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Help · Before you buy

How to tell if your iPhone is unlocked

One screen in Settings tells you. A travel eSIM only works on an iPhone that isn't locked to a carrier.

Check in Settings (iOS 14 or later)

Takes about ten seconds.

  1. 1

    Open Settings

    Then tap General.
  2. 2

    Tap About

    Scroll down until you see Carrier Lock.
  3. 3

    “No SIM restrictions”: unlocked

    Your iPhone can use a RoamClean eSIM, or any other carrier's.
  4. 4

    Anything else: locked

    Your iPhone works only with its current carrier until that carrier unlocks it.

If it's locked

Ask your carrier to unlock it

Apple: “Apple can't unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier. Only your current carrier can unlock your iPhone.”

Ask well before you travel

Apple: “It might take the carrier a few days to complete your request to unlock your iPhone.”

AT&T

Phones bought more than 60 days ago and paid in full, on an account that isn't past due. Eligible iPhone, Samsung and Pixel phones should unlock by themselves; if yours hasn't, send an unlock request. Prepaid: after 12 months of paid service.

Verizon

Unlocked automatically once the phone is paid in full (35 days later if you paid with a Verizon gift card). Prepaid: unlocked automatically after 365 days of paid, active service.

T-Mobile

After 40 days active on the line, with the phone paid in full and the account in good standing. Prepaid: after 365 days, or sooner with more than $100 of refills. T-Mobile unlocks eligible phones within two business days.

Signs your iPhone is locked

Adding a travel eSIM stops at this alert:

eSIM Not Supported
This eSIM is not compatible with this iPhone. Contact your carrier for more information.
The alert a carrier-locked iPhone shows when you add a travel eSIM

With a physical SIM card from another carrier, the alert starts “The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported”. Either way, check Carrier Lock as above.

Older iOS (13 or earlier)

Settings doesn't show Carrier Lock before iOS 14. Update iOS if you can, or ask your carrier whether your iPhone is unlocked.

Unlocked is half of it

Your iPhone also needs to support eSIM: iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later, with exceptions for some models sold in China mainland. Check your model. If you buy without checking and the eSIM can't be installed, you get a full refund. How refunds work.

Sources

Related help

Does my phone support eSIM?

Two checks before you buy: your phone has eSIM, and it isn't locked to a carrier.

Before you buy

Install your eSIM on iPhone

One tap from your order email, or scan the QR code. Do it at home on Wi-Fi.

iPhone

Do I get a phone number?

No. Plans are data only. WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime work over data.

Data only

Get a refund

Never installed? Full refund within 30 days of purchase.

100% money back

Last verified October 1, 2026

Quick Compatibility Check

Two checks before you buy:

1Your phone supports eSIM

Apple iPhone: iPhone XS, XR and later, including SE (3rd gen). SE (2nd gen): Apple's pages disagree, so check for an EID. Most iPhones from China mainland don't support eSIM.
Samsung Galaxy: S20 series and newer, Z Fold and Z Flip models, and some A models depending on region. Google Pixel: Pixel 4 and newer, and some Pixel 3 and 3a models.
Any phone: if Settings shows an “EID” (iPhone: General > About; Pixel: About phone > SIM status), your phone supports eSIM.

2Your phone is unlocked

iPhone, 10 seconds: Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock should say “No SIM restrictions”. A locked iPhone stops at “eSIM Not Supported”.
Android: Samsung shows it under Connections > More connection settings. Pixel or another phone from a carrier: check with your carrier.
Full model list and exceptionsUnlock checks and how to get unlocked