The best way to Unlock Smartphones via IMEI (three simple steps)

Simple methods to Unlock Cellphones via IMEI

By Leandra Strano

Any time you obtain a cellphone via a network provider, it's locked to that network's service. If the company provide you with a free or reduced price mobile phone, you usually have to agree to a one- or two-year plan as well. You can avoid this contract and freely swap between networks, along with travel overseas and use domestic networks, easily by unlocking your handset using the IMEI number. To permanently unlock your mobile phone follow the three simple steps below.

Step 1

Find the 15-digit IMEI number. This is generally printed on the mobile phone underneath the battery. You can also sometimes locate it in your smartphone's setting page or by entering a special code to get your mobile phone to show the number on your screen. Most often, the code is *#06#

Step 2

When you have located the IMEI number of your phone, contact your current network and inquire if they will provide you with an unlock code. Based on the circumstances, they may grant your request. Having said that, different network carriers can have thier own set of guidelines that need to be met before they'll offer you with an unlock code, and many could very well refuse. Usually, if you've finished your contract, your cell phone provider could very well provide you guidelines on how to factory unlock your smartphone, but normally they will insist you are the original owner of the cellphone (the contract on thier system is in your name). In the event that you are not, for example, you bought the phone secondhand, you'll need to locate an alternative unlocking strategy to officially unlock your mobile phone.

Step 3

If you're not the orginal owner of the mobile phone, you are going to have to acquire an unlock code from a third party provider. Luckily there are a great deal of on line suppliers selling services simply by providing them with your smartphone's IMEI code, it's model and make and the network it's locked to. The cost of the service and the time it will take to IMEI unlock your mobile phone will depend upon these factors, and may vary quite significantly for more obscure models or networks. Utilising a 3rd party unlocking service is generally the fastest and the most hassle-free technique to unlock your smartphone, as it can be conducted remotely without your cell phone ever having to leave your pocession. As soon as your cellphone has been sucessfully unlocked it can then be used with any carrier and in any country you decide.