SIM lock and roaming are two different things
| SIM lock | Roaming | |
|---|---|---|
| What it means | The phone takes SIMs and eSIMs from one carrier only | Your home SIM may be used abroad |
| Set by | The carrier that sold you the phone | The carrier of your SIM |
| Matters for a travel eSIM? | Yes, it must be off | No, the eSIM brings its own data |
How to check, brand by brand
- iPhoneSettings → General → About → Carrier Lock. “No SIM restrictions” means unlocked.
- Samsung GalaxyPut in a SIM card from another carrier and restart. A network lock message means it is locked.
- Google PixelPhones from the Google Store come unlocked. Phones from a carrier can stay locked for up to two years, so test another SIM.
- Other Android phonesThe surest test is another SIM card. If it connects, the phone is unlocked.
Step by step: iPhone · Samsung Galaxy.
If it is locked
- Contact the carrier or shop that sold you the phone. Only they can lift the lock
- Expect conditions: carriers usually want the phone paid off first
- Ask early. Unlocking can take a few days
All steps and what to ask: how to get your phone unlocked.
Buying a used phone?
- iPhone: ask the seller to open Settings → General → About and show you Carrier Lock
- Android: ask to try your own SIM card in it before you pay
Unlocked? Then a travel eSIM works
An unlocked phone with eSIM can add a travel eSIM next to your own SIM. Not sure about eSIM? Check your phone.
Questions and answers
Can I check with the IMEI?
Only your carrier can tell you for sure from the IMEI. We do not ask for it, and we would not give it to third-party check services either. The steps above work on the phone itself.
Does a locked phone work abroad at all?
With your own SIM and roaming, yes. With a travel eSIM or a local SIM, no. The phone must be unlocked first.
Can Apple or Samsung unlock my phone?
No. Apple says only your carrier can unlock an iPhone, and Samsung sends you to the carrier or shop that sold the phone for an unlock code.
Is my phone unlocked if I bought it outright?
Usually, if you bought it from the maker or a shop without a contract. Google says every phone from the Google Store comes unlocked. The check above takes two minutes, so make sure.
Updated 3 Nov 2026 · checked against our live catalogue
How we check our data · Prices and plans come live from our catalogue; facts come from official sources, listed where we use them.
Sources: Apple Support: How to unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier · Samsung Support: Why is my Galaxy phone network locked? · Google Pixel Help: Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier