Short answer
The FCC says a lock can apply to a physical SIM or an eSIM, and that you should check with your mobile provider before you travel internationally. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile publish the conditions for removing a lock on a phone they sold, and Samsung says the original provider, not Samsung, removes a Galaxy network lock.
Which models support eSIM, and how Apple says to read Carrier Lock, are covered in Japan eSIM phone support and unlock.
Fact table
As of 2026-10-21
Each claim names its source. The full source list, with the date each page was read, is below.
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| The FCC says unlocking a phone only disables software that would prevent a consumer from trying to activate a phone designed for one wireless provider on another provider's network. Locking can apply to a physical SIM and to an eSIM. Many phones sold in the United States contain software that stops them from being used on a different mobile network even when that network is technologically compatible. Whether the phone is locked or unlocked, the FCC says to check with your mobile service provider before you travel internationally, because mobile networks differ from country to country and the phone may be incompatible where you are traveling. If the phone works for voice calls, mobile data or text messaging might still not work. Unlocking a phone designed for one network may not make it technologically compatible with another provider's network. | FCC, cell phone unlocking |
| The FCC says to contact your wireless service provider for the policy that applies to your phone and for the steps to unlock it. Once a phone is eligible, a provider may unlock it automatically, send instructions on request, or complete the unlock in a store. If you owe money or are under a contract, the provider may not unlock the phone until the balance is paid or the contract terms are met. The FCC says postpaid plans often include shorter waiting periods before a phone can be unlocked, and that prepaid and postpaid plans can have different policies. CTIA participating providers include all nationwide service providers. They post an unlock policy and respond to unlock requests. Within two business days after a request, the FCC says those providers unlock an eligible phone, ask the manufacturer to unlock it, explain why it does not qualify, or explain why they need more time. The prepaid commitment is an unlock no later than one year after initial activation, consistent with that provider's time, payment, or usage requirements. Participating providers agreed not to charge existing or former customers an additional fee to unlock an eligible device. The FCC says they reserve the right to charge a reasonable fee when the person is not a customer and not a former customer. | FCC, cell phone unlocking |
| AT&T says an AT&T Wireless phone can be unlocked when it was purchased more than 60 days ago and is not active on another AT&T account, it was paid in full at purchase or the installment balance is zero, it has not been reported lost, stolen, or involved in fraud, and, if you are a current AT&T customer, the bill is not past due. AT&T says you can still submit an unlock request without an AT&T account when the phone meets those requirements. If you have an eligible Apple, Samsung, or Google phone on an AT&T Wireless plan and it meets the requirements, AT&T says it should unlock by itself. | AT&T, unlock phones or devices |
| AT&T says that with AT&T Wireless service you sign in to the wireless account, select the phone, and an unlocked phone says Device unlocked in the Device info. On an iPhone, open Settings, then General, then About, and scroll to Carrier Lock. If it says SIM locked, AT&T says the phone is locked. For a Samsung phone released before September 1, 2025, open Settings, About phone, Software information, and read Service provider software version. If that text ends in ATT/ATT, AT&T says the phone was originally from AT&T and you submit an unlock request. If it contains ATT but ends in something else, AT&T says the phone was unlocked before it came to AT&T. If it does not contain ATT, AT&T says AT&T unlock solutions do not support it and you contact the original provider. For a Samsung phone released after September 1, 2025, open Settings, tap Connections, then More connection settings, and look for Network lock status. | AT&T, unlock phones or devices |
| AT&T says an AT&T Prepaid phone can be unlocked if it has 12 months of paid AT&T service, is not active on another AT&T account, and has not been reported lost, stolen, or involved with fraud. To check a physical SIM, insert a non-AT&T SIM. If a message says the SIM card is not compatible with the AT&T network, AT&T says the phone is still locked. For an eSIM, AT&T says you request a device unlock according to the phone type. AT&T business phones use a separate list on the same page: purchased more than 60 days ago, installment balance zero, not lost or stolen, bill not past due, permission from the controlling company, and a completed contract or term agreement when one applies. AT&T says to wait 30 days to unlock a phone that was on a two-year contract and was upgraded early. Eligible Apple, Samsung, and Google phones on an AT&T Business Wireless account should unlock automatically, and the account says Device Unlocked in the Device info. | AT&T, unlock phones or devices |
| Verizon says newly purchased phones are locked so they operate only on the Verizon network. Verizon defines unlocking as disabling the software that prevents a phone designed for one carrier from being activated on another. An unlocked Verizon phone may have limited functionality, or may not work at all, on another carrier's network because the network technologies differ. A phone purchased from Verizon on a postpaid plan unlocks automatically when it was purchased at full retail price or when the device financing balance is paid in full. A phone reported lost or stolen is not unlocked until it is cleared from that report. Once a phone is unlocked, Verizon says it will never re-lock it. A secure payment method is required to unlock a phone immediately when the full balance is paid. If a Verizon Gift Card bought the phone or paid the remaining balance, Verizon delays the unlock by 35 days. A prepaid phone purchased from Verizon stays locked until 365 days of paid and active service, and Verizon then removes the lock unless the phone is deemed stolen or purchased fraudulently. This policy page does not give a phone-settings path for reading the lock. | Verizon, device unlocking policy |
| Verizon's business phones unlock automatically when purchased at full retail price, when the financing balance is paid in full, when the line term ends, or when the termination fee is paid, subject to the agreement. For deployed military personnel with relocation orders outside the Verizon coverage area, Verizon says the customer can suspend the line for military deployment, and the phone is unlocked only after the account has been verified in good standing after 60 days of being active. | Verizon, device unlocking policy |
| T-Mobile says most mobile devices are programmed so they cannot operate on other carriers' networks until they are unlocked. If T-Mobile did not sell or authorize the phone, T-Mobile says to contact the carrier or manufacturer that sold it. T-Mobile unlocks an eligible phone free of charge. The phone must have been sold by T-Mobile, it must not be reported lost, stolen, or blocked, and the account must be in good standing. A postpaid phone must have been active on the T-Mobile network for at least 40 days on that line. If T-Mobile financed or leased it, it must be paid in full. If the account was canceled, the account balance must be zero. A prepaid phone needs at least 365 days since activation. T-Mobile also caps prepaid unlocks at 2 per line in the last 12 months. If activation was more recent, T-Mobile requires a refill total for each active line, stated on that policy page, and more than 14 days since purchase. T-Mobile says it may ask for proof of purchase or other information, and that other exceptions may apply. Once the phone is eligible, T-Mobile automatically and remotely unlocks it within two business days when the phone supports remote unlock, and the unlock status is in the my T-Mobile account. If the phone cannot be unlocked remotely, T-Mobile sends a notification within two business days with the next steps. Deployed military personnel who are customers in good standing can be unlocked when they provide overseas orders. T-Mobile says to contact them for that case. | T-Mobile, SIM unlock policy |
| T-Mobile's support page says a device unlock lets you use the phone with another carrier, including for international travel, and that this is different from roaming on a T-Mobile SIM or eSIM. On the website, sign in, open the Accounts page, select the line, and choose Check device unlock status. In the T-Life or T-Mobile app, open the Manage tab, select the line, and read Device lock status. Be connected to the T-Mobile network or to Wi-Fi before the unlock steps. On an iPhone, open Settings, then General, then About. If Carrier Lock says No SIM restrictions, T-Mobile says the iPhone is unlocked. If a locked iPhone is eligible, T-Mobile says to contact them so they can submit the unlock. On a Samsung phone, open Settings, Connections, More Connection Settings, then Network Unlock, Permanent Unlock, and restart. On a Google phone, have a T-Mobile SIM inserted or a T-Mobile eSIM set up, download the T-Mobile Device Unlock (Pixel) app from the Play Store, choose Check eligibility, then Permanent Unlock, and restart. The same page has steps for Motorola, LG, OnePlus, and a Device Unlock app on some older Android phones. If the phone is not listed or the steps fail, T-Mobile says to open its Devices page or contact them. Apple iPads, Apple Watches, and Samsung Galaxy Watches are sold unlocked. Hotspots and some tablets need an unlock code from T-Mobile. T-Mobile says not all devices are compatible with every wireless provider, and that if an unlocked T-Mobile phone has no signal with another carrier, you contact that carrier. | T-Mobile, device unlock steps |
| Samsung UK says a SIM card lock and a network lock are different. A SIM card lock keeps that SIM from being used in another phone. The path is Settings, Biometrics and security, Other security settings, then Set up SIM card lock. A network lock is when the phone came from one provider and a SIM from a different provider may not work, because the original provider locked the phone to its network. Samsung says it does not lock any of its phones to any particular network. The unlock code comes from the original service provider or the retailer. Samsung says some providers allow that unlock for a small charge or for free, and other providers do not allow the unlock at all. | Samsung UK, SIM PIN or network unlock code |
| Samsung's US page says unlock requirements vary by carrier and are not dictated by Samsung. Contact the carrier before you deactivate the phone and activate it on a new carrier. Samsung says that when switching between carriers, the phone must be unlocked by the outbound carrier for Bring Your Own Device customization to activate. Settings, About phone, Software information, Service provider software version shows the sale code, network code, and carrier ID. With a SIM inserted, Settings, About phone, Status information, SIM card status shows the network name under Network. That page does not call those screens a lock check. | Samsung US, move a Galaxy to another carrier |
| Wakamo's compatibility page says to find your model before you buy, and that a compatible device must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked. It also says the phone must be carrier-unlocked to use a travel eSIM, even when the model supports eSIM. | Wakamo compatibility page |
| Wakamo's help page says the phone must support eSIM and be unlocked by your carrier, that support varies by model and by where the phone was purchased, and to ask your carrier if you are unsure whether the phone is unlocked. The travel setup checklist on that page says to check that the phone supports eSIM and is unlocked by your carrier. | Wakamo help page |
FAQ
Does a locked phone work with a Japan eSIM?
The FCC says a lock is software that prevents a phone designed for one provider from being activated on another, and that the lock can apply to a physical SIM or an eSIM. Whether the phone is locked or unlocked, the FCC says to check with your mobile service provider before you travel internationally, because networks differ by country and unlocking does not by itself make the phone compatible with another network. Wakamo's compatibility page says the phone must be carrier-unlocked to use a travel eSIM, even when the model supports eSIM.
How do I check an AT&T iPhone or Samsung phone?
Sign in to the AT&T wireless account, select the phone, and look for Device unlocked in the Device info. On an iPhone, open Settings, then General, then About, and scroll to Carrier Lock. AT&T says SIM locked means the phone is locked. On a Samsung phone released before September 1, 2025, open Settings, About phone, Software information, and read Service provider software version. If the text ends in ATT/ATT, the phone was originally from AT&T and you submit an unlock request. If it contains ATT but ends in something else, AT&T says it was already unlocked. If it does not contain ATT, contact the original provider. On a Samsung phone released after September 1, 2025, open Settings, Connections, More connection settings, and look for Network lock status.
How do I check a Verizon lock?
Verizon's unlocking policy does not give a phone-settings path. It says a phone Verizon sold is locked to the Verizon network until Verizon removes the lock automatically. A postpaid phone unlocks when it was paid in full at purchase or when the financing balance is paid in full. A prepaid phone unlocks after 365 days of paid and active service. A lost or stolen report holds the unlock until the report is cleared. Verizon says it will not lock the phone again after that. A Verizon Gift Card delays the unlock by 35 days. Verizon also says an unlocked Verizon phone may still have limited function, or may not work, on another carrier's network.
How do I check a T-Mobile phone and finish the unlock?
On the T-Mobile website, sign in, open Accounts, select the line, and choose Check device unlock status. In the T-Life or T-Mobile app, open Manage, select the line, and read Device lock status. Be on the T-Mobile network or Wi-Fi before the unlock steps. On an iPhone, open Settings, General, About. If Carrier Lock says No SIM restrictions, T-Mobile says the iPhone is unlocked. If a locked iPhone is eligible, contact T-Mobile to submit the unlock. On a Samsung phone, open Settings, Connections, More Connection Settings, then Network Unlock, Permanent Unlock, and restart. On a Google phone, have a T-Mobile SIM or a T-Mobile eSIM, install the T-Mobile Device Unlock (Pixel) app from the Play Store, choose Check eligibility, then Permanent Unlock, and restart.
Can I unlock the phone before I travel?
The FCC says to check with your mobile service provider before you travel internationally, whether the phone is locked or unlocked. T-Mobile says a device unlock is for using the phone with another carrier, including international travel, and says to be on the T-Mobile network or Wi-Fi to finish the steps. Samsung says to contact the carrier before you deactivate the phone and activate it on a new carrier. AT&T says an eligible Apple, Samsung, or Google phone on an AT&T Wireless plan should unlock by itself when the requirements are met, and that you can submit a request without an AT&T account. Verizon says the unlock happens automatically when its conditions are met.
What if a Galaxy asks for a network unlock code?
Samsung UK says that prompt is a network lock from the original provider, not the SIM card PIN that keeps one SIM from being used in another phone. Samsung says it does not lock its phones to a network, so the code comes from the original provider or the retailer. Some providers allow the unlock for a small charge or for free, and some do not allow it. Samsung's US page says the carrier, not Samsung, sets the requirements, and to contact that carrier before you deactivate the phone. Samsung says the outbound carrier must unlock the phone for Bring Your Own Device customization to activate.
What if the phone is AT&T Prepaid or on an AT&T business line?
AT&T Prepaid can be unlocked after 12 months of paid AT&T service if it is not active on another AT&T account and has not been reported lost, stolen, or involved with fraud. Inserting a non-AT&T SIM checks a physical SIM: a message that the SIM is not compatible with the AT&T network means the phone is still locked. An AT&T Prepaid eSIM needs an unlock request for that phone type. An AT&T business phone follows the separate business list, including a 30-day wait when a two-year contract phone was upgraded early. The business account says Device Unlocked when the phone is unlocked.
Does Wakamo unlock the phone?
No. Wakamo's compatibility page says the phone must be carrier-unlocked to use a travel eSIM, even when the model supports eSIM. Wakamo's help page says the phone must be unlocked by your carrier and to ask the carrier if you are unsure. The help checklist says to check that the phone supports eSIM and is unlocked by your carrier.
Sources
FCC, cell phone unlockingfcc.gov
A lock is software that blocks activation on another provider, and it can apply to a physical SIM or an eSIM. Check with your provider before international travel. Unlocking is not the same as network compatibility. Participating providers post a policy and respond to an eligible request within two business days. The prepaid commitment is no later than one year after activation.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
AT&T, unlock phones or devicesatt.com
Consumer, prepaid, and business unlock conditions, the account label Device unlocked, the iPhone Carrier Lock reading SIM locked, and the Samsung checks that split on September 1, 2025.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Verizon, device unlocking policyverizon.com
Verizon's definition of unlocking, automatic postpaid and prepaid timing, the lost-or-stolen hold, the gift-card delay, the promise not to re-lock, and the separate business and military rules. The page gives no settings path.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
T-Mobile, SIM unlock policyt-mobile.com
Who can unlock a T-Mobile phone, postpaid and prepaid eligibility, remote unlock within two business days, where to read status in the account, and the military exception. The earlier prepaid path depends on a refill total stated on this page.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
T-Mobile, device unlock stepst-mobile.com
Device unlock is for another carrier, including international travel, and is different from roaming. Account and app status checks, the Wi-Fi or T-Mobile network requirement, and the iPhone, Samsung, and Pixel steps.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Samsung UK, SIM PIN or network unlock codesamsung.com
A SIM card lock and a network lock are different. Samsung does not lock its phones to a network. The unlock code comes from the original provider or retailer.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Samsung US, move a Galaxy to another carriersamsung.com
Unlock requirements vary by carrier. Contact that carrier before you deactivate the phone. The outbound carrier must unlock the phone. The About phone screens name the carrier and are not presented as a lock check.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Wakamo compatibility pagewakamo.io
Wakamo product information. Find the model before you buy. A compatible device must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked, including when the model supports eSIM.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Wakamo help pagewakamo.io
Wakamo product information. The phone must support eSIM and be unlocked by your carrier. Ask the carrier if you are unsure. The travel checklist repeats that check.
Accessed 2026-10-21.