Tips on how to Unlock Mobiles by IMEI

Posted by Ibsen Gibbons on February 26th, 2021

How one can Unlock Mobiles via IMEI (three simple steps)

By Brittney Bolar

Anytime you purchase a mobile phone via a mobile provider, it is always locked to that network's service. If the company offers you a free or reduced price phone, you commonly have to consent to a one- or two-year plan as well. You can avoid this contract and freely move between networks, as well as travel outside of the country and use other networks, simply by unlocking your mobile phone using the IMEI number. The three simple steps below are all that is needed to officially unlock your phone permanently.

Step 1

Get the 15-digit IMEI code. This is typically written on the cell phone underneath the battery. You can also typically locate it on your smartphone's setting page or by entering a special code to get your smartphone to display the IMEI number on your screen. Most of the time, the code is *#06#

Step 2

When you've located the IMEI number of your smartphone, get hold of your current service provider and inquire if they will supply you with an unlock code. Depending on the circumstances, they might grant your request. Even so, different service providers will probably have thier own criteria that need to be met before they are willing to provide you with an unlock code, and many might refuse. Normally, if you have finished your service contract, your smartphone provider will most likely give you instructions on how to unlock your cellphone, but usually they will insist you are the original owner of the cellphone (the contract on thier system is in your name). If you are not, for instance, you purchased the cell phone 2nd hand, you'll need to locate an alternative unlocking technique to permanently unlock your mobile phone.

Step 3

For anybody who is not the orginal owner of the cell phone, you are going to have to acquire an unlock service from a third party service provider. Fortunately there are a great deal of online suppliers offering services by simply giving them your cellphone's IMEI code, it's make and model and the network it is locked to. The cost of the service and the time it will take to unlock your cell phone will depend upon the above mentioned factors, and may vary quite significantly for more obscure handsets or networks. Utilising a third party unlocking company is usually the quickest and the most convenient method to IMEI unlock your cell phone, as it will be done remotely without your mobile phone ever needing to leave your pocession. Once your smartphone's been sucessfully unlocked it can then be used with any carrier and in any country you decide.