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Unlocks · transfers · setup

New phone day?
We make it painless.

Carrier unlocks, new-phone setup, data transfers, and email and password help. The stuff a friendly nephew used to do, but with a 9-year track record.

  • Free diagnosis
  • Walk-ins welcome
New iPhone setup at the Phone Studio counter in Courtice
5.0· 305+ Google reviews

Unlocks · transfers · setup

Phone unlocking and new-device setup

Phones sold new in Canada have come unlocked since 2017, but plenty of phones still arrive at our bench locked: second-hand phones, phones bought in the US or overseas, and older devices from before the rule changed. That lock doesn't lift on its own. It can sit there long after the phone is fully paid off. Unlocking removes the block so the phone can accept a SIM from any provider, on any network, anywhere.

Six jobs under one roof: carrier unlocking for Bell, Rogers, Telus, Freedom and the rest; new-phone setup; phone-to-phone data transfers including the iPhone-to-Android switch; Apple ID and Google account help; email setup on phone, tablet and laptop; and a sit-down walk-through of a device you just bought. It's the stuff a patient friend used to do for you, done by someone who does it every day. We only unlock devices you legally own, and we tell you up front when something (like iCloud Activation Lock) only the account owner or Apple can clear.

Unlocking pays off beyond the day you do it. A cheaper local SIM beats roaming charges the next time you travel. An unlocked phone is worth more when you sell it or hand it down, because it works on any carrier. And if a better plan comes along, you can switch to it without buying a new phone.

Most carrier unlocks land inside one to three business days, sometimes same-day, and an in-shop new-phone setup usually takes half an hour to forty-five minutes. Unlocking and setup help is handled at our Courtice store at 2 Glenabbey Dr, Unit 5. We're one bench in Courtice serving customers from Oshawa, Bowmanville and Whitby. Walk in, no appointment needed, and bring both phones plus any passwords you have.

  • 305+ Google reviews
  • 9+ Years hands-on experience
  • Free Diagnosis on every device

Common jobs

What we sort out on a typical day.

  • Carrier unlock

    Most popular

    Unlock a Bell / Rogers / Telus / Freedom phone (also called a SIM unlock) to use on any network worldwide.

  • iPhone & Android data transfer

    Move contacts, photos, messages, WhatsApp and apps from your old phone to your new one.

  • iPhone ↔ Android switch

    Moving between platforms is hard. We know what carries across and what doesn't.

  • Apple ID & Google help

    Password resets you can't do alone, and 2-factor lockouts when you can prove the account is yours.

  • Email setup

    We set up Gmail, Outlook, iCloud and Yahoo on your phone, tablet and laptop.

  • New device walk-through

    Sit with us for 30 minutes and leave knowing how to use the device you just bought.

Sound familiar?

Why people bring it in.

  • Locked to Bell / Rogers / Telus / Freedom
  • Bought from outside Canada and won't take a SIM
  • Can't restore from iCloud backup
  • New phone, old phone, contacts didn't move
  • Don't know my Apple ID password
  • 2-factor lockout (no longer have the old number)
  • Email won't set up on the new phone
  • Just bought a new iPhone or Galaxy, need help setting it up

Devices we cover

Carriers we unlock

  • Bell
  • Rogers
  • Telus
  • Freedom Mobile
  • Fido
  • Koodo
  • Virgin Plus
  • Public Mobile
  • Chatr
  • US carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon)

How it works

1. Bring everything

  • Both old and new device
  • Cables and chargers
  • Any passwords you have
  • Apple ID / Google account email

2. We walk you through

  • Backup the old device
  • Restore to the new one
  • Verify email and apps work
  • Pair AirPods / Watch

3. You leave ready

  • Everything working
  • A note of important account info
  • Confidence to use the new device

The neighbours have opinions.

A handful of recent reviews, straight from the people who walked in with a broken device. 5.0 stars on Google across 305+ reviews.

5 out of 5 stars

These guys are awesome always, always like to come back here for my devices.Care and they help me to set up my new phones. Highly recommend Great store in courtice

DaveCourtice · Phone setup
5 out of 5 stars

VJ helped me setup a Koodo Prepaid line for my visit here in Canada! Super knowledgeable and a great deal, I'm glad I had them help me for my cellphone plan!

ThonicCourtice · Koodo prepaid setup
5 out of 5 stars

VJ was great to deal with and replaced my lcd screen and screen on my iPad for a great price and same day!

JbCourtice · iPad LCD screen repair
5 out of 5 stars

3rd time is the charm. My S20FE suffered serious salt water corrosion. The first and second repair shop opened the phone and said they could not retrieve the data and photos. Mat and Vijay cleaned and retrieved 5 years of contacts and photos! I was shocked and very happy. These two are very skilled and knowledgeable and simply the Best. Highly Recommended. I simply cannot thank them enough!

FrancoisCourtice · Samsung S20 FE salt water data recovery
5 out of 5 stars

My 6 year old broke her screen on her tablet. I called these people . They made time for me right away. Finished in 1.5 hrs. Great service, great price! Highly recommended :)

DaleCourtice · Tablet screen repair
5 out of 5 stars

They fix my iPhone 12 Pro Max screen and back both on same day Thank you so much guys . Really good store in courtice

AshwinCourtice · iPhone 12 Pro Max screen and back glass

Visit Phone Studio.

Inside Glenabbey Plaza, just off Townline Rd S. Look for the orange sign, parking is right out front.

Phone Studio storefront in Glenabbey Plaza, Courtice
Mon-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5Parking out frontWalk-ins welcome
Hours
Mon to Fri10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

courtice@phonestudio.ca · free diagnosis

Locked out? We'll quote it today.

A carrier lock, a forgotten passcode, a setup you can't finish. Tell us the device and most quotes come back inside 30 minutes during shop hours. We never start until you say yes.

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FAQ

Unlocking & setup FAQ

  • Yes, carrier unlocking is legal in Canada and Canadian carriers are required to sell unlocked phones since 2017. We unlock legally-owned devices only; we won't unlock a device flagged as lost or stolen.

  • We unlock carrier-locked iPhones if you legally own the device. iCloud Activation Lock requires the owner's Apple ID and password. We cannot bypass it (and reputable shops never claim to).

  • Most carrier unlocks (also called SIM unlocks) are completed inside 1–3 business days. Sometimes same-day, depending on the carrier and method.

  • Yes. Bring both phones and any passwords you have, and we move contacts, photos, messages, WhatsApp and apps across, including the iPhone-to-Android switch that usually loses things. Most in-shop transfers take 30–45 minutes.

  • Yes, quick-start transfer in the shop. Bring both phones and your Apple ID password. We can usually do it inside 30–45 minutes.

  • We can guide you through Apple's recovery process if you have your linked email or trusted phone number. Without those, only Apple themselves can recover an Apple ID, but we'll help you talk to them.

  • Unlocking and setup help is handled at our Courtice store at 2 Glenabbey Dr, Unit 5. We're one Courtice bench serving customers from Oshawa, Bowmanville, Whitby and across Durham Region. Walk in, no appointment needed.