• Direct Unlocks

Direct Unlocks

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Overview

Direct Unlocks has a rating of 3.8 stars from 3,310 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with Direct Unlocks most frequently mention great service, sim card, and time frame. Direct Unlocks ranks 1st among Unlocked Phones sites.

  • Quality
    1499

Proactively asks for customer feedback

This company responds to reviews on average within 2 days

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 75%
Positive
682
Neutral
30
Negative
197

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22,048 reviews

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How would you rate Direct Unlocks?
Top Positive Review

“Very easy timely and effective.”

Greg W.
9/14/24

Direct Unlock provided excellent service! They unlocked my phone quickly and efficiently, delivering results in less time than expected. The process was smooth and hassle-free, with great customer support throughout. I highly recommend them for anyone needing a fast and reliable phone unlocking service. Absolutely worth it!

Top Critical Review

“Absolutely pathetic.”

Nate A.
9/17/24

Took over 20 DAYS to unlock! And spent the 100 to get it unlocked immediately. And bc of the longest waiting time. I now have unlocked my phone for no reason. So direct unlock wasted my time and my money. Sent multiple emails stating that the almost month wait was too much, and wanted a refund but was declined! 0/10. Had to put one star just to even write this review but that's the only reason I put one star. Highly disappointed and definitely not satisfied.

Reviews (3,310)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

credit note (49) time frame (37) eligibility check (38)
Thumbnail of user jimp93
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 5th, 2016
Verified purchase

I was somewhat apprehensive given the number of scams around, but my fears were unfounded, as my Iphone 6 is now properly "factory unlocked".

The company kept me informed and even advised of a short delay which turned out to be only 48 hours.

They did exactly what they said they would, and you simply can't ask for more than that.

Thumbnail of user habeshai
1 review
1 helpful vote
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April 9th, 2016

Scam, call your card issuer immediately they should reverse transaction, they may have to send you card. I got my refund 3 days,... don't believe a lot of so good comments are by people working at the site..

Thumbnail of user garyb107
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 29th, 2015
Verified purchase

The unlock took 3 weeks to process rather than the 24-72 hours advertised, but this is probably expected when a new IPhone has just been released. Also, the total cost isn't 100% clear unless you read the website carefully. Having said that it does work, my old iPhone is unlocked and they did keep me updated as to the status of the order, so I have no complaints overall.

Thumbnail of user demid3
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 4th, 2016
Verified purchase

I have used other services in the past & this has been the best service yet.

My phone took a little longer because than 1-3 days but not much over that time so still great experience. Will definitely use it again!

Thumbnail of user joshuam74
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 3rd, 2016
Verified purchase

Paid 19.99 not knowing that an additional charge would come after. Only found in FAQ section so was disappointed about having to pay an extra 40 but the information is on the website if you look for it. Service came on time and worked well.

Thumbnail of user jimb184
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 12th, 2015
Verified purchase

Phone was unlocked in 3 days. I jumped in and paid my £19.99 thinking this was a final payment until I got the email saying it could be another £50 as the first payment is only a pre order deposit. The full costs are there for you to read so I cant really blame anyone but myself. Still happy its done though. 4 *

Thumbnail of user myrnar95
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 12th, 2020

I initiated an unlock order on January 1, and was disappointed when they then required another $100. But paid and hoped for quick service. Their site says unlocks only take a few days at most. They gave a tracker which shows percentage, and mine was shown at 95% almost immediately, but then never finished. Weeks and months passed, and emailed them several times, only to be told to wait a little longer. You can fast track the service for another $15 bucks, so out of desperation I tried that. Still nothing. It has been three and a half months and my phone still has not been unlocked. Maybe Covid has something to do with a minimal delay, but this is absolutely ridiculous!

Thumbnail of user andyg53
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 11th, 2016
Verified purchase

Very easy to use the site and the process was quick - just 2 or 3 days. My only gripe is the way the price is structured. You initially get a message saying that your phone can definitely be unlocked and quotes £19.99. A day later you get an email saying that the first stage is complete and asking for a further £29.99. Apparently this is all set out in the small print (which like many others I don't read). Whilst it all seems a little underhand, the daft thing is I'd still have progressed if it had been clearly quoted as £49.98 at the outset. Bottom line is that it worked and I'm happy. Just be aware of the total cost.

Thumbnail of user ramees2
1 review
5 helpful votes
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December 30th, 2017

Stay away from this site all the positive reviews are theirs and is Fake. Officially there is no way to unlock the phones except by the carrier.

Ask for refund immediately if you have paid or contact your bank.

Thumbnail of user aliciam38
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 27th, 2015

Don't trust this site Fraud! Will be reporting this site to fraud busters. Misleading icloud unlock service no such thing, take your money and run.

1. Pre-payment
2. Make believe customer service, probably someone sitting in their living room on a laptop laughing at the poor innocent customers.
3. The waiting game, lucky if they reply also making even more money off the 0843
4. Any excuse not to issue a full refund, (phone barred/loss stolen) blah blah crap who on earth would want to take another chance by using their credit note lol

In the process of reporting this site to numerous Fraud busters

Thumbnail of user alekseyt1
1 review
1 helpful vote
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October 3rd, 2015

The order on 22 July 2015 it is still made nothing, doesn't answer e-mail, answers identical """Good morning, We are just waiting for an update back from the supplier, when we do get this your order status page will be updated and you will be emailed, thank you for your patience. Please note all times provided on our website are for guidelines only as they are dependent on the network and suppliers""""" passed more than two months of result isn't present. Money doesn't want to return... 130 pounds

Thumbnail of user stephaniec146
1 review
5 helpful votes
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August 4th, 2017

Thankfully I just paid for 'Network Check' which stated I would find out instantly, but... nope. Nearly 24 hours later and 2 e-mails, they took my money and went into hiding. Very rude, very unprofessional, stay away

Thumbnail of user brandons411
1 review
2 helpful votes
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June 13th, 2020

Purchased this to unlock my iPhone order # ******* 3 weeks ago, premium service with fast track and they still never unlocked my phone. Their premium service guaranteed it in 7 days. When I email about my status or refund no one responds.

Thumbnail of user tarak111
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 15th, 2020

Total SCAM. Hidden charges which is in the tiniest print and you only become aware of once they tell you your code is ready. Refused to release my code unless I paid a further £27.00. DO NOT USE! Luke was unhelpful and arrogant dealing with my complaint

Thumbnail of user kentc170
1 review
2 helpful votes
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January 7th, 2020

On 2/4/2019 I paid around $30 for the unlock, then about another $35 to expedite the order, and after about 60 days later, around another $65 for premium icloud unlock. Its been almost 1 year since the order and I'm still waiting. There are popups that show up on the website with verified customer unlocks, but in my opinion, I think it is all fake orders to perpetuate the scam. I will post a picture of proof, with the serial # so everyone else can independently verify the order is still open, so nobody else can be taken advantage of. I will update/edit/remove this post if the order ever completes. 11 months has passed to the day 1/4/2020.

Thumbnail of user melodyb270
1 review
1 helpful vote
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November 21st, 2022

This site charges you twice as much as advertised only to then tell you your service will be complete within 10 business days! WTH? What is the point of doing something quickly online, if in the end having to wait 2 weeks?

Tip for consumers:
this is not a legitimate site

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user ningl
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 2nd, 2016
Verified purchase

I have an old iPhone 4 s that has not been in use for some 3 years. Obviously I bought a replacement hand set. However it was returned by police. Vodafone were being very difficult about unlocking. I had to pay Official iPhone unlock to do the job. It was done within a week. Thanks

Thumbnail of user neldislynn
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 28th, 2023
Verified purchase

They are not clear with unlock unpaid bills Iphone; they made you believe that with only $28 usd, your phone will be unlocked. After you pay, they email you with unlocking instructions… but is just to do next payment of other $28… to standard unlock, then another premium… I just don't trust them.

Thumbnail of user nicolam37
1 review
3 helpful votes
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November 30th, 2017

Paid the £20 pre order fee yesterday. Then read the reviews! Sent them an email this morning saying unless the phone is unlocked by the end of the day, I would be contacting my credit card company requesting a refund. Within an hour, received an email from them to say a full refund was being issued. The reason I needed the phone unlocked is my son has a severe mental illness and cannot remember his Apple ID, password or memorable info and does not have proof of purchase so Apple wont unlock it, very frustrating!

Thumbnail of user carloso162
1 review
1 helpful vote
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October 20th, 2021

Site states within five days. Then after that is not give days it's two weeks and after that they are not sure. It depends of the carrier. I could do that myself. Then this is the kicker, all communication stops after waiting for more than a month! I would definitely go somewhere else

Tip for consumers:
Don't use them

Products used:
Cellphone unlock service

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user bryanp147
1 review
3 helpful votes
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May 6th, 2020
Verified purchase

Order took longer than expected ultimately ended up being just over 24 hours. Phone was unlocked successfully with the first code. I didn't like the fact that it was a two-step and to pay process which was written in very fine print. After making the first payment you're kind of on the hook to make the second if you don't want to get ripped off for the first.

Reason I chose this business:

First thing that came up on my search that looked legitimate.

Reason I chose this product:

Again, first thing that came up on the search that look legitimate.

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user antt9
1 review
3 helpful votes
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July 13th, 2017

I accidentally kept this on my bookmarks and had it confused with another website, anyway, it's the old same scam story. Progressive payments increases with the excuses your phone is on a blacklist, they claim you can get money back but they will never do it. Reported company for fraud to my bank, charging back the payment and changed my credit card information. Did you know in their terms, they say anyone who they find out wrote a negative review will be charge 3,000 pounds for 'defamation' on your card? "13.6 Defamation of our website on the internet, including but not limited to Review Websites, Blogs, will incur a £3,000.00 defamation charge. This will be applied to your credit file if not paid in full within 30 days." complete scum.

Thumbnail of user susans1801
1 review
1 helpful vote
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February 19th, 2020
Verified purchase
• Updated review

It's not cheap but it works. Some reviewers have claimed it is a scam, but its clearly not. I wanted my iPhone unlocked from a Japanese carrier and was told told it would take 5-20 days. It took exactly 10 days from initial registration. The total fee was a bit less than the small print' estimate. Progress is informed daily by percentage of completion and moved around 5% per day up to 50% then it suddenly accelerated from 63% to 100% in 24 hours. I don't know how it is done "over the air" by wifi but my phone is now unlocked and SIM free. It feels like taking a risk while waiting the first time for it to happen, but be patient and you will get exactly what you paid for.

Reason I chose this business:

I chose it after reading an impartial industry review. The review stated that it takes time is not cheap, but Direct Unlocks deliver as described.

Reason I chose this product:

I needed to unlock a old iPhone 5s from a Japanese carrier (Softbank) who had refused to unlock it when I called at their store.
Out of all the services I considered, Direct Unlocks seemed most likely to be genuine, and buying such a service involves some felling of risk which I felt was minimised.

Value
Shipping
Quality
So far so good
February 3rd, 2020
Verified site experience
• Previous review

So far so good. It has been relatively easy to purchase with plenty of information.

Thumbnail of user billyw335
1 review
2 helpful votes
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November 18th, 2022

Charges an "initial" fee just to check to see if they can unlock your phone. Though the first button you press clearly says "unlock now". Then, they email you an hour later asking for more than you already paid ($28 paid, then they wanted $41 more). Also refused a refund so I did chargeback with my CC company. Avoid these scammers.

Thumbnail of user paulw2434
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 31st, 2022

I thought I would try the service given the mixed reviews. Its a scam. Here's their message: The reason we offer pre-order Eligibility Checks - along with many companies in this industry - is that we don't want people paying a huge amount up front with a risk of not getting anything, which is why we do a two-stage payment for unlocking which works well for most of our clients. Doing it two stage ensures that we can run eligibility checks on your phone and make sure it's on the correct network, isn't blacklisted, is the correct model, check the contract status and to make sure it hasn't exceeded unlocking code tries.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

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Unlock your phone with us using our status as a Technology Recycler to get the unlock done quickly and efficiently. Unlocks straight from the carrier, fully legal and compliant.

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Thumbnail of user jodys349
Customer Service R.
Typically responds within 2 days

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