How to Check if a Cell Phone is Unlocked and

What does it mean if a phone is unlocked... 

There are a number of reasons why you might want an unlocked phone or tablet if it has cellular connectivity. Maybe you want to use a different SIM card when abroad for cheaper calls, texts, or browsing, or want to simply switch mobile networks. Having an unlocked phone gives you the freedom to use any SIM, so here's how to check whether your phone is unlocked or tied to a network.

If your phone or tablet is locked, you will only be able to use a SIM card from the mobile network it's locked to. This can be very frustrating if you need to use a SIM from a different network, only to find that your phone (or tablet) won't let you.

If you purchased your phone SIM-free (and you've purchased it brand new, rather than second-hand), it's almost definitely going to be unlocked to allow you to decide which SIM you want to put in it. However, buying one on contract from a phone retailer or a network might mean that it's locked from the get-go.

Locked phones are much less common now than they used to be, and it's much easier to unlock them than it once was, so there's no need to worry if you do discover that your phone won't accept SIM cards from other networks out the gate. It might cost you a small fee, and sometimes you'll need to wait until your contract is up to unlock your phone, but these factors really hinge on the network your phone is locked to.

What does it mean if a phone is unlocked?

If a cell phone is unlocked, it means that the phone can only be used on one specific carrier’s network, like only on T-Mobile service, or only on AT&T. Carriers will install software on the phone to lock it to their network.

Carriers lock phones to their service so phone buyers can’t purchase a subsidized phone from a carrier at a discount and then quickly move to another carrier for service. Or to prevent theft on newly purchased phones.  

It’s a good idea to check a used phone to see if it’s locked before you purchase it. Why? If the phone is unlocked you can use it to receive mobile phone service from the carrier of your choice. If you purchase a new phone, it’s still ideal to make sure it’s unlocked in case you want to switch carriers. 

If the phone is locked, it can be used only on the carrier it’s locked to. That could make a big difference to you when you decide to purchase a used phone. 

Keep in mind that the unlocked phone may not work completely the same on another carrier network because of different technologies that provide multiple accessibilities to a channel GSM and CDMA. The basic difference between GSM and CDMA is that GSM is specific to a SIM card that is used with the mobile phone. We take a closer look at some of the differences between GSM and CDMA networks and how they matter to us as a consumer.

How to check whether your phone is unlocked?

If you have the phone on your person – whether it's an iPhone, Android phone, or something else – then the easiest thing to do to check whether your phone is unlocked is by trying different SIM cards from other networks/carriers in it. 

Is My Android Phone Unlocked?

Method #1

• First, go to Settings.
• Go to Connections.
• Go to Networks (maybe Mobile Networks or Cellular Networks, depending on your phone model and the version of Android OS it’s using).
• Select Networks Operators.*It may take a short time for the phone to search for available networks.

If available networks appear, the phone is probably unlocked. To make sure, choose one and try to make a call.

If only one result comes back from the network search, or if the Search Networks option is unavailable in the Networks menu, then the phone is most likely locked to the carrier.

However, keep in mind that this method is not 100% accurate. To confirm your phone’s status try using this next test. It’s a little more complicated, but it’ll give you a final answer on if your phone is locked or unlocked.

Method #2

- For this test, you need two SIM cards for your phone from two different carriers. 

• First, turn off your phone’s power. 
• Remove your phone’s SIM card with a removal tool or a paperclip.
• Replace the SIM card with the other SIM card from a different carrier. 
• Turn on the power again. 
• You can now see that the carrier’s name at the top of your home screen has changed.
• Now dial a call.

If the call connects, your phone is unlocked. If you now can’t place a call, the phone is locked to the first carrier. At this point, you may also see on the screen a message explaining that the phone is locked.

NOTE: It's important that you use a SIM card from a carrier on a different network - other than the one your phone is from. For example, if your phone is from AT&T use a sim card from either T-Mobile, Verizon, or any of their MVNO's. What is an MVNO and how can it save you money?

Is My iPhone Unlocked?

Read here for how to check if your iPhone is unlocked.

Method #1 

• First, go to Settings and then Cellular. 
• If you see a Cellular Data option under the Cellular menu, then your iPhone is unlocked. 
• If you don’t see “Cellular Data Network” as an option under Cellular, then the phone is locked.

However, this method for checking your iPhone’s status isn’t foolproof. For that reason, we recommend that you also use the method below if you can. It’s more complicated, but it’ll give a definitive result on whether your iPhone is locked.

Method #2 

- For this test, you need two SIM cards for your iPhone from two different carriers. 

• First, turn off your phone’s power. 
• Then open your iPhone’s SIM card slot with a removal tool or a paper clip. 
• Remove the phone’s SIM card and replace it with the other card from a different carrier.
• Turn on the power again. 
• You can now see that the carrier’s name at the top of your home screen has changed.
• Now dial a call.

If the call goes through, your phone is unlocked. If the call doesn’t connect, the phone is locked to the other carrier. At this point, you may also see on the screen a message explaining that the phone is locked.

NOTE: It's important that you use a SIM card from a carrier on a different network - other than the one your phone is from. For example, if your phone is from AT&T use a sim card from either T-Mobile, Verizon, or any of their MVNO's. What is an MVNO and how can it save you money?

Method #3 

- For this test, you need your phone IMEI number. Your IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. Think of it as your phone's fingerprint — it's a 15-digit number unique to each device. The most convenient way to find the IMEI number is to dial *#06# on your phone. This method works with both iPhone and Android and any other phone. 

1. Open up your keypad
2. Type in *#06#
3. No need to press the green call button! Your IMEI number should automatically come up.

 *A dual-SIM phone will have 2 sets of IMEI numbers

An alternative way to check IMEI number:

• iPhone – Settings > General > About 
• Android – Settings > About phone > Status

Now that you have the IMEI number you can use our iPhone Network Finder - [Check Carrier | Country | Status]. This service will let you know the complete iPhone status - including whether it is Locked or Unlocked as well.

Alternatively, use a third-party unlocking app like UnlimitedUNLOCK. We would recommend being careful to only use an unlocking service you trust. We at Unlimited Unlock are Trusted by Millions for being the #1 Cell Phone Online Unlocking Company іn thе World - successful and fairly priced! We provide mobile phone unlock codes and unlocking software with Fast, Reliable, Easy to use services. We can unlock iPhones, Samsung, Pantech, Huawei, LG, HTC, Motorola, ZTE, Alcatel and more. 

How to Check if a Boost Phone is Unlocked?

If you’ve purchased a Boost Mobile phone, there are a couple of requirements before you can unlock it. Your account must have been active for at least 12 months, the device must be unlockable, and the account must be in good standing.

If you meet these requirements listed above, call 1-888-BOOST-4U to unlock your Boost phone.

What to Do if Your Phone is Locked?

Now that you’ve learned how to check if a phone is unlocked, What do you do if it’s locked? 

If the phone is no longer under contract or if it was purchased outright, rather than on an installment payment plan, you can have it unlocked by the carrier. The Federal Communications Commission (in the U.S.) requires carriers to unlock phones that are not under contract.

If you’re the phone’s original purchaser, getting it unlocked is simple. Just contact the carrier’s customer service department to request an unlock. You’ll receive instructions on how to unlock your cell phone. 

If you’re buying a used locked phone from the original owner, have them unlock the phone before you pay for it. 

How do I get my phone unlocked?

Depending on how you bought your phone, it may already be unlocked. For example, if you didn't buy your phone through a US carrier or you purchased it directly from Apple or on Amazon and either company indicated it was unlocked, you don't have to do anything.

Prior to the change, Verizon phones come unlocked out of the box.

Phones bought through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon (starting later this year) will have locks on them. And you'll need to find out what criteria needs to be satisfied before you can ask for a code to unlock it. 

Thanks to mobile unlocking companies like ours UnlimitedUNLOCK.biz, you don’t have to remain tied to your network provider forever. We help people unlock their phones and switch service providers. But not all cell phone unlocking companies are made alike.