Knowing how to check if a phone is unlocked without a SIM is important when buying the phone, whether new or used. One reason for this is that locked phones do not allow the switching of mobile networks.
Such phones are restricted to their respective carriers for a specific period. It’s after when this contract is up that the phone can be unlocked. In some cases, however, an early termination fee on your contract can be paid to make the phone eligible for unlocking.
Unlocked phones, on the other hand, are your best bet if you need a more flexible network structure. Although they are usually more expensive, unlocked phones let you make use of any service provider’s SIM card.
How to Check if Phone is Unlocked Without SIM?
You can check if a phone is unlocked with or without a SIM card. Using a SIM card is much easier, but other methods can be used to achieve the same objective if you’re unable to use a SIM card.
Note that the method for checking whether an iPhone is unlocked without using a SIM differs from the one used for checking the status of an Android phone.
How to Check If An Android Phone is Unlocked With IMEI?
Using the unique IMEI number of the Android phone, you can check if it is unlocked by following the steps below:
- Get the IMEI number:
For a phone with a removable battery, manufacturers often put the IMEI number on the phone’s back panel. This number can be revealed when the battery is removed. Also, you can get the number by dialing *#06# on the phone. You can find the IMEI number on the phone’s settings menu as well. - Visit the IMEI website:
On the IMEI website, type the 15-digit IMEI number into the appropriate field and click Check A new page will pop up displaying the information about the Android phone you are checking IMEI. Click on the SIMLOCK & WARRANTY option. The next information displayed will help you establish whether the Android phone is unlocked or locked.
How to Check If An iPhone is Unlocked With IMEI?
Checking if an iPhone is unlocked with the IMEI method is quite different from using the same method on an Android phone. In the case of an iPhone device, you will need to use an online checker that requires a service fee.
To do this, you’ll need to use the service of an online iPhone carrier checker. An example is the Wipelock iPhone carrier checker. Through the site, you can use your IMEI number to check the current lock status of your phone
As I mentioned earlier, you’ll need to pay a service fee. After paying for the service, the result containing the device’s locked status will be sent to the email address you provided when ordering the service online.
Checking If An iPhone is Unlocked Via Settings
You can also check the settings of your iPhone to find out if the phone is unlocked or not.
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Click on cellular, and then select the cellular data options. If there are options listed, it means that your iPhone is unlocked. If this option is not available, it means the iPhone is locked. You won’t be able to change the carrier networks until it’s unlocked.
Checking if An iPhone is Unlocked By Contacting Support
Another option is to contact your provider to inquire about the unlocked status of your phone. You just have to contact your carrier’s customer care and make your request known. You will be asked to provide some details. After providing those, you’ll get the information you need.
FAQ:
How Can I Unlock My Android Phone?
If your Android phone is locked and you want to unlock it, you can do so on the IMEI website for free.
Are All Android Phones Unlocked?
Not all Android phones are unlocked. However, some manufacturers have both locked and unlocked versions of their phones.
If you are ordering a phone online, make sure to check the product specifications to determine whether it’s locked or not. You can also ask the retailer for the information if you’re buying from an offline outlet.
How Can I Check Which Carrier My iPhone Is Locked To?
You can check the carrier that your iPhone is locked to by going to Settings on the iPhone and clicking on Carrier. Ensure that the option, Automatic is unchecked so that the phone can search for all available carriers. If your iPhone finds just one carrier, it means it is locked to that particular network.
How Do I Check If A Mobile Phone is Unlocked With A SIM?
All you need do is insert a SIM card into the phone and try to make a call with it. Your phone is unlocked if you are successful in making the phone call.
