Apple now lets you quickly find out if an iPhone is unlocked in iOS 14. Follow this guide to learn how to check carrier lock information. May 07, 2020 Before buying a used iPhone, you'll want to check one of three different ways to know if your new or used iPhone is unlocked or not. You can check if the iPhone is unlocked in Settings, with the SIM card, or using an online resource. We’re going to go over each of those methods so you can easily check if your iPhone is unlocked or locked. 2020-8-30 This article explains how you can check if an iPhone is unlocked, or locked to a specific cellular network. The difference is that an unlocked iPhone can be used on any network (like, only on Verizon, T Mobile, Sprint, etc.) while a locked iPhone can only be used only on the carrier it’s locked to.
Before buying a used iPhone, you may want to confirm that the iPhone that you are planning to buy is an Unlocked iPhone. You will find below the steps to Find if iPhone is Unlocked or Locked to a Carrier.
Find If iPhone Is Unlocked or Locked
An iPhone that is sold directly by Apple is always sold as an Unlocked iPhone and it can be used with any carrier or network.
An unlocked iPhone requires more upfront or initial cost to buy and has a good market value (in case you want to sell it).
iPhones sold by Carriers or Telephone companies are often made available to customers at attractive down payments and may even be offered at zero down payment.
However, the downside of buying a Locked iPhone is that you won’t be able to use this iPhone with any other Service provider.
In general, Carriers Lock iPhones for a period of 18 to 24 months, after which you can request the Carrier to unlock your iPhone.
How to Find if iPhone is Unlocked or Locked
If you are buying a used iPhone, make sure that you ask the seller whether or not the iPhone is locked to a Carrier.
To confirm, you can use any of the following methods to check whether the iPhone that you are trying to buy is Locked or Unlocked iPhone.
1. Use Settings to Find if iPhone is Unlocked or Locked
If the seller has provided you with access to iPhone, you can follow the steps below to check if iPhone is Unlocked or Locked to a Carrier.
1. Open Settings > scroll down and tap on Cellular.
2. On the Cellular screen, tap on Cellular Data Options.
3. On the next screen, see if you can find Cellular Data Network option.
If you can find Cellular Data Network option, you are most likely dealing with an Unlocked iPhone. This option does not appear, if the iPhone is locked to a Carrier.
2. Use SIM Card From Another Carrier
While the first method does indicate whether the iPhone is Locked or Unlocked, it is better to confirm this by using a SIM Card from another Carrier.
You will need to arrange a meeting with the Seller and seek his/her permission to check if the iPhone can make a call using SIM Card from another Carrier.
1. Press and Hold the Power Button, until you see ‘Slide to Power OFF’ screen. Use the Slider to Power OFF iPhone.
2. Remove the existing SIM Card from iPhone and Insert SIM Card from another Carrier into the iPhone.
3. After replacing the SIM Card, press the Power button to start iPhone.
4. After the iPhone restarts, try to make a Call from the iPhone
If the Call goes through, it confirms that the iPhone is Unlocked. If the Call does not Connect, the iPhone is definitely Locked to a Carrier.
3. Use IMEI Number to Find if iPhone is Locked or Unlocked
The first two methods require access to iPhone and are convenient only when your deal to buy a used iPhone is almost in its final stages.
If the deal is still in initial stages, you can request the Seller to provide you with the IMEI Number of the iPhone and use this info to check whether the iPhone is Locked to a Carriers Network.
1. Get the IMEI Number of iPhone from the Seller.
If the Seller does not know where to look for the IMEI Number, you can refer the seller to this guide – How to Find IMEI Number On iPhone.
2. Using your Mac or Windows computer, go to iphoneimei.info website. This is considered to be one of the better known websites to check the Locked or Unlocked status of iPhone.
3. On the website, enter the 15 digit IMEI Number of iPhone and press and click on the Right-Arrow.
4. If the displayed result reads ‘Locked’ it means that the iPhone is locked. If the displayed message reads ‘Unlocked‘ it confirms that the iPhone is Unlocked.
If the iPhone is still Locked to a Carrier, you will find the website offering you its Unlocking service for a Fee.
Going by information on the website, the Unlocking is done remotely and you won’t be required to send your device for unlocking.
Also, the website offers a Full Refund, in case it is unable to Unlock your iPhone for some reason.
'How to check if my iPhone is unlocked or still locked to a carrier like AT&T? I would like to know whether my device is successfully unlocked and ready to be used without network restriction or not? How to tell if iPhone is unlocked?'
Why bother checking your iPhone is unlocked or locked? Thus, if iPhone is factory or carrier unlocked, you can use any SIM and enjoy all GSM service.
What if your iPhone is locked to a mobile carrier? You can only use the specific networks with your SIM cards but can't use all GSM service on your iOS phone.
(You may also need: unlock a disabled iPhone without iTunes)
Therefore, it's important and necessary to check the unlock status of iPhone, especially before buying a new or pre-owned iPhone.
In addition, you should also check and make sure that your iPhone is not on the GSM Blacklist. Otherwise, it could result in troublesome after-sales problems.
(Besides, you should also check how to unlock iPhone backup if it is encrypted.)
Method 1: How Can I Check if iPhone is Unlocked with a Different SIM CardRecommend!!!
What's a Carrier Unlocked iPhone?
General speaking, a factory or carrier unlocked iPhone will a little bit expensive than a GSM locked iPhone. Most discount iPhone models basically have contract locks, so they'll ask you to sign a specific contract to protect the money in their pocket. Carrier Locked iPhone has manufacturer built-in technical restriction on GSM and CDMA handsets, which limit the use of these handsets in the network or in specific countries.
Therefore, be sure to check if your iPhone whether unlocked before you get a discount on the iPhone at a store or online.
For your convenience, here are some effective ways to tell if your iPhone is unlocked or still locked. Before you decide to buy a new iPhone X / 8/8 Plus or a second-hand iPhone 7 Plus / 6 Plus / 6s Plus, please read the following guidelines and check.
(Please know that Carrier unlock is different from unlocking iPhone without password.)
Compare 3 Check iPhone Unlock Status methods: (SIM card, iOS Settings, and IMEI Number)
1. Tell if iPhone is unlocked with two different SIM Cards
Accuracy: 100% Accurate
Weakness: This method does not tell you which network your iPhone is locked to.
2. Check the lock status of your iPhone with iOS Settings
Accuracy: 60% Accurate
Weakness: This method can give you a hint, but it is not an accurate way for you to check if your iPhone is unlocked.
3. Check if iPhone is Unlocked with IMEI Number
Accuracy: 100% Accurate
Weakness: This is the quickest and easiest way to check if your iPhone does not have a locked SIM card even if your iPhone is stolen or lost. And you can check it by using the IMEI number.
Method 1: How Can I Check if iPhone is Unlocked with a Different SIM Card
This is a reliable way to check if the iPhone is unlocked using a SIM card. To check your iPhone's lock / unlock status, you must have two SIM cards from different carriers for this test. If you can use your iPhone with another SIM card from another provider, your iPhone is unlocked. In addition, you can purchase a new SIM card or buy it from your friends or family.
Follow these steps to check the locked/unlocked condition:
Step 1. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until you see the 'Slide to power off' of the screen, then right swipe it to turn off your iPhone.
Step 2. Using your SIM eject tool or a small tool like a paperclip, toothpick etc. to eject the current working SIM card.
Step 3. Remove the current SIM card and insert the other SIM carrier's card, then slide it back into the iPhone.
Step 4. Turn on your iPhone just like the step 1.
Step 5. Now you can see the name of the carrier on the top left corner to check if the new carrier SIM works on your iPhone.
Step 6. To test the condition, you can make a call to check if is unlocked. And if you see an 'Activation Code', 'SIM Unlock Code', or a similar error before calling/opening the app, then your iPhone is carrier-locked. If successfully, then it means that your iPhone is unlocked.
Method 2: Without Sim Card? How do I Know if iPhone is Unlocked with iOS Settings
This is a very practical and easy way to know if your iPhone is unlocked and you can go to the settings menu and find specific options. However, this is not suitable for all iPhone, but if you want to check, you can try this way first.
Tap Setting option on your iPhone, look for the Cellular Data option, and if you can see it, then it means that your iPhone is unlocked. If not, your iPhone is locked.
Method 3: Check if iPhone is Unlocked with IMEI Number
To real-time unlock progress monitoring, the use of IMEI numbers should be the quickest way. The IMEI number is your iDevice's unique serial number, which provides all the information about your iDevices. Through the IMEI Checker website, you can easily check the iPhone's lock status. But most reliable IMEI checker service is not free. It will charge a proper fee.
How Can I Check If Iphone Is Unlocked Iphone
But you are also recommended to use your Carrier IMEI check sites, like AT&T IMEI Unlock Check and T-Mobile IMEI Unlock Check. It will be appreciated if you know any free IMEI Check site and leave a comment. Here is a 3-party IMEI number Checker website.
Step 1. Open IMEI Info's registration page and create an account. (You may need to fill out the following forms including The Login name, First name, Email address, Country, Verification code, Password etc.)
How To Check If IPhone Is Unlocked Or Not? - Check It Here!
![Check Check](/uploads/1/2/6/3/126389190/249815302.jpg)
Step 2. After activating your account, it will take you to IMEI info's main page, then you can enter your IMEI number.
And to know your iPhone's IMEI number, you can open your iPhone's Settings, and tap General > About to scroll down to the 'IMEI' section, then you will see your iPhone's IMEI number.
Step 3. After entering and verifying your IMEI number, you can click Check Apple Phone Details. Then you will see one of the text as below:
Unlocked: false - Your iPhone is locked.
Unlocked: true - Your iPhone is unlocked.
By the way, if you are considering transferring previous files from old phone to a new iPhone, you can use this Mobile Transfer to migrate data directly from phone to phone. In addition, transferring WhatsApp from Android to iPhone is also recommended. Moreover, you may also interested in the method to fix iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes.
Free IPhone Network Lock Check | CellUnlocker.net
The Bottom Line
How Can I Check If Iphone Is Unlocked
To sum up, knowing if your iPhone is unlocked or locked is crucial because this can help you avoid unnecessary hassles after buying an iPhone, no matter a used iPhone/iPad or a new iPhone/iPad. This post has discussed 3 practical solutions to tell if your iPhone is unlocked or locked with simple steps. The easiest way is to use another SIM Card to test. In case you don't own another SIM card on a different network, we've also listed two useful way to check if iPhone is unlocked without SIM Card. Why not follow the step-by-step guide and check iPhone unlock status right now?