What is a Locked Phone?

If you’ve ever purchased a phone from a wireless company, there’s a good chance it was a locked phone. What is a locked phone? It’s a phone that is restricted to just one wireless carrier. Unlike TVs that can receive a video feed from any satellite or cable provider, cell phones have the ability to be locked to a specific service provider. Understanding whether or not your phone is locked, and what to do in either scenario, is crucial for anyone looking to switch to another carrier, like Ultra Mobile.

What does it mean when a phone is locked?

When a phone is locked, that means it can only be used with one wireless provider—the one it’s locked to. You’ll receive an error message if you attempt to use a different carrier’s SIM in it. Most phones purchased from a wireless provider are locked to that provider’s network for a set period of time (e.g. phones purchased from Verizon only work on Verizon’s network, etc).   

Why are phones locked to a network?

Oftentimes, when you purchase a phone from your wireless provider, you’re either getting it at a discount or you may be breaking it up into monthly payments with your phone bill. In exchange for saving money up front on the phone, the provider requires that you use it with their service (usually under contract). Locking the phone keeps customers from buying at a very low price from one carrier, and then bailing for another. 

What is jailbreaking a phone?

Depending on how long you’ve been a wireless user, you may have heard the term “jailbreak” when it comes to phones. Jailbreaking a phone does often include unlocking it, but it goes beyond that, into some riskier territory. Jailbreaking a phone removes security measures that were applied by the manufacturer, allowing the phone to install unapproved apps or an alternative operating system. This puts your phone at risk of being hacked or your personal information being compromised. 

How to check if a phone is locked

There are a few different ways to determine if your wireless phone is currently locked to its carrier:

​​Check in your phone’s settings

iPhone:

• Go into Settings, then General and select About
• Scroll down to Carrier Lock
• If you see No SIM restrictions, your phone is unlocked
• If you see a specific carrier name, your phone is locked to them

Android:

• Go into Settings, then Connections, followed by Mobile networks and select Network operators
• If you see multiple carriers listed in the search results, your phone is likely unlocked
• If it only shows one carrier, it may be locked.

Try a different SIM card

• Turn off your phone
• Insert a SIM card from a different carrier
• Turn your phone back on
• If you receive an error message like SIM not supported or Enter unlock code, your phone is locked
• If the new SIM connects to a network and you’re able to make calls, your phone is unlocked

Check with your carrier

• Reach out to your wireless provider’s customer support
• They’ll probably need to confirm your IMEI number (this can be found in the Settings under About Phone or by dialing *#06#)
• The carrier will let you know whether your phone is locked or unlocked

Can I unlock a locked phone?

Yes, you are able to unlock a locked phone, but it requires a few steps that can vary depending on the carrier that locked it. Most carriers have specific requirements you must meet first, such as completing a contract or fully paying off the device. Once you’ve met these requirements, the carrier may ask you to submit an unlock request. In some cases, the carrier may unlock your phone automatically. For more info on how to unlock a phone, check out our other article.  

Benefits of having an unlocked phone

Freedom to use any wireless carrier

An unlocked phone will work with any compatible carrier, allowing you to switch providers to try different prepaid or postpaid plans whenever you like, without having to buy a new phone.

Makes traveling internationally easier

You can insert a local SIM card when traveling abroad, avoiding the expensive roaming fees charged by some carriers.

Higher resale value

Unlocked phones are more in demand, thus making them easier to sell when you are ready to upgrade.

Ability to use multiple SIMs

Many unlocked phones support dual SIM or even eSIM, meaning you can have multiple phone numbers, from multiple carriers, on one unlocked phone.

No contracts

Unlocked phones aren’t usually tied to carrier contracts or payment plans, giving you more flexibility with your time and money. We have another article all about what an unlocked phone is, if you want to dig even deeper.

Lock in savings by bringing your phone to Ultra Mobile

Now that you know what a locked phone is, you can take next steps to see if yours is locked to your current wireless carrier. If you’re still paying for your phone or under a contract, there’s a good chance it’s still locked. But if you’re ready to switch carriers and want to bring your phone with you, now you know how to make sure your phone is unlocked first. Then you can click the button below to verify that it’ll work with our network too.