After receiving my first pay, I decided to level up with the big boys, so I bought two iPhones, one was mine and the other one was for my better half.
All was well, the communication was excellent not until this one day when I was promoted and transferred to go and work in a different country.
Oops! I forgot to mention that the iPhones I bought were carrier locked.
My phone wasn't compatible with the networks of my new home, and my payslip couldn't allow me to buy a replacement.
So what best option do I have? Yes, you are right. Unlocking my phone is the best option, but how and where?
The first solution I thought of was to contact Apple.
Keep reading to know what happened and how I unlocked my phone.
You'll love it!
Can Apple Unlock an iPhone?
After contacting Apple through their website and telling them what was up, the first thing I was told was congratulations on my promotion. And, the next thing was why they can't unlock my phone.
Let me rephrase the explanation I got so that you can fathom it.
If you buy your iPhone straight from Apple it is probably unlocked. But if you bought it from your service provider it is locked.
This means the person who locked my iPhone is my service provider and not Apple. Apple is not mandated to unlock phones.
To cut the long story short, Apple never unlocked my phone. They don't unlock carrier-locked iPhones.
Even though my first option failed, I still managed to unlock my phone permanently and at an affordable cost.
Come let me tell you how.
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How to Unlock an iPhone From Network
The feeling of using the iPhone 14 Pro is electric but when you start incurring expensive roaming charges the feeling fades away into thin air.
I decided to hunt DIY methods that I could use to unlock my phone on the internet. I must say, I was spoiled for choice so much.
Many unlocking sites are available on the internet, but did you know most of them operate illegally and can void the warranty of your phone?
So...
Always before trying to unlock your iPhone make sure you are using the right method. Otherwise here are some of the best methods that won't bring regrets.
- DirectUnlocks
- CellUnlocks
- ExpressUnlocks
- Via carrier
Let's check them all out in detail.
#1. DirectUnlocks
DirectUnlocks is what saved me. It is a third-party site that has been legalized to unlock all types of phones. Your latest iPhone 14 is included.
DirectUnlocks site is user-friendly. Basic computer knowledge is all you need to unlock an iPhone.
They also have a tracking feature that will always keep you in the loop during the unlocking process.
The best part about unlocking your phone using DirectUnlocks is that there are minimal easy-peasy requirements for your phone to be eligible.
DirectUnlocks is the most affordable site that will unlock your phone permanently without voiding the warranty.
The whole process is done remotely. So you can unlock your phone from anywhere you want as long as you can access their website.
And apart from using your Mastercard, credit, or debit card, DirectUnlocks also allows you to use bitcoins to pay for their services.
How to Use DirectUnlocks
Here is what to do if you want to unlock your phone using DirectUnlocks:
- Obtain IMEI Number: An IMEI number is a unique 15-digit number that is used to identify a single gadget. You can find it by dialing *#06# on your phone and it will pop up on your screen in no time.
- Fill in the unlock form below: Simply fill in the correct information in the form below, then DirectUnlocks will verify them before taking you to the next step
- Making payments: After verifying your information the only thing that is standing between you and your unlocked phone is payment.
- Unlocking stage: It takes a maximum of 24 hours for your iPhone to be unlocked remotely. I know it sounds like waiting an eternity but other sites can take more than this or even fail to unlock forever.
Unlock Your iPhone Now
After the whole process is done you will receive an email and a text to confirm the completion of the process.
Feel free to use any means to ascertain the success of the process.
#2. CellUnlocks
CellUnlocks is an alternative for DirectUnlocks. It is a third-party unlocking site that will unlock your phone to be able to use any network.
As the name goes, CellUnlocks can unlock any type of phone provided it is not flagged for fraud or theft.
The steps for unlocking your phone on CellUnlocks are:
- Visiting their website: Visit the CellUnlocks website using your phone.
- Provide your phone details: The first thing to do once you get to their site is to provide your IMEI number and choose the network you want to break from.
- Processing unlocks: After verifying your phone details, you will be requested to make payments before the process begins remotely.
- Unlocking process: CellUnlocks will take 24 hours to unlock any type of iPhone remotely, legally, and permanently.
A confirmation about the whole process will be sent to you through an SMS and email once they are done unlocking your Apple device.
In case of any abnormalities, feel free to contact their customer care at any time of the day.
#3. ExpressUnlocks
ExpressUnlocks is yet another third-party site that will unlock your phone permanently without voiding your phone warranty.
Similarly to DirectUnlocks, it is legally certified to unlock any type of phone.
Here is what to do if you want to unlock your phone using ExpressUnlocks.
- Visit ExpressUnlocks Website.
- Key in your phone details: Enter your IMEI number then press OK.
- Make payments: Once you pay all the required amount, the unlocking process will begin remotely.
- Unlocking process: It takes 24 hours for ExpressUnlocks to unlock your iPhone. Upon completion, you will receive an email and an SMS from ExpressUnlocks.
After receiving the text, always use any method to confirm if the process was successful.
#4. Contact Carrier
Most of the service providers have given in to the plea of many of their esteemed subscribers to have their locked phones unlocked.
Unlike other third-party unlocking sites, such as ExpressUnlocks where you will be required to pay for receiving their services, most service providers can help you carrier unlock an iPhone for free.
That sounds good, right?
On the flip side, all service providers have different mandatory requirements that you will have to meet before they set you free permanently.
Both prepaid and postpaid subscribers also have different requirements that they must meet before their gadgets are unlocked.
Here is how to go about it.
Step 1. Find your IMEI number
To confirm ownership of your phone, your service provider will request your IMEI number among other things.
Always dial *#06# to find your IMEI number.
Step 2. Contact your service provider
Call your service provider or go to their website and open up about your intentions.
To make things easy on your side, here are some of the contacts of the leading service providers:
- AT&T - 1 800 331 0500
- Sprint - 1 888 211 4727
- T mobile - 1 877 746 0909
- Verizon - 1 800 711 8300
Step 3. Verification
The service provider representative will verify if the information is true and if your phone is eligible for unlocking.
If it is not eligible you will be informed why and told what to do so that it can be eligible. However, if it is eligible, you will be given a duration to wait for the phone to be unlocked remotely.
The duration can take more than 30 days, this is because they have to contact your phone manufacturer for the process to be done.
Cons of using this method.
Unlocking your iPhone through a service provider is so inviting but it has so many drawbacks that have made many people opt for third-party unlocking sites.
To help you make an informed decision here are some of the major cons of using your service provider to unlock your iPhone.
It is expensive
If you decide to use this method to unlock your iPhone, there are requirements that you will have to meet. This is whether you are using a prepaid or a postpaid phone.
Among the requirements is that you have to stay active on their network for a given time, during this period of long wait you will be incurring the expensive roaming charges.
Has countless requirements.
Before setting you free, there are requirements that you must meet for your phone to be eligible for unlocking.
If you opt to use a third-party unlocking site such as DirectUnlocks, the only major requirement is your phone not being flagged for fraud or theft.
Complicated unlocking procedures
The unlocking procedure using this method is always very complicated. Ticking all the boxes for your phone to be eligible can be very hectic.
The procedure is also not favorable for old-aged users.
Consumes time
Most service providers have set several days that you must be active on their network before they unlock your phone.
Waiting for your phone to be eligible can be so disheartening and delaying especially if you have an urgent issue but your locked phone is a barrier.
Unreliable remote unlocking
Not once or twice, there have been many cases where subscribers are asked to visit a nearby store for their phones to be unlocked.
Final thoughts
Finally, with our locked phones, we can now enjoy the same services as those with unlocked phones. All thanks to improved technology.
Buying a locked phone should no longer be on your list of worries, what should be bothering you right now is unlocking your expensive phone using the right way that won't void its warranty.
So far, DirectUnlocks has the crown, it is the best unlocking site that will unlock your phone remotely without voiding your phone warranty and in very little time.
Visit DirectUnlocks and add more value to your expensive gadget.
Enjoy technology.