Ultimate Guide to unlock Telstra Phones only with the IMEI

Unlocking your phone is now easier than ever and can be done in less than an hour, all thanks to SafeUnlocks’ IMEI-based unlocking platform, which offers a permanent solution only for $1. So, if you’re dealing with this problem and need to know how you can unlock Telstra, today is your lucky day because we’ve just expanded to carriers in Australia and our service supports Telstra now! Keep reading and learn with us how to check if your phone is locked, how to unlock it directly with Telstra, and how to use SafeUnlocks for a faster and more practical unlock.

How can I tell if I have a Phone Locked to Telstra?

Before unlocking your phone, it’s essential to confirm whether it’s locked to Telstra or not because you could be dealing with other types of connectivity issues, so it’s always better to make sure. One of the simplest ways to check if your phone is locked is by using a SIM card from a different carrier in AU, or if not, you can also check for carrier restrictions directly through your phone’s settings.  Let’s see together the quick steps you’ll need to follow to determine whether your smartphone is definitely locked to the Telstra network or not, and what other options you have to check this out.

Method 1: Insert a SIM Card from Another Carrier

• Power off your phone.
• Remove your current Telstra SIM card.
• Insert a non-Telstra chip (from Optus, Vodafone, etc.).
• Turn your phone back on.
• Check for any messages like “Invalid SIM”, “Network Locked”, or “SIM Not Supported”.

If you see any of these messages, your phone is locked to Telstra, but if the new SIM works without issues, your phone is likely unlocked because there’s no network restriction on the device. Remember that if you think your handset is locked to a carrier different than Telstra, you cannot test it with that same chip (the idea here is to use SIM cards from other network providers).

 Method 2: Check through Phone Settings

• For iPhones:
  • Go to Settings > General > About.
  • Scroll down to the Carrier Lock tab.
  • If it says “SIM Locked”, your phone is locked to Telstra, but if it says “No SIM restrictions”, it is unlocked.
• For Android Phones:
  • Go to Settings >> Connections >> Mobile Networks >> Network Operators.
  • Tap Search Networks or Automatically Select Network.
  • If you can see networks other than Telstra, your phone is likely unlocked, but if not, it may be locked.

If you can’t find your phone’s SIM-lock status or don’t want to follow these steps, you can also go ahead and try to use an online IMEI checker for free to receive a full report of your device status. All you need to do is find the SIM-lock checking platform of your preference (like IMEI.org, for example) and enter the IMEI number of your device for the platform to confirm its status.

How to unlock Telstra Phones directly with the Carrier

Unlocking your phone directly with Telstra is actually very easy and can all be done by phone; all you need to do is Call Telstra’s customer service line at 13 22 00, and when prompted, say “unlock device option”. Then, it’ll all be a matter of following the steps to submit your request and have them review your case (they’ll check whether you’re eligible or not based on their policies and check that your smartphone is not blacklisted).

Make sure to have your phone’s IMEI number ready, as they will require it to process your request, but that’s pretty much it. If your phone meets their eligibility requirements, they will take care of the rest and let you know when your SIM-unlock code is ready. Remember that their support team is available from Monday to Friday (from 9 AM to 8 PM AEST), and also, that submitting your request doesn’t guarantee the unlock because your device needs to be eligible and meet all the carrier’s requirements.

How Much is it to Unlock a Prepaid Phone from Telstra?

Telstra’s unlocking fees for prepaid phones vary based on how long your service has been active, but as they specify on their official website, you can unlock your phone for free if it has been active for over two years. Now, for phones activated for less than two years, you’ll be asked to pay the following: 

• $80 for devices never activated or active for less than six months.
• $25 for devices active between six months and two years. 

These charges ensure Telstra recovers some of the phone’s subsidized cost, but keep in mind that even after paying the fees, you still need to meet the carrier’s policies to unlock your Telstra. So, make sure to be eligible to get your unlock code beforehand, or if not, exploring external options like SafeUnlocks is also a good idea for a safe, practical, and easy unlock!

How Long does it take to Unlock my Phone from Telstra?

Unlocking your phone directly with Telstra can take some time, typically between 7 to 10 business days, which actually depends on the type of device you have and your account status. It’s important to follow up with their customer service if the process seems delayed, but anyway, if you need your phone unlocked urgently, consider alternative services like SafeUnlocks for a faster solution. 

Need a faster Alternative to unlock your Phone from Telstra?

If you don’t have the time to wait until Telstra’s representatives approve your request and generate your SIM-unlock code, don’t worry because there’s now a fast and reliable solution you can try. Here at SafeUnlocks, we’re very proud to say that we have developed one of the most effective tools to safely generate network unlock codes, counting on a 99.9% success rate. In just an hour, SafeUnlocks generates a 100% compatible unlock code for your device no matter if it meets Telstra’s unlocking criteria or not, all from the comfort of your home and without IPA or APK files involved!

What do I need to SIM-Unlock my Phone with SafeUnlocks?

Using SafeUnlocks to unlock your Telstra phone only requires a couple of very basic details! All you’ll need to provide is your name, email, the brand of your phone, and most importantly, its IMEI number, but, if you don’t know what the IMEI of your mobile phone is, try these quick options to find it in a minute:

• Dial *#06#: Open your phone’s dialer and enter *# 06 # (the 16 digits of the code will instantly appear on the screen).
• Check Settings: Go to Settings > About Phone (or General > About on iPhones), and scroll down to find your IMEI number.
• Check the Box or SIM Tray: You’ll normally find this code printed on the device’s original box (on some phones, you can also find it printed on the SIM tray or under the battery).

Steps to unlock your Phone from Telstra with SafeUnlocks

If you want to get started now and instantly get an unlock code using SafeUnlocks’ automated service, start by visiting our official website (SafeUnlocks.com) and going to the “carrier unlock” option. Once in the right place, fill out the form with your name, email, phone brand, and IMEI number and submit your request for us to start working on it and give you the next steps.

At this point, you’ll need to make the $1 payment for our service and wait for us to generate your unlock code, which typically takes less than an hour depending on the stability of your internet connection. In the end, it will all be a matter of inserting another SIM card into the locked mobile equipment (a non-Telstra SIM) and entering the code when prompted to; right after that, you’ll get to use it on any network!

Free your Device from Telstra to use any SIM Card from any Network!

Whether you want to switch carriers, travel internationally, or resell your device, unlocking ensures you aren’t tied to a single network and opens your phone’s full potential. Don’t let carrier restrictions limit your user experience and your device connectivity; all you need to do is take advantage of our professional online unlocking service and use any network worldwide!