How to check if my iPhone is carrier locked

Hello. I would like to check if my iPhone is carrier locked

iPhone 12, iOS 26

Posted on Apr 30, 2026 9:44 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 30, 2026 9:50 PM

Choose Settings, General, and About, and look at the Carrier Lock line.


(263680)

9 replies

May 1, 2026 5:05 PM in response to alisher103

alisher103 wrote:

Which site is more reliable for Apple carrier check?


So, OP probably neglected to mention they’re buying a used device from a potentially problematic seller.


I”m not aware of a means to remotely check for a carrier lock.


I’d be hesitant to paste the IMEI anywhere other than the CTIA blacklist checker, too:

(That’s not carrier lock.)


If the seller can disappear you either need a big discount in the price for the risk, or buy somewhere else. Or the seller can show the setting prior to erasing the iPhone. (And it’s certainly possible to create an app thst looks like Settings, so not entirely certain.)





May 1, 2026 8:17 PM in response to MrHoffman

MrHoffman wrote:

So, OP probably neglected to mention they’re buying a used device from a potentially problematic seller.
If the seller can disappear you either need a big discount in the price for the risk, or buy somewhere else.


In that scenario, a carrier lock that the carrier will not remove is only one of the risks. I'm sure you've seen

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a Used iPad/iPhone - Apple Community

If you want to buy a preowned iPhone - Apple Support


If the OP is thinking of buying a used iPhone, they ought to see these too.

How to check if my iPhone is carrier locked

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