Unlocked phone
A phone that works on any carrier's network. Sold by Apple/Samsung/Google direct, or unlocked after a carrier-financed phone's contract is paid off.
An unlocked phone is one that isn't restricted to a specific carrier's network. Pop in any compatible SIM (or activate any carrier's eSIM) and the phone works.
Locked vs unlocked
Phones bought directly from manufacturers (Apple Store, Samsung.com, Google Store) are unlocked from day one. Phones financed through a US carrier are typically locked to that carrier — they'll only accept SIMs from the original carrier — until the financing is paid off (typically 60 days for postpaid, the full term for prepaid).
How to unlock
- Verizon postpaid: automatically unlocked 60 days after activation.
- T-Mobile: use the T-Mobile Device Unlock app or call customer service after 40 days of postpaid service or after the device is paid off.
- AT&T: submit at att.com/deviceunlock once the device is paid off.
- Verizon prepaid: unlocked after 60 days of active service.
Why unlocked matters
An unlocked phone gives you flexibility: switch carriers any time, use a local SIM when traveling abroad, sell it for higher resale value. Carrier-locked phones are worth less on the secondary market because they require an unlock step before reuse.