The Comprehensive Cost Guide to Unlocking Your iPhone in 2024

Apple sets various locks to ensure security by preventing unauthorized use of an iPhone if lost or stolen. However, it can turn daunting if you have forgotten the iCloud credentials or when you purchased a second-hand device.

In this guide, we will provide necessary insights on how much does it cost to unlock an iPhone by going through available solutions. With this, you can realize the overall expense of making your iPhone fully accessible and pick the right one that is affordable and reliable.

Part 1: Understanding iPhone Locks: A Prelude to Costs

Before learning about ways and the cost of unlocking an iPhone, it is important to be aware of various locks and determine what prevents you from using your iPhone to its full potential, as each lock type has its unlocking process and costs.

• iCloud Activation Lock
• iPhone Screen Lock
• Apple ID Lock
• Screen Time Passcode
• SIM Locked Phone
• MDM Lock

1. iCloud Activation Lock:

The iCloud activation lock, activated with “Find My iPhone” offers the utmost security by linking to the Apple ID. When the iPhone is reset, the lock is applied to prevent unauthorized use and protect personal data. This lock is common in second-hand and personal devices with forgotten Apple ID credentials.

2. iPhone Screen Lock:

The iPhone screen lock can be seen in iPhones where the users have forgotten passcodes. As a result of this lock, the user isn’t allowed to use Touch ID or Face ID to unlock the iPhone. In this scenario, the iPhone is disabled and requires iTunes or Finder to restore access.

3. Apple ID Lock:

While the iCloud Activation Lock is triggered on a factory reset, the Apple ID Lock happens when an unusual activity is detected, such as incorrect password entries or signing in from a new device. To gain access to the iPhone again, it is essential to go through Apple’s account recovery process.

4. Screen Time Passcode:

The Screen Time Passcode is associated with parental controls, which allow iPhone usage to be controlled. A lock occurs in this scenario when the passcode for screen time is forgotten, which prevents the user from changing settings or extending app limits, requiring a reset process to regain control.

5. SIM Locked Phone:

An iPhone is SIM-locked when bound to a carrier, and restrictions are applied to prevent it from being used by other networks. To unlock, a fee must be paid to fulfill contract terms, resulting in complete network access.    

6. MDM Lock:

Unlike the above locks, the MDM lock can be seen on company-owned or employee devices within the corporate environment. As a result of this lock, the user faces various restrictions and cannot use the iPhone to the full extent. Administration authorization is mandatory to remove or bypass the lock.

Part 2: Methodical iPhone Unlocking: Paths to Consider the cost of unlocking an iphone

Moving on to the ways to unlock the iPhone and getting into details, here is a quick comparison of each, along with the cost of unlocking an iPhone.

Unlocking Method	Verification	Ease of Process	Reliability	iPhone unlock cost
Apple’s Official Support	Yes	May require effort	Not Reliable if your iPhone is second-hand	Depends on AppleCare+
Carrier Assistance	Yes	May require effort	Moderately Reliable	Free, ETF may apply
Local Phone Repair Shops	No	Varies by provider, moderate	Moderately Reliable	Starts at $100
Trustworthy 3rd-Party Software	No	Varies by provider, moderate	Highly Reliable	Starts at $25
Online IMEI Unlock Services	No	Varies by provider, moderate	Moderately Reliable	Depends on carrier and model, starts at $25

Apple’s Official Support:

Apple offers various services to its users, including unlocking an iPhone that is iCloud-locked. You must provide irrefutable proof of purchase and a photo ID. The iCloud unlock cost varies according to region, warranty, and AppleCare+ plan.

While this seems reliable, if you have purchased a second-hand iPhone that is iCloud-locked, you’re not eligible for this service. Also, you can be liable for legal charges if found guilty of attempting unauthorized access. 

Carrier Assistance:

If an iPhone is bound to a particular carrier, it can be unlocked through the carrier unlocking service offered by the network provider. Like Apple’s official support, your iPhone is verified if it is lost, stolen, or involved in fraud, along with specific carrier-set conditions.

While the process is straightforward and doesn’t cost you anything when the requirements are met (using the carrier for more than 40-60 days), you must pay early termination charges if tried to unlock before the suggested period.

Local Phone Repair Shops:

Besides the official service centers, iPhones can be serviced at local phone repair shops. While these are focused on hardware repairs, some can work and address software issues, including unlocking different iPhone locks.

The cost of unlocking an iPhone depends on the severity, and in a typical local iPhone repair shop, the iCloud unlock price starts at $80-100. Even though this approach is reliable, it poses several risks, including voiding the warranty and hardbricking the iPhone.

Online IMEI Unlock Services:

IMEI unlock on an iPhone helps you to unlock an iPhone using its unique IMEI number. With this, you can whitelist your device’s IMEI number from the carrier’s database, allowing it to be used with SIM cards from different carriers worldwide.

Online IMEI unlock services like DoctorSIM, IMEIUnlockSIM, and UnlockBase offer you the flexibility to unlock your IMEI remotely. However, careful consideration must be taken while picking a service, as your iPhone can be permanently blocked from the network or might void warranty.

Trustworthy 3rd-Party Software:

Unlike the approaches suggested, you can cut down the iCloud unlock price by working on your iPhone through trustworthy 3rd party software. While this is ideal, with various software solutions available, one must ensure that the tool they pick is legit, efficient, and reliable.

FonesGo iPhone Unlocker meets all these criteria and offers the flexibility to unlock different iPhone locks. Hence, if you have purchased a second-hand phone that says the iPhone is locked to the owner or forgot your Apple ID password or passcode, don’t worry; you’re all covered.

Here is a quick look at FonesGo iPhone Unlocker features:

Regarding pricing, FonesGo iPhone Unlocker can be accessed through the affordable plans, and here is the breakdown:

Windows:

• 1 Device Plan: $25.95 (1 Device and 1 PC)
• 1 Month Plan: $35.95 (5 Devices and 1 PC)
• 1-Year Plan: $39.95 (5 Devices and 1 PC, 1 year updates)
• Lifetime Plan: $49.95 (5 Devices and 1 PC, lifetime updates)

Mac:

• 1 Device Plan: $29.95 (1 Device and 1 PC)
• 1 Month Plan: $39.95 (5 Devices and 1 PC)
• 1-Year Plan: $49.95 (5 Devices and 1 PC, 1 year updates)
• Lifetime Plan: $59.95 (5 Devices and 1 PC, lifetime updates)

Part 3: How to Use FonesGo iPhone Unlocker (The Most Affordable Option)

1. Step 1 Download FonesGo iPhone Unlocker by clicking the “Free download” button in above section
2. Step 2 Now run the setup and wait for the software to install on your Windows PC/Mac.
3. Step 3 Once the software is installed, click on the respective unlock tool to unlock your iPhone. For demonstration, we have proceeded with the “Unlock iCloud Activation Lock” to remove/bypass the iCloud activation lock.
4. Step 4 With the tool ready to use, you can connect your iPhone to your computer. If you’re having issues, you can use the on-screen link to learn how to establish a stable connection.
5. Step 5 After you have established a proper connection, the tool proceeds to download the firmware. Hence, ensure your computer is connected to a stable network.
6. Step 6 With the firmware downloaded, you can proceed by clicking on the “Remove Now” button to continue the unlocking process. Now, your iPhone boots to recovery mode, and it is your turn to put it into DFU mode, which can be done by checking out on-screen instructions.
7. Step 7 The device starts to jailbreak now, and once you’re done, you need to boot it to DFU mode. In this final step, FonesGo iPhone Unlocker removes the iCloud activation lock, and your iPhone is all set to use it as intended.

Part 4: Conclusion

With all the approaches considered, FonesGo iPhone Unlocker, a trustworthy third-party software, offers the most unlocking solutions through its powerful and reliable tools with detailed on-screen steps and guides.

To conclude, it is affordable over other approaches, and you can unlock your iPhone yourself without relying on approaches that empty your wallet and involve verification, waiting, and risks.

Also, FonesGo iPhone Unlocker has strict privacy policies, and all its tools are paired with the best security standards, so you don’t have to worry about personal data being gathered or misused.

Part 5: FAQ

Q1: What is the typical iCloud unlock cost in 2024?

As suggested in the guide, there are multiple ways to unlock the iCloud lock in 2024. While most approaches are expensive and unlocking starts at around 100$, the ideal way is to use FonesGo iPhone Unlocker, as iCloud unlock costs $25 from the comfort of home without waiting or verification.

Q2: What factors affect the cost of unlocking an iPhone?

Several factors come into play while unlocking an iPhone, such as Carrier policies, iPhone model and generation, Contract status, Type of unlocking, Device condition, Market demand, and Geographical location.

Q3: Do I need technical skills to unlock my iPhone using third-party software?

You don’t need any technical skills, especially when using FonesGo iPhone Unlocker, as you’re provided with detailed on-screen instructions. Also, you’re presented with detailed guides and videos to refer to while using any unlock tool.