25.12.2025 10:05
Mobile phones that have not received a signal from the network for a continuous year will be deactivated as of December 31, 2025, and these devices will be disconnected from communication on January 1, 2026. It is stated that approximately 3 million phones are at risk, and the IMEI registration fee for mobile phones brought from abroad will rise to 57,241 TL in 2026.
A critical process has begun for millions of mobile phone owners. Under the current legal regulation, it is stated that the IMEI registrations of devices that have not received service from the network for a continuous year will be deactivated as of December 31, 2025. It is expressed that approximately 3 million phones are at risk of losing communication when entering 2026, and users need to take some simple steps before the end of the year to avoid inconvenience.
3 MILLION PHONES WILL BE DISCONNECTED IN 6 DAYS
According to the application that will come into effect in 2024, devices that are registered with the BTK but have not connected to mobile networks for a continuous calendar year are being identified. The IMEI numbers of these devices are removed from the BTK's active database and transferred to the passive pool. As the last days of 2025 approach, the countdown for phones that do not send signals has accelerated.
According to the regulation, devices that do not communicate with any base station between January 1 and December 31, meaning those that do not connect to the network with an active SIM card, are classified as "unused devices." In this context, it is reported that the network access of phones that have not received a signal for a year will be cut off as of December 31, 2025, and even if the devices physically work in 2026, they will not be able to make calls or connect to mobile internet.
IT IS MANDATORY TO TURN ON AND OFF
Industry representatives and experts predict that approximately 3 million devices may be affected by the application this year. The experts' warning is clear; to prevent the device's registration from being deleted, the phone must be turned on before the end of the year, and an active SIM card must be inserted to ensure it receives a signal from the operator's network. Simply turning on the device is not considered sufficient; establishing a connection with the base station is required. This process helps the phone to be marked as "active" in the system and prevents the IMEI registration from becoming passive.
On the other hand, if the necessary steps are not taken by the specified date, it is reported that the devices will fall into "unregistered" status as of 2026, and even if a SIM card is inserted afterward, they will not be able to access the network. It is reminded that an application must be made through e-Government to reactivate phones that have been deactivated. Experts emphasize that users should complete their transactions before the end of the year to avoid encountering additional procedures.
HOW MUCH WILL THE IMEI FEE BE IN 2026?
The IMEI registration fee for mobile phones brought from abroad has also been redefined for 2026. According to the announcement by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, in line with the revaluation rate, it has been announced that the registration fee, which was 45,614 TL in 2025, will increase to 57,241 TL in 2026. Accordingly, as of January 1, 2026, a registration fee of 57,241 TL will need to be paid for a mobile phone brought from abroad to be used in Turkey.