Check If Cell Phone Is Unlocked

The are many. They allow you easily to switch carriers to lower your monthly bills, you'll save when traveling abroad, and they tend to sell for more than their locked counterparts. But how can you tell for sure if your phone is unlocked? If you bought your phone direct from Apple or Google, it's probably unlocked and you're free to insert a SIM from any carrier. If on the other hand you bought your phone on a payment plan or under contract from your carrier, there’s a good chance that it’s locked to their network.

They do this to ensure that they get back any subsidies they might have handed out. Here’s two easy ways to check - plus a bonus option for iPhone users! Method 1: Call Your Carrier. Swapping your SIM with one from another network is another option for checking if your phone is unlocked. Unlock Samsung Virgin Mobile Phone. In most cases, the SIM is located in a dedicated slot on the sides of the handset or underneath the battery for phones with removable batteries. If you have a friend on a different carrier, you can ask to borrow their SIM for a few seconds.

Switching carriers doesn't necessarily mean you have to switch your phone. Verify you have an unlocked phone. Refurbished Iphone 5s Unlocked Tesco. Iphone 6s Plus Unlocked Deals. Check that your cell phone is compatible with.

The entire process only takes a minute or two. There’s also no worry of surprise charges as long as you don’t use the phone while their SIM is inserted. Keep in mind that some carriers share networks. If you visit the carrier site and look for a “bring your own device” or “SIM only” plan option, you can usually see which carriers or networks they support. Also, simply using a prepaid SIM from the same carrier will not verify unlock status either. If you already have service on the phone, calling the carrier is still the most reliable option. Can’t find a friend willing to help?