Phone won’t work with your SIM card?
Put in a new SIM and got “SIM not supported” or no signal? Your phone is most likely locked to the network it was first sold on. It’s one of the easiest phone problems to fix, and sometimes it costs nothing at all.
On an iPhone
- On the “iPhone Locked to Owner” or Activation Lock screen, tap the small ⓘ button. The IMEI is shown there.
- Or pull out the SIM tray. On most iPhones the IMEI is printed on it in tiny writing.
- Or look on the barcode sticker on the box it came in.
On an Android phone
- Tap Emergency call on the lock screen and type *#06#. On most phones the IMEI pops up straight away. Nothing is actually dialled.
- Or look on the sticker under the battery or on the back of the phone.
- Or check the barcode sticker on the original box.
Why phones get locked to one network
When a network sells a phone cheaply, or on a monthly contract, it sometimes locks the phone so that it only works with that network’s SIM cards. It’s a way of making sure the phone stays a customer of theirs.
Nothing is wrong with the phone itself. It’s simply been told to refuse other networks, and it can be told to accept them again.
The quickest way to fix it
If you know which network the phone came from and you’re still a customer there, start by asking them. Have the phone’s IMEI ready (we show you how to find it, on the right). Many networks will unlock it for free.
Not sure which network, or they won’t help?
That’s common with second-hand phones. Our diagnosis tells you which network the phone is locked to, whether it can be released, and whether there’s anything else on record that would get in the way, such as a lost or stolen report.
If we can arrange the unlock for you, you’ll see the price and how long it takes before you decide. The phone stays with you the whole time.
Common questions
How do I know if my phone is network locked?
Borrow a SIM card from a friend on a different network and put it in. If the phone shows “SIM not supported”, “SIM network unlock PIN” or no signal at all, while your own SIM works fine, it’s very likely locked. Our diagnosis confirms it and tells you which network it’s tied to.
Is unlocking a phone legal?
Yes. Unlocking a phone you own so it works on another network is legal in the UK and the US. It doesn’t affect the warranty, and it doesn’t change anything else about how the phone works.
Can my network unlock it for free?
Often, yes. In the UK, networks have not been allowed to sell locked phones since December 2021, and most will unlock older ones for free. In the US, carriers usually unlock phones once they are fully paid off. If that route is open to you, take it. Your diagnosis will tell you which network to ask.
What if the network says no?
That usually happens because the account is closed, the phone was bought second-hand, or the original owner can’t be traced. That’s where we may be able to help, and your diagnosis will tell you whether we can.
Will unlocking delete anything on my phone?
No. A network unlock doesn’t touch your photos, apps or settings. The phone simply starts accepting SIM cards from other networks.
Find out which network your phone is tied to
Start with the IMEI. We’ll do the checking and explain everything we find.
Check my phone