Reprinted with permission from the weBoost blog.
If you’ve purchased a cell phone recently, it’s likely already unlocked. But if you’ve had it for a while or if you’re planning to purchase a used phone, you should check to see if it’s locked or not.
You don’t want to get into a situation where a used phone you’ve purchased doesn’t work on your cell carrier.
There are a few ways to tell if your phone is unlocked. The steps differ for iPhones and Androids, but we’ll go through them both below. Also, if your phone needs a boost, don’t worry because weBoost cell phone signal boosters will work with any cell carrier.
What Does it Mean if a Phone Is Unlocked?
If a cell phone is locked, it means that the phone can only be used on one specific carrier’s network, like only on Verizon service, or only on AT&T. Carriers will install software on the phone to lock it to their network.
Carriers lock phones to their service so phone buyers can’t purchase a subsidized phone from a carrier at a discount and then quickly move to another carrier for service. Or to prevent theft on newly purchased phones.
It’s a good idea to check a used phone to see if it’s locked before you purchase it. Why? If the phone is unlocked you can use it to receive mobile phone service from the carrier of your choice. If you purchase a new phone, it’s still ideal to make sure it’s unlocked in case you want to switch carriers.
If the phone is locked, it can be used only on the carrier it’s locked to. That could make a big difference to you when you decide to purchase a used phone.
Keep in mind that the unlocked phone may not work completely the same on another carrier network because of different technologies.
Why Would I Want to Unlock My Phone?
Unlocking your cell phone allows you to use any carrier SIM card in your phone. It’s a great way to get more value from your device, while also saving money on service.
Here are the top 3 reasons to unlock your phone:
- Switch service providers. If you’re on a monthly payment plan or leasing plan, or if you want to switch carriers at any time, it’s often cheaper to unlock your device than to buy another one.
- Sell your device. An unlocked phone means that you could sell your phone to anyone, without having to check for carrier compatibility. Overall, an unlocked phone is more valuable if you want to sell it.
- Save money on international roaming charges. Some carriers charge high rates for international calls and texts when traveling abroad. By using local SIM cards instead of paying these fees directly on your bill, you can save hundreds of dollars per year on international calls alone.
The most obvious benefit to unlocking your phone is that you can use it with another carrier. People switch carriers for a number of reasons, including lack of coverage and poor cell signal. If you’re struggling with poor cell signal in your home and vehicle, then know that your carrier may not be to blame. Signal-blocking materials, distance from the nearest cell tower, and heavy network traffic can all contribute to poor cell signal.
Before taking steps to switch carriers, consider installing a cell signal booster. A booster is a device that amplifies the signal received from the nearest tower — even if that happens to be a tower that’s fairly far away. As long as any signal reaches your home or vehicle, an weBoost boosts it to be strong enough to support calls and cellular data use.
Is My Android Phone Unlocked?
Method #1
- First go to Settings.
- Go to Connections.
- Go to Networks (maybe Mobile Networks or Cellular Networks, depending on your phone model and the version of Android OS it’s using).
- Select Networks Operators.*It may take a short time for the phone to search for available networks.
If available networks appear, the phone is probably unlocked. To make sure, choose one and try to make a call.
If only one result comes back from the network search, or if the Search Networks option is unavailable in the Networks menu, then the phone is most likely locked to the carrier.
However, keep in mind that this method is not 100% accurate. To confirm your phone’s status try using this next test. It’s a little more complicated, but it’ll give you a final answer on if your phone is locked or unlocked.
Method #2
For this test, you need two SIM cards for your phone from two different carriers.
- First, turn off your phone’s power.
- Remove your phone’s SIM card with a removal tool or a paperclip.
- Replace the SIM card with the other SIM card from a different carrier.
- Turn on the power again.
- You can now see that the carrier’s name at the top of your home screen has changed.
- Now dial a call.
If the call connects, your phone is unlocked. If you now can’t place a call, the phone is locked to the first carrier. At this point, you may also see on the screen a message explaining that the phone is locked.
Is My iPhone Unlocked?
Method #1
- First go to Settings and then Cellular.
- If you see a Cellular Data option under the Cellular menu, then your iPhone is unlocked.
- If you don’t see “Cellular Data Network” as an option under Cellular, then the phone is locked.
However, this method for checking your iPhone’s status isn’t foolproof. For that reason, we recommend that you also use the method below if you can. It’s more complicated, but it’ll give a definitive result on whether your iPhone is locked.
Method #2
For this test, you need two SIM cards for your iPhone from two different carriers.
- First, turn off your phone’s power.
- Then open your iPhone’s SIM card slot with a removal tool or a paper clip.
- Remove the phone’s SIM card and replace it with the other card from a different carrier.
- Turn on the power again.
- You can now see that the carrier’s name at the top of your home screen has changed.
- Now dial a call.
If the call goes through, your phone is unlocked. If the call doesn’t connect, the phone is locked to the other carrier. At this point, you may also see on the screen a message explaining that the phone is locked.
Phone Unlock Requests By Carrier
If you have an AT&T or Verizon phone follow these steps to unlock your phone.
To unlock your AT&T phone, first, go to att.com/deviceunlock/ and select “Unlock your device”. Complete the form and submit it. Look for an email so you can confirm your request and then you’ll receive an email shortly with the status of the request. For detailed instructions go here.
Verizon prepaid and postpaid phones remain locked for 60 days after activation then will automatically become unlocked at the 60-day mark. So no steps are necessary here!
If you’ve purchased a Boost Mobile phone, there are a couple of requirements before you can unlock it. Your account must have been active for at least 12 months, the device must be unlockable, and the account must be in good standing.
If you meet these requirements listed above, call 1-888-BOOST-4U to unlock your Boost phone.
What to Do If Your Phone Is Locked?
Now that you’ve learned how to check if a phone is unlocked, What do you do if it’s locked?
If the phone is no longer under contract or if it was purchased outright, rather than on an installment payment plan, you can have it unlocked by the carrier. The Federal Communications Commission (in the U.S.) requires carriers to unlock phones that are not under contract.
If you’re the phone’s original purchaser, getting it unlocked is simple. Just contact the carrier’s customer service department to request an unlock. You’ll receive instructions on how to unlock your cell phone.
If you’re buying a used locked phone from the original owner, have them unlock the phone before you pay for it.
Keep Your Device Connected
Whether your phone is unlocked or not, you want the best possible connection on your device. Cell signal boosters from weBoost enhance network connections on every cellular-connected device.
Our best-selling devices will help you boost your cell phone signal on all available network speeds, regardless of the U.S. carrier or mobile provider you use, reducing dropped calls and missed texts, increasing data and internet speeds, improving audio and video streaming capability, and more.
Solid Signal is your home for weBoost cell phone signal boosters. Shop for everything you need! If you have questions, call us at 888-233-7563 or fill out the form below.
