(Updated Testing Results for 2019) 

Want to know how to unlock iPhone 7?

Summary:

Owning the brand new iPhone 7 or 7 plus is exciting. Being locked to a carrier who charges through the roof and gives you substandard customer service is not…

If you want to switch to a carrier that actually provides value for money, or even just want to be able to use a local carrier while overseas, you need an IMEI unlock.

An IMEI unlock safely and permanently frees your iPhone 7 from your carrier meaning you’re able to use your device with whichever provider you want.

The cheapest and most reliable iPhone 7 IMEI provider to use depends on your location.

Unlocking Guide – How To Unlock Your iPhone 7/Plus & 7s/Plus?

The latest and greatest iPhone has landed on our shores, and with it comes the same old problems. Phone service providers are still charging ridiculous fees, providing poor network availability and customer service, and charging crazy international roaming fees to anyone who heads overseas.

These high rates and substandard service wouldn’t be acceptable in any other industry, but companies like AT&T, Sprint, O2, and Vodafone can get away with it because of device locking.

Phone locking is where your mobile device is tied to a particular carrier and you’re not able to use it with any other carrier. This means they can charge what they want and provide as little as they want and they know you’re not going to leave them.

That is, of course, unless you unlock your iPhone 7 or 7 plus.

Phone unlocking is where you remove the restrictions that prevent you from using your device with another carrier and get the freedom to escape all the problems they’re creating.

There are three methods for unlocking available on the market. But, only one that works…

Method #1: Software Method

(Hasn’t worked since the iPhone 3G)

The first iPhone unlocking method to appear on the market was the software unlock. It first became available when the iPhone 3G first hit the market and exploited a hardware loophole on the device to allow some users to move their device to any carrier they wanted.

Method #2: Hardware Method

(Dangerous, unreliable, and will void your warranty)

You can also get your iPhone 7 unlocked by the hardware method. This method identified once the software unlocking loophole was closed was hardware process. Hardware unlocking is where you pay a suspicious looking guy in a suspicious looking back alley to physically open up your device and play with its internal hardware.

Method #3: IMEI Unlocking

(Only safe and effective method for iPhone 7 / 7 Plus)

The final, and only effective method for unlocking a mobile device is the IMEI or factory unlock. An IMEI is the unique identifying code used to identify your phone.

Each device has a different IMEI and it’s stored on the Apple database along with other identifying features, including model number, colour, storage size, year of production, and most importantly, whether it’s locked to a particular network.

An IMEI solution is where the status of your iPhone is changed from being locked to a particular network to being unlocked on the Apple database.

 IMEI Unlock Provider Testing Process

The explosion of iPhone sales over the last 8 years has been followed by an explosion of IMEI unlock providers. And as with any industry, the quality, level of service, and reliability of those providers varies greatly.

To make sure you only end use an IMEI  provider who’s going to deliver, I’ve gone through and reviewed and tested the major players in the industry.

Even though I’ve already done this with both iPhone 5/S/C/ and iPhone 6/6 Plus/6s/6s Plus, it was important to make sure that these service providers could deliver with the newest Apple 7. Here’s how I conducted that test.

Finding Test Subjects

Probably the hardest part of this test was finding enough people with an  7 or 7 Plus who wanted them freed up! It’s a new phone and most people haven’t had enough time to become dissatisfied with the level of service provided just yet. But, I didn’t manage to find 8 Apple 7 phone owners and 4 iPhone 7 Plus owners through my network of friends and website readers to test these IMEI  providers with.

These iPhone 7’s were locked to the following networks:

These iPhone 7’s Plus were locked to the following networks:

 Culling Down Factory Unlock Providers

The first step in testing these factory providers was to reduce the 29 providers down to a number I could test. I only had 12 phones to play with and I wanted to test each provider with multiple phones so I had to reduce the number down to three.

To do this, I created a list of unlock providers and then set about reading through various online review websites like TrustPilot and  Ripoff Report to find who was legitimate provider and who was simply running a scam.

It was easy to weed out the obvious scams and keep reducing the list until I had what looked like the top three iPhone 7 IMEI providers.

Testing Methodology

The test itself was simple. I purchased 4 iPhone 7 IMEI unlocks from each of three providers I’d identified as being legitimate.

I then allowed the process to run it’s course whilst contacting their customer support along the way, so I could discover who was value for money and who was a ripoff.

Judging Criteria

There are 6 criteria I used to judge the performance of these providers:

Criteria 1: Success of unlock

This has to be #1 here: did they or did they not deliver on their promise to free the phone they were paid to unlock? If they did, hooray! If they didn’t, boo!

Success / failure is critical because THAT’S WHAT THEY’RE PAID TO DO.

Criteria 2: Range of services available

There’s no point in recommending an IMEI  provider if they can only unlock iPhone 7’s locked to some obscure carrier in a small eastern-European country that no-one’s ever heard of.

The recommended  provider needs to have solutions for a wide range of carriers from a wide range of countries, otherwise, there would be no point in recommending them.

Criteria 3: Cost

It’s great for these providers to have a wide range and actually deliver on their promises, but if each methods costs more than the phone they’re unlocking, what’s the point?

Because of this, the third criteria used to judge the quality of the providers was cost, with preference given to the cheapest provider who could deliver a quality product.

Criteria 4: Payment Methods

Can free up my iPhone 7? Great. Have a big range of unlocks? Awesome. Have decent prices? Excellent. Only accept payments with seashells sent via registered post to the Solomon Islands? Bad. Obviously, this isn’t a real scenario, but there are some IMEI  providers who only accept Western Union money transfer, which is a pain in the arse, whereas other accept PayPal and all major credit cards. It’s pretty easy to guess who I’m going to recommend.

Criteria 5: Customer Service

Paying someone you’ve never met before to perform a process you’re not familiar with can be a nerve-wracking experience. The only thing that can calm these nerves is solid customer service.

Because of this, each provider will be tested three times through the services’ process for their contact types, politeness, responsiveness, and helpfulness

Criteria 6: Speed

While you want your mobile device unlocked, you don’t want to have to wait any longer than necessary to change networks. Because of this, each provider will be judged on how long it takes them to complete the unlock.

What to expect when using DoctorUnlock or another recommended option DirectUnlocks?

1. IMEI Code

First you will need to figure out your devices’s  IMEI code. This is the unique number for your iPhone 7 that the provider needs to identify and unlock your device.  There are three methods:

2. Model of your device

You will also need to know the model of your device such as the iPhone 4, 5, 5c, 5s, 6, 6 plus, 7, 7 plus, iPad 2 etc.

3. Fill out the requested details

Click the following link to DoctorUnlock  or DirectUnlocks and fill out the details they request (IMEI and Phone Model)

#1. DoctorUnlock (9.5/10 – Use inside the USA, UK or Canada)

The #1 IMEI provider I found for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus was DoctorUnlock. They’re fast, reliable, reasonably priced, have great customer support, and most importantly, unlocked all 4 iPhones we paid them for.

Their range is limited outside of the USA, Canada, and the UK, but as those countries make up about 80% of unlocks, they get my vote as #1.

PROs: The biggest pro of DoctorUnlock  is that of the three unlock providers we tested, they were the only unlock provider that unlocked all 4 mobile devices we paid them for. That’s the biggest pro because it means you’re going to get what you paid them for. Simple as that.

But, that’s not the only place where they stood out. On average, they were 17% cheaper than the other unlock providers. Prices varied between phone service providers and countries, but when we averaged out the costs differences, it came to 17%.

The other area that really separated them from the crowd was their customer support. I contacted them three times — once before purchasing the unlock, once during the  process, and once after the unlock was complete — and they responded quickly, with the information I requested, and in a polite and helpful manner.

Their service delivery times were the same as our #2 recommendation (an average of 48 hours), which is excellent, but not a point of difference.

CONs: The only real con for DoctorUnlock.net is their limited range of unlocks. They can free your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus from just about every phone service provider inside the US, Canada, and the UK, but you might not find the provider you want if you’re outside those areas.

OVERALL: With great prices, helpful and polite customer support, and a 100% success rate on all 4 unlocks, DoctorUnlock  is my #1 recommendation if you’re inside the US, UK, or Canada.

#2 DirectUnlocks (9/10 – Use outside the USA, UK, or Canada)

DirectUnlocks is the #2 provider on the list. On customer service, speed, and price, they matched DoctorUnlock, and on range of unlocks, they have even more than Keys2iPhone, but there was one problem.They were only able to unlock 3 of the 4 iPhone 7’s we paid for…

Pros

Cons

Overall

DirectUnlocks are a solid provider. They’re reasonably priced, quick, have great customer service, and the biggest range of unlocks available on the market. Whilst they only managed to unlock 3 of the 4 unlocks we purchased, they did warn us that they weren’t having success with that particular phone service provider.

 #3 Keys2iPhone (5/10 – Don’t use them)

KeysiPhone are the final provider on my list, and they’re here for a reason. Sure, they managed to complete 2 of the 4 unlocks we paid for, but that was only after asking us for an additional payment that was as much as we originally paid! And if that wasn’t enough…

Pros

Cons

Overall

They completed two of the four unlocks we paid for and everything else went poorly. Their support, trying to get refunds, their unlock time, everything was poor. Plenty of cons. Not the kind of company I would trust with my money or iPhone.

 In Conclusion

There are three methods available if you need to get your iphone 7 unlocked: software unlocking, hardware unlocking and IMEI or factory unlocking.

Software unlocking hasn’t worked since the iPhone 3G, hardware unlocking is dangerous and will void your warranty, meaning that IMEI unlocking is the only safe way to unlock your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus.

I evaluated 29 providers and tested 3 and the IMEI unlock provider you should use depends on your location.

Related articles on Why The Lucky Stiff:

 (Updated Testing Results for 2019) 

How to unlock iPhone 8 safely and quickly

An issue many mobile users face when looking to extract better value for money from their mobile devices is that they are locked to their original provider while others are offering more compelling rates and packages. The solution is to figure out how to unlock iPhone 8, and luckily I will show you how!

Switching to a better value provider, or simply being able to use your package when abroad requires something known as an IMEI unlock. This is a safe and legal method to permanently separate your iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus from your carrier, giving you the freedom to choose a package that works for you. When it comes to choosing who to use to unlock your phone, you first need to factor in your location.

iPhone Unlocking 101

I know what you’re thinking! Finally, your brand new iPhone has arrived on your doorstep, and you can’t wait to get a hold of it. Unfortunately as is proving all too often to be the case it comes with a catch; annoyingly high charges and prohibitive international roaming charges mean you have little option but to spend an ever-increasing amount of the monthly budget on a service we have all become reliant on.

Phone locking makes this poor level of customer service possible by tying you into a contract that wouldn’t stand up to the scrutiny of a discerning consumer in any other industry. So, what is phone locking, and why does it matter?

Simply put it is where your iPhone 8 or 8 Plus is stuck with a given carrier in a way that prevents you from using it with anyone else, even if they offer you a much better deal! This allows them to charge whatever they feel like, safe in the knowledge that you can’t go elsewhere. The answer? Master the art of iPhone unlocking that Apple doesn’t want you to know about.

iPhone unlocking is where you use a clever digital service to remove these restrictions and preventative measures so that you can search for the best deal for you.

There are three methods you will see written about a lot, but only one that is proven to work.

Method 1: Software Unlocking

(This hasn’t unlocked a single phone since the iPhone 3G)

The oldest unlocking method was known as software unlocking. While it worked for a time, it relied on users exploiting a loophole that allowed them to switch carriers.

Apple spotted this loophole and quickly closed it with the iPhone 4, and it hasn’t been open since meaning it will be no good for your brand new iPhone 8.

Method 2: The Hardware Method

(Users Beware: An unreliable approach that invalidates your warranty)

This is a brute force method if ever we have seen one. Once the software loophole had been closed users quickly tried to find hardware loopholes. This often involved paying large sums of money to questionable characters who didn’t know what they were doing and tended to break iPhones.

Studies show that this rough and ready approach only works 30% of the time. Given how long you’ve saved up for that shiny new iPhone 8 is that really a risk you’re willing to take?

Method 3: IMEI Unlocking

(The ONLY safe and highly effective way to unlock the iPhone 8 & 8 Plus)

The newest and most reliable method is known as the factory or IMEI unlock. The IMEI is your iPhone’s unique identifier that is used to track it over its lifetime. They’re unique and are stored by Apple on a giant database along with other pertinent details like color, time of production, storage, and whether or not it is locked to a given network.

The IMEI methods change the status of your iPhone as seen on Apple’s database from locked to unlocked. Not only is it a highly effective and permanent solution that gives you the freedom to choose, it is completely safe and doesn’t invalidate your warranty. The iPhone 8 IMEI approach is the only method I recommend.

Putting The IMEI Unlock Providers To The Test

Predictably the massive increase in iPhones on the market in the last 10-years has led to a boom in the field of IMEI unlocking. So who can you trust to get the job done?

To make sure that you know exactly what is available to you I have tested the major players in the field. I’ve done this for many previous iPhone generations, but by making sure they can unlock iPhone 8 and 8 Plus I want to make sure they still know what they’re doing.

Choosing The Right Test Cases

The most significant challenge I faced was trying to find enough people who were willing to part with their brand new 8 and 8 Plus for long enough for me to conduct a meaningful test! Luckily I was able to find enough through my website and amongst friends and family.

I chose the following locked devices:

• 2 x iPhone 8’s locked to AT&T USA
• 1 x iPhone 8’s locked to Sprint USA
• 1 x iPhone 8 locked to Vodafone UK
• 2 x iPhone 8 locked to O2 UK
• 1 x iPhone 8 locked to T-Mobile USA
• 2 x iPhone 8 Plus locked to AT&T USA
• 1 x iPhone 8 Plus locked to EE UK
• 1 x iPhone 8 Plus locked to KDDI Japan
• 1 x iPhone 8 Plus locked to Rogers Canada

Picking IMEI Providers To Try And Unlock iPhone 8 & 8 Plus

Firstly I had to cut down the unlocking companies to 3 because I wanted to test each company with multiple phones and I was limited to 12-locked devices.

I started out by listing as many companies as I could find and then reading their reviews. Trustpilot and  Ripoff Report are all great ways to separate the proven specialists from the scammers out to make a quick buck. It didn’t take long to find the trio of iPhone 8 IMEI specialists I would put to the test.

 Time For The Tests

I wanted to keep things simple, so I purchased 4-IMEI unlocks from each of the 3-companies identified during my research.

I let them go about their work and sent a few messages to customer support along the way to see how much value for money they genuinely offer.

Criteria To Consider

I came up with 6-different criteria by which I would judge each of the providers:

1: Was the unlock successful?

This is obviously the big one. If they can’t unlock it, then the service is a waste of time, money, and effort.

2: What services do they offer?

I didn’t want to recommend an unlock provider who could unlock just about any device, but then only be able to offer you obscure networks that only operate in small corners of the globe. They need to offer solutions that will work anywhere, anytime.

3: How much do they charge?

Quality is so important, but if it isn’t matched by an affordable price, then few are going to make use of my recommendation. After all, if you’re spending more than the price of the device to unlock it what’s the point?

 4: What payment methods do they offer?

If I find a company that’ll unlock anything, get you on any network, and do it for next to nothing, then that’s awesome! The problem with online services can so often be the last hurdle that comes in the form of difficulties making payment. There are a few out there who will only accept Western Union which puts a dampener on things. If a company takes PayPal and all major credit cards then they’re going to get a big tick against their name for sure!

5: How effective was their customer service?

If you’re paying someone you’ve never met before to work on your brand new iPhone 8, then you better be able to trust them. A customer-focused company will build your trust through amazing customer service that gets it right the first time every time. That’s exactly why I’m testing multiple devices with each company.

6: How quickly did they get the job done?

If you find a company that does it all, and for a fantastic price, but they take 2-months to get the job done then you’re not going to recommend them are you? What we need to find is a company that offers it all, and puts their foot down about it too!

How To Use DoctorUnlock or another recommended option DirectUnlocks to Unlock Your iPhone 8

 Step 1: Find the IMEI code.

This is the unique identifier that will enable them to identify your iPhone; luckily there are three possible ways you find out what it is:

• Option 1: Dial *#06# and you will be instantly sent the IMEI code
• Option 2: It will be located on the back of your device. Make sure to copy it down exactly.
• Option 3: If your phone hasn’t been activated then you should find the small “i” button that appears on the activation screen. If you click on it, your IMEI will then be displayed.

Step 2: You will also need to know the model of your phone such as the iPhone 4, 5, 5c, 5s, 6, 7, 8, etc.

Step 3: Click the following link to DoctorUnlock or DirectUnlocks and fill out the details they request (IMEI and Phone Model)

Step 4: Next you need to click the “Unlock” button.

Step 5: Use your chosen payment method to make payment.

Step 6: Provide your email address to receive progress updates

Step 7: Welcome a newly freed iPhone into your life in just a few days.

My Top 3 Providers of IMEI Unlocks for the iPhone 8 & 8 Plus

Now that all the tests are complete and I have analyzed the results it’s about time for the leaderboard! In order of preference we have:

#1. DoctorUnlock (9.5/10 – Definite #1 choice for users in North America or the UK)

My #1 rated IMEI provider for both the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus has to be DoctorUnlock.net. To start with they unlocked all four devices that I had them take a look at, so kudos for that! They are fast, reliable, proven, and affordable. In my opinion that’s the ideal combination when you’re looking for a team, you can trust. While their options are limited outside of North America and the UK, these are by far the largest regions, and if you live there, they’re a definite no-brainer.

The Pros: The biggest tick against their name was that they were the only company who could unlock all four of the devices that we paid them to take a look at. Straight away this means that they give you what you ultimately paid for.

They also beat many others on price (on average 17% cheaper). Please note that this is an average so there may be times when they are more expensive, but on average they came in significantly cheaper.

I really loved their customer service. It was friendly and personable and always came through in a timely fashion. I put three different queries to them, and they consistently came back with helpful solutions and updates within 24 hours. You really can’t do much better than that.

Lastly, the service times were amazing, and matching only by the entry at the #2 slot on my list. With devices unlocked inside 48 hours what’s there not to like?

The Cons: It’s always important to pick up on something that could be better, but with these guys it was hard. I would say that their limited options for those outside of North America and the UK will be a downside for some. If you’re in those regions though they really must be my #1 recommendation.

Overall Rating: If you live inside the US, UK, or Canada these guys are my undisputed #1. 100% unlock rate during testing, brilliant customer service, 48-hour turn around, and all at a price that’s readily affordable. Money well spent!

If you have a locked iPhone 8 or 8 Plus inside the US, UK, or Canada, use DoctorUnlock today.

#2 DirectUnlocks (9.0/10 – The no-brainer if you are outside the USA, UK, or Canada)

It was a close run thing for that sought-after #1 spot. DirectUnlocks matched DoctorUnlock.net when it came to speed, price, customer support, and actually offered a larger range of unlock options. The reason that they are at #2 is they failed to unlock 1 of the 4 devices I paid them for…

The Pros: First things first, these guys do a lot, and I mean a lot, of things very well. Speed (48-hour unlocking), customer support, and price were all as good as they could be.

What really stood out though was their list of carriers they can get you on once you’re unlocked. I lost count of how many were on there so I don’t have an exact percentage difference over the rest of the field but it ran to pages and pages and pages. At a cursory look, it appeared to be every provider in every part of the world. Certainly something worth looking into if you’re in a more remote area!

The Cons: The one black mark was a big one, and I’m afraid to say it because everything else was so good. They failed to unlock the KDDI Japan device I paid for. I’ll give them credit where it is due and say that they warned about this before ordering, but then on the other side, they were still taking orders. It’s definitely something they can improve, especially as few users will be unlocking multiple phones at any given time.

Overall Rating: An impressive company that is easy to deal with and offers an unrivaled set of unlocks. The one thing I didn’t like was that they only unlocked 75% of the devices I paid for. If you were in that unlucky 25%, then you would certainly not be happy.

If your iPhone 8 or 8 Plus is locked to a carrier outside the US, UK, or Canada, I recommend using the impressive range of unlocks at DirectUnlocks.

#3 Keys2iPhone (5/10 – USERS BEWARE!!!)

This company was really bad and to be honest I’m still getting over the shock at how bad they were compared to the other two on my list. They only unlocked 2 out of 4 devices. At 50% that’s the same odds as guessing a coin flip…

What really annoyed me is that even to do that they demanded an additional payment that was as much as the original. That’s twice the advertised price for only half the service!

The Pros: They did half the job after paying extra and a lot of chasing…

The Cons: Take a seat, this may take a while…

1      They only completed 2 out of 4 unlocks

2      They took on average 5 days to do that!

3      They requested extra payment to accomplish the measly two unlocks false advertising!

4      They responded promptly pre-sale and then ignored every support email where I chased asking for updates. This was perhaps the most annoying aspect as it showed they don’t care about the customer.

5      I had to file a chargeback for each of the two uncompleted unlocks. The process was long and drawn out…

Overall Rating: Poor service from start to finish. Unexplained additional requests for payment, inability to unlock half of all devices, slow, uncommunicative, don’t care about the customer. Use at your peril. I would never trust them with my own iPhone.

The Conclusion

Hardware and software unlocking doesn’t work. The former is dangerous and can easily destroy your shiny new iPhone. The latter hasn’t worked since the loophole it exploits was fixed with the iPhone. IMEI unlocking (aka factory unlocking) is the only proven way forward when you want to unlock an iPhone 8 or 8 Plus. The secret is to avoid the scammers and choose a reputable company to get it done.

I surveyed a huge range of companies, choose what looked like three of the best based on their reviews, and put them to the test with multiple devices to see what they offer for the money. Who to choose depends on your location.

Related articles on Why The Lucky Stiff:

 (Recently Updated Testing Results – 2019) 

How to unlock your iPhone 5/s/c?

Summary: 

Of three available unlock methods for iPhone 5, 5s, and 5c, the only reliable and effective one is IMEI Unlocking (sometimes called factory unlocking). Software methods hasn’t worked since the iPhone 3 was released, and hardware locking is a dangerous scam that could destroy your device while also voiding your warranty.

IMEI solutions doesn’t require you voiding your warranty or downloading potential virus’ to your device. All you need to do is get a phone industry insider to add your device to the global database of iPhone’s that are able to be used on any network and you’re free to choose whichever carrier you want!

So how to get your iPhone 5 unlocked? The best place to get an IMEI unlock depends on your location.

———————

There’s nothing worse that being locked to a poor quality carrier.

They hold it over your head like a death sentence “Sure, we have poor service. Sure, we want to charge you crazy global roaming fees. Sure, we’re expensive. But there’s nothing you can do about it!”

In any other industry, this wouldn’t fly. Which car manufacturer gets to decide what petrol company you use? Which computer store gets to decide what electricity provider you choose?

None, that’s how many. Yet phone carriers have been doing it for years and getting away with it.

Lucky for you, they can’t do it anymore because you can now get your Apple phone unlocked and move away from your carrier whenever you want to.

There are three primary methods you can choose from, but only one that works. So how to unlock iphone 5?

Here’s a breakdown of the three iPhone 5 / 5s / 5c methods (including the only one that’s actually worthwhile):

Option #1: Software unlock

(Which doesn’t work)

I’ve fallen for this scam. Actually, I’ll let you in on a secret – I have fallen for this scam twice. It consists of a great looking website that claims it’s software can unlock your mobile device.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work and hasn’t worked since Apple released the iPhone 3. They plugged the flaw in the system and now software unlocking is a dirty lie.

Please don’t fall into the same trap as me and fall for this.

Avoid unlocking software for the iPhone 5, 5c and 5s at all costs.

Option #2: Hardware unlocking

(Which will void your warranty)

Unlocking iphone 5 by this method is another one of those ‘guaranteed’ methods that just isn’t worth the risk.

To do it, you have to take your mobile device into some back alley in a dodgy part of town, and a creepy looking stranger will ask you for $100+ to modify the hardware of your device.

That’s right, someone you’ve never met before and have no reason to trust is going to use his dirty, greasy hands to open your iPhone and change the physical chips and wiring inside.

Yes, it’s as bad as it sounds.

The worst part is that even if he is successful (which they are in about 30% of the time), you’ll be left without a warranty. Is that what you want? A 30% chance of success and no warranty?

No, me neither.

It’s best to stay WELL away from hardware unlocking.

Option #3: Network or IMEI unlocking

(The ONLY reliable and permanent method)

The final, and only reliable, safe, and permanent, unlock for your iPhone 5, 5s, or 5c, is IMEI or Network Unlocking.

Every device ever produced has a unique identifying code known as it’s IMEI code. Apple has a global database of these codes where every iPhone is listed.

As well as listing the model number, colour, memory size, and production date, it also lists whether the device is locked to a particular network.

An IMEI solution simply involves getting your iPhone’s IMEI lock status changed from ‘locked’ to ‘unlocked’.

You aren’t required to download any unknown software, and nobody has to pry open up your device to risk voiding your phone’s warranty. The only thing that occurs is phone’s status is updated on Apple’s master global database.

It’s that simple.

Because of this, IMEI or Network Unlocking is the ONLY method I recommend.

But where do you get one? And who do you get it through?

Well, I don’t have contacts who can do this, but there are companies who know industry insiders who can get your device solved quickly and easily.

Unlocking iPhone 5 is easy

1. First located your IMEI code. This is the unique id for your iPhone and you need to provide it so you can get it unlocked.  The steps to find it are below

• Method 1: Dial *#06#
• Method 2: For iPhone 5 or newer, your IMEI is located on the back of the device
• Method 3: For non-activated mobile devices, there is a little “i” button on the activation screen, click it and you’ll see the IMEI on the screen

Here are my top 3 recommendations:

The Top 3 iPhone 5 / 5s / 5c IMEI Unlock Services

So now that you know what unlocking is and what methods you should avoid, here are the top 3 services that I have used to unlock the iPhone 5, 5c and 5s.

1. DoctorUnlock (9.5/10) – The best choice for IMEI unlocks inside the US and Canada

UnlockBase are without a doubt my #1 choice for iPhone 5, 5s, and 5c devices.

PROs: First of all, they’re cheap. They’re consistently 20% – 30% cheaper than just about every other IMEI unlock service on the web.

Normally, when someone’s that much cheaper than their competitors, it means you’re getting an inferior quality product, but that’s not the case with iPhoneIMEI They’re cheaper because they process more unlocks than any other  service (according to one customer support representative, they’re processing more than 200 unlocks per day). The more you process, the cheaper it becomes and that means they can unlock your iPhone for less.

My big concern with their cheap prices was it was going to mean no customer support. I was glad to be proven wrong. When I needed an update on how much longer the process was going to take (turns out it had already been unlocked and their notification email was in my junk folder), their support team responded within 7 minutes. Amazing.

And finally, the last reason why DoctorUnlock.net are #1 on my list is the speed of their service. The very nature of device unlocking makes it an uncertain and slow process. Some companies I’ve used (see below) have taken up to 45 days to give me what I paid for. I was very happy when my AT&T unlock was processed in less than 3 hours… That’s what I call service!

CONs: The only downside with iPhoneIMEI is they don’t have the biggest range of unlocks outside North America. There’s a few there, but it’s not as comprehensive as the #2 on my list.

If you’re not in North America, definitely check out iPhoneIMEI but you might have to keep scrolling.

SUMMARY: DoctorUnlock.net are cheap, fast, and have fantastic customer support. Whilst they don’t have the biggest range of unlocks, if you’re in the US or Canada, you should definitely use them to free up your mobile phone today!

If you’re on a tight budget, don’t want to wait weeks, and you’re in the US or Canada, unlock your iPhone with DoctorUnlock now.

2. DirectUnlocks.com (9/10) – Unlock your device 5 if you’re outside North America

DirectUnlocks.com is another great unlock company.

PROs: First of all, they’re not some flash-in-the-pan startup that’s popped up in the last few months. They’ve been around since the first generations of the iPhone, and they’re very experienced with the iPhone 5/5s and 5c. I’ve used them more than once, and so have many of my family and friends.

Secondly, they’re fast. Like REALLY fast. When I first used them, I started the process on a Friday night. I though there’s no way this would be completed until at least Tuesday. However on Saturday morning, I was surprised to find an email to say that my iPhone 5 was now unlocked. They really are ahead of the game here.

Thirdly, they have unlocks available for just about every carrier in the world. Seriously, try them. Locked to Orange in the UK? They can unlock it. Softbank in Japan? They can unlock it. Bharti Airtel in India? They can unlock it. Any phone, any carrier, any country. It’s truly amazing.

And finally, their customer support rocks. When my mum unlocked her device, she managed to put the wrong email address in… (She’s not too tech savvy). To make sure we didn’t miss any notifications, I called them (Yes, they have phone support) immediately to fix it all up and it was all done in less than 3 minutes.

CONs: Whilst they can unlock just about any carrier in any country, they are a little more expensive in North America, especially with AT&T. If you’re not in the US or Canada, definitely try them out but if you are, I’d go with DoctorUnlock.net.

SUMMARY: DirectUnlocks.com are a great choice to unlock your iPhone 5 if you’re outside North America. They’re fast, cheap, have great support, and the biggest range of unlocks on the market.

To unlock your device outside the US or Canada, head to DirectUnlocks today.

3. IMEI Codes (5/10 – Not recommended)

IMEI Codes is my final iPhone 5 unlocking alternative to iUnlock Pro. Maybe alternative is the wrong word; distant back up is more like it.

They will unlock the iPhone 5, 5c and 5s however don’t expect a quick unlock or a detailed email answer to any of your questions. It is a no frills unlocking service that should only be used if my other two picks aren’t available.

DoctorUnlock or DirectUnlocks are a far better option, however you can find their site here if you want to find out more about them.

In Summary…

Of the three iPhone 5 / 5s / 5c unlocks available, only one is safe and effective.

1. Software unlocking doesn’t to work
2. Hardware unlocking can damage your device and void your warranty
3. IMEI unlocking is the only truly effective and safe method for unlocking your iPhone 5 / 5s / 5c

There are several iPhone IMEI unlocking services available, and the best one for you depends on your location.

Related articles on Why The Lucky Stiff:

It can be so frustrating to have a phone you like that is stuck to a network that doesn’t work for you. Or the opposite – a great network provides the coverage you need, but you can’t take your favorite phone over to them.

Luckily, we live in an age where you no longer have to be tethered to a particular service provider, even if you bought your phone from them. It is possible, and completely legal, to mix and match your device and your service provider.

This is accomplished by unlocking your phone. Doing so offers the opportunity to switch between networks by inserting a new SIM card without having to get a new device. This can be a particularly useful option for people who often travel internationally, people who have moved, or those who want to modify, customize, and perfect their smartphones.

DirectUnlock has, by far, the most reliable and affordable service for an IMEI unlock on a Samsung Galaxy S4.

How Does “Carrier Lock” Work?

When someone buys a new cell phone, it is locked to a specific carrier.  Manufacturers accomplish this by loading phones with carrier locks. The term “carrier lock” may sound like intimidating tech jargon, but it is a piece of code that is loaded onto a phone to ensure that it cannot be used on another operator’s network.

In other words, if you buy your device from AT&T, the carrier lock keeps your phone compatible with only the AT&T network. Almost all phones come with carrier locks, whether they are purchased from a wireless operator or a big retailer, like Amazon or Best Buy.

It doesn’t matter whether you buy the device at full price or at a lower cost. And with a two-year contract, the phone will be stuck on that network until you pay it off.

Being tied to a specific provider can be a burden for any number of reasons. If you move, travel, or wish to switch your service provider, you may find that it is difficult or almost impossible to switch between carriers without some guidance and/or a fee (especially if your contract is not up yet).

Again, the solution to this problem is releasing your smartphone from carrier restrictions. In other words, over ride that carrier lock. This enables your device to work with any service provider once you get their SIM card. This may sound like shady business, but rest assured, it is completely legal and quite easy to unlock your smartphone.

If you are using a reliable and trustworthy service, it does not require you to have any advanced technical knowledge.

If liberating your device sounds like an enticing option, your next step is to do some research on how to accomplish this task. You will find that there are several different methods you can use to do this. Some are more effective and safer than others.

Let’s take a quick look at the three main ways you can unlock a smartphone, and the pros and cons of each.

The Secret Methods to Unlocking a Samsung Galaxy s4

I became knowledgeable about the topic of unlocking phones out of necessity. Last year, I got a job as a consultant for a large company. I knew a large part of my job was going to consist of traveling back and forth between my home base in the U.S. and clients’ offices throughout Europe.

I feared that using my device while traveling would end up costing a lot of money, and within a few weeks those fears were confirmed!

I found that I was incurring large fees while traveling internationally, and that the coverage was often spotty when I needed it most. I considered the possibility of juggling multiple phones and sim cards, but I found that prospect to be too overwhelming and cumbersome in the midst of work and travel.

I have a Samsung Galaxy S4, so my research focused on this specific model. The general principles are true for the majority of smartphones, but you may need to do further research if you have a different model.

When I began my research, I had heard of freeing up devices before but was otherwise new to the whole process.

I didn’t know where to start.

So I spoke to tech savvy friends, multiple company representatives, and perused countless internet forums. Through this research, I found three main ways that a customer could accomplish this.

One of which has a high rate of failure and a high probability of causing damage to the phone. The other two methods are safe, quick, and dependable.

Least Successful: Hardware Unlocking

Let’s start with the worst method and get it out of the way. This method is called “hardware unlocking.” It consists of actually opening up the phone and messing with the internal hardware. The success of this method is dependant on the person doing it, and since there aren’t any officially licensed technicians to do it, it is generally unpredictable and has a low success rate.

Also, this method will automatically void your warranty. No one wants to get stuck with a broken device and no way of getting their money back!

Hardware unlocking was definitely not an option for me, as I imagine it is not an option for most people who don’t want to throw their money down the drain.

Hit Or Miss: Get Your Carrier To Unlock Your Phone

The second method is to go through your current carrier. If you are at the end of your two-year contract, you can go through your carrier to unlock the device and restore it to factory settings.

In 2014, President Obama signed a bill that allowed people to unlock their phones. Since that bill was signed, most carriers will assist you with the process when your contract is up. If this is the case, you shouldn’t have to pay a cent to have it done. In rare cases, a carrier may help a customer while the contract is still active, but this is rare.

In my case, I was not near the end of my contract and AT&T wouldn’t budge, so this was not a viable option for me.

Best Option: IMEI Unlocking

The final method is called IMEI unlocking. This is by far the safest, most effective, accessible, and common method for freeing up a smartphone.

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity, and this code is a serial number for your device. Each smartphone has its own unique IMEI number. These numbers are stored in a database and are associated with other identifying information about your phone, like the color, storage capacity, model number, and year of production.

It is possible to use the IMEI code to switch your device from “locked” (attached to particular service provider in the database) to “unlocked” (unattached to a particular service provider).

This method is permanent, easy, fast, and legal, and will not affect your warranty.

The answer was pretty clear. I knew that an IMEI code was the only method I would trust with my cell phone. The next step was to find a trustworthy service to perform an IMEI unlock on my device.

Here’s How to Free Yourself From Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint:

Unlock Your Samsung Galaxy s4 The RIGHT Way

As I mentioned above, I knew that IMEI codes was the only method that I was going to use for my Galaxy S4. The general process goes something like this:

1. Choose a service that you will use on your phone. I’ll give you my personal recommendation – the one that I used – down below.
2. Give them any necessary information about your device. This information will always include the IMEI number, and will usually include your current carrier.
3. Follow the instructions provided by the service.
4. Wait a short time (anywhere from a few hours to a week) for instructions from the service.
5. Follow the reset instructions sent to you by the service.
6. Insert a new SIM card, and activate your device to your new carrier.

Simple, right? That’s because it is!

There are a few trustworthy services out there that will guide you through the process of unlocking your phone and provide customer support. I found two services that came highly recommended, and that had exceptional reputations among the tech crowd.

The two services I’ve used successfully are:

1. DirectUnlock –  This was the website that came most highly recommended. Customers like it because the site is easy to navigate, and the process is hassle-free. Furthermore, DoctorSim comes with a money-back guarantee.This means that if they are unable to do it, they will give you a refund.All you have to do is put in your current phone carrier, and the site will guide you through the process. One of the best features of this site is their access to Universal Samsung codes. This means that even if you don’t know your phone carrier, this site offers codes for a higher price that can still unlock any phone.This site has, hands down, the most affordable and reliable service for an IMEI release on a Samsung Galaxy S4.

2. DoctorSim.com Another option I found over the course of my research is www.DoctorSim.com. This is a similar service to the first, which also comes with a money back guarantee if they are unable to assist you. They also offers universal codes for a higher price. However, the site is more difficult to navigate and requires more information at the start. It is still guaranteed to work, but may take more time and effort in the beginning.

Both of these sites allow you to keep yourdevice at all times and perform the service remotely and they do it fast. I always prefer DirectUnlock.com because they’re fast and have the best customer service.

Be wary of services that require you to physically give your phone over, or even worse, send it away for an “international unlock.”

You should never have to wait more than a week or ten days for this to happen . The technology exists so that you can liberate your phone from home for a small fee. You should never have to part with your phone at any time during the process!

Take Control of Your Locked Samsung Galaxy s4 With This Method That Works Every Time

As I have already mentioned, there are only a few methods for unlocking your Galaxy s4. Only one of them is guaranteed to work regardless of how far into your contract you are. Using an IMEI release code is the best method for unlocking your phone and protecting your warranty at the same time.

This method will not damage the physical device, is completely legal, and offers the highest measure of security. DirectUnlock is truly the best service around, with DoctorSim coming in at a close second.

DirectUnlock.com’s money back guarantee, customer support, and success rate are testaments to the quality of their service. Frankly, these services are an absolute steal considering how quick, efficient, and affordable they are for freeing up your phone and expanding its capacity.

If all this technical jargon seems a bit overwhelming, rest assured that the process itself is not. The process is quite simple.

Once you have determined the IMEI code and provided it to them, they will retrieve a code for you phone and either perform the process remotely or instruct you on how to do it yourself.

If you have decided to use DirectUnlock, you must first determine your device’s IMEI code. Find the 15-digit code printed near the battery or by dialing *#06#.

If you already know your carrier, then you can follow the link for that carrier on DirectUnlock’s home page. The page is easy and intuitive to use.

Please note that the codes for specific carriers are slightly cheaper than the Universal codes, so it is useful to figure out which carrier your phone is currently attached to. However,  if you don’t know the carrier, you can still get your phone untied with your carrier by using one of DirectUnlock’s universal codes.

The website will prompt you to follow some further steps, but overall that’s the whole process! I was shocked at how easy it was, and you will be too.

The team at DirectUnlock.com handles the hard stuff, and within a week you should have a Samsung Galaxy S4 that you can use with any carrier you like, and take it  overseas without incurring excessive fees and fines.

You never have to let your phone out of your sight, which is a huge relief.

Once you have a New SIM Card for your phone, you will be ready to go!

Why I Prefer This Method

There are many benefits to having an unlocked phone. Even more benefits if it was done safely and efficiently using a service like DirectUnlock or DoctorSim..

One of the most obvious benefits of unlocked phones is that they offer complete coverage no matter where in the world you might be. All a customer has to do is buy a new SIM card that works where he or she is living or traveling. The customer can remain connected to friends and family at all times.

As someone who travels internationally for work often, I found that this was one of the greatest benefits of having an unlocked phone. I was able to stay in touch with the important people in my life while still traveling for work. Additionally, I was able to avoid excessive international fees by using my unlocked device with a local SIM card.

Often, having an unlocked device will save you money in the long run – and not just on international fees! Since the customer doesn’t have to pay a monthly fee to their carrier, he or she often ends up paying for only what they use. Skip all the excess fees (access, service, administrative charges, various regulatory fees  etc) that come with a provider.

I also had a friend who had unlocked his phone using a code. He had a Samsung and had used DirectUnlock (in fact, he was the one who recommended DirectUnlock to me in the first place!).  He was extremely satisfied with the service and switched to a new carrier.

However, a few months after unlocking his phone, he lost it!

Losing a phone is never a good feeling, but it happens to the best of us. If he had lost his phone while it was locked into the original contract, he would have had to pay termination fees to his carrier on top of shelling out for a new phone. Because he had unlocked his phone using an IMEI provider, he was able to escape costly contract termination fees.

Finally, because unlocked phones are so customizable and versatile, they tend to have a higher resale value than other phones.

The benefits listed above are true for any unlocked phone. However, a phone that is unlocked using an IMEI unlock code gives these benefits, plus the added benefit of being perfectly intact and secure with an intact warranty.

Take Control Of Your Samsung Galaxy s4 With This Unlock Code That Works Every Time

Whatever your reasons for wanting to unlock your phone, whether you are an international traveler who wants to avoid exorbitant fees or someone who wants more freedom and customizable options for your Samsung Galaxy S4, unlocking your phone can open a world of options.

There are a few methods for unlocking your device, and some are better than others.

To recap – The two main options are:

1) Find someone who will perform a hardware unlock

This has the potential to damage your phone and void your warranty (without even working!) or

2) Do an IMEI unlock

Again, IMEI unlocks will not affect your warranty, can be done at home, and are pretty much guaranteed to work, provided that you follow the instructions. It is, hands down, the smarter and savvier of the two methods for unlocking a phone.

There are a many services out there that will offer to help you unlock your Samsung Galaxy s4. However, the top two that work for me and my friends every time are DirectUnlock and the DoctorSim

Unlock By Using DirectUnlock Service

DirectUnlock.com comes highly recommended, and is so easy to use that you can do it from home. Determine your phone’s carrier and IMEI number, and have them on hand. The website is intuitive, and does not require you to be a tech genius to unlock your phone.

You follow the link on their website that matches up with your current carrier, and provide the requested information. They take care of the rest.

Their unlock codes are guaranteed to work, and they offer a quick turn around time (a maximum of one week). Their services are affordable and best of all, you never have to part with your physical phone, worry about damaging it, or void its warranty.

While Unlock Forest offers a similar service, the website is slightly more cumbersome and complicated to use. It also requires the customer provide more information up front. However, if DirectUnlock.com does not suit your needs, Unlock Forest is an excellent second choice.

Like DoctorSim, you never have to hand over your device and the team at DirectUnlock.com is ready to provide quality customer service or a full refund if they cannot unlock your phone for any reason.

Using these services will allow you greater mobility, customizability, and coverage without the hassle of exchanging your device. Forget about juggling multiple phones and SIM cards or handing your phone over to some shady service that will destroy your warranty and your phone’s resale value!

If you are ready to unlock your Samsung Galaxy S4 and maximize your smartphone’s potential today, head over to DirectUnlock.com. Not only do they offer the fastest, and most affordable unlocks for Samsung phones, they offer the most secure service on the market!

Enjoy full freedom of your phone – they have a money back guarantee so there’s no risk  – try DirectUnlock now!

Dealing with cell phone carriers can feel like getting stuck between a rock and a hard place. You get locked into a plan and contract with one carrier for years with no affordable way out.

What happens when your calls are constantly dropped? No service in a certain room? Customer service support drives you crazy? Competing cell phone providers start to look appealing.

There is also the question of rapidly advancing technology.

If you don’t want to read any further, the best IMEI phone unlock service is DirectUnlock. They’re cheapest, fastest and have great support.

Our recommended service is DirectUnlock. They’re cheapest, fastest and have great support.

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Why commit to one plan for two years when the coolest phones might be carried by someone else?

Switching carriers should be a walk in the park, right? There’s one problem: Most cell phones are locked into one carrier, no matter where you bought it from.

Do you want to avoid paying ridiculously high fees to switch?

You already know there must be a better more affordable way. And there is!

Unlocking your cell is the way to win back your freedom from the cell phone companies, use any carrier you want, and get the most for your money. And keep your same device while doing it!

If you plan to travel anytime soon, you can even use a local SIM card when abroad. Avoid paying huge roaming fees with your current carrier. The savings could literally add up to hundreds of dollars.

Unlocking your device also gets the resale value to soar. You can make more money from selling it online or through your network if it is not stuck to one company.

So how do you unlock your phone?

There are a few different methods, but they vary in safety, price, and whether or not they actually work. Here are the ways I have come across:

1. Software unlocking

2. Hardware unlocking

3. IMEI unlocking

Which one of these methods work? Do you want to finally be free from cell phone plan prison? There’s a method to liberate your device that is easy, affordable, and simple!

It is a guaranteed way to release your device that works every single time. We’ll get into the details, but first let’s look through all your options so you can make the decision for yourself.

I’ll walk you through the simple steps of unlocking your device and tell you how you can finally take back control of your own device. Forget never-ending cell phone contracts, huge roaming charges, and bad cell phone service once and for all.

Free Your Samsung Galaxy s6 Phone From Annoying Carrier Restrictions

Let me share a personal story real quickly about what I went through to learn about cell phone unlocking the hard way.

I was excited to buy the latest device model offered by one of the huge electronics stores around the holidays. The device was offered at such a cheap price, I didn’t think it would be a problem to try a new carrier.

I got my shiny new phone, signed away my rights under a long contract with a new company, and set up my smartphone. I didn’t think twice as I dove into setting it up, installing my go-to apps, syncing my photos and mail, and taking as many photos as I could with the slick new camera.

Before I knew it, I started getting poor service. My calls were always dropped when I walked into my bedroom. My service seemed to stop working whenever I entered my favorite coffee shop downtown. The week I spent at my family’s cabin? No service at all.

My family could not get enough of using their smartphones in front of me while I was forced to unplug (while still getting billed for cell service!).

I needed to get some work done while at the cabin and was left scrambling to find alternative internet and call service. I’m sure you know what it’s like to be unable to get online when you really need to. Isn’t it hugely frustrating?

Obviously I was upset with my then service provider. I had fallen in love with my device and didn’t want to give it up just to switch carriers.

That’s when I learned about cell phone unlocking.

Getting out of my service provider’s contract the regular way would be a hassle and super expensive. On a recommendation that I could “just do it online,” I tried software unlocking at the first website I could find.

They took my money but the software didn’t work. My customer service calls and emails went unanswered at the shady website. My device was still stuck to the same company.

Next I tried hardware unlocking. I planned to check out the strip mall electronics store where I heard they could perform an unlocking service. I decided to bring an old phone I had lying around, so as not to mess up my new one, just in case.

I sat and waited while my old device underwent major surgery. I had to sign a few papers saying that if it broke, it wasn’t the technician’s fault. Well, guess what happened? My device was ruined and I’d signed away my rights to get anything back!

Afterward, I read that this method works less than 30% of the time. I should have done my research first before paying to have a device destroyed. I didn’t know what else to do, feeling like I had already been scammed out of so much money.

That’s when I heard about IMEI unlocking. This time, I read about it extensively to make sure it was the real deal. I did tons of combing through internet forums and decided I’d give it one last try. I did not want to stay handcuffed to my terrible service provider for years.

My prayers were answered: IMEI unlocking finally worked. I was free!

Let me tell you everything I learned in my adventure of unlocking my device and explain everything you need to understand about it so you don’t make the same mistakes.

Ways To Unlock Samsung Galaxy s6 Phone

There are many ways (according to the internet) you can unlock a Samsung Galaxy s6, but they are not all created equally. I’ll detail the different methods I came across in my research and personal experience with freeing up phones and let you know which ones were best and which ones were flops.

1. Software downloads

The first way to unlock your device is with software downloads. You pay money to a software website where you download the software onto your computer. Hook up a USB to your computer and device, where the software is designed to reroute the system. The idea is instead of being routed to only one carrier, your phone’s operating system will work under any carrier.

The software download method is not recommended. Just like downloading any email attachment or software from the internet, you can never be sure what these downloads contain.

Downloads are a favorite method of hackers looking to pass on viruses to unsuspecting users. You should always be careful when downloading software to your device. Often times it can permanently change the way your device works.

I don’t recommend software downloads onto your device as it is dangerous and doesn’t even work!

2. Hardware unlocking

Another way to jailbreak your smartphone is hardware unlocking, which is when someone needs to physically take apart your phone to change the hardware.

This method is also risky, as you don’t know the training or expertise of the technician handling your phone. When service is not performed by an authorized Samsung technician, you also void the warranty on your device.

Even if the process goes smoothly, you have lost your warranty. If you drop your phone or it gets water damage for the duration of its life, you won’t be protected. Basically, you are giving up a lot of protection and value on your device just to ATTEMPT to unlock it.

The hardware unlocking method is also not recommended, as it isn’t guaranteed to work and you lose your warranty, making it extremely risky.

3. Unlock Codes (IMEI or Network Unlocking)

Unlock codes are the third and final method for liberating your device and they are the best option!

When you use codes, you pay a service online to send you a code that you enter into your phone. It’s easy!

There is, however, one downside to using this method. So many websites offer this service that you have to be careful you are using a reputable company. There are tons of scammy websites that are just looking to take your money.

I have had luck with two IMEI services: DirectUnlock  and UnlockWarrior

These two actually delivered on their promise to unlock my phones and prices were reasonable, ranging from $25 to about $35. Both companies offer refunds if it doesn’t work, which is rare in this industry. You are safe in their hands. Better to spend money on something refundable, right?

Using codes is also known as IMEI unlocking. This method is so easy and superior that I want to tell you all about it in detail.

Let’s look at how the process of IMEI unlocking works and why I found it to be the best method for releasing your device.

Get Full Control Of Your Samsung Galaxy s6 Phone Back!

The best way to free up a Samsung Galaxy s6 Edge device is to use IMEI unlocking services, which are also called Network Unlocking. IMEI unlocking from good companies works every time (or your money back), and offers the most convenient, affordable and easy-to-use option out there for releasing android devices.

So what is it exactly? The acronym stands for International Mobile Equipment Identifier, which is basically like the social security number for your device. They are stored just like the government stores your identification in a centralized database.

The IMEI number has information about your device like the year it was manufactured, the color, the amount of memory it can hold, the model number, and which carrier it is locked to.

The status of your phone can be changed by someone who has access to the IMEI database. The code method is much less dodgy than going to an electronics store for a technician to move around the internal parts of your smartphone, or to download software to your phone that could contain a virus.

An IMEI unlock code is just like taking a pencil’s eraser and gently changing the status of your device from locked to unlocked. It’s simple, non-invasive, and very reasonable in cost.

Smartphone Unlocking FAQ:

Some people may have questions about IMEI unlock codes. Let’s address common concerns out there.

1. How do you know the code is safe to use?

Some may think that it sounds too similar to software downloads. But it’s not the same thing. The code doesn’t install software onto your device. If it doesn’t work because you ended up with a bad code, then your phone won’t be harmed.

You are basically just turning your phone on and off and entering in a few numbers.

2. How can a code unlock your device?

Some may worry about whether IMEI unlocking really works, because it sounds so simple. While you need to be wary of some of these services, as there are scam artists in any field, there are honest companies too!

Once you find a reputable source, they will be able to change your phone’s status simply and easily. The reputable sites even offer a money-back guarantee.

3. How do you know if you are working with a reputable provider?

I’ve researched about 15 sites for unlocking phones, and I can definitively say that ExpressUnlock is the best service for releasing your Samsung Galaxy s6 Edge. This company met their promise and was very responsive to customer service questions.

With unlocking services starting at just $26, and averaging around $33, this service is a steal of a deal. You’ll get charged more (maybe even hundreds of dollars) at smartphone stores for hardware unlocking (which may not even work) and you may lose even more on repeated software downloads that don’t work.

For the safety and peace of mind that this service gives, IMEI unlocking can’t be beat.

Another runner-up that I found to be good was Unlock Forest for Samsung Galaxy phones but their website is not as nice and they are not as fast.

I’ll say it again – DirectUnlock  truly is the best! Here’s why.

Now that you know the safest method for cell phone unlocking, which provider are you going to choose out of the many out there?

The service offered by DirectUnlock  will send you a code, which you will enter into your device using the keypad. Depending on your country and carrier, you will buy a different set of unlock codes.

DirectUnlock  offers eight different carriers in the US and five in the UK. No matter who your carrier is, you will likely find it under one of their plans. Huge companies like Sprint and Verizon are covered also.

The unlock code charges a range from $26 to $32.50, depending on your the carrier your device is linked with. That’s nothing compared to the freedom and control that you get!

DirectUnlock  emails you specific instructions about how to unlock your device, including what to do if it shows different screens in response to the codes.

You will get emailed several different codes, like a Network Lock Control Key, Service Provider Control Key, Provider Control Key, Unfreeze/Defreeze Control Key and Region Lock Control Key.

While that may seem like a lot of information, ExpressUnlock makes it simple with clear directions to liberate your phone as fast as possible. The range of codes addresses all scenarios that may keep your device from becoming unlocked.

Another feature of DirectUnlock  that makes it a leader is its customer service. When trying to unlock my device, I sent ExpressUnlock emails pretty late at night that were returned within a reasonable time frame and my questions were fully answered.

You can also go to their website for tutorials and walkthroughs, which show step-by-step instructions for any Samsung Galaxy model. Any question you can think of will be answered so you don’t need to worry about anything.

Here are some testimonials I got from readers when I asked people to be guinea pigs in my cell phone unlocking research:

Katherine Hampton from Dover, DE
When I used DirectUnlock , I was truly shocked to see it work so quickly, and that an actual human wrote back to me from their customer service. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to unlock their phone.

James Randolph from Des Moines, IA
Unlocking my phone was super easy with DirectUnlock  I felt lost at first, but a few minutes on their website taught me everything I needed to know about entering the codes. It couldn’t have been spelled out more for me in plain English.

Tabby Kowalski, Los Angeles, CA
I sent my money to DirectUnlock , and minutes later I was unlocking my device with their instructions and codes. No shady phone repair shops, no sketchy software, just simple numbers to enter on my phone’s keypad.

Like these users report, the method from DirectUnlock  is simple, spelled out in very clear instructions, quick, and painless. Liberating your device from carrier restrictions can be super fast.

The time frame ranges from the first 24 hours but may take up to a week. Still, one week to get full control over your phone is super fast, especially when you know it’s guaranteed to work!

If you want to get full control over your phone fast and without worry, DirectUnlock is the service for you. Let’s gather all the information we’ve learned and get to any final questions you may have.

This Unlock Code Works Every Time

No matter the model, your country, or your cell phone service provider, you know everything you need to unlock your phone by now.

Ready for the sweet taste of freedom?

The only thing holding you back from having full freedom and control over your device is about $26.

If you’re ready to be free of ridiculous phone contracts and bad service, you have that power. It’s as easy as one simple payment, a few minutes spent entering codes into your phone, and you’re all set!

Ordering codes from UnlockWarrior takes only a few steps.

1. Find the IMEI number on your device, which is located on the device near the battery.
2. Once you have the IMEI number, head to www.expressunlock.com and choose your model, country, and carrier. If you don’t know your carrier, you can also check this through their website.
3. Then, you’ll be prompted to enter in your phone model (you select this from a drop-down list) and then enter the IMEI number.
4. From there, checkout by making your payment through PayPal and entering in your billing address.
5. Once your payment goes through, you’ll receive your code from ExpressUnlock in your email.
6. To complete set-up you need to turn off your device and insert a SIM card from another carrier.
7. Enter the code and your device should be fully functional, ready to be hooked up to any service provider, right way.

Doesn’t that sound easy?
It’s guaranteed – so there’s no risk.

DirectUnlock  even guarantees their method will work, which is not something many competitors can say. You’ll feel safe knowing you can get a refund if the process doesn’t work for you.

Overall, there are a few different options to choose from when you are looking to unlock your smartphone but we’ve covered the best and ONLY one that works EVERY TIME.

AND IT’S GUARANTEED!!! The choice seems pretty obvious, right?

But don’t take my word for it – try it out for yourself risk-free.
Take back your freedom from the tyranny of cell phone carriers today by getting your code at DirectUnlock by clicking here!

 (Updated testing results for 2019) 

Summary: There are three methods available to unlock your iPhone 6/6s, or 6 plus/6s plus – software unlocking, hardware unlocking, and IMEI unlocking.

Software unlocking is a scam and doesn’t work, and hardware unlocking can ruin your device and will void your warranty.

The only safe way to get your iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus, and 6s Plus unlocked is with an IMEI unlock. An IMEI Unlock will get your phone added to Apple’s global database of iPhones that is available to use on any carrier. This means you can change to any carrier, whenever you want, without paying any extra fees.

Of the 11 IMEI unlock providers, we’ve tested the three top rated service providers and concluded that due to the nature of IMEI unlocking, the best iPhone 6 series unlock service to use depends on the location of the service provider.

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Getting your iphone 6 s unlocked has become increasingly popular since fed-up consumers discovered they didn’t have to put up with sub-standard phone reception and service.

With the rise in demand, the range of unlocking options has also increased. The initial software hack that was so effective and popular on the iPhone 3 expanded into hardware unlocking and then into IMEI unlocking.

So, what do you use? There are now three options on the table, which one is right for you? And which unlocking service provider should you choose once you’ve decided which method you’re going to use?

These are the questions we’re going to answer today. First of all, let’s start with the unlocking options.

Get your iPhone 6 unlocked – Type 1: Software Unlocking

(Do not use it)

Software unlocking is where you download a piece of software to your device that changes the internal configuration and allows you to make calls from any carrier.

Sounds great and simple in theory, except the loophole used by hackers to unlock your iPhone 6 was closed when Apple released the iPhone 4 and hasn’t worked since.

If you’ve got an iPhone 3, great, go ahead and download your software hack and unlock your device. If you’re using an iPhone 6s, 6 Plus, 6, or 6s Plus, this won’t work for you. Stay away from software unlocking as you’re just wasting your time.

Type 2: Hardware unlocking

(It can work, but it’s dangerous)

Hardware unlocking is where you have to alter the physical hardware of your iPhone to redirect calls through an alternate path inside your device and hopefully allow you to use the sim card of a different carrier.

To do this, you pay some dodgy looking guy in the back alley of a shady area of town to physically crack open your device and fiddle with its internal workings.

Yes, it’s as dangerous as it sounds. Best case scenario is you pay $200+ unlocked iphone 6 with a completely voided warranty, that’s been exposed to dust, dirt, greasy fingers. That’s the best case.

Hardware unlocking works in about 30% of cases. Worst case (and typically more common) scenario is you pay $300+ for a broken iPhone with a voided warranty and end up in a heated argument with an angry looking Russian with large friends.

So yes, it can work, but is it really worth risking destroying your device just to make calls from another provider? No, I didn’t think so either. The bottom line is: stay away from hardware unlocking.

Unlocking Type 3: IMEI Or Network Unlocking

(The only safe unlocking method for iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, and 6s Plus)

The final, and only that actually works, is IMEI or Network Unlocking. This is far simpler than downloading dodgy software or paying an even dodgier guy to play around with your phone’s internal workings.

Every iPhone 6 ever made has a unique identifying code called an IMEI (short for International Mobile Equipment Identifier) which is stored on Apple’s database, along with other details about your device, including the year it was produced, the memory size, the colour, the model number, and also, whether or not it’s unlocked.

IMEI Unlocking is where someone who has access to the IMEI database changes your device status from locked to unlocked. No software to download and no physical work to do. They click a button, you reset your device, and you’re free to go to any carrier you want.

Obviously, this is the only iPhone unlock method you should use. There’s no software to download, and no-one has to change the internal mechanics of your device. All they need to do is change the status from locked to unlocked, and you can change to any carrier you want, whenever you want.

It avoids all the potential problems the other methods pose and lasts for the lifetime of your iPhone.

Steps needed to unlock your phone.  Its takes less than a few minutes.

1. Find your IMEI code. This is the unique identification for your iPhone 6 that the 3rd party services need to unlock your device. Its easy to find:

• Method 1: Dial *#06#
• Method 2: For iPhone 5 or newer, your IMEI is located on the back of the device
• Method 3: For non-activated devices, there is a little “i” button on the activation screen, click it and you’ll see the IMEI on the screen

Choosing the right IMEI unlock provider

Like any service, not all IMEI unlock providers are created equal. Some have cheap prices, but can’t deliver the unlocks in the time frame they’ve quoted. Some have a unlocks for a huge number of providers but no customer support. And, worst of all, some are just plain scams.

To make sure you end up with the right provider, we’ve gone through a process of vetting and testing the various providers available.

But, before I get into that…

Click here to skip the methodology and go straight to the reviews

Why I’m qualified to tell you this

As you can probably guess, there are no formal qualifications for iPhone unlocking or any related fields, but there is a better reason than tertiary qualifications to trust me: I’ve been unlocking devices for almost 8 years.

I grabbed an iPhone 3G back in 2008 and immediately regretted signing up with AT&T. Their service was lousy and their customer support was even worse.

My online research yielded software unlocking and I was away. From that point on, I was the guy my friends came to when they needed advice about unlocking their device.

I lost an iPhone 4 to hardware unlocking in early 2011 and have been sold on IMEI unlocking ever since.

So no, I don’t have a degree or anything like that, but I’ve made every mistake you can when it comes to iPhone unlocking and so can at least tell you how to avoid the same ones I made.

IMEI Unlocking Test Methodology

The process for testing the unlock providers was simple. I started with a Google, forum, and blog search to create a list of all the iPhone 6 Unlock providers available. I found 11.

I then started an extensive online review review process; combing through sites like Trust Pilot and Ripoff Report  to whittle the list down to the most reliable sources. This left 3 services to test.

The next step was to put each of these service providers through their paces. I put a call out to my mailing list for anyone who had an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, or 6s Plus who wanted them unlocked and got 68 responses. Of these, I chose 9 iPhone 6’s to unlock. These were chosen to cover the represent the three different unlock categories:

1. Out of contract with no money owing
2. In contract with no money owing
3. In contract with money still owing

We tested each of the 3 IMEI unlock service provider in each of these three categories with an iPhone 6/6 Plus and iPhone 6s/6s Plus.

How we judged their performance

Each unlock service provider was judged on the following 6 categories:

Category 1: Range of unlocks

Not every unlock service provider can unlock iPhones from every carrier. Some have an extensive list in North America (AT&T, Sprint, Telus) but can’t do anything in Australia (Vodaphone, Telstra, Optus).

Some are great in the UK (O2, Orange, T-Mobile), but have nothing available in Japan (KDDI, Softbank). A solid unlock service provider will have a wide range of unlocks available.

Category 2: Price

Like any service, the prices between services providers vary greatly. Some are cheap whilst others will charge an arm and a leg. Price is taken into account when reviewing these providers, but only as a factor. Success, support, and speed are also critical.

Category 3: Payment methods

What good is a great range of unlocks at cheap prices if you can only pay by Western Union bank transfer? None. Payment methods are taken into account but weren’t a deciding factor in our test. Every provider had a wide enough range of payment options available.

Category 4: Customer service

Some people are jerks — that’s a fact. And no one likes dealing with jerks. To make sure you weren’t dealing with a bunch of jerks, I tested each company’s customer service three times: once before placing my order, once after placing my order but before the unlock was complete, and once after the unlock was complete.

Category 5: Success

And now the critical category: were they, or were they not able to unlock the iPhone? Unfortunately, we had more ‘No’s’ than we thought were possible for a well-reviewed service provider, but it was better we find this out now than you having to go through it.

Category 6: Speed

No one likes to wait around, wasting their time, paying for services they don’t want while their order is being processed. Because of this, we included unlock speed as the final judgement category.

The Top 3 IMEI Unlock Services For iPhone 6/Plus & 6s/Plus

After 2 weeks of collecting and reviewing data, testing, and waiting for results, we finally were able to judge the service providers against each other.

Here’s how they turned out:

#1. DoctorUnlock– 9.5/10 (Use if you’re inside the USA, UK, or Canada)

DoctorUnlock are my #1 recommendation because the do the one thing we paid them to do: unlock the phones. Yes, I know that sounds like an obvious benefit of paying someone to do something for you, but after reading hundreds of reviews of other services, this is actually a rarity in the market.

But that’s not the only reason they’re #1. They did other things right as well.

PROs: First of all, and most importantly, they unlocked all three iPhones. And not only that, they did it in the time frame they said they would. Amazing. I know that if you haven’t tried to get an iPhone unlocked before, you might struggle to see just how amazing this is, but this is a rarity.

Secondly, they’re reasonably priced. Yes, ‘reasonably’ isn’t the most glowing endorsement possible, but when everyone who’s cheaper is a scam, then reasonably is a good place to start.

Their unlocks start at around $19.99 and go up from there. You can pay by credit card without any drama and it’s not going to cost you an arm and a leg.

Thirdly, their support is great. You can email them anytime, day or night, and their response is usually never more than a few hours away. Our pre-sale question was answered in 2 hours and 11 minutes, our post-sale but pre-unlock question was answered in 3 hours and 18 minutes, and our post-sale post-unlock follow up question was answered in 3 hours and 9 minutes.

CONs: The only drawback with DoctorUnlock  is that they have a limited range of unlocks. If you’re in the US, UK, or Canada, you should be able to find your carrier on their list (some of the more obscure carriers are missing), but outside that, you might struggle.

OVERALL: Overall, iPhoneIMEI  is my #1 choice because they do what they say they’re going to do, when they say they’re going to do it, at a reasonable price, and are willing to answer your questions along the way. What more could you want? And in an industry renowned for dodgy operators, this makes them a winner.

If you’re in the US, UK, or Canada and need to unlock your iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, or 6s Plus, go to DoctorUnlock.

#2 DirectUnlocks – 9/10 (Use if you’re outside the USA, UK or Canada)

Official iPhone Unlock are the #2 rated unlock provider we found. Just like DoctorUnlock, they were able to unlock all three iPhone unlocks we sent, but they’re behind enough to make a difference in who you should use.

PROs: Just like DoctorUnlock, they tick a lot of boxes (they wouldn’t get a 9/10 rating is they didn’t).

Firstly, they have the biggest range of unlocks on the market. Is your iPhone locked to Softbank in Japan? Great. They can unlock it. T-Mobile in Poland? Done. Claro in Panama? Problem solved. Their range is SUPER impressive, and they carry unlocks that no-one else has.

Secondly, their support is excellent. Unlike DoctorUnlock  they not only have email support but phone support as well. You can call them anytime you want, day or night, and there’ll be someone there to answer your questions.

We called for our pre-sale question and spoke to one of their support agents within 7 minutes. Our post-sale but pre-unlock question and post-sale post-unlock questions were both sent by email and answered in less than 2 1/2 hours.

Thirdly, they’re fast. The majority of their massive range of unlocks are completed in 24 – 72 hours, with only some of the rarer unlocks taking longer than that.

CONs: There are two drawbacks with DirectUnlocks, and one of the reason them ranking behind the competitor DoctorUnlock.net. Firstly, they’re a little more expensive than iPhoneIMEI. It’s not much, only 15%-20%, but it’s enough to make a difference to your bank balance at the end of the day.

And secondly (and this is more of a pet peeve than anything), their prices are all in Brittish Pounds. It means that you don’t actually know exactly what you’re going to pay until your credit card is charged. Yes, you have a vague idea (you can find up-to-date exchange rates here), but you don’t know exactly until your bank decides on what rate they’re going to charge you.

I guess that’s the price you pay for being able to unlock your iPhone from just about every carrier in the world, though…

OVERALL: If you need your iPhone unlocked and you use DirectUnlocks to do it, you’re not going to be disappointed. Yeah, their USA, UK, and Canadian unlocks are a little pricier than iPhoneIMEI and their prices are in British Pounds, but they have a range or unlocks you just can’t beat.

If you’re outside the USA, UK, and Canada and need your device unlocked, go to DirectUnlocks.

#3. IMEI Codes (5/10 – Not very impressive)

IMEI codes are the last pick on my list, and the results led me to believe their online reviews might have been a little dishonest. They failed to unlock two of the three unlocks we tested and we had to file chargebacks to get our money back for the other two.

Not a great way to make a solid first impression.

PROs: I like to think of myself as a positive person, but there’s very little positive to write about IMEI Codes. Sure, they unlocked one of the three IMEI’s we sent them, but they made life difficult in just about every other area including iPhone keyboard apps.

CONs: For starters, they’re very expensive when I compared their prices, they came in 50% more than DirectUnlocks  and 70% than iPhoneIMEI for iPhone’s locked to carriers in North America. And look, the higher prices would be justified if they offered something that the other guys didn’t, but they don’t.

Their customer support is sloppy. They eagerly and enthusiastically responded to my presale question (obviously have a good sales team), but I didn’t hear back to my post-sale but pre-unlock question till 4 days after my unlock was due to be completed. And even when they did respond, their English was terrible, they didn’t answer the question, and they were rude about it. That’s not the level of support I expect from what’s claimed to be a premium service.

Like I said, they were only able to unlock one of the three phones and their lack of customer support meant we had to file a chargeback to get a refund for the other two. I don’t recommend you deal with them.

OVERALL: If you can’t find your unlock on iPhoneIMEI or if DirectUnlocks is down, then you could try IMEI Codes, but I would definitely only use them as a very last resort if you’re in an emergency situation.

If you want to know more about IMEI Codes, you can visit their website here.

To wrap it all up…

There are three different kinds of iPhone 6 and 6 plus unlocks available.

1. iPhone 6 software unlocking is simply a scam
2. Hardware unlocking can occasionally work, but can ruin your iPhone and void your warranty
3. IMEI or network unlocking is the only way to unlock and keep your warranty intact

We reviewed 11 IMEI unlock providers and tested three providers with 3 unlocks each. Our test results show:

If you’re inside the USA, UK, or Canada, unlock your device with DoctorUnlock. They only have a limited range, but they’re fast, cheap, and their customer support is excellent.

If you’re outside the USA, UK or Canada, unlock your device with DirectUnlocks. They’re a little pricier, but they have every unlock under the sun and the speed and support to back it up.

Have fun with your unlocked iPhone!