Is my phone “unlocked” to use an eSIM?

Only unlocked phones are compatible with eSIMs. You should make sure that your phone is unlocked before buying an eSIM. Let’s go through everything in detail below.

What is an “unlocked phone”?

Mobile phones use carriers to make calls and access mobile data. Carriers provide network access to your phone. An unlocked phone can connect to any carrier’s network, whereas a locked phone is restricted to a specific carrier’s network under contract terms. Therefore, inserting a new SIM card or eSIM into a locked phone will not enable it to function.

How to check if your phone is unlocked

There are four ways:

1. Where did you buy your phone?

If you purchased your phone directly from the manufacturer (such as Apple or Samsung), it is likely unlocked. However, if you bought your phone from a telecom provider (like Orange, AT&T, or Movistar), it might be locked to that provider, preventing the use of an eSIM.

2. Use another SIM card

The simplest way to check if your phone is unlocked is to borrow a SIM card from a friend or family member. If you can make a call or send a text with their SIM card, your phone is unlocked. If you cannot, your phone is locked to your provider and cannot use eSIMs.

3. Check your settings (iPhone only)

The following steps work with iOS 14 and later:

1. Go to the Settings menu
2. Scroll down and tap on General
3. Go to the About section
4. Now scroll down and look for Carrier Lock or Network Provider Lock. If you see “No SIM Restrictions”, that means your iPhone is unlocked and is compatible with eSIMs. If not, then your iPhone must be tied to a specific carrier.

4. Contact your provider

As a last resort, you can contact your provider. They can confirm whether your phone is unlocked or tied to their network and assist you with unlocking it if necessary.