People who search unlocked cell phone what does it mean want a plain answer, so here it is. An unlocked phone isn't tied to one carrier, which means it can take a SIM card from any carrier whose network it supports. A locked phone only works with the carrier that sold it, until that carrier releases it. The word unlocked says nothing about the phone's condition, its battery or whether it's blocked for unpaid bills. Our advice at Wireless Kinect, which runs pre-owned phone sales, is to confirm the lock status before anything else.
What an unlocked cell phone does for you, and the signs you need one
You need one when you want the choice of carrier to be yours, not the phone's. A locked phone follows one network. An unlocked one follows you. These are the signs the difference matters:
- You're switching carriers and want to keep the phone you already have.
- You're buying a used phone from someone other than a carrier.
- You travel and want a local SIM instead of roaming.
- You use, or want, a prepaid plan.
- You plan to sell or trade the phone later and want more buyers to be able to use it.
Picture a buyer who finds a used Samsung online and wants to run it on a different carrier than the seller did. If the phone is still locked, it won't take her SIM, and the word "unlocked" in the listing needs proof before any money moves. Our guide to locked and unlocked used phones compared walks through that difference step by step.
When a locked phone is fine, and what to do instead
Plenty of people never need to unlock anything. If you stay with one carrier, buy your phones from it and replace them on its schedule, a locked phone does everything you ask of it.
The same goes for a backup phone that sits in a drawer, or a first phone on a family plan. For those, the better move is a plain check that the phone works on your carrier today.
If your own phone is locked and you do want out, start with the carrier that sold it, because the carrier holds the lock. The phone unlocks page is the other place to look. Testing is something you can do yourself with a SIM from another carrier, and a shop counter can repeat the test if you're not sure what the result means. Our post on how to check whether a phone is unlocked covers the common mistakes.
What waiting on a locked phone really costs
Waiting rarely costs money by itself. The cost shows up when the phone can't do the job you bought it for. A phone that won't take your SIM means paying for a second device, delaying a plan switch, or selling to a smaller group of buyers later.
Several things move what a seller can ask or a buyer will offer: the model, the storage, the condition and the lock status. We don't quote figures here, because the numbers depend on the phone in front of you.
Unlocked also isn't the same as clear. A phone can be unlocked and still be blocked on carrier networks over a lost or unpaid status, so run a blacklist check for used phones as well. Carriers set their own conditions for releasing a lock, and any third-party service sets its own fee, so get the terms before you pay.
If you'd rather have someone look at a phone in person, the store locations page lists all four walk-in stores.
Score yourself: a decision checklist
Answer yes or no to each line, then count your yeses.
- I plan to change carriers, or I might.
- I'm buying a used phone from someone other than a carrier.
- I travel and would use a local SIM.
- I use or want a prepaid plan.
- I plan to sell or trade this phone in the future.
- I've been told the phone is unlocked, but I haven't tested it myself.
- I'll move this phone between SIMs from different carriers.
- My current carrier has weak coverage where I live or work.
Zero to two yeses: a locked phone is likely fine. Three to five: confirm the lock status before you buy or switch. Six or more: treat unlocked as a requirement, and hold off on payment until a SIM from another carrier works in the phone.
The first thirty days after you decide
Most of the work lands in the first week. After that it's waiting and testing.
- Days 1 to 3: confirm the lock status on the phone itself. On many iPhones, Settings, General, About shows a Carrier Lock line. Then test with a SIM from a second carrier.
- Days 4 to 10: if the phone is locked, ask the carrier for its release terms and write them down.
- Days 11 to 20: if you're buying, run the blacklist check and ask the seller for the return terms.
- Days 21 to 30: use the phone on your real plan, and check calls, texts and data in the places you spend your time.
Buying is the riskier path, so read what to check before buying a used phone before you pay. Network coverage and the mix of carriers differ by state, so a phone that works well in one market can behave differently in another.
How Wireless Kinect fits in, wherever you live
Wireless Kinect buys, sells and repairs phones, tablets and computers, with four walk-in stores in Pennsylvania and Florida. The advice here holds for anyone in the US, whether or not a store is nearby.
If you're shopping for a pre-owned phone, ask any seller, us included, to state the lock status, then confirm it yourself with a second SIM. Choose the seller who answers that question directly.
If the phone you're checking also needs a repair, the phone repair page shows which brands and models are listed.
Unlocked phone FAQ
What can you do with an unlocked phone?
You can switch carriers, use a prepaid or local SIM, and sell the phone to a wider range of buyers. It still has to support the network you choose.
How much does it cost to have a phone unlocked?
The cost depends on who unlocks it and what state the phone is in, so we don't quote a figure here. Ask the carrier first about its release terms, and get any third-party fee in writing before you pay.
How do I unlock a Consumer Cellular phone?
Start by contacting Consumer Cellular, since the carrier that locked a phone controls the release. Have the phone's IMEI and your account details ready, and ask which conditions apply.
Is an unlocked phone the same as a factory unlocked phone?
Not always. Factory unlocked means the phone was sold without a carrier lock, while a carrier-unlocked phone was locked first and released later. Either way, test it with a SIM from another carrier.
Can I use an unlocked phone when I travel abroad?
Often, yes, if the phone supports the local network and you put in a local SIM. Check the phone's supported bands before you go.
Should I ask for a phone to be unlocked before I sell it?
Yes, if the carrier will release it, because an unlocked phone works for more buyers. Sign out of your accounts and erase the phone first.
Next step: get an instant repair quote
Whether the phone you own or the one you're about to buy needs a fix before it's ready to use, you can get an instant repair quote by brand and model on our site.