December 5, 2025
For more than a decade, iClarified has been one of the most trusted sources for iPhone unlocking. From hardware hacks and early baseband exploits to tools like ZiPhone, Redsn0w, and UltraSn0w, our tutorials have helped millions unlock their devices safely.
Today, the unlock landscape has changed. Software-based unlocks are no longer possible on modern devices, and unlocking is now handled officially through carriers. This page replaces the legacy iClarified Unlock Wizard and serves as both a definitive guide to unlocking your iPhone today and a complete historical archive.
If you have an iPhone 5 or newer, jailbreak-based or software-based unlocks no longer exist. All modern unlocking is done officially through your carrier by having your iPhone's IMEI "whitelisted" in Apple's activation database.
This guide applies to all modern models, including the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 17, as well as older devices like the iPhone X, XS, XR, and 11. This is the only permanent, safe, and Apple-supported unlock method.
An unlocked iPhone is not restricted to a single carrier. Once unlocked, you can insert a SIM from another compatible carrier--at home or abroad--and your iPhone will activate on that network (subject to network compatibility and regional bands). Unlocking does not remove iCloud Activation Lock, does not jailbreak the device, and does not erase your data when done properly through official channels.
On modern devices, the process is usually:
After this process, your iPhone should report "No SIM restrictions" in Settings, confirming that it is unlocked.
To quickly see whether your iPhone is unlocked:
If it displays:
No SIM restrictions
...your iPhone is fully unlocked and ready to use with any compatible carrier worldwide.
In 2014, the U.S. passed the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act--legislation iClarified readers helped support. This law requires carriers to unlock your device once eligibility requirements are met.
For the latest updates on carrier policies or new device releases, check our iPhone News section.
Carrier Requirements (Simplified):
Tip: You do NOT need to jailbreak to unlock a modern iPhone. All unlock apps, interposers, and Cydia packages are obsolete for current iOS versions.
| Carrier | Paid Off Required? | Minimum Active Time | Unlock Process |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Yes | Prepaid: 6 months | Online form; confirmation by email/SMS |
| T-Mobile | Yes | Postpaid: 40 days; Prepaid: 365 days | Automatic in Settings on eligible devices; support can assist |
| Verizon | No (for unlock) | 60 days from activation | Automatic; no request needed in most cases |
| Apple (SIM-Free) | N/A | None | Device is sold unlocked out of the box |
Some third-party companies claim to offer IMEI-based unlocks by submitting requests through carrier systems or other channels. While some are legitimate, others are unreliable or fraudulent.
As we reported in 2011, services like CutYourSim were sometimes shut down or reversed by Apple.
If you choose to try a third-party unlock, research the provider carefully, understand the refund policy, and be aware that unofficial unlocks can fail or be reversed.
Modern iPhones no longer use software unlocks, but between 2007 and 2012, unlocking was one of the most active areas of mobile hacking. Below is a condensed history of the major eras and tools, all of which iClarified documented in real time.
Unlocking the original iPhone required baseband downgrades, modified bootloaders, and tools like AnySIM and iNdependence. These methods represented the birth of the iPhone unlocking community.
Key Tutorials:
ZiPhone by Zibri brought the first widely used, one-step unlock. It brute-forced the baseband and bundled jailbreak, activation, and unlock into a single process, making unlocking accessible to mainstream users.
Key Tutorials:
As Apple hardened security, the Dev-Team introduced yellowsn0w and later ultrasn0w, which unlocked specific vulnerable basebands. Many users preserved basebands using PwnageTool or redsn0w so they could continue unlocking after updating iOS.
Key Tutorials:
In 2012, the SAM tool briefly allowed users to generate legitimate unlock tickets due to a flaw in Apple's activation servers. Around the same time, SIM interposers like Gevey and R-SIM manipulated activation procedures to bypass carrier locks at the hardware level.
Key Resources:
Below is the full historical archive of unlock guides published during the jailbreak era. These are preserved for reference and legacy purposes.
Note: These methods only work on very old devices running very specific firmware and basebands.
No. All classic software unlocks (such as UltraSn0w, blacksn0w, SAM, and Gevey SIM interposers) only work on very old iPhones with specific basebands and firmware. Modern iPhones and current iOS versions cannot be unlocked with jailbreak tools or Cydia packages. Unlocking today is done only through official carrier or Apple channels.
In most cases, no. Because carrier locks are enforced through Apple's activation servers, your carrier (or Apple in the case of SIM-free devices) must authorize the unlock. Third-party IMEI services usually rely on the same carrier systems behind the scenes and carry some risk. The most reliable method is always to request an official unlock from your carrier.
It depends on the carrier. Some unlocks complete within minutes, while others can take several days. AT&T and T-Mobile typically process unlocks within 1-2 business days once eligibility is verified. Verizon devices generally unlock automatically after 60 days of active service. You'll usually receive a confirmation email or SMS when the unlock is complete.
If you see a "SIM Not Supported" error, it usually means your carrier has not yet processed the unlock request, or your device has not updated its activation policy yet. Try restarting your iPhone. If the error persists, check the status with your carrier to ensure the unlock was completed on their end.
No. A carrier unlock does not erase your data or reset the device. In some cases, you may be asked to back up and restore your iPhone or insert a new SIM and restart the device to complete activation, but your content should remain intact as long as you follow the instructions carefully and keep backups.
Yes, in many regions it is legal to unlock your iPhone, especially once it is paid off or out of contract. In the United States, the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act explicitly allows consumers to unlock their phones under certain conditions. Always check the laws and carrier policies in your country or region.
No. Carrier unlocking and iCloud Activation Lock are separate systems. An unlocked iPhone can still be protected by Activation Lock and Find My iPhone. If a device is tied to another person's Apple ID or reported lost or stolen, a carrier unlock will not remove those restrictions. Only the original owner or Apple support can help resolve iCloud-related issues.
Yes. Official carrier unlocks are permanent and stored in Apple's activation database. Once your IMEI is marked as unlocked, iOS updates, restores, and backups will not relock your device. If your iPhone appears locked again after an update, contact your carrier or Apple support for assistance.
Unlocking has evolved from risky hardware hacks and baseband exploits into a straightforward, official carrier process. Modern iPhones can only be unlocked through authorized carriers or Apple, but the history of unlocking remains an important part of the iPhone community--and one that iClarified documented from the very beginning.
This page serves as both an authoritative guide to unlocking your iPhone today and a complete historical record of the tools and techniques that shaped iPhone modding.
If Apple or carriers change unlock requirements in the future, this page will be updated. Bookmark this page for the latest information.