Best ways to Unlock Mobiles via IMEI (in 3 easy to understand steps)

By Leta Defir

Anytime you get a smartphone from a mobile phone provider, it's actually locked into that network's service. If the company provides you with a free or discounted cellphone, you generally have to consent to a 1- or 2-year agreement as well. You can avoid this contract and freely move between providers, along with travel abroad and use domestic networks, easily by unlocking your handset using the IMEI code. Following the three simple step below will enable your cellphone to be unlocked permanently.

Step 1

Find the 15-digit IMEI number. This is generally written on the phone under the battery. You can also typically find it inside your cell phone's setting page or by entering a special code to get your cellphone to show the IMEI number on the screen. In most cases, this code is *#06#

Step 2

When you have located the IMEI number of your phone, call your existing service provider and ask them if they'll supply you with an unlock code. Based on the circumstances, they could grant your request. Unfortunately, different providers may have thier own requirements that need to be met before they'll give you with an unlock code, and many may very well refuse. Generally, if you've completed your service contract, your smart phone provider will most likely provide you directions on how to unlock your phone, but frequently they'll insist you are the original owner of the smartphone (the contract on thier system is in your name). In the event you're not, for instance, you purchased the cell phone 2nd hand, you must find an alternative unlocking strategy to unlock your smartphone.

Step 3

For those who are not the orginal owner of the cellphone, you will need to obtain an unlock service from a third party provider. Fortunately there are a lot of on-line providers selling services by simply giving them your mobile phone's IMEI number, it's make and model and the network it's locked to. The price of the service and the time it will take to IMEI unlock your cellphone depends upon the aforementioned factors, and may vary quite significantly for more obscure mobiles or networks. Utilizing a third party unlocking provider is commonly the quickest and the most straightforward technique to IMEI unlock your smartphone, as it can be done remotely without your mobile phone ever having to leave your pocession. When your phone has been sucessfully unlocked it can then be used with any carrier and in any country you want.