How to check if your phone is carrier locked?

To check if your phone is carrier locked, you can use a few simple methods that work for both Android and iPhone devices. Some checks you can do on your own, while others may require help from your carrier. 

Knowing if your phone is unlocked means you’ll be able to switch networks or use an eSIM when traveling abroad.The steps are slightly different for Android and iPhone (and can even vary depending on Android device), but in this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know. 

What is a smartphone carrier lock?

Sometimes, smartphones are locked to a specific carrier, which means they only work on one network (like AT&T or Verizon). When you purchase a phone through the carrier, they may lock it to ensure you can’t use it with competing networks. 

They might do this for several reasons:

• Contracts: Carriers might lock phones when you finance them through a payment plan, ensuring you stay with the same provider until you have paid off the phone.
• Promotions: If you use a trade-in deal or another offer, your phone may be carrier locked until you’ve fulfilled all the terms of the agreement.
• Security concerns: Phones that are lost, stolen, or involved in fraud can also be carrier-locked to prevent unauthorized use. 

Meanwhile, an unlocked phone has no restrictions. There are two main types of unlocked phones: factory unlocked vs, network unlocked. Factory unlocked phones are sold without any affiliation to a carrier, so they can be used with any network out of the box. Meanwhile, network unlocked phones have since been unlocked by the carrier.

If you bought your phone through your carrier, there’s a higher chance the phone will be locked. Fortunately, there are several ways to check with ease, and we’ll cover them below.

How to check if a phone is carrier locked

There are a few ways to check if your phone is carrier locked, and they apply to both Android and iPhone devices. Some of them you can do on your own, while some require help from your carrier.

The easiest ways to check are by:

• Using a different SIM card
• Checking your settings
• Using an IMEI checker

Let’s go through these methods in detail.

Check if your phone is carrier locked with another SIM card

The simplest way to tell if your phone is locked is by using a different SIM card from another network. You’ll need a friend or family member who uses a different network to give you their SIM for this.

1. Power off your device to avoid network issues during the switch.
2. Take out your current SIM card, and insert a new card from a different carrier.
3. Turn the phone back on. Wait a moment for the device to reboot, then check for signal strength.
4. Try making a call or using mobile data. 

If your phone is locked, you’ll most likely see an error message like, “SIM not supported” or “SIM locked.” Even if you don’t see this message, the phone will not connect to the network.

Check if your phone is carrier locked using IMEI checker

Another method involves using the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. Every phone has a unique IMEI, which allows you to check certain things about the device. This includes whether it’s carrier locked; you’ll just need a third-party IMEI checker to find out.

Here’s how:

1. Find your IMEI number.
   1. On Android, go to Settings > About Phone > Status > IMEI information.
   2. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About > IMEI
2. Visit an IMEI checking website. Many carrier websites or third-party sites offer this service.
3. Enter your IMEI number and use the search function.

If the phone is unlocked, the IMEI checker will confirm that it’s ready to work with any carrier. If not, it will indicate that the phone is locked.

Check your phone settings to see if your phone is carrier locked

Often, you can also check if your phone is locked by navigating through the settings. This method looks slightly different for Android and iPhone devices, but both are quite simple. 

Checking your Android phone settings to see if your phone is carrier locked

Androids vary depending on the manufacturer. However, you can usually find the phone’s carrier lock status in the Mobile Networks part of the settings. 

Just follow these instructions:

1. Open your Settings app.
2. Go to Connections or Network & Internet.
3. Tap Mobile Networks or Cellular Networks.
4. Your phone may display a label like Network Locked, which indicates that the device is locked to a specific carrier. Some phones may also show Cellular Data Options with this information.

Checking your iPhone settings to see if your phone is carrier locked

For iPhone users, Apple provides a simple way to check the lock status.

1. Go to your phone’s Settings.
2. Tap General, then About.
3. Scroll down to find Carrier Lock. If it says “No SIM restrictions,” your phone is unlocked. If it lists a specific carrier, the phone is locked.

Check if your phone is carrier locked by calling your SIM provider

You can also check if a phone is unlocked by calling your provider. All you need to do is call customer service and provide your IMEI number. You can find this either by checking your settings or dialing #06#. 

Ask the representative whether your phone is carrier locked, and if it is, then you can ask about unlocking it. Depending on the reason for the lock, there might be extra steps you need to take, like paying off any outstanding balances or completing your contract.

Once these conditions are met, the provider may unlock the phone for free or charge a small fee to do so. Each provider differs, as some will unlock it remotely while others will guide you through the process of using an unlock code.

Benefits of unlocking a carrier locked phone

So, why bother unlocking your phone? With potential fees and waiting on the phone with customer service, you might be wondering whether it’s worth it to unlock your phone.

Well, there are several key advantages to doing so:

• More flexibility: One of the biggest benefits is the freedom to switch between different carriers. Once unlocked, you can choose carriers with better coverage, prices, or data plans.
• Access to eSIM technology: An unlocked phone opens the door to using an eSIM, a digital SIM that allows you to connect to new networks without a physical SIM card. These are particularly useful when roaming or traveling, because you can switch between multiple networks depending on where you are. Global eSIM providers like Holafly allow you to access local networks abroad with better coverage and rates, but you can’t reap these benefits without an unlocked phone.
• Better roaming options: Even without an eSIM, you can enjoy better data roaming with an unlocked phone. Whether you switch to a local SIM or switch to a carrier with better roaming rates, it’s worth it!
• Increased resale value: Typically, an unlocked phone has a higher resale value than a locked one. Buyers prefer the flexibility of an unlocked phone. So, when it comes time to upgrade, you’ll want to unlock the device.

How to unlock your carrier locked phone

Now you know how to check if your phone is locked, but what can you do about it? If you want to benefit from more flexibility, you can use the steps below to unlock your device.

1. Check if your phone is eligible for unlocking. You’ll need an account in good standing with no overdue bills or pending obligations, and your phone should also be fully paid off. Most carriers also require you to have been with them for a minimum period (e.g. Verizon requires 60 days). Check that your phone hasn’t been reported lost or stolen, too.
2. Once you confirm your phone is eligible, you can contact your carrier. Depending on the network, you can do this online or call customer service. For example, T-Mobile has a Device Unlock section in the app, and AT&T has a section on their website.
3. Provide your details to the carrier, such as the IMEI number and your account details.
4. After submitting your request, it might take a few days for the carrier to unlock your phone. You’ll usually receive a confirmation email or message when it’s complete.

After receiving confirmation, it’s worth checking that the phone is unlocked. Use the methods outlined in this guide, like inserting a SIM card from a different network to check if the unlock worked. If you encounter any problems, contact customer service.

Alessia Copolla

I’m Alessia Coppola, and I combine my love for writing with a passion for travel and staying connected. Through my work, I guide readers to the best solutions for staying connected while on the move, covering options like eSIMs, SIMs, and pocket Wi-Fi. My goal is to help travelers stay connected easily and seamlessly, no matter where they are in the world.