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Can a carrier refuse to unlock a phone?

Your carrier may refuse to unlock your phone if:
Your phone has not been paid off in full. You have any past due payments or unpaid balances with your carrier. Your phone is reported lost or stolen. You haven't met their unlocking requirements.
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Can you unlock a phone that's locked to a carrier?

Contact your carrier

Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone. Contact them and request an unlock. After you submit the request, it might take a few days to complete. Contact your carrier to check the status of your request.
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What are the requirements to unlock a phone?

Standard Requirements for Phone Unlocks
  • Your phone must have been purchased from your carrier.
  • Your phone must not have been reported stolen or lost.
  • Your phone must not be blocked by your carrier.
  • Your account with your carrier must be in good standing with no past due or unpaid balances.
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Can blacklisted phones be unlocked?

Once your device is off the blacklist, you can either use it or sell it. Unfortunately, if the previous owner blacklisted the device by reporting it as lost or stolen, then the carrier will be unable to remove or unlock the blacklisted phone.
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How long does a phone stay carrier locked?

There is usually a three-month period at the start of the contract where it isn't possible to unlock a smartphone. After this, they should be able to do it either for a small fee, or even free.
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Can a carrier refuse to unlock an iPhone?

What happens if a phone is locked to a carrier?

Many phones sold by carriers come "locked" to that carrier. A "locked" phone can only be used with that carrier; it cannot be used with another carrier's service. (Not counting roaming.) This lock can usually be removed by entering a special code or numeric password.
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Can we use locked iPhone in India?

To be able to use an iPhone outside the United States with an Indian cellular service like Airtel or Jio, you will need what's called an 'unlocked' iPhone.
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What is the difference between carrier locked and unlocked?

A carrier-imposed “lock” is a software code that prevents your phone from working on another cellular network. With an “unlocked” phone, on the other hand, you can get service with any carrier on a compatible network — and that's just one of the benefits of an unlocked phone.
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Why do carriers lock phones?

Carriers lock phones to prevent their users from switching to other providers before their contract is up. Cell phones are costly, with prices soaring into the thousands. However, many manufacturers and carriers provide contracts with payment plans to allow interested buyers to pay off their phones over time.
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Which is better unlocked or locked?

While unlocked phones offer additional functionality and freedom, they also aren't as secure as locked phones. Furthermore, there's nothing stopping a user from accidentally misusing an unlocked phone or downloading a harmful app.
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Is a SIM lock a carrier lock?

The Sim Lock is not the same thing as Carrier Lock. Sim Lock,. simply means the actual SIM card is what is locked, not your iPhone. If your iPhone were locked and you insert a sim from a carrier that is different to the one it is locked to, it would say Sim not supported, not sim locked.
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Is it illegal to sell locked iPhones?

They may be unlocked by the carrier when you've finished paying off the contract on the phone. You may be able to sell your carrier-locked iPhone as long as it is legally yours. If your iPhone is currently locked to a network, it is legal to sell it even if you still owe money on the phone contract.
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Is it legal to sell locked iPhones?

You can sell your iPhone device whether it is locked or not. There are several kinds of locks that may affect the efficiency of your device, including activation lock, password lock, and iCloud lock. Keep reading to learn more about each lock and what to do about them before selling the iPhone.
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Is it fine to buy iPhone from USA to India?

Apple's support page that lists telecom service providers that support e-SIM too has the names of all these three companies listed. This means that if you get an iPhone 14 from the US it will work in India. But yes, make sure that you buy an unlocked iPhone only. e-SIM technology provides better quality connection.
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Can IMEI tell if phone is unlocked?

An IMEI number can be used to determine the device make and model, and whether the device is locked or unlocked. If a device has been lost or stolen, the IMEI can also be used to block it from being used on most carrier networks, including T-Mobile's.
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Is it bad to buy a carrier locked phone?

The major downside of buying locked devices is the inability to switch carriers as you wish. And that is, in fact, the goal of carrier phones; to ensure you stick with them for an extended period.
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Can I use an eSIM on a locked phone?

NB : Please note that some devices are equipped with an eSIM, but you will not be able to use it, whether your device is locked or unlocked, as this eSIM feature can be restricted for some markets/countries.
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What is a blacklisted phone?

What is blacklisting? Blacklisting works by blocking your phone's unique identifier (IMEI number). When a phone is blacklisted because it has been lost or stolen, it cannot make or receive calls or use data.
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Do people buy locked iPhones?

iCloud locked iPhones are worth almost nothing and are generally only purchased by companies who scrap them for spare parts. You'll have a very hard time finding interested buyers, as companies like GadgetGone do not accept iCloud locked iPhones. If, however, you came by the iPhone legally, then yes, you can sell it.
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Can stolen iPhones be resold?

iPhone thieves will continue stealing and reselling pricey iOS devices in the secondary market. So, be careful when using iPhone in crowded areas. Moreover, if you accidentally lose an iPhone, don't fall in the trap of phishing scam that thieves may spell to steal your Apple ID and unlock your stolen iPhone.
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Who buys phones that are locked?

If your phone is locked to a network, it is legal to sell. You can sell your network-locked phone online at Swift Tech Buy as long as it's legally yours, even if you owe money on your phone contract.
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Can I sell a phone I found?

That means you cannot sell a phone or tablet that you reported as stolen and then found again; you cannot sell a lost phone that you happened to find; and you certainly cannot sell a phone that you or someone else has stolen. You can only legally sell a gadget that you own and is yours to sell.
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Is it possible to remove activation lock without previous owner?

One of the ways to remove the Find My iPhone activation lock from your iPhone without the previous owner is to present a proof of purchase to the Apple support team. When you give this document to Apple, they can verify the original owner of the phone and then can help you unlock the device.
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What is the 16 digit network unlock code?

SIM Network Unlock Pin (NUP) is a code used to unlock an Android phone or iPhone from its original carrier so that it may be used on other carriers. This code is typically 8 or 16 digits long and is used to unlock a smartphone.
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