What is a carrier-locked phone?

Operators that sell handsets on contract or instalments lock them to their own network until the balance or the term is finished. The hardware is fine and may well support eSIM — it is simply programmed to refuse any other network.

The confusing part is that the eSIM installs and appears in Settings as normal, and only then shows “No service” or “SIM not supported”. The lock is the problem, not the plan.

On iPhone — the clearest route:

• Settings → General → About
• Scroll to “Carrier Lock”
• “No SIM restrictions” means it is unlocked — anything else means it is locked

On Android:

• Settings → About phone → SIM status — some devices state it directly
• If it is not stated, the reliable test is to put in another operator’s physical SIM and see whether it registers

In every case the operator you bought the handset from can tell you definitively.

• Ask the operator that sold you the phone — this is the official route and the only dependable one
• They will usually require the instalments or the contract term to be finished
• Once approved it clears within hours to a few days, sometimes after a restart or a carrier-settings update

Be wary of paid “unlocking” services online — many are scams, and some void the warranty or simply re-lock after the next update.

An unlocked phone that cannot take an eSIM is no use either. Check that your phone supports eSIM — it takes under a minute.

Once the eSIM has been installed it cannot be returned, which is why we ask you to confirm before paying. If you have not installed it yet, contact us straight away and see the refund policy.