Natan Abramov
| Updated | 7 min read
The short answer
iPhone users go to Settings > General > About, then scroll to Carrier Lock. If it says "No SIM restrictions" the phone is unlocked, if there's a carrier name there - it is not.
For Android it's a bit trickier, you need to pick a cellular network manually and see if it lists any network but your own.
To check if your phone supports esims, the fastest way is to dial *#06# and look for an EID number, if it exists, the phone supports eSIMs.
If your phone is carrier locked, you can ask the carrier to remove the lock but it can take a few days and some carries don't agree to unlock.
What is a carrier lock
A carrier lock is a restriction the cellular company puts on the device so it only work with their own network. It's not something you can toggle off from your phone.
Carriers usually lock phones when they sell it on an installment plan, a contract discount or cheap prepaid devices. A handset bought from the manufacturer or a retail shop is almost definitely unlocked.
Checking on iPhone
- Open Settings
- Go to General
- Go to About
- Look for Carrier Lock
If it says "No SIM restrictions" the phone will accept an eSIM.
If it shows a carrier name, or "SIM locked", it will not connect to an eSIM network until the lock is removed by the carrier.
Apple writes about it in their support page for unlocking an iPhone.
Checking on Android
There are a few ways to do this on Android, and settings vary between manufacturers.
Samsung usually shows this in Settings > Connections > More connection settings > Network lock status.
If you can't find "Network Lock Status" try:
- Open Settings and go to Connections / Network and internet.
- Go to Mobile networks and then Network operators.
- Turn off "Select automatically" and let it scan.
If you see a list of different networks to connect to, the phone is unlocked.
If you only see your own carrier it's probably locked (make sure you're in a place with good coverage, don't test it in the woods). Also if you can't turn off automatic selection at all - it might mean it's locked as well.
Another test you can do
Try someone else's SIM card
Put a friend's SIM from another network in and see whether the phone connects.
But a lot of modern phones don't even have a physical SIM tray, so it might not be relevant for you.
For example, in the USA all iPhones since iPhone 14, don't have a SIM tray.
Call your Carrier and ask
Your own carrier is the only authority on whether it has locked your phone, and its answer is free.
Most IMEI checkers out there are spam or lead generators trying to sell you an unlocking service that probably won't work.
Does your phone support eSIMs?
Dial *#06# and see if there's an EID number, if yes - the phone supports eSIM.
Or you can check the phone's settings
iPhone: Go to Settings > Cellular and see if you have an "Add eSIM" button.
Android: look for Add eSIM or SIM manager under Settings > Connections.
If you can't find it, check the exact model of the device (because carrier-specific variant might ship without eSIM) and check in our device compatibility directory or GSMArena, it's faster than reading a spec sheet.
If any of this is unfamiliar, see our guide: plain-language eSIM explainer.
A an unlocked phone that has eSIM support, doesn't always guarantee that it supports the radio bands in your destination.
But in reality, this is rarely a problem on new phones, and it's usually not an issue.
What happens if you get this wrong
A carrier locked phone can still install an eSIM, either scanning a QR code or one-click install, you will see the eSIM profile in settings and it looks like it's alright.
But the carrier lock bites when the phone tries to register on a foreign network - it will be refused.
It will fail and it would look like a broken eSIM even though it's not.
So you should take the time to make sure that works before flying and getting stuck in an airport trying to figure this out.
If you're abroad and need to call your cell company back home, you can use CallTuv for international calls.
| Hardware | Carrier lock | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| eSIM chip | No lock | Works as expected |
| eSIM chip | Locked | Profile installs, then no service abroad |
| No eSIM chip | No lock | Nothing to install onto; you need a physical SIM |
| No eSIM chip | Locked | Neither route works until the carrier unlocks it |
What if your phone is locked
You can't bypass a carrier lock on your own, the only way is to reach out to the network operator and ask for an unlock.
Different carriers have different policies, usually to get them to unlock the device:
- The handset has to be paid off in full.
- The account has to be in good standing.
- The line has to have been active for a minimum period, longer on prepaid than on postpaid.
- The unlock request is done through carrier's unlock page/app/support.
It can take a few days, so don't do it on the day you're flying.
An unlocked phone stays unlocked, so once you do it, you don't have to do it again.
Paid unlocking services: search results are full of offers to unlock a phone for a fee. Your carrier will do it for free if you qualify, and no third party can change the carrier's terms. What you are usually buying is someone else submitting the same free request.
What to check before you fly
None of this takes long, and the order matters:
- Double check your phone is not carrier locked.
- Check the EID to make sure your phone supports eSIMs.
- Buy and install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi, iPhone guide or Android guide.
- Check the esim plan covers every destination in your trip, not only the first one.
About installing early - it's only safe if the plan starts when you first connect at the destination, like Pelesim plans, but not all providers work this way. Look for this detail about the plan before you buy it, which you can do on any destination page.
Frequently asked questions
Does my phone need to be unlocked to use an eSIM?
To install an eSIM from a different provider, yes. A carrier lock restricts the handset to lines from the network that locked it, and it treats an eSIM profile exactly the same. An eSIM from your carrier would work fine, which is why some people are sure their locked phone "supports eSIM".
Will a travel eSIM install on a locked phone?
Usually it will install and then fail to connect. Downloading a profile is not interfered by a lock. The lock hits later, when the phone tries to register on a network the lock does not permit.
Can I check if my phone is unlocked using the IMEI?
Not reliably from a free checker. A carrier's own device page uses the IMEI to answer whether a phone works on that network, which is compatibility rather than lock status, and a blocklist lookup only reports whether a handset was flagged as lost or stolen. Most free "IMEI unlock checkers" are advertising for paid unlocking services. Ask the carrier that sold you the phone.
How do I check if my phone is unlocked without another SIM card?
Check the "Carrier Lock" status on iPhone, or use the network operators scan on Android.
Is my phone unlocked if I bought it outright?
Usually, but not always. Full price direct from a manufacturer/retailer is almost definitely unlocked. A phone bought in a carrier's shop might be locked, and a second-hand handset can carry a lock from a network its previous owner used. Spend those ten seconds and check.
How long does it take a carrier to unlock a phone?
Even if you qualify - it can take a few days: the handset generally has to be paid off, the account in good standing, and the line active for a minimum period.
Does unlocking a phone erase it or void the warranty?
No. A carrier unlock changes how the network treats the handset. It does not change the phone, it is not a jalibreak or root.
My phone shows an EID but no Add eSIM option. What is wrong?
Some devices have carrier-specific variants with the feature disabled, or an active carrier lock restricting it. Check the exact model number, not the model name, against a compatibility list before deciding the hardware is at fault.