Need to unlock a phone? T-Mobile simplifies the process with a mobile app.

With device unlocking now legal in the U.S., it is now possible for consumers to use a device purchased from one carrier and then use it for another. Carriers, however, have requested that they control how a device will be unlocked and it looks like T-Mobile is first to bat with an unlocking app.

T-Mobile has always made it easier for consumers to do all sorts of things, from paying bills to upgrading devices, so it's not that surprising for the carrier to come up with a way to simplify unlocking a device. Enter Device Unlock. A sim-unlocking app developed by T-Mobile, Device Unlock only runs at the moment on Samsung Galaxy Avant units (pre-installed too!) so the carrier may still be doing a testing round for the app. 

The unlocking app offers two options: temporary and permanent. The temporary option unlocks a device temporarily for 30 days while the permanent option, well, permanently unlocks the device. But to permanently unlock a phone, T-Mobile has some requirements.

Device Unlock first checks if a device may be permanently unlocked before proceeding with the process. Test units that have tried the app were unsuccessful at unlocking because they were still under contract. This means that if subscribers still paying off their phones will not be able to unlock their devices.

T-Mobile's set of requirements for unlocking a device through the app has not been released but it is assumed to be same that the carrier already has for non-app unlocking services. This means that a device is eligible for unlocking if it is at least: a T-Mobile device; has not been reported blocked, stolen or lost; and is associated with an account in good standing. If a device meets these requirements, a temporary unlocking should be possible.

In the past, unlocking a device with T-Mobile entailed contacting the carrier's customer service to request for an unlocking code as well as assistance throughout the process. And even then, codes are provided within two business days of receiving a request so the process must be initiated in advance if a subscriber requires unlocking to be able to use their device on a different network while traveling.

The process of unlocking a device is so much simpler now thanks to T-Mobile's app. There is no word yet, however, if an eligible device will be immediately unlocked or if some waiting period will still be required before the process is finalized.