Detailed Guide on How to Unlock iPhone from Carrier Correctly

Updated by Lisa Ou / January 23, 2026 05:00

Are you having difficulty with how to carrier unlock iPhone? You're not alone, as numerous users also find themselves restricted to a single network after purchasing a contract-based iPhone, causing some significant network limitations. For instance, you won’t be able to enjoy better promotions, cheaper plans, or better customer service from other carriers. You will also be required to pay expensive roaming fees and be stuck with the current carrier’s price increases.

Fortunately, carrier unlocking is possible, allowing you to remove these restrictions and enjoy all the advantages that come with it. Whether you’re seeking an unlocking method with or without the carrier, the information in the following sections will guide you. From each technique’s necessary details to the step-by-step process, you can rely on every section to unlock your iPhone from its carrier smoothly.

Guide List

• Part 1. Find Out If Your iPhone Is Locked
• Part 2. How to Unlock iPhone from Carrier
• Part 3. How to Unlock iPhone without Carrier
• Part 4. FAQs about Carrier Unlock iPhone

Part 1. Find Out If Your iPhone Is Locked

Before doing any process, the appropriate and initial action to take is to find out if your iPhone is locked. Perhaps the iPhone isn’t locked because you directly bought from Apple, you didn’t notice that your service contract is already completed and has automatically unlocked, etc. So, it would be best to check if the device is locked to its carrier first before taking any further action. Besides avoiding causing other issues, it would also save you time and hassle. That said, we highly suggest not skipping this part, as it will be a significant help in indicating your next action.

Be guided by the appropriate steps below to find out if you need to unlock iPhone from carrier by checking first if it’s locked:

Step 1Start by opening your iPhone’s Settings app from the Home screen or App Library. Once its interface is displayed, move on to the General section and tap About, which is on the upper part of the screen.

Step 2Afterward, scroll down to browse your iPhone’s information on the following screen. When the Carrier Lock option is shown, you will see “No SIM restrictions beside” it if the device is unlocked. If not, it means that it is still locked to its carrier, and you can proceed.

Other than having a carrier-locked iPhone, you might also experience being locked out of iPhone because of a forgotten passcode later. So, FoneLab iOS Unlocker is highly suggested in Part 3, as it not only handles carrier-locked iPhones; it also wipes device passcodes.

Part 2. How to Unlock iPhone from Carrier

Once you ensure that your iPhone truly is locked to its carrier, the first and official action to take is to contact your carrier. This is the most legitimate, secure, and typically free method to unlock your device, as carriers are legally obligated to unlock phones for eligible customers. Meanwhile, note that this process won’t simply end once you contact them. You will be required to submit specific information, such as your iPhone’s IMEI, for them to successfully unlock it. Choosing this official route not only guarantees your device’s safety but also safeguards its warranty, ensuring a clean transition to network freedom without any risk of future complications.

Go along with the suitable process below to perform an iPhone carrier unlock process by contacting your carrier:

Step 1First, find your carrier’s contact information online or through the details that came with the device when you purchased it. Then, use that to communicate with the carrier, whether through a call or online chat, depending on the contact details, and request to unlock your iPhone. You may then need to verify your ownership by answering their questions.

Step 2After that, they will gather the required information about the device, including the IMEI number. Ensure you provide the details the carrier asks for to process the unlocking successfully. Once everything is okay, let them instruct you further to unlock your iPhone.

Unfortunately, there are times when the carrier can’t be contacted or is unavailable. Your original carrier may be geographically or operationally inaccessible, or it is also possible that you are a second-hand user of the iPhone and don’t have the necessary credentials to unlock the device by contacting the carrier. Regardless, kindly continue below for an alternative solution.

Part 3. How to Unlock iPhone without Carrier

If the previous process is not possible, you still have FoneLab iOS Unlocker. It is a sought-after unlocking program that can handle various iOS and iPadOS locks, including carrier-locked iPhones. It is developed to make it convenient for users to remove SIM locks, allowing them to explore different networks that will provide more freedom and advantage to their devices.

Another trait that makes users trust FoneLab iOS Unlocker is its user-friendly design. Unlocking the iPhone’s carrier may seem technical, but with this program, you don’t have to worry about complications or having advanced knowledge. All its unlocking functions are straightforward, and you must only manage the designated options, which will be tackled shortly. Meanwhile, compatibility is also not an issue since most iPhone models and versions are supported by this tool.

FoneLab iOS Unlocker

FoneLab Helps you unlock iPhone screen, Removes Apple ID or its password, Remove screen time or restriction passcode in seconds.

• Helps you unlock iPhone screen.
• Removes Apple ID or its password.
• Remove screen time or restriction passcode in seconds.

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Discern the secure procedure below as a sample of how to unlock iPhone without carrier with FoneLab iOS Unlocker:

Step 1Begin the process on FoneLab iOS Unlocker’s website. You must only hit Free Download in its left section to save the unlocker’s installation file, then access it in your Downloads. Simply launch it for a quick program setup and installation, and you can immediately start it afterward.

Step 2As you can see, the program’s interface contains various unlocking features, such as Unlock Screen Time, Bypass iCloud Activation Locks, and more. Choose Unlock SIM Card from there and attach your carrier-locked iPhone using a compatible Lightning cable.

Step 3Once connected, the program will be ready, providing on-screen prompts and directions to assist you through the process. Use them accordingly, and later, the tool will successfully unlock your iPhone from its carrier, even without their help.

It was previously mentioned that FoneLab iOS Unlocker isn’t only for carrier-locked iPhones. Well, that is correct, as this unlocking program can also delete iPhone passcode, password, Touch ID, or Face ID, to let you reaccess the device. Aside from that, functions to remove the Apple ID, bypass the Screen Time, and more are available if you suddenly need them later.

Part 4. FAQs about Carrier Unlock iPhone

Contacting your iPhone’s carrier may be the only official method to unlock the device, but with FoneLab iOS Unlocker, you no longer have to worry about such limitations. Besides, it can offer more functions for other locks you may encounter later; thus, install and enjoy its services.