Why & How to Check the IMEI number of your iPhone & finally unlock it

written by Makis July 6, 2018

In most of our posts (if not all), regardless of the type of iPhone unlocking we are dealing with, we always refer to the importance of an iPhone IMEI Check before proceeding to any other action.

Read and discover:

What is IMEI Check?

Is there a way to IMEI check an iPhone free?

What iPhone info will you receive?

How will it help you to unlock an iPhone?

What are the advantages of an IMEI lookup?

Get an Instant iPhone IMEI Unlock CheckFind if your iPhone has a Lock & Learn how to Unlock it

Updated on 04/03/2019

Quick Guide to iPhone IMEI Check

Every day, we receive dozens of emails from people trying to unlock their iPhone. Of course, in many cases, they are not even sure if their device is actually locked or have a totally wrong perception of their iPhone status.

This is where IMEI Check comes in, which is the only way to confirm the actual status of an iPhone, which will determine not only if the device can be unlocked, but also the way, based on the accurate iPhone info.

Is you are planning to buy a used iPhone, please read our “How to avoid 6 “Lethal” Risks of buying a used iPhone without wasting any time [2019]” article.

How IMEI Check works

Each iPhone has a unique IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity)

This iPhone identity is also the only prerequisite for an IMEI Check Service.

You can find the IMEI number of your iDevice by dialing *#06# with your phone app.

All IMEI numbers are stored in global databases (GSMA and GSX) used by Apple, mobile networks and other official partners to verify the authenticity, functionality and lock status of an iPhone.

And this is exactly what defines the accuracy of the iPhone IMEI info you will receive.

Only a certified IMEI Check provider is, therefore, able to use the iPhone IMEI number you want to inspect, access the global IMEI databases and deliver an accurate IMEI Check report.

Don’t Be Fooled By IMEI Check Free Services

Many companies claim to offer their services for free. So why should I pay for an IMEI lookup?

Unfortunately, free Apple IMEI Check providers have no access to GSX and GSMA servers. If they did, they would have to pay monthly for their use, and as you understand, they would charge you accordingly.

Instead, they rely on private databases of dubious origin and offer you false iPhone info.

On the other hand, there are some free IMEI Check apps such as AMTA in Australia and devicecheck in Canada that are official government websites, but unfortunately, they are limited to detecting the loss or theft of an iPhone (as long as it is reported to a Carrier).

But, it’s time to learn what an IMEI Check will reveal about your iPhone.

Apple iPhone IMEI Check Service Information

Most people are looking for ways to unlock an iPhone, ignoring basic info like the type of lock, if that is really the reason why they cannot use it and of course, when you boil it all down if the iPhone can be unlocked.

A full IMEI Check Report should contain the following iPhone info.

IMEI Carrier Check

When you receive the SIM Not Supported message on the screen, it does not necessarily mean that the iPhone is locked in a network.

Not infrequently, many people try to unlock already SIM unlocked iPhones.

So, the IMEI Carrier Check is the only way to find out if an iPhone uses SIM cards from a single Mobile Network.

Carrier Identification

Really knowing if an iPhone is SIM locked is phenomenal but the only way to unlock it is to know and on which Carrier (you may even be able to SIM unlock it for free through their services). And this is exactly what Carrier Identification does.

iPhone Blacklist Check

A Blacklisted iPhone does not work in the country where it was “tainted”.

Completely mistaken, many believe that this happens only when an iPhone is stolen or lost.

The truth, however, is that a device can become Blacklisted when involved in fraud or some other illegal activity
and in case unpaid bills or installment plan accumulation.

The iPhone Blacklist Check is the only way to ensure that your IMEI is CLEAN and most importantly:
If you are able to unlock or unblacklist the iPhone.

iCloud Lock Check

If you’ve already purchased a used iPhone and stuck on the Activation Lock screen, then you already know that your device is iCloud locked.

What you do not know is iPhone’s iCloud Status, which if CLEAN (not Lost) gives you a chance to bypass the Activation Lock screen.

Basic iPhone IMEI Info

Before buying a used iPhone, info about the model, storage, color, serial number, Apple coverage status and estimated purchase date are great.

However, this information is also proof that the IMEI Check report is valid when your goal is iPhone Unlock.

The Benefits of iPhone IMEI number Check

I think that you already understand how important an IMEI Check is. However, let’s take a closer look at how it will help you and how many problems you will avoid.

Trying to unlock your iPhone without ΙΜΕΙ checking it is practically a suicide.

Without the necessary iPhone info, you are almost doomed to fail because it is very likely you choose the wrong service. As I explained perhaps you have a different issue than what you believe

Even with the right choice, nothing can guarantee that it will be successful or that the iPhone will not be locked again after a while

Also, no company will be able to compensate you if you have not first checked your device with its IMEI lookup services

In the end, if you have no experience with iPhone unlock then it’s extremely unlikely you know what you really need, the result of the service you choose but, more importantly, to avoid all the scammers that are out there.

We have recently analyzed how much it can cost you to unlock an iPhone and it’s no surprise that in all cases we have included IMEI Check as a necessary expense.

In Conclusion

Experienced or not, iPhone IMEI Check is the only way to learn the real problems of your device, if there is any service to deal with them and of course, to unlock your iPhone successfully.

Click to Check your iPhone’s IMEIReceive a full IMEI Check report instantly

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Makis

Hey, I am Makis. I am a Chemical Engineer and as it’s natural, I was fascinated with iPhone technology since the release of the original iPhone. In 2013, I bought a used iPhone from an online market but it turned to be locked and I didn’t know what to do in order to use my SIM Card. Despite being a tech freak, I spent too much money and time trying out fake services and iOS exploits until I found UltraSnow.EU and managed to unlock my iPhone with success. Soon afterward I became part of the team in order to help people like me through Quora or here and right now iPhone Unlocking is my cup of tea!

10 comments

REUBEN PWELE December 10, 2018 - 5:20 pm

Hello, my name is Reuben in Malawi, my iphone is blocked and I don’t know what to do please, help me what to do to unblock my iphone.

Makis December 11, 2018 - 12:35 pm

An IMEI Check will determine the problem and show you if it can be unblocked and how to unblock it. Do you know more about your iPhone?

Angela January 6, 2018 - 8:25 pm

I have two iPhones that I bought under StraightTalk. Can I unlock them without activating them with StraightTalk first?

Makis July 27, 2018 - 8:42 am

If you have used an IMEI Carrier Check it would show you that both of them are under contract but not activated yet.
StraighTalk SIM Unlocking policy clearly states that at least 12 months under contract should be spent before you can unlock the iPhones with Carriers SIM Lock Deactivation Services.
You can read more about StraightTalk SIM Lock Removal Request here.

Asif November 2, 2017 - 5:59 am

iPhone 5s iCloud activation Unlock

Makis July 27, 2018 - 8:44 am

Eeeeeeeeee, yes. iPhone Carrier Check will show if an iPhone 5s is iCloud Locked if this is what you mean. Right?
But if iCloud Activation Lock is your issue, skip to this iCloud Lock Removal Guide.

Kimberly G Griffis October 29, 2017 - 9:23 am

Hello, is there any way I can enable a disabled iPhone 4?

Makis July 27, 2018 - 8:48 am

Hey Kimberly
Yes, there is but without an iPhone Carrier Check you will never know the exact problems of your disabled iPhone 4… and trust me it is not only iCloud Locked for sure.
Send me an IMEI Carrier Check Report to help you further.
Take care

Naz February 16, 2017 - 11:45 am

Hi, is there a way I can unlock my iPhone for free?
If not, how do they do it?
Do they send an email to Apple?
Thanks

Makis July 27, 2018 - 8:53 am

Dear Naz
1. This article is for iPhone Carrier Check
2. Maybe you can unlock your iPhone for free after the IMEI Carrier Check
3. No they don’t email Apple
4. Apple doesn’t SIM Lock iPhones. Cellular Networks, do that.
Take care