Now that you’ve finally paid your phone off, Apple went ahead and announced anothernew iPhone. This means you’ll be upgrading, so you may be thinking aboutselling your existing phoneto put towards the purchase of your new device. We say godspeed, and urge you to remember one important nugget of information: you need to unlock your phone before it can be sold.
The term “unlock” can sound rather intimidating, but this simply refers to your phone’s ability to switch to a new carrier. When you’re under contract with a provider likeVerizon or T-Mobile, you typically won’t be able to unlock your device if you still have a balance to pay on your device.
While the unlocking process isn’t too difficult, the steps will vary from one carrier to the next. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to teach you how to unlock your device for all major U.S. carriers.
Difficulty
What You Need
Account holder’s name and account number
IMEI of your device
Your phone number
Account holder’s Social Security number or password
A completed contract and/or device payment plan
Overseas deployment papers, for military personnel who want to unlock the phone before the contract expires
Unlocking a Verizon phone
Just wait. Verizon automatically unlocks its phones 60 days after purchase.
According to Verizon’s policy, newly purchased devices are locked to Verizon’s networks for 60 days after purchase to help mitigate theft and other fraudulent activity. This rule applies to both postpaid and prepaid devices, and the lock is automatically removed after 60 days. Deployed military are exempt from this rule and can request an unlock during this period by calling Verizon’s support line at 800-922-0204.
Past 60 days and your device doesn’t seem to have unlocked? Call Verizon’s support line at 800-922-0204.
Unlocking an AT&T phone
you may unlock your AT&T phone usingAT&T’s unlocking portal. But first, you’ll need to complete the following checklist of prerequisites:
Unlock instructionsand codes provided by AT&T vary depending on the device. Apple iPhones don’t need an unlock code. Instead, after receiving the email approving your unlock request, just remove your AT&T SIM card and insert the SIM card for your new carrier to begin the setup process. Military members can unlock iPhones, including those on installment plans, but must register active-duty status when filling out AT&T’s forms.
Unlocking a T-Mobile phone
T-Mobile may well be the “un-carrier,” but it has some very similar criteria for unlocking to other carriers. T-Mobile now sends you a notification when your phone is ready to be unlocked, but there are some eligibility requirements you need to be aware of. Here’s what you’ll need to keep in mind if you want to unlock your T-Mobile phone:
Many Android phones from the carrier can be unlockedthrough their settings menusonce eligibility requirements are met. Others, such as the Google Pixel and older Samsung devices, can use Device Unlock apps from T-Mobile. However, these methods are not compatible with all phones. The iPhone, in particular, does not have an iOS version of the T-Mobile unlocking app.
T-Mobile should send unlock notifications to your iPhone once it is eligible and may send you an unlock code. If you don’t have this information, contact T-Mobile directly and ask for it. Consultthis T-Mobile pagefor specific instructions regarding your Apple device.
you may otherwise unlock your phone through a live chat with a T-Mobile customer representative or by calling 611 from a T-Mobile device or 877-746-0909 from any other phone. Deployed military personnel can also get their phones unlocked as long as they’re in good standing and can produce deployment papers.
Unlocking a Metro by T-Mobile phone
Metro by T-Mobile, formerly known as Metro PCS, phones can be unlocked via their unlocking portal once you have completed the following checklist of prerequisites:
One method of unlocking is through the Device Unlock app, usually found in the Metro by T-Mobile folder of your phone. This can be done with most Android smartphones, and only Samsung phones have the ability to unlock through a settings menu. If you have a Samsung phone 2019 or later, head toSettings>Connections>More Connection Settings>Select Network Unlock.
If you have an Apple device, once it becomes eligible, Metro by T-Mobile will automatically authorize, and initiate unlock for your device remotely. To complete the unlock on your device, Verify that your device is eligible to be unlocked, make sure your device is on Wi-Fi, insert a non-T-Mobile SIM card into your iPhone and complete the first-time use. If the device has already been set up, follow the on-screen instructions to sign in to your Apple ID.
Since rebranding, Metro by T-Mobile now operates in the GSM network as opposed to CDMA, so your unlocked Metro phone will only be able to work with other GSM carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T.
How to unlock a U.S. Cellular phone
Most U.S. Cellular phones are sold unlocked. The rest will, generally speaking, unlock automatically after a 120-day lock period.
Since July 18, 2025, most of U.S. Cellular’s 4G LTE devices are sold unlocked. Those sold before that date can potentially be updated through an over-the-air update, so make sure your device is up to date before contacting U.S. Cellular about unlocking. If that doesn’t apply to your device, or if you have a 3G or 1X device, then you’ll need an unlock code from U.S. Cellular’s customer service line on 611 (from a U.S. Cellular device) or 888-944-9400 on another device.
Like other carriers, U.S. Cellular’s unlocking procedure is fully in-line with CITA’s guidelines on unlocking its devices, and will unlock phones and tablets, as long as they adhere to the following criteria:
U.S. Cellular warns some devices can’t be unlocked, either because of the age of the device or because it doesn’t have the technology to access other networks. If it sounds like your device might fall under that, you can contact U.S. Cellular on 611 (from a U.S. Cellular device) or 888-944-9400 on another device.
iPhone error message? Here’s what to do
You might see this message on your computer or on your iPhone: “The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported. Only compatible SIM cards from a supported carrier may be used to activate iPhone. Please insert the SIM card that came with your iPhone or visit a supported carrier store.” If you see that message, do this:
Since iOS 14, you can check your phone’s status. Go toSettings>General>Aboutand scroll down to the section calledCarrier Lock. This section should sayNo SIM Restrictions. If you don’t see that message, then your carrier probably hasn’t unlocked your phone yet. Contact your carrier immediately to find out what is going on. This should be enough to get your iPhone properly unlocked, but if you keep having difficulties, you may have to restore your iPhone to factory settings and reboot from a backup.
How to unlock your prepaid or fully paid phone
Metro by T-Mobile,U.S. Cellular, andVerizonhave all complied, and AT&T’s policies were already in line with the terms. Unlocking your phone doesn’t mean you can just take it to any other provider. While some modern phones are built for that kind of compatibility, others are still only designed for the network capabilities and features of a particular carrier. Most carriers offer an online Bring Your Own Phone tool to see if your unlocked device will work well on their network. You’ll just need to enter your device’s IMEI number to get an instant check.
Don’t forget about third-party lock breakers
These are less needed now all U.S. networks offer unlocking, but if you encounter problems with an official carrier unlock, you can still opt for an IMEI unlock, which works identically to the official carrier unlock. There are plenty of IMEI unlock companies, but it’s best to go with trusted vendors. Check review sites likeTrustpilotbefore making a final decision or paying up. The price to unlock an iPhone varies based on your carrier. Lock breaker services support models from the newest iPhone series all the way back to the iPhone 4.
Most third-party unlocking services operate the same way. From their website, you pay varying amounts, usually under $100, for an email-based unlock code. Most require an upfront payment. Reputable unlocking services have customer support lines and deliver codes quickly. Here are several of these providers we recommend:
No luck? Buy an unlocked phone
When all is said and done, the best option for most people is usually purchasing an unlocked phone rather than figuring out how to unlock one. First of all, it saves you the hassle of getting it unlocked. Secondly, you’re able to choose whichever cell phone service you’d like, whether it’s prepaid, postpaid, or something in between. It’s a significant investment and may hurt a little if you already have a phone, but the freedom to switch carriers at any time is worth it.
Retailers like Amazon and Walmart sell unlocked phones, but often with high upfront costs. However, there are bargains out there if you know where to look. Every iPhone you buy from Apple — either online or from an Apple Store — is unlocked, except for specific carrier financing options. An unlocked iPhone lets you choose any carrier you want. To get started with a new carrier, do the following.
If you can’t pay in full, considerApple’s iPhone Upgrade Program, where you get an unlocked iPhone in much the same manner as the SIM-free option — though it does require a credit check. Not only do you avoid the upfront cost, but you also get to pay in monthly installments and are eligible for an upgrade after 12 payments. The program includes the AppleCare+ protection program alongside an add-on for AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss protection.
