Buying an eSIM is convenient and cost-effective, especially when traveling abroad to avoid expensive roaming charges. However, one potential issue is an "operator lock" – a restriction that prevents you from using services from other mobile carriers.
In this article, we'll explain how to check your phone's status to avoid any complications, what limitations an operator lock imposes, and how to remove this restriction on different types of devices.
What It Means and What It Prevents
An "operator-locked" phone is a smartphone – whether it's an iPhone or an Android device (like Samsung, Huawei, Nokia, etc.) – that is tied to a single mobile carrier. This status means you cannot use a physical SIM card or eSIM from a different carrier, the phone simply won't work with it. What restrictions does this status impose:
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- You cannot use a physical SIM card from another operator. If you insert one, you'll see error messages like "Invalid SIM"/"SIM Not Supported"/"SIM Locked";
- - You won't be able to use an eSIM. Even during setup, you may encounter errors such as "Invalid SIM", "SIM Not Supported" or "SIM Locked" or the process may fail entirely. In rare cases, using a QR code or entering the details manually may appear to work, but the eSIM still won't function: you may see messages like "No Network", "Cannot Activate", "No Connection" or the carrier name may be crossed out in the settings;
- - You can't change operators when you relocate, travel abroad, experience poor coverage, or face unfavorable rates. The main drawback is that, in another country – or even outside your operator's coverage area – you'll have to rely on roaming for calls, texts, and internet, which can be expensive. The table below compares the rates of T-Mobile, a popular US carrier, with Toosim's eSIM for travel in Europe.
|
Roaming with T-Mobile |
eSIM terms from Toosim |
| Go5G Plan: approximately $60/month, includes 5 GB, but an additional 5 GB costs an extra +$35 | 5 GB/30 days — $10,99 |
| International Pass Plan: approximately $30/month, but the internet is only available through the International Pass: 512 MB for 1 day – $5, 5 GB for 10 days – $35 | 10 GB/30 days — $16,99 |
| 20 GB/30 days — $27,99 | |
| 50 GB/30 days — $60,99 |
Disclaimer: Prices from third-party providers (e.g., T-Mobile) are subject to change. We do not guarantee their accuracy. Please always verify current pricing on the official provider’s website.
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- Problems with reselling the phone. Not everyone will buy a locked smartphone, and the resale price will be much lower.
Why is my Phone Status "Operator Locked"?
Being locked doesn't necessarily mean you've done something wrong or that there's a problem with your phone. The main reasons for this status are:
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- You bought the phone from an operator under a contract/installment plan. In this case, the carrier offers a discount on the device but ties it to their network. Unlocking is only available after you've paid off the full amount or once your contract ends. This is a common practice among carriers in the US (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile), the UK (O2, EE), and Japan (SoftBank, AU, Docomo), and less common in the EU;
- - Your phone has been IMEI-locked due to theft or loss;
- - The contract has expired or you have paid in full but haven't manually requested the unlock. Some carriers don't have an automated process;
- - The phone was originally locked, and you bought it secondhand. This is quite common in the US and Japan;
- - An error may occur after resetting or restoring the phone. This is rare and is usually resolved by a software update.