Proven methods to Unlock Smartphones via IMEI

Posted by Cheek Hanley on February 3rd, 2021

Tips to Unlock Cellular Phones via IMEI

By Cedric Grube

Any time you buy a smartphone from a cellular provider, it's always locked into that company's service. If the company offers you a free or discounted phone, you normally have to agree to a one- or two-year agreement as well. You can avoid this contract and freely switch between providers, and also travel abroad and use domestic networks, easily by unlocking your phone using the IMEI number. By simply following the three simple steps below your cell phone will be unlocked in permanently.

Step 1

Locate the 15-digit IMEI code. This is typically printed on the cell phone beneath the battery. You can also sometimes locate it on your cellphone's setting page or by keying in a special code to get your mobile phone to show the number on your screen. In most cases, the code is *#06#

Step 2

Upon having found the IMEI number of your smartphone, speak to your current service provider and find out if they'll offer you an unlock code. Depending on the circumstances, they could grant your request. However, different networks are going to have thier own set of guidelines that need to be fulfilled before they'll provide you with an unlock code, and many may well refuse. Often, if you have completed your service contract, your mobile provider will probably supply you directions on how to IMEI unlock your phone, but normally they'll insist you're the original owner of the cell phone (the contract on thier system is in your name). If you're not, for example, you bought the cell phone used, you'll need to find an alternative unlocking process to IMEI unlock your cell phone.

Step 3

For anybody who is not the orginal owner of the cell phone, you are going to need to get an unlock service from a third party provider. Thankfully there are loads of online companies offering services by just providing them with your cell phone's IMEI code, it's make and model and the network it is locked to. The price of the service and the time it takes to unlock your cell phone will depend upon the above mentioned factors, and will vary quite significantly for more obscure mobiles or networks. Making use of a 3rd party unlocking service is normally the quickest and most straightforward method to permanently unlock your cell phone, as it is carried out remotely without your mobile phone ever needing to leave your pocession. As soon as your cell phone has been sucessfully unlocked it can then be used on any network and in any country you decide.