Last updated: 16 October 2026
An unlocked phone accepts a SIM or eSIM from any network. A locked one only works with the carrier that sold it, so a travel eSIM will not connect, even if the phone supports eSIM.
On an iPhone, the check takes 30 seconds: open Settings, then General, then About, and look at Carrier Lock. "No SIM restrictions" means the phone is unlocked. Anything else means it is locked to your carrier.
If it is locked, the fix is usually free, but it takes time:
- Verizon unlocks a phone automatically once it is paid off.
- AT&T unlocks a postpaid phone on request, 60 days after purchase, once it is paid off.
- T-Mobile unlocks a postpaid phone on request after 40 days of service, once it is paid off.
Do it at least two weeks before you fly. An unlock request can take a few business days, and some payment methods add a 35-day delay.
How to check if your phone is unlocked
iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap General, then About.
- Scroll to Carrier Lock.
"No SIM restrictions" means unlocked. "SIM locked" means it is locked to the carrier shown. If you just paid off the phone, restart it and check again: the status can take a day to change.
Android
Android has no setting that every phone shares.
- Samsung Galaxy: on most recent models, open Settings, then Connections, then More connection settings, and look for Network unlock status.
- Google Pixel and other brands: there is usually no status screen. Ask your carrier, or use the test below.
The test that works on any phone
Borrow a friend's SIM from a different carrier, put it in, and restart. If you get bars and can make a call, your phone is unlocked. If you see "SIM not supported" or a request for an unlock code, it is locked.
On an eSIM-only iPhone (every US iPhone since the iPhone 14), you cannot borrow a physical SIM. Use the Carrier Lock screen above instead, or ask your carrier directly.
Checking the phone supports eSIM at all is a separate question. Our 30-second eSIM check covers it, and the compatible devices directory lists models one by one.
Unlock rules by carrier in 2026
| Carrier | Postpaid (monthly plan) | Prepaid | How it unlocks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | When the phone is paid in full, or bought at full price | After 365 days of paid, active service | Automatically |
| AT&T | Bought more than 60 days ago and paid in full, account not past due | After 12 months of paid service | On request at att.com/deviceunlock (some Apple, Samsung and Google phones unlock automatically) |
| T-Mobile | At least 40 days active on T-Mobile and paid in full | After 365 days, or more than $100 of refills in that time | On request, at most 2 unlocks per line per 12 months |
In all three cases the phone must not be reported lost or stolen, and unlocking is free.
Verizon
Verizon changed its rules in January 2026. Until then, every phone unlocked automatically 60 days after activation. The FCC then let Verizon drop that rule, and since 27 January 2026 a Verizon phone stays locked until it is paid off.
- On a device payment plan: the phone unlocks automatically when the balance reaches zero. You do not need to ask.
- Bought at full retail price: it unlocks automatically.
- Paid off with a Verizon Gift Card: the unlock is delayed by 35 days. Paying the balance with a card or bank payment avoids this delay.
- Prepaid: the phone unlocks automatically after 365 days of paid, active service.
- Bought before 27 January 2026: the old 60-day rule still applies.
So if you are still paying off a Verizon phone and fly in three weeks, paying off the balance is the quickest way to unlock it. Check the Carrier Lock screen a day or two later.
AT&T
AT&T unlocks a phone when you ask, once it qualifies:
- Postpaid: bought more than 60 days ago, fully paid off, not active on another AT&T account, and your bill is not past due. Paying off the phone early does not shorten the 60 days.
- Prepaid: 12 months of paid AT&T service.
Submit the request at att.com/deviceunlock. AT&T notes that some eligible postpaid Apple, Samsung and Google phones unlock automatically, so check the Carrier Lock screen first.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile also unlocks on request:
- Postpaid: the phone has been active on T-Mobile for at least 40 days, and any lease or financing is paid in full.
- Prepaid: 365 days since activation, or more than $100 in refills on each line in that time. You also have to wait at least 14 days from purchase.
- Limit: two unlocks per line in any 12 months.
Ask through the T-Mobile app or customer care, then restart the phone once the unlock is confirmed.
Other carriers
Most other US carriers (Visible, Cricket, Mint, Boost, Straight Talk and the rest) follow similar rules: a minimum time on the network, and the phone paid off. Check their policy page, or ask support in chat, which is usually faster than a call.
If your phone is still locked when you leave
You still have options, from cheapest to most expensive:
- Pay off the phone. On Verizon this unlocks it automatically. On AT&T and T-Mobile it makes the phone eligible, as long as the minimum time has passed.
- Use your carrier's day pass. It works on a locked phone, because it is your own carrier. It costs about $10 to $12 a day per line. See our guides for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.
- Bring a second, unlocked phone. An older unlocked phone that supports eSIM can carry the travel eSIM and share data with your main phone over its hotspot.
- Avoid paid unlock services. Websites that sell unlock codes for US phones are slow at best and a scam at worst. The carrier's own unlock is free.
Once your phone is unlocked
Unlocking does not change your plan, your number or your warranty. Your phone keeps working on your carrier exactly as before. It simply accepts a second line too.
For a trip, that means you can:
- Keep your US line for calls and texts, including bank verification codes.
- Add a travel eSIM for data, bought for the country or region you visit.
- Install it at home on Wi-Fi: here is how on iPhone and Android.
If you want to know what that saves compared with roaming, our comparison of travel eSIMs and international roaming puts the numbers side by side.
FAQ
How do I know if my phone is unlocked without a SIM card?
On an iPhone, go to Settings, then General, then About, and look at Carrier Lock: "No SIM restrictions" means unlocked. On Android, check the network unlock status in Settings if your phone has one, or ask your carrier.
Is my phone unlocked if I paid it off?
Not always. Verizon unlocks a phone automatically once it is paid off. AT&T and T-Mobile require you to ask, and AT&T also needs the phone to be at least 60 days old, T-Mobile 40 days of service.
Does unlocking my phone cost anything?
No. AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile unlock eligible phones for free.
Will my phone work abroad if it is locked?
Yes, but only on your own carrier's roaming, such as Verizon TravelPass or the AT&T International Day Pass. A locked phone will not accept a travel eSIM or a local SIM card.
How long does it take to unlock a phone?
Verizon unlocks a paid-off phone automatically, with a 35-day delay if you paid with a Verizon Gift Card. AT&T and T-Mobile usually process a request within a few business days. Allow two weeks before your trip to be safe.
Does unlocking my phone delete anything?
No. Unlocking only removes the carrier restriction. Your data, apps and number stay as they are.
Facts checked on 16 October 2026 against Verizon's and AT&T's own pages.