While uncommon in the rest of the world, many carriers in the US still lock phones to prevent users from switching to other cellular providers. This practice is unfair to consumers, who should retain the right to exercise their options in the free market and switch to cheaper providers whenever they wish to.
While your phone company might not want you to switch to another provider before your two-year contract is over, the good news is that you can. There are third-party phone unlocking services that you can use to bypass your carrier's restrictions and break free from that contract forever.
What Are Phone Unlocking Services?
Major companies like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T lock their phones so customers can't switch to a competitor before their initial contract ends. Typically, they will only unlock a phone once the initial contract is over or after a certain amount of time has passed.
Third-party services like DirectUnlocks, however, can unlock your phone remotely even before your carrier allows it. Once your phone is unlocked, you can cancel your contract and switch to a cheaper provider or one with better cellular coverage in your area.
Phone unlock services charge a small one-time fee. In the long run, you will save money, as you will be free to use your phone with low-cost prepaid providers or cheaper post-paid companies.
How a Phone Unlock Service Works
You might be wondering how a third party can unlock your phone before your carrier does. There are many ways third parties unlock phones.
Sometimes, phone unlock service providers purchase unlock codes from major cellular providers. At other times, they have contacts within Verizon, AT&T, and other companies who will unlock your phone. Another method these services use is registering your phone as unlocked on the manufacturer's unlock whitelist.
In either case, the process is quick, simple, and safe. It will need your IMEI number, a unique number that identifies your device – sort of like a Social Security number for your phone. With that and other basic information, it can unblock any locked phone, regardless of your carrier.
Don't worry – it's legal. The Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, which Obama passed in 2014, made it legal for consumers to unlock their devices as long as they have fulfilled the contract requirements.
This act overruled a previous ruling by the United States Library of Congress, which applied the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to most phones bought in the US after January 25, 2013, making it illegal to unlock them.
Nevertheless, some cellular providers may fail to unlock your device, which is where we come into the picture.
4 Best Phone Unlocking Services Reviews
It's critical to choose a reputable phone unlocking service that has experience in the industry and will unlock your phone promptly. Avoid sketchy websites which may scam you by providing unlock codes that don't work. Here are the best phone unlock providers that you can trust.
1. DirectUnlocks
DirectUnlocks will unlock Android and iOS devices by registering the IMEI code as unlocked in the manufacturer's database. We support all carriers and phone models, including those that use eSim.
Our process to unlock a phone is quick and straightforward. It involves three basic steps:
Your Best Phone Unlock Service
- Supply us with your IMEI code and network provider. Using your IMEI, we'll automatically look up your phone model. If you don't know your IMEI, dial *#06# on your keypad to get it.
- Wait as we unlock your phone. For Android phones, the process takes up to six hours. iPhones take a bit longer, but not more than 24 hours. In practice, though, we usually complete the process in just a few minutes.
- Receive our unlock code and use it to unlock your phone and use it with another sim card. You will need to input this code when inserting a new sim. We unlock iPhones over the air – you won't have to input any code.
Don't worry – we can unlock your phone even before your contract is over. Our connections in the mobile industry have allowed us to maintain the success rate we pride ourselves in.
You will be able to use your phone as normal while we unlock it. Once we are done, we will notify you via email or SMS.
Once the phone is unlocked, you can use it with any other carrier you choose. The unlock process is permanent, so you'll be able to wash your hands of this headache for good.
Our support team is available 24/7 to guide you through the unlock process if you face any difficulties or have any questions.
2. ExpressUnlocks
ExpressUnlocks has been in business for over 15 years and unlocked over two million phones. It offers a remote unlocking service, taking as little as 30 minutes and up to 24 hours, depending on your phone model.
All you'll need to do is select your cellular provider and enter your IMEI code. If you're unsure which network the phone is locked to, use their network check tool. Then, sit back and wait while the team gets your unlock code.
3. MobileUnlocks
MobileUnlocks promises to unlock most devices within 15 minutes. You'll need to provide them with your network provider and IMEI code. Don't worry – if you choose the wrong network provider by mistake, the company will correct it later once they get your IMEI code.
Once you place your order and pay via credit card, you will receive your unlock code via email, along with instructions on how to use it. iPhones don't require a code; MobileUnlocks will unlock your iPhone automatically over the air.
4. IMEInow
IMEInow offers a quick and easy unlocking service. Start by selecting your network and supplying them with your IMEI number. You can use their handy IMEI checker tool to find it.
Once you place your order, your phone will usually be unlocked within 4–6 hours. Sometimes, it will take just a few minutes; in some cases, it might take up to 24 hours. Once your unlock code is ready, you will receive a confirmation via email or SMS.
Conclusion
Unlocking locked cell phones isn't as complicated as people think. You don't have to fiddle with the settings or take your phone to a repair shop. Don't bother spending hours arguing with your phone company either, which will likely be an exercise in futility.
Instead, use a safe and reliable phone unlocking service. You can have an unlocked device that you can use on any carrier anywhere in the world within minutes, so why wait?