Network Locked Phone? Here’s How to Unlock It in 2025

A network-locked phone is meant to be used with only one network provider. You will not be able to use a SIM card belonging to any other carrier since the device is meant to be used with only that specific provider. A lot of people wonder whether they can unlock a network-locked phone safely.

Thankfully, the answer is yes, and there are several ways this can be accomplished. In this article, we will take a look at the different ways you can unlock a network-locked phone in 2025.

Part 1. What Does It Mean When Your Phone Is Network Locked?

A network lock ensures that the device is only used with one specific network provider. This is done for a multitude of reasons, one of them being contractual obligations between the phone manufacturer and the network provider. The other is that it allows users to purchase phones at a subsidized rate in comparison to a fully carrier-unlocked version.

You won’t be able to use a SIM card of a different network provider on the network-locked device. If you do so, you will get an error message that usually says “SIM Not Supported,” or something similar.

Part 2. How to Check If Your Phone Is Network Locked

In general, you will not be able to tell if your phone is network locked. There are a couple of small tests that you should perform to see if your device is network locked. Here are some of them:

1. Using a different SIM card: The first way is to insert a SIM card from a different operator than the one the phone is locked to. If it shows an error message or simply doesn’t give you service, your phone is carrier-locked.

2. Checking phone settings: The next way is to check your phone settings. On mobiles such as iPhones, you can head to Settings > General > Carrier Lock. If you see the name of a network carrier here, the device is likely locked to it. Otherwise, your device is unlocked.

3. Using IMEI checker tools online: Yet another way to test whether your phone is carrier locked is to use a free IMEI checker tool. There are many of them, and they will reliably tell you the status of your device once the correct IMEI number is entered.

Part 3. Free Ways to Unlock a Network-Locked Phone

Arguably, the most straightforward way to unlock a network-locked phone is to request an unlock from your carrier. Depending on the network provider you are using, the steps may differ, but the general approach stays the same. Here is a step-by-step guide to requesting an unlock from your carrier:

For AT&T

Firstly, ensure that your connection is at least 60+ days old and that your phone has not been reported lost or stolen. It must also be fully paid off, with no dues for postpaid users. Next, submit an unlock request by entering your phone number and other personal information by clicking this link.

For T-Mobile:

First, ensure that your T-Mobile mobile phone is eligible to be unlocked. You should pay off any previous debts on a postpaid plan and ensure that your device has not been reported as lost or stolen. For prepaid plans, your subscription needs to be at least 365 days old since being registered with T-Mobile, or you must have spent $100 recharging the device.

Then, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Connect your device to mobile data or WiFi.

Step 2: For Android devices, find the “Device Unlock” or “Network Unlock” function in your device’s Settings menu.

Step 2.1: For Apple devices, you will have to directly contact T-Mobile using this link so that they can unlock the device for you.

For Verizon

To unlock your Verizon device, ensure that you have paid off all the installments and own the device outright. You must have been active on the network for at least 60 days, and your account must be in good standing with the company.

Verizon typically unlocks phones after 60 days of activation. If you find that your Verizon device is still locked, you will have to submit a manual request by calling Verizon Prepaid Customer Service at 1-888-294-6804.

Unlocking through your carrier’s online portal

Most carriers allow you to unlock your device online, provided it is eligible to be unlocked. This way, you can complete the process yourself quickly without having to deal with the hassle and delays involved in telephone customer service.

To do so, you first need to log in to your account on your network provider’s website. Then, you’ll have to submit an unlock request by entering the device’s IMEI number. After the application has been reviewed, you will receive the unlocking information that can be used right away.

Eligibility requirements for free carrier unlocks

As previously mentioned, every carrier has a few requirements to unlock your device for free. While the specifics differ, here are some of the general requirements:

• The phone must be fully paid off.
• The contract period must have ended, or there must be no outstanding fees on the account
• The phone must not have been reported as lost or stolen
• The activation and usage at the operator’s side have reached a certain duration. For example, Verizon users must have been on the network for 60 days.
• Your account is under the unlock request limit for a certain period (for example, no more than two complete requests per account in 12 months for T-Mobile).

The IMEI must not be blocked, and the phone should not be on the carrier blacklist.

Part 4. Paid Methods to Unlock a Network-Locked Phone

If, for some reason, you are unable to use the free methods mentioned above and get your device unlocked by your network provider, you might want to consider paid methods to unlock your phone.

Preparation Before Unlocking

Before using any paid unlocking method, make sure you complete the following preparations:

1. Back up your data – This prevents accidental data loss during the unlocking process.
2. Find your IMEI number – Dial *#06# on your iPhone to retrieve it. The IMEI is essential for most unlocking methods.
3. Check eligibility – Some carriers require that you finish your contract or clear outstanding bills before allowing an unlock.

Method 1. Using professional unlocking software

The first and recommended paid unlocking software is Passixer iPhone Unlocker. It is an all-in-one unlocking solution that not only removes screen locks and FRP restrictions but also network/carrier locks. Here are some of its key features that set it apart from the rest of the tools on the market:

To show you exactly how easy it is to use Passixer iPhone Unlocker, here is a step-by-step guide to getting rid of a network lock using the tool:

Step 1. Install and launch Passixer iPhone Unlocker, then choose Remove SIM Lock on the home screen.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a lightning USB cable. 

Step 3. On your iPhone, unlock the screen and tap Trusted when prompted. Passixer will automatically scan your device configuration.

Step 4. Follow the jailbreak instructions provided on-screen. Hit Start, open the iOS Jailbreak Tutorial, and complete the guided steps. Once done, press Next to continue. 

Step 5. After jailbreaking, Passixer will recognize your device and display its information. Review the details, then click Start SIM Lock Removal. 

Step 6. Take out your SIM card, remove all saved Wi-Fi networks, and toggle off Wi-Fi on your iPhone. 

Step 7. With Wi-Fi disabled, Passixer will begin the SIM lock removal process right away.

Step 8. Wait for the process to finish. Once you see the success message, reconnect to Wi-Fi and activate your iPhone again—now unlocked and ready for use.

Method 2. Using third-party IMEI unlock services

Another common method is to purchase an IMEI remote unlock service. The principle is that third-party providers work with carriers or partner channels to officially mark your iPhone as “unlocked” in Apple’s database.

FAQs

Conclusion

While getting your phone network-unlocked from your carrier is the simplest option, it might not work for everyone. If your phone has mistakenly been reported as lost or stolen, or is previously blacklisted, approaching the network provider might not help. In such a scenario, Passixer iPhone Unlocker offers a fast, reliable and efficient solution to network-unlock your device.