A new phone bought outright from its maker is normally unlocked: Apple, the Google Store and Motorola’s US store sell unlocked phones, and Samsung sells an Unlocked version of its Galaxy phones next to its carrier versions. A phone from a carrier, or one financed through a carrier’s installment plan even at the maker’s own store, is locked until that carrier’s rules are met. If you’re unsure, a one-minute check on the phone settles it.
Where you buy, and what you get
| Where and how you buy | Carrier lock |
|---|---|
| Apple, paid in full | Unlocked |
| Apple, with Apple Card Monthly Installments or an Apple lease | Unlocked; Apple says these are always unlocked |
| Apple, financed through AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon’s installment plan | Locked to that carrier until paid in full |
| Google Store | Unlocked; Google says all its phones come unlocked |
| Samsung.com, Unlocked version | Unlocked |
| Samsung.com, AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon version | Set up for that carrier; ask whether it ships locked |
| Motorola’s US store | Sold as unlocked models |
| A carrier’s store or website | Locked until that carrier’s unlock rules are met |
| Another retailer | Unlocked only if it’s sold as an unlocked model |
Why carrier phones come locked
Carriers often sell phones at a discount or on monthly payments in return for you staying on their service. The lock is how they keep the phone on their network until it’s paid for or a set time has passed. The FCC’s advice is simple: unless a phone was sold to you specifically as unlocked, assume it’s locked, wherever you bought it.
That’s why the same model can arrive locked or unlocked. A phone from a big-box store may be a carrier model, and a carrier deal at a maker’s own store can come with a carrier lock attached.
Financing: who lends matters
Apple’s buying page shows the difference clearly. Pay in full or use Apple Card Monthly Installments, and the iPhone is unlocked from the start. Choose the AT&T Installment Plan, T-Mobile’s Equipment Installment Plan or Verizon Device Payment at checkout, and the iPhone stays locked to that carrier until the balance is paid. A carrier plan can still be a good deal, as long as you know the lock comes with it.
How long a carrier phone stays locked
- Verizon: unlocked automatically once the phone is paid off; prepaid after 365 days of paid, active service.
- AT&T: bought more than 60 days ago and paid in full; prepaid after 12 months of paid service.
- T-Mobile: 40 days of use on the line and paid in full; prepaid after 365 days, or more than $100 in refills in that time.
Our guide is my phone eligible for unlock goes through the general rules, and carrier-locked vs unlocked phones explains what the lock does day to day.
Check a new phone in a minute
- 1iPhoneSettings → General → About → Carrier Lock. “No SIM restrictions” means unlocked.
- 2Recent Samsung GalaxySettings → Connections → More connection settings → Network lock status.
- 3Pixel, Motorola and othersCheck the carrier account, or try an active SIM from another carrier if the phone has a SIM slot.
- 4Apple and Samsung, without the accountAn IMEI check on our IMEI check page shows the carrier on record, with no SIM or account needed.
