How do I know if my iPhone is unlocked without using a SIM card?

You can check the unlock status directly in the Settings app. Go to Settings > General > About, then look for the Carrier Lock option. If it says No SIM restrictions, your iPhone is unlocked.

Why does the Settings status show differently from the SIM test?

iOS system display has minor delays. The SIM card test result is the most real and accurate.

Can I unlock my iPhone if it's still under contract with my carrier?

If your iPhone is under contract, most carriers will only unlock it after the contract has ended or once you've paid off the device in full. You'll need to contact your carrier for more details on their unlocking policy.

Are iPhones all unlocked when purchased at Apple?

No. The iPhone you purchased at Apple is unlocked which can be used with any carrier. However, if you purchase it through AT&T Installment Plans, the iPhone will be locked.

How to Check If Your iPhone Is Unlocked (2026 Version)

Samuel Spenser Published on April 29, 2026Unlock iOS3-min reading

”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.

In this article:

Part 1: How to Check If iPhone is Unlocked in iPhone Settings
Part 2: How to Tell If iPhone is Unlocked via Another SIM Card
Part 3: How to See If iPhone is Unlocked Using IMEI
Part 4: How to Easily Bypass iPhone SIM Carrier Lock
Part 5: FAQs About Checking If iPhone is Unlocked

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

Best for: Quick check carrier status, all iPhone users.

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. Follow the steps below to check unlock status on iPhone..

Step 1

Run the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2

Scroll down to locate the General tab, and tap it.

Step 3

Press 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.

If your iPhone is locked because of your carrier, you can call it, 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. If you complete the contract with a specific carrier, you can ask its support team to unlock your iPhone with IMEI number.

Part 2: How to Tell If iPhone is Unlocked via Another SIM Card

Best for: Users with another carrier's SIM.

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 1

Press the Side button until you see the power-off screen.

Step 2

Wait 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 3

Insert the SIM card from a different carrier into the tray and put it back into your iPhone.

Step 4

Long-press the Side button until you see the Apple logo. Now, you will face two situations:

If you see a message saying "The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported," your iPhone is locked to a specific carrier and won't work with other networks.
If you see the network icon at the top and can make calls, your iPhone is unlocked and can be used with any carrier.

Part 3: How to See If iPhone is Unlocked Using IMEI

Best for: Users without a SIM card or need detailed info.

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.

Note:

When using an IMEI checker, make sure to choose a reputable website. Be cautious and avoid entering any personal or sensitive information to protect your privacy.

Step 1

Turn on your iPhone, open the Settings app, and go to General.

Step 2

Tap the About item, scroll down and locate the IMEI number.

Step 3

Open a web browser, visit a reliable online IMEI checker, enter your IMEI number and click Check. The system will match your code with the carrier database. If it shows carrier binding, your iPhone is locked; if it shows no SIM restrictions, your iPhone is unlocked.

Part 4: How to Easily Bypass iPhone SIM Carrier Lock

If your iPhone is carrier-locked and you want to switch to other networks, contacting your carrier to unlock can be time-consuming and complicated. You can use imyPass iPassGo for a fast and stable unlock. It is a professional iOS unlock tool to remove the SIM carrier lock from your iPhone efficiently.

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Steps to bypass carrier lock without a passcode:

Step 1

Connect your iOS device to the computer, launch the software, and choose Unlock SIM Card from the interface.

Step 2

Click Start Now to start the unlocking process. Please review our statement and warnings carefully before starting to prevent any potential disputes.

Step 3

Check your device information and click the Start Bypassing button to continue if correct. If your device is not jailbroken, you need to jailbreak it first.

Note:

Jailbreaking makes your device more vulnerable to malware and security threats, and may cause system instability, and could limit the functionality of certain apps.

Step 4

Then, follow the tutorial on the interface to set up your device. Note that it will forget your current network. Click OK when you finish.

Step 5

Wait patiently, your SIM card will be unlocked soon.

FAQs.

How do I know if my iPhone is unlocked without using a SIM card?

You can check the unlock status directly in the Settings app. Go to Settings > General > About, then look for the Carrier Lock option. If it says No SIM restrictions, your iPhone is unlocked.
Why does the Settings status show differently from the SIM test?

iOS system display has minor delays. The SIM card test result is the most real and accurate.
Can I unlock my iPhone if it's still under contract with my carrier?

If your iPhone is under contract, most carriers will only unlock it after the contract has ended or once you've paid off the device in full. You'll need to contact your carrier for more details on their unlocking policy.
Are iPhones all unlocked when purchased at Apple?

No. The iPhone you purchased at Apple is unlocked which can be used with any carrier. However, if you purchase it through AT&T Installment Plans, the iPhone will be locked.

Conclusion

Now, you should understand how to check if your iPhone is unlocked. We have listed the easiest methods above. Following them, you can get accurate status and information about your iOS device. It is important to know the status of your handset before you switch to another carrier.

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Samuel Spenser

Samuel is a senior editor from imyPass. He is an expert on password unlocking. He has over five years of experience writing tutorials on phone unlocking.