How-to
What Is an Unlocked Phone? And How to Unlock Yours in Canada
Unlocked phones work with any carrier. Here is how to check yours, how to unlock it for free in Canada, and how unlocked differs from blacklisted.
An unlocked phone works with any carrier's SIM card or eSIM, not just the company that sold it. A locked phone only works on one carrier's network until it is unlocked. In Canada, every phone sold since December 1, 2017 must be sold unlocked, and carriers must unlock older phones for free when you ask. To check yours on an iPhone, go to Settings, General, About and look for Carrier Lock: No SIM restrictions.
Unlocked vs locked vs blacklisted
- Unlocked: works with any carrier. You can switch plans or use a travel SIM.
- Locked: tied to one carrier until it is unlocked. Common on phones bought before 2018 or imported from the US.
- Blacklisted: reported lost, stolen or unpaid. It may not work on any Canadian network, even if it is unlocked.
What does unlocked mean on a phone?
Carriers used to sell phones with a software lock, so the phone only accepted that carrier's SIM. An unlocked phone has no lock. Put in any SIM card, or add any eSIM, and it connects. Nothing about the phone itself changes: same apps, same updates, same warranty.
Unlocked is not the same as jailbroken or rooted. Unlocking only removes the carrier restriction. It does not change the software or void the warranty.
Why buy an unlocked phone?
Switch plans any time
Take your phone to whichever carrier has the best deal. Compare plans first with our phone plan comparer.
Travel for less
Use a local SIM or a travel eSIM abroad instead of paying roaming fees.
Better resale value
Unlocked phones are easier to sell, so they are worth more when you trade in. See what we pay.
No plan needed
Buy the phone outright, then pick any plan, including prepaid.
Canada's unlocking rules
- Since December 1, 2017, the CRTC Wireless Code requires that every new phone sold in Canada be unlocked.
- Carriers must unlock older phones for free when you ask, even if you are still on a contract.
- You have to ask the carrier that locked the phone. Another carrier cannot do it for you.
- Phones imported from other countries, like many US carrier phones, do not follow these rules and can stay locked.
Source: CRTC Wireless Code changes in effect December 1, 2017, as summarized by the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services.
How to check if your phone is unlocked
- Open Settings, then General, then About.
- Scroll to Carrier Lock.
- If it says No SIM restrictions, your iPhone is unlocked. Anything else means it is locked.
- Turn the phone off and put in a SIM card from a different carrier. A friend's works.
- Turn it on and try a call or open a website on mobile data.
- If it connects, it is unlocked. If you see "SIM not supported", "SIM network unlock PIN" or no signal, it is locked.
Also check the IMEI. An unlocked phone that is blacklisted still will not work. Our free IMEI check shows whether a phone is reported lost or stolen. Find the IMEI by dialing *#06#.
How to unlock a phone in Canada
- Find out who locked it. It is the carrier the phone was first sold by. The account holder has to ask.
- Contact that carrier. Call, chat or visit a store and ask for an unlock. Have the IMEI ready (dial *#06#).
- It is free. Canadian carriers cannot charge to unlock a phone.
- Finish the unlock. On an iPhone, the unlock usually completes when you insert a new carrier's SIM or restart. On Android, you may get an unlock code to enter when you insert another carrier's SIM.
- Check it. Confirm with the steps above.
Avoid paid "unlock code" websites for phones locked to a Canadian carrier. The carrier unlock is free. And never buy a phone that is locked to someone else's account (Activation Lock or Google account lock). That is a different lock, and only the owner can remove it.
Buying a used or refurbished phone? Check these 3 things
- Carrier unlocked. Check it as shown above, or buy from a seller who guarantees it.
- Clean IMEI. Not reported lost, stolen or unpaid.
- Signed out of the previous owner's account. No Activation Lock on iPhone and no Google account lock on Android.
Every phone we sell is unlocked, IMEI checked and signed out. That is part of our promise, with up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns.
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Questions people ask
What does unlocked mean on a cell phone?
It means the phone is not tied to one carrier. It works with any carrier's SIM or eSIM, so you can switch plans, use prepaid or use a travel SIM.
Are all phones sold in Canada unlocked?
New phones sold in Canada since December 1, 2017 must be sold unlocked. Older phones and phones imported from other countries may still be locked.
Is it free to unlock a phone in Canada?
Yes. Canadian carriers must unlock phones for free when the customer asks, including phones still on a contract.
Will an unlocked phone work with any carrier in Canada?
Almost always. Phones made for Canada or the US work on Canadian networks. A few imported models miss some 5G or LTE bands, so check the model if it was made for another region.
Does unlocking a phone delete anything?
No. A carrier unlock does not erase your data, apps or photos.
Does unlocking void the warranty?
No. A carrier unlock is official and does not affect the warranty. Jailbreaking or rooting is different and can.
Can I use an eSIM on an unlocked phone?
Yes, if the phone supports eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onward and most recent Samsung and Pixel phones support eSIM.
What is the difference between unlocked and blacklisted?
Unlocked is about carriers. Blacklisted means the IMEI was reported lost, stolen or unpaid, and the phone can be blocked from Canadian networks. Check any phone with our IMEI check.
How do I unlock my iPhone without the carrier?
For a phone locked to a Canadian carrier, the only proper way is to ask that carrier, and it is free. If the previous owner was the account holder, they need to request it.
Shopping for one? Browse unlocked phones, or start with which iPhone to buy and which Samsung to buy.
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