What is Cell Phone Reprogramming or Flashing?
Flashing is the process of loading specific carrier files to a cell phone in order to have it work with another carrier.
Is Cellular Flashing Legal?
The answer is yes. In fact, the Library of Congress on July 26, 2010 added exemptions to its Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) covering cell phones. In part the exemptions state that users are permitted to unlock, or as some call 
it, jailbreak their phones and unlock firmware that ties a mobile phone to a particular wireless carrier. This law actually has been in effect in a loose form for a few years but was reaffirmed by the DMCA on July 26, 2010.
To Flash My Cell Phone What Is Required?
1. Flashing software (which you can purchase).
2. A USB cable for your phone (the same cable used to download music).
3. A computer with Windows 2000 or newer with a USB Port.
4. A CDMA cell phone (see The Networks section below).
Is It Difficult to Reprogram a Cell Phone?
There are a few good downloadable cellular flashing programs out there that will lead you through reprogramming your phone. If you are familiar with files and have moderate computer skills almost anyone and do it. To begin, look for a flashing program such as Your Cellular. I was able to flash my phone in 20 minutes with no experience. Once you have the software for your cell phone, unzip the files and look for the instructions or read-me docs and follow them carefully. This will give you a good overview of what you will be doing. You should be able to complete the flashing process in about fifteen to twenty minutes once setup. You will be flashing a CDMA phone to a CDMA carrier. See a description of the two major networks below.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
"Flashing is the process of loading specific carrier files to a cell phone in order to have it work with another carrier."
Actually, Flashing is the process used to install, re-install or upgrade any device where the software resides on a chip(bile Phone, PDAs, PCs & Laptops,etc.). This is usually called Firmware - except for PCs & Laptops where it is labeled BIOS - because it refers to the fixed, usually rather small, programs and/or data structures that enable the device's basic operation as well as implementing higher-level functions. Not to be confused with an OS or Operating System.
2 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
*Oops* I meant "Mobile Phones" not "Bile Phones". Though that would be pretty nasty if they had bile-powered phones...*ugh*
3 - Mike
Yes technically you are correct but the article was written with the layman in mind.
4 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
IMO, people are only "layman" when they haven't learned what something is or how it works. So, with all due respect, you should present the information accurately so that people will learn it right the first time.
Trust me, if that program you found doesn't work for at least one time then that person will have to do some research to figure it out. Presenting accurate information will lessen the confusion, at least somewhat, down the road.
5 - Mike
With all due respect, the information is accurate it is just not stated in the terms you would like.
6 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
"Flashing is the process of loading specific carrier files to a cell phone in order to have it work with another carrier."
It's got nothing to do with what I like. This information is incomplete and inaccurate.
7 - remonatrix
Interesting,
I did not know that this could be done. I will certainly have a try and see how it works out.
8 - f8th32
"With all due respect, the information is accurate it is just not stated in the terms you would like."
Nice. And correct.
"It's got nothing to do with what I like. This information is incomplete and inaccurate."
Incomplete, yes. Inaccurate, no.
9 - Maria Merced
I currently have a Boost Mobile Samsung Seek but would like a Verizon Samsung Fascinate. In order to flash the Fascinate would I have to keep the Seek? The seek is just a month old but I want the Fascinate and would like to sell the other one.
10 - Mike
You only need to keep the Seek if you are bound by a contract from Boost.
11 - Angiec67
I want to know if my Boost i465 can be switched to a Sprint Seek phone?
12 - johnday
how could i re program my phone?
13 - gazed
we need the name of one specific program to use
14 - Gblissett
Can I flash my samsung conquer sprint to cricket? If yes do I need to have another phone device to.complete the flashing?
15 - glenn cox
why does it keep asking me to upload files ? what files
16 - KyleTheGreat
I want to know if I can flash my sprint samsung conquer 4g to cricket as well! Please help me figure it out!
17 - captainkrunch
Hey I too have a samsung conquer 4g in which I wish to flash over to cricket from sprint as well! How do I flash it with cdma workshop or odin or whatever I need? Tell me please, for the love of God!
18 - Mike
All the information for flashing a phone can be found at the Your Cellular like in the article.
19 - sherri
can i flash a cricket phone to verizon or straight talk?
20 - Mike
You can not flash a phone to Straight Talk or any other prepaid service. Do do so you would need to clone the ESN ( electronic serial number ) and that is illegal in the U.S.
21 - jen
need help flashing a htc
22 - verdague76
hi there any advice in how to get a real good flashing software with out to much Headache?
23 - John
The website that is listed here is kind of a scam. What they do is upload free software in to one place and then let you download it once you pay them. The software is free on the internet, but I will warn that many of the free versions are illegal to own as they are cracked. The main software used to flash phones is CDMA workshop and it is $99.99 to buy and own from cdmaware.com, but it is useless if you do not know what you are doing. I purchased it and had no clue what to do with it. There is other automated software out there that requires little to no experience to use. Sites such as http://www.remotesquad.com and will actually flash the phone for you if you are looking to have just one phone flashed. I have used them and while a little expensive, you get what you pay for. But rather you choose to have someone flash the phone for you, or do it yourself, just be aware that paying for programs is pretty useless without the knowledge on how to use them, and the site that the author is promoting here is selling free content.
Just my 2 cents
24 - tasha1989
ca some 1 elp me flash my i phone to boost mobile
25 - lisa21
i was wondering would i be able to flash my verizon samsung stellar 4g to verizon prepaid i have an old verizon prepaid phone but it doesnt have a sim card in it or would it be better to have it flashed to pageplus