Are you looking for a way to unlock your iPhone? Chances are that you are not alone. Most people are now looking for ways to unlock their iPhones so that they can utilize the services of other internet providers. After all, if your iPhone is locked to a particular network provider, you might be limited to do some activities. From having to pay high internet fees to be limited to use the internet in certain places, there are many inconveniences that you are likely to encounter.
The good news is that you can now unlock your device and enjoy universal usage. Here, you will be able to make all the modifications that suit you such as switching to wireless services and so on. It will also be easy for you to travel internationally with your unlocked iPhone. Better still, you can readily swap in any local SIM card to access any network service.
Interestingly, you might come across attractive rates that will save you more money. This has made the idea of unlocking the iPhone a lucrative one for many iPhone users. This article will outline the various ways you can use to unlock your iPhone so that you can enjoy more convenience.
Steps To Unlock My iPhone If I Forgot The Pass Code
There are instances when you might enter the wrong passcode too many times unawares. If this happens, you will see a message indicating that your device has been disabled. If you cannot recall your passcode, you will need to erase your iPhone. By doing this, you will delete your data and settings altogether. This also deletes the passcode.
If by any chance, you had backed your iPhone, you can readily restore your data and setting after restoring your device. However, if you did not back up your iPhone before forgetting the passcode, you might not be able to save data on your iPhone.
What are pass codes for iPhone?
If you want to lock your iPhone when it is not in use, you can readily use a passcode. Here, you will have to key in your passcode every time that you want to use the device. It is advisable that you choose a simple but hard-to-guess passcode so that no one accesses your devices without your consent. In any case, you would not like someone to access your essential data such as messages, photos and emails on your device without your knowledge. Also, the passcode helps reduce the chances of the apps starting on their own, in case you mistakenly touch the screen of your iPhone. Therefore, you will have to enter the passcode for you to access other apps on your device. Generally, it will be hard to use your phone if you have forgotten the passcode.
Unlock iPhone Passcodes
If you enter the wrong passcode several times, your iPhone will be disabled for longer intervals before you can attempt again. After entering the wrong passcode several times, you might not be able to attempt again until you connect your device to the computer that you used to sync the iPhone. Such is usually the case if your iPhone has been synced to a computer. This will allow you to reset your passcode and sync the data from the device.
Better still you will be able to restore it from a backup. However, if you chose to restore on a different computer that was not synced with the device, you might not be able to retrieve your data. In this case, you will only be able to unlock the device and remove the passcode. All the other data will be lost. It is important to note that your iPhone can erase itself after 10 consecutive incorrect passcode attempts. You can turn on this feature in the setting section of your iPhone.
Also, Apple representatives will not be in a position to unlock your phone without restoring it. If you choose to use this alternative, all your data will be erased, but your device will be unlocked successfully. To be on the safe side, you should ensure that you have backed-up all your content before restoring your iPhone.
By backing up all your data, all your songs, videos, photos, apps, and other content will be safe even after you have restored your phone. This is because restoring your device is the only way, you can be able to unlock the iPhone passcodes, and in most instances, all your data might get lost in the process if you had not previously backed it up elsewhere.
Sync messages between iPhone and Mac
Had you synchronized messages in your iPhone with iTunes on a Mac computer? You can still back up recent messages to your iPhone by connecting it to the same computer you had used before without necessarily having to enter the passcode. Besides messages, you can back up other essential content such as photos, videos, documents before the restoration process begins. Once you have backed up everything you need, you can go ahead and then restore your iPhone. Here, the backup will be copied onto the iPhone with iTunes. The following are the instructions that you should follow:
- First, connect your iPhone to your computer
- In iTunes, choose the iPhone in the ‘devices’ list and then ‘summary’ at the top of the screen.
- iTunes will automatically synchronize your iPhone. If it does not synchronize your phone automatically, you can readily do so manually.
- Thereafter, click ‘check for update’. Here, iTunes will inform you if there is a newer version of the iPhone software available.
- Click restores. It is important that you follow all the instructions to complete this process successfully. As you restore your device, it is essential that you back up the phone if you are prompted to do so again.
- The Ios Setup assistant will ask you to set up your iPhone. Here, you should choose ‘Restore from iTunes backup’.
- Choose your device in iTunes and then choose the recent message backup of your iPhone.
By doing this, all your messages will be restored, but your phone will not have a passcode. Besides messages, other contents will be there. Since your iPhone will not have a passcode, you should consider getting another one as soon as possible.
Retrieve old backups from iCloud
If you have been using iCloud to backup, you can readily restore any of your recent backups anytime you want to reset the passcode after the device has been erased. Here are the steps that you should follow to retrieve old backups from iCloud:
- Sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID. Here you should use the one you normally use with iCloud rather than the forgotten iPhone passcode. After that, click ‘Find My iPhone’.
- Click ‘All devices’ and then choose the iPhone you want to erase
- On the Info window, you will see ‘Erase iPhone’. Click it.
- Enter your Apple ID password for confirmation purposes.
- Restore the information on the device using the iCloud backup.
It is important to note that your device should be restored this way through the iCloud with the information from its backup. However, once the device has been restored, it will no longer have its passcode enabled.
Thereafter, you can set another passcode so that your device can remain safe. However, it is vital to set a passcode you can easily recall to reduce the chances of restoring your iPhone now and then.
How do you back up an iPhone that has never been synced?
There are instances where you might not have synchronized your iPhone with iTunes on a computer or backed it up using iCloud. If this is the case, the only option left is to restore the iPhone as new. By doing this, you will delete all the files present in the device. Most people usually dread hard resetting their iPhones as this only means that they will lose their essential data in a bid to restore their device.
However, before you reset your phone, you should try to recall any passcode that you used recently to protect your iPhone. If you have no idea, you will be left with the option of restoring your iPhone as new. After all, this is the only way you will be able to utilize your phone. If you just bought the iPhone recently, you do not have to worry much as the device is less likely to have plenty of information than an old one.
Better still, you can consider buying another iPhone and keep the old one as you might recall the passcode someday. It has happened to many people in the past, and this saved them the agony of losing their vital data by restoring their iPhone as new.
In the future, you can consider using a fingerprint instead of a passcode. Better still, you can sync it with iTunes with iCloud. This will significantly help you enjoy a lot of conveniences even if you forget your iPhone’s passcode.
How To Unlock The iPhone For Use With A Different Carrier
Most people usually purchase an iPhone from a particular carrier. In fact, some usually buy directly from Apple, which means that their devices will be locked to that specific carrier. If you want to use the phone with a different carrier, you might experience a lot of difficulties.
It is important to note that most carriers do not allow users to bring a locked iPhone for use with their service. However, some will offer to make arrangements with your existing carrier to have your phone unlocked.
If you opt to use this method, you should be patient enough as it might take longer. This is because you might be involved and so on. If you want to unlock the iPhone with a different carrier, here are the steps that you should follow:
Check with the Carrier
This is the first step that you should follow when unlocking your iPhone with a different carrier. Here, you should contact your carrier and request them to unlock it for you. However, your account must meet specific requirements for it to be unlocked. Once you submit your unlock request, it might take a few days to complete. Here, you can readily contact your carrier to check the status of your unlock request.
What information is needed to unlock an iPhone?
One of the critical information that your carrier will look at is your billing information. Here, the carrier will check if you owe the carrier any money in the recent past. If you have any arrears with the previous carrier, chances are that your phone will not be unlocked. You have to pay all the dues owed to the carrier for you to unlock your iPhone device.
Fortunately, you can still remain a customer once you unlock your iPhone. This is after paying all the dues owed to the carrier. However, you will remain on your current plan. Although this is possible with some carriers, others might demand that you pay an early termination fee and thereafter end your relationship with them altogether.
Apart from this, you should ensure that you have your digital house in order. This is because some carriers usually keep a lot of your personal data with them. If you unlock your device, all this information will be deleted from your device. Therefore, you should consider using AnyTrans for optimal results.
The good news is that AnyTrans normally backs up everything on your device onto your Mac. All you need to do is to plug it into your computer before unlocking it and then back your entire iOS system up to your Mac. By doing this, you will not lose any content on your device. All this content will be saved from messages to photos and can be restored once you unlock your device.
Ways to unlock your iPhone
As mentioned above, you should ensure that all your bills are paid in advance. Ideally, you should not owe your carrier anything from the previous months. Therefore, you should be up-breast of the current payment information before unlocking your device.
Different carriers will have different requirements as far as iPhone unlocking is concerned. From AT&T to Sprint, all these carriers usually have different requirements. Here is what you should know as far as unlocking with different carriers is concerned.
AT&T
AT&T normally requires you to be a customer for 60 days before unlocking your device. To unlock your device using this carrier, you have first to find your IMEI number on your iPhone. The IMEI is a 15 digit number that is very unique to every mobile device out there. To find this number, you should click Settings, then General, and then about on your device. Here, you will find the IMEI number under the ‘Primary’ heading.
After that, you can visit AT&T unlock portal and then enter the IMEI number. Follow the prompts that you will find on the screen, and you will be good to go.
Verizon
Verizon is one of those carriers that demand that you be a customer for a given period of time for them to unlock your iPhone. However, in the end, you can be sure that this carrier will automatically unlock your phone.
It is important to note that devices that are bought from Verizon are normally locked for 60 days after purchase. Therefore, you cannot unlock these devices before the 60 days are over from the date of activation. Thereafter, you will be able to unlock your device uncles the device has been stolen or bought through fraudulent means.
T-Mobile
Before you unlock your device using this carrier, you have to be their customer for 50 days. However, after this period, you can readily unlock your iPhone. To unlock your device using this carrier, you should log in to your my T-Mobile account using a browser such as Safari or Chrome. For optimal results, you should do this online.
At the top left of the screen, you will see’ Account’. Click it. Then choose the line of service your phone is linked to. Finally, under device, click ‘Check device unlock status’. It is important to note that if the status is ‘Device unlocked’, your iPhone is already unlocked. However, if it says ‘device locked’, you will need to contact T-Mobile customer support by dialing *6 from your iPhone.
Sprint
If you want to unlock your device from this carrier, you must be their customer for 40 days from the date of activation. Fortunately, the procedure for unlocking your device here is not complicated. All you need to do is to contact their support line at 1-844-665-6327. You will be requested to supply your IMEI number by the customer care representative.
You should know that Sprint will take a few days to complete the unlocking process. However, this carrier might terminate its service once your iPhone has been fully unlocked. Before unlocking your iPhone with this carrier, you should have a SIM from your new carrier, such that you will only slip it once your phone has been unlocked. Better still, you can tell the customer service representative of this carrier not to cut your service if you still want to continue enjoying Sprint’s services.
Final Steps
Once your iPhone has been unlocked, it means that you can readily use the services of another carrier on the same device. All you need to have is the SIM of your newly preferred carrier so that you can slip it into your device. After that, you can set up your phone again and start using the iPhone again.
If you do not have a new SIM card, you can readily back up your iPhone, then reset it and finally restore it with all of your data. If you choose to reset your device, you should ensure that it is unlocked and ready for international travel. Therefore, before traveling, you can try to use a different SIM card and see if it works on your device. Ideally, it should work optimally.
Best iPhone Unlock Services
Are you experiencing issues with your iPhone’s carrier network or services? Perhaps it is time that you unlock your device to avert the effects of carrier restriction. After all, no one wants to experience the inconveniences of poor network or high costs whenever you are using your carrier’s services. The good news is that some unlock services can help you enjoy more freedom as far as carrier services are concerned. Here are some of the best iPhone unlock services that you should consider today:
1. Cell Unlocker
The above-mentioned unlock service usually offers a forever unlocking solution to your locked iPhone. You will note that this unlock service can set your SIM card free once you fill in your mobile phone details. All you need to do is to submit your IMEI and iPhone models. This will go a long way in helping you unlock your locked iPhone. Once you plug in your device to your computer and run iTunes, your service will be unlocked successfully.
Website Address: Cell Unlocker
2. iPhone IMEI
This service works well for those iPhone users who reside in the United Kingdom and Canada. By using this service, you will be able to white-list the IMEI of your device. Interestingly, this service works optimally on all iPhone models and Ios versions.
Once you utilize this service, you will be whitelisted from Apple Activation Database. When it comes to the legality of this service, you do not have to worry as it is totally legal. Besides this, you do not have to jailbreak your precious iPhone. All you need to do is to choose your iPhone model, the carrier that has locked your device, and then type your IMEI number.
3. iPhone full unlock
Besides the iPhone IMEI unlock service, iPhone full unlock is another service that can help unlock your iPhone. By using this service, you will be able to change your network provider the way you please. This is more important if you know that you are traveling abroad and you have to transfer to a cheap service from another cell provider. It is important to note that this service supports Ios versions from the latest to the earliest one.
Website Address: iPhone full unlock
4. Official iPhone Unlock
The above-mentioned unlock service is usually based in the UK, but it can work well for any other country out there. You will note that it offers the official factory IMEI-based unlock for all iPhone models. Since it can white-list your IMEI in the Apple iTunes database, you will be able to choose your iPhone with any GSM, LET, or CMDA carrier all over the world.
Website Address: Official iPhone Unlock
5. Global Unlock
For you to unlock your iPhone using this service, you should first type your iPhone information, such as country and network, where the iPhone is locked. After that, share this website with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and so on. Once this is done, you will receive an email with instructions on how to enter the unlock code for your iPhone.
Website Address: Global Unlock
6. Free Unlock 24
This service normally provides a free, easy, and permanent method to unlock your iPhone. By using this method, you will not need to jailbreak your locked iPhone. Once you unlock your iPhone using this service, it will not be locked again. However, you have to update it in iTunes. The warranty of your device still remains intact. As a result, this service is safe to use.
FAQs – Frequently Ask Questions
Is iPhone unlocking legal?
Yes. It is completely legal to unlock your iPhone. However, you should ensure that you have finished paying for your contract first. However, if you do not owe anything the original carrier any dues, you can go ahead and unlock your device. For optimal results, you should ensure that you check with your carrier before unlocking it.
Can you unlock a phone yourself?
Yes. You can readily unlock your iPhone any time you please. You do not have to buy a new device as you can still use the old device with a new carrier. As long as you have paid off the phone, you are good to go.
Can a third party unlock my iPhone?
While some third parties are capable of doing this, your information might be hacked and used for the wrong reasons. For optimal results, you should consider contacting the carrier to whom the iPhone is locked and request them to unlock your device. This has actually worked well for many iPhone users out there.
Is there a way to unlock a phone for free?
Yes. As we speak, FCC has mandated that all carriers should unlock phones for their customers free of charge, any time the customer pleases. However, it is important to know if whether your phone is eligible to be unlocked or not.
Can you unlock your iPhone online?
Yes. Currently, you can unlock your iPhone to any carrier SIM card using its IMEI online. This process is 100% legal, easy, and safe. As long as you have the IMEI code of the iPhone, your phone can actually be unlocked remotely on the IMEI server.
Can jail-breaking unlock your iPhone?
Yes. The iPhone jailbreak community has a new tool at its disposal that will unlock any iPhone or iPad running on any Ios version from iOS 11 to iOS 13.5. Basically, jail-breaking or rooting allows iPhone users to side-load apps and even gives them more control of the device.
How much does it cost to unlock an iPhone?
If you choose to use third-party companies, you will be charged approximately $30 to unlock your iPhone. However, this price might fluctuate from time to time.
Is there software to unlock iPhones?
Yes. There are software that can help unlock your iPhone. These include;
- iSunshare iPhone Pass-code Genius
- iMyFone LockWiper
- Tenorshare 4uKey
- Dr.fone –Unlock (iOS)
Final Recap
Having a locked iPhone can be limiting as far as the choice of carriers is concerned. If you want to change the carried locked to your iPhone, you should unlock it. This way, you will enjoy more flexibility and even save more money. Consider the ideas mentioned above, and you will be able to unlock your iPhone successfully.
