To check if your phone is unlocked, the easiest ways are to swap SIM cards with a different carrier's working SIM to see if you get service, or check settings: on iPhone go to Settings > General > About and look for "No SIM restrictions," while on Android, look in Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Operators for multiple network options or Network Unlock status. You can also contact your network provider directly.
Many devices can be unlocked with unlock codes or other software updates. Participating providers will unlock postpaid mobile wireless devices for customers or former customers in good standing after fulfillment of the applicable service contract or device installment plan, or payment of an early termination fee.
Since October 2016, networks must unlock your phone for free once your contract has finished. Most networks will still unlock the device free of charge, even if you're still within your minimum contract. Nowadays, you can request that your phone be unlocked online. Simply head over to your network provider's website.
How do I know if my phone is carrier-locked?
Use an online IMEI checker
There are many of these sites available (search “online IMEI checker”) but most or all will take you to a paywall to find out the device's SIM lock status or carrier status. These are the same thing: Both tell you if your iPhone is unlocked.
Even when paying full price for a cell phone, it may be locked for a short period of time, such as 60 days, to help prevent theft and certain types of fraud. Providers may have different unlocking policies for their prepaid and postpaid monthly service plans.
You can insert your SIM card into an unlocked phone and it will function seamlessly, allowing you to continue using your existing phone number and cellular service. The first indication that the phone is unlocked is that it detects the SIM card by connecting to the network and finding reception.
You can unlock your phone for free by requesting it through your carrier—most major U.S. providers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon offer free unlocking once your device is paid off, active for a required time, and not blacklisted. Use your IMEI number to check unlock eligibility and follow the carrier's instructions.
Can I just put my SIM card in an unlocked phone? If you have an activated SIM card from your desired carrier and it is the correct size for the unlocked phone you purchased, then yes, you will most likely be able to put your SIM card into the device and it should function normally.
While unlocked phones offer additional functionality and freedom, they also aren't as secure as locked phones. Furthermore, there's nothing stopping a user from accidentally misusing an unlocked phone or downloading a harmful app.
While the ban applies to all new sales, phones purchased before December 2021 may still be locked to a network. Customers can still unlock a phone that is locked, even if it was bought before the ban, by contacting their network provider.
Test with a different SIM card
You only need to power off the phone and remove the current SIM card. Then, switch it to an active SIM card from a different carrier and turn the phone back on. If you can call or text with the new SIM successfully, you have an unlocked phone.
If you know your Apple ID and password, you can sign into iCloud® on another device to unlock your iPhone without your passcode. Go to iCloud.com on another device and sign in with your Apple ID and password. Select Find My, and sign in if you're prompted.
Your photos, videos, contacts, apps, ringtones… everything else that isn't your phone number, will still be on your phone after you remove the SIM card. Obviously, you won't be able to call or text those contacts without a phone number, and some apps may not work without a network connection.
How to check if an Android phone is unlocked
To transfer everything to your new phone, charge both devices, connect to Wi-Fi, and use the built-in setup prompts on your new phone to copy data wirelessly or with a cable from your old device, signing into your Google account to restore apps, settings, contacts, and photos, with specific apps like WhatsApp often requiring an in-app backup.
When a handset is locked, it means it will only work with the provider that you bought it from. If your phone is locked, it won't automatically become unlocked when your contract expires with your provider.
Unlocked phones are phones that aren't tied to a specific carrier's network, which means an unlocked phone can work with more than just one service provider.
Unlock eligibility for mobile devices on Postpaid plans
The device must have been active on the T‑Mobile network for at least 40 days on the requesting line. If the device was financed or leased through T‑Mobile then all payments must be satisfied and the device must be paid in full.
Check Network Operators: Look for an option that says "Network Operators" or "Carrier". If your phone is unlocked, it should allow you to select a different network operator. If this option is greyed out or if you see an error message when you try to select a different operator, your phone is likely locked.
Unlocking your phone usually takes a few hours, but sometimes a few days – so plan ahead. Follow these steps to get your phone unlocked. Once that's done, we'll handle the rest. Pay off your phone in your previous carrier's app or website.
Unlocking Cells Within a Protected Sheet