What does a locked iPhone mean? SIM lock: how to find out if your smartphone is tied to a mobile operator and what to do if so
When buying an iPhone abroad or secondhand, trying to save money, you risk running into an iPhone that does not support domestic operators. An iPhone is locked or tied to a specific operator; such a smartphone costs much less.
What is a locked iPhone and why buying it is not recommended
“Locked” iPhone (Sim-Lock) is the name given to a device that can work with SIM cards from only one operator. As a rule, such iPhones are sold in America, Canada and Western European countries. The disadvantage of a “locked” iPhone is that it is locked to the settings of a specific operator and will not work with Russian operators without a special unlock.
What needs to be done for the device to work with domestic networks
In order for the iPhone to work with domestic networks, you first need to unlock the iPhone, that is, untie the iPhone from the operator. There are two ways to unlock an iPhone from an operator: official unlocking and using a special chip. Each method has its pros and cons.
Unlocking an iPhone using a special chip
This is a chip that is soldered under the SIM connector for the SIM card. The microcircuit of such a device is programmed with unique IMSI identifiers of several operators - this allows you to get rid of the blocking. During communication with the server, this card replaces identifiers and allows you to unlock the modem and radio module of the iPhone. The downside of this system is that iPhone software cannot be updated or flashed, or rather, it is possible, but then you will have to solder in a new chip. Plus - the unbinding process will take up to 2 hours, the cost is up to 4,000 rubles.
Official decoupling of iPhone Sim-Lock
Officially unbinding the operator is the most reasonable and reliable way. You will no longer have to endure all the disadvantages of working with a chip, and you can use the device as usual. To do this, the iPhone must be “clean” by IME. The unbinding process will take from 14 to 30 days. The disadvantage of this process is the timing of the procedure and the cost of the service up to 11,500 rubles. The cost of unlocking each operator varies depending on their conditions and exchange rates.
What does clean IMEI mean?
The list of requirements for clean devices is the same for all operators. So, a clean iPhone is:
- iPhone with fully paid contract and obligations under it.
- An iPhone with a clean payment history (no late payments, debts, etc.).
- An iPhone that was not listed by the operator as stolen or lost.
- iPhones that have not been restored (refurbished).
Unlocking clean devices is usually easier, faster and cheaper. If the iPhone does not meet at least one of the above points, then it is no longer clean. This means, of course, that it will not be possible to restore it at the price of a clean one.
When buying an iPhone abroad, especially secondhand, pay attention not only to checking its appearance and basic functions, but also its IMEI history.
This article was provided by the my-Restore.ru store team for informational purposes. Rather than solving a problem, it is better to prevent its occurrence. Make the right purchases.
Read what SIM lock is, how to find out if your phone is tied to a specific mobile operator, for example MTS or Bizayn. And what to do if so?
A smartphone without being tied to any one network gives its owner the freedom to choose any mobile provider. Now we will tell you whether your phone is locked, or, as they say, it has a “Sim Lock”.
Sim Lock - how it works and where it occurs
A person wants to have a smartphone or tablet without being tied to a mobile operator for many reasons. Maybe he wants to use a SIM card from another operator with a better tariff while in another country. Or, suppose you bought a phone online and want to find out if it is tied to only one network. Or he wants to sell, but before doing so, make sure that the phone supports SIM cards of any operators. In this article we will tell you how this is done.
On a tethered phone, only the SIM card of the network to which it is linked will work. This limitation is very annoying for those who want to use the services of another mobile provider.
If you buy a phone without a SIM card (and if it is bought in a specialized store, and not from your hands), it will almost certainly not be tied to any one network, and the user will be able to decide for himself which operator’s services suit him best. However, if you buy a gadget in the showrooms of a mobile operator, it may end up being tethered.
Phones for only one network are now less common than before. And if there are such people, now the user can independently remove this restriction using codes. So those who suddenly discovered that the purchased gadget is tied to only one network have nothing to worry about.
If you cannot unlock your phone yourself for other operators, then you may have to pay a small amount or wait until the contract expires. It all depends on the specific mobile communications provider and its conditions.
How to find out if your phone is locked to a mobile operator
The first way to check Sim Lock
For those who have an iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry or any other device in this series, the easiest way to find out the answer to this question is by inserting a SIM card from another operator.
You can borrow it from friends or family, then you need to insert it into your gadget and see whether the signal appears or not. If not, then most likely the phone is tied to one network.
Second way to check Sim Lock
Another good way to check compatibility with a freshly inserted SIM card is to make a simple call. If it doesn't work, most likely the phone is tied to one network.
Before purchasing, it is better to ask the seller if the phone is tied to SIM cards of the same network. But even if only after the purchase it turned out that a smartphone with tethering is nothing to worry about, because for most models, methods for removing such a restriction have already been described. So in this case, you shouldn’t rush and send your gadget for scrap.
Some users have probably seen advertisements for the sale of iPhones at a suspiciously low price, and this could even be about a new device. At the same time, the ad contains the following note: the iPhone is locked. What does it mean?
In some countries, iPhones are sold locked to certain operators. This means that initially the device works with only one telecom operator. If you insert a SIM card from another operator into it, you will not be able to make calls, receive calls, send or receive SMS messages.
As a rule, a locked iPhone initially costs less, but you need to understand that you can only use it by paying for the services of a specific telecom operator. And in some countries, an iPhone even costs a penny if you buy it with a contract. But the point is that under the contract you are obliged to use the tariff plan for a certain time, which cannot be called cheap.
How do locked iPhones get to Russia? Usually imported by private individuals from other countries. Sometimes a person who decides to buy an iPhone abroad may not even suspect that his device simply won’t work here. It is not surprising that there are quite a lot of such offers on message boards.
How to check if iPhone is locked?
There are two ways:
- Check iPhone by IMEI. You can find many such services on the Internet.
Is it possible to unlock a locked iPhone?
Most often yes.
- You can use Turbo SIM, an adapter similar to a chip. It replaces the operator's ID with yours. The problem is that every time you restart your iPhone, you have to repeat the activation procedure again.
- You can officially unlock the device, for which you need to contact your cellular operator and ask to unlock the device. The service is paid, its cost depends only on the operator itself.
Is it worth buying a locked iPhone?
Only if it is possible to unlock it and this promises considerable savings. If you are not sure that you can unlock your smartphone, it is better to refuse the purchase.
When buying an iPhone, even a new one, secondhand, it is important to remember that it may be tied to a specific mobile provider. Selling an iPhone “tethered” is practiced in many countries - under the terms of the contract, users receive an Apple smartphone at a low price, but are obliged to pay money for a certain period of time (up to two years) for the right to use the device. In order not to get into trouble and not run into a similar iPhone, users must be able to check the current status of the device.
An unlocked iPhone, in turn, allows you to use a SIM card from any operator without resorting to various tricks. Sellers of locked iPhones most often keep silent about the status of the iPhone they are selling, wanting only to quickly get rid of the “defective” device. You can find out all the ins and outs of an iPhone within a few minutes - for this you need to use the help of a special service.
Step 1: Go to Menu Settings -> Basic ->About this device
Step 2. Find the IMEI item and rewrite the specified numbers
Step 3: Go to iphoneox.com
Step 4. Enter your IMEI in the “Enter IMEI here...” line and click Check
Step 5: Wait for the scan to complete
Step 6. Check the iPhone status in the Contract status line
Unlocked status means that your phone is not locked and you can safely continue to use it. Unknown - can mean different things: from the fact that the smartphone is unlocked, to the inaccessibility of information about your device to the service. A status representing the name of the mobile operator, for example, TMeteorele - Ireland IRL, indicates that the iPhone is locked to this specific operator.
If you are wondering what exactly a locked iPhone means, then you have come to the right article. Today I will tell you the types of locks and what ways to get around them.
Of course, I won’t go into details, such as sites to use or who to contact in this or that case. Purely general information to help you understand what a locked iPhone means.
What is a locked iPhone?
If you want to buy an iPhone for yourself, then it is best not to chase too low a price, because there is such a thing as Locked iPhone.
There are actually two types of such iPhones:
- locked to the operator: in America, phones are often made purely for one operator, that is, you cannot use any other SIM card;
- iCloud: If a user forgets their iCloud password and then sells their device, they subsequently end up with a useless brick.
Both options come across to many buyers quite often, and to avoid this, it is best to buy a smartphone only from trusted sources.
And of course, the ideal option is when you buy a device directly from the official Apple store - this is an option that will never let you down.
How to find out if your iPhone is locked or not?
If Locked SIM. In the first case, you will have to check the phone simply by inserting your SIM card. If the network is available and you can make calls, then everything is fine. 
And by the way, we carefully look at the SIM card slot, because sometimes they can insert a chip. Some craftsmen have now begun to solder them, and this makes it impossible to check the account in the usual way.
If iCloud Locked. Here everything is much more complicated, because we get a phone that is not suitable as a smartphone at all, because you won’t be able to download anything for yourself. 
We also make sure that you are logged out of iCloud before purchasing. Reboot your device and immediately enter your details. If everything shakes, then everything is ok.
Also, if there is a new update, then it is best to try updating. This may appear at this stage too. So be careful.
What to do if your iPhone is locked?
It’s quite a shame when you finally buy yourself an iPhone, and then there’s such a setup. There are, of course, a couple of ways and they may well fit some options. 
If this is the case with a SIM card, then you need to unlock the phone and now there are quite a lot of craftsmen who are actively doing this. Of course, there are options when he is not able to help.
Usually, you just buy a special activation code, or a chip is simply inserted that will help you fully use your iPhone.
In the case of iCloud everything is much more complicated. The easiest option is to try to find out your login and password to log out of your old account, but this is just ideal.
In practice, usually the processor is simply changed or the phone is simply used as an iPod. Also, people simply sell their device for parts.
Previously, people tried to find out passwords and e-mail, but the process is quite labor-intensive and many simply do not want to take on this.
Conclusions
Now you know a little more about a locked iPhone and what it actually is. It is best not to get into such a situation, but if this happens, then you will have to get out of it as soon as possible.
There are ways to solve this problem and many work quite well. Of course, try to buy either through good friends or just in normal stores.