What Does it Mean if a Phone is Carrier-Locked?
The terms ‘unlocked phone’, ‘carrier-locked’ or ‘SIM-locked’ are ones you may have seen while shopping for a new mobile handset. They have nothing to do with passcodes or gaining access to the phone - they refer to the device’s connectivity. In this context, a locked phone will only function with SIM cards or eSIMs from one mobile network, such as T-Mobile. Any functions that require mobile data, such as sending texts, making calls and connecting to mobile internet will require a SIM card or eSIM from the original network provider. SIM-locked phones will not recognize eSIMs or SIM cards from other carriers.
An unlocked phone, on the other hand, can be used with any SIM.
Why do Network Providers Lock SIMs?
If they sell the mobile device, the network provider reserves the right to lock the SIM. SIM-locked phones benefit mobile carriers as they make it harder to switch network providers, keeping customers tied to the same company for longer.
The phone companies see it differently – Verizon, for example, claims that SIM-locking is enabled to “mitigate theft and other fraudulent activity”. To their credit, they automatically unlock any new phone purchased through Verizon after 60 days – most other providers require the customer to contact them directly if they wish to unlock their handset. When shopping for a new phone, carrier-locking should be one of the first considerations. Consumers can either purchase a locked device from a specific carrier at a potentially lower cost, or spend more upfront for an unlocked device.
For example, if you’re after the new iPhone 16 Pro, you’re faced with two options. The first is simply to buy an unlocked iPhone from the Apple website for a one-time payment of $999, or in 24 monthly installments of $41.62. This will then work with any carrier or SIM card you choose. While this is by far the most practical option, it’s also financially out of reach for many. The alternative is to buy the iPhone on finance from a mobile network provider. This means the carrier will tie the customer to a contract of recurring monthly payments, usually a minimum of 36 months for higher-value devices like the iPhone 16 Pro. These payments will cover their phone bill and data usage, as well as paying for the device itself.
This bait-and-switch arrangement disincentivizes customers from unlocking their phones or switching to another provider during that period, as they will still be obliged to make payments to their original provider for months to come. While this usually costs the customer more over time, it spreads the payment and usually means the phone company absorbs some of the price of the handset as a way of enticing customers into a long-term contract.
In short, providers lock phones to ensure to maintain a regular payment schedule and dissuade their customers from leaving them.
Another consideration is that buying a phone from a carrier limits your choice of phone models. Carriers tend to only sell new handsets, so if you’re looking for a second-hand phone, or have your heart set on a specific model, it may be more convenient to purchase an unlocked handset first and then find a prepaid plan or mobile contract that suits you.
Why Unlock a Carrier-locked Phone?
While the aforementioned ability to switch network providers is the major appeal to unlocking a SIM-locked phone, unlocking a phone also makes it much easier to sell. When shopping second-hand, a carrier-locked handset is only useful to buyers already on that network. An unlocked phone can be sold faster to a larger number of people.
Another reason is that mobile network providers often offer their best possible deals to new customers. Unlocking a phone allows the user to easily switch carriers and take advantage of these introductory discounts.
As well as benefiting from domestic phone plans, an unlocked phone is a near-necessity for international travel. Many people heading abroad will add a travel eSIM or local SIM card to their phone to save money during their travels. This is only possible with an unlocked phone.
Is it free to carrier unlock an iPhone?
Usually, yes. Almost all network providers will unlock their phones for free on request, though the process can take some time – you may need to file some paperwork first as well. Furthermore, some carriers maintain a window of 2-3 months immediately after purchase where they will refuse to unlock any devices.
If the phone was purchased on finance from the carrier, and still has payments pending, it may be necessary to pay a termination fee before the device can be unlocked. These fees vary between carriers and device models, so always research first before ordering a SIM unlock from a network provider.
If you're unable or unwilling to contact the original network provider, many online services and brick-and-mortar phone shops can unlock phones for a small fee. Expect to pay around $10-$20 to unlock a phone in a shop.
How to Check if Your Phone is Carrier-Locked
In general, if a phone was purchased directly from the device manufacturer or a third-party retailer (e.g. Apple or Amazon), it will most likely be unlocked. Handsets purchased from a carrier like T-Mobile or Verizon will be tied to that carrier. Second-hand phones could be either. If you’re unsure, it’s easy to check whether a device is unlocked in the phone settings. Here’s how:
How to check if an iPhone is carrier-locked
1. Go to the Settings app, then select General > About
2. Look for the section Carrier Lock. If the text ‘No SIM restrictions’ is shown, the iPhone is unlocked
How to check if an Android phone is carrier-locked
Google Phones
1. Go to the Settings app and select Network & Internet > SIMs
2. Select the active SIM card or eSIM in the device, then select Network > Automatically select network
3. A carrier-locked will only connect to the network of the original carrier, while an unlocked device will display a list of potential networks to connect to
Samsung Phones
1. Go to the Settings app and select Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Operators > Select Automatically
2. The device will start searching for available mobile networks. A carrier-locked will only connect to the network of the original carrier, while an unlocked device will display a list of potential networks to connect to
For certainty, try inserting a different SIM card and restarting the phone. A carrier-locked device will fail to recognize the new SIM, while an unlocked one will immediately set up the new SIM on restarting.
eSIM Data Plans
How to Carrier Unlock iPhone or Android Phones
While SIM-locked phones can be unlocked, it’s not an immediate process. Phones are usually locked by design by the network provider to discourage their customers from switching to a new company or using cost-saving products like travel eSIMs or prepaid SIM cards.
To unlock a carrier-locked phone, customers must contact their network provider and request an unlock.
Depending on the carrier, this could take a couple of days to a week. Once the carrier has confirmed that the phone is unlocked, users can add new eSIMs or SIM cards to their device.
Some points to consider: How long is your current phone contract? If there are several months of compulsory payments left on it, it may not be worth unlocking the phone as the original provider will still claim all future payments. An exception may be during international travel, where a temporary, prepaid travel eSIM or local SIM card might be used to save money to avoid international roaming charges while abroad before reverting to the usual domestic service provider on return home.
Adding a New SIM to an Unlocked Phone
Once a phone is unlocked for all networks, adding a new SIM card or eSIM is a straightforward process.
To add a new SIM card to an unlocked phone, first make sure the phone is off. Next, insert the card and turn the phone on. Some phones, such as iPhones, require a small tool, piece of wire or unfolded paperclip to open the SIM tray.
Turn the phone on and follow the onscreen instructions to set up the new SIM – it should only take a couple of minutes. Once set up, test the new SIM by making a call, sending an SMS or using mobile data to access the internet.
Using an eSIM
An eSIM is a software-based SIM profile that can be downloaded to a mobile phone, rather than inserted via a physical card. Some devices, like the US model of the iPhone 14, are eSIM-only. In general, eSIMs provide the same connectivity and functions as a SIM card, but are easier to switch between, add and remove. The software-based nature means many new handsets can store up to ten eSIMs on the same device.
This flexibility means eSIMs are particularly popular for short-term usage, such as visiting another country. Travel eSIMs, like the ones from BetterRoaming, let customers download prepaid mobile data plans in over 160 countries and use their phone while travelling, without amassing roaming fees.
Can you use an eSIM with a carrier-locked phone?
Just like SIM cards, carrier-locked phones will only accept eSIMs issued by the original network provider. Customers looking to add a new eSIM, whether for an international trip or longer-term domestic use, will need to unlock their phone first. The process of unlocking a device for a SIM card or a new eSIM is exactly the same.
How to Add an eSIM to a Phone or Tablet
Once the device is unlocked, downloading an eSIM is even easier than inserting a SIM card. In fact, most eSIMs, like the ones from BetterRoaming, are free to install. Once installed, the customer can then purchase the best data plan to suit them. Learn more in our step-by-step guide to adding an eSIM.
One point to consider is that eSIMs, while widespread in most modern phones, may not be accepted by some older (pre-2018) models. To find out if your device supports eSIMs, consult this list of eSIM-enabled devices.
