One of the numerous factors contributing to the ever-widening gap between Apple and Android is the degree of power that each platform grants its customers. Because Apple notoriously makes unlocking iPhones difficult, you have to rely entirely on carriers like Verizon and AT&T to handle the grunt work for you. Naturally, the ability to unlock the iPhone enables Apple consumers to select their carrier without having to purchase a new device—that is, once you get past the proverbial red tape. This is Apple’s method for doing it.
Step 1: Find Your Carrier
Start by going to Apple carrier support and selecting your carrier. Contact your carrier and request an unlock. Requesting an unlock may take a couple of days. Some carriers, such as Verizon, will automatically do it for free for most phones after 60 days. For AT&T and other carriers, it’s a little different, so check with your carrier to determine whether there will be a charge.
Step 2: Remove the SIM Card
If you’re using a SIM card from another carrier, remove it from your phone after your carrier confirms that your iPhone is unlocked. Insert your new SIM card from your new carrier and wait for the iPhone to activate.
Step 3: If You Don’t Have a SIM Card
If you don’t have another SIM card, you can use these steps to finish unlocking your iPhone:
- Back up your iPhone.
- After you make a backup, erase your iPhone.
- Restore your iPhone from the backup you just made.
At this point, you may see the following message: “The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported. Only compatible SIM cards from a supported carrier may be used to activate iPhone. Please insert the SIM card that came with your iPhone or visit a supported carrier store.”
Don’t panic. Instead follow these steps for a phone with iOS 14:
- Go to Settings, then General, and hit “About.”
- Under Carrier Lock, look for the message that says “No SIM restrictions.”
- If you still don’t see it, you’re going to want to contact your carrier.
For a phone with iOS 13, or earlier:
- Contact your carrier to make sure that they applied the unlock in their system.
- Restore your iPhone to factory settings.
- Restore your iPhone from a backup.
Now That’s Interesting
A locked iPhone doesn’t mean your phone is totally useless. You can even still make calls. Simply ask Siri to call someone in your contact list. You can also still send messages. Ask Siri to send a message to someone in your contacts list. If you don’t want this capability enabled, simply set Allow Siri When Locked to off in Settings > Siri & Search.
