If you recently bought a new iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro, you might want to check whether it’s carrier locked or unlocked. Knowing this is important if you plan to switch mobile carriers, travel internationally, or sell your device.
An unlocked iPhone can work with any compatible SIM card, while a carrier-locked iPhone can only be used with the original network provider until it’s unlocked.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you quickly check if your iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max is carrier locked or unlocked.
Read: How To Customize Battery Charge Limit On iPhone 17 & 17 Pro
Check If iPhone Is Carrier Locked On iPhone 17
First, launch the Settings app from your home pages or App Library. In the Settings menu, scroll down and select General.

Within the General settings, you’ll find an option labeled About. Tap on it to proceed.

In the About section, you’ll see various details about your iPhone 17. Scroll down, until you see the option Carrier Lock.

If your Carrier has no restriction, it should state No SIM Restriction. However, if you have a restriction, you can simply tap on this option and more information will be provided to you.
Why It Matters
Knowing your iPhone’s lock status is crucial because it determines whether you can switch carriers freely. This affects the resale value of your iPhone. It’s also important when traveling internationally and using local SIM cards.