Purchasing a pre-owned iPhone or planning to use your current device with a new carrier requires you to know one critical detail: how to check if iPhone is unlocked.

A locked phone is tied exclusively to one network provider (like AT&T or Verizon), severely limiting your options when traveling or switching carriers.

Fortunately, determining the lock status is simple, especially with recent iOS updates that show the status directly in your Settings.

This guide provides the four official and most reliable methods, ensuring you get a definitive answer fast, whether you have the original SIM or not.

Method 1: The Quickest Way (iOS Settings)

The most reliable and fastest method available on modern iPhones (iOS 13 and later) involves simply checking the status directly within the device settings.

This method requires no SIM swapping, calling the carrier, or using unreliable online checkers.

Steps to Check on iOS 15 or Newer

Follow these simple steps on your iPhone to find the definitive Carrier Lock status:

1 Open Settings: Tap the Settings app icon on your Home Screen.

2 Go to General: Scroll down and tap on General.

3 Access About: Select About near the top of the General menu.

4 Locate ‘Carrier Lock’: Scroll down to the section labeled “Carrier Lock” (sometimes found under the ‘Network’ section).

What the Status Means

The message displayed next to the Carrier Lock field provides the final answer:

• ✅ Unlocked: If you see the message “No SIM Restrictions,” your iPhone is fully unlocked and can be used on any network provider worldwide.
• ❌ Locked: If you see a message like “SIM Locked,” “AT&T Locked,” or the name of any other carrier, the device is tied to that specific network. You must contact that carrier to request an official unlock.

Method 2: Testing with a Different SIM Card

While the iOS Settings check (Method 1) is fast and reliable, the only absolute confirmation that your iPhone is unlocked is performing a practical test: swapping out the existing SIM card for one from a completely different service provider.

A SIM swap confirms whether the phone’s modem is restricted to the original carrier’s network or if it’s open to all networks.

Steps to Safely Swap SIMs (The Practical Test)

To perform this test, you will need a SIM card from a network that is not your iPhone’s original carrier (e.g., if your phone was originally T-Mobile, use an AT&T or Vodafone SIM).

1. Power Down: Power off your iPhone completely to avoid potential data issues during the swap.
2. Eject the Original SIM: Use a SIM ejector tool (or a small paperclip) to open the SIM tray located on the side of your iPhone. Carefully remove the original SIM card.
3. Insert the New SIM: Place the SIM card from the different carrier into the tray and reinsert it into the iPhone.
4. Power On and Check: Power the iPhone back on.
5. Verify Status: Once the phone boots up, look at the status bar at the top of the screen:

• ✅ Unlocked: If the name of the new carrier appears (e.g., “Vodafone” or “AT&T”) and you can place a test call, the iPhone is fully unlocked.
• ❌ Locked: If you see a “SIM Not Supported” or “SIM Card Invalid” error message, the iPhone is locked to its original carrier.

Boost Your iPhone Productivity

​Once you’ve confirmed that your iPhone is officially unlocked, you have full control over your device’s capabilities.

For users who frequently work with mobile video or notice sluggish app performance, managing resource usage is critical.

​If you are looking for ways to enhance your editing workflow or simply want to improve video quality playback, make sure to read our detailed guide on How to Speed Up a Video on iPhone

This guide provides actionable steps to ensure your device operates at peak efficiency.

Method 3: Checking through IMEI Number

Your iPhone’s IMEI number is a 15-digit code that acts as a unique serial number for cellular devices. It can be used by carriers and official databases to confirm the lock status.

How to Find Your iPhone’s IMEI

There are three simple ways to retrieve your IMEI number:

1 Dial Pad: Open the Phone app and dial the simple code *#06#. The IMEI number will instantly appear on your screen.

2 Settings App: Go to Settings > General > About. The IMEI number is listed there.

3 Physical Location: The IMEI is often printed on the original box of your iPhone, or sometimes etched onto the SIM tray itself (for older models).

Warning: Why Free Online IMEI Checkers are Unreliable

While many free websites offer “IMEI Check” services, it is highly recommended to avoid them.

• These sites often use outdated or unofficial databases, leading to incorrect status reports.
• They may collect your IMEI number and personal data, creating privacy risks.
• For a guaranteed answer, only rely on the original carrier (Method 4) or an official Apple store that can check the GSMA database directly.

Method 4: Contacting Your Service Provider (The Official Confirmation)

Contacting the carrier that originally sold the iPhone is the most definitive way to confirm the lock status and, if needed, initiate an unlock request.

Steps to Contact Your Carrier

1. Identify the Carrier: Use the IMEI number to confirm which carrier the phone is currently locked to (if known).
2. Contact Support: Call their customer service or visit their official website’s “Unlock Policy” page.
3. Provide Details: You will need to provide the IMEI number and basic account information (if you were the original purchaser).
4. Confirm Status: The carrier will be able to check their internal database and provide a 100% accurate report on whether the phone is unlocked or eligible for unlocking.

Conclusion

Knowing how to check if iPhone is unlocked is vital before purchasing or traveling.

While the Settings > General > About screen offers the fastest and most reliable answer (looking for “No SIM Restrictions”), remember that the physical SIM swap test provides the only absolute, real-world confirmation.

By utilizing these four official methods—checking settings, swapping SIMs, verifying IMEI, and contacting the original carrier—you can ensure your device is truly free from carrier restrictions, giving you the freedom to choose your network provider anywhere in the world.

We trust this comprehensive guide provided you with the confidence and clarity needed to verify your iPhone’s lock status using official methods.

Whether you confirmed it through the Settings or via the SIM swap test, we’re here to support your device management needs.

Was this tutorial helpful in determining your phone’s status?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I tell if my iPhone is unlocked?

Answer: Absolutely, yes. The easiest and most reliable method is checking your iPhone’s settings.

Go to Settings > General > About and look for the “Carrier Lock” field. If it says “No SIM Restrictions”, your iPhone is unlocked. Otherwise, it is SIM-locked to a specific carrier.

Q2: How do I know if my phone is locked or unlocked?

Answer: You can check its lock status using two primary methods:

• Settings Check: Looking for the “No SIM Restrictions” status in the About section (as mentioned above).
• SIM Swap Test: Inserting a non-matching SIM card (from a different carrier). If the phone catches a signal and allows calls, it is unlocked. If you see an error like “SIM Not Supported,” it is locked.

Q3: What does *#21# do to your iPhone?

Answer: The code \*#21# is a USSD code used to check Call Forwarding Status (diverting calls, SMS, or data).

This code has nothing to do with the iPhone’s locked or unlocked status.

It only shows if your carrier has set up any conditional or unconditional forwarding for your number. Do not rely on this code to determine the device’s network lock.

Q4: Can I check if my phone is unlocked with IMEI?

Answer: Yes, the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is the most powerful tool for this.

An IMEI checker tool (often paid or provided by the original carrier) can contact a global database to give you the official activation and lock status of the phone.

This is highly recommended when buying a used phone, as it provides a written history of the device’s lock status.

Q5: Is there a free iPhone IMEI checker?

Answer: Yes, but with a warning. You can often find free IMEI checker websites online, which can sometimes provide the carrier name and general status (e.g., “Clean” or “Blacklisted”).

However, for the 100% official and current lock status, free tools are often delayed or inaccurate.

For the most reliable result, it’s safer to use the Settings Check (Q1) or contact the original carrier directly with the IMEI number.