How to Tell If Your iPhone or iPad Is Unlocked Without Data Loss

By Penny Warren Published on June 16,2023Unlock iOS

”I want to switch to another carrier, but how to know if my iPhone is unlocked?” Many people bought their iOS devices from mobile carriers. More importantly, their handsets are locked and they do not have the freedom to move to another carrier before the end of the contract. The good news is that you have multiple ways to check the status of your iOS device. Moreover, this guide will explain how-to in detail.

How to Tell if Your iPhone is Unlocked

• Part 1: How to Check If iPhone Is Unlocked in Settings
• Part 2: How to Check If iPhone Is Unlocked with SIM Card
• Part 3: How to Check If iPhone Is Unlocked Using Online IMEI Checker
• Part 4: How to Check If iPhone Is Unlocked by Contacting Your Carrier
• Part 5: How to Check If iPhone Is Unlocked by Contacting Apple
• Part 6: Tips on How to Unlock iPhone When You Forgot The Passcode
• Part 7: FAQs on How to Tell If iPhone Is Unlocked

Part 1: How to Check If iPhone Is Unlocked in Settings

The easiest way to see if your iPhone is unlocked is the Settings app on your device. This way does not require any extra hardware or software. The downside is this method is not accurate but it is a good beginning.

Step 1Run the Settings app on your iPhone. Step 2Scroll down to locate the General tab, and tap it. Step 3Press the About item, locate the Carrier Lock option, and check the status of your iPhone. If it tells No SIM restrictions, chances are that your iPhone is unlocked.

Note: On iOS 14 and later, Apple added a feature called Network Provider Lock on the About settings screen, which tells you if your device is locked or not.

Part 2: How to Check If iPhone Is Unlocked with SIM Card

When an iPhone is locked, it is tied to a specific carrier. The user cannot use other networks at the same time. Therefore, another SIM card is a quick way to check if an iPhone or iPad is unlocked. You'd better borrow a SIM card from your friends or family. Plus, the SIM card should be from a different carrier from yours.

Step 1Press the Side button until you see the power-off screen. Step 2Wait for a few seconds after your screen turns black completely. Then eject the SIM card tray from your iPhone or iPad with a SIM-card ejector. Step 3Take the other SIM card, put it on the card tray, and insert the tray back into your iPhone. Step 4Long-press the Side button until you see the Apple logo. Now, you will face two situations:

Situation 1: If you see the message saying The SIM card inserted this iPhone does not appear to be supported, it means your iPhone or iPad is still locked.

Situation 2: If you see the network icon on the top of your iPhone and you can make phone calls, it means your iPhone is unlocked.

Part 3: How to Check If iPhone Is Unlocked Using Online IMEI Checker

Besides, there are lots of IMEI checkers online, such as imei.info, imei24.com, imeicheck.com, and more. They can tell if your iPhone is unlocked. IMEI, short for International Mobile Equipment Identity number, is a unique identification or serial number to identify a device on a mobile network. It can tell the status of your iPhone too. Before visiting an online IMEI checker, you need to know your IMEI number.

Step 1Turn on your iPhone, open the Settings app, and go to General. Step 2Tap the About item, scroll down and locate the IMEI number. Step 3Open a web browser, visit an online IMEI checker, and enter your IMEI number into the box. Then you will see the information on your iPhone including the carrier status.

Part 4: How to Check If iPhone Is Unlocked by Contacting Your Carrier

The most straightforward way to know if your iPhone is unlocked is to consult your carrier provider. You can call your carrier, and ask customer service to check the status of your phone number. Sometimes, your carrier cannot provide the information immediately. it may take a while to get back to you. However, it is an accurate way to know the information and is worth getting in touch with your network provider. Bear in mind that some carriers need the IMEI number to check the information.

Part 5: How to Check If iPhone Is Unlocked by Contacting Apple

The last but not least way to know if your iPhone is unlocked is Apple's support team. You can go to the nearest Apple Store and ask the support team to help you check the information. The paid-for iPhones direct from Apple are usually unlocked. iPhones leased from a carrier will be locked for a period.

Part 6: Tips on How to Unlock iPhone When You Forgot The Passcode

An iPhone may be locked by a carrier. Moreover, it can be locked by a passcode. If you forgot the passcode, you cannot access your iPhone and your apps. Can you unlock your iPhone without a passcode? The answer is yes, and all you need is imyPass iPassGo.

Here are the steps to unlock your iPhone without a passcode:

Step 1Connect your iPhone

Launch the iPhone unlocker app after you install it on your computer. Choose Wipe Passcode from the home interface. Then connect your iPhone to the same machine with a Lightning cable. Hit the Start button to initiate the process.

Step 2Check the information

On the Info window, check the information of your iPhone including the category, type, model, and iOS version. Make sure that everything is correct and click the Start button to download the corresponding firmware.

Step 3Unlock your iPhone

Wait for the download to complete and hit the Unlock button to move on. Read the alert carefully, and enter 0000 into the box. If you agree to remove the forgotten passcode, click the Unlock button again. During the process, keep your iPhone connected to the computer. When it is done, you can access your device without a passcode. To protect your privacy and data, you'd better set a new passcode.

Part 7: FAQs on How to Tell If iPhone Is Unlocked