Tips to Unlock Cell Phones via IMEI (three easy-to-follow steps)

By Maricruz Alcini

Every time you obtain a mobile phone via a mobile provider, it's locked to that company's service. If the company offers you a free or discounted phone, you normally have to consent to a 1- or 2-year contract as well. You can avoid this contract and freely move between providers, in addition to travel overseas and use other networks, simply by unlocking your handset using the IMEI code. In order to unlock your cellphone, simply follow the 3 steps below.

Step 1

Get the 15-digit IMEI code. This is generally printed on the smartphone beneath the battery. You can also sometimes locate it inside your smartphone's setting page or by entering a special code to get your smartphone to show the IMEI number on the screen. In many cases, this code is *#06#

Step 2

When you've located the IMEI number of your phone, contact your current service provider and inquire if they'll provide you with an unlock code. Depending on your circumstances, they could possibly grant your request. Unfortunately, different network carriers will likely have thier own conditions that need to be met before they will supply you with an unlock code, and many could very well refuse. Normally, if you have finished your service contract, your smart phone provider could supply you guidelines on how to unlock your phone, but normally they'll insist you are the original owner of the mobile phone (the contract on thier system is in your name). If you are not, for instance, you bought the phone secondhand, you must locate an alternative unlocking strategy to factory unlock your phone.

Step 3

When you're not the orginal owner of the mobile phone, you are going to need to buy an unlock code from a 3rd party supplier. The good news is there are loads of on line providers offering services by just giving them your smartphone's IMEI number, it's make and model and the network it is locked to. The cost of the service and the time it takes to IMEI unlock your smartphone depends upon the aforementioned factors, and can vary quite considerably for more obscure handsets or networks. Working with a third party unlocking company is frequently the fastest and the most convenient way to unlock your cellphone, as it will be carried out remotely without your smartphone ever having to leave your pocession. As soon as your cell phone's been sucessfully unlocked it can then be used on any network and in any country you decide.