07.05.2026 01:50
The critical phase has been entered in BTK's scanning of foreign phones. The final 24 hours remain before the 120-day period granted for devices with unregistered IMEIs in Turkey expires. As of May 1, unregistered phones whose period has expired will be disconnected from communication. Users can check the registration status of their devices by querying their IMEI via e-Government.
The Information Technologies and Communication Authority continues its inspections regarding phones brought from abroad. The 120-day legal usage period granted for devices that are detected to have received a signal via a SIM card after entering the country and have an IMEI not registered in Turkey is coming to an end.
LAST DAY MAY 1
As of May 1, unregistered devices, known as "illegal phones" in public opinion, which have completed the 120-day period, are expected to be blocked from communication. In this context, phones without IMEI registration will not be able to use calling, messaging, and internet services over the mobile network.
HOW TO CHECK IMEI?
Users who do not want to experience any grievances should dial *#06# on their phones to access the 15-digit IMEI number. Users can then log into the "IMEI Inquiry" screen via e-Government to check whether their device is registered, whether they have received an "unregistered" warning, or whether it has been used irregularly, all within seconds.
WHICH DATE WILL BE TAKEN AS BASIS?
As of January 2026, the date of the SMS sent by the BTK to owners of illegal phones is taken as the basis for calculating the usage period. For example, if the SMS received on January 5, 2026, indicates that the device needs to be registered, the phone can remain open for communication until May 5, 2026.
THOSE WHO BUY IN MAY USE IT LONGER
The usage period for phones bought abroad varies depending on the date the device starts receiving a signal in Turkey. Assuming the phone starts being used on May 1, the first 4-month period ends on August 31, 2026.
If the user switches to an e-SIM or another SIM card slot in the device, a second 4-month usage period comes into effect between September 1 and December 31.
USAGE UP TO 16 MONTHS WITH CALENDAR YEAR ADVANTAGE
After this point, since the calendar year changes, the usage right for the new year starts on January 1. Thus, the user can also benefit from the new year's usage period between January 1 and August 31. Using this method, some devices can be used continuously for up to 16 months.
E-SIM ADVANTAGE EXTENDS TO 240 DAYS
The e-SIM feature found in next-generation phones also affects the usage period. Phones brought from abroad can be used for 120 days with a physical SIM card and an additional 120 days with an e-SIM. In this case, the total usage period can extend up to 240 days. However, if the registration process is not completed by the end of the 240 days, the phone will be blocked from communication.
IMEI REGISTRATION FEE IS 54,258 LIRA
As of 2026, the IMEI registration fee is set at 54,258 lira. Users who do not want their phone brought from abroad to be blocked must pay this fee and register their devices.
WARNING ABOUT ILLEGAL IMEI INTERVENTION ON ANDROID
It is known that illegal IMEI interventions are made on some Android devices on the market. It is claimed that IMEI numbers belonging to some devices that can connect to the internet or are obtained second-hand are assigned to phones brought from abroad.
While it is asserted that illegal IMEI intervention can be done especially on Android phones, it is stated that this process cannot be carried out on devices with iOS operating system.
LEGAL REGISTRATION WARNING FROM EXPERTS
Changing the IMEI is considered illegal. Therefore, users should avoid such operations and only activate their devices through the legal registration process.