How to Change my PIN and PUK

A PIN, or Personal Identification Number, is a number that is used by some SIM cards and cell phones in order to prevent unauthorized users from accessing a user’s cell phone. A PIN is usually between 4 and 8 digits long and may consist of a “PIN1” for locking the entire handset and a “PIN2” for locking specific features, such as resetting the handset. In these cases, the user has three opportunities to enter a correct PIN before the PIN is blocked and a PUK must be used.

What Is A PUK

A PUK, or PIN Unblocking Key, is a number that is also between 4 and 8 digits long and is used to unblock PIN entry fields when a user has entered an incorrect PIN more than three times. While most people do not forget their PIN number, a PUK may be unknown to the user, but may be found in the phone’s documentation. Like PINs, a PUK may consist of a “PUK1” for unblocking a handset PIN (PIN1) and a “PUK2” for unblocking a PIN for specific features (PIN2). Users generally have ten opportunities to enter a correct PUK before the phone must be taken to the cell phone company and re-activated.

How To Change My PIN and PUK

To change your PIN and PUK, enter these sequences on your mobile telephone keypad:

Users should keep in mind that a PIN or PUK cannot be changed if the user does not already know the old PIN and PUK. Likewise, these commands will not work on all phones. Additionally, changing a PIN or PUK will prevent the cell phone company from re-activating a phone if the new numbers are lost.