The final cost to unlock an iPhone is influenced by many factors.
A few of them are:
iPhone model, Carrier that is locking it, the Blacklist status, the Contract Status, the Financial status, and a few more.
- If your iPhone is SIM-Locked or not & in which Carrier
- If it is inside a Carrier’s Blacklist (Reported as Lost, Stolen or Fraud)
- The Contract, Financial & iCloud status of your iPhone
- What available methods or services exist to Unlock it (And their cost)
Typically, unlocking an iPhone requires two basic steps:
- Find out what kind of lock your iPhone has
- Choose the right unlocking service
At the final iPhone Unlock price, we will not include the actual payment of the iPhone, because they, especially the locked ones, have a wide range of prices.
Below we will explain the cost of an accurate check of your iPhone, what information you should get, and how to choose the cheapest and most convenient service to unlock your iPhone.
Updated on June 30, 2020.
Costs to find what is locking your iPhone
Do you know what is locking your iPhone?
The first and absolutely necessary step you have to do before trying to unlock your iPhone is to learn what kind of locks your iPhone has.
To choose the right iPhone unlocking service (and the cheapest) you should know the following:
- If your iPhone has a locked SIM on some provider (SIM Not Supported message)
- In which provider your iPhone is locked to
- If it is reported as stolen or lost
- If its contract bills are fully paid
- If it is still in contract with some provider or account
The only service that can instantly and accurately find your mobile status is the iPhone IMEI Check service.
iPhone IMEI Check services: Average costs
Getting the right iPhone IMEI Check service
We have audited more than 50 companies that are “specialized” in IMEI Checking and many of them are mistakenly using local databases that are neither accurate nor have their data up to date.
Of all these iPhone IMEI Checking companies, only four use GSX & GSMA databases. This means their results are accurate and up-to-date.
Our list contains the companies below:
- iPhoneUnlock.Zone
- UnlockSpector
- IMEI-Index
iPhoneUnlock.Zone:
It is the ideal service for people who want to learn the current status of their iPhone in a few seconds.
Currently, it is the only instant IMEI Check solution in the market, which is the reason we suggest it and it is the most popular online IMEI Check tool.
Simply fill in the IMEI number and your email and with only $15 you will learn if your iPhone is locked in 5-6 seconds.
- Instant Delivery (For extra $4.95),
- Accurate & Up to date reports
- Customer support through ticketing platform
- Does not include IMEI Replacement check (Extra payment)
UnlockSpector.com:
This company offers an extra check, the replacement IMEI check. Also, through this company you can unlock your iPhone by sending a SIM Unlock request to the provider who has locked your mobile (They take care the whole process with an extra payment).
The report will be delivered to your email between 1 to 3 minutes. Typically, between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM (GMT +0) they send it within a few seconds. Their price is $9.00 for the Basic Package and $12 for the Complete Package).
- They support IMEI/Serial Replacement Check
- They offer a SIM Unlock request service
- Price is higher
- The reports are not instant
IMEI-Index.com:
At $9.00, the IMEI-Index report includes results from 50 public, private and paid databases (GSX & GSMA). Their report comes in PDF format and you can use it as a Certificate of iPhone Status to sell it.
- They offer a full iPhone IMEI Check package
- They support IMEI/Serial Replacement Check
- They provide an easy to read and understand PDF report
- Price is a bit high
- The IMEI Check report results are not instant
Conclusion on iPhone IMEI Check prices
Average iPhone IMEI Check cost
In case you know exactly the status of your iPhone you do not need to spend anything on iPhone IMEI Check services.
If you’re not 100% sure of your iPhone, then the cost to check it out will be $0 for a basic check, up to $15 for a full IMEI Check package.
Picking the right Unlocking Service: Cost to unlock an iPhone
Picking the best iPhone unlocking method based on how much to unlock iPhone
Before analyzing the cost to unlock an iPhone, you need to find out the ideal and most suitable method for your iPhone.
If you chose one of the previous iPhone IMEI Check services, you will have already been suggested which is the best method to unlock it (iPhoneUnlock.Zone, UnlockSpector & IMEI-Index include the best method for unlocking your iPhone based on their IMEI Check results).
If you already know your iPhone’s status, then there are 3 solutions to unlock your iPhone:
- Through the carrier that is currently locking your iPhone
- With an iPhone IMEI Network Unlock Method
- With a Hardware Network Unlock SIM Card
1 – Unlock your iPhone through your Network
REQUESTING A SIM LOCK REMOVAL THROUGH CARRIER
All providers are obligated to provide ways to their customers for requesting a network unlock for their mobile phones (It is not only limited to their customers).
Typically, the whole process is free, but some providers may charge up to $20 – $25 to complete unlocking.
A very good example is the AT&T USA device unlock online form. You can very quickly and freely request to unlock your mobile via an online form and within a few hours (If your iPhone meets AT&T’s unlock policies) your mobile will get unlocked.
The first step is to find out which provider is locking your iPhone, communicate with them, and ask them to unlock it.
If you are in this category, then you will be able to unlock your iPhone completely free of charge.
2 – Cost To Unlock an iPhone with an IMEI Network Unlock service
IMEI iPhone Unlock price
This service can only be found in Online iPhone Unlock Companies or in some local repair shops.
You need to know the following:
- Your iPhone model
- The lock carrier of your iPhone
- The Blacklist status
- The Financial status (Check how to unlock an iPhone with Unpaid Bills)
The average cost iPhone Unlock Price with the IMEI Network Unlock service cannot be accurately calculated because it is affected by the above list.
It can cost you from just $20 up to $200. A reasonable average is around $100, but this average is a bit arbitrary because the parameters are too many in order to find the exact iPhone unlock cost with the IMEI Network Unlock method.
If you know the above information about your iPhone, then choose one of the following tested and trusted iPhone Unlock providers to see how much it will cost you to unlock your iPhone.
Online iPhone IMEI Network Unlock Providers: We suggest iPhoneUnlock.Zone
3 – Unlock iPhone with Hardware Network Unlock
How much to unlock iPhone with DoctorSIM
If the iPhone IMEI Network Unlock service is pretty expensive for you then unlocking your iPhone with a SIM hack is the only alternative solution.
Its price is usually around $35 and delivery is usually done within a few days.
However, the unlocking results are not permanent and it doesn’t support all iPhone models, all providers, and all iOS versions.
Conclusion on iPhone Unlock Costs
As you have already figured out, how much to unlock iPhone ranges from $0 (Free) to $200 (For an iPhone IMEI Network Unlock service).
However, it is possible to unlock your iPhone permanently with less than $50.
Best Case Scenario
- If you already know which network is locking your iPhone and you meet their unlocking policies, unlocking your iPhone will cost you nothing.
Worst Case Scenario
- In the worst-case scenario, the total unlocking cost of your iPhone will be around $10 (IMEI Check) + how much the IMEI Unlock service you choose will cost.
We strongly recommend first to “spend” $10 for a report which will include your iPhone’s full history or at least an IMEI Blacklist Check.
Having this information, you will be able to see if there is and which is the most economical iPhone IMEI Network Unlock service available.
30 comments
Can you unlock iPhones with StraightTalk Locked Policy? Thanks
Hello Christian,
We do not provide iPhone Unlock services.
You can go to the following link and find how to Legally request a SIM-Lock removal for Straight Talk USA Locked iPhones
Can you unlock my iPhone 7 for international use?
It currently says ” US GSM Default Policy”
Hello Srikanth,
We do not provide iPhone Unlock services.
You can go to the following link and find how to Legally request a SIM-Lock removal for your device.
From my experience, the US GSM Default Policy locked devices, are very difficult to get unlocked, because they are not locked to a specific carrier. Most likely, a third party iPhone Unlock service will be needed.
I bought a refurbished iPhone 6 with iCloud id lock.
how much if I want to buy iCloud id lock Removal for my iPhone?
I have bought an iPhone 6s in London.
I have to know how to unlock the iPhone 6s in India and how much is the cost of iPhone unlocking.
I can buy an iPhone 6 from America.
What are the fees to unlock an iPhone 6?
My iPhone 6 has been disabled for security reasons.
At first, I could not remember my password & trusted device number but somehow got the password but it’s of no use as it is already blocked and I’m just not able to use the iPhone at all.
Apple support is not able to help as I don’t have the trusted device number.
I do know my security questions though.
Hi, I tried unlocking my iPhone 5c, however, the cost is outrageous more than the cost of the iPhone itself. Why is this?
Hello, I recently purchased a second-hand iPhone 6s that I later came to find out was blacklisted as lost/stolen. I’ve managed to get the UDID information (thanks to your helpful resources) and I am wondering how I can now get the contact information of the original owner. Thanks for all of your help
Hi, Levi!
From what I guess, your iPhone is blacklisted and iCloud Locked!
So far, so good my friend! The first obstacle is the iCloud Activation Lock and you must not proceed with any other iPhone Unlocking service unless the iCloud Lock is disabled by the original owner!
If the original owner continues to ignore you, send a Formal iCloud Lock Removal Request to Apple!
Apple will arrange a meeting between the two of you or even remove the Find My iPhone Activation Lock if you meet the conditions!
Keep me updated and I also wish you the best holidays ever with a fully unlocked iPhone!!!
Take care Levi!
I buy a used iPhone 6 and it does not work with a Polish sim card. Help me.
Hi, Tom!
I suggest you an IMEI Check before you proceed with unlocking your iPhone.
I hope, I’ve helped!
Take care and come back to tell me how it went!
How much will it cost me if I want to decode my iPhone 5s in Ghana?
Hi!
I don’t know the exact price for each country that an IMEI Unlock Service costs!
Hi, I am in Ghana and my cousin who is in Canada sent me his iPhone 4s which was a contract phone… how can I unlock it to use a Ghanaian sim card?
I had an idea to buy a Japan made iPhone 5s but can I unlock my iPhone and use it in India(Bangalore)?
Hello Karthik,
What Japan network you want to unlock? Softbank Japan or au by KDDI?
I suggest reading this Japan iPhone Checking & Unlocking Guide 2018.
I want to buy an iPhone 5s in the USA because of low price, $199 only. Can I use it in India??
Tnx Dinesh raju.
Hey Dinesh,
Yes, you can, but you will have to unlock it first.
Once you buy the iPhone, which I suggest to be on AT&T (Which is the cheaper one to unlock), and read this Unlock iPhone Free Tutorial 2018.
How do I unlock an iPhone 5s for free in Nigeria?
Hey, Ayegbe.
I suggest you read this updated iPhone Free Unlock Guide. If you still have questions don’t hesitate it to send me again.
Take care, Ayegbe.
I want to network unlock my iPhone 6, please tell me how to do it and how much.
Hello Venus,
First, you need to find out the SIM-Lock, Network, Blacklist and iCloud status of your iPhone.
Then, you will know all the necessary information that will help you to pick the right Unlocking Solution for your iPhone.
I gave my iPhone to my neighbor and I locked it up but I tried to unlock it and it is stuck on the iTunes screen and it will not move.
It’s an iPhone 3G.
What should I do?
Nothing else won’t pop up on the iPhone.
Hey emily,
It sounds like a problem with the Jailbreking and Unlocking procedure.
You will have to make a full restore through iTunes, and if that does not work, you will have to restore it through a Jailbreaking tool (like redsn0w)
brand new iPhone 5s from Rogers.
can it be unlocked before I put the Rogers sim card in?
if u unlock it will the Rogers sim card work?
thx Philip
Hello Philip,
Yes, it can be unlocked. After the Rogers Canada iPhone Unlock completion, you will be able to use any network you want, including all Canadian networks (Unless your iPhone is Blacklisted).
I’ve been interested in learning how to unlock iPhones myself. I’ve tried to research the subject but I am not able to find any information. Could you please explain the actual process if I wanted to unlock my iPhone myself?
Hey Adam,
If you have an iPhone 4 and above, then I am afraid that you cannot unlock your iPhone on your own. Software method cannot be applied to iPhone 4 and above models, so you will have to order an Official IMEI Unlock service.
This is a paid service, because not anyone can do it.
If you can find someone to make you a free Official IMEI Unlock, then you must inform him the network that blocks your iPhone, its blacklist status, if your iPhone has pending contract bills and if it is in-contract.
All those information, can be retrieved only by an iPhone IMEI full Check, which again, there is not such a software tool that can give you those info. Access on Apple’s GSX servers can only be granded to certified Apple partners.
You will have to find an IMEI Check Service Company and an Official IMEI Unlock company, and ask them if they can do those services for free, which is not possible, because they have to pay some money to access those services.
I hope that helped you Adam!