How To Find Out What Network My Phone Is On Without SIM?

If you’re considering switching to a different network to save money, looking to improve your signal, or trying to sell your phone, having a phone locked to a network will make the transition more complicated.

But, how to find out what network my phone is on without a SIM?

This blog post will explain what locked phones are and the different methods you can try to figure out if your phone is locked when you don’t have a SIM card.

What Is a Locked Phone?

A locked phone is restricted to a specific carrier and doesn’t allow a user to switch mobile networks. In other words, if your phone is locked, you won’t be able to use any other SIM card other than the card (or any SIM cards) issued by your network provider.

An unlocked phone, on the other hand, gives you plenty of options. You can use a different SIM card when you’re abroad for cheaper browsing, texts, or call and switch mobile networks if you find a more affordable plan. 

The good news is that locked phones are much less common now, and they’re much easier to unlock than before. In most cases, you’ll need your IMEI (international mobile equipment identity), a unique number that identifies every mobile device.

How To Find Out What Network My Phone Is On Without a SIM?

The easiest way to see if your phone is unlocked is to try a different SIM card. But, if you don’t have one, there are plenty of other ways to check your phone lock status.

Step-By-Step Guides for iPhone Users

iPhone users can look at some of the following options to see if you have an unlocked phone without a SIM card.

The Settings menu

To check if your SIM lock status on an iPhone,

1. Go to the ‘Settings’ app on your phone.

2. Tap on ‘Mobile Data’( or ‘Cellular Data’ in the US version).

3. Look for the ‘Mobile Data Network’ option( ‘Cellular Data Network’ for the US)

If this option is available, your phone is likely unlocked.

Use an IMEI checker

Several online tools, which you can usually find on your carrier’s website, can help you check if your IMEI is compatible with a network, like IMEI CHECK, and check if your phone is unlocked.

To check your IMEI number on an iPhone,

1. Go to the ‘Settings’ app.
2. Tap on ‘General.’ 
3. Tap on the ‘About’.
4. Scroll down to find the IMEI. It’s usually at the bottom of the page.

Step-By-Step Guides for Android Users

Android users can check if a phone is unlocked in the same ways, though some steps vary. 

The Settings menu

To see if you have an unlocked phone,

1. Go to the Settings menu

2. Tap on ‘Connections’ or ‘Network & Internet.’ 

3. Go to the ‘Mobile Networks’ section.

4. Tap on ‘Network operators.’ 

5. Select ’Search Now’ or ’Scan Networks’.

If you see more than one network, then your phone isn’t locked. 

Use an IMEI checker

To check your IMEI on an Android,

1. Go to ‘Settings.’
2. Tap on ‘About.’
3. Select ‘IMEI’ and then status to see the IMEI information. 

You can then go to IMEI.info, enter your IMEI, and click the ‘Check’ button. Once your number is processed, the site will let you know if your phone is unlocked.

Worth noting: While these methods can help you figure out whether your phone is locked and if you need to look for ways to unlock your phone without a SIM card, the best way to verify that your phone is unlocked is to contact your carrier provider.

Bottom Line

If you’re wondering ‘how to find out what network my phone is on without a SIM?’ There are several ways to do that. The best way to make sure that your phone is unlocked is to contact your network carrier and ask their customer support team to check. However, if you don’t have a SIM card, you can visit an IMEI checker website that will let you know if your phone is compatible with more than one network.