The honest answer: it depends
Most orders for common phones on major networks move quickly. Less common models, business or financed devices, and networks that require manual review take longer. We never promise a fixed number of hours upfront for exactly this reason — the order box will show you the estimate for your specific phone and network before you pay, based on real data for that device and carrier combination rather than a generic average.
It also helps to separate two different clocks: the time it takes us to submit and process your request, and the time it takes the phone itself to reflect the change once the unlock is confirmed. The second part is usually just a restart, but it's worth knowing they're not always the same thing.
What tends to make it fast
- A popular, recent phone model
- A major consumer network rather than a small regional carrier
- A device that is already fully paid off and in good standing
- A clean IMEI with no blacklist or dispute flags
- An order submitted with the correct IMEI and carrier the first time
What tends to add time
- Business, corporate, or equipment-installment-financed phones
- Less common models or regional/MVNO networks that require manual carrier review
- Extra verification when something about the order looks unusual — this protects both you and us from fraud
- Carrier-side systems that only process manual reviews during business hours
- A typo in the IMEI or a mismatch between the IMEI and the carrier selected
| Scenario | Relative speed |
|---|---|
| Common phone, major network, paid off | Fastest |
| Less common model or smaller regional network | Slower — may need manual review |
| Business/EIP-financed device | Slower — carrier-side checks add time |
| Order with a typo or mismatch in the details | Slowest — often needs correcting and resubmitting |
If your situation matches the first row, most of the wait is simply the confirmation and restart. If it matches one of the others, the estimate shown in the order box already accounts for that — it's not a generic number that ignores your specific device and carrier.
What happens after you order
- 1You submit your IMEI and networkFrom the order box — takes under a minute, and this is also when you see the estimate for your specific phone.
- 2We run eligibility and blacklist checksAutomatically, before anything is submitted to the network, so problems are caught early rather than after a delay.
- 3The request goes to the unlock systemThe carrier or manufacturer's own official process, depending on the device — this is the step whose speed varies most.
- 4You get a confirmationWith simple instructions — usually just insert a new SIM and restart the phone once.
You can check progress at any time from track your order. If something looks stuck longer than expected, Help & FAQ has the fastest way to reach us.
Weekends and public holidays can also add a little time specifically for orders that need manual carrier-side review, simply because fewer review teams are staffed on those days — this doesn't affect the fully automated majority of orders, only the smaller share that needed a human look regardless of when they were placed.
Can I pay extra to speed it up?
For most devices, speed depends on the carrier's own system, not on anything we can rush with an extra fee — so there is no paid priority queue.
What if it's taking longer than the estimate I was shown?
Check track your order first. If it has genuinely stalled, contact us from Help & FAQ with your order ID.
Does the model of phone matter more than the carrier, or the other way around?
Both matter, but carrier-side rules usually have the bigger effect on timing — see is my phone eligible for unlock for the factors that drive this.
Will I be charged if the unlock ultimately fails?
No — see refunds and our guarantee for exactly when a refund applies.
Can I place the order and check back later instead of waiting?
Yes — there's nothing to actively watch. Track your order whenever suits you, and we'll also let you know once it's done.
Enter your IMEI and network to see the estimate before you order.
