Access to those phones in Turkey to be blocked in 48 hours

The legal grace period granted for unregistered mobile phones brought into Turkey from abroad and flagged by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) is nearly over. According to the statement made by the BTK, devices whose IMEI numbers have not yet been registered will be completely cut off from communication within two days.

An unregistered phone can be used for 120 days from the date it enters Turkey and receives its first signal from the network via a SIM card. During this period, a text message is sent to the device owner by the BTK, reminding the user of the remaining time. If a user received a "your phone must be registered" warning on, for example, January 5, 2026, the device can remain active until May 5, 2026. Once the specified legal period expires, devices whose electronic identity number (IMEI) has not been registered will be gradually blocked from communication.

The e-SIM technology, which is frequently found in new-generation smartphones, provides a significant advantage regarding the registration period. The 120-day usage period with a physical SIM card can be extended by another 120 days with an e-SIM, reaching a total of 240 days. Therefore, for users who prefer e-SIM, the opportunity for unregistered use doubles. However, if the registration process is not completed, these devices will also be completely removed from the network at the end of the 240 days.

The fee set for 2026 for foreign-origin phones that require mandatory IMEI registration to continue being used in Turkey has increased to 54,258 TL. Users who pay this specified fee can continue to use their devices safely and legally on Turkish mobile networks without any issues. Otherwise, all unregistered devices will be gradually removed from the network when the legal period expires, and communication will not be possible with these devices.

News Source: 12punto