How to unlock iPhone to use it on other media

Major cell phone carriers in the US (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and others) typically block their networks on iPhones that they sell in their stores that you pay for in installments. But what does this really mean? A cell phone lock is a software code that ensures that a mobile phone only connects to a specific network. Conversely, unlocking an iPhone will mean you can switch carriers if you’re not happy with the service, or if you’re moving to a different region, traveling, or want to keep your old phone when you switch networks.

To change carriers, you must ask your current carrier to unlock your phone. While Apple cannot unlock your iPhone, its support page lists carriers that offer unlock services, including AT&T, Boost Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, Virgin Mobile, Xfinity, and many more.

Unlocking your iPhone requires you to meet certain criteria. For example, the phone must be paid in full, the completion of an installment plan, or the completion of any other contract you have signed. The phone cannot be reported as lost or stolen and your account must be in good standing. If you paid in full for your iPhone at the time of purchase, then it’s probably already unlocked. Unlocked iPhones usually cost more than locked mobile devices. It’s usually recommended to unlock your phone when you terminate your contract, and here’s how to do it.

You may be interested to know how to unlock any mobile phone to use it in another company, how to block annoying text messages on your phone or How to improve mobile phone signal.

Contact your operator

Make sure your carrier offers an unlock, and be aware that it may take a few days for the process to complete after the request is submitted.

• Contact your carrier and request an unlock.
• Wait for your carrier to confirm that your iPhone is unlocked.
• If you have a SIM card from another carrier, remove it and insert a new one.
• Set up your iPhone again.
• If you don’t have another SIM card, back up your iPhone.
• Erase your iPhone after backup.
• Restore your iPhone from the backup you made.

Error message? Follow these steps

You may see this message on your computer or on your iPhone: “The SIM card inserted in this iPhone is not supported. Only compatible SIM cards from a compatible carrier can be used to activate iPhone. Please insert the SIM card that came with your iPhone or visit a compatible carrier’s store.” If you see this message, do the following:

• Starting with iOS 14, you must check the status of your phone. Go to “Settings”, “General” and select “About”. Locate the Company Blocking section. This section should say “No SIM card restrictions”. If you don’t see this message, your carrier may not have unlocked your phone yet. Contact your ISP immediately to find out what’s going on.
• This should be enough to unlock your iPhone, but if you’re still having issues, you may need to factory reset your iPhone and restart it from a backup.

Unlock iPhone from AT&T

If you have an AT&T, you can use the Device Unlock Portal to avoid telephone support calls. This process may take a few days and you will receive confirmation upon completion. To disconnect your iPhone from the AT&T network, you need to do the following.

• If you have an active or permanent contract, pay the remaining amount including penalties.
• If you paid your balance in advance, please wait at least 24 hours.
• Make sure your phone hasn’t been lost or stolen, hasn’t been scammed, and your account is in good standing.
• Your phone must be active for at least 60 days and must not have any expired or unpaid funds. You also cannot be active on another AT&T customer account.
• If you upgraded your device early, you must wait 14 days (30 days for business customers) before unlocking your old phone.
• Military members can unlock their iPhones, including those on contract, but be sure to include your active military status when filling out AT&T forms.
• When you’re ready, tell your carrier your IMEI number on the unlock page (dial #06# to find it).

Check if the unlock is complete by checking the AT&T Online Unlock Status page or wait for email confirmation. If the unlock is complete, remove your AT&T SIM card and insert a new carrier SIM card to start the setup process. Don’t worry about iPads and portable devices with LTE connectivity: they are controlled separately and sold without locking.

Unlock iPhone from Verizon

Prepaid and Contract iPhones you purchase from Verizon will be locked for 60 days after purchase.

• After 60 days of activation, and not purchase, Verizon automatically removes the block.
• Prepaid and postpaid phones follow the same 60-day rule.
• Members of the US Armed Forces can unlock their iPhones by contacting their carrier and submitting a request.

After 60 days, Verizon automatically releases the lock, so if you’ve met your carrier obligations, you can unlock using a different SIM card of your choice. Members of the US Armed Forces can unlock their iPhones even during the 60-day lock period.

Unlock iPhone from T-Mobile

T-Mobile has a number of conditions that you must meet before you release your iPhone from the network.

• Your account must be in good standing and your iPhone must not be reported as lost or stolen.
• Have not requested more than two mobile unlock codes per service line in the last 12 months.
• If the device was funded with T-Mobile’s Equipment Payment Plan (EIP), you will need to make the remaining payments.
• For contract accounts, the phone must be active on the T-Mobile network for at least 40 days. If the device is on a canceled account, the balance must be paid in full.
• If the device is in a permanent contract account, at least 18 consecutive monthly payments must be made.
• T‑Mobile may ask for proof of purchase or additional information.
• Prepaid iPhones must be active on the T-Mobile network for more than one year, otherwise they must be topped up with more than $100 since first use.
• As with other companies, exemptions for military, commercial and government accounts may apply under certain circumstances.

If your device meets the requirements, please contact T-Mobile Customer Support to request steps to unlock your device. Exceptions may apply to military, corporate and government accounts under certain circumstances. Once your iPhone meets the minimum criteria, T-Mobile will send you information on how to jailbreak your phone. Contact T-Mobile customer support for more details.

Unlock iPhone from Sprint

Sprint is no more. After the merger with T-Mobile, the operator is no longer a legal entity. However, this is a problem as T-Mobile will only unlock iPhones purchased directly from T-Mobile and not from Sprint. If you have a locked iPhone from Sprint, your best bet is to call customer service and explain your situation:

• Contract clients: 888-211-4727
• Former Sprint Forward customers: 855-639-4644

Unlock iPhone in USCellor

iPhone 7 to 12 and SE2 models are locked to the US cellular network for 120 days after activation to prevent fraud and theft. For locked 4G LTE devices released before February 1, 2016, some of them can be unlocked using the software. Locked 1X and 3G devices in the US released before February 1, 2016 can be unlocked upon request to support.

After the 120-day lockout period, USCell will unlock the above iPhone models immediately if your account is in good standing. During the 120-day lockout period, your carrier will contractually unlock your device upon request if you are in a military stationed overseas. Your account must be in good standing or fully paid, and you must meet all of your financial obligations.

unlock companies

If you are having problems with the official unlock from the company, you can do an IMEI unlock, which works the same as the first one. There are many IMEI unlocking companies out there, but it is better to choose reliable ones such as Express Unlocks, DoctorSIM, MobileUnlocked, UnlockBase, MobileUnlock, UnlockUnit, Unlock River and Unlock Radar. Check review sites like Trustpilot before making a final decision or paying. The cost of unlocking your iPhone depends on your carrier. These services unlock models ranging from the recent iPhone 11 series to the iPhone 4.

Most third-party unlock services work the same way. On their website, you pay varying amounts, usually less than $100, for an email unlock code. Reputable unlock services have customer service lines and deliver codes quickly.

buy unlocked iphone

All iPhones you buy from Apple, whether online or in the Apple Store, are unlocked except for certain carrier financing options. An unlocked iPhone lets you choose the carrier you want. To get started with a new provider, do the following:

• Turn off your iPhone.
• Remove the SIM card from your old company.
• Insert the SIM card of the new company.
• Reboot your phone.
• Once turned on, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device.

You can also buy a SIM-free phone, which means your iPhone doesn’t come with any carrier’s SIM card, allowing you to use any compatible carrier’s card. Of course, you will have to pay for the new device in full upfront.

If you can’t afford it, you can consider Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program, where you get an unlocked phone in much the same way as the SIM-free option. Not only do you avoid upfront payments, but you can also make monthly payments and qualify for a device upgrade after 12 payments. The program includes the AppleCare+ Protection Plan, which, along with an additional $4.17 monthly payment, also adds theft and loss protection. This plan requires a credit check.