UnlockRiver is one of the most expensive IMEI services and charges up to US$300 for a single carrier unlock on iPhone or Android devices. That price tag naturally raises the question: Is UnlockRiver really worth it? This article answers your question in detail. We’ll also compare other IMEI-based services that have a similar success rate but cost way less than UnlockRiver.
Additionally, we’ll highlight a software-based option that has become the go-to in 2025: Passixer iPhone Unlocker. With it, you can remove iPhone SIM lock in just 30–40 minutes and start using a new SIM from another carrier instantly.
What Is UnlockRiver?
UnlockRiver.com presents itself as an online IMEI-based unlocking hub and provides the following services.
Key Features
- Unlock major carriers worldwide on iPhone/Android – coverage spans over 120 countries and 700+ networks.
- iCloud Activation Lock removal – remote service for Apple devices.
- Google FRP lock bypass – covers many Android brands, such as Samsung and Google Pixel.
- Passcode and Find My checks – lets you confirm FMI status on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
- IMEI blacklist checker – finds whether a device has been flagged by carriers.
- Device info checkers – check warranty, carrier lock status, eSIM profile, activation date, etc., for Apple and Android devices.
Does UnlockRiver Unlock Phone from Any Carrier for Free?
No. Not only the carrier unlock, but every service on UnlockRiver.com comes with a fee. On average, you will have to pay between US$3.99 to US$300 for most unlocks in this site, though the exact amount varies with the service chosen. For instance:
Carrier Unlock: Prices shift depending on both the model and the carrier. For high-end phones, the numbers can go much higher. Unlocking a carrier-locked iPhone 15 was quoted at US$179.99 (US Cellular) and US$249.99 (Sprint), with a delivery time of 15–30 days.
Samsung FRP Bypass: Range of US$20 to US$50.
iCloud Unlock: up to US$200.
How to Get a Discount on UnlockRiver.com
UnlockRiver does maintain a dedicated promotions page where discount codes are listed. These are usually generic, like WELCOME15 or UNLOCKRIVER which you can use to lower the unlock fee.
Besides one-time codes, the site leans heavily on cashback-style promotions. For instance:
- Recording a short 30–120 second video about your experience and sharing it in the requested format can earn you a 25% refund on the order.
- Creating a polished 1–4 minute tutorial and posting it on YouTube may get you a 100% refund. They also mention the same full-credit incentive for TikTok uploads.
User Comments on UnlockRiver Pricing
When it comes to the pricing, reviews are mixed. Some users have called Unlockriver a “scam” and others say it worked for them on certain phone models.
For instance, one bad comment on Reddit said that after paying US$26 and waiting nine days, they received nothing but automated responses.
One user reported paying US$160 for Sprint. We can confirm this kind of pricing, because at the time of our own check it cost US$179.99, with delivery quoted at 15–30 days.
So, one thing that is good about UnlockRiver is that it does not appear to charge twice.
Is UnlockRiver Legitimate for Carrier Unlocking?
When you ask whether IMEI unlock software like UnlockRiver is legitimate, there are several angles to consider.
Is the Website Itself Safe to Visit?
On this front, the independent checker ScamAdviser gives UnlockRiver.com a trust rating of 1 out of 100—one of the lowest possible scores. That alone is a red flag for anyone weighing whether to put in payment details.
What Are People Saying About Their Experience?
Like most IMEI-based unlock sites, UnlockRiver.com does not deliver consistent success.
Roughly 1 in 10 reviews online are positive while the other nine call it a scam after failed attempts.
So, Is UnlockRiver Legit?
The short answer is yes, as it has worked for some users. However, legitimacy here doesn’t mean it is completely reliable. The general consensus online, especially among Redditors, is to avoid such IMEI-based services altogether.
How to Remove Carrier Lock from iPhone/Android with UnlockRiver
The unlocking process on UnlockRiver.com is the same whether you’re using an iPhone or Android device. The only difference comes at the very end: iPhone is unlocked remotely while Android users need to enter the received code to unlock their phones.
Step 1. Start at UnlockRiver landing page where it says “Unlock your phone from any carrier”. Select your country and the network provider that your phone is locked to.
Step 2. Choose the manufacturer first. In the model field, select your exact device, like iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Step 3. Enter your phone’s IMEI number (15 digits). Then type in your email address.
Step 4. Click on the purple Unlock now button. At this stage, you’ll see the pricing displayed.
Step 5. On the next page, review your order. Here you can enter any coupon code and choose the payment methods.
Step 6. Once the payment is completed, the order is confirmed. A confirmation page with the usual “congratulations” message will appear.
User Feedback on UnlockRiver’s Carrier Unlock Feature
The user reviews related to the Unlock feature of UnlockRiver feel like they come from two different worlds.
On Reddit, some deleted accounts claim they had no trouble at all. For example, one of these users said that they successfully unlocked two iPhone 15 Pro Max devices and both worked fine.
However, alongside these rare successes, there are plenty of comments branding the service a “scam”. One user who asked “did this website work?” was met with a blunt “It is a scam!!” reply.
Reviews on other platforms are just as split. On Trustpilot, UnlockRiver has a rating of around 4.2–4.6 out of 5 from over 3,200 reviews, suggesting that many did get their phones unlocked.
On Reviews.io, about 67% of users said the service worked for them. Yet digging deeper shows troubling stories too: customers who paid received nothing.
So what do the above comments mean?
UnlockRiver is one of those IMEI-based services that might or might not work.If it doesn’t, you’ve lost both money and time. That uncertainty is the biggest issue, which is why most users advise using it with caution.
Free Alternative to UnlockRiver.com
There’s only one free way to unlock a carrier-locked phone, which is through the carrier itself.
Almost every major provider—AT&T , T-Mobile, Verizon and others now offers an auto-unlock policy. For example, after 60 days of active service (postpaid), many carriers in the U.S. have to unlock the device from their end. If not, you just have to give a quick call to customer support to get it done.
And in most cases, the unlock process takes 1-2 days, which is much faster than what UnlockRiver usually promises.
Typical requirements for carrier’s unlock eligibility include:
- Device is fully paid off.
- You are active on the network for the minimum period.
- Your iPhone is not blacklisted.
- Your account is in good standing.
And placing the unlock request is straightforward:
- You can log in to your carrier’s website or call their support team. Either way, you’ll be asked for your IMEI number.
- As long as you meets the criteria, the carrier will remove the SIM lock.
Paid Alternatives to UnlockRiver.com
If your carrier refuses to unlock your phone or you want to unlock your device fast for urgent usage, then you can try these paid alternatives to UnlockRiver.
1. Desktop Carrier Unlocker – Passixer
Passixer iPhone Unlocker is a desktop application built for unlocking iDevices, including the SIM unlocking feature. Unlike UnlockRiver or other remote IMEI services, you can download the tool yourself and carry out the unlock process directly on your computer. So you don’t need to wait the carrier unlocking for days. At the same time, Passixer allows you to unlock your paid iPhone without meeting the unlocking conditions of your carriers.
Passixer is simple to use too. Within about 30 to 40 minutes, your phone can be free from its carrier and will be ready to use a different SIM card from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile or another network.
Pricing of Passixer is also far more accessible. A license starts at US$29.99 and covers up to six iOS devices. That means you can unlock multiple phones without paying per device, something IMEI services like UnlockRiver don’t offer.
Steps to Use Passixer to Unlock iPhone Carrier
Choose Remove SIM Lock from Passixer Interface
Open Passixer iPhone Unlocker on your Mac or Windows computer and select Remove SIM Lock from the home screen.
Connect Your iPhone to Passixer
Connect your iPhone via a certified USB cable and then click Start to proceed.
Jailbreak Your iPhone by Following the Onscreen Steps.
Follow the on-screen instructions to jailbreak your device. Once done, click Next to continue.
Check iPhone Device Info
The tool will detect your device’s information. Make sure everything is correct and click Start SIM Lock Removal.
Follow the Onscreen Instructions to Change Wi-Fi Settings
By following the prompted steps, forget all saved Wi-Fi networks on the iPhone and turn off the Wi-Fitoggle. Confirm with OK.
iPhone SIM lock Is Removed
After a short while, you’ll see a SIM Lock Removed Successfully message.
2. Online IMEI Unlocker
Here are three other IMEI-based unlocking services that work in a similar way to UnlockRiver. None of them are flawless, as hidden fees, inconsistent success rates and refund issues are common across the board. Still, here’s a quick view:
Starting Price
Typical Extra Fees
Supported Devices
Coverage & Speed
User Reputation
Refund Policy
From US$4.95 (tiers: Standard, Express, Premium)
Can go up to US$100 depending on carrier/model
iPhone, Android(Samsung, Sony, etc.)
Unlock carrier worldwide and delivery varies (some tiers faster)
Trustpilot 4.1★ (23,000+ reviews)
Reddit mixed (50% success openly admitted)
Refund offered if unlock fails; transparent but not guaranteed
From US$14.99 initial fee
Users often report second charges of US$50–95; total up to around US$100+
iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Samsung, Sony, other Android
Claim 24 hours, but can drag on for weeks; some report stuck progress
Trustpilot 3.6★ (6,900+ reviews)
BBB “F”
Reddit mostly negative (“scam” warnings)
No reliable refunds
From US$24.99 upfront
Hidden second fee: US$80–160 more; total up to US$200
iPhone, Android, iPad, Apple Watch
Promise unlock in 15 mins–few hours
Trustpilot 3.2★ (4,000+ reviews)
Reddit strongly negative about hidden charges
Refunds unclear; many cases of no response after failure
Conclusion
As you’ve seen from the comparison above, UnlockRiver is not very different from other IMEI services. It charges up to US$300 for a single unlock—nearly a quarter of an iPhone’s price and still leaves you uncertain of the result, so it’s hard to recommend. The safer choice is to simply avoid it.
That’s why many now rely on Passixer iPhone Unlocker instead. It supports unlocking from major carriers and costs only US$29.99. More importantly, Passixer handles the SIM lock in about 30–40 minutes, so you can make calls and use the internet with the new SIM quickly.