A way to Unlock Cell Phones via IMEI
Find out how to Unlock Cellphones via IMEI
By Jadwiga Mcsweeney
Anytime you get a cell phone through a cellphone provider, it is locked into that company's service. If the company provides you with a free or discounted cellphone, you normally have to agree to a one- or two-year agreement as well. You can avoid this contract and freely change between providers, as well as travel overseas and use other networks, simply by unlocking your handset using the IMEI number. Permanently unlock your handset by following the 3 simple steps below.
Step 1
Locate the 15-digit IMEI code. This is generally printed on the smartphone underneath the battery. You can also typically find it in your mobile phone's setting page or by entering a special code to get your smartphone to display the IMEI number on your screen. Most of the time, the code is *#06#
Step 2
Once you've located the IMEI number of your phone, call your current service provider and find out if they can give you an unlock code. Dependent on the circumstances, they might grant your request. Nonetheless, different network carriers have thier own set of guidelines that need to be met before they'll give you with an unlock code, and many will refuse. Normally, if you've completed your contract, your phone provider will likely supply you directions on how to IMEI unlock your cell phone, but frequently they'll insist you are the original owner of the smartphone (the contract on thier system is in your name). When you are not, for instance, you bought the smartphone second hand, you'll have to locate an alternative unlocking method to a IMEI unlock your cell phone.
Step 3
When you're not the orginal owner of the smartphone, you'll have to buy an unlock code from a third party provider. Thankfully there are a great deal of on line vendors selling services simply by giving them your smartphone's IMEI number, it's make and model and the network its locked to. The cost of the service and the time it takes to IMEI unlock your cellphone will depend upon the above mentioned factors, and can vary quite considerably for more obscure devices or networks. Utilizing a third party unlocking company is often the fastest and the most convenient method to unlock your smartphone, as it is executed remotely without your cell phone ever needing to leave your pocession. When your cell phone's been sucessfully unlocked it can then be used with any carrier and in any country you chose.