How to tell if your phone is unlocked or locked to a carrier?

 

Is there a way to know if my phone is unlocked?

Mobile operators want your business, and they don't want to lose it. Many providers offer extravagant offers and discounts on mobile phones so you can sign up for their plans - and "locking" these phones is their insurance policy to keep you from using a competitor's service once you've secured that big deal on your device.

 

What does it mean to unlock a phone?

A locked mobile phone is exactly what it sounds like: software keeps it locked in a single carrier (like Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Cricket, Boost, Straight Talk, etc.). One reason for this practice is that it protects the carrier from theft and unpaid contracts. It also binds the phone to the service provider where it was purchased. When this device is unlocked, this software is removed and the phone can be used on other networks.

So how do I know if my phone is locked?

 

If you have signed up for a payment plan to receive your new phone, it is likely to be locked. However, if your phone has been paid in full, especially directly to a retailer such as the Apple Retail Store, it may be unlocked. The FCC requires each carrier to clearly disclose its unlocking policy on its website. Conditions and eligibility requirements may vary from provider to provider, but usually involve the fulfillment of payment plans and/or service contracts (an early termination fee may be charged if the contract is shortened).

 

Is my iPhone unlocked?

Navigate to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data.

If you see the cellular data options as a category, your phone is probably unlocked.

 

 

Alternatively, insert a sim card from a different carrier into your iPhone.

If you get the SIM NOT SUPPORTED message it means your iPhone is network locked.

 

Check if an iPhone is unlocked in iOS 14

The location of this information can now be found under the settings of your device.

Here's what to do if you're using an iPhone or iPad on iOS 14 or newer. :

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap General, then tap About.

3. Scroll down until you see Carrier Lock or Network Provider Lock.

4. Confirm that you see No SIM restrictions.

"No SIM restrictions" means that the iPhone or iPad you're using is unlocked, and will work with any SIM card. If you see anything else in this box, it indicates that the device is locked to a certain carrier.

Is my Android phone unlocked?

Navigate to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network operator.

If a network such as "Verizon" or "T-Mobile" is displayed under Network Operator, your phone may be unlocked.

These methods are simple, but may not provide conclusive proof. For further confirmation, replace your SIM card with a SIM card from another carrier. Make a phone call - if you get a connection and are successfully able to make a call it means your phone is indeed unlocked.

If in doubt, contact your service provider or order our carrier check service by IMEI.

 

Don’t have a SIM card?

Here is How to check if the Phone is unlocked without a SIM card?

Simply use our Online IMEI Check service that will check the database for the current lock status. Order your lock/unlock report!

 

How to unlock a phone for any service provider

If you have purchased your mobile phone by installment, you must first pay for it in full before you can take the steps to unlock it. Once you have reached this milestone - hats off! - follow the required steps to unlock your Apple iPhone or Android smartphone

AT&T Phone Unlock Request:
Your phone must first meet the AT&T eligibility requirements, including (but not limited to) the following:

May not be reported as lost, stolen, or suspected of fraudulent activity.
Completed contract or installment plan
The device is not active on another account
The service must have been active for at least 60 days and must not have an overdue or unpaid balance.

 

To submit your AT&T phone activation request

 

Visit att.com/deviceunlock then enter in your imei number and phone number
Read and agree to the conditions > Fill in and submit the form
You will then receive a confirmation e-mail with the activation request number. Click on the email link within 24 hours of receipt to confirm (if you do not do so within this period, the request will be canceled)
AT&T will reply within two working days to inform you of the status of your activation request. If the request is approved, you will get instructions on how to unlock your device and insert a new SIM card.

Verizon phone unlock request:

According to the Verizon Unlocking Policy, all Verizon phones should be typically unlocked automatically after 60 days from the date of purchase or activation. After 60 days, the device will automatically unlock and will never be locked again.

 

Request to unlock T-Mobile phones:

Your phone must first meet the T-Mobile authorization requirements , including (but not limited to) the following conditions:

Must be a T-Mobile device
May not be reported as lost, stolen, suspected of fraudulent activities or blocked by T-Mobile. If you device is not paid off in full and you need the phone unlocked for travelling then T-Mobile will offer a temporary unlock. Most T-Mobile phones need to be unlocked using the T-Mobile unlock app.

 

Request to unlock the Cricket phone:

Your phone must first meet the Cricket wireless Eligibility requirements for unlocking, including (but not limited to) the following conditions:

The device is intended for use on Cricket's network and is blocked for this network.
Must not be reported as lost or stolen
Device is not connected to a fraudulent account
Must have been used on a paid service for at least 6 months
If your device meets these requirements, you can log in to your account to unlock your phone or contact customer service.

 

Request to unlock a Sprint phone:

Your phone must first meet the Sprint Eligibility requirements for unlocking, including (but not limited to) the following:

The device is intended for use on Sprint's network and is blocked for this network.
Must not be reported as lost or stolen
Device is not connected to a fraudulent account
Must have been used on a paid service for at least 6 months
If your device meets these requirements, you can log in to your account to unlock your phone or contact customer service.

 

 

Does an unlocked phone work with any provider?

Possibly, yes. But be warned, it's possible that a device made to work with one provider may not be technologically compatible with another provider's network. Carriers use different frequencies and technologies to provide access to their network, so each phone is designed to operate at peak performance on that network. An unlocked phone simply disables the software that prevents it from changing providers. There is a chance that your phone may not operate at peak performance after the change. For this reason, most providers include a disclaimer on their websites.

 

Can a provider lock your unlocked phone?

Once a phone is unlocked, the operator will not lock it again.

 

Why you should unlock your phone before selling it:

Before pricing your device, it might be worth getting your iPhone or iPad unlocked. This way you can more easily attract potential buyers by marketing to them with their carrier in mind.