This information is accurate as of November 10, 2021 with iOS 15.1.
The simplest method of checking to see if your iPhone is unlocked is:
- Go to SETTINGS –> GENERAL –> ABOUT
- Scroll down until you see you CARRIER LOCK
If the carrier lock says “No SIM restrictions”, your iPhone is unlocked and can be used on any carriers!
Otherwise, you would have to request the phone to be unlocked by your carrier.
As of today, phone unlocking policies vary greatly among different carriers:
- Visible Wireless (owned by Verizon) – 60 days from plan activation, then automatically unlocks. Certain low cost phones come unlocked out of the box (i.e. 2021 Motorola Pure)
- Tracfone Brands (owned by Verizon) – 1 year from plan activation. Tracfone brands include:
- Tracfone
- Clearway Wireless
- GoSmart Mobile
- NET10 Wireless
- Page Plus
- SafeLink Wireless
- Simple Mobile
- Straight Talk
- Tel Cel
- Total Wireless
- Walmart Family Mobile
