It is easy to find out if your smartphone is unlocked and can be used on any carrier’s network. In this guide, you will learn how to check if your phone is carrier-unlocked with iPhone and Android.
In this article
The most quickly way (but not the most warranted way) to check if a phone is unlocked is to insert a different carrier’s SIM card. Restart the device. If the phone can make calls, send texts, or connect to the Internet, chances are your phone is unlocked. If you get an error message that the SIM is invalid or your phone only says “No Service”, it means your iPhone is likely still locked to the previous carrier.
However, this way is not the most warranted as some phones are only unlocked for certain countries. It means the phone can work with local mobile network carriers in one country, but cannot work with network carriers in others.
To fully test unlock status, especially when traveling abroad, take the following steps.
Below we guide how to check if your phone is unlocked, on Android and iOS devices.
The exact steps on how to check if your Android phone is unlocked vary by manufacturer, but the general guide are:
Pro Tip: You can also download a free app like Network Signal Guru or Network Cell Info Lite to view your lock status.
Similar to Android devices, the exact route and wording to check if an iPhone is unlocked vary by phone models. Basic steps are:
For a more detailed guide, you can watch our video on How to check if your phone is carrier-unlocked below:
Pro Tips:
An unlocked cell phone means it is not attached to any contract or a specific carrier. It allows users to switch phone plans as their preferences.
While locked phones often contain pre-installed carrier applications, unlocked phones do not. It helps save valuable storage space in the device.
Unlocked phones are particularly beneficial for international travel because they can work with various networks.
For phones with eSIM compatibility, unlocking status is also one of crucial conditions that decides whether or not the device can work abroad.
There are many reasons why carriers lock their phones. But, the most important are:
To sum up, the most significant reason behind phone locking is about money.
If your phone is locked, you can still use all the functionality of the phones with the tied carrier.
So, do not fret.
If you do not need to travel abroad, you can leave the phone locked as it is.
If you want to switch networks or change a different SIM card, you need to unlock it.
Officially, you need to take these steps to unlock your phone:
If you want to unlock your phone by yourself, learn how to unlock your phone with our guide..
Here is a comparison table of locked vs unlocked phones:
| Pros/Cons | Pros | Cons |
| Unlocked phones | – easy to switch network carriers- easy to use the phone when traveling abroad- no pre-installed apps of the carrier, more storage space on phone | – more expensive than locked phones- less support from the carrier- risk of compatibility issues because not all unlocked phones work with all carriers |
| Locked phones | – Lower upfront cost and more affordable- Full support from the carrier (customer service + software updates)- have more extra features and services than unlocked phones | – limited options of carriers, so not being able to switch the carrier in a specific period of time- high roaming charges if using the locked phone abroad- less phone storage space because of extra apps |
While unlocked phones provide more flexibility, they may not work fully with every carrier. Compatibility depends on the network technology and frequency bands used:
Here is a simple comparison table of unlocking vs jailbreaking:
| Unlocking | Jailbreaking | |
| What it does | Removes carrier restrictions | Bypasses iOS restrictions |
| Allows | Using on other carriers | Downloading unauthorized apps/mods |
| Keep in mind | Carrier support varies | Voids warranty, risks instability |
| Legality | Typically legal | Gray area, not endorsed |
| Who it’s for | Switching carriers | Customization/new features |
| Compatibility | Varies by carrier | iPhone only |
| Process | Get unlock code from carrier | Use jailbreak tools |
In short:
Yes, oftentimes, carrier-locked phones can be unlocked after the contract of service expires. You need to consider contract duration, device payment, account status, device requirements before requesting phone unlocking. It can take several business days or even longer to process an unlock request after being approved.
Yes, you can check if your phone is unlocked by visiting your phone’s Settings menu and follow the instructions here. The exact process may be different depending on your phone’s brand and model.
Yes. If you follow the route of Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock and see the screen displays “No SIM restrictions”, your phone is not locked to any specific carrier and can be used with different ones.
No. Unlocking a cell phone only allows you to switch to another network carrier and if that carrier has better speed and coverage in your area, then the signal your phone catches will be better.
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