What does it mean when a phone is locked? 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. You'll have to specifically ask your carrier to unlock it.
In some cases, the only thing you need to unlock your phone is a software update your carrier will push to your device, and then you insert the new carrier's SIM card and you're good to go. Or you might need to enter an unlock code provided by your current cell phone company before you can install a new SIM card.
Most iPhones and Android cell phones are locked smartphones. These phones are locked to service providers who keep customers on their mobile networks for a certain amount of months or years. The primary networks that offer locked devices are Verizon, T-Mobile/Sprint, and AT&T.
Unlocked smartphones usually have higher resale values than locked devices, but you may not have access to every network feature that a locked phone might have, such as HD voice or Wi-Fi calling. The carrier you decide to use may not guarantee that their data or voice network will work perfectly on your specific phone.
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 the cell phone is locked, it means that it will only work on one specific network. Consequently, if you insert a SIM card that is from a different carrier, it will simply not work.
Easier to Replace/Repair Your Phone
By having your phone already unlocked that means you can simply pop the SIM card into a backup or temporary phone, port your service over to it, and load your compatible backup of iOS or Android (you did back it up, didn't you?).
An unlocked smartphone is a phone that isn't tied to a specific carrier or contract. Therefore, you have the freedom to shop for the latest phones and plans as often — or as infrequently — as you like. Plus, they don't come preloaded with numerous carrier applications that that take up space on your phone.
Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone. Contact them and request an unlock. After you submit the request, it might take a few days to complete. Contact your carrier to check the status of your request.
To understand the difference between a locked and unlocked iPhone, it helps to know what a locked phone is. Basically, a locked phone is tied ("locked") to a specific carrier, like AT&T or Verizon. Locked phones have a software code on them that prevent the user from using other networks.
Step 1: On a computer or another device, go to the Find My Device website or app. Step 2: Sign in with your Google account (the one linked to your locked phone). Step 3: Select your locked phone from the list of devices. Step 4: Click on the “Erase Device” option and confirm your decision.
What's the difference between a locked and unlocked phone? The difference is that a locked phone has a software code on it that prevents you from using it on another network. An unlocked phone either doesn't have the software lock on it or someone was able to get a code that unlocks the software.
You can unlock your Android phone even if you've forgotten the passcode, but you'll usually need to factory reset the phone. You can unlock most Android phones by performing a factory recovery or using the Find My Device website.
The benefits of unlocked phones extend beyond a wider selection and cheaper choices. They also liberate you to switch carriers at will — and buy cheap prepaid service for international travel instead of paying costlier roaming fees.
If someone gets hold of your phone, tablet or computer, and there's no lock screen, the thief suddenly has access to everything on your device. While some of your apps will require passwords and multifactor authentication, many apps, like your photos and notes, typically do not.
Installing a SIM card is much easier if your phone is unlocked. Unlike locked phones, which are limited to using the network carrier's SIM card, unlocked phones give you the freedom to choose your carrier. It's very simple to put a fresh SIM card in a new unlocked phone device.
You can ask your provider to unlock your phone. If you're out of your initial phone contract, the company must do this for free. Even if you're still within the contract term, all the major networks should allow you to unlock the device without a fee. Most phone networks ask you to fill in an online form.
A Temporary unlock lasts for 30 days and allows you to use a SIM card from a foreign country when abroad. A Permanent unlock allows your phone to use a SIM card from a different carrier. Choose an option, in this case, Permanent unlock.
iCloud-locked iPhones are worth very little, and finding interested buyers can be difficult because of it. Many buyers are only interested in purchasing the phones for scrape parts. As long as you acquired the iPhone legally, you can sell it, but price expectations should be low.
If your phone or tablet is locked, you will only be able to use a SIM card from the mobile network it's locked to. This can be very frustrating if you need to use a SIM from a different network, only to find that your phone (or tablet) won't let you.
You don't need a SIM card and cellular service to use most features of today's iPhones and Android phones. Most apps and services run just fine as long as you have access to WiFi, and you can even set up a free virtual phone number for making and receiving calls and texts.
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.