There are two types of phones—those locked to a carrier and those free to use whatever carrier they want. There will come a time when you need to know which one your phone is. Thankfully, you’ll have no trouble getting the answer you need if you follow these simple steps.
What Does it Mean for a Phone to be Carrier Unlocked?
When a phone is “unlocked,” this means it is not tied to a specific network or carrier, such as Verizon or AT&T. An unlocked phone can be used with any carrier or network, whether it’s international or domestic. A user with an unlocked phone can switch to any carrier or network without having to buy a new phone. Furthermore, these devices usually don’t have any hardware or software limitations imposed on them by their carrier.
As for why carriers lock phones in the first place, they generally do this to force customers to stick with them until their device is paid off or until a contract is over. When you buy a phone from a carrier at a subsidized price or with installment plans, you are usually getting a locked phone, meaning you will only be able to use it with the carrier you bought the phone from.
With an unlocked phone, you can use a SIM card from any carrier as long as that phone supports the necessary network technology. Needless to say, having an unlocked phone impacts many things, including whether or not it can be used internationally and how easy it is to sell it.
Why Does Having an Unlocked Phone Matter?
There are many benefits to having an unlocked phone. Obviously, the freedom to choose any carrier you want without buying a new phone is pretty nice. There’s no need to stick with a provider that you feel isn’t doing enough for you. Unlocked phones are especially valuable for people who travel frequently—the ability to switch SIM cards to a local carrier helps you avoid excessively high roaming charges.
On top of that, unlocked phones usually have higher resale value. Most buyers don’t want a device that’s tied to a specific carrier, for the same reasons you wouldn’t. Ultimately, there’s really no downside to an unlocked phone compared to a locked one. It’s better in almost every conceivable way.
How to Determine if Your Phone Is Unlocked
If you don’t know if your phone is locked or unlocked, there are several ways to figure that out. You can try each of the following to get your answer.
Checking the IMEI Number
One of the most reliable ways to check if your phone is unlocked is by using its International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. The IMEI is a unique code attached to your device used to identify it. To find your IMEI, dial *#06# on your phone, and the number should appear on your screen immediately. Be aware that carriers can sometimes restrict the usage of codes like these, and third-party security apps may interfere as well.
That said, once you have the IMEI, you can use online tools to check the lock status. Many websites offer free IMEI checks, which can quickly tell you whether your phone is unlocked or tied to a specific carrier.
Contacting Your Carrier
One thing you can always do is call your carrier directly. Customer service representatives can easily access your account and device information to see if your phone is unlocked or not. Even if you don’t know your IMEI number, they should be able to get the answer with your regular account details.
If your phone is still under contract or hasn’t been fully paid off, it’s very likely to be locked. But if you’ve met all the requirements for unlocking, the representative may be able to begin that process at your request.
Check Your Phone’s Settings
Some phones have built-in features that allow you to check their lock status directly through the settings menu. For both Android and Apple devices, you may be able to find this information in the “Network” or “Connections” sections of your settings. That said, this feature is not always available on every phone. You can, however, usually find your IMEI number in your phone settings.
You can simply type “IMEI” into your settings’ search functionality to find it. However, you can also find this information manually in the “About Phone” or “About” section of most devices. If your phone does not explicitly tell you whether or not it’s locked, you can use this IMEI number on a lookup website, as mentioned previously.
Testing with a Different SIM Card
If you have access to a SIM card from a different carrier than the one you are currently using, you can insert it into your phone. If your phone accepts it and has no issues connecting to a network, then your phone is definitely unlocked. If you receive an error message or are prompted to enter an unlock code, it means your phone is locked and still tied to its original carrier.
How to Unlock Your Phone if It Is Locked
If your phone is locked, you’ll likely need to contact your carrier and request for it to be unlocked, though most carriers have specific requirements that must be met first. Usually, that includes things like completing a contract, paying off the phone in full, or having your account in good standing. If these conditions are satisfied, your carrier will usually be willing to unlock your device.
However, if your carrier is unwilling to do this, or you’ve bought a phone second-hand, you may need to use a third-party unlocking service. Such services are usually not free, and it’s important to choose a reputable option, so don’t jump on the first website promising an unlock that you see. Furthermore, keep in mind that unlocking a phone without your carrier’s permission may void your warranty or violate their terms of service, so double-check those things first.
How to Avoid Purchasing a Locked Phone
If you’re looking to buy a new or used phone, there are a couple of things you can do to ensure you don’t buy a locked one. One great option is to purchase a phone directly from the manufacturer or a reputable retailer that specializes in unlocked devices, such as Best Buy or Target. These sellers usually clearly label their products as unlocked and often make a point of specifically selling unlocked phones.
If you’re buying a used phone, you should always ask the seller for proof of the device’s unlock status. Ask for the IMEI number and use it to verify the lock status, either with an online tool or by contacting the supposed carrier directly. You should always be wary of deals that seem too good to be true—there are plenty of scammers out there looking to sell locked or stolen devices to the uninformed.
It’s also a good idea to steer clear of used devices that don’t openly tell you whether or not they are unlocked. Ultimately, though, any reputable seller should be willing to give you the IMEI number of the device they are selling to you, so if they refuse to do that, stay far away from them.
In the end, phones are either locked or unlocked, and it’s fairly easy to find out which one is true for your phone. Generally speaking, though, if you are still under contract or paying off your phone with your carrier, it’s locked. If you bought your phone from an MVNO like US Cellular or Mint Mobile, it may already be unlocked. You’ll just have to check with the methods we discussed here today.
