iPhone Unlocking is the hottest topic among Apple Community for many years now. Literally, millions of people are trying to free their iDevices from the shackles of the Mobile Network which has locked them.
On the one hand, we have all those who bought a new iPhone through a Carrier’s plan and it is naturally restricted by the simlock.
On the other hand, we have everyone else who bought a used iPhone but they are not able to use it because it is either SIM Locked, Blacklisted or iCloud Locked. Of course, a used iPhone can have only one of these issues, a combination of those or even all of them.
Why iPhone Unlocking is so difficult to achieve?
In any case, any iPhone owner depending on the situation can choose different types of iPhone Unlocking Services from several providers for their exact needs.
What complicates something so seemingly simple is the failure of most people to recognize the problem, to choose the right service and of course to unlock their iPhone successfully.
But this is the reason I write this article. I will instruct you how to properly start the unlocking process, the different solutions for each type of lock and of course the advantages and disadvantages of each one of them.
Identifying what is locking the iPhone
As already mentioned, an original iPhone owner (and when I say original I mean someone who bought an iPhone as new through a Mobile Network, an Apple Store or any other shop) will know the locking issue but even if he doesn’t he can always contact his Mobile Network or Apple Support and sort things out.
Unfortunately, a used iPhone owner doesn’t have that privilege. Besides the obvious Activation Lock Screen which means that the iPhone is iCloud Locked, everything else is under discussion.
Before you even think about an iPhone Unlocking attempt, you should be aware of things like:
- SIM Lock Status
- Which Mobile Network is locking the iPhone
- Blacklist Status
- Which Mobile Network blacklisted the iPhone and why
(although not so often, an iPhone can be simlocked by one Carrier and blacklisted by a different one) - iCloud Status
- Contract Status
- Outstanding Financial Balance Status
- Warranty Status
- Replacement Status
The only way to verify all the above is by using an iPhone IMEI Check Service. I strongly advise you to take a moment and read carefully the post I provided in order to understand the complications these issues can cause if left unchecked. Needless to say that an IMEI Check report ensures that you are able to meet up with these special iPhone Unlocking procedures before attempting them.
But without any further ado, let’s examine every kind of lock separately and discover all iPhone Unlocking Methods which can be applied depending on the circumstance.
iPhone Unlocking when SIM Locked
As long as an iPhone is simlocked, it is restricted in using SIM Cards only from the Mobile Network which is locking it. On the other side, an unlocked iPhone can use all GSM Networks worldwide without limitations.
There are various iPhone SIM Unlocking methods to choose.
Through the locking Carrier – By yourself: Success rate is ?%
Almost always, you have to be the iPhone’s original owner since the Mobile Network will probably ask for the account ID, the account holder’s full name and the account’s phone number.
All Carriers follow a different SIM Unlock Policy that must be followed by the iPhone you want to unlock. Despite the diversity, all of them share some basic ground rules:
- Only the Locking Carrier can unlock the phone
- iPhones which are blacklisted, active on another account or have an outstanding financial balance are not eligible for iPhone Unlocking (in all these case we consider that the IMEI of the iPhone is NOT CLEAN)
- A specific time period must be spent under contract (usually between 180 days to 2 years)
As long as the iPhone fulfill the SIM Unlock Policy’s conditions the majority of the Mobile Networks will unlock it for free or under a really small fee.
Through the locking Carrier – Using an iPhone Unlock Provider: Boosts Success rate
Even the original owner might be misguided by his Mobile Network even when the device is eligible for iPhone Unlocking. But the owner of a second-hand iPhone has almost no chance against the complex SIM Unlock Policies.
There are iPhone Unlock Providers which negotiate on your behalf increasing drastically the unlock chances.
I already created an iPhone SIM Unlock Guide on this purpose and I strongly suggest you read it if you have decided to use the Carrier’s free iPhone Unlocking Services. In my opinion, you should always try this approach first.
iPhone Hardware Unlocking – Using a SIM Interposer: Success rate is 60%
SIM Cloaking Chips are a cheap solution, usually costing around $30 but they have iPhone model, iOS version and Mobile Network restrictions.
iPhone Hardware Unlock is not a guaranteed solution which means if the SIM Interposer fail there is no refund option. Of course, your particular needs should guide your choice but it is extremely important that you carry out adequate research before settling for a SIM Interposer.
IMEI iPhone Unlocking: Success rate is 100%
Factory Unlock is the most popular iPhone Unlock Service. It supports the vast majority of Mobile Networks worldwide and the price, ranging between $30 – $170, depends on the iPhone model and the Locking Carrier.
This method is approved by all Mobile Networks and exceeds the SIM Unlock Policy limits they set.
If you decide to use iPhone IMEI Unlock Service in order to remove the SIM Lock, you will need to provide the IMEI number of the iPhone you want to unlock and nothing else. Usually, it takes up to 12 business days to complete and you will be fully refunded in case of failure (which is rare).
Blacklisted iPhone Unlocking
A blacklisted iPhone needs a special approach depending on various factors:
- Which Mobile Network Blacklisted the iPhone
- Why it was blacklisted
- Where you want to use the Blacklisted iPhone
A blacklisted iPhone won’t operate inside the country it was blacklisted but it is totally functional in any other country (as long as it is SIM Unlocked).
You have two options in this case: You can either remove the Blacklist Status or remove the SIM Lock.
I already created a Blacklisted iPhone Unlock Guide with the slightest detail and all the sub-cases you need to consider before you decide how to proceed.
iPhone iCloud Unlocking
There is no easy way out of the iCloud Lock. As long as Find my iPhone is enabled with a previous owner’s Apple ID then, you won’t be able to use the iPhone. Most importantly, there is no reason in SIM Unlocking or Unblacklisting an iPhone without removing the iCloud Lock first.
I am not gonna lie, your chances are extremely low since you mostly depend on Apple Support or the original owner for iCloud Removal.
We already created an iCloud Unlock Guide explaining everything in the smallest detail.
iPhone Unlocking Conclusion
It is always easier to employ the services of an iPhone Unlock expert to help you with information on these special requirements and help you scale through them.
However, you need to know the rules that apply to unlock an iPhone and be able to comply with them to ensure a hitch-free experience. A professional and knowledgeable iPhone Unlocking advisor can always help you in this regard.
Our experts (me included) know how to obtain a success rate of 99% as long as your iPhone is eligible for unlock. We know the best iPhone Unlock processes, the best iPhone Unlocking Providers and all the rules to unlock your iPhone especially when you own a used iPhone.
UltraSnow.EU is one of the safest and easiest places to unlock your iPhone. You can’t go wrong with us.