iPhone Carrier Unlock by IMEI — Every Carrier, Every Country

How do I know whether my iPhone is carrier locked?

Open Settings → General → About and read "Carrier Lock". "SIM locked" means the phone is tied to the original operator; "No SIM restrictions" means it is already unlocked. If you cannot boot the phone, a $0.03 SIM lock check by IMEI returns the same answer from the activation service.

Does a server-side unlock survive an iOS update or a restore?

Yes. The unlock is written against the IMEI in the carrier and Apple activation records, so it is re-applied automatically the next time the device activates. A factory reset does not undo it — unlike a software "unlock" app or an R-SIM, both of which are lost on update.

What does the carrier actually check before approving?

Typically: that the IMEI belongs to that carrier, that the device is not reported lost or stolen, that the contract or instalment plan is finished, and that the account is not in arrears. The premium tiers exist because they also accept devices that fail one of those tests — each service page lists exactly which statuses are supported and which are refused.

How long does an iPhone carrier unlock take?

Instant tiers return in seconds to a few minutes. Standard AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon tiers return within 1–48 hours. The slowest supplier tiers (identification and account removals) can take up to 7 days. Turnaround is printed on every service page.

What if the unlock fails?

A rejected IMEI is refunded in full — the reasons a carrier can refuse (wrong carrier for the IMEI, device already unlocked, device reported, IMEI not found in the carrier database) are not charged. Nothing is refunded for a wrong IMEI or a wrong carrier selection, so run the cheap SIM lock or carrier check first.