Check sim lock iphone which means. How to know if your iPhone is locked by IMEI. How to unlock a locked iPhone officially

Articles and Life Hacks

Surely many users of mobile devices have heard of such terms as lock and unlock in relation to them. However, not everyone knows what “the phone is locked” means.

Let's try to figure out this concept, and also tell you how to find out about the blocking of our Apple devices by IMEI identifier.

What does this concept mean

If our mobile device locked, which means that it can only work with the SIM-card of a certain operator. In this case, it will be possible to unlock only with the help of special equipment.
At the moment, many users are trying to jailbreak their phone on their own, or trust this procedure not the most experienced people. Often in such cases, the mobile device does not work correctly; protection is often destroyed.
To find out if our mobile device is such, we dial the combination * # 0606 #. In this case, you should first make sure that the SIM card is removed.
After entering the combination, the mobile device will display a 16-digit code and other data. Press the navigation key (left or right, depending on the firmware).
The information that the device will display next should be "UNLOCAL" or "Unbarred". If you see something else, our mobile device is locked. A conscientious seller should warn about this when purchasing a device.

How to find out if iPhone is locked by IMEI

Binding to a specific cellular operator is widespread in the United States, as well as in a number of other countries.

By purchasing mobile phone Apple firm, the user undertakes to pay funds for the right to operate it, within one to two years. Unlocking, that is, unlock, will allow you to install a SIM card from another operator.

You can find out if our device is locked by the IMEI identifier. First, let's find out this number.
We go to "Settings", select the item "General"> "About this device". Alternatively, you can dial * # 06 #.
We go to the site IMEI.info and enter the specified code in the line "Enter IMEI e.g.".
We press the check button ("Check"). The site will display detailed information about our device.
Click the option of free checking the lock status for a specific SIM card ("Free simlock status check").
Now the site checks the binding of our device against its own database.
If it is locked, we will see "Locked", if it is unlocked - "Unlocked".

Usually the whole procedure takes no more than a few minutes.

In the USA and a number of other countries, it is practiced iPhone sale network-specific cellular operator... The user buys a smartphone at a subsidized price, but undertakes to pay money for the right to use the device within 1-2 years. Such an iPhone can only work with a SIM card from one mobile provider.

In turn, an unlocked iPhone can be used at your discretion in any cellular network with acceptable conditions. At the same time, the use is not limited to the borders of one country - when leaving its borders, you can buy a SIM card from a local operator, thus avoiding roaming charges.

How to find out if your iPhone is tied to a cellular operator:

Step 1: Find out the IMEI number of your iPhone. You can do this by going to Settings -> General -> About this device. The second option is to dial * # 06 #.

Step 2: Go to the IMEI.info website and enter the IMEI code in the line that says “Enter IMEI e.g. 123456789012347 ".

Step 3: Click the Check button. The site will show detailed information about the device, including dimensions, size, battery, processor frequency, etc.

Step 4: Click the "Free simlock status check" button.

Step 5: The service will check the iPhone binding in its own database, after which it will write a message: "Locked", in case you have a locked model or Unlocked, if the phone is unlocked. The whole procedure takes no more than a couple of minutes.

Buying an iPhone abroad or "from hand" in an effort to save your money, you run the risk of running into an iPhone that is not supported by domestic operators. The iPhone is locked or tied to a specific operator, such a smartphone is much cheaper.

What is a locked iPhone and why is it not recommended to buy such a device?

"Locked" iPhone (Sim-Lock) is a device that can work with SIM cards of only one operator. Typically, these iPhones are sold in America, Canada and Western Europe. The downside of a locked iPhone is that it is locked on specific operator and will not work with Russian operators without a special unlock.

What needs to be done in order for the device to work with domestic networks?

In order for the iPhone to work with domestic networks, first of all, it is necessary to unlock the iPhone, that is, to untie the iPhone from the operator. There are two ways to unlock an iPhone from an operator: an official unlock and using a special chip. Each method has its own pros and cons.

Unlocking iPhone using a special chip.

This is a chip that is soldered under the SIM connector for the SIM card. In the microcircuit of such a device, the unique IMSI identifiers of several operators are programmatically protected - this allows you to get rid of the blocking. During communication with the server, this card replaces identifiers and allows you to unlock the modem and the iPhone radio module. The disadvantage of this system is that the iPhone cannot be updated and flashed, or rather, you can, but then you will have to solder new chip... Plus - the unlinking process will take up to 2 hours, the cost is up to 4000 rubles.

Official unlink iPhone Sim-Lock.

Official de-linking to an operator is the most reasonable and reliable way. You will no longer have to endure all the disadvantages of working with the chip, and the device can be used as usual. For this, the iPhone must be "clean" by IME. The unlinking process will take from 14 to 30 days. Minus this process terms of the procedure and the cost of the service - up to 11,500 rubles. The cost of unlocking each operator varies depending on their conditions and exchange rates.

What does "clean" IMEI mean?

The list of requirements for clean machines is the same for all operators. So, a clean iPhone is:

· An iPhone with a fully paid contract and obligations under it.

· IPhone with a clean history of payments (there were no delays, payment arrears, etc.).

· An iPhone that has not been reported stolen or lost by the carrier.

· IPhones that have not been refurbished.

Unlocking clean machines is generally easier, faster and cheaper. If the iPhone does not meet at least one of the above points, then it is no longer clean. So, of course, it will not work to restore it at the price of a clean one.

When buying an iPhone "off-hand", pay attention to more than just checking it appearance and main functions, but also its history by IMEI.

This article is provided for informational purposes only. Rather than solving a problem, it is better to prevent it from occurring. Make the right purchases.

At buying an iPhone in the official reseller store, or directly through the Apple website, the user receives a PCT device that is adapted to work in Russia. However, some i-buyers, seeking to save money, buy i-smartphones abroad or brought from one. The funniest thing is to receive a similar gadget as a gift and guess from which country it was brought.

Fortunately, there is quick way find out if the device is locked and in which country it was distributed. To do this, go to Settings -> General -> About device... Here in the "Model" section, pay attention to the last letters in the line - this is the code of the country from which the phone was brought. Similar information can be found on the back of the box from the device, if there is one.

Below are abbreviations by which you can determine the country and the presence of a binding to a cellular operator.

AB- Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia (Operators Mobily, etisalat)
B- Great Britain and Ireland (operator O22)
BZ- Brazil (operator Claro, VIVO)
WITH- Canada (operators Fido and Rogers)
CR- Croatia ( operator T-Mobile, locked)
СZ- Czech Republic (operators O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone, unlocked)
DN- Austria, Germany, Netherlands (T-Mobile operator, blocked)
E- Mexico (Telcel operator, blocked)
EE- Estonia (operator EMT, blocked, but with the possibility of removing the SIM-lock on additional conditions)
FD- Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland (operators One (Austria), Orange (Lich, Shwe), Swisscom (Lich, Shwe), blocked, but with the possibility of removing the SIM-lock on additional conditions)
FB- France (operator SFR) is blocked, but with the possibility of removing the SIM-lock on additional conditions)
GR- Greece (operator Vodafone)
HN- India (operators Airtel and Vodafone)
J- Japan (operator SoftBank)
KN- Denmark and Norway (operators Telia (Dan) and NetcCom (Nor)
KS- Finland and Sweden (operators Telia (Switzerland), Sonera (Fin)
LA- Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Peru, El Salvador, Ecuador (operators Comcel (Col), Claro (Gond, Gua, Peru, Sal), Movistar, Porta (Equ), TM SAC (Peru)
LE- Argentina (operators Claro, Movistar)
LL- USA (operator AT&T)
LT- Lithuania (operator Omnitel)
LV- Latvia (operator LMT)
LZ- Paraguay, Chile, Uruguay (operators CTI Movil (Par, Uru), Claro (Chile), Movistar (Uru), TMC (Chile)
MG- Hungary (operator T-Mobile)
NF- Belgium, France (operators Mobistar (Bel) and Orange (Fr), Luxembourg (operator Vox Mobile))
PL- Poland (operators Era and Orange)
PO- Portugal (operators Optimus and Vodafone)
PP- Philippines (operator Globe)
RO- Romania (operator Orange)
RR / RS- Russia (operators VimpelCom, MegaFon, MTS)
SL- Slovakia (operators Orange, T-Mobile)
SO- South Africa (operators Vodacom)
T- Italy (operator TIM and Vodafone)
TU- Turkey (operator Vodafone, TurkCell)
TA- Taiwan (operator Chunghwa Telecom - unlocked)
X- Australia and (operators Optus (ABC), Telstra (ABC), Vodafone)
X - New Zealand(operator Vodafone)
Y- Spain (operator Movistar)
ZA- Singapore (operator SingTel)
ZP- Hong Kong and Macau (Operator Three)

Carrier-bound iPhone models (locked):

Germany - T-Mobile
MC603DN / A - 16GB Black
MC605DN / A - 32GB Black

Japan - Softbank
MC603J / A - 16GB Black
MC605J / A - 32GB Black

Spain - Movistar, Orange, Vodafone
MC603Y / A - 16GB Black
MC605Y / A - 32GB Black

USA - AT&T
MC608LL / A - 16GB Black
MC610LL / A - 32GB Black
MC318LL / A - 16GB Black
MC319LL / A - 32GB Black

IPhone models that are not tied to an operator (Sim Free):

Australia
MC603X / A - 16GB Black
MC605X / A - 32GB Black

Canada
MC603C / A - 16GB Black
MC605C / A - 32GB Black

France
MC603FB / A - 16GB Black
MC605FB / A - 32GB Black

Hong Kong
MC605ZP / A - 32GB Black
MC603ZP / A - 16GB Black

Italy
MC603IP / A - 16GB Black
MC605IP / A - 32GB Black

New Zealand
MC603X / A - 16GB Black
MC605X / A - 32GB Black

Singapore
MC603ZA / A - 16GB Black
MC605ZA / A - 32GB Black

Sweden
MC603KS / A - 16GB Black
MC605KS / A - 32GB Black

England
MC603B / A - 16GB Black
MC605B / A - 32GB Black

Russia
MC603RR / A - 16GB Black

Czech
MC603CS / A - 16GB Black

In the United States and a number of other countries, the sale of iPhones is practiced with reference to the network of a certain cellular operator. The user buys a smartphone at a subsidized price, but undertakes to pay money for the right to use the device within 1-2 years. Such an iPhone can only work with a SIM card from one mobile provider.

In turn, an unlocked iPhone can be used at your discretion on any cellular network with acceptable conditions. At the same time, the use is not limited to the borders of one country - when leaving its borders, you can buy a SIM card from a local operator, thus avoiding roaming charges.

How to find out if your iPhone is tied to a cellular operator:

Step 1: Find out the IMEI number of your iPhone. You can do this by going to Settings -> General -> About this device. The second option is to dial * # 06 #.

Step 2: Go to the IMEI.info website and enter the IMEI code in the line that says “Enter IMEI e.g. 123456789012347 ".

Step 3: Click the Check button. The site will show detailed information about the device, including dimensions, size, battery, processor frequency, etc.

Step 4: Click the "Free simlock status check" button.