Can You Put Any SIM Card Into an Unlocked Phone? When you have an unlocked phone, you can use any SIM card. Prior to the invention of 4G LTE, networks were split between GSM and CDMA operators. Now, since the introduction of 4G LTE phones, new iPhones and Android devices are compatible with both GSM and CDMA networks.
Unlike locked phones where you can only use the sim card provided by the network carrier, you have the option to choose your carrier on your unlocked phone device. Putting a brand new sim on a brand new unlocked phone device is as easy as one-two-three.
But you're probably wondering what exactly happens when you move your SIM card to another phone or get a new SIM card altogether. The short answer? Not much. All the really important stuff is either on your account or saved to your phone, so switching SIM cards isn't too risky.
If the phone you're switching to is from the same carrier or it's unlocked, you shouldn't need a new SIM. But if you're switching from one carrier to another, you'll need a SIM card for your new carrier.
No, you need the right size SIM card, which in most cases will be a nano SIM. If your device is locked to a specific network, then you also need the SIM card to be for that network – or to unlock your device.
For some networks, all you need to do is insert a SIM card and you're good to go, but for others you're going to need to go to a licensed store or log into your online account and input some of your phone's serial numbers.
If you look up the model of the phone and carrier's spec sheet, you'll be able to find if your phone is compatible with the carrier. Or, you may check with a compatibility check test with your IMEI or MEID.
By far, the biggest disadvantage of buying unlocked is that you usually need to pay for the device in full, all in one transaction. This can be a daunting prospect since many flagship devices these days have a similar cost as one month's rent for many folks.
Since it's unlocked, it usually has a higher resale value. The caveat is that you might not get every network feature, like Wi-Fi calling or HD voice, and the carrier won't guarantee that the voice or data network will work perfectly on your phone. In other words, you're on your own.
A carrier-imposed “lock” is a software code that prevents your phone from working on another cellular network. With an “unlocked” phone, on the other hand, you can get service with any carrier on a compatible network — and that's just one of the benefits of an unlocked phone.
If you purchase a replacement phone or upgrade to a new unlocked phone, you can take out the SIM card in your old phone and pop it in the new one. If your old SIM is not compatible (size difference) or you are changing carriers, you will need to purchase a new SIM card.
The best way to quickly check whether a mobile phone is locked or not is to slip the SIM card out, and put in one from another network. If it can make calls, send texts, and connect to the internet, that means your phone is unlocked. Just make sure that the two SIMs don't actually connect to the same network.
Answer. No. SIM cards do not store data.
Unlocked phones can work with any carrier, while locked phones can only work with specific carriers.
You'll also need an unlocked phone to use a PAYG SIM. So, if your phone was originally bought on a mobile contract deal, it may be locked to the network you bought it from – just pop in another network's SIM card to check.
SIM free phones are phones that don't come with a SIM card. SIM free phones are also unlocked, meaning you can use them with any network. SIM free phones are popular choices for phone-users who want to buy their phones outright and (typically) pair with a SIM only deal. This often works out cheaper.
Unlocked phone users have no restrictions, contracts, or ties to any company. They can shop around with no limits. Whether they want T-Mobile deals, Verizon quality, or the lowest prices the market can offer, they are free to come and go from carrier to carrier as they please.
Unlocking your phone isn't hard to do—and it's completely legal—but a little help can go a long way, because the process varies from phone to phone and carrier to carrier. If you didn't make a point of buying an unlocked model when you purchased your phone, it's likely tied to your current network.
An unlocked phone remains unlocked. Carrier cannot remotely lock it, nor would they be allowed to do this.
Is my IMEI linked to SIM or phone? Ideally, from this point, you can easily tell that IMEI is not related to a sim card but is tied to the device (as its identifier). This should not be mixed with the UICC (universal integrated circuit card) number or the sim card.
In the About (iOS) or Status (Android) page, scroll down and check for a MEID, ESN, or IMEI number. If your phone has a MEID or ESN number, it uses CDMA, and if it has IMEI, it uses GSM.
No, as long you have an existing cell phone plan, you are merely, just replacing the phone, and using your existing cell phone plan, with no changes or chargers. The switch is seamless and most of your information on your old phone can be copied to your new one.
Turn off your phone.
It's important for your phone to be turned off before you access the SIM card: Android - Press and hold the Power button on the top or side of the phone, then tap Power off when prompted.
Does a SIM card hold pictures? Photos aren't stored on your SIM card, which makes it important to back up your photos if you ever decide to switch your SIM card out. If you have an iPhone, consider saving them to iCloud, or if you have an Android, save them to your SD card.
To keep your mobile number and transfer it to another network, you need to request what's called a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) from your old provider and then give the code to your new provider so they can schedule the switch.