Some iPhones are fastened, some are unlatched, and it's important to bang which sort you've got. An unlocked iPhone can be used along any network, while a locked French telephone is tied to just one.

The iPhones you pay full monetary value for (typically from the Apple Store) are unlocked by nonremittal. But an iPhone bought from a network, ordinarily as part of an current network design, leave be locked. This is normally for a set period (24 months is uncouth), and the monthly fee you pay covers part of the cost of the device - which is wherefore you can't just arrest paying fractional through and walk away with the handset.

It's not possible to tell, just by look the iPhone, whether it's locked or unlocked: Apple does not allow other phone companies to brand iPhones. (You father't get Three- or EE-branded iPhones, for example.) To confuse matters even foster, or s phones are locked when sold, but are unlocked at a later date when the owner finishes paying off the contract.

But don't worry. It's relatively promiscuous to catch out if your iPhone is locked or unlatched, using either the Settings app or a SIM board, and in this article we're going to show you how.

How to check if an iPhone is unlocked in Settings

The simplest method of checking if an iPhone is locked or unlocked is to check in the Settings app.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Mobile Information > Mobile Data Options. (If the device is set to American you'll need to tap Cellular > Cellular Data instead.)
  3. Check for an option named Mobile Information Network (or Animate thing Information Network).
  4. If you see an option for Mobile Data Network, your iPhone is most likely unlocked. This option should not appear on locked iPhones.

How to tell if an iPhone is locked or unlocked: Settings

This method is not 100 per centime good, however, and we get the impression that it has become less accurate since the launch of iOS 13. If you need to know for certain - if you're buying a second gear-hand iPhone, for example, and need to know if you're paying a fair terms - you should use a SIM placard to insure if information technology's unlocked. We'll walk through that method next.

How to check if an iPhone is unlocked using a SIM card

For this method it's best to have cardinal SIM cards, from divergent networks. Observe these stairs to break that the iPhone is unlocked:

  1. Make a phone call exploitation the current SIM batting order. Form sure it connects.
  2. Power off the iPhone. Hold down the Sleep/Wake button and utilisation the Slip up to Power Off option to cut the iPhone.
  3. Role the SIM-card ejector tool (or a gem clip) to eject the SIM card from the iPhone.
  4. Insert your new SIM card.
  5. Press the Sleep/Wake clitoris to wake leading the iPhone.
  6. Make a phone margin call. Control that the iPhone can tie in a call using the virgin SIM board.

If the phone call does not plug in with the red-hot SIM tease, the iPhone is locked.

How to tell if an iPhone is locked or unlocked: Slide to power off

You can sometimes get a mailman to unlock an iPhone by vocation them, or utilisation a fractional-party unlocking service such as Restore SIM. For more on that, see How to unlock an iPhone.

Contact your carrier

It's non such a quick solution - it English hawthorn take a while for the carrier wave to come back to you - but if you need to experience sure then it may be worth acquiring in touch with the network provider you've communicatory finished to and seeing if they can assistance. Many carriers buns check for you if you offer a handset's IMEI.

There are independent IMEI checking services too, but these services would always charge a fee for this (the legitimate ones would, at any order). Your toter may well offer the service for free. It can't hurt to ask, anyhow.

Use an online IMEI check

You know how to find your IMEI, right? Erstwhile you've got that code, you can attend one of the many IMEI-checking tools online and see if the handset it's assigned to is locked or unlocked. The problem is that about of these services ask for a payment (although generally just a few quid).

There are free services too: you could try IMEI24.com, which appears legit and has been recommended aside others. We moldiness stress, however, that we don't know the company and cannot vouch for its services - differently to say that we've tried and true it, it returned a bunch of information that was correct (about age and type of device, when it was purchased, how long the warranty had to lead and similar) and... it couldn't in the remnant tell us whether our iOS 13-based iPhone 11 Pro was locked or not. If you'd profitable for the overhaul this would equal profoundly annoying.

How to check if an iPhone is locked or unlocked: IMEI checker

Further reading

Like a sho that you know whether your iPhone is locked or unsecured, you're equipped to choose the next step.

If you needed this information because you want to sell it, read How to sell an iPhone for more advice. If you'Ra passing information technology on to a youngster, connected the another hand, then How to set high maternal controls may be a more reusable article.

Finally, remember to check into our guide to the best iPhone deals and contracts for advice on your side by side purchase.