Ideas on how to Unlock Phones by IMEI

By Colton Molineaux

When ever you purchase a phone via a mobile phone provider, it's locked to that network's service. If the company provides you with a free or discounted cell phone, you ordinarily have to consent to a one- or two-year plan as well. You can avoid this contract and freely switch between providers, in addition to travel outside of the country and use other networks, easily by unlocking your handset using the IMEI code. Permanently unlock your handset by following the 3 simple steps below.

Step 1

Locate the 15-digit IMEI code. This is typically printed on the cellphone underneath the battery. You can also sometimes locate it inside your mobile phone's setting page or by entering a special code to get your phone to show the IMEI number on the screen. In many instances, this code is *#06#

Step 2

After you've found the IMEI code of your smartphone, get hold of your current network and inquire if they'll give you an unlock code. Dependent on your circumstances, they may possibly grant your request. Having said that, different carriers will probably have thier own conditions that need to be met before they are willing to offer you with an unlock code, and many may very well refuse. Typically, if you have completed your service contract, your cellphone provider will most likely supply you guidelines on how to permanently unlock your phone, but in general they will insist you're the original owner of the cell phone (the contract on thier system is in your name). In the event that you are not, for example, you bought the cell phone second-hand, you need to find an alternative unlocking strategy to IMEI unlock your smartphone.

Step 3

If you are not the orginal owner of the mobile phone, you'll need to acquire an unlock code from a 3rd party supplier. Fortunately there are loads of on-line suppliers offering services simply by giving them your cell phone's IMEI code, it's model and make and the network it's locked to. The price of the service and the time it takes to unlock your smartphone depends upon the above mentioned factors, and may vary quite significantly for more obscure handsets or networks. Utilising a 3rd party unlocking company is often the fastest and most straightforward option to unlock your cellphone, as it will be done remotely without your phone ever needing to leave your pocession. When your cell phone's been sucessfully unlocked it can then be used on any network and in any country you want.