How to Unlock iPhone Free with IMEI Number [Free/Paid]

Like every phone out there, your iPhone carries a unique IMEI number — a 15-digit code that works like its fingerprint. Most of the time, you don’t need this number. Yet when your iPhone is locked to a carrier, it suddenly becomes very important.

Here, we’ll explain how to unlock iPhone for free using IMEI. First, we’ll cover the simple ways to find the IMEI code. Then, we’ll show how to use IMEI to request an official unlock through your carrier. Finally, we’ll also introduce some paid online IMEI services that claim to remove the carrier lock remotely and share you Passixer iPhone Unlocker — an advanced tool that removes carrier locks worldwide in about 30 minutes.

Preparations for Unlocking iPhone for Free with IMEI Number

You will need some key details to request the free iPhone unlock from your carrier with an IMEI. So, this section will explain exactly what you’ll need and how to collect it. This way, your request can go smoothly.

Get Your iPhone IMEI Number

Many users don’t know where to find the IMEI number. So, here are multiple ways to get IMEI yourself.

Way 1. Via the Dial Pad

On your iPhone:

• Simply open the Phone app.
• Dial *#06#.

Now a pop-up will show with the IMEI number. Copy the number somewhere else. Then, tap Cancel at the top left to close it.

Way 2. Via the Settings App

Another way to find IMEI is:

• Go to Settings > General > About.
• Tap on the Serial Number line.
• Then, long-press on the IMEI number to copy it to the clipboard or write it down on a piece of paper.

Way 3. Via the Back of the iPhone

On up to iPhone 5/5C/5S/6/6 Plus, the IMEI number is engraved on the back of the iPhone itself. The iPhone SE (1st generation) also includes it on the back. However, other iPhone models don’t have this marking.

Way 4. Via the Packaging

You can also check the back of the iPhone’s box. Look near the barcode label. Along with the serial number, the IMEI digits are printed there.

Way 5. Via the SIM Tray

This applies to most of the iPhone models. The IMEI number is generally marked on the SIM tray.

• Eject the tray.
• You’ll find the number on one side.

Note: eSIM-only iPhone models like iPhone 14 onwards in US don’t have a SIM tray at all.

Active Service Time Requirements

Carriers also require your iPhone to be active on their network for a minimum time. This rule helps prevent fraud.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Account Number or Phone Number

In many cases, the carrier will also ask for your account number or phone number, especially when you contact them via customer support. When submitting an online request through your logged-in account, these details are usually not needed.

Along with that, your account must be in good standing, which means all bills should be paid in full.

The Phone Is Not Blacklisted

Almost all carriers will reject an IMEI unlock request if the iPhone is flagged as lost or stolen. Make sure your device does not have that status.

Military Exceptions

Most of the carriers in the US, like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Cricket Wireless have special rules for military personnel. As long as your account is in good standing and your bills are cleared, you can request an unlock without waiting for the minimum usage period.

How to Unlock iPhone Free with IMEI Number

Once you have all the required details, you can unlock the iPhone via your carrier. As long as your iPhone meets the unlock eligibility requirements, the process is smooth and free of charge.

Carriers allow you to do this either through their website/app or by calling customer support directly. In any case, your IMEI number is needed. Let’s see each process in detail.

Without Computer (Call Support)

Required Time

The call usually takes 10–30 minutes. After that, the carrier takes up to 48 hours to process the unlock request.

Success Rate

If you meet all requirements, US carriers are obliged (by FCC guidelines) to approve the unlock in 100% of cases.

Learn More About This Way

Calling your carrier is often the most direct route. During the call, you’ll be asked to verify basic account information, such as your phone number, account number, and even your billing details sometimes.

After this verification, the representative will open a ticket and submit your unlock request. You’ll typically receive an email confirmation with the expected processing time, usually within 24 to 48 hours.

Here’s What You Have to Do:

Step 1. Call your carrier support.

• You can dial 611 from the iPhone you’re trying to unlock.
• If you’ll be calling via a different phone, here are the main support contacts for popular U.S. carriers:

Step 2. You just have to request the unlock. You can say something like:

“I’d like to unlock my iPhone. Here is my IMEI number and account details.”

They will verify the details and confirm the ticket. You will receive an email once your iPhone is unlocked.

With Computer (Official Site)

Required Time

The form for phone unlock in the site takes only a few minutes to complete. However, the waiting period for approval is the same as calling: around one to two business days for almost all carriers.

Success Rate

The success rate is high, if your iPhone is be eligible.

More Details on the Way

Now, instead of calling, you can use your carrier’s official website or app. AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint (legacy), Metro and others all have self-service unlock portals. You can pick whichever service applies to your iPhone. For instance, here’s how it works with AT&T’s official portal:

Step 1. Go to the AT&T Device Unlock Portal and click the Start Unlock Request button.

Step 2. Enter your iPhone’s IMEI number on the next screen. You may also need to fill in other requested account details.

Step 3. Submit the form.

You’ll get a final email that confirms your unlock or provides any extra steps you need to complete.

How to Unlock iPhone with IMEI Number [Paid]

Required Time

Many services promise completion within 24 hours. In practice, this is rarely true. From both testing and Reddit user reports, the waiting time can stretch from one week to three months.

Success Rate

The advertised success rate of 100% on paid IMEI unlock sites is often inflated. For example, doctorSIM reports only about 15–20% success with AT&T iPhones in the US. The real chance of successfully unlocking the iPhone lock is far lower, and it depends heavily on the carrier’s own policies.

Pricing

It comes in two parts. The first is a smaller “eligibility check” fee. Once that is paid, you are then asked for a much larger amount, typically US$200–US$300, to complete the process.

Paid IMEI Unlocking Services

There are many paid unlocking services online. The main reason people turn to these services is when their iPhone does not meet the official carrier eligibility requirements. However, they operate similarly to carriers. Some of them claim to have direct contact with the carrier, so they submit an unlock request on your behalf.

When they are unsuccessful, refunds are extremely rare. Customer support responses are slow too. On Trustpilot, most of these services hover around an average of 3–3.5 stars.

Steps to Unlock iPhone with IMEI Online

Almost all third-party IMEI unlock services follow the same process and here are some popular IMEI unlockers. 

• doctorSIM
• DirectUnlocks
• UnlockBase
• Cellunlocker.net
• MobileUnlocked
• Official SIM Unlock
• UnlockBase

For clarity, here’s how the process looks with Official SIM Unlock as an example:

Step 1. Visit the Official SIM Unlock website. From the homepage, choose your iPhone model.

Step 2. Enter your carrier’s name and iPhone’s IMEI.

Step 3. Complete the payment required for processing.

Step 4. Wait for the unlock result.

How to Unlock iPhone Without IMEI Number

Finding the IMEI number is simple, but unlocking through it is not always straightforward. Carrier unlocks are the safer route, yet not everyone qualifies. On the other hand, many third-party IMEI services exist, but most are unreliable. And if you are in urgent need, relying on them is risky.

That’s where direct iPhone Carrier Unlockers – Passixer iPhone Unlocker come in, which works without needing the IMEI at all.

Required Time

Installing Passixer on your Mac or Windows computer takes no more than two minutes. From there, the unlocking process itself usually completes within 30 minutes. In total, you can expect your carrier unlock on the iPhone within an hour.

Success Rate

Passixer iPhone Unlocker offers the highest success rates for removing carrier locks from carriers.

Pricing

US$29.99 for unlocking 6 iPhones within a month.

Introduction to Passixer

Passixer iPhone Unlocker allows you to remove the carrier lock from your iPhone quickly without waiting for the carrier approval. It supports unlocking from all major networks, whether in the United States with Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, or with carriers throughout Canada, Europe, Asia, or any region.

Once Passixer unlocks your iPhone carrier, you can use another network plan for a more economic bill or lower fees when travelling abroad. This software can be a lifesaver if you need to unlock your iPhone for an urgent usage, such as for a last-minute business trip abroad the next day.

Steps to Unlock iPhone Carrier with Passixer

Step 1. Open Passixer iPhone Unlocker on your computer and pick Remove SIM Lock from the main screen.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone with a USB cable. Then press Start to continue.

Step 3. Follow the on-screen jailbreak tutorial carefully. This part only prepares the system and won’t erase your data.

Step 4. Once the preparation is done, the program will display your iPhone’s model and iOS version. Check whether everything looks right and then select Start SIM Lock Removal.

Step 5. On your iPhone:

• Remove the SIM card and open Settings > Wi-Fi.
• Forget the saved networks and switch Wi-Fi off.
• Insert the SIM card back to your phone. 

Tap OK on the tool to proceed.

Step 6. A success message will appear once the lock is removed. From then, your iPhone works with SIMs from different carriers.

Bonus: How to Unlock iPhone Free with IMEI Number Without Passcode

Sometimes an iPhone is locked with an iCloud Activation Lock instead of a carrier lock. Both are common on second-hand devices and can stop you from using the phone freely.

There are also online services that promise to remove iCloud Activation Locks using just your IMEI number. One of the well-known names here is iRemove.tools.

It works by letting you submit your IMEI online and then processing the unlock remotely. Pricing starts at US$19, making it one of the cheaper options to try. 

That said, the success rate of even online-based IMEI iCloud unlockers is low. Keep in mind it will not work every time. A stable option to remove the iCloud Activation Lock is to stick with Passixer iPhone Unlocker.

Conclusion

So unlocking the carrier lock from your iPhone is simple. The most reliable way is always through your carrier using the IMEI number. Online IMEI services are available but not recommended, which we have just shown to you.

If you cannot go through your carrier, the smart solution is to use an advanced tool like Passixer iPhone Unlocker. Passixer is simple to use and ensures your iPhone is ready for calls, messages, and mobile data with any SIM you prefer. Best of all, the entire process takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.