Mobile devices are often locked to specific carriers (SIM locks) or regions, restricting user freedom. Samsung implements robust security mechanisms, including Knox Guard and carrier lock policies, to enforce these restrictions. Official unlocking requires carrier approval or code purchase. However, third-party tools like SamKEY bypass these mechanisms using privileged access methods.

While unlocking does not typically wipe your data, it is always good practice to back up your contacts, photos, and important files before connecting your phone to unlocking software.

SamKEY uses a Windows-based client that communicates with a remote server. Users must purchase “credits” (tokens) from resellers. Each operation consumes credits, ensuring paid access. The server likely stores exploit payloads and unlocking algorithms, preventing offline analysis.

: In many cases, SamKey can perform a "Direct Unlock," where it communicates with the device to remove the restriction instantly without the user needing to manually enter a code.