When you purchase an iPhone through a carrier like Verizon or AT&T, it may be locked into a contract. Contracts can be restricted if you want to sell your device or swap carriers. But how can you tell if your device is locked or unlocked?
You can call your current carrier to determine if your iPhone is locked. Or, you can check the Carrier Lock tab in the About section of the Settings app. Your device is unlocked if it says ‘No SIM Restrictions.’ You can also use a separate SIM card or IMEI lookup tool to check your lock status.
Don’t panic if your iPhone is locked or you can’t tell. There are several methods you can use to figure out possible next steps, and we cover them below. Read on for more information.
What Does it Mean for an iPhone to Be Locked?
An iPhone is locked if connected to a single carrier and unlocked if you can use it with any carrier. Therefore, you’ll need to confirm that an iPhone is unlocked if you sell it, purchase a new one, or switch carriers. Here’s how you can tell if an iPhone is locked or unlocked:
- When you purchase an iPhone from a carrier, like Verizon or T-Mobile, it’s typically locked to the carrier for the duration of the contract.
- An iPhone will be unlocked by default when you purchase a new model from the Apple Store.
- Used iPhone models are unlocked if the seller has finished their contract or paid for their device.
How Can You Tell if Your iPhone is Unlocked?
There are several methods to determine if your iPhone is unlocked, including using the settings, contacting the carrier, checking your Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, or using the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. We cover every method in more detail below.
Check if Your iPhone is Unlocked in the Settings
You can use the Settings app to determine if your iPhone is unlocked using the steps below:
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
- From Settings, scroll downward and select General.
- Click About.
- Look for Carrier Lock at the bottom of the page. If it says No SIM Restrictions, your device is unlocked, and you can use it with any cellular carrier. If it says something else, your device is most likely locked.
Some iPhone users claim their carrier information isn’t displayed on the About page in the Settings app. You can use the other methods below if you encounter this issue.
Check if Your iPhone is Unlocked with the SIM Card
If your iPhone doesn’t display the carrier information in the Settings app, you can use a SIM card to determine if your device is locked. However, you’ll need two SIM cards from different carriers for the method below. You can borrow a SIM card from a friend’s phone if necessary. Here are the steps:
- Turn off your iPhone.
- Open the SIM card tray and remove the SIM card with a SIM card tool or paperclip.
- Take the SIM card from a separate carrier of the same size and insert it into the SIM card tray of your device. Then, push the tray back into the device.
- Reboot the iPhone.
- Once the iPhone is powered on, attempt to call a working phone number.
- Your device is locked if you receive an error message or can’t complete the call. Your iPhone is unlocked if you don’t encounter issues and can make the call.
Ensure you’re handling the SIM card gently when removing it, as they’re fragile and easily damaged. If you encounter issues, you can use another method below.
Check if Your iPhone is Unlocked via IMEI
You can use several online tools to determine if your device is unlocked by using the IMEI number. Unfortunately, many of these tools require payment ahead of time. There are free tools online, but be cautious and research them ahead of time. Using a free IMEI lookup tool may be your last resort if you don’t want to contact your carrier. Here are the steps:
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
- From Settings, scroll downward and select General.
- Click About.
- Scroll downward and locate the IMEI Number.
- iPhone X and later models may have a second IMEI Number. Save the second IMEI Number if you encounter this situation.
- Next, write down your iPhone’s Serial Number near the top of the About page.
- With the IMEI Number and Serial Number written down, launch iPhoneIMEI or IMEI.
- Enter the requested information in the correct prompts and click Submit. Solve any captchas to proceed.
- Now, you should receive information on the following page. Look for Lock Status on the next screen to determine the status of your device.
How to Unlock Your iPhone to Use with a Different Carrier
Unfortunately, Apple cannot unlock an iPhone for use with a separate carrier. In these situations, your iPhone may be locked to your carrier, and you’ll need to contact them directly. Here are the steps to contact your iPhone through your carrier:
- You’ll need to contact your cellular carrier directly and request an unlock. In addition, you may need to meet specific requirements, like ending your contract or paying fees to qualify.
- An unlock request can take a few days to process. Be sure to contact your carrier to view the status of your request.
After your device is unlocked, you can use the steps below to finish the process, depending on your situation.
If You Have a SIM Card from a Separate Carrier
You can use the steps below if you’re swapping cellular carriers—switching from T-Mobile to Verizon.
- Remove the current SIM card.
- Insert the SIM card from the new carrier.
Your iPhone should activate as usual.
If You Don’t Have a Separate SIM Card or You’re Selling Your Device
You can use these steps if you don’t have a separate SIM card, are selling your device, or are not planning to use it again.
- Back up your iPhone’s data using iCloud.
- To back up data with iCloud, launch the Settings app, click Your Device’s Name, and select iCloud.
- Click iCloud Backup and select Backup Now. Ensure you’re connected to WiFi and let the process finish.
- After the backup process, erase your iPhone data.
- To erase your iPhone data, launch the Settings app, click General, and select Transfer or Reset Device.
- Next, click Erase All Content and Settings and follow any prompts.
Now your data is backed up, and you can Restore your iPhone or sell it.
Is it Safe to Purchase an Unlocked Phone?
Yes, it’s generally safe to purchase an unlocked iPhone or smartphone. However, buying an unlocked device from a certified retailer like the Apple Store may be best.
Unlocked devices typically have higher resale values. However, ensure the unlocked device is compatible with your carrier of choice before purchasing to avoid issues.