Top 4 Ways to Check If iPhone is Unlocked or Not
by Jenefey Aaron Updated on 2019-12-26 / Update for iPhone Tips
When you consider buying a new iPhone like iPhone X, 8 Plus or iPhone 8, you will need to make sure that it is an unlocked one unless you are going with a carrier that has a really great deal you can't miss out on. An unlocked iPhone means the phone can be used with any carrier in any country regardless of whom you have bought it from.
For example, you can buy an unlocked iPhone in the UK and be able to use it in the USA with any carrier as long as the carrier is a GSM one. While the retail shops will be able to tell you whether the iPhone you are going to buy is an unlocked one or not, if you are buying it personally from a person then the person may or may not be able to tell if the phone is unlocked.
Fortunately, there are ways using which you can check if iPhone is unlocked. These ways will tell you whether you are going to get an iPhone that can be used with all carriers or if it is a locked iPhone that only works on a specific carrier.
Here's how to tell if iPhone is unlocked:
- Way 1: Use Another SIM Card to Check if an iPhone is Unlocked
- Way 2: Check From iPhone Settings
- Way 3: Use IMEI Number to Verify If iPhone is Locked
- Way 4: Use a Third-Party Website to Check iPhone Unlock Status
- Extra Tip: How to Unlock iPhone Screen without Passcode
Way 1: Use Another SIM Card to Check if an iPhone is Unlocked
One of the best and easiest ways to know if iphone is unlocked is to use a SIM card that didn't come with your iPhone. That means, if your phone came with an AT&T SIM card, try using a T-Mobile SIM card in your device.
So, grab a SIM card that your phone didn't come with. Insert the card into your device and see if you get network coverage. If you do, then see if you can place a call. If you can, your phone is unlocked and it should work on all the carriers in the world.
If your phone was locked, it wouldn't accept the other SIM card and it wouldn't let you make a call.
Way 2: Check From iPhone Settings
Another way to check if an iPhone is unlocked or not is to go to the Settings menu and find a specific option.
First off, tap on Settings on your iPhone's homescreen and then tap on Cellular on the following screen. Then, see if you see the Cellular Data option. If you do, your phone is unlocked. If you don't, your phone is locked.
This isn't the full-proof way, however, it works on most iPhones and it will do on yours, too.
Way 3: Use IMEI Number to Verify If iPhone is Locked
Each iPhone has its own IMEI number or called serial number containing all the device information, so you can use the IMEI number to tell if your iPhone is unlocked. This way is much realiable and secure.
Go to Settings > General > About > IMEI.
Then contact the carrier provider to verify the status. Popular carriers numbers are listed below:
- Verizon - 1 (800) 922-0204
- AT&T - 1 (800) 331-0500
- Sprint - 1 (888) 211-4727
- T-Mobile - 1 (877) 453-1304
Way 4: Use a Third-Party Website to Check iPhone Unlock Status
There are websites that can help you check if your iPhone is unlocked or not by having you input your phone's IMEI number and the website then retrieves data from its database.
One of these website is called IMEI Info that lets you check for your iPhone's lock status. It can tell you whether your iPhone is unlocked or not and all you have to do is enter your phone's IMEI and it will take care of the rest for you.
Head over to the IMEI Info website and get yourself registered. You need an account before you can run a search. Finish the account opening process.
Once that's done, confirm your email for the site and then enter in your iPhone's IMEI number on the website and click submit. You will see the following:
Lock Status: Locked - this indicates that your phone is indeed locked. It can't be used with other carriers.
Lock Status: Unlocked - this indicates your phone is unlocked and you can use it with whatever carrier you want.
So, now you have an answer for how to know if iPhone is unlocked. If your iPhone is locked and you could contact your carrier to get it unlocked or.
Extra Tip: How to Unlock iPhone Screen without Passcode
Another situation about locked iPhone we ofter talk is that iPhone is locked with passcode and we cannot get into the device. In this case, I strongly recommend you give Tenorshare 4uKey a trial, which can help you remove the lock screen within minutes, no matter you are using 4-digit or 6-digit passcode, touch ID or face ID. Once unlocked, you are free to use your iPhone.
