Updated on 2025-07-23
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5min read
When your phone is tied to a carrier, it’s natural to look for solutions on Google. And that’s where DirectUnlocks shows up—a service promising to remove SIM locks using just your IMEI. However, most people have doubts about the services. Does it really work remotely? Is it safe to pay upfront? And above all, does it actually work?
So in this article, we’re going to review DirectUnlocks from every angle: what it claims, whether it’s safe and legit and if it can successfully removes iOS carrier locks. And as a bonus, we’ll also introduce you to Passixer iPhone Unlocker, a desktop tool built to remove screen lock, Apple ID, etc., from iDevices.
FAQs About DirectUnlocks
Before diving into the deeper parts, it’s worth pausing and addressing a few common questions about DirectUnlocks. You may already know these answers, but still many people wonder about the basic things. So let’s keep it simple and start here.
What Do DirectUnlocks Do?
DirectUnlocks works by whitelisting your device’s IMEI from the carrier’s database. As a result, you will be able to switch to a different SIM network.
The service runs 24/7 since it’s all online. If your network and phone brand is eligible for unlocking, they’ll send an unlock code which is needed to use a new SIM.
According to the site, most unlocks take about 15 minutes. Still, it can take up to 24 hours depending on your region, phone model, and carrier.
Keep in mind: this is what the company says it does. We’ll explore later whether it delivers on these promises.
Can I Unlock Any Carrier with DirectUnlocks?
DirectUnlocks supports a long list of U.S. and global carriers. That includes major ones like:
- AT&T
- Verizon
- T-Mobile
- Sprint
- TracFone
- Spectrum
- Straight Talk
- Boost Mobile
- Dish Wireless
- and many others
It also works with regional networks like Alltel, Bluegrass Cellular, Carolina West Wireless, Cincinnati Bell, Consumer Cellular, Dobson Cellular.
Device-wise, it supports all iPhone models down to iPhone 4S and works with iPads as well. However, Apple Watch is not supported. Samsung and other Android phones are covered too, depending on carrier and region though.
Is DirectUnlocks Free?
Not really. Also, it seems like the service is cheap at first, but the pricing structure can be misleading.
You’ll typically pay an initial fee of US$25–US$28 for the IMEI check, thinking it to be the total cost. After that, many users report a second payment of US$54–US$75 to finish the unlock. Some even say they were asked to pay US$300 for what’s described as “premium” services.
Is DirectUnlocks Legit?
IMEI whitelisting is used worldwide and accepted as a legitimate method to unlock phones.
As for DirectUnlocks specifically: the service has worked for many people if you go by TrustPilot reviews. Still, many people complain that the service takes forever.
In the official response from their support team, the process is explained in two stages: a US$28.99 eligibility check and a US$50 unlock fee. So, on paper, everything looks structured.
Is DirectUnlocks a Scam?
On ScamAdviser, DirectUnlocks holds a TrustScore of 76 out of 100, which means it’s likely to be legit and trusted by most users.
Many users online, including those on Reddit, don’t hesitate to throw the word “scam” when the process takes far longer than promised. One user bluntly said, “All of these sites are scams. It sucks… but it is what it is.”
So, is DirectUnlocks a scam? That depends: if the unlock goes through, it will feel like a smart solution. However, if you’re one of the unlucky ones stuck in a multi-week wait after paying twice, it’s easy to see why people would call it questionable.
Reddit Reviews on DirectUnlocks
Reddit is where sugarcoating ends. Over on Trustpilot, DirectUnlocks boasts over 18,000 reviews with a 3.5-star average. That average score can’t be blindly trusted.
Still, what really matters is where real users talk freely, Reddit and here, the consensus leans overwhelmingly negative.
A tech community mod responded, adding that:
“Sites like these are usually all run the same way and by people overseas.”
A few users warned about shady payment tactics:
“They promised to unlock my phone instantly for US$28, then demanded US$63 more. Then they told me it would take 20 days to unlock it.”
Some users did say they eventually got refunds after threatening chargebacks. One documented everything, including screenshots and chat logs, calling it:
“An elaborate bait-and-switch scam.”
To sum it up: while the business model of SIM unlocking is real, Reddit users mostly agree that DirectUnlocks overpromises and uses misleading tactics, while delivering only a small number of users.
Complaints About DirectUnlocks
According to the BBB, DirectUnlocks is not an accredited business and has two formal alerts issued against it. One alert outlines a pattern of complaints which are mostly about users being charged for a premium unlocking service that was never delivered, with no refunds were issued either.
BBB hasn’t even rated DirectUnlocks because, according to their records, the business might be out of operation. That in itself is a major red flag.
The user rating on BBB is an abysmal 1.0 out of 5, based on over 100+ reviews. One reviewer wrote:
“This is a SCAM… bait and switch… they charge a discovery fee then ask US$54 more.”
How to Unlock Phone Carrier with DirectUnlocks
You can unlock almost any phone using DirectUnlocks and the process remains more or less the same, whether you’re unlocking an iPhone, Samsung, or other Android devices. Let’s walk through the steps using a real example: an iPhone locked to Verizon in the USA.
Steps to Unlock iPhone Using DirectUnlocks
Step 1. Open the DirectUnlocks website and choose your phone brand from the top menu. Click iPhone Unlock here.
Step 2. On your phone, dial *#06# to get your 15-digit IMEI number.
Step 3. On the website, select the country and carrier of your phone in the webform. Then, type your IMEI number in the box and press the Unlock For Any Carrier button.
Step 4. Enter your email and choose a payment method like Credit/Debit Card, Google Pay, or Cryptocurrency. Read and agree to the Terms & Conditions.
Step 5. Tap Pay Now to place your order. Once payment is processed, DirectUnlocks submits your IMEI to Apple’s database for unlocking.
Step 6. If your device qualifies, you’ll receive a message directly on your iPhone saying “Your phone is unlocked!” or get the unlock code by email.
You can now insert a new SIM in your phone and type the Unlock Code when prompted to use it.
Extra Tip: How to Unlock iPhone Passcode via Passixer
While DirectUnlocks is made for carrier unlocking, many of you can be stuck with more serious locks like screen lock and iCloud Activation Lock. In such cases, Passixer iPhone Unlocker is the reliable choice to help regain access to your iDevice.
Passixer is an all-in-one iOS unlocking solution that can handle various locks easily. It removes 4-digit or 6-digit passcodes, Face ID, or Touch ID and bypasses iCloud lock when you’re completely locked out. It can also gets rid of usage restrictions like Screen Time and MDM from your iPhone without passcode. Moreover, Passixer’s success rate stands at 99 percent. And the good news is that it supports every phone model, from older iPhones to the latest iOS and iPadOS devices.
Key Features:
- Very simple to use—just three steps to remove any kind of lock, available on both Mac and Windows.
- A single license lets you unlock up to six iOS devices without restrictions.
- Remove the Apple ID from your iPhone or iPad without password.
- Bypass Screen Time restrictions without erasing your data or changing any settings.
Steps to Remove iPhone’s Forgotten Passcode Using Passixer:
Step 1. Open Passixer iPhone Unlocker on your Windows or Mac. Choose Wipe Passcode on the home screen and plug in your locked iPhone using a proper USB cable.
Step 2. As soon as the iPhone is recognized, its details will appear. Confirm them and hit Start to let Passixer fetch the exact firmware needed.
Step 3. When the firmware is downloaded, type 0000 and press Unlock. This will remove the Face ID, passcode, and any other screen lock.
Step 4. After a brief reset process, you’ll see the Passcode Wiped Successfully screen.
Your iPhone will restart and land on the familiar Hello screen, ready for a fresh setup.
Final Words
DirectUnlocks sits in a very confusing space and honestly, it’s the same story with many SIM unlocking services like UnlockBase, Mobile Unlocked, and Official SIM Unlock. Each has its own strengths and serious flaws. So should you use DirectUnlocks? The answer is: only if you’re okay taking a chance. Some users have seen results, but in our personal testing, we got no success, even after waiting 14 days.
Also, if you’re facing a disabled iPhone, Passixer iPhone Unlocker is the tool to go for. It wipes all kinds of screen locks without any waiting. Plus, Passixer supports nearly all iPhones and iPads, making it a reliable choice for dealing with iOS-related locks.