Reading time: 2 minutes | Posted: 1st July 2024
Are you on the search for a brand-new phone? If so, you may have encountered the difference between locked and unlocked phones. It's pretty simple – a locked phone is tied specifically to a phone provider, so if you put another SIM card inside it, the phone will not work. On the other hand, an unlocked phone can be used by any service provider. When browsing for phones, you will usually want the latter, as it gives you more freedom with your contract in the future (plus, unlocked phones are worth more if you ever want to sell them).
So, what if you already have a phone and are unsure whether or not it's locked? The good news is there are some simple steps to check.
Checking on an iPhone
Here are the steps to checking whether an iPhone is unlocked.
- Open settings.
- Click "General" then "About".
- Find "Network Provider Lock".
An unlocked phone will read "No SIM Restrictions". If anything other than "No SIM Restrictions" appears next to "Network Provider Lock", then it's likely your phone is locked to one network provider.
Checking on an Android
Checking whether your phone is unlocked on Android is pretty simple, thankfully! All you need to do is follow these steps:
- Go to your settings.
- Click on "General" then "About".
- Look for "Network Lock" or "Carrier Lock" – if you see the words "SIM locked" beside these, then your Android phone is locked. Otherwise, it's unlocked.
What to Do with an Unlocked Phone
Having an unlocked phone is always preferable. If you have one, what can you do with it?
Switch SIM Contracts With an unlocked phone, you can keep it for as long as you want, switching SIM cards whenever you feel like it. For example, if your phone contract ends and you no longer wish to stay with that network, you can simply get a new SIM, slot it into your phone, and begin using it as you did before – only, this time, with a different plan in place.
Sell it On
Unlocked phones are worth a lot more than locked phones. If you currently have an unlocked phone in your possession and you don't know what to do with it, it may be worth selling it - you might get a good deal from it!
In Summary
It's always better to own an unlocked phone when compared to a locked phone, as you can change SIM whenever you want. Plus, you'll get more money if you sell when ready for a phone upgrade. Are you looking to boot up an unlocked phone and begin using it? If so, you'll likely want a SIM-only deal – one that can offer you exactly what you need in terms of calls, texts, and data. At Sim Only Finder, we have a wide range of excellent SIM-only deals to suit you, whether your preference is unlimited data, a budget-friendly SIM, or endless texts
