Apple is infamous for offering its customers deals, so buying from a carrier might be the better option. Different carriers offer different deals, ranging from lower payment plans to free products and services.
However, getting under contract with these carriers can be a problem later. Imagine being locked to the same carrier for x years, and there are cheaper options that you would wish to use. Even after the years have passed, you still have to contact them to unlock your iPhone.
The freedom to switch between carriers can save you some money in the long term.
In this article, we will talk about the iPhone unlock chip and how you can use it to get your freedom from the original carriers.
Part 1. What Is an iPhone Unlock Chip?
iPhone unlock chip is a small programmable SIM card wrapping that allows the phone to switch to other carriers.
UB SIM, GPP Chip and Turbo SIM are the most common iPhone unlock chips; these unlock chips circumvent the carrier locks in iPhones to allow locked devices to accept any SIM, even if it’s from a different carrier.
At the time of purchase, an iPhone is either carrier locked or factory unlocked (can accept any carrier). Once an unlock chip is inserted, your iPhone is temporarily factory unlocked (semi-factory unlocked).
But why would you want to unlock your iPhone?
- First, you will gain network freedom. You will be able to switch carriers without carrier agents trying to convince you to buy their carrier-locked phone.
- Secondly, crazy carrier charges while travelling around the world will no longer be an issue; insert a local SIM card, and life goes on.
- Lastly, you will not be under any contract. That means no penalty charges when you switch carriers.
Apple is not a fan of this method of unlocking your iPhone and has been striving to knock them down over the years. However, that has not deterred Turbo SIM makers from making even better ones.
Part 2. How Does an iPhone Unlock Chip Work?
As stated earlier, an unlock chip is just a wrapping that your SIM card goes into before you insert it into the phone. This design places it between your SIM card and iPhone’s communication.
An unlock chip uses a microcontroller to block the traffic between your iPhone and the SIM card and modify it based on the programming store in the microcontroller.
The signal modification process involves spoofing the authentication key (Ki) and International mobile subscriber (IMSI) number your new SIM card is supplying, allowing your locked iPhone to accept it even though it is not from the acceptable carrier.
A common discussion about unlock chip usage is about its legality. The way iPhone unlock chip works obviously circumvents digital locks and, therefore, may be considered to violate laws that protect the same.
However, such laws do not exist in many countries. Before acquiring one, check if your country has any law prohibiting Turbo SIM usage.
Part 3. What Are the Disadvantages of an iPhone Unlock Chip?
Some cons of using an iPhone unlock chips include:
- The device will still be unusable outside the original country if it is blacklisted
- The solution is temporary
- You must know the device’s original carrier
- They do not remove the Activation Lock
- Users must manually enter the ICCID code to update their iPhones
- Shorter battery life caused by their high power consumption
- It may lead to phone or SIM card damage. Requires some technical knowledge
- Unlock chips only work with iPhone devices
- New chips are needed after major iOS updates
Part 4. The Best iPhone Unlock Chip – UB SIM
It is becoming difficult to find trusted dealers of unlocking chips these days. Most of them are either outdated or corrupt. One unlock chip that you can trust, however, is UB SIM.
With UB SIM 15, you can use any SIM card or GSM carrier anywhere in the world, and you will never experience any issues with your cellular data. LTE, 4G or 5G, is stable in any part of the world.
iPhone Models Compatible With UB SIM 15
- The following is a list of iPhones compatible with UB SIM 15
- iPhone 13/13 Mini/13 Pro/13 Pro MAX
- iPhone 12/12 Mini/12 Pro/12 Pro MAX
- iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro MAX
- iPhone XS MAX/XR
- iPhone XS/X/8/8+/SE/SE2/SE3
- iPhone 7/7+/6S/6S+/6/6+
How To Unlock Your iPhone Using UB SIM 15
Before you begin, ensure your iPhone is updated to iOS 15.5 or later. You can confirm your current iOS version by going to Settings > General > About. Update if necessary.
When ready, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Remove the SIM tray and insert the SIM card you wish to use, together with UB SIM 15 chip.
Step 2: Wait for the UB SIM 15 menu to pop up (10 – 30 seconds)
Step 3: On the menu, tap 5G Mode, then select the original carrier of the device.
Step 4: Tap Accept once the “Setup complete” is displayed.
Step 5: Wait for a few minutes, then complete the activation process. (Requires Wi-Fi connection)
That’s it. Your iPhone should be unlocked, activated and ready for use. You can test if calls or cellular data are working okay.
Part 5. How to Unlock an iPhone Without a Chip
Even though Turbo SIM are fast and easy to use, you risk damaging their SIM card or iPhone, especially if you are not tech-savvy. Furthermore, unlock chips are temporary solutions; you lose them and are back to carrier lock.
A user-friendly and permanent solution would be to use a professional unlock tool like DirectUnlocks.
Using DirectUnlocks
DirectUnlocks is a fast and easy-to-use remote unlock service that delivers iPhone unlocks ‘Over-The-Air’ using 3G/4G or Wi-Fi.
With DirectUnlocks, all you have to do is provide your iPhone’s IMEI and the carrier it is locked, and wait while you use your iPhone as usual.
Some features of DirectUnlocks include:
- Permanent unlock
- Completely remote. Your device stays with you
- Support all iPhone & iOS versions
- Support all carriers worldwide
- Money-back guarantee
- Does not void phone warranty
How to Unlock Your Device Using DirectUnlocks.
Step 1: Visit the DirectUnlocks iPhone Unlock page.
Step 2: Select the network carrier your iPhone is locked to.
Step 3: Enter your iPhone’s IMEI number, then click Unlock For Any SIM Card.
Step 4: Follow the onscreen instructions to make payment.
Part 6. Why You Should Never Use a Software Solution
There are several software programs you can use to unlock your iPhone. One advantage of such programs is that they will unlock your iPhone to use any network, but why is it a discouraged method?
For starters, they are never up-to-date. Most of them will only support earlier iOS versions, for example, from iOS 12 to iOS 14.8. If your iPhone runs on the latest iOS versions, these software programs won’t be of help.
Secondly, they jailbreak your phone during the process. Jailbreaking an iPhone is risky because it involves modifying the OS to remove unwanted restrictions. Some issues that arise from jailbreaking a device include:
- Exposure to threats and malware
- Voids device warranty
- Causes system instability
- Disables firmware updates
- The device may become unusable (bricked)
Conclusion
The discussion of “Locked vs Unlocked” is always lengthy, and it comes up almost every time you want to purchase an iPhone. From what we have discussed, unlocking your iPhone can be a hassle, but sometimes it needs to be done.
Whether you are travelling abroad or just feel like switching network carriers, the flexibility that comes with unlocked phones is still unmatched.
Though unlock chips/Turbo SIMs are fast and straightforward solutions, ensure you are well versed with how they work so that you don’t end up with a damaged phone or SIM card.
