How to Check Whether an iPhone Is Unlocked Before Buying: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

An unlocked iPhone works with any carrier worldwide. A locked iPhone is restricted to one specific network. Before buying a used iPhone, always check its lock status — it takes less than 2 minutes and can save you from wasting thousands of taka.

Buying a second-hand iPhone can be a great deal, but only if the device is truly unlocked. A locked iPhone can only connect to the carrier it was originally tied to, making it useless on your local network. In Bangladesh, this is especially important because most imported iPhones come from the US, UK, or other regions and may be locked to foreign carriers.

This complete guide will walk you through every method to check whether an iPhone is unlocked before you pay — from a quick Settings check to IMEI verification — so you never get stuck with a locked device.

What You’ll Learn in This Guide

• What does “unlocked” mean on an iPhone?
• Why checking the unlock status matters before buying
• Method 1: Check via iPhone Settings (fastest way)
• Method 2: Insert a Different SIM Card
• Method 3: Check IMEI Number Online
• Method 4: Check iCloud Activation Lock Status
• Method 5: Contact the Carrier Directly
• Red flags when buying a used iPhone
• FAQs about locked and unlocked iPhones

What Does “Unlocked” Mean on an iPhone?

An unlocked iPhone has no SIM restrictions and can use any carrier’s SIM card worldwide. A locked iPhone is tied to one specific network and will display “SIM Not Supported” if you insert a different carrier’s SIM.

When an iPhone is sold through a carrier on a payment plan or contract, the carrier “locks” that device to its network. This prevents the buyer from switching to a competitor before the contract ends. Once the contract is paid in full, the carrier is supposed to unlock the device.

In contrast, iPhones purchased directly from Apple or from trusted retailers are sold as factory unlocked—meaning they work with any SIM card from any carrier, anywhere in the world.

Locked vs. Unlocked iPhone — Quick Comparison

Locked iPhone:

• Can only use one specific carrier’s SIM
• Shows “SIM Not Supported” with other SIMs
• Lower resale value
• Cannot be used internationally without unlocking

Unlocked iPhone:

• Works with any carrier’s SIM worldwide
• Shows “No SIM Restrictions” in Settings
• Higher resale value
• Perfect for international travel and local use in Bangladesh

Why Checking iPhone Lock Status Matters Before Buying?

Buying a locked iPhone by mistake is one of the most common and costly errors second-hand buyers make. Here’s exactly why you should always check:

• A locked iPhone tied to a foreign carrier (like AT&T or T-Mobile) will not work with any Bangladeshi SIM card
• Unlocked iPhones fetch significantly higher resale value, sometimes 10–20% more than locked ones
• Carrier unlocking after purchase requires contacting the original carrier, which can be impossible if you’re overseas
• Some locked iPhones are also blacklisted or reported stolen, making them completely unusable

Warning: Never assume a used iPhone is unlocked just because the seller says so. Always verify yourself using one of the methods below.

Method 1: Check iPhone Lock Status via Settings (Easiest & Fastest)

Go to Settings → General → About → scroll down to find “Carrier Lock” or “Network Provider Lock”. If it says “No SIM Restrictions”, the iPhone is unlocked.

This is the most reliable method and works on any iPhone running iOS 14 or later. You don’t need an internet connection, and the result is shown instantly.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Unlock the iPhone and open the Settings app (the grey gear icon)
2. Tap on General
3. Tap on About
4. Scroll down to find Carrier Lock or Network Provider Lock
5. Read the result

What the Result Means:

“No SIM Restrictions” → The iPhone is fully unlocked and will work with any SIM card from any carrier worldwide. 

“SIM Locked” or “Locked to [Carrier Name]” → The iPhone is locked to a specific carrier. You will need to contact that carrier to request an unlock. 

Tip: This method requires you to have physical access to the iPhone. If you’re buying online, ask the seller to send a screenshot of this screen.

Method 2: Insert a SIM Card from a Different Carrier

This is the oldest and most definitive hardware test for unlock status. If the phone accepts the new SIM and connects to the network, it’s unlocked. If it shows an error, it’s locked.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Power off the iPhone
2. Eject the SIM tray using a SIM ejector tool or a small pin
3. Insert a SIM card from a different carrier (a Bangladeshi SIM like Grameenphone, Robi, or Banglalink works perfectly)
4. Power the iPhone back on
5. Try making a call or loading a webpage

What the Result Means:

Phone connects and shows signal bars → The iPhone is unlocked 

Shows “SIM Not Supported” or “Invalid SIM” → The iPhone is carrier locked 

Shows “Activation Required” → The iPhone may have iCloud Activation Lock—this is a different issue (see Method 4 below)

Note: iPhones purchased in the USA from iPhone 14 onward have no SIM tray (US eSIM-only models). For these, skip to Methods 3 or 5.

Method 3: Check IMEI Number Online

Every iPhone has a unique 15-digit IMEI number. You can use this number to check the carrier lock status, blacklist status, and iCloud Activation Lock status online — even before meeting the seller in person.

How to Find the iPhone IMEI Number:

• Dial *#06# on the iPhone—the IMEI appears on screen instantly
• Go to Settings → General → About → scroll down to IMEI
• Check the back of the original retail box—the IMEI is printed on the label
• On newer iPhones without a SIM tray, the IMEI is engraved on the device itself

How to Use IMEI to Check Unlock Status:

1. Get the IMEI number from the seller before meeting or paying
2. Visit a trusted IMEI-checking website (such as imei.info or imei.org)
3. Enter the IMEI number in the search field
4. Click “Check” and wait for the result
5. Review the report—it will show SIM lock status, carrier, country, and blacklist status

What to Look for in the IMEI Report:

• SIM Lock: Should say “Unlocked” or “No SIM Lock”
• Carrier: Shows which carrier the phone was originally sold through
• Blacklist Status: Should say “Clean”—avoid any iPhone listed as “Blacklisted.”
• iCloud FMI Status: Should say “OFF” — see Method 4 for more details

Tip: Always request the IMEI from the seller before you travel to meet them. If they refuse to provide it, that is a serious red flag.

Method 4: Check iCloud Activation Lock Status

Cloud Activation Lock (Find My iPhone) is a separate security feature from carrier lock. If Find My iPhone is enabled, the device is permanently tied to the previous owner’s Apple ID. Even after a factory reset, the phone will remain locked and be completely unusable without the original Apple ID and password.

This is arguably the most dangerous trap when buying a used iPhone. A phone with iCloud Activation Lock enabled is essentially a very expensive paperweight — it cannot be set up, used, or bypassed without the original owner’s credentials.

How to Check Activation Lock In Person:

1. Ask the seller to turn off the iPhone and then power it back on
2. If the phone was already reset, it will show the “Hello” setup screen
3. Proceed through language and Wi-Fi setup
4. If you see a screen asking for an Apple ID and password from the previous owner, the phone has Activation Lock. Do NOT buy it.
5. If setup proceeds normally without asking for a previous Apple ID, the phone is clean 

How to Check Activation Lock via Settings (if phone is already set up):

1. Go to Settings → tap the owner’s name/Apple ID at the top
2. Tap Find My → tap Find My iPhone
3. If it shows “On,” iCloud Lock is active. Ask the seller to turn it off before you pay.

Warning: Apple removed its official online Activation Lock checker in 2017. Do not trust third-party websites that claim to remove or bypass Activation Lock, these are almost always scams.

Safest approach: Ask the seller to factory reset the iPhone in front of you before payment. After a clean reset, the “Hello” screen should appear without requesting any previous Apple ID.

Method 5: Contact the Carrier Directly

If you know which carrier the iPhone is locked to (from the IMEI check or the Settings screen), you can contact that carrier directly to verify the unlock status and ask about the unlock requirements.

How to Do It:

1. Find the IMEI number using Method 3 above
2. Identify the original carrier from the IMEI report
3. Call or chat with that carrier’s customer support
4. Provide the IMEI number and ask: “Is this device unlocked? What are the requirements to unlock it?”

When This Method Is Most Useful:

• The IMEI report says “Locked,” and you want to confirm unlock requirements
• You want official written confirmation of the unlock status
• The seller claims the phone has been unlocked, but Settings still shows “SIM Locked.”

Tip: For US carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, unlock requests can often be submitted online through their official unlock portals. Processing usually takes 24–72 hours.

Red Flags to Watch for When Buying a Used iPhone

Beyond checking the lock status, here are the warning signs that should make you walk away from a deal:

Seller refuses to provide the IMEI number: A legitimate seller has nothing to hide. Refusing to share the IMEI is a major red flag.

Price is significantly below market value: If a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is. The phone may be stolen, locked, or blacklisted.

Seller cannot sign out of iCloud: If the seller cannot remove their Apple ID from the device, you will be stuck with an Activation Locked phone.

IMEI check shows “Blacklisted”: A blacklisted iPhone has been reported lost or stolen. Carriers will refuse service to this device.

Settings does not show “No SIM Restrictions”:  Any other message means the phone is locked.

Setup screen asks for a previous owner’s Apple ID: This phone has Activation Lock and is essentially unusable.

Pre-Purchase iPhone Unlock Checklist

Before handing over your money, run through this complete checklist:

• Check Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock — should say “No SIM Restrictions”
• Insert a different carrier’s SIM card and confirm the phone connects
• Run an IMEI check—confirm SIM lock is “Unlocked” and Blacklist is “Clean”
• Check iCloud Activation Lock — Find My iPhone should be “Off.”
• Ask the seller to sign out of their Apple ID before you pay
• If possible, ask the seller to factory reset the phone in front of you
• Verify the device shows the standard “Hello” setup screen after reset

Frequently Asked Questions

1: Where to Buy Genuine Unlocked iPhones in Bangladesh?

To avoid the hassle of checking lock status entirely, consider buying from a trusted retailer that sells verified unlocked iPhones. For the most accurate and up-to-date unofficial iPhone price in Bangladesh 

2: Does unlocking an iPhone delete any data?

No. Carrier unlocking does not erase any data on your iPhone. It simply removes the restriction that limits you to one carrier. However, it is always good practice to back up your iPhone to iCloud or a computer before making any changes.

3: Can Apple unlock a carrier-locked iPhone?

No. Apple cannot remove a carrier lock — only the original carrier can do that. If your iPhone is locked, you need to contact the specific carrier (e.g., AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) and request an official unlock. Requirements usually include the account being in good standing and the device being fully paid off.

4: Is it legal to use an unlocked iPhone in Bangladesh?

Yes, it is completely legal to use an unlocked iPhone in Bangladesh. Using an unlocked device simply means you are free to choose any carrier’s SIM. There are no legal restrictions against this.

5: Will a US iPhone work in Bangladesh if it’s unlocked?

Yes. As long as the iPhone is fully unlocked (SIM restrictions removed and no iCloud activation lock), a US model iPhone will work in Bangladesh with any local SIM card from Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, Airtel, or Teletalk. Just make sure the model supports the correct network bands used in Bangladesh.

6: What is the difference between carrier lock and iCloud Activation Lock?

Carrier lock prevents a phone from using SIMs from other networks—it is a network restriction. iCloud Activation Lock prevents anyone from setting up or using the phone at all without the original owner’s Apple ID—it is a device-level security lock. Both need to be cleared before buying a used iPhone. They are completely separate issues.

7: What should I do if I accidentally bought a locked iPhone?

First, identify the original carrier from the IMEI check. Then contact that carrier directly and request an unlock — you may need the original owner’s account details. If the phone has iCloud Activation Lock, contact the seller and ask them to remove their Apple ID remotely via iCloud.com. If neither is possible, consider contacting consumer protection authorities.

Final Thoughts

Checking whether an iPhone is unlocked before buying is a simple but crucial step that can save you from a very expensive mistake. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes using the Settings check or an IMEI lookup — and it gives you complete peace of mind before handing over your money.

To recap, the most reliable approach is to combine multiple methods: check the Settings screen in person, run an IMEI check online, and confirm iCloud Activation Lock is turned off. If all three pass, you’re looking at a clean, unlocked iPhone ready to use.

Looking for the best deals on unlocked iPhones in Bangladesh? Explore verified iPhone mobile shop options that depend on you, your go-to source for trusted iPhone pricing in Bangladesh.