What is an unlocked phone, and how do I know if my phone is unlocked?

If you’re shopping for a new smartphone, chances are you’ll stumble across the term “unlocked phone.” What is an unlocked phone exactly, and how do you know if it’s unlocked? Even more, do you even want an unlocked phone, and would it be safe to use? We answer all these burning questions inquiring minds want to know.

What is an unlocked phone?

What is an unlocked phone anyhow? In simple terms, an unlocked phone is a device that isn’t tied to one specific carrier. Typically, when you’re locked into a ball-and-chain monthly contract, the associated phone remains locked to that specific carrier’s network.

Why? Because wireless carriers sell phones at a discount. To recover financial losses from subsidizing, carriers lock customers into a multi-year contract while locking the phone to its network. This prevents customers from getting a discounted phone and jumping networks without paying their bill. It also prevents the sale of phones prior to paying them off.

That said, you can’t install SIM cards from competing networks and expect instant connectivity. Even if the phone has the hardware to support other networks and you’ve made all the payments, it usually remains carrier-locked until you make a formal request and meet specific conditions.

For instance, if you get the Samsung Galaxy S9 through AT&T, it remains tied to that network until you submit an unlock request. However, you can only submit this request if the device is paid off in full, you’ve completed your contract agreement, you’ve used the device for a specific number of days on the network, and so on.

Here are links to the unlock requirements for the four major carriers in North America:

• AT&T
• Sprint
• T-Mobile
• Verizon

Of the four, Verizon is the only carrier that doesn’t lock phones even if contracts and payment plans aren’t complete. This stems from an agreement Verizon made with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) when it acquired block C spectrum. Verizon’s unlock stance may eventually change, as the company seeks the FCC’s approval on a new policy that will lock devices for 60 days after purchase.

In addition to postpaid plans and phones, restrictions also apply to prepaid plans and associated devices purchased through wireless carriers. These phones do not have payment plans, but carriers still want time and financial investments before unlocking these devices. For example, T-Mobile requires an active account and one of two options: Use the device for a year on T-Mobile’s network or spend at least $100 in refills.

Unlocking versus jailbreaking

One of the big errors we see is the term “jailbreak” (or even rooting) incorrectly associated with unlocking phones. Jailbreaking specifically pertains to software, as you remove the phone’s media restrictions to install a different operating system or delete/hide unwanted pre-installed apps that can’t be removed. To that extent, you are “unlocking” the phone’s true potential or “unlocking” it from software-based restrictions, but it’s still not carrier unlocked.

Typically, phone locking starts on the SIM card level to accept a specific mobile network code. But the other half of that restriction stems from your phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity number (aka IMEI). This number is unique to each phone and used to identify all devices accessing terrestrial cellular networks, including smartwatches, laptops, modems, tablets, and more.

Moreover, all IMEI numbers have linked codes used to unlock a phone. Manufacturers store these codes in a database accessible by carriers and other third-party services. This prevents you from ripping the SIM card out of the Galaxy S9 you’re currently buying through AT&T and use it on T-Mobile’s network. The IMEI number is still tied to AT&T, thus the only way to unlock the phone is to make all the payments, send AT&T an unlock request, and get the unlock code.

According to a quick chat with T-Mobile, you can take this route or allow the carrier to pay up to $650 in device and termination fees. In turn, you must give T-Mobile the phone and purchase a new device through the company.

You can buy unlocked phones

You can get a carrier-free phone from most retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and more. You’ll pay full price up front versus the typical payment plan through carrier contracts, thus the fancier the phone, the bigger the bite from your wallet.

For instance, you can get factory-unlocked versions of the Samsung Galaxy S8, the Sony Xperia XZ3, Apple’s iPhone 8 Plus, Google’s Pixel 3 XL, and even Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9. Want the unlocked version of Samsung’s Galaxy S10+ phone? You can get that as well starting at $999. Gamers can grab the unlocked Asus ROG Phone for $999.

But before you purchase an unlocked phone, you need to see if it’s compatible. Wireless networks in North America use two different standards: Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications used by AT&T, T-Mobile and a few prepaid carriers, and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) used by Verizon, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, and a few prepaid carriers. Most carriers outside the United States rely on GSM networks, as the founding GSM Association is an international organization originally established in 1987.

Due to these two separate standards, a phone built specifically for Verizon and Sprint may not have the bands needed to support AT&T and T-Mobile. The good news is that you can find phones that support both GSM and CDMA connectivity, but you’ll need to dig deeper into the phone’s hardware specifications before making an investment.

Here we run into step 2 of the compatibility roadblock. While AT&T and T-Mobile provide GSM-based cellular networks, they own and use different radio frequencies. T-Mobile openly provides its frequency list here while you can find the other three here along with many other carriers like FreedomPop, Google Fi, Straight Talk, U.S. Cellular, and more. You’ll need to verify that the supported frequencies of the phone match the target carrier frequencies.

“Even if your phone, tablet, or mobile Internet device is compatible with carriers, your device may not operate the same on a different mobile carrier’s network,” T-Mobile warns regarding device compatibility.

SIM vs eSIM

Short for Subscriber Identification Module, the SIM card stores what your phone needs to access a specific network. This data includes your mobile subscriber identity number, encryption keys, contacts, SMS messages, and more. It’s a small, physical card that typically fits into a pull-out slot on the side of your phone. When you swap wireless carriers, you swap SIM cards as well.

Originally introduced in 1991, newer, smaller generations are typically released every six to eight years. What we have today is the nano-SIM card introduced in 2012 measuring just over a square centimeter. Some devices also use the new embedded SIM module (eSIM) mounted inside the device, eliminating the need for swappable, disposable cards that can be lost or damaged.

Due to the difference between SIM cards and eSIM modules, check to see if the unlocked smartphone you want to buy includes the latter eSIM module, and if it’s supported by your wireless carrier. Recent devices packing eSIM modules include Apple’s iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, Apple’s new Watch Series 4, Samsung’s Gear S2 and S3 smartwatches, and more.

You’ll also find phones with two SIM card slots, allowing the device to access two separate networks. This is good for separating business and personal calls, as you’ll have two separate phone numbers. This duality also provides better coverage, as you could switch from one network to another after moving into a dead area. You can even use one SIM card locally and a separate card internationally, eliminating costly roaming fees.

Dual SIM phones are typically sold unlocked.

How can I tell if my phone unlocked?

If you’re currently making monthly device payments to a carrier other than Verizon, chances are the device is locked. If you paid off the device and submitted an unlock request, the first method of checking its status is to remove the current SIM card and install another card from a different network.

You can also check your phone’s unlock status using its IMEI number. Simply follow these instructions for Apple iOS and Google Android platforms:

1. Dial *#06# to get your IMEI number in a pop-up window.
2. Head to imei.info.
3. Enter your IMEI number.
4. Click on the Warranty & Carrier button. However, you’ll need to create a free account to use this specific service.

If you own an iPhone or cellular-capable iPad, there’s another way to check the unlock status:

1. Open Settings.
2. Open Cellular.
3. Open Cellular Data.
4. Cellular Data Options should be present on an unlocked phone.

Again, if your qualified phone is locked to a specific carrier, you’ll need to send an unlock request. The required information includes the device IMEI number, your account number, the account owner’s social security number, phone number, and overseas deployment papers if needed.

The method of unlocking a phone using a code depends on the device. After requesting an unlock for an Android phone, customers receive a code from the carrier through a text message and an on-device pop-up window. The customer then shuts down the phone, removes the first carrier’s SIM card, installs the second carrier’s SIM card, powers on the device, and follows prompts to enter the unlock code.

Another route is to use a special app supplied by carriers. For example, Cricket Wireless provides the myCricket app with an “Unlock Device” option on the app’s sign-in screen. Once the app receives the required code, customers must reboot the phone to complete the unlock process.

For iPhones and iPads, Apple provides unlock instructions here.

In addition to carriers, third-party services can unlock your phone, but doing so could violate your contract. For Android phones, you pay a flat fee in return for an unlock code. These third-party services have access to databases managed by phone manufacturers that contain unlock codes tied to the device IMEI. But be careful: Some third-party services may not be legit and could run with your money.

Unlocked means freedom

Pixabay

Hopefully you now have a better understanding of what “unlocked” means regarding phones, and how to tell if your current device is locked to a specific network. With an unlocked phone, you have the freedom to choose the best compatible wireless carrier. Even if you paid off the phone and completed contact obligations, the device is all yours and you should have the freedom to switch. Call your carrier today if you’ve met all the required obligations.