What is PUK?

have a sim locked phone? what is puk?
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have a sim locked phone? what is puk?

Is your mobile phone SIM blocked? Is it asking for a PUK code?

Has your mobile phone stopped working? Did you enter an incorrect pin number too many times? Is it showing a Locked SIM message? Does it ask for a PUK code? If it asking for a PUK key then you have probably messed with the security settings on your cell phone and the SIM card is now blocked. The PUK (or PUC) number is the PIN code needed to unfreeze the sim card.

What is the meaning of PUK ?

The acronym PUK is derived from the term Pin Unlocking Key. It is in fact the same as PUC, a similarly derived from Pin Unlocking Code. Few of us have heard of either acronym unless, through some error on our part, our GSM mobile phone, cellular phone or smartcard security feature becomes locked, and we are asked to insert the phones unique four to eight digit PIN (Personal Identification Number) to reverse the measure.

What causes my cellular phone to become locked?

Most mobile phones offer a security protection that, if activated, requires a PIN number to activate the phone after we switch on. While few of us bother to use a PIN, those who do are advised not to replicate our Banking PIN or similarly sensitive accounts, to change the PIN with frequency and NEVER write them down! All too often we forget or confuse these PIN’s and Passwords.

mobile phone is asking for puk pin and is sim locked
SIM Locked Mobile
Why am I being asked for my phone’s PUK or PUC number?
  • You have entered the wrong PIN more than three times
  • Your SIM card has been reported lost or stolen

Most phones permit only three attempts to insert the correct PUK number (PIN) and should we fail to do so the phone is programmed to automatically lock.

What happens if I continue to insert an invalid PIN?

Should the owner continue to repeatedly insert the WRONG pin number, and ten attempts is usually the maximum permitted, then the cellphone locks permanently and your SIM card may as well be thrown away.

How do I find the PUK number?

The PUC code or PUK key is found on the SIM certificate, which you get when you first connect to a wireless network. Entering the PUK number will bring back the original unlocked status of your cellular phone. The PUK can also be obtained from the network service operator (ie. AT&T, Vodafone, Rogers, Movistar, T-Mobile, etc.) after following the appropriate security measures.  This number is unique to the SIM card issued by your provider and has a reasonable level of security against random fraud. Use our list with links to  all worldwide wireless network providers to find the PUK number.

What do I do with the PUK / PUC number provided?

The PUK key code issued to you by your mobile phone company (ie. Orange, Telus, O2, etc.) can now be inserted into the mobile handset following the prompt procedure. This will generate a requirement to create a new PIN, your Personal Identification Number; the number you now need to remember!

How do I insert the PUK number into my wireless device?
sim blocked code or puk pin for mobile phone
Enter PUK number to Unblock

The cellphone will prompt you to enter the PUK number (Personal Unblocking Key) when a blocked SIM card is inserted. If it does not then just reboot the phone. After you have entered the correct PUK code, you must set a new security PIN number.

What happens if I forget my new PIN?

Go back to square one; you HAVE to remember the PIN number or suffer the futility of inconvenience.

Is unlocking my PIN the same as Unlocking my Phone?

No. The commonly used term “unlocking my mobile phone” refers to a procedure that permits the user to substitute the SIM card with a SIM provided by an alternate Network (see Unlocking FAQ’s)

What if I am looking for the code to unlock my mobile phone, not the SIM card?

Not a problem. UnlockWorldwide.com delivers online phone unlocking & SIM unblocking codes for BlackBerry, LG, HTC, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Apple, Nokia & more. Most unlock codes come back in minutes so you can begin using you unlocked phone with SIM cards from other networks on the same day.

Summary

If your mobile phone is SIM locked and asking for the PUC or PUK number follow our above instructions on how to find the PUK code. Use our list to find the wireless network that your SIM card is blocked on to contact them for the PUK number. Enter the code and don’t forget to set a new PIN. Remember, this PIN number is a security  / privacy measure on your mobile phone or smartcard.

37 thoughts on “What is PUK?”

  2. If it is asking for the PUK code you need to either get that code from your SIM card records from when you first got the card. The number should be on there. If not you need to contact the network the SIM card is locked on. The network will provide the PUK number for free. What network is yours locked on?

  3. Pingback: SIM Cards - EverySIM you wanted to know...

  6. I have a vodafone simcard from Australia. I bought it there on 2011. i took it here to Tonga and use the UCall mobile number. Maybe someone do something and it ask for a PUK number. The problem is..I dont have the card of the sim card or any document for this sim card. Please help me where to find a PUK Code for my sim card please….

  11. Dear Sir/Madam,
    I lost my Etisalat Sim pack on a transit ,and later the Sim card got blocked when i was trying to open it and I couldn’t achieve that because it was requesting for the lost PUK code. pls I plea for your urgent help.

    God Bless you.

    Dr. Ken

  12. Ive got a samsung chatter and a telus SIM thats locked….how do I get the PUK as to make it useable ????

  14. dear sir and madam pls my sim card is locked and i dont now how to find my puk number and my network provider i am requeting lost puk and net provider urgent reply

  16. My sim is blocked and its need now puck code.and I dnt knw the puck code.please send me my puck code .
    Thanks
    0508363540

  26. My mobile SAMSUNG SM G531F network and plugging the SIM PIN lock or SIM bloka Network would like to solve this problem is to.

  27. I attempted 10 times to unlock my sim but it didnt open at last it showed my sim was rejected what shld i do nw pls tell me

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