ExpressUnlocks Explained: Usage Tips, Performance and Reviews

When your iPhone or Android is tied to a single carrier, you can’t freely swap SIMs. That creates problems, such as not being able to pick a cheaper plan or travel abroad with a local SIM. This is where online services like ExpressUnlocks promise to help. They claim to remove phone carrier lock remotely using just your IMEI and to allow you to insert a new SIM within 24 hours. 

So, do IMEI online unlockers work as promised? Here, we will focus on ExpressUnlocks to break it all down. We’ll also look at Passixer iPhone Unlocker — a modern yet software-based solution for unlocking iPhone carrier without IMEI and carrier. 

Learn ExpressUnlocks in Minutes

Let’s break down how ExpressUnlocks works—what it does, what to expect, and how the pricing structure kicks in.

What Does ExpressUnlocks Do?

ExpressUnlocks lets you remove the SIM lock from iPhone, Android and Samsung phone remotely using just your IMEI number. As for the devices and carriers it supports:

• iPhone Support: Cover iPhone 4s through the iPhone 16 lineup.
• Android Support: Include Samsung Galaxy series, from older phones through the S23 line. Plus, there is dedicated support for models from Alcatel, HTC, Huawei, LG and others.
• Global Coverage: Work with carriers worldwide like T-Mobile and even handles eSIM-locked iPhone and Android devices.

On top of SIM unlocking, it can identify and remove iCloud locks on iPhone. It also offers a handy IMEI check to confirm whether there is a SIM lock in place.

Is It Free to Use ExpressUnlocks?

No, it’s not free. ExpressUnlocks is a paid service. Once you submit your IMEI, they’ll tell you the cost based on your device, carrier and region.

For example:

• Unlocking an iPhone 16E locked to Sprint came back with an initial price of $28.99. That fee covers the eligibility check to see if an unlock is possible. Some users report that additional fees can pop up based on carrier complications or timing. So be aware—the initial quote is not always the final cost.
• ExpressUnlocks also charges a separate IMEI check service priced at $6.99 flat across all devices. This fee is non-refundable, even if the unlock doesn’t go through.

Is ExpressUnlocks a Legit Service or a Scam?

To understand whether ExpressUnlocks is a scam or legit, you first need to understand how they operate. They don’t “magically” unlock your phone online. Instead, they rely on back-channel contacts within carriers. If those contacts succeed, the unlock goes through. If not, you lose your money.

That’s why opinions swing so widely. Some people label the whole ExpressUnlocks service a scam, while others say it worked for them and praise it legitimate.

A detection tool can also help you check whether a website is legitimate. For example, ScamAdviser reports that ExpressUnlocks scores just 1/100 which is extremely low. That alone raises red flags. However, such scores are not unusual in this industry. 

How to Use ExpressUnlocks

Step 1. Dial *#06# on your iPhone or Android phone and note down the IMEI number. You can also find it under Settings > General > About.

Step 2. Head to the ExpressUnlocks site and click Unlock Now. You can also pick your brand (iPhone, Samsung, Huawei, etc.) from the top menu to start.

Step 3. Choose your Country and then the Carrier your phone is locked to.

Step 4. Paste the IMEI into the box. Once it validates, you’ll see the phone model appear with a green tick.

Step 5. Press Unlock for Any Carrier to continue with the request.

Step 6. Make the payment for the eligibility check—US$28.99 as a starting fee. The page also shows that a second unlock fee(around US$60). Pay for the service if you accept the cost. 

Step 7. Save your order ID and use the Track Your Order page to monitor the progress.

Step 8. You’ll receive an email with the next instruction. It will usually ask you to pay another US$60 to continue the unlock. Once that second payment goes through, the process moves forward.

For iPhone, the lock is lifted automatically in the background. On Android phones, you’ll instead get an unlock code in your inbox, which you’ll need to enter on the device to remove the SIM restriction.

That’s the end!

Reddit Reviews on ExpressUnlocks

Let’s look at how ExpressUnlocks has sat with real users across the forums. You will find that the tone swings in both directions.

Seven months ago, one user shared that they paid around £40 to unlock a phone tied to EE. They were nervous after being asked for money twice during the process, yet to their surprise the device was eventually freed and is still working fine. It shows that the service can deliver in some cases.

That said, stories like this are rare. Most other comments point to recurring problems: extra charges, refunds that never reach the bank and unlocks that drag on for months without success and here are some comments reporting such issues.

• A user who spent US$129 on a Samsung Galaxy unlock said their order sat stuck at 99% for nine months. ExpressUnlocks support told them to “be patient” but refused to return the money.



• Another user said they paid US$25 but ExpressUnlocks got asked for more. 

In summary, what most of the Reddit discussions suggest: while a few users manage to get their phones unlocked via ExpressUnlocks, a large number of users walk away calling it a scam.

ExpressUnlocks Not Working: What to Do?

ExpressUnlocks is known for leaving orders stuck, so we share you some effective solutions to ExpressUnlocks not working here. 

Fix 1. Track Your Order

Perhaps the ExpressUnlocks site is still processing your unlock order, but you assumed it wasn’t working. Therefore, the first thing you can do is check the current unlock status. To do this:

Step 1. Open the confirmation email you received from ExpressUnlocks right after placing the order. Inside, you’ll see your Order ID (an 8-digit number).

Step 2. Go to the Track Your Order page on ExpressUnlocks, paste your Order ID into the box and hit Track Your Order.

Step 3. The page will display the current status of your unlock. For example, when we checked, one of our test devices (an iPhone 12 Mini locked to AT&T) showed progress at 85% complete, with an estimated 10 hours remaining.

Fix 2. Contact ExpressUnlocks

ExpressUnlocks does not list any phone numbers at all. The only channel to reach it is to email. You’ll have to write to support@expressunlocks.com and wait for a reply.

And be prepared for frustration. In our own case, every response felt automated — no matter how many times we explained that the delivered unlock code was useless on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. And the same template answer came back.

Still, you can try your luck. Some users report getting through after repeated emails.

Fix 3. Require a Refund

Refunds are one of the most confusing parts of ExpressUnlocks. The US$28.99 you pay at the start isn’t for the unlock itself, which is only an eligibility check. So, in plain terms, the first payment is almost always lost.

Besides that, users often report endless delays even when the site promises to return the amount.

Based on user reports, refunds are usually denied for reasons like these:

• If your Android device doesn’t rely on an unlock code, they’ll keep the fee.
• If your carrier requires a premium service (on top of the US$28.99 + US$60 standard fee) and you refuse, so no refund will be issued.
• If there’s a mistake in the details you provide (wrong IMEI number), they call the process void.

Note: Some users have received only store credits instead of actual refunds. In practice, that means your money will stay locked into their system and you can only use it for another unlock attempt.

Fix 4. Use Passixer Carrier Unlocker Feature Instead

If you’re on an iPhone, you can try this reliable way to remove SIM lock from your device and desktop software – Passixer iPhone Unlocker will be used.

Unlike using IMEI online tools like ExpressUnlocks, Passixer can handle the carrier unlock itself without carrier help and long waiting time. Simply install Passixer on your computer, connect your iPhone and the unlock is done about 40 minutes. Passixer’s pricing is also transparent. For $29.99, you can use Passixer to unlock up to 6 iPhones within a month.

Whether your iPhone is locked to Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, EE or any global carrier (big or small), Passixer will effectively unlock your iPhone from carrier. 

How Passixer iPhone Unlocker Unlock iPhone SIM Lock

Now, your iPhone will work with SIM from Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, EE or global carriers immediately.

Conclusion

That’s the story of ExpressUnlocks. No matter which platform you check, be it Trustpilot, Reddit, SiteJabber, PissedConsumer or even ScamAdvisor, the criticism keeps piling up.

If you’re on an iPhone and want a reliable alternative to ExpressUnlocks, try Passixer iPhone Unlocker. With Passixer, you can unlock iPhone carrier directly on your computer in about 30-40 minutes. Once it’s done, your iPhone is free to use with popular carrier and better plan.