How to Check if Your iPhone Is Carrier Locked
Buying a used iPhone or travelling abroad? The first thing to know is whether the phone is carrier locked. A locked iPhone only works with SIM cards from the network it was sold by. Here are three easy ways to check.
1. Check in Settings
Go to Settings > General > About and look for Carrier Lock (called Network Provider Lock on some iOS versions). If it says No SIM restrictions, the iPhone is unlocked. Anything else means it is still locked to a carrier.
2. Try a SIM card from another network
Insert a SIM from a different carrier and restart the phone. If you see SIM Not Supported or SIM Not Valid, the iPhone is locked. If you can make calls and use mobile data, it is unlocked.
3. Run an IMEI carrier check
The most reliable method is an IMEI check. Dial *#06# to get your IMEI, then order a carrier check. It shows the original carrier, the lock status and whether the IMEI is blacklisted – very useful before you buy a second-hand phone.
My iPhone is locked – what now?
You can permanently remove the lock with an IMEI factory unlock. No jailbreak or software is needed, and the unlock survives iOS updates. Read our step-by-step unlock guide or browse unlock services.
