Over the past two years, Motorola has carved out a pretty nice niche in the Android world. Motorola’s Moto X design team has pushed boundaries, delivering customized smartphones with unique materials to suite our individual tastes. Add in near-stock Android and an unlocked SIM slot, and the Moto X delivers an uncompromising user experience that can be used on nearly any GSM network around the world. That is, if you don’t purchase your Moto X from a service provider.

If you bought your Moto X through Moto Maker, the phone comes SIM unlocked out of the box. If you want to switch service providers or avoid exorbitant roaming fees when traveling abroad, just pop in a different SIM card and you’re all set. Any Moto X purchased from a service provider comes with a locked SIM slot, which will not allow the phone to be used with a SIM card from a competing service provider.

Fortunately, obtaining a SIM unlock code is fairly easy. If you don’t owe any money on your phone or are no longer restricted by your two-year contract with your service provider, there’s a good chance that you can request your SIM unlock code from them at no cost. For everyone else, buying a SIM unlock code from a service like Android SIM Unlock for $15 is the only alternative.

Option 1: Request your Free Motorola Moto X SIM unlock code from your service provider

• Locate your phone’s IMEI number by dialing #06#
• Write down your IMEI number
• Call your service provider’s customer service line and ask for the SIM unlock code for your Moto X
• Provide your Moto X IMEI number to process the unlock code request
• Your service provider will email you the SIM unlock code for your phone in 2-3 days

Option 2: Purchase your Motorola Moto X SIM unlock code

• Locate your phone’s IMEI number by dialing #06#
• Write down your IMEI number
• Visit Android SIM Unlock (or any other third-party SIM unlock service)
• Enter your Moto X IMEI number
• Enter your email address and preferred payment method to complete the checkout
• Android SIM Unlock will email you the SIM unlock for your phone in 1-2 days

SIM unlock your Motorola Moto X

• Turn off your Moto X
• Use your SIM removal tool (or a paper clip) to remove the SIM card from your phone
• Replace your SIM card with one from different service provider
• Turn your Moto X back on
• When prompted, enter the unlock code that you received from your service provider or Android SIM Unlock
• Congratulations! Your have just unlocked your Moto X

With an unlocked Motorola Moto X, you can swap SIM cards to your heart’s content. There’s no need to buy a new phone if you’re switching service providers, and you’ll easily be able to pick up a local SIM card when traveling to avoid those pesky global roaming fees when traveling outside the country.