Worried about the repercussions of using an unlocked iPhone, or have more questions? Here's how to tell if your iPhone is unlocked in Settings:. However, this isn't quite the end of the story, since some users report that this information isn't displayed in their About page in Settings.
If that's the case for you, check out one of the other methods detailed below. How can I tell if my iPhone is unlocked if it doesn't say it in Settings? There's another way, but it'll require some prep work, since this method requires you to have two SIM cards, each from a different carrier. There are quite a few online tools that allow you to check if your phone is unlocked using the IMEI number; however, the vast majority want you to pay about three dollars to get the info.
I found a couple of free tools, though. In general, it's best to be very cautious about using online tools like this, especially if they're unverified.
As such, I recommend this approach only if it's your last resort and you absolutely don't want to call your cellular service provider. If an iPhone was officially unlocked by Apple or by a phone service carrier, Apple will still recognize it and the phone can be updated.
The company said earlier this week it would begin locking the phones it sells to consumers for an undetermined period of time, which will prevent them from using a SIM card from another carrier.
But Verizon promised it would eventually unlock the device after activation. The company hasn't said how long that period would be.
Verizon said it's doing this to deter criminals from stealing phones, which are often stolen en route to retail stores or from the stores themselves. Unlocked phones make attractive targets because they can be resold on the black market or used overseas with different carriers.
That's particularly the case for iPhones , which are a top target for thieves because of their high resale value. Because I get so many questions about the difference between locked versus unlocked phones and what it means to the average wireless customer, I've put together this FAQ for my Ask Maggie readers to summarize the basics.
The difference is that a locked phone has a software code on it that prevents you from using it on another network. An unlocked phone either doesn't have the software lock on it or someone was able to get a code that unlocks the software. The biggest benefit of having an unlocked phone is that if you want to switch wireless operators, you can easily do that. All you have to do is pop in a new SIM and sign up for service. There's no need to buy a new phone.
This is great because it lets you shop around for the cheapest service instead of being stuck with a particular carrier because you don't want to buy a new phone. This flexibility can also come in handy for people traveling overseas. Consumers have more freedom than ever when it comes to buying a smartphone and choosing a wireless carrier.
Most mandatory-length contracts are a thing of the past, as is sacrificing your cell number when transferring carriers. Only one big barrier remains — the locked smartphone. What are the differences between locked and unlocked phones? How can you tell if your phone is locked? We have the answers. There are a couple of benefits to purchasing a locked device.
First, it is generally sold at a discounted price. By having you agree to stay on their network, the carrier subsidizes a portion of the cost or bundles it into your monthly subscription rate. Also, locked phones prevent theft. You can plug in other SIM cards. But you might experience some sticker shock. There are comparable price differences on iPhones with more memory, too, up to 64GB. What the heck? It's a legitimate question, but the real question isn't why unlocked iPhones are so expensive.
The real question is why locked iPhones are so cheap. And that's because the phone companies are subsidizing Apple's expenses, paying part of the cost of each iPhone just to have you as a customer paying regularly into their network plan.
With an unlocked iPhone, no carrier is willing to pick up part of your tab. You have to pay for the phone entirely on your own. But at least you won't be tied down to a contract and can change services at will.
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