Alexei Volkov
Anti-theft plastic cases are a nuisance for those who have legitimately purchased the item inside, but now can't open it. The good news is that there are several ways to open these cases, depending on the type of lock. Some anti-theft cases have a sliding magnet lock, which can be opened with a strong magnet or two neodymium magnets. Other cases may require a special magnetic key. If you don't have access to magnets, you can try using a screwdriver to press the lock tabs and slide the lock to the right until it unlocks. If all else fails, you can take a more destructive approach with a hammer and chisel, or a saw to cut the case open.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Hammer, chisel, grinder, saw, oscillating multi-tool, flathead screwdriver, magnets |
| Steps | Place magnets on either side of the locking bar and slide them to the right until the lock icon turns green; use a screwdriver to press the lock icon to the right until it turns green; hit the corners with a hammer; take it to the store and ask them to remove it |
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What You'll Learn
Using a strong magnet
If you want to open an anti-theft plastic case with a magnet, you'll need to locate the internal magnets inside the case. Place a magnet on the left of the locking bar, sliding it around until you feel the magnets snap into place. Then, place another magnet to the right of the locking bar. You should now have two magnets aligned with the internal magnets on the case.
Slowly slide both magnets to the right at the same time. You only need to move the magnets about one inch (2.5 cm) to the right. This will drag the internal magnets, moving the case lock from the "locked" to the "unlocked" position. You can tell when the case is unlocked because there should be a red security icon in the middle of the locking bar that turns green when unlocked.
If you don't have magnets at home, you can use any household magnet, like those found on a fridge. If the magnets you have are too weak to unlock the case, try using stronger magnets.
Alternatively, you can purchase a magnet key online for a low price.
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Using multiple screwdrivers
To open an anti-theft plastic case with multiple screwdrivers, you can try the following method, which has been suggested for opening DVD cases. First, take two screwdrivers and stick them into both lock tabs near the locking bar. There are two small holes on the front and back cases, about 2-3 inches (5.1-7.6 cm) down from the locking bar. Insert a separate screwdriver into each of these holes and leave them there at the same time.
Next, take a third screwdriver and poke the red lock icon in the middle of the locking bar. With the screwdriver pressed against the plastic, slide the red lock to the right until it becomes the green unlocked icon. You should hear a click as the case unlocks.
Once the lock icon has been moved, you can take out all the screwdrivers and open the case. Hold the front case with one hand and the back case with the other, and open it from the locking bar.
Alternatively, if you are trying to open a DVD case, you can try using a flathead screwdriver on the black tab on the top left of the case, pushing it right to left. You can also try wedging a flathead screwdriver into the four little slats with a hammer, twisting it, and then flipping open the latch.
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Smashing the case
If you do need to smash the case, you can use a hammer and chisel, or a hammer and a screwdriver to hit the corners of the case. You could also use a saw, a grinder, or a pry bar to force the case open. If you are going to break the case, it is recommended to use a saw on the bottom right corner, and then use a pry bar when the cut is deep enough. An oscillating multi-tool could also be used to cut away at the case until it can be opened.
If you are attempting to open a DVD case, it is possible to use a screwdriver to unlock the case without smashing it. DVD cases have small, internal locking mechanisms located along the edge of the case. By poking the lock icon with a screwdriver, you can unlock the case without causing any damage.
It is worth noting that if you do not want to damage the case, you could take it to the store where it was purchased, along with proof of purchase, and ask them to remove the anti-theft case.
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Using a hammer
If you do decide to use a hammer, it is recommended to use a soft hammer and apply force with your thumb. Alternatively, you can try wedging a flathead screwdriver into the slats of the case with a hammer and then twisting it to pop the lock. This method may require you to repeat the process for all four slats or just the two outside slats, depending on the case's design.
Another approach is to combine the use of a hammer with other tools. For example, you could use a hammer to strike a screwdriver wedged into the case, creating more force to potentially break the plastic.
While using a hammer can be a straightforward method, it may not always be the most effective or subtle approach. It is also important to consider that some anti-theft cases have alarms that will go off when forcibly opened, which could draw unwanted attention.
Overall, while using a hammer may work in some cases, it is not a guaranteed method and may require additional tools or force to successfully open an anti-theft plastic case.
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Returning to the store
If you have purchased a product that is secured in an anti-theft plastic case, you may need to return to the store to have it removed. This is because the store will have the necessary device to open the case without damaging the product inside.
It is recommended that you bring your receipt or proof of purchase when returning to the store, as this will help the staff verify that you bought the product and are not attempting to steal it. In some cases, staff may refuse to open the case without proof of purchase.
If you are unable to return to the original store where you made the purchase, you can try visiting another store that uses similar anti-theft plastic cases. For example, if you purchased a Blu-ray disc from Walmart that is secured in a plastic case, you may be able to take it to a Target store and have them open it for you, even if it was originally purchased at a different retailer. However, this may vary depending on the store's policies and discretion.
It is important to note that attempting to open the anti-theft plastic case by yourself using tools or other methods may damage the product inside or void any warranties. Therefore, returning to the store is often the safest option to ensure the case is removed without causing any harm to the product.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a strong magnet to pull the lock to the side and open the case. If this doesn't work, try hitting the corners with a hammer.
You can use two screwdrivers instead of magnets. Insert them into the holes near the locking bar and press down on the lock tabs to unlock the case.
You can try taking it back to the store where it was purchased and asking them to remove it, but make sure to bring your proof of purchase.
You could try using a saw or grinder to cut the plastic and break the case open, but this may damage the contents.
Yes, you can try using a flathead screwdriver or a chisel to pop the hinges if the case has them.
