Many people confuse blacklisted iPhones with those with outstanding financial balance. On the one hand, they are indeed blacklisted but in this case, we refer to them as unpaid, blocked or barred.
The main reason this happens is that there are significant differences in terms of unlocking. So let’s see what they are and of course, how you can unlock an iPhone with an unpaid balance.
What exactly is an unpaid iPhone
Everybody knows or finds out in the process that the locking network will block an iPhone as soon as more than 2 consecutive monthly bills are left unpaid.
You will not be able to make calls, send messages, and use mobile data until you pay. Even if you use a SIM card from another network it will do nothing as long as the unpaid iPhone remains locked.
So far so good, and yet, a phone can be considered unpaid even when all the bills are paid.
Most people avoid buying an unlocked iPhone because you have to pay upfront. Going for monthly installments automatically means that the iPhone will be automatically locked to the carrier of your choice. These installments are added to your monthly tariff and the network will never allow you to unlock it until they are fully paid off. It usually takes one to two years to pay off the device.
Of course, you can still use the iPhone normally with the locking carrier during this period as long as you pay the bills, however, the iPhone is still considered unpaid.
The big difference between Blacklisted & Unpaid iPhone
Whether you are looking to buy a used iPhone or a way to unlock it, you will almost never see any reference to unpaid bills.
If so then everyone considers the iPhone as blacklisted.
Although somehow true, I prefer the term “Greylisted”.
When we have a blacklist problem (lost, stolen, replaced, fraud), the phone can not be used in the country that was blacklisted even if it is unlocked. The only way to make it happen is to remove it from the blacklist.
Herein lies the huge difference. An unpaid iPhone once unlocked will work worldwide with all networks except the one that blocked it for non-payment.
Unpaid Phones and online shopping
If you bought the phone from a network then you already know its financial situation.
The big problem lies in buying used iPhones online. Intentionally or not, many sellers hide the pending balance and resell it as simply locked or even worse, as unlocked.
When it reaches the hands of the unsuspecting buyer, then all the SIM cards will lead to the SIM Not Supported screen. Although not always, this screen means that the iPhone is locked.
- Is it really locked?
- In which network?
- Is there an outstanding financial balance?
- Is it blacklisted?
- Is it still on contract?
in just a few seconds with an IMEI Check.
The Ultimate Guide To Unpaid iPhone Unlock
Before talking about paid third party services (Check costs for unlocking your iPhone), the first step is to contact the phone seller.
A retailer or not will have to refund your money or give you another device especially if the product description was misleading.
If nothing comes out of it, the mobile network should be our next stop but you are not going to accomplish anything unless you are the original account holder.
For the network, the problem starts and ends with the original owner, the one who hasn’t paid off the iPhone. There is no way to pay on his behalf, even if you are willing to do so.
If you have not found the original owner, then nothing is over since the solution is in Unpaid iPhone Unlock services.
How do online unlocking companies unlock an unpaid iPhone?
The answer is simple. Using IMEI Unlock services.
Basically, these companies gain access to network databases and change the SIM Lock status to unlocked. This results in the full use of the unpaid iPhone with all networks with one exception. The network in which there is debt since so far there is no way to erase it.
Is there only one Unpaid iPhone Unlock service for all networks?
If you have already visited an iPhone unlock company, you will notice that IMEI Unlock works without any restrictions. But it is not like that at all.
The process usually takes a few days and yes the unpaid iPhone will be unlocked. But unfortunately, there are conditions.
- First and foremost, the network
IMEI Unlock is permanent, however, not always available. Naturally, networks don’t want you to be able to use third-party unlocking services and find ways to close the loopholes in their databases. It always starts with a 100% success rate, which gradually drops until the service gets idle. Unfortunately, no one can say when it will get reactivated, it might be a couple of weeks or sometimes way more - The complete IMEI status of the iPhone
In order to find the hole and change the SIM Lock status, the other values of the database must have specific information. Even if one is different, the service will fail. This is the reason for the fluctuating (down) success rates. When the service stops and restarts, these conditions are usually different.- Blacklist
- Contract
- Financial
- Activation date
- IMEI/Serial number replacements
- Loaner
- Other info depending on the network
(SPCS status for Sprint, pending installment plan or blocked for non-payment on AT&T, blocked or not for outstanding financial balance on T-Mobile and Verizon, etc)
- The iPhone model
And in all this, the model is added to the table. Even if the iPhone is in line with all the above, prices and availability are absolutely dependent on it.
That is, there are not always services for all networks and when available your iPhone should be fully compatible with them.
But why does no one state it clearly before you order?
What iPhone Unlock companies don't want you to know
Basically, the Unpaid iPhone Unlock services you see costing $20 – $30, are just pre-orders. With this money, they simply check the IMEI of the phone.
- If it is compatible, then they will ask you for more to continue
- If not, they will tell you that you got the wrong service, without further explanation
This way most providers, although they usually warn you that you are responsible for the compatibility of the device, will keep your money no matter what.
Unfortunately, all of this is very difficult to explain and would greatly diminish their sales. Instead, they prefer the pre-order trick, which is well hidden in terms and conditions.
At the same time, and let’s not beat around the bush, you would give your money much easier to the one who promises that the unpaid iPhone will be unlocked, than the one who will first have to IMEI check if it can be unlocked.
So, how can you unlock an iPhone with an unpaid balance?
For peace of mind, time savings, and guaranteed results, IMEI Check is the key to success.
- In a few seconds, you will have in your hands the complete status of the iPhone
- Soon after, a specialist will look into your case, determine if the unpaid iPhone can be unlocked, and look for the service with the lowest cost and highest success rate.
- Finally, every service offered is tested and 100% guaranteed
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