IMEI Unlock Android Devices

Unlock Any Android Device with Nifty

Unlock the full capabilities of your iPhone by utilizing Nifty’s comprehensive online solution to clear your device’s IMEI from the blacklist. This service is compatible with all iOS models, versions, and countries, ensuring seamless functionality for your device.

We know how frustrating it can be to have an IMEI-locked device, from being unable to place calls to not having the ability to use the basic features of your device. In this tutorial, we bring you some methods so you can unlock your phone and remove your IMEI number from the blacklist. We suggest you look at all the methods we show you here and choose the one that works for you. Not all unlock processes work in the same way or have the same requirements. Make sure to analyze each before you unlock a phone.

What is a blacklisted IMEI on Android?

A blacklisted IMEI on Android means that your IMEI (International mobile equipment identity) has been introduced into something called the blacklist. If your IMEI number is set into the list, it will restrict the usage of your device as it will not be able to connect to any network. The introduction of this technology was a worldwide effort by all carriers and manufacturers to find a way to restrict the usage of devices that are marked as lost, stolen, or not being used properly. The way this works is that all carriers can access a public database where they can look up if the phone has any restrictions using the IMEI number. If a device is found to be on the list, it will reject the connection into the phone carrier network.

Is it for all Android models?

Yes, there are no differences in this concept; all that might change is the way this will be displayed. For the most part, Samsung, Motorola, and most new phones will not show any message on the screen. Lucky for you, not everything is lost, and there are certain methods you can try to unlock your phone by IMEI without many steps. Before we jump into that, we want to introduce you to the consequences of having a locked IMEI and how to troubleshoot the problem.

What are the consequences of having a blacklisted phone?

You might face certain consequences if you have a locked IMEI on your device. We know there are many, but we decided to pick the most important ones. It is clear that not each consequence might affect all users the same way. If you feel that we skipped an important one, feel free to contact us, and we will add it to the list.

No access to new updates

If your IMEI happens to be locked, you are likely to be temporarily banned from receiving any new updates on your device. This doesn’t always occur, but as technology evolves, manufacturers can know this information and restrict you from getting new updates. This might not seem like a big deal, but remember that people with no good intentions might target older OS versions. It is a reality as the developers are no longer fixing bugs or having to fix potential ways to enter the devices.

Can’t connect to your carrier network

This is the one that is the most common and straightforward out of all. If the IMEI locks your phone, you will not be able to enter any SIM card and connect to the network of any provider, as they will reject your request. Having this restriction enabled kills the whole point of having a mobile phone, and the only way it will ever work is by obtaining a phone unlock that fully removes the phone from the blacklist. Before discussing the next consequence, it is important to note that this problem is often confused with the carrier lock. That is a different issue, and you will need a sim unlock or network unlock to fix it.

Lower resell value

It is fair to say that if your device happens to have any kind of restriction, it will not be desirable for the market. The IMEI locked is no different regarding the reseller value of your device; on average, phones with a locked IMEI have the same retail value as broken phones. On the other hand, if you are not the legitimate owner of the device, you might be incurring an infraction, as the buying and selling of IMEI-locked devices is not allowed in most jurisdictions. 

Where can I find out if my phone’s IMEI number is blacklisted?

To check the status of your device, you will need to perform some tests using your IMEI number. It is obvious at this point that you will need to retrieve the IMEI number of your device to check the status. The IMEI number is a unique code that identifies your device among the other smartphones. To obtain it, you must enter the following code on your dial: *#06#. A pop-up will show up, and the IMEI number will be displayed along with other important information.

Use an Online free tool

The easiest and most recommended way to check IMEI’s status is by using any free tools available on the web. You only need to use any service, such as IMEI24, and submit your IMEI. This will show you all the information on the device. This information is open to the public, so anyone can check it; we suggest you try at least 2–3 tools, as this information might not always be updated.

Carrier check

Another way to check this is by contacting your mobile carriers; they will be able to check if your IMEI is locked. However, they might request proof of ownership of the device, as they do not share much information with the public. If you can find the IMEI number status through your carrier, we recommend you do so, as they were likely to lock it.

Troubleshoot the issue

The least recommended way to check for this issue is by troubleshooting this problem yourself. Before we show you this method, be aware that in most cases, this lock is often misunderstood with the carrier lock, which requires an unlock code. Before you try this method, make sure you know if your phone is locked to the carrier. If case it is not, you will try to use 2-3 different SIM cards and see if they can connect or not. We do not recommend this method, but if you don’t trust any of the others listed above, this could be the least practical way to check it.

How to Unlock your Phone from the IMEI Blacklist?

If you wish to remove the IMEI lock from your device, there are two main ways how you can do so. The first one is getting a direct unlock by your carrier or by using a third party to unlock it for you. It is crucial that you understand how both processes work before you jump into any of those. 

Request an unlock directly on your carrier

The first and, in our opinion, the best way to remove the lock from your device is by requesting the removal of it to your mobile network carrier. To be eligible for the unlocking process, you will need to meet certain criteria that might vary from carrier to carrier. For the most part, these are the requirements asked by most network providers:

  • Identification
  • Point of contact
  • Proof of ownership of your device
  • Have a clear history with the provider

If you meet all those requirements, it is highly likely that they will unlock the phone for you. However, every provider is free to request less or more documentation to remove your phone from the blacklist. Be aware that you can be asked for further requirements at any given moment, and failure to reply will result in the cancellation of the process.

Use an online unlock service

If you do not want to deal with all the bureaucracy that the unlocking process undergoes, or if you simply do not meet all the requirements, You can try using an Online service that can handle the process for you remotely and safely. We know it can be hard to find a reliable service; many of them might contain malware or simply not work. Knowing this reality, the team at UnlockHere developed Nifty a fully Online IMEI unlock service that works on any mobile device.

Unlock a phone using UnlockHere

Using UnlockHere is as simple as it can be; this web app allows you to remove the IMEI lock from any device, regardless of your model or country. We are proud to have this service at your disposal; make sure to read this quick tutorial to understand how it works.

Enter your request

To start the process, you will need to submit your unlocking request by providing some pretty simple information. This consists of the following data:

  • Device Model
  • IMEI Number or Serial Number (Find IMEI by dialing *#06#)
  • Name
  • Email

That’s all you need to start unlocking your IMEI. Make sure that all the information submitted on the form is correct. This is crucial to avoid any delays, overloading the service, or simply having to start from zero.

Follow the simple steps

Now that the servers receive your request, you might be required to activate it by using a third-party service. Do not worry; if this is your case, you will be provided with tutorials and videos on how to complete this process. The reason behind the activation process is an effort to make this service available to everyone and avoid any commercial use of the app.

Unlock your phone remotely

Once the activation process is completed, you will receive the confirmation of your unlocking process in a couple of minutes. There is no need to take any extra steps as the server will handle everything remotely. After receiving this message, reset your phone and enter the sim card that is compatible with your phone.

To check if your IMEI is locked or unlocked, you will need to perform a test to know whether this is the case. You can easily do this by using any tool online or contacting your carrier. If you have the IMEI lock, please check our resources to learn how to remove it.

Not quite. Your IMEI number will be used to access the information on your device and request the unlocking process. Without an unlocking request, your IMEI won’t do anything by itself. We invite you to read our guides if you want to know how to unlock your phone using the IMEI number.

Yes, this process can be done by yourself without anyone’s need; all you need to unlock is to obtain basic information about your device. Keep in mind that unlocking your phone must be done by the original owner.

It depends; if you use any external tools that require altering anything of the hardware or software, there is a high chance that your device might be damaged. We recommend sticking with known processes by your provider or an expert such as UnlockHere, who is qualified to deal with this problem.