required" dialog will appear. See the PUK Codes section below for instructions on unblocking your SIM card using a PUK code.

3. Enter your SIM PIN in the PIN Code field.
4. Click Unlock to unlock your SIM.

Note: After unlocking your SIM, your SIM PIN is still enabled. You will have to unlock your SIM each time you want to connect to the mobile broadband network. If you no longer want to do this, follow the steps for disabling your SIM PIN.

5. Click OK in the SIM PIN Changed dialog.

PUK Codes

Devices sometimes limit the number of incorrectly entered SIM PINs. This usually ranges from three (3) to ten (10) possible PIN entry attempts. If you fail to enter a correct SIM PIN within the number of permitted attempts, you must enter a PUK code to re-enable PIN security and then reset your SIM's PIN as instructed below.

Note: Depending on who you ask, PUK stands for either "Personal Unblocking Key" or "PIN Unlock Key." Both names refer to the same code.

Follow these steps to enter a PUK code and reset your SIM's PIN.

1. If you do not know your SIM's PUK code, contact T-Mobile technical support to obtain the correct code.
2. If it is not already open, follow these steps to open the PUK Unlock dialog:
a. Open the Dashboard screen.
b. Click Unlock SIM in the Device Status area. The PUK Required dialog appears.
c. Click Enter PUK. The PUK Unlock dialog appears.
3. Type your PUK in the PUK Code box.
4. Enter the new PIN you wish to use in both the New PIN and the Verify PIN boxes.
5. Click Unlock.

Warning! Be careful when entering the PUK. If you enter the PUK code incorrectly ten (10) times, your SIM will be permanently blocked and you will need to purchase a new SIM card.

Unlocking Your Device

If you need to unlock your device to accept a non-T-Mobile SIM, you must obtain a Subsidy Unlock Code from T-Mobile customer service. To unlock your device, do the following:

1. Insert the unsupported SIM into your hotspot device.
2. Turn on your hotspot.
3. Connect to your hotspot.
4. Access the T-Mobile webConnect client.
5. After logging in, instead of the Connect/Disconnect button, the Unlock Device button appears.
6. Click the Unlock Device button. The Unlock Device dialog appears.
7. Enter the unlock code you obtained from T-Mobile customer service. Click Show Pin text to display the code as you enter it in the field.
8. Click Unlock to unlock your device.