How to Unlock iPhone Without Carrier [IMEI/Carrier Unlocker/R-SIM]

Contacting the carrier is a useful and common way to unlock your iPhone that is locked to a specific SIM. However, there are cases where you need to unlock your iPhone without carrier. For example, you can’t wait for your carrier to unlock your device. To help you out, we will share you 3 ways to unlock iPhone without carrier here, including using Passixer iPhone Unlocker. Let’s first look into the situations where carrier unlocking isn’t possible and then explore the specific SIM unlocking methods.

When Do You Need to Unlock iPhone Without Carrier

Here are some real reasons why people need to unlock their iPhone without any carrier involvement.

Case 1. You want to unlock your iPhone urgently

Even when all carrier unlock conditions are met, the process usually takes three to five business days. Some carriers delay it further (up to weeks) based on region or internal backlog. You’ll need to request the unlock, submit your IMEI, and wait as they verify everything.

This delay becomes a problem when you need the device unlocked immediately. For example, you’re flying out soon or want to activate a limited-time SIM plan. In such cases, waiting for the carrier isn’t a practical option.

Case 2. You need to unlock a second-hand iPhone without the previous owner

Many second-hand sellers, especially independent ones, don’t mention that their iPhones still have a carrier lock when selling. By the time you realize, they’re unreachable. What’s worse, even with a receipt, most carriers will not help you to unlock the used iPhone.

Without access to the owner or their carrier account, official unlocking becomes difficult. So, it’s better to look for alternatives.

Case 3. You are abroad and find it difficult to contact your carrier

When you’re already overseas, your home carrier might not support international requests. This leaves you with a locked iPhone and no way to activate a local SIM. Unlocking without carrier help becomes the only route forward.

Is It Legal to Unlock Your iPhone Without a Carrier?

Mostly, yes.

In the U.S., for instance, unlocking your own iPhone is legal, especially after the 2014 Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, as long as the device doesn’t involve fraud, stolen devices, or DMCA violations. You’re even allowed to use third-party methods. Many other countries allow legal unlocking too.

And unlocking your iPhone without carrier permission won’t get it blacklisted or void your iPhone warranty generally if you have settled all the fees. So if the process is slow or you can’t get in touch with the carrier, you can consider unlocking iPhone without carrier.

How to Unlock Your iPhone Without Carrier

Now, coming to all the actual methods you can use to remove the SIM lock from different iPhone models, whether the carrier can’t help you or you just don’t want to go through their slow process.

We’ve listed all ways you can decide for yourself the method you want to use.

Way 1. Unlock iPhone with Desktop Tool

Using a software-based tool is the most advanced way to deal with the carrier restrictions on iPhone. And the best tool that you can install on Mac or Windows for SIM lock removal is Passixer iPhone Unlocker.

Passixer removes SIM lock from your iPhone in a longer-lasting and more stable way. It doesn’t matter whether your iPhone is locked to Verizon or T-Mobile in the U.S., O2 in the U.K., or even Orange in the France, Passixer will handle it.

Moreover, you won’t lose any data from your iPhone during the SIM unlocking process. Once unlocked, your phone will become fully compatible with any major physical SIM. You can use your new carrier’s plan for calling, texting, or data—everything will work normally. 

Key Features:

• Unlock iPhone/iPad/iPod without passcode or iTunes.
• Remove iCloud Activation Lock from iDevice when the Apple ID is unavailable.
• Turn off Screen Time without passcode and data loss.
• Bypass MDM restriction without admin or passcode to use your iPad without supervision.

Steps to Use Passixer iPhone Unlocker to Unlock SIM

Step 1. Launch Passixer iPhone Unlocker on your Mac or Windows computer and choose the option labeled Remove SIM Lock from the main screen.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to the computer. Click Start to proceed. 

Step 3. Choose iOS Jailbreak Tutorial to jailbreak your iPhone. After that, hit Next.

Step 4. Passixer will load your iPhone details and just ensure that they are correct. Then, click Start SIM Lock Removal to begin the process.

Step 5. When prompted, disconnect all saved Wi-Fi networks and turn off Wi-Fi from the iPhone’s Settings. Click OK to move forward.

Step 6. After a while, you will receive SIM Lock Removed Successfully prompt. 

Way 2. Unlock iPhone Online

There are plenty of online services that claim to unlock your iPhone remotely without needing to install any tools. All they require is your IMEI number and the removal will be handled from their side.

Some platforms include DoctorSIM, DirectUnlocks, Mobile Unlocked, CellUnlocker, UnlockBase, and Official SIM Unlock. Each of these follows the same principle: take your 15-digit IMEI, check its unlock eligibility and then submit an unlock request directly to Apple’s server database.

However, let’s be clear—this isn’t a one-click yet one-minute method. Most services take 2 to 7 days for normal delivery. Some even stretch up to 30–90 days, depending on the carrier and model.

Note: 

• Many Reddit users and reviewers mention that the unlock is a hit-or-miss scenario.
• Most of these platforms show you a price of US$15 to US$25 upfront. And later, they ask for more, like US$100 to complete the unlock.

Using these online services is fairly straightforward. Most of them follow the same layout and flow. Here are the steps you’ll go through:

Step 1. Head to the site of your choice. Pick your iPhone model, current carrier and the country.

Step 2. Enter your IMEI number in the box. Just make sure you copy it right. After that, click on the unlock button or whatever prompt appears, and the price will show up.

Step 3. Pay what’s displayed and wait. Once the unlock is processed, you’ll usually get a mail saying it’s done.

From there, insert your new SIM and check for service. It should work instantly if the unlock went through.

Way 3. Unlock iPhone Using Hardware

There’s also the older hardware trick: R-SIM or Turbo SIM. These are thin chips that sit underneath your physical SIM and try to fool the iPhone into thinking the inserted SIM is approved by the carrier.

Does it really work? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on your iPhone model, iOS version, the specific R-SIM model (like CLUB2, MKSD, VSOP) and even the SIM vendor you’re buying from: eBay or AliExpress.

The newer R-SIMs (like CLUB2 v8.1 or MKSD V2.0) now support up to iPhone 16 and iOS 17/18. The workflow goes something like this:

Step 1. After inserting both R-SIM and your actual SIM, you’ll get a pop-up. Choose Activate SIM Signal.

Then pick Select Unlock Mode. The options here vary by SIM type. Take for instance:

• ICCID Mode: enter the provided 20-digit code. And these codes will expire with each Apple Update or if there are security updates. So, you’ll need to find new ones.

Step 2. Select your carrier profile (like AT&T, Verizon, etc.) from the listed presets.

Step 3. Once done, your iPhone will reboot or reset the SIM connection. If all goes well, you get network access.

How to Unlock Your iPhone with Carrier

To unlock your iPhone from the carrier, a few things must line up.

First, make sure the phone isn’t under contract or on a payment plan. If everything’s paid off, most phones unlock on their own, but you may not get a notification. So, the first step is to check with your carrier.

If it’s still locked, here’s how to make an unlock request:

• Submit the request through your carrier’s website or mobile app.



• Call customer care – Give them your IMEI and ask directly.

Once submitted, they’ll take several days to process the unlock.

That’s all. You can then use a new SIM.

To Sum Up

That’s everything on how to unlock iPhone without contacting the carrier. Sometimes, reaching out isn’t an option. Other times, the iPhone might’ve come locked through a reseller you can’t trace. Either way, you now have multiple ways to go ahead.

Among them, Passixer iPhone Unlocker stands out as the most reliable choice. It’s a software-based method that works directly and fast. And that’s why it can remove the lock from any popular carriers and ensures a stable unlock across iPhone devices.