An iPhone bought through a particular carrier is configured to accept its SIM cards only. As a result, iPhone users can’t change their SIM card and move on to another mobile service provider until the agreed-upon term ends. However, some ways allow you to SIM unlock your iPhone during this period.
Your mobile carrier can unlock your iPhone provided it’s paid for in full, your account is in good standing, and your device hasn’t been reported stolen or lost. However, different carriers may have additional requirements. You can also jailbreak your device to remove the SIM lock.
Unlocking your iPhone allows you to use it with different carriers, which can be very convenient if you aren’t satisfied with your current service or are moving to another location. Let’s look at the steps involved in unlocking your SIM and how you can jailbreak your iPhone.
What Does Carrier Locked Mean?
A carrier-locked phone is one locked to a particular network after purchase. As a result, users can’t use that particular device with another mobile opeiprator or outside the country. Unless this lock is removed by the carrier or any other method, you won’t be able to use a SIM from any other carrier.
The carrier can typically remove this lock by entering a numeric password or a unique code; however, there are some exceptional cases where the carrier can’t remove the lock.
Are All Phones Carrier Locked?
Typically, when you buy a phone from any major mobile carrier like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc., it comes locked to their networks. A cell phone lock is a software code that only connects your mobile phone to a specific network.
Unlocking your phone allows you to switch carriers when you move to a different location, are traveling, want to hold on to your old device when you change networks, or are dissatisfied with your current carrier service.
You’ll have to contact your mobile service provider if you want to switch carriers. However, before unlocking, you’ll have to meet certain criteria.
- Firstly, there shouldn’t be any installments left on your phone, or any contract you’ve signed must end. You must have good credit standing, and your device cannot be reported stolen or lost.
- If you’ve paid the total amount of your phone at the time of purchase, it may already be unlocked. Unlocked phones are worth more compared to locked devices. So it’s best to unlock your phone once it goes off-contract.
- iPhones bought from Apple, either from an Apple Store or online, are typically unlocked. With unlocked phones, you can choose any carrier you want.
How to Find Out if Your Phone Is Carrier Locked
There’s an easy way to check if your iPhone is locked that doesn’t need you to call your carrier or ask for advice from a customer service representative. If you’ve iOS 14 or iOS 15, then:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on General.
- Choose About.
- Towards the end of the page, you’ll see Carrier Lock. Some installments are probably left on your phone if you find SIM locked next to Carrier Lock. However, if you see No SIM restrictions in front of the Carrier Lock, then your device is unlocked.
Can You Unlock an iPhone From Its Carrier?
It’s possible to unlock your iPhone from its carrier if its’ payment has been made in full. However, depending on your carrier, you might have to take additional steps.
Unlocking an AT&T iPhone
AT&T users can avoid phone contact with customer service by using their convenient device unlock portal. You’ll be notified once the unlocking process is complete, typically taking a few days. Here’s what you need to do to disengage your iPhone from the AT&T network:
- If installments remain on your plan or your contract isn’t complete, first pay off the outstanding amount, including the termination fees.
- Wait for at least 24 hours if you’ve cleared your balance early.
- Ensure that your device hasn’t been involved in fraud or reported stolen or lost. Your account should also have good credit standing.
- There shouldn’t be any past unpaid or due balance on your iPhone, and it must’ve been active for at least two months. Also, your iPhone cannot be used on another AT&T customer’s account.
- Users who have upgraded early must wait 14 days before unlocking their old phone.
- Military personnel can unlock their iPhones, even those on installment plans, by registering their active-duty status on AT&T forms.
- Provide your EMEI number to AT&T on the Unlock page.
Go to the Unlock Status Page on AT&T’s website to ensure your iPhone has been unlocked. The company will also inform you about the unlock status of your iPhone via email. Once your iPhone is unlocked, remove your old AT&T SIM card before inserting the SIM of your new carrier.
Unlocking a Verizon iPhone
iPhones bought from Verizon, whether they are post-paid or prepaid, are locked for the initial 60 days after purchase. After that, they’ll be automatically unlocked.
- iPhones purchased from Verizon retail partners will be unlocked 60 days after activation.
- The 60-day rule applies to both post-paid and prepaid devices.
- Active military members can unlock their iPhones, even before completing the 60-day lock period, by contacting Verizon directly.
Unlocking a T-Mobile iPhone
The number of terms and conditions that must be met before unlocking a T-Mobile iPhone are as follows:
- Your iPhone must not be reported blocked, lost, or stolen to T-Mobile, and your account must have good credit standing.
- You’ve requested a maximum of two unlock codes per service line per year.
- iPhones bought under T-Mobile’s Equipment Installment Plan (EIP) must be paid in full.
- Devices bought under post-paid plans must be active for at least 40 days on the T-Mobile network. So if your iPhone is on a canceled account, there shouldn’t be any remaining balance.
- If you have a prepaid iPhone, it should have been active on the carrier’s network for over 12 months. Otherwise, the account should have over $100 in refills since the first date of use.
- You might be asked to provide proof of purchase or additional information by T-Mobile, and there may be other exceptions.
- Military personnel, government, and business accounts may get benefits under certain circumstances.
Once your iPhone becomes eligible, you might receive an unlock code from T-Mobile. However, if you don’t receive any unlock notification from the carrier, you can contact them directly.
Contacting Your Carrier
You can also get your iPhone unlocked by contacting your carrier, but first, ensure that your carrier offers to unlock it. You might have to wait a few days after submitting your request to complete the process.
- Request your carrier to unlock your phone.
- You’ll receive a confirmation from your carrier that your iPhone is unlocked.
- Remove your old SIM card and insert the new SIM from your chosen carrier.
- Set up your device again.
- Back up your iPhone if you don’t have a new SIM card.
- Reset your iPhone after backup.
- Restore your device from the backup.
How to Jailbreak Your iPhone
There are several tools available that allow you to jailbreak your iPhone. One such popular tool is the iToolab SIMUnlocker.
iToolab SIMUnlocker
This unlocking tool can fix the ‘SIM not supported/not valid’ issue with just a single click. The iToolab SIMUnlocker software helps you bypass the carrier SIM lock and is designed to resolve activation issues within minutes.
This tool exploits the in-built Checkra1n to unlock the phone. This unlocking process is also known as jailbreaking the phone, as it removes the restrictions imposed by Apple.
To jailbreak your iPhone, here’s what you need to do:
- First, download and install SIMUnlocker on your computer.
- Then, connect your iPhone to your computer. Next, check the USB connection and make sure your device’s screen is unlocked.
- The SIMUnlocker will download Checkra1n, a built-in jailbreak tool package.
- Once the jailbreak is complete, the tool will check the device’s eligibility. If it’s eligible, you’d see the device details on the screen.
- Now press Unlock to remove the SIM lock.
Once you jailbreak your iPhone, you’ll be able to connect to any network worldwide. However, if your phone is blacklisted, it won’t be possible to unlock the SIM.