© Hollis Johnson It takes a few steps to unlock an iPhone from its carrier. Hollis Johnson
- To unlock your iPhone from its carrier, you'll likely need to contact your carrier directly to cancel your contract.
- Most carriers will require you to pay off any debt you have to them before they'll unlock your iPhone.
- You'll need a paperclip or a similar object to replace the SIM card in your iPhone, which will allow you to link it to a new carrier.
- You can also unlock your iPhone without linking it to a new carrier, but you'll lose some functionality.
- Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.
Let's say you're about to ditch your current cell phone carrier for another. Before you make the switch, there are a few things to consider — like unlocking your iPhone.
Newer model iPhones from Sprint do come with a SIM slot as they are compatible with both CDMA and GSM carriers. To unlock your cell phone you will need to contact Sprint. As long as the phone finance is fully paid off and not reported stolen or lost, Sprint will be able to unlock the device for you. Sprint Iphone 5 sim card slot? I have the 16 gb iPhone 5 from sprint and i realized that the phone still has the sim card slot. Does this mean that the phone can be unlocked to be used with at&t or t-mobile? Or is it unlocked already? Iphone 4 Verizon has no sim card slot? My iphone 4 doesn't have a sim card slot. IPhone does not have an unlock code, or any type of sequence. It is officially unlocked on Apple servers, which means that even after updating the system or making a factory reset the device will stay unlocked. In order to unlock an iPhone you need to provide the IMEI number, which can be found by dialing.#06#, or by checking in the iPhone settings. Second thing is to provide the correct.
Popular Searches
When you buy a new iPhone, if you don't pay the entire price up front, it'll be 'locked' to your carrier. This means that, until you pay it off, your phone can only connect to that carrier's network and no others.
And if you switch to a new carrier without unlocking it first, you might find yourself unable to send texts or make phone calls.
So if your iPhone is locked, but you need to switch carriers, here's what you'll need to do.
Check out the products mentioned in this article:
iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Apple)
How to request an unlock from your carrier
Before anything, make sure your iPhone is fully paid for. Most carriers can refuse to unlock your phone if you're still on a payment plan with outstanding payments, according to the FCC.
Once you're all paid up, head to Apple's support page to find out whether 'unlocking' is a service your carrier offers. Orbx people flow. Most major carriers like AT&T, Boost Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, Virgin Mobile, and Xfinity do.
Once you're ready, call your carrier to request an unlock. Your request might take a few days to process, but you should be sent a confirmation email or letter once it's done.
If you're switching from AT&T to another carrier, you can use AT&T's convenient device unlocking portal to avoid calling customer service. This could take a few days to process. You'll be sent a confirmation once it's completed.
Once you're unlocked, feel free to cancel your old carrier contract.
How to unlock an iPhone with another SIM card
Once you have a SIM card from your new carrier, you can replace the card currently in your iPhone. Before you do this, backup your information to iCloud or your computer through iTunes and turn the device off.
1. Gently insert a paperclip or similar object into the hole of the SIM card slot on the side of your phone. A chipholder will pop out — gently remove it from the phone.
© iStockPhoto iStockPhoto2. Remove the SIM card currently in the chipholder. Once removed, place your new SIM card into the chipholder and slide it back into place.
3. Turn your iPhone back on.
How to unlock an iPhone without another SIM card
In some cases, you might want to unlock your phone without tying it to a new carrier. This is easy to do, but might leave your iPhone without some functionality.
If this alright, once you unlock your iPhone, here's what you should do:
1. Backup your information to iCloud or iTunes.
2. Erase the iPhone by restoring the device to its original factory settings.
3. Restore the device from your backup.
If you get an error message when you try to restore the device:
Unlock Iphone Without Sim Card Slot Deals
1. Restore the device to its original factory settings.
2. Double-check with your carrier that the unlock was successful on their end.
3. Try again to restore the phone from your most recent backup.
Related coverage from Tech Reference:
2017
- Check your phone if it is SIM network locked.
- Ask your carrier for SIM network unlock.
- If your carrier is unable to provide a SIM network unlock, you can manually unlock your phone through IMEI information, or
- Unlock your phone through unlocking service.
Traveling overseas has been a trend today, and more often than not, generating SIM network unlock PIN codes is still an issue for most travelers. Some spend way higher on it than buying unlocked basic phones, or unfamiliar carrier phones may not be available to service in particular countries. With that said, it is only important to be aware of how to unlock your phone – should you need to do so.
But first, we will start with the basics.
Is Your SIM Network Locked?
In most cases, certain mobile phone makers such as ASUS and Alcatel do not sell their phones as locked. Hence, it is only important to start off with the question: how to determine if your phone's SIM network is locked?
To be able to identify if your phone is locked, you can check its documentation. It can most likely be stated in the invoice or receipt if your phone is unlocked or locked.
Another way to determine if it is locked is through contacting the carrier or inserting another SIM card, which is the easiest way possible. If you tried a different SIM and it didn't work, then it can most certainly be locked on the original SIM's network.
You can also note that most likely, phones bought directly from third-party retailers and manufacturers such as Huawei, Samsung, Motorola, or Amazon are unlocked. On the other hand, carriers such as T-Mobile and AT&T are usually selling SIM-locked phones to their respective networks.
Now, if your phone is SIM locked to a specific network, read on to know how to unlock it.
Ask Your Carrier for SIM Network Unlock
Given that you cannot use your preferred SIM network on your phone, ask your carrier for help.
You can call them, tell them you need to unlock your phone for a network change, and eventually, they will give you a code that will help unlock your phone. This code should be entered once the phone asks you for one when you insert a different SIM card on your device. Your phone should be unlocked after the code is entered or after a reboot (if prompted by the device).
However, in most cases, especially those phones that are under a financial contract or 'plan,' carriers will not unlock your phone unless it qualifies on the terms that are specified in their unlocking policy. But don't worry, there is an alternative route around it.
How to Manually Unlock Your Phone
If you can't get through a carrier service, then you can do it on your own. You'll just need to perform a few tricks or use an unlocking service to help you with. Refer to the following information below:
In some cases, you might want to unlock your phone without tying it to a new carrier. This is easy to do, but might leave your iPhone without some functionality.
If this alright, once you unlock your iPhone, here's what you should do:
1. Backup your information to iCloud or iTunes.
2. Erase the iPhone by restoring the device to its original factory settings.
3. Restore the device from your backup.
If you get an error message when you try to restore the device:
Unlock Iphone Without Sim Card Slot Deals
1. Restore the device to its original factory settings.
2. Double-check with your carrier that the unlock was successful on their end.
3. Try again to restore the phone from your most recent backup.
Related coverage from Tech Reference:
2017
- Check your phone if it is SIM network locked.
- Ask your carrier for SIM network unlock.
- If your carrier is unable to provide a SIM network unlock, you can manually unlock your phone through IMEI information, or
- Unlock your phone through unlocking service.
Traveling overseas has been a trend today, and more often than not, generating SIM network unlock PIN codes is still an issue for most travelers. Some spend way higher on it than buying unlocked basic phones, or unfamiliar carrier phones may not be available to service in particular countries. With that said, it is only important to be aware of how to unlock your phone – should you need to do so.
But first, we will start with the basics.
Is Your SIM Network Locked?
In most cases, certain mobile phone makers such as ASUS and Alcatel do not sell their phones as locked. Hence, it is only important to start off with the question: how to determine if your phone's SIM network is locked?
To be able to identify if your phone is locked, you can check its documentation. It can most likely be stated in the invoice or receipt if your phone is unlocked or locked.
Another way to determine if it is locked is through contacting the carrier or inserting another SIM card, which is the easiest way possible. If you tried a different SIM and it didn't work, then it can most certainly be locked on the original SIM's network.
You can also note that most likely, phones bought directly from third-party retailers and manufacturers such as Huawei, Samsung, Motorola, or Amazon are unlocked. On the other hand, carriers such as T-Mobile and AT&T are usually selling SIM-locked phones to their respective networks.
Now, if your phone is SIM locked to a specific network, read on to know how to unlock it.
Ask Your Carrier for SIM Network Unlock
Given that you cannot use your preferred SIM network on your phone, ask your carrier for help.
You can call them, tell them you need to unlock your phone for a network change, and eventually, they will give you a code that will help unlock your phone. This code should be entered once the phone asks you for one when you insert a different SIM card on your device. Your phone should be unlocked after the code is entered or after a reboot (if prompted by the device).
However, in most cases, especially those phones that are under a financial contract or 'plan,' carriers will not unlock your phone unless it qualifies on the terms that are specified in their unlocking policy. But don't worry, there is an alternative route around it.
How to Manually Unlock Your Phone
If you can't get through a carrier service, then you can do it on your own. You'll just need to perform a few tricks or use an unlocking service to help you with. Refer to the following information below:
Unlocking Through IMEI Information
For Android phones, you will need to confirm the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number first. This number serves as a unique distinction between phones and appears as an identification code of your phone on any given network.
To confirm your IMEI number:
- Dial *#06# or directly head on to your Settings
- Select About Phone
- Scroll to Status and look for your IMEI information (though in some phones, you can immediately see the IMEI information when you open the About Phone page).
- By handing over the 15-digit IMEI information, your network should be able to provide you with the PIN code needed to unlock your phone.
It should also be noted that the process may vary from across networks and your newly inserted SIM network may require you to input a particular code to enable its use on that specific carrier.
Additionally, carriers may charge you an additional administrative fee for unlocking your SIM network (except for American carriers as per the law).
Unlocking Through Unlocking Service
If the above option doesn't work for you, then you may proceed with finding a reliable phone unlocking service on the web – which may be difficult.
One way to walk your way through this is to visit forums to get reliable information regarding unlocking services, and at the very least, get some advice from people who have been in the same case as you.
Unlocking Sim Card For Iphone
An example of a reputable service that you can go to is Unlock Base's Unlock My Phone feature, as aside from their expertise on the niche, there is also a variety of phone brands that they unlock – hence, a higher possibility that yours is included.
How To Unlock Iphone 4 Without Sim Card Slot
Beware: Unlocking Phone App Scamming!
In the process of choosing an unlocking service, you may probably encounter apps that may also do so. Beware! As this does not guarantee an unlocked phone, moreover, it may get your phone in trouble. In particular, cracked apps from download sites or Torrent networks may possibly infect your phone with Trojans and other malicious software. Yikes!
Unlock Iphone Without Sim Card
Key Takeaway
Unlock Iphone Without Sim Card Slot Sim Card
Unlocking your phone for easier communication is possible if you choose the safe and legal way. You may spend a bit, but that would be for the good of your phone plus, you get to enjoy the convenience an unlocked device can provide you in your most exciting trips overseas.