How do I check if my phone is locked to a carrier?
Short answer. On iPhone open Settings > General > About: "No SIM restrictions" next to Carrier Lock means it isn't locked. On Android there is no single standard screen, so ask your carrier. Only the carrier can remove a lock.
Why does it matter for a travel eSIM?
Apple: "To use your iPhone with another carrier when traveling internationally, your iPhone cannot be locked to a carrier." A travel eSIM is another carrier.
iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap General, then About.
- Read the line next to Carrier Lock. "No SIM restrictions" = not locked. A carrier name = locked to that carrier.
Android
Menus differ by maker and carrier. The reliable route is asking your carrier, which also handles the removal. Samsung notes that a phone must be unlocked for its eSIM transfer feature to work.
How long does removing a lock take?
Apple says it can take the carrier a few days, so do it well before the trip. Apple itself cannot do it.