How to Deal with a SIM-Locked iPhone You Purchased

Getting a second-hand iPhone at a great price feels like a win. Maybe you just wanted an extra phone at a cheaper price. Or you might have found a great deal and decided to get it for your child. And then comes the disappointments — you discover the phone has a SIM lock. Still, there’s no need to panic. This guide will walk you through how to handle the used iPhone with a SIM lock, including several ways(e.g. Passixer) to remove SIM lock from second-hand iPhone.

Can a Second-Hand SIM-Locked iPhone Be Used?

Yes, you can use your SIM-locked phone even it’s second-hand. 

A SIM-locked iPhone simply means it is restricted to one carrier. If you know which carrier your iPhone is locked to, you can use another SIM card from that carrier. This way, you can use cellular data and make phone calls. In terms of other features, it is similar to any other iPhone. Wi-Fi, App Store, and calling through WhatsApp or Telegram will work normally.

Note: If the previous owner has not removed their account and the account has unpaid bills. The carrier will not allow other SIM on the same phone. 

What to Do First After Buying a SIM-Locked Used iPhone

Here are some immediate steps that can take when you find that the second-hand iPhone is carrier-locked.

Contact the Seller for Help as Soon as Possible

Many Apple Community members who had the same problem suggested reaching out to the seller immediately.

• Some marketplaces like eBay have buyer protection. So, if the iPhone was falsely advertised, ask the seller to unlock the phone or take it back.
• Even if it was bought from a local shop: clearly state the problem and demand an unlocked iPhone.

In both cases, acting quickly can help you resolve this.

Request the Original Carrier to Unlock Your Phone

The carrier can sometimes help unlock a second-hand phone if you have the IMEI number, the account information, or proof of purchase. Simply find out which carrier has locked your second-hand phone and then unlock your used iPhone with their help.

Return and Refund

Redditors also say that 99.99% of the time, a SIM lock or carrier lock on the iPhone means the previous owner has not completed their part of the contract.

In that case, you cannot unlock iPhone carrier lock until you meet the unlock eligibility requirements. This could mean clearing unpaid bills left by the previous owner.

So, it is better to simply return the phone and ask for your original price back. You can look for other iPhone deals or even consider buying a new iPhone instead.

How to Check Which Carrier Your Second-Hand iPhone Is Locked to

Identifying the carrier is only part of the equation. A second-hand iPhone can also have other types of locks and knowing which one you’re dealing with will decide your next step.

Common Locks Found on Second-Hand iPhone

These three locks are the most common in second-hand iPhone and a carrier can only assist in one of them.

SIM Lock

Also called a carrier lock, this ties your iPhone to a single network. When you insert a SIM from another carrier, the iPhone will trigger an error such as “SIM Not Supported” or “SIM Not Valid”.

And to check if your iPhone is unlocked without a SIM card:

On iOS 14 or later: go to Settings > General > About and look for the Carrier Lock field. If the line says:

• No SIM restrictions means the iPhone has no carrier restrictions.



• A message like SIM Locked means it will only work with one carrier.

On older iOS versions: contact Apple and provide your IMEI number to find out the carrier details.

iCloud Activation Lock

Unlike a SIM lock, Activation Lock prevents you from even setting up the device. It occurs when the previous owner restores their iPhone with Find My on. The only solution here is to enter the Apple ID and password or the device passcode to remove it. However, many people couldn’t connect with the previous owner.

Don’t worry! You can use Passixer iPhone Unlocker to bypass iCloud Activation Lock Without Apple ID.

Blacklist Lock

A blacklist lock can occur even when the device is not SIM-locked. It means the phone’s IMEI number has been reported as lost or stolen to the carrier and this status is shared with other carriers in the region.

When blacklisted, the phone will show “No Service” with any SIM card, and no carrier will allow the device on their network.

Checking iPhone Carrier by IMEI for Free

As you can’t contact the previous owner of your second-hand iPhone, you need to identify the carrier yourself. You can check the iPhone carrier by IMEI for free via online services. They will ask your 15-digit IMEI number and show all multiple details like: the carrier name, lock status, blacklisted or not.

You can find your IMEI by:

• Going to Settings > General > About
• Dialling *#06#

Then, go to websites like Swappa or IMEIPro that lets you check IMEI online at no cost and view the complete status of your device.

How to Use Your Second-Hand iPhone Without Carrier Unlock

Removing the carrier lock from the second-hand iPhone isn’t always immediately possible. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on calling, texting or using mobile data. A locked iPhone will still work flawlessly with a SIM from the carrier it’s tied to.

Below are three common scenarios people turn to when faced with this situation.

Case One: Buy a New SIM While Keeping the Old One

This one is straightforward: you simply get a new SIM from the locked carrier while keeping your old number active.

Cost:

You’ll pay for a new SIM card and plan on top of keeping your current number active. For example:

• In the US: SIM card costs US$0–US$6, plans range from US$10–US$30(basic prepaid) to US$40–US$60 (unlimited/mid-range) for a month.
• In the EU: SIM/eSIM costs €10–€50, with plans from €50（30days).

So you’ll add these charges to your existing monthly plan.

Pros:

• Work immediately – no need to wait for unlock.
• Avoid legal issues with carriers for breaking the contract.
• You can keep your old number active elsewhere.

Cons:

• You’ll pay for two plans at the same time.
• Managing two numbers can be inconvenient.
• Your old SIM still won’t work in the locked iPhone, if it is from a different carrier.

How to Do:

Step 1. Confirm which carrier your iPhone is locked to (using the earlier methods). Then, visit their store or website to purchase a SIM card and plan. Simply choose prepaid for short-term use or postpaid if you plan to keep it longer.

Step 2. Insert the new SIM into your iPhone and complete the standard activation process. Once active, you’ll have full access to calling, texting, and mobile data.

Case Two: Deactivate the Old SIM Card and Purchase a New One

Another common route for people in the same situation is to fully switch to the carrier your iPhone is locked to and commit to it.

Cost:

There are two potential costs here:

• Any termination fees or device payoff owed to your old carrier, if applicable. For example:
• US: US$150–US$350 for early termination or remaining device balance.
• EU: 2 months’ fees or 25% of contract.

• The cost of starting a new plan with the locked carrier, including any SIM activation fee they charge. For example:
• US: US$10–US$70+/month + activation fee US$0–US$35.
• EU: €10–€60+/month + activation fee €0–€30.

Pros:

• One bill and one service to manage.
• No waiting period — you can sign up in-store and have the iPhone running within minutes.

Cons:

• You’ll lose your old phone number (if you don’t port it).
• The new carrier’s pricing and plans will not match what you’re used to.
• If you’re still under contract with your old carrier, you could end up paying for two carriers at once until the contract ends.
• Some carriers make cancellation complicated, so clearing the old account will take time and persistence.
• All services linked to your old phone number will become unavailable and you will need to contact each of them individually to update your number.

How to Do:

Step 1. Contact your old carrier and go through the SIM cancellation process.

Step 2. Purchase a new SIM card from the carrier that has locked your second-hand iPhone. Choose a plan that meets your needs.

That’s it! You can insert the SIM into your second-hand iPhone and your device will connect to the new network.

Case Three: Mobile Number Portability

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is another common solution for this problem. It’s especially useful if you want to keep your long-held phone number and use your second-hand iPhone without carrier unlocking.

Cost:

• Porting: usually free
• Early termination: US$150–US$350, 2 months fee/25% contract in euros
• New plan: US$10–US$70+/month, €10–€60+/month

Pros:

• Keep your existing number so contacts can reach you without changes and the phone-related services are activate.
• Full use of the iPhone on the new network.
• Single plan, no juggling numbers.
• Fresh start with a new carrier.
• Possible incentives for switching (some carriers offer them).

Cons:

• Leaving your old carrier entirely.
• The porting process takes time.
• Any contract obligations with the old carrier could cause issues.

How to Do:

Step 1. Prepare for porting but do not cancel your old service yet. Gather details like your account number, account PIN and the name of your current carrier.

Step 2. Visit the carrier your iPhone is locked to and tell them you want to bring your number from your current carrier.

For example, if your iPhone is locked to Verizon and you use AT&T originally, go to Verizon and request to switch AT&T to Verizon.

Step 3. Provide the required account details so the new carrier can initiate the transfer. They will handle the porting process from their end.

Step 4. Activate the new SIM once the transfer starts and verify service on your iPhone. The port usually completes in three to five days. When it does, your old service will automatically end and your new plan will be active.

How to Use Your Second-Hand iPhone by Unlocking Carrier Lock

Removing the carrier lock from your second-hand iPhone gives you more freedom when choosing a carrier and plan. Here are three ways to get it done.

Way 1. Use IMEI Unlock Software

IMEI unlock software, otherwise known as online IMEI unlock services, is often suggested for dealing with a carrier lock largely because of the convenience it brings. These websites ask you to submit the IMEI number of your SIM-locked iPhone and they claim they can remove the lock remotely within 24 hours.

If you want to try this route, your first step is to choose a reputable IMEI unlock service. We can’t recommend one universally, as results vary depending on your region, carrier and iPhone model, but you can review detailed guides before committing. Examples include:

• CellUnlocker.net review
• doctorSIM review
• DirectUnlocks review
• Mobile Unlocked review
• Official SIM Unlock review
• Unlockbase review

Steps to Use

Step 1. Go to the provider’s homepage (e.g., DirectUnlocks) and enter your iPhone IMEI number and other required info.

Step 2. Pay the fee to unlock your phone.

Step 3. Wait while the service unlocks your iPhone.

Step 4. Insert a new SIM card and confirm the device now works on the new network.

Possible Issues You May Face

• These websites often advertise “24-hour unlock” and “100% guarantee”. In reality, about 99% of them fail to deliver.
• Even the few that do work only offer around a 15–20% success rate, depending on your carrier and region.



• You may need to wait as long as three months without results, with customer support simply repeating vague reasons like “90% success” to keep the process going.



• You may pay an initial US$20–US$50 just for “eligibility checks” and will be asked for a much larger fee later.

Be prepared to accept these risks if you choose this route.

Way 2. Use iPhone Carrier Unlocker

Using a carrier unlocking tool like Passixer iPhone Unlocker is one of the most reliable ways to remove a SIM lock from a second-hand iPhone.

With Passixer, it doesn’t matter which network your second-hand iPhone is tied to — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or a carrier from the UK, Canada, New Zealand, or anywhere else. Once the SIM Unlocking process is complete, the phone will accept SIM cards from popular carrier brand, both local and international. This means you can swap carriers freely, use cheaper local plans while abroad and avoid the unlock delays caused by carriers.

Highlight: Passixer remains one of the most trusted choices for anyone looking for a reliable iPhone Carrier Unlocker. If you want to compare options, you can also explore our iMyFone SIM Unlock Review and Review for Dr.Fone SIM Unlock Service. While those tools have their place, Passixer consistently delivers better results when you need to unlock iPhone without carrier limitations.

Steps to Use

Step 1. Open Passixer iPhone Unlocker on your computer and choosing Remove SIM Lock from the main menu. Connect your iPhone with a certified USB cable. 

Step 2. Hit Start when the program detects the device.

Step 3. You’ll then see the iOS Jailbreak Tutorial option. Click it and follow the instructions carefully to prepare your iPhone for SIM lock removal. Once it’s ready, click Next.

Step 4. Passixer will now display your iPhone’s details. Check everything and then choose Start SIM Lock Removal.

Step 5. On your iPhone, remove the SIM card, head into Settings, erase any saved Wi-Fi networks and turn Wi-Fi off completely. Next, reinsert the SIM card and Passixer will confirm when the device is ready and you can press OK to continue.

Step 6. After a short wait, a message will appear saying SIM Lock Removed Successfully. At that point, your iPhone will work with SIM cards from popular carriers.

Way 3. Use SIM Chip

You can also go for the old-school iPhone SIM chip unlock method. One reason many people turn to SIM chips like R-SIM, Gevey SIM, Turbo SIM, or Magic SIM is because you can unlock the iPhone carrier without a computer.  

The way it works is simple. You buy a thin, physical chip from an online marketplace and place it in the SIM tray along with the SIM card you actually want to use. Then, the chip essentially bypasses the carrier lock.  

Steps to Use

Depending on the SIM chip brand you choose, the process will vary slightly. In general, you’ll need to:

• Purchase a compatible unlock chip. Make sure it works with both your second-hand iPhone model and its iOS version.

• Place the unlock chip first and then insert your desired SIM card on top of it.
• Follow the instructions included with your SIM chip. Most will require entering a special ICCID code (20 digits) and then restarting your iPhone to get service.

Possible Issues You May Face

• Whether it’s R-SIM, GV SIM, or any other, many sellers on marketplaces like Amazon or eBay sell fakes.
• You will have to try multiple chips before getting one to work, even if the compatibility matches your device.
• SIM chips work by tricking the iPhone with a code, but every iOS update can break that code. You’ll need to find a new one or buy a new chip each time.
• Stability and reliability of the SIM chip are inconsistent. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. There’s no permanent guarantee.
• No eSIM support.
• Physical tray wear. Since the chip and SIM have to fit together, the tray becomes tight. Frequent removal or reinsertion can cause permanent damage to the SIM tray.

Which Way Is Better for You?

All three methods above can remove carrier restrictions from a second-hand iPhone. The differences between them are easier to see side-by-side, so here’s a simple table to help you compare and choose the best way to remove an iPhone carrier lock.

Can You Put Any SIM Card in the Unlocked and Used iPhone?

Yes, if your second-hand iPhone is truly unlocked, you can use any SIM card in it.

Just note: Your iPhones must support the network type. Most modern models are compatible with both GSM (AT&T, T-Mobile, Vodafone, etc.) and CDMA (Verizon, Sprint), but older iPhones will only work on GSM.

Now, let’s see how to move a SIM card to a new unlocked iPhone:

• For a physical SIM: Remove the SIM tray, insert the nano-SIM, and push the tray back in. Then, activate the SIM by following your carrier’s instructions, which involves installing their app and completing setup.



• For an eSIM: Go to the Settings menu. Choose Cellular (or Mobile Data) and tap on the Add eSIM link. You will get the option to: scan QR code or enter the details manually. Choose one to register and activate the new eSIM.

What Else You Should Check When Getting a Second-Hand iPhone

When you’re buying a second-hand iPhone, you already know about the obvious checks — carrier lock, blacklisted IMEI, Activation Lock that we introduce above. However, there are also other things people often overlook when purchasing used iDevices. Here’s how to ensure you’re buying a totally-usable iPhone.

Check Apple ID Login Credentials

Make sure the iPhone isn’t still logged into the previous owner’s Apple ID. Some sellers hand it over without signing out properly, which means you can’t use iCloud, iTunes, the App Store or Find My iPhone.

Checking takes seconds: open the Settings menu — if you see a name or email at the top that isn’t yours, it’s still linked to the previous-owner’s account. In such cases, ask them to sign out right in front of you.

If you can’t reach the previous owner, you’ll need a tool — Passixer iPhone Unlocker to delete Apple ID without password. This way, you can log in with your own Apple ID and fully use each iPhone feature. 

Check Screen Time Settings

Another thing to watch is Screen Time restrictions:

If Screen Time is turned on and you don’t have the passcode, you could wipe the phone and start fresh. 

Another cleaner way to turn off Screen Time without passcode is to use Passixer iPhone Unlocker. Passixer allows you to remove Screen Time restrictions from second-hand iPhone without factory reset. 

Check MDM Configuration

There’s also MDM — Mobile Device Management. This type of lock comes from schools or workplaces, which are commonly sold as second-hand. And you won’t be able to remove the profile without the credentials.

Worry not, Passixer can bypass MDM on iPhone without password for you.

Check Whether the iPhone Is a Certified Refurbished Device

This one is not a lock, but it is worth checking. Apple-certified refurbs are generally excellent and sometimes are even better than new units because they’ve been tested twice.

To check whether your second-hand iPhone is a refurbished one: Go to Settings > General > About. Then, look at the model number. Here’s what each number means:

If you don’t have the iPhone in hand and still want to make sure you’re buying a certified refurb, stick to places like Apple’s own refurbished store, Back Market, Swappa, or Amazon Renewed.

Conclusion

Now you know what to do if you bought a second-hand iPhone and discovered it has a SIM lock. The first step is always to contact the seller. If the seller cannot assist, then move on to other unlocking methods.

And the most reliable way to remove SIM lock from second-hand iPhone is by using Passixer iPhone Unlocker. Passixer can remove the lock within 30 minutes, letting you use your own SIM on the phone freely. Once unlocked with Passixer, your iPhone will be ready for calls, texts, and data with any carrier you choose.