How to Tell If Your Phone Is Unlocked + Why It's Needed

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Easily check if your smartphone is carrier-locked

Co-authored by Rain Kengly Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Checking iPhone
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• Checking Android
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• Unlocking Your Phone
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• Why Unlock My Phone?
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

Are you switching carriers or giving away your old phone? If so, you'll need to check if your phone is unlocked first. While you can't unlock your phone by yourself, it only takes a quick call to your carrier. Here's how to know if your phone is unlocked using your iPhone or Android.

Confirming an iPhone or Android is Unlocked

• On iPhones, go to Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock. If you see No SIM restrictions, your phone is unlocked.
• On Android, go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network operators. If multiple carriers appear, your phone is unlocked.
• To unlock your phone, contact your current carrier. The request should be granted within a few days.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

How to Check If iPhone Is Unlocked

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1. 
   1
   Open the settings app. This is the grey cog icon.

   • If your phone is unlocked, you'll be able to use it with different carriers.
   • You can also contact your current carrier to confirm if your iPhone is unlocked.
2. 
   2
   Tap General. You may need to scroll down to find this option.
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3. 
   3
   Tap About. This is at the top of the page.
4. 
   4
   Find "Carrier Lock". This is towards the bottom of the page, underneath your EID number.

   • If you see No SIM restrictions, your phone is unlocked.
   • If you don't see this message, your phone is locked. You'll need to contact your carrier to unlock your phone.
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Check If Android Is Unlocked

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1. 
   1
   Open the Settings app. This is the grey cog icon.

   • You can also contact your current carrier to confirm if your phone is unlocked.
2. 
   2
   Tap Connections. You can find this underneath your account name.
3. 
   3
   Tap Mobile networks. This is towards the middle of the page.
4. 
   4
   Tap Network operators. This is at the bottom of the page.
5. 
   5
   Toggle off

   

   "Select automatically". The switch will turn grey.

   • A list of networks will appear underneath the toggle.
     • If you see multiple networks, your phone is unlocked.
     • If you see only one network, your phone is locked to that carrier.
6. 
   6
   Use a SIM card (optional). If you don't see the options above, you can try using a SIM card from a different carrier. Turn off your phone, insert the new SIM card, and then turn your phone on again.

   • If you see the new network in the top-right corner and you can make calls, your phone is unlocked.
   • If you see Invalid SIM card or you're unable to make calls, your phone is locked. You'll need to contact your carrier to unlock your phone.
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Unlock Your Phone

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1. 
   Contact your carrier to unlock your phone. This process will vary depending on your carrier. While some carriers have a feature to unlock directly on their website or app, many require you to call them directly.

   • Before you can unlock your phone, you must also meet your carrier's requirements.
     • Verizon.
     • AT&T
     • T-Mobile

Section 4 of 4:

Why Should I Unlock My Phone?

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1. 
   Unlock your phone if you want to switch carriers. In some cases, your phone may be locked to your carrier. Smartphone expert Brehima Traore states, "'Carrier-unlocking' a phone means that you can use it on any carrier's network as opposed to just the carrier from whom you bought your phone."

   • If you decide to switch carriers, or if you're giving away your phone, you must unlock it so it can be used with different carriers.
   • Your carrier is the only one who can unlock your phone. Submit a request to your carrier, and it should be approved within a few days.
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