Simple tips to Unlock Cell Phones by IMEI (three very easy steps)

By Kallie Gargano

Anytime you purchase a smartphone via a cellphone provider, it's locked to that network's service. If the company provides you with a free or discounted mobile phone, you typically have to consent to a one- or two-year agreement as well. You can avoid this contract and freely move between providers, along with travel outside of the country and roam on domestic networks, simply by unlocking your handset using the IMEI code. Permanently unlock your smartphone by following the three simple steps below.

Step 1

Find the 15-digit IMEI code. This is usually written on the mobile phone under the battery. You can also typically locate it in your smartphone's setting page or by keying in a unique code to get your cellphone to show the IMEI number on the screen. In many cases, the code is *#06#

Step 2

When you have located the IMEI number of your cell phone, get hold of your current network carrier and find out if they will provide you with an unlock code. Based on the circumstances, they may very well grant your request. But, different providers may have thier own criteria that need to be fulfilled before they will provide you with an unlock code, and many might refuse. Typically, if you've finished your service contract, your mobile phone provider should give you guidelines on how to factory unlock your smartphone, but in most cases they'll insist you are the original owner of the handset (the contract on thier system is in your name). When you are not, for instance, you bought the phone secondhand, you'll need to find an alternative unlocking strategy to factory unlock your cell phone.

Step 3

For those who are not the orginal owner of the smartphone, you'll need to purchase an unlock service from a third party provider. Thankfully there are plenty of on line vendors offering services by just providing them with your cellphone's IMEI code, it's make and model and the network it's locked to. The cost of the service and the time it will take to IMEI unlock your phone depends upon the above mentioned factors, and may vary quite significantly for more obscure handsets or networks. Making use of a third party unlocking service is usually the quickest and the most convenient method to factory unlock your smartphone, as it is completed remotely without your smartphone ever needing to leave your pocession. As soon as cellphone's been sucessfully unlocked it can then be used with any carrier and in any country you want.