Smartphone prices seem to shoot up year after year, and thankfully, you can pay for these devices using several payment options, one of which is by a monthly contract when buying from network carriers. These contracts ease the purchase of these expensive toys, but if you for some reason need to use your phone with a different carrier from the one you are contracted to, issues will arise.
Another way to determine whether your phone is unlocked is by inserting a SIM card from another carrier and seeing if you can make a call. If your call successfully connects, then your phone is unlocked and should work with other SIM cards. How to Unlock Your Phone on the Major Wireless Carriers.
Do not confuse this for sim card locked, which is caused by entering a wrong sim pin repeatedly. Snapchat on mac without bluestacks. The next section will spell out the difference between these two sim card locks, and the subsequent parts will show you the best methods of how to unlock a locked SIM card.
Part 2: How to Unlock A Locked SIM Card
Next, you should open your computer or smartphone browser and search for the iPhone Imei site. This is one of the most well-known sites that will help you tell if your iPhone is unlocked or not by a phone company. However, there are many other sites that have the same function. Check compatibility with your phone's IMEI. Every phone has a unique number—15 digits that tells you the make, model, and if it’s ready to use on our network. Most phones are compatible. IMEI STATUS CHECK: Dial.#06# to get your phone's IMEI, or find it in phone settings. If you can successfully make a call with another carrier's SIM card in your phone, your phone is unlocked; however, if you can't, the phone is carrier locked and you'll need to talk to your carrier about unlocking it. Before getting a new SIM card, figure out which size of SIM card your phone will use.
Part 1: Which Situation Are You In?
Check the following situations to decide which methods should you use to unlock SIM card. You may need to know how to unlock a locked SIM card or how to unlock network locked SIM card. Go through all the cases first before you seek for the solutions.
A. SIM Card Locked:
Some people like to use the sim card security feature known as a SIM PIN. You must enter this pin to use your phone, as it prevents unauthorized use of your sim card. If you enter a wrong sim pin three times, your sim card will be locked, and to unlock your sim, you need a pin unlock key (PUK). You can get this from your carrier.
B. Network Locked SIM Card:
Your contract with your network carrier means that the smartphone will only be work with their sim card, at least during the period of your contract. With this, your phone is locked to their network, and no other sim card should work on your phone.
To use another network on your phone, when you travel or simply wish to switch carriers for whatever reason, you will need to unlock the sim card. This is not necessarily a complex operation and should go smoothly if you follow the guides contained in this short article.
Is Your Phone Already Unlocked:
You already know now that to unlock sim card, you will need a PUK. If you receive a PUK from your carrier, do take caution while entering this key. If you have a phone that you are not sure if it is network unlocked or not, then the fast way to check is by trying a different SIM card in it.
Part 2: How to Unlock A Locked SIM Card
1. How to Unlock SIM Card Manually?
You can easily unlock sim cards manually, if they are not network unlocked, by following the straightforward steps listed below:
Call your wireless carrier’s customer service number. Make sure you have your account’s password handy because they will need you to confirm this before giving you a PUK.
Turn on your phone. On booting, you will be prompted ‘SIM locked’ or to ‘Enter PUK.’ Follow the prompt and input the PUK code sent by your carrier. Press OK.
Enter a new PIN code (usually four to eight digits) and press OK.
Verify your new PIN code by typing it in again when you see the prompt. Press OK once again, and your SIM becomes unlocked.
2. How to Unlock Network Locked SIM Card?
I know you might be thinking the networked unlocked sim cards are probably impossible to unlock, but that is far from true, thanks to tools such as DoctorSIM. Unlocking network locked sim cards is obviously delicate, so you should not use any random method you come across, DoctorSIM has been tested on many models and found to work correctly.
Features of DoctorSIM
The industry leaders trust this tool. If these big players use Doctorsim, then you definitely have nothing to worry about.
They offer free 24/7 technical support for various issues. You can contact them via their live chat, email, or their special AI system.
Lowest price guarantee. If you find a cheaper network unlock tool offering the same services, this company will match that price.
Only an email address and a stable internet connection are needed. You need no special tools or tech knowledge to use this software.
Legal and safe way to unlock sim card.
Follow the steps below to unlock your SIM card:
On the web browser of another device or computer, open www.doctorsim.com.
Select or type in the brand of your device. Macos big sur android emulator.
Check your email after a few minutes, and you will find that doctorsim has sent you your SIM network unlock pin and proper step-by-step instructions for using this pin.
Follow the steps you received and input this unlocking pin on your phone.
Part 3: Get Help from Your Carrier to Unlock Network Locked SIM Card
On the contract you have with your carrier, some criteria are highlighted, which you must meet for them to unlock your device from their network. You can reach out to your carrier to see if you have met these criteria. If you have, then they will terminate the contract, but note that most carriers charge a certain termination fee, if you have not met the criteria. The most common requirements include the following:
You must pay for your smartphone fully.
The device must be up to 3 to 6 months old (depending on the specific carrier).
Follow these steps below:
Power off your phone.
Insert the new carrier’s SIM card.
Boot your device.
When prompted for a sim network unlock pin, type in the code your network carrier gave you.
Bonus: Unlock Any Screen Locks on Android Devices
If your Android device is locked by PIN, passcode, pattern, fingerprint or facelock, iMyFone Lockwiper (Android) can help you right now. It takes only minutes to remove the screen lock from your device and it won’t lead to any data loss. It can also help with the Google account lock when you forgot your account information.
Features of iMyFone LockWiper (Android)
Unlock any screen locks on Android device without knowing the password.
Remove Google account FRP lock without password with ease.
Have total control of your device and enjoy the whole functions and services.
It’s easy to use with friendly simple interface.
We always point out repeatedly, that unlocking sim card is a risky operation, so you need the best and most stable tools for this. All the methods contained in this article have been tested with many models and brands of Android devices and have been found to work correctly. Follow the guides highlighted in this article, because if you miss one step or fail to carry one out properly, you risk losing your device or violating your contract terms.
If you want to unlock sim card, after following this guide, boot your phone. If you are not asked to enter the sim network unlock PIN, you are in luck because your phone has been successfully sim unlocked!
'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.
Is My Sim Unlocked
Follow these steps to check the locked/unlocked condition:
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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.
Why Buy An Unlocked Phone
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.
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.)
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.
Is My Phone Sim Unlocked Sim Card
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.
The Bottom Line
Is My Phone Sim Unlocked Cell Phones
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?