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Unlocking

Is it legal to unlock your phone in the US?

Short answer: yes, unlocking a phone you own is legal. Here is what that means, what carriers can still require, and what is not legal.

By Peter | Published | Last updated | 3 min read

Illustration of a phone next to a pair of balance scales

Many people worry that unlocking a phone is a grey area. For a phone you own, it is not. This guide explains the basics. It is general information, not legal advice. If you have a specific legal question, talk to a lawyer.

The short answer

In the United States, unlocking a phone that you own so it can work on another network is legal. Federal law has dealt with the topic more than once, and the rules were later settled in favor of consumers being able to unlock. A law passed in 2014 covers unlocking for consumers. Carriers also made public commitments to unlock eligible phones.

Being allowed to unlock does not mean your carrier must unlock your phone at any moment. Carriers can set conditions. They usually include:

  • The phone is paid off or the plan is cleared.
  • The account is in good standing.
  • The phone has been active for a minimum time.
  • The phone is not reported lost or stolen.

Each carrier publishes its own policy. Check your carrier’s current policy on the official page: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon.

What a carrier unlock actually does

A carrier unlock removes the network lock. The phone can then accept SIM cards from other carriers. It does not change who owns the phone. It does not remove account locks.

  • Phones that are lost or stolen. We refuse them. Unlocking a stolen phone helps someone profit from a theft.
  • Changing an IMEI. This is illegal in many places and is not an unlock.
  • Removing iCloud, Activation Lock, FRP, MDM or Google account locks. We do not do this and never promise to. Those locks protect owners and organizations. If the phone is yours, the right route is to recover your account with the company that made it.

When you still owe money

If you are still paying for the phone, the carrier can require that you finish paying before it unlocks. That is a contract matter. Unlocking does not cancel your contract.

Buying a used phone

If you bought a used phone and it is locked, you can ask the carrier for an unlock. The carrier may only deal with the account holder. If the old owner is unreachable, that is where a paid unlock service can help for eligible phones. Before you buy, run an IMEI check so you know the phone is not blacklisted. See also our used phone checklist.

How untethr fits

Our rules are simple. By ordering, you confirm that you own the phone and that its contract terms are met. We refuse lost and stolen devices. You see the price and delivery time before you pay. If the unlock fails, you get a full refund.

Summary

Unlocking a phone you own is legal in the US. Carriers can set conditions, so check your carrier’s current policy. Ask your carrier first, since it is often free. If you cannot get it done that way, a paid unlock for an eligible phone is a legal option.

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