Unlock your devices in 3 steps
Recover data in 3 steps
Feb 21, 2025 • Filed to: Remove Screen Lock • Proven solutions
It has become quite easy to unlock a device and be able to use it on any network you choose. This is because carriers are increasingly allowing users to unlock their devices and even offering them to codes they need.
In this article, we are going to look at how to unlock your device with or without the SIM Card. This is the complete guide on how to unlock the sim card iPhone. Let's begin with what to do if you have a SIM card from your carrier.
But if your iPhone has bad ESN or has been blacklisted, you can check the other post to see what to do if you have a blacklisted iPhone.
Begin by seeing if your carrier offers to unlock. Apple advises that you only unlock your device using this method. So if you haven't already asked them, contact your carrier so they can initiate the unlocking process and provide the unlock code for you. This process normally takes up to 7 days so only come back to the next section of this tutorial after your device has been unlocked by the carrier.
Step 1: Once the carrier confirms that the device has been unlocked, remove your SIM card and insert the new SIM card you would like to use.
Step 2: Complete the normal setup process and when prompted choose to "Restore from iCloud Backup." Tap Next to enter your Apple ID and Password and then select a backup to restore the device to.
This may take some time depending on how much data you have on your iCloud backup as well as the speed of your internet connection.
If on the other hand you don't have a SIM card for your device complete the following process after your Carrier confirms that your
phone has been unlocked, you can follow the instruction below to complete the unlocking process.
Begin by Backing up your iPhone
You can choose to backup you device either via iCloud or in iTunes. For the purpose of this tutorial, we are going to use iTunes.
Step 1: launch iTunes and then connect the iPhone to your computer. Select your device when it appears and then click "Backup Now."
Erase the device
Once your backup is complete, erase the device completely. Here's how to do it.
Go to Settings> General> Reset> Erase All contents and settings
You may be required to enter your passcode to confirm the process and it may take some time for the iPhone to be completely erased.
Restore the iPhone
When you completely erase the device, you will go back to the set-up screen. Complete the setup process and then follow these simple steps to restore the iPhone.
Step 1: Launch iTunes on your computer and then connect the device. Select the device when it appears and then select "restore Backup in iTunes."
Step 2: Select the backup you want to restore and then click "restore" and wait for the process to complete. Keep the device connected until the process is complete.
Whenever you need to go aboard or want to change to a cheaper carrier provider, you need to SIM unlock your iPhone first. Dr.Fone - Sim Unlock SIM Unlock Service can help you perfectly in this case. It can SIM unlock your iPhone permanently and most importantly, it will not violate your phone’s warranty. The whole unlocking process does not require any technical skills. Everyone can manage it easily.
Fast SIM Unlock for iPhone
Step 1. Download Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock and click on “Remove SIM Locked”.
Step 2. Start authorization verification process to continue. Make sure your iPhone has connected to the computer. Click on “Confirmed” for the next step.
Step 3. Your device will get a configuration profile. Then follow the guides to unlock screen. Select “Next” to continue.
Step 4. Turn off the popup page and go to “Settings-> Profile Downloaded”. Then choose “Install” and type your screen passcode.
Step 5. Select “Install” on the top right and then click the button again at the bottom. After finishing the install, turn to “Settings->General”.
Next, detailed steps will show on your iPhone screen, just follow them! And Dr.Fone will provide “Remove Setting” services for you after the SIM lock is removed to enable Wi-Fi as normal. Visit the iPhone SIM Unlock guide to learn more.
iPhone IMEI is another online SIM unlocking service, especially for iPhones. It can help you SIM unlock your iPhone without SIM card or unlocking code from the carrier. The unlocking service privided by iPhone IMEI are Official iPhone unlocks, permanent and lifetime warranted!
On iPhone IMEI official website, just select your iPhone model and the network carrier your iphone is locked to, it will direct you to another page. Once you have followed the page instruction to finish the order, iPhone IMEI will submit your iPhone IMEI to the carrier provider and whitelist your device from the Apple database. It usually takes 1-5 days. After it's unlocked, you will receive an email notification.
Once you have completed the unlock you can go ahead and conduct a software update on your iPhone. To do this on an unlocked device without the SIM card, you need to update the device via iTunes. Here's how to do it.
Step 1: Launch iTunes on your computer and then connect the iPhone via USB cables. Select "My iPhone" under the devices menu.
Step 2: a browser screen will appear displaying the contents in the main window. Click on "Check for Update" under the Summary tab.
Step 3: If an update is available, a dialogue box will appear. Click the "Download and Update: button in the dialogue box and iTunes will show a confirmation message that the update is complete and it is safe to disconnect the device.
We have outlined Apple's recommended method of unlocking your device. There are a lot of other ways to unlock your device although having your carrier do it for you is the safest way to do it. However, if you decide to do it, follow the tutorial above to set up your device and update it via iTunes before you can start using it with the new carrier's SIM card.
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