Overview
Unlocked phones may still carry network data from a previous carrier, which can interfere with YouMail activation. If your device is not properly updated with your current carrier, automated activation or manual dialing codes may fail. This article walks you through how to update your IMEI and activate YouMail successfully.
Key benefits of proper unlocked phone activation
Reliable activation: Ensures automated and manual activation codes work correctly
Carrier compatibility: Confirms your phone communicates properly with your current carrier
Fewer errors: Prevents test call failures and MMI error messages
Consistent voicemail delivery: Ensures missed calls route correctly to YouMail
How to activate YouMail on an unlocked phone
Follow these steps if activation fails or you receive errors during setup.
Step 1: Update your IMEI with your carrier
If YouMail detects a former carrier, activation may fail. Updating your IMEI ensures your device is recognized correctly.
You can find your IMEI using one of the methods below.
Locate IMEI using a carrier code
Open your phone’s dialer.
Dial *#06#.
Your IMEI will display on the screen.
Locate IMEI using device settings
Android
Open Settings.
Tap About phone.
View your IMEI, phone number, model number, and serial number.
iOS
Open Settings.
Tap General.
Tap About.
Scroll to locate the IMEI/MEID and ICCID.
Once located, provide the IMEI to your carrier and ask them to update it on your account.
Step 2: Restart your device and enable call forwarding
After your carrier updates the IMEI:
Restart your device.
Open the YouMail app.
Enable call forwarding directly from the app (iPhone or Android).
You can also view your carrier-specific activation codes by selecting the drop-down next to Edit and choosing Forward to YouMail.
Step 3: Contact your carrier if activation codes fail
If call forwarding codes still do not work, your carrier will need to activate Conditional Call Forwarding internally.
Steps to request carrier activation
Locate your Deposit Number in your account settings.
Call your carrier’s Support line.
Ask the representative to enable call forwarding for:
Busy
No answer
Unavailable
Provide your Deposit Number as the forwarding destination.
Request a test call before ending the call.
Confirm that only missed or unanswered calls forward to YouMail.
Additional notes
If activation codes do not work, you must contact your carrier to activate or remove call forwarding.
If YouMail is ever deactivated, carrier assistance is required to reactivate Conditional Call Forwarding.