With over 40 million subscribers in Japan, SoftBank is one of the largest publicly-traded companies. As you imagine, there are hundreds of millions of SIMlocked Soft Bank cell phones and you won’t be able to use SoftBank’s SIM Unlocking Services or a 3rd-party Mobile Unlock provider without a SoftBank Japan Full IMEI Check.
The Softbank SIM Lock Deactivation policy
All carriers don’t want us to SIM-free our smartphones and if there was a contest for the more complicated unlock requirements the first place would go easily to SoftBank.
For SoftBank Mobiles sold after May 2015 and have an unlockable SIM:
- You can request an unlock after 101 days spent on contract
- The phone cannot be blacklisted (lost, stolen, replaced, pending contract bills)
- The SIM Lock deactivation registration is available only to users with a contract
- The deactivation fees and registration processes may vary
- Free SIM lock deactivation is possible only for users who bought the cell phone from SoftBank and they are currently using that product
- Only these iPhones can be unlocked through Softbank Japan
iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus - Only these Android phones can be unlocked via SoftBank Unlock Services
HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro, Xperia XZ2, AQUOS R2, HUAWEI nova lite 2, DIGNO J, Simple Smartphone 4, AQUOS sense basic, Android One S3, Xperia XZ1, AQUOS R compact, Xperia XZs, AQUOS R, HTC U11, AQUOS ea, DIGNO G, Xperia XZ, STAR WARS mobile, AQUOS Xx3 mini, 503LV, Simple Smartphone 3, DIGNO F, Xperia X Performance, AQUOS Xx3, AQUOS Xx2 mini, AQUOS Xx2, Nexus 6P, Xperia Z5, AQUOS CRYSTAL 2, AQUOS Xx, Xperia Z4, Galaxy S6 edge
There are even more restrictions and instructions on SoftBank Jp Mobile Unlock Support page.
Can I unlock a SoftBank iPhone or Android smartphone?
All iPhones and other mobiles can be carrier unlocked if the device is compatible with the cellular network’s SIM deactivation services or a third-party network unlock tool.
The only way to make sure that your mobile can be unlocked is using an IMEI Check Service. And if this is a principle for any network, for Softbank jp is a pure necessity since it is extremely difficult, even for original owners, to cope with the company’s SIM Unlock requirements
The SoftBank Japan Full IMEI Check Service
A Softbank Japan Full IMEI Check tool is an IMEI Checker which is specialized in SoftBank Locked phones.
Certified IMEI lookup providers have authorized access to GSX (Apple) and GSM (Android) servers and bring us all the info about a cell phone with a SoftBank Japan Full IMEI Check Report using only the IMEI number.
The IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a mobile’s unique 14-16 digit code and it contains data about everything.
The SoftBank Japan Full IMEI Check Report
Only this info can ensure that your cellphone can be unlocked.
- SIM Lock Status:
Some mobiles are sold unlocked since Dec 1, 2017. Are you sure that your phone is simlocked? - Locking Wireless Network Identification
You can’t network unlock a cell phone without knowing which Telecoms company blocked it - Blacklist Status:
You won’t be able to use a blacklisted iPhone or Android phone inside Japan even you manage to SIM Unlock it. - iCloud Activation Lock Status (for iPhones):
You need the original owner’s Apple ID and Password in order to activate n iCloud Locked iPhone - Google Smart Lock Status (for Android phones)
- Contract Status and Financial Balance:
SoftBank mobiles under contract can only be unlocked by the original owner through the Carrier. On top of that, if you bought a refurbished smartphone and remains on contract, the original owner can still report it as stolen or lost or stop paying the monthly bills. - Warranty Status:
An under warranty phone can become blacklisted if the original owner report it as lost/stolen or ask for a replacement
- Replaced IMEI/Serial Number:
Any SIM Unlock request must be done with the original IMEI number. There are illegal Carrier Unlock procedures that they succeed for a while by changing the IMEI. As soon as the fraud is exposed, the mobile is flagged as replaced and becomes blacklisted. When you try to unlock a used mobile this info is crucial.
We constantly test the most popular IMEI Check Companies. Keep in mind that a good IMEI Check company will also advise you how to proceed with SIM Unlocking and appropriate services.
If you already checked your mobile’s unlock eligibility, here is our Softbank 3rd-party iPhone Unlock providers benchmark.
I hope you found this article useful. Leave a comment below before you leave. until next time, take care!