How to Unlock Your Phone From Any Major Carrier
You can switch to another wireless provider without buying a new phone. Here’s how.
Switching to a new cell phone service provider can save you big money—and you don’t have to leave your phone behind when you do it. But before making the change, you may have to unlock your phone from your current carrier’s network, so it will work on the new one.
Unlocking a phone can also make things easier when you’re traveling abroad or trying to get the most money back when selling it.
It isn’t hard to unlock your phone—and it’s completely legal and free—but a little help can go a long way, because the process varies from phone to phone and carrier to carrier.
If you didn’t make a point of buying an unlocked model when you purchased your phone, it’s likely tied to your current network. “When you buy a locked phone, it will work only on that carrier’s service,” says Richard Fisco, who oversees electronics testing at Consumer Reports.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, however, the carrier must unlock your phone free of charge after you’ve fully paid off the device (or coughed up an early termination fee).
In some cases, the only thing you need to unlock your phone is a software update your carrier will push to your device, and then you insert the new carrier’s SIM card and you’re good to go. Or you might need to enter an unlock code provided by your current cell phone company before you can install a new SIM card.
Make Sure Your Phone Is Compatible With the New Network
While most phones can work with any carrier in the U.S., some—especially older devices—might still be confined to specific network types. In the past, two standards divided carriers: Verizon used a standard called CDMA, while AT&T and T-Mobile used GSM.
The quickest way to confirm that your phone is compatible with a new network is to type the IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) number—a unique identifier for every mobile phone manufactured—into an online tool on the carrier’s website.
Almost every carrier, whether one of the three largest (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon) or a smaller provider, will have a section on its website where you can enter your IMEI to confirm that your phone is compatible with its network.
Here’s how to find the IMEI.
- On an Android phone: Go to Settings > About phone. The number should be on that screen.
- On an iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About. Scroll down to find the number. If you don’t see the IMEI/MEID there, the number may be etched on the SIM tray or engraved on the back of the phone.
Next, head to the new carrier’s website and insert the IMEI number into its “bring your own phone” or “bring your own device” tool. Here are the appropriate pages for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Note that if you have a 5G-compatible phone, you’ll also want to make sure it works on your new carrier’s 5G network. While your phone may operate perfectly well on your new carrier’s 4G or LTE network, it might not have the hardware built in to connect with the network’s 5G signals.
You can check your manufacturer’s website for more information, or just give your new carrier a call. And while you have a representative on the phone, you might as well ask if they’ll just give you a great, new smartphone locked to the network free of charge.
The wireless carriers are embroiled in a never-ending war for each other’s customers and will often offer hefty incentives if they think they will get you to switch.
What You'll Need
Once you’ve paid off the phone and confirmed that it will work on the new network, get ready to unlock the phone.
Be sure to keep the IMEI number handy because you’re likely to need it again.
Additionally, you should have some other info ready before you start, including: the account number, the account holder’s name and Social Security number, and the phone number attached to the device you want to unlock.
If you’re in the military and about to be deployed overseas, the carriers will expedite the unlocking process, but you’ll need to provide proof, so gather up your deployment papers, too.
Ready to go? Choose your carrier and complete the final steps.
Unlock a Phone on AT&T
Go to AT&T’s unlock page and select “Submit an unlock request.” You’ll need to agree that you meet the eligibility requirements, then submit the form. Among the requirements: If you paid off your installment plan early, you’ll need to wait 48 hours after you make your final payment to submit the unlock request.
After that, you’ll get a confirmation email with the unlock request number. Click the link in the email within 24 hours to confirm the unlock request. If you wait too long, the request will be canceled and you’ll have to start over again.
AT&T will respond within two business days to confirm that your phone is unlocked.
Here’s AT&T’s SIM unlock policy.
Unlock a Phone on T-Mobile
This carrier restricts how many devices you can unlock in a 12-month period, which can create problems for those on a family plan. If you ask to have more than two T-Mobile phones unlocked in a given year, the company may deny your request.
To unlock a T-Mobile device, go to T-Mobile’s unlock page and follow the steps listed for your phone’s manufacturer.
If at least 40 days have passed since you bought your phone through the carrier and your postpaid account is in good standing, T-Mobile will unlock your phone.
The company may send you an unlock code or ask you to unlock your phone via a T-Mobile app. You can also have your phone unlocked by calling 611 from your T-Mobile phone or 800-937-8997.
Here’s T-Mobile’s SIM unlock policy.
Unlock a Phone on Verizon
This carrier automatically locks any phone bought through Verizon for 60 days. After that 60-day period, your phone is unlocked—with no extra steps needed.
To confirm that your phone is unlocked, you can dial *611 from the device or call Verizon’s customer service at 800-922-0204.
Here’s Verizon’s SIM unlock policy.
