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If you’ve bought a refurbished iPhone, inherited one, or are planning to sell your old iPhone, it's always good to check if the iPhone is actually unlocked or not so that it can work with any UK SIM card. Here’s a simple guide to help you find out.
An unlocked iPhone essentially means it can be used with any network carrier and is not tied to just one network. The obvious benefit of this is freedom to move to any network plan that suits you, thus making it a very economical option for future benefits down the line. Read further about what "unlocked iPhone" means here. Another plus point if you’re planning to sell your old iPhone is that sim free iPhones sell for a lot more since they are accessible to anyone in the market who is looking for a new iPhone.
Other than getting a higher resale price with an unlocked iPhone, another key benefit for checking if your iPhone is sim free is when you’re about to go abroad. Knowing that your iPhone can use a foreign SIM card will make your life easier (and cheaper) to use the local tariff with internet and calls in the country you’re visiting. For more information on how to unlock your iPhone, we've created a quick and easy guide to unlocking your iPhone through your local network carrier.
Here are the 4 easiest ways to check if your iPhone is unlocked.
Before we get into other methods of figuring out if your iPhone is unlocked, we wanted to point out that the easiest way you can find out is by just calling your carrier! This approach is our favourite because even if your iPhone isn't unlocked, your carrier will be able to unlock it for you if you have no outstanding debts or fully paid off your contractual agreement. Just tell them that you're going away on a holiday and they will be glad to help :) Here are the contact numbers that you should call depending on your network carrier:
O2: 0344 809 0202
EE: 0800 956 6000
Vodafone: 03333 040191
Three: 0333 338 1001
Virgin Mobile: 0345 454 1111
Tesco Mobile: 0345 301 4455
iD Mobile: 0333 003 7777
A pain free and speedy way is to check your iPhone’s settings which takes literally 30-seconds!
Open Settings in your iPhone.
Tap on General.
Then tap on About.
Scroll slightly down until you find Network Provider Lock.
You should then find the answer as ‘No SIM restrictions’ to know if your iPhone is truly unlocked. If it doesn’t say this, it will likely say ‘Sim Locked’ or something else, indicating that your iPhone is most probably SIM-locked to a network carrier.
To test this method it is best to have 2 different network SIM cards at hand and follow the steps below:
Recommended to turn off your iPhone first - holding down on the sleep/wake button until the slide to power option appears to switch your iPhone completely off.
Eject your SIM card tray from the iPhone using the SIM card ejector tool (normally given free with every iPhone purchase in the box), or something of a similar size such as a safety pin.
Swap out your existing SIM card with the other network SIM card you have and re-insert into the iPhone until you hear a ‘click’ sound to know it is securely in.
Sometimes you may need to follow specific steps to activate a local network SIM card first - for more information on this, we've created a simple and informative guide on how to activate a new SIM card on your SIM free iPhone.
Try to make a phone call to a local number to see if it dials. If your phone was able to ring, then this means your iPhone is unlocked, but if it couldn’t make the call or an error message appeared on your iPhone, then likely your iPhone is SIM-locked.
Every iPhone will have an IMEI (international mobile equipment identifier) number which helps to provide any information available about your device. From your iPhone’s unique IMEI number there are multiple online tools that can tell if your iPhone is locked or unlocked, however the majority charge a small fee for this. There are free-of-charge services too, however the legitimacy is questionable of these free services, therefore we do not vouch for any free tool as of yet. If you would like to know how to find your iPhone’s IMEI number then there are 2 ways to do this:
Type *#06# on your dial screen and your IMEI number will appear instantly after (no call needed)
Head to your iPhone’s Settings, General, About, and then scroll down till you see the IMEI number which should be located in the PHYSICAL SIM section under the Network Provider row.
Hopefully either of the 4-options suggested above will help check if your iPhone is unlocked and give you the answer you need. If you’re after a new iPhone and need it already sim free, then check out Back Market’s collection of sim free iPhones such as the iPhone 11 sim free, iPhone 11 Pro sim free or iPhone 11 Pro Max sim free. However, we offer all types and brands of unlocked smartphones at a cheap price to fit your needs.
Before we get into other methods of figuring out if your iPhone is unlocked, we wanted to point out that the easiest way you can find out is by just calling your carrier!
Our mission is to make restored devices mainstream. Making old the 'new new' so to speak.
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We’re all about the latest and most cutting-edge devices here at Back Market. The differences between this and previous year’s iPhone are more iterative than revolutionary. Additionally, the cost of the latest flagship device is soaring through the roof. So, could this be the time to save a few hundred quid and choose a refurbished iPhone 11 as your next phone?
Since the very first iPhone was launched more than a decade ago, every September there’s a customary annual rush to own the latest model. As the technology improves and more features have been added, the price tag has steadily crept up to a front-page grabbing £1000. But that’s all well and good if you simply can’t do without the very latest iPhone—a lot of us out here can’t either. But what if all you want is a lightning-fast iPhone with excellent features without stretching your purse strings too much?
The Apple iPhone XS Max was launched in September 2018, and since then, it has been dominating the world of smartphones. This Apple iPhone is the complete package. It is equipped with new and better features than its predecessors (i.e., iPhone X, iPhone XR, and iPhone XS). On Back Market, we present you with both a new and refurbished iPhone XS Max. And in this guide, we take you through the outstanding features of iPhone XS Max, from camera quality to screen design, hardware to the physical structure. This will help you flawlessly navigate the phone and get the best out of it.
So you've decided to treat yourself to a refurbished iPhone, and have zeroed in on the iPhone X and the iPhone 11. Stellar choices both, but what you eventually decide to buy depends on what you're looking for in a phone. Good looks? Power? Prestige? Okay, we're going a bit too far here ;-) On a serious note though, both phones provide serious value-for-money and won't disappoint. In fact, the latest IOS update 14.0.1 available on both devices will give you that seamless experience you've been waiting for on a mobile device. Let's get started then - hopefully by the end of this guide, you'll have made up your mind!
Updated on March 5, 2024 - Can you believe the first iPhone was only released in 2007? Neither can we. It feels as though our beloved Apple iPhone handsets have been glued to hands for life. :D For those of us who are die-hard Apple fans, the only real question at Black Friday or contract renewal time is which iPhone to choose. Looking to save a bit of cash into the bargain - and buy before Black Friday comes around? Welcome to the wonderful world of Back Market, where we'll save you serious money on the best value iPhones available. Let's dig deeper into this joyous world of affordable premium technology...
We’ve emptied our piggy bank and traded in the obligatory arm and a leg. All so we could get our remaining hand on the latest iPhone 12 and see how it stacks up against our refurbished iPhone 8, X and 11. So, let’s take an objective look at whether the iPhone 12 is – at present – worthy of its number and price tag.
When looking for the best iPhone to buy, it is essential to look at your prospective phone's features and price. iPhone X is an excellent choice for those looking for the best smartphone with useful features. iPhone smartphones are popularly known for their security, ease of use, and integration with other Apple products. We will help you learn how to choose the best refurbished iPhone X and get value for your money.
In the 21st century, mobile phones have become somewhat of an additional limb for everyone. Well, except the few who refuse to be in touch with the times. When it comes to mobile phones, no discussion can be genuinely complete without mentioning iPhones. These Apple products have come to epitomize class and functionality in the smartphone sector.
All hail the glorious Apple brand, beloved by tech connoisseurs across the world (and potentially beyond). If you'd already pledged your lifelong devotion to the iPhone series then you'll be feeling pretty smug right now - we're going to go right out there and say it; we think the iPhone X may be one of the finest mobile phones ever made. Ready to be seduced by a piece of near-pristine phone technology? Come join us dear reader on a handset journey...;)
So you're mulling over the refurbished iPhone 7, and the refurbished iPhone 7 Plus? Great choices both. Prices have fallen considerably, and with Back Market, you'll be enjoying a deeper discount (with peace of mind) but more on our quality charter later. Let's get right into it then - hopefully you'll have decided on a winner by the end of this article - will it be the refurbished iPhone 7, or the refurbished iPhone 7 Plus.
Ah! So you want a portable computer, and have settled on the gold standard of laptops, Apple's cherished MacBook Pro collection. Great choice! Pretty back-lit keyboards.. a smooth multi-touch trackpad, and an overall enjoyable user experience. What's even better? Apple has abandoned those flimsy Butterfly keyboards (a carpal nightmare, weren't they?) and replaced them with the super intuitive Magic Touch Keyboards.
Updated on 30 October, 2023 - Unexpectedly just as good as the iPhone 12
SIM-locked iPhones should be a thing of the past from the end of 2021, but if you happened to have an old iPhone from before, then you need to know how to unlock your iPhone safely with this helpful guide.
Find out everything you need to know about the meaning of "unlocked iPhone" :)
Find out all you need to know about how to activate your new SIM card with your sim free iPhone in the UK.
Apple's iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max do not support 5G, unlike the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, and 12 mini, which came out a year later. This was one of the main criticisms made when the iPhone 11 range was launched, especially in a context where this new network is gaining importance and where the competition is adapting. Why is the iPhone 11 series not compatible with 5G? What models are compatible with 5G instead? We tell you everything below.