Easy methods to Unlock Cellular Phones by IMEI (three very easy steps)
By Mathew Ringen
If you buy a smartphone from a cell phone provider, it is locked to that network's service. If the company offers you a free or discounted phone, you typically have to consent to a one- or two-year agreement as well. You can avoid this contract and freely change between providers, and also travel outside of the country and use domestic networks, easily by unlocking your smartphone using the IMEI number. The 3 simple steps below are all that is needed to officially unlock your cell phone permanently.
Step 1
Get the 15-digit IMEI code. This is generally written on the mobile phone underneath the battery. You can also typically locate it inside your cellphone's setting page or by keying in a unique code to get your cell phone to show the number on your screen. In many cases, this code is *#06#
Step 2
Upon having located the IMEI code of your smartphone, speak to your current network and ask them if they'll offer you an unlock code. Depending on your circumstances, they may very well grant your request. On the other hand, different network carriers often have thier own requirements that need to be met before they will provide you with an unlock code, and many may very well refuse. Normally, if you have finished your service contract, your mobile provider should supply you guidelines on how to IMEI unlock your cellphone, but normally they'll insist you are the original owner of the phone (the contract on thier system is in your name). If you are not, for example, you purchased the smartphone second hand, you must find an alternative unlocking process to unlock your mobile phone.
Step 3
For anybody who is not the orginal owner of the phone, you will need to purchase an unlock service from a third party supplier. The good news is there are plenty of on-line vendors offering services by just giving them your mobile phone's IMEI number, it's make and model and the network its locked to. The cost of the service and the time it will take to unlock your mobile phone will depend upon the above mentioned factors, and will vary quite significantly for more obscure phones or networks. Using a 3rd party unlocking service is generally the fastest and the most hassle-free method to factory unlock your cellphone, as it will be completed remotely without your cell phone ever having to leave your pocession. As soon as cell phone's been sucessfully unlocked it can then be used with any carrier and in any country you want.