Is your phone unlocked? How to check before you buy a travel eSIM

Short answer: to use a travel eSIM, your phone must be carrier-unlocked, and on an iPhone you can check this in Settings, General, About, where "Network Provider Lock" should say "No SIM restrictions". On Android the menu differs by brand, so if you cannot find a clear lock status, ask the carrier that sold you the phone.

Support for eSIM and an unlocked phone are two separate things. Our eSIM compatibility check covers the first. This guide covers the second, which is the one travellers tend to find out about at the airport.

Quick facts

What "unlocked" means	The phone is not tied to one carrier and can use a plan from another provider
Who can unlock a phone	Your current carrier. Apple says it cannot unlock an iPhone for you
Unlocking takes	Can take a few days, according to Apple, so ask well before you travel
Travel eSIM type	Data only: no phone number or SMS
When validity starts	Usually when the eSIM first connects to a network, not when you buy it. The plan page states it for each plan

Last checked: October 2026.

How to check an iPhone

1. Open Settings, then General, then About.
2. Find Network Provider Lock.
3. If it says No SIM restrictions, the iPhone is unlocked.
4. If you do not see that message on iOS 14 or later, the phone is still locked to your provider.

This is the method Apple describes in its guide to unlocking an iPhone for use with a different network provider. You can also check eSIM support there: Apple lists iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later as supporting eSIM, per its eSIM support page.

How to check an Android phone

Android has no single menu for this. Brands and carriers label things differently, and we have not found one official path that applies to every phone, so use these in order:

• Look in Settings. Search for "SIM", "network" or "carrier" and see whether your phone reports a lock or an unlock status. Some carrier-supplied phones do, many do not.
• Check how you got the phone. A phone bought outright, or from the manufacturer's own store, is more likely to be unlocked than one on a carrier payment plan. That is a likelihood, not a certainty.
• Ask your carrier. This is the answer that settles it. Ask: "Is my phone, model and IMEI, unlocked for use with other providers?"
• Search Settings for "eSIM" or "SIM manager". If your phone offers to add a SIM by scanning a QR code, eSIM is supported. If it then refuses the eSIM, a lock is a likely cause.

What a lock means for a travel eSIM

A locked phone may refuse an eSIM from a different provider, even when the phone supports eSIM. Typical reasons a phone is still locked:

• It is on a payment plan or contract that has not finished.
• It was supplied by an employer.
• It was bought from a carrier at a discount tied to that carrier.

If your phone is locked

1. Contact your carrier and ask them to unlock it. Apple notes that only the current network provider can do it.
2. Ask what the conditions are. Some carriers require the phone to be paid off first.
3. Leave time. Apple says the request can take a few days.
4. Once the carrier confirms, check again in Settings (iPhone) or ask the carrier to confirm in writing.
5. If unlocking is not possible before you fly, ask your carrier about its own travel options. A travel eSIM is not worth buying for a phone that will not accept it.

Do it before you buy, not after

Check the lock status first, then pick a plan. Once you are sure, browse destinations: plans for Japan, for example, start from $2.99. It is a one-off purchase, with no subscription and no recurring charge. No account or registration needed. After payment, your QR code appears on the order page within seconds, and there is no app needed: scan the QR code or enter the code in your phone's settings.

The setup guide walks through iPhone and Android, and how to install an eSIM on iPhone goes step by step. Remember to check that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked before you buy.

FAQ

How do I know if my iPhone is carrier-unlocked?

Go to Settings, General, About and read Network Provider Lock. "No SIM restrictions" means unlocked. If it does not appear on iOS 14 or later, contact your carrier.

Can I check if an Android phone is unlocked in Settings?

Some phones show a status, many do not, and the menu differs by brand. If you cannot find it, ask the carrier that sold you the phone.

Does a locked phone work with a travel eSIM?

It may not. Ask your carrier to unlock it first.

Can I unlock my phone myself?

No. Only your carrier can unlock a carrier-locked phone, and the request may take a few days.

If my phone supports eSIM, is it unlocked too?

No. eSIM support is a hardware and software feature. The lock is a separate carrier setting.

Can I keep my home number?

Calls and texts can stay on your home SIM while the travel eSIM handles data. See the setup guide.