How to Check if Phone Is Unlocked – A Complete Guide
It’s essential to check if phone is unlocked if you want to switch providers, go abroad, or sell it out. A locked phone is bound to a particular service provider. Still, an unlocked phone can be used with any suitable carrier.
According to NPD Connected Intelligence, a research firm that monitors the market for unlocked mobile phones, there are roughly 50.1 million active unlocked cell phones on U.S. mobile networks. This is an increase of 8% from Q1 2019 to Q2 2020.
Suppose you’re unsure of your device’s unlock status and look forward to verify phone unlock status. In that case, you can check the device settings, enter a particular code dependent on the model of your phone, contact your current carrier, or test the phone with a SIM card from a different carrier to see whether it has been unlocked.
Your options and freedom regarding cell service are considerably impacted by knowing whether your phone is locked or unlocked. Meanwhile, it’s essential to ensure your phone’s never infected with malware; for that, we recommend using iProVPN.
Jumping back, carrier locks, and the process to check unlocked phone sound reasonably technical. This article is here to help! We’ll discuss how to verify phone unlock status, ways to check unlocked phone, and much more. Keep reading!
The Key Takeaways
- Checking if a phone is unlocked is important for switching carriers, traveling, or selling it.
- Unlocked phones offer flexibility and can be used with any compatible carrier.
- A significant market exists for unlocked phones, with millions of users in the USA owning them.
- Carriers lock phones to ensure contract commitment, prevent theft, and recover costs.
- On Android, check unlock status in settings, looking for multiple carriers in the list.
- On iPhone, verify unlock status in settings and test with a new SIM card.
- You can check without a SIM card by borrowing one or contacting your carrier.
- The IMEI number can be used to check unlocked phone through various methods.
What Is an Unlocked Phone and How Does It Work?
As per a report from Statista in 2021, the total number of smartphone users in the USA is slightly under 300 million. However, smartphone sales depend on 2 factors – carrier-locked and unlocked phones.
An unlocked phone is a device that isn’t bound to a particular mobile carrier. These phones offer the flexibility to switch networks simply by changing the SIM card. Due to their carrier independence, unlocked phones are compatible with any carrier you prefer.
These phones are often sold without carrier subsidies at full retail pricing. They don’t come with pre-installed carrier-specific applications or software restrictions, allowing you to pick both phones and plans without limitations, regardless of how frequently you update.
Why Would a Phone Be Carrier Locked?
According to an article, smartphone sellers report that 60% to 70% of smartphones are unlocked. When carriers sell pricey smartphones at discounted costs, a practice known as subsidizing, the goal is to guarantee your commitment via a contract. This allows them to recoup the phone cost and create additional money throughout the contract.
Insurance plans, various levies, and extra charges generate significant profit for carriers.
Carriers typically put network limits on phones purchased via them to protect their financial interests, principally your monthly phone fee.
This limitation prohibits people from taking advantage of reduced phone deals and transferring to another provider. Delving into it, here’s why a phone carrier can be locked:
1. Security Against Theft and Fraud
- Carriers use phone locks to discourage consumers from switching to another provider before meeting their contract responsibilities.
- These locks guarantee that phones are suited for usage with a specific carrier’s settings.
2. Unsettled Debts
- Carriers may impose phone locks if a phone owner owes the carrier money, such as unpaid payments.
3. Contractual Commitments
- Carriers may implement phone locks for handsets related to commercial commitments, such as a two-year contract.
- This policy makes Customers less likely to move to a different network provider.
Can I Check to See if Phone Is Unlocked?
As per the recent Unlocked Phone Demand Report by NPD Connected Intelligence, the unlocked mobile phone market is experiencing rapid expansion, with approximately 28 million consumers in the U.S. owning unlocked devices. This segment represents 12% of the overall market.
If you bought your phone from a carrier through a two-year contract or a monthly payment plan, it would be limited to that service provider, even if it is compatible with other networks. Due to your contractual obligation to that carrier, you must stay with them until the contract period ends or the payment plan is entirely fulfilled.
Once one of these requirements is satisfied, you can unlock the phone and switch carriers. The answer to whether your device’s SIM is unlocked after you’ve paid it off depends on the phone model and its ability to function with several carriers.
Let’s go further into this for a more thorough understanding about how to verify phone unlock status.
How to Check if Phone Is Unlocked Android
Here’s how to check if your Android phone is unlocked:
Step 1: Access Settings
Access Settings from the drop-down menu of the device’s App Drawer.
Step 2: Navigating to Mobile Network Settings:
Navigate and select “Connections” or “Network & Internet.” The exact terminology differs from the device’s brand and model.
Step 3: Accessing Mobile Network Options:
Find and choose “Mobile network” or “Cellular network.” This depends on your device’s nomenclature.
Step 4: Accessing Advanced Settings (if required):
Tap “Advanced,” followed by selecting “Choose Network” or “Automatically select Network.” This will grant you access to a roster of available carriers.
Step 5: Determining Phone Unlock Status:
Multiple carriers on the list strongly indicate that your phone is likely unlocked. However, for unequivocal confirmation, proceed to the subsequent step.
Step 6: Testing with a New SIM Card:
Exchange your existing SIM card with the freshly activated one from the alternative carrier. Now, test the waters by utilizing mobile data, ensuring your WiFi is deactivated.
Step 7: Verify Phone Unlock Status:
A successful browsing experience using the new SIM card corroborates that your phone is undeniably unlocked and functional with your chosen carrier.
How to Check If Phone Is Unlocked iPhone
Here’s how to check if your iPhone is unlocked:
Step 1: Access Settings
Open the Settings menu either from the drop-down menu or your App Drawer.
Step 2: Navigate to Network Settings
Tap on “Connections” or “Network & Internet,” depending on your device.
Step 3: Access Mobile Network Options
Select “Mobile network” or “Cellular network” per your device.
Step 4: Explore Advanced Settings (if required)
If necessary, go to “Advanced” and choose “Choose Network” or “Automatically select Network” to view the list of carriers.
Step 5: Check for Multiple Carriers
If you see several carriers listed, your phone may be unlocked. Move on to the next step for confirmation.
Step 6: Test with a New SIM Card
Replace the SIM card with the new one from the alternative carrier. Disable WiFi and try using mobile data.
Step 7: Confirm Phone Unlock
Your phone is unlocked if you can browse the Internet with the new SIM card.
Can I Check if Phone Is Unlocked Without SIM?
To check if your phone is unlocked without an active SIM card from the new carrier, you can borrow a SIM card from someone else and attempt to make a call or access the Internet.
In addition to using a valid SIM card, contact your current carrier to verify whether your phone is locked or unlocked.
Can I Check if a Phone Is Unlocked With IMEI?
You may use the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number to verify phone unlock status. While the IMEI does not immediately indicate whether the phone is locked or unlocked, you may use it to obtain information from your current carrier or a third-party provider.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Through Manufacturer’s Website
Some smartphone manufacturers’ websites have online facilities for checking your handset’s lock/unlock state using the IMEI.
2. Contact Your Carrier
Call your existing mobile carrier and provide them with your phone’s IMEI number. They can search their database to see if the phone is locked or unlocked.
3. Through Third-Party Services
By inputting a phone’s IMEI, many web services and programs may verify the lock/unlock status. Some providers may charge a fee for this service.
Final Note
AudienceSCAN research indicated that 28.3% of the audience is willing to prioritize cost savings over product quality for most purchases.
Carrier unlocking a phone is essential when planning to move abroad, utilize cellular packages, or sell it out. However, a significant benefit of purchasing carrier-locked phones is their discounted price. Once purchased, you can check unlocked phone and unlock your phone if you change your mind.
On the other hand, you’d never want to infect your device with malware. The Internet is filled with these risks. To stay clear and ensure foolproof smartphone data protection, it’s advised to use a trusted VPN, like iProVPN, to ensure zero data theft.
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FAQs
- Can you check if your phone is SIM locked?
Yes, you can check unlocked phone. Taking the example of an iPhone, here’s how you can check if your iPhone’s SIM is locked:
- Navigate to the “Settings”.
- Scroll down and select “General.”
- Tap on “About.”
- Look for “No SIM restrictions” next to “Carrier Lock.” If you see this message, it means your iPhone is unlocked.
- Is AT&T phone locked or unlocked?
The majority of mobile phones are initially associated with a particular network operator. For example, buying your phone from AT&T will only work on the same network. This rule also applies to other mobile operators.
Nonetheless, once unlocked, your phone can work with various carriers. - Can I carrier unlock my iPhone myself?
Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone. Contact them and submit a formal unlocking request. Once you submit it, it may take a few days to complete your request.
