If you want to use your old cell phone with a new carrier, you will need to learn how to flash a phone, also known as reprogramming. While you can take your phone to an authorized dealer to get it flashed for you, you can also learn how to flash your phone yourself.
Before you start, you must have a CDMA phone with a clean ESN (not reported lost or stolen), the correct USB cord for your device, and compatible flashing software. You also need to decide on a new CDMA carrier and ensure your phone’s drivers are up-to-date on your computer.
Warning: Flashing your phone is a risky process that can permanently disable your device, a state known as “bricking.” This action will also void any existing manufacturer’s warranty. Be aware that flashing a phone to certain services like Straight Talk is illegal because it requires cloning the ESN.
Follow these detailed instructions to prepare your equipment and successfully reprogram your CDMA phone for use on a different network.
To begin, determine if your phone is a CDMA model, which can be flashed. GSM phones cannot be flashed. Remove the battery from your phone and look for a removable subscriber identity module (SIM) card slot. If there is no SIM card slot, you have a CDMA phone.
Get your phone’s USB cord, which is the same one you use to connect it to a computer for downloading music or transferring files. Search for and download a compatible flashing software program. Ensure the one you choose will work with your particular phone model. Examples include software from Easyflasher.com and CDMA-ware.com.
Decide which CDMA network you want to flash your phone to. Popular options include Cricket, Page Plus, and Metro PCS. You can check the reception for various carriers in your area at Cellreception.com.
Download the flashing program of your choice onto your computer and unzip the files. Before you begin, read any included instructions carefully. Check that your phone’s drivers are installed and up to date on your computer. If you are unsure, visit your phone manufacturer’s official website to download the latest drivers for your model.
In the flashing software, enter the required information, such as your phone’s original carrier, the carrier you are flashing to, and its make and model. You may also be prompted to choose between a “half flash” for talk and text only, or a “full flash.”
Locate your phone’s MEID and ESN numbers, which are found on a sticker underneath the battery. The MEID will be 18 digits (MEID Dec) or 15 characters (MEID Hex), while the ESN is 8 digits (sometimes labeled PESN).
Use the software’s function to detect your phone. Note: If you are flashing a Verizon phone and the software asks for an unlock code, the code is typically six zeroes (000000). Select the write button in the software and confirm the action when prompted. The software will now begin flashing the phone, which will automatically reboot when the process is successful.
Pro tip: Before you start, contact the customer service of the carrier you plan to switch to and ask if they accept “foreign” or “brought-in” ESNs. Not all carriers do, and this will save you from flashing a phone you cannot activate.
Learning to flash a phone gives you the freedom to switch between CDMA carriers without being locked into a contract or needing to buy a new device. This can lead to significant cost savings, allowing you to take advantage of better plans or promotions from competing service providers.
Beyond saving money, this skill extends the useful life of your hardware. Instead of discarding a perfectly functional phone when you change carriers, you can reprogram it and continue using it. This is not only an economical choice but also an environmentally friendly practice that helps reduce electronic waste.
