Jul 30, 2020 Therefore, it’s necessary to know how to check if iPhone is unlocked without SIM card. Part 2: How to Tell If an iPhone is Unlocked without a SIM Card? When you buy a second-hand iPhone, how to tell if iPhone is unlocked without SIM? Take a look at the three solutions below. Way 1: How to See If iPhone is Unlocked without SIM in Settings. Open Settings. Tap Mobile Data Mobile Data Options. (If the device is set to American English you'll need to tap Cellular Cellular Data instead.) Check for an option named Mobile Data Network (or Cellular Data Network). If you see an option for Mobile Data Network, your iPhone is most likely.
- 1. Unlock iPhone Locked Screen
- 2. SIM/iCloud Unlock iPhone
- 3. Fix Disabld iPhone
- 4. Reset Locked iPhone
- 5. Unlock iPad/iPod Tips
- 6. Unlock MDM Tips
by Jenefey AaronUpdated 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
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.
Your iPhone might be locked to your carrier. Unlocking your iPhone means that you can use it with different carriers. To contact your carrier and unlock your iPhone, use these steps.
If you don’t want to switch carriers and your device is locked because you forgot the passcode, then you don’t need to use the steps in this article. Learn how to reset your passcode.
Apple can't unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier. Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone.
Contact your carrier
- Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone. Contact your carrier and request an unlock. Your account might need to meet requirements for unlocking. After you submit the request, it might take a few days to complete. Contact your carrier to check the status of your unlock request.
- After your carrier confirms that they unlocked your iPhone, follow the steps below.
If you have a SIM card from a carrier other than your current carrier
Use these steps to finish unlocking your iPhone:
- Remove your SIM card.
- Insert the new SIM card. Your device will activate.
If you don't have another SIM card to use
Apple Check If Phone Is Unlocked
Use these steps to finish unlocking your iPhone:
- Back up your iPhone.
- After you make a backup, erase your iPhone.
- Restore your iPhone from the backup you just made.
Check If Phone Is Unlocked
Get help
You might see this message on your computer or on your iPhone: 'The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported. Only compatible SIM cards from a supported carrier may be used to activate iPhone. Please insert the SIM card that came with your iPhone or visit a supported carrier store.'
If you see this message on your device with iOS 14, use these steps:
- Go to Settings > General, and tap About.
- Under Carrier Lock, you should see a message that says 'No SIM restrictions.' If you don't see that message, contact your carrier.
How To Know If Iphone Is Unlocked With Imei
If your device is on iOS 13 or earlier, use these steps:
How To Tell If Phone Unlocked
- Contact your carrier to make sure that they applied the unlock in their system.
- Restore your iPhone to factory settings.
- Restore your iPhone from a backup.