Learn how to Unlock Mobiles via IMEI

Guidelines on how to Unlock Cellphones via IMEI (in three steps)

By Ignacia Pilakowski

When you buy a cellphone from a mobile phone provider, it will be locked into that network's service. If the company gives you a free or discounted cellphone, you normally have to agree to a 1- or 2-year plan as well. You can avoid this contract and freely switch between networks, along with travel abroad and use other networks, easily by unlocking your handset using the IMEI number. Following the 3 simple steps below will enable you to unlock your smartphone permanently.

Step 1

Find the 15-digit IMEI number. This is generally written on the smartphone under the battery. You can also sometimes find it on your mobile phone's setting page or by entering a unique code to get your mobile phone to display the number on your screen. Most often, the code is *#06#

Step 2

After you have located the IMEI number of your smartphone, speak to your current carrier and inquire if they will give you an unlock code. Based on your circumstances, they may possibly grant your request. Nonetheless, many providers often have thier own set of guidelines that need to be met before they are willing to offer you with an unlock code, and many can refuse. Usually, if you've completed your contract, your phone provider could very well give you instructions on how to IMEI unlock your mobile phone, but in general they'll insist you're the original owner of the cellphone (the contract on thier system is in your name). In the event that you are not, for instance, you bought the mobile phone second hand, you must locate an alternative unlocking technique to unlock your cell phone.

Step 3

For anybody who is not the orginal owner of the cell phone, you will have to buy an unlock code from a 3rd party service provider. Fortunately there are loads of online vendors selling services merely by giving them your 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 phone depends upon the above mentioned factors, and will vary quite considerably for more obscure mobiles or networks. Utilising a third party unlocking company is typically the fastest and most straightforward technique to unlock your cell phone, as it will be done remotely without your phone ever having to leave your pocession. After your smartphone's been sucessfully unlocked it can then be used with any carrier and in any country you chose.