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- Unlocking the device will require you to complete the phone's payment plan and call your carrier to request an unlock (or request one online, if possible).
Let's say you're about to pull a Paul Marcarelli - the "can you hear me now" guy, that is - and ditch Verizon for Sprint. Well, there are just a few things to consider before you make the switch, among them the task of unlocking your iPhone.
It's a necessary step in changing carriers that you might not even know about until you insert that shiny new SIM card into your iPhone, then find that you're unable to send texts or make a call.
If you paid for your device in full at the time of purchase, then it's likely already unlocked, but if you've made payments under an installment plan, you might need the following steps.
Not to be confused with the lock screen that asks for your passcode to gain entry to your phone, this particular "unlocking" is one that Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or the like has employed using software code to ensure a phone only connects to their network.This, of course, will be a problem if you decide to switch carriers and need to connect to their network instead. So, here's an easy step-by-step guide for unlocking your iPhone.
Request an unlock from your carrier
Proceed with a SIM card
Proceed without a SIM card
- Restore the device from your backup.
If you get an error message...
- Double check with your carrier that the unlock was successful on their end.
- Try again to restore the phone from your most recent backup.
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