Some iPhones are locked to just one cellular network, especially iPhones purchased in the United States, while others are unlocked, meaning you can use them with any carrier. It's important to know which type you have (or get), because it can mean the difference between a pleasant or frustrating experience when you get a new iPhone (for you) or want to change networks.
Outside the United States, iPhones purchased from Apple or another retailer are often unlocked by default, so you can use them with any network. In fact, in the UK, a 2020 Ofcom ruling banned mobile phone companies from selling locked handsets. This is great news if you're in the UK, as unlocked iPhones can be used on any network, making things much easier if you're trying to sell a second-hand device or pass on your old iPhone to a member of your family.
But in the United States, iPhones tend to be tied to a particular network, which can make it difficult to move networks, pass down an old device to a family member, or sell a second-hand iPhone. occasion.
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If you're buying a refurbished iPhone, it should clearly state whether it's locked to a particular network or not, but that's not always the case if you're using private sellers on eBay or Craigslist. So being able to check is a big help. .
It's not possible to tell just by looking at the iPhone whether it's locked or unlocked: Apple doesn't allow other phone companies to mark iPhones. (You don't get a T: Mobile or Verizon branded iPhone, for example.) To complicate matters further, some phones are locked when sold, but are later unlocked when the owner has finished paying the CONTRACT. It is also possible to unlock an iPhone so that you can use it on any network.
But don't worry. It's relatively easy to find out if your iPhone is locked or unlocked, and in this article, we'll show you how to do it.
How to check if an iPhone is unlocked in Settings
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Foundry
There is an easy way to check if an iPhone is locked or unlocked using the Settings app.
Here's how to access information about whether an iPhone is locked to a network provider. (This information has been available on iOS since the arrival of iOS 14 in 2020).
- To access it, open Settings.
- Tab to General.
- Tap About.
- Swipe to Network Provider Lock. If the iPhone is unlocked, it should be indicated here.
How to check if an iPhone is unlocked using a SIM card
Since the iPhone 14 arrived in 2022, all iPhones sold in the United States have come with dual eSims and no SIM tray. So, if the phone you are concerned with does not have a SIM tray, you will need to move on to the next section.
If the phone you're dealing with is older than the iPhone 13, the quickest way to check if it's unlocked is to simply try inserting a SIM card from another carrier. If a friend uses another network, ask them if you can borrow the SIM card for a few minutes. Follow these steps to verify that iPhone is unlocked:
- Turn off the iPhone.
- Use the SIM card eject tool (or a paper clip) to eject the SIM card from the iPhone.
- Insert your new SIM card.
- Press the Sleep/Wake button to wake iPhone.
- If you see a message like “The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported. » Only compatible SIM cards from a supported network provider can be used to activate iPhone. Please insert the SIM card that came with your iPhone or visit the store of a supported network provider, then the device is locked.
This isn't such a quick fix – as it may take a while for the operator to get back to you – but if you need to be sure, it might be worth contacting the network provider you're on subscriber and see if they can help. Many carriers can check for you if you provide a handset's IMEI.
Use an online IMEI checker
You know how to find your IMEI, right? Once you have this code, you can access one of the many online IMEI check tools and find out whether the handset it is assigned to is locked or unlocked. The problem is that most of these services require payment (although it is usually a nominal amount).
There are also free services: you can try IMEI24.com, which seems legitimate and has been recommended by others. However, we must point out that we do not know the company and cannot guarantee its services.
Unlock your iPhone
We have a separate tutorial on how to unlock an iPhone.
You can sometimes ask a carrier to unlock an iPhone by calling them.
You can also try a third-party unlocking service such as:
Doctor SIM, undertakes to reimburse you if the unlocking fails. Doctor SIM successfully unlocked our phone with no issues and no hidden charges, so we are confident in recommending it. Get Doctor Sim.
We reviewed Wondershare's Dr. Fone in our roundup of the best iPhone data recovery tools. It includes an iPhone unlock that does more than unlock the carrier, it also removes passcodes and TouchID. Call Dr. Fone.
MobiUnlock from EaseUS is another option. Get MobiUnlock.
Further reading
Now that you know if your iPhone is locked or unlocked, you're ready to take the next step.
If you needed this information because you want to sell it, read How to Sell an iPhone for more tips. On the other hand, if you are passing it on to a young person, the article How to configure parental controls may be more useful.
Finally, consider checking out our guide to the best iPhone deals and contracts for advice on your next purchase.
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