Best 3 Tips to Unlock SIM Card on iPhone

The SIM lock is a security feature developed to help keep devices on the originally assigned networks. Once the SIM card lock is enabled, you will see the "SIM card is locked" screen whenever you remove the SIM card. This feature, to some extent, can protect your sensitive information from access by anyone else. But in certain situations where you may need to unlock your SIM card. Such situations can be:

• You want to change the service carrier
• You want to remove the phone for the sale
• You bought a SIM card-locked iPhone

Whether you belong to the situations listed above, this guide will introduce some feasible ways to unlock SIM card on your iPhone. The unlock steps differ according to your service providers like AT&T, Versio, T-Mobile, Sprint, and more. 

Note: You'll have no chance to switch the provider if your device is bought as a bundle, including a phone and pre-paid or post-paid connection. Only when the contract ends, the service provider share the SIM Unlock code can you remove the network lock. Before that, you couldn't use any other SIM card on your iPhone. 

Method 1. How to Unlock SIM Card on iPhone from Any Carrier

No matter your service provider, this all-in-one iPhone SIM card unlocker - EaseUS MobiUnlock can easily help you remove the SIM card lock. In addition to SIM cards, other iOS locks like screen passcode, Apple ID, Activation Lock, and iTunes backup encryption are also supported for removal. These features can greatly help users who forgot the iPhone passcode or try to remove their Apple ID without a passcode. 

To unlock SIM card on iPhone from any carrier:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer and run EaseUS MobiUnlock. Select "Remove SIM Lock" from the home-page. 

Step 2. Check your device's infromation displayed on the screen, and then click "Start." After that, you'll see our Terms of Use, click "I Agree" and then click "Start" again to proceed. 

Step 3. Then, you'll need to confirm your device information and click "Start Unlocking" to strat the unlocking process. Wait until the process is completed. 

Step 4. Once the SIM card is unlocked, you can disconnect your iPhone and go to check whether it is SIM lock removed. 

Method 2. How to Unlock SIM Card on iPhone Directly via the Phone App

If you've ever set your SIM card to be locked to a PIN (usually an identification number), then you can use the SIM PIN to remove the SIM lock. If you forgot or didn't know your SIM PIN, you can contact your carrier to help unlock your SIM card using the default SIM PIN or PUK code. 

It is worth noting that too many wrong attempts to enter the wrong SIM PIN will cause your device to be permanently locked to your SIM card, so never try to guess a SIM PIN.

Now, you can follow these steps to unlock your SIM card via the Phone app.

Step 1. Open the Phone app on your iPhone and get into the Contacts page. 

Step 2. Initiate a call, which can be any contact at random. 

Step 3. A dialog will return and show you an "Unlock" button. Click it to proceed. 

Step 4. Enter your SIM PIN and click on the green button to unlock your SIM card on your iPhone. 

Method 3. How to Unlock SIM Card on iPhone via the Settings 

Another possible way to unlock SIM card on iPhone is by disabling the SIM PIN. During the process, you might be asked to enter your SIM PIN. You can enter it if you remember. If you're unsure about the SIM PIN, never try guessing it.

If you indeed want to try, just enter the one found in the service document or customer service page, which could be the default SIM PIN. 

Now, you can follow these steps to unlock the SIM card on your iPhone via Settings.

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone. 

Step 2. Tap on the Phone option from the list, and then hit "SIM PIN."

Step 3. Turn SIM PIN off.  

Quick Tips: You can also change the SIM PIN code on your iPhone. Thus, you can use the new SIM PIN to unlock your SIM card the next time.

The Bottom Line

No matter your service carrier, you can find a feasible solution to unlock the SIM card on your iPhone. As you can see, it is easy to remove the SIM card lock on iPhone from any carrier with EaseUS MobiUnlock. If you're not fond of third-party tools, you can try other ways to get the job done. 

FAQs About SIM Card

After knowing the methods to unlock SIM cards on your iPhone, it's time to learn some additional questions about why my iPhone says SIM locked, can the SIM lock be removed from iPhone, and what is the default SIM PIN. Learning these questions can be helpful in case you face such a problem in the future. 

Why does my iPhone say SIM locked?

Your SIM card can be locked when you enter a PIN (personal identification number) three times. When that happens, you'll need to reset your PIN by entering your SIM card's unique unlock key, also called PUK.

Can the SIM lock be removed from iPhone?

YES, the SIM lock can be removed. The instruction to do it varies depending on your phone model and carrier. Generally, you can contact the carrier to help remove the SIM lock.

What is the default SIM PIN?

Usually, the default SIM PIN is 0000.

What is the iPhone PUK code?

The PUK code refers to a personal unlocking key used to unlock a PIN-protected SIM card. Such a code is needed when you enter the wrong PIN over three times.