How to Unlock Your Cell Phone in Canada

Thanks to the Canadian Wireless Code, all carriers must unlock your phone for free when you request an unlock.

Though you likely already have an unlocked phone, the code also regulates device sales, requiring that all phones sold in Canada since December 1, 2017, be unlocked. Canadians can trust they have the right to buy a smartphone that works on any compatible carrier network.

Older phones (purchased before 2018) may still be locked to a specific wireless carrier due to loopholes around the Wireless Code. If that’s the case, the carrier must unlock the device for free upon request.

If you’re unsure whether your phone is locked or you just want to switch carriers and keep your device, unlocking your phone is usually quick and straightforward. Below, we’ll explain how phone unlocking works in Canada and walk through the steps for unlocking both iPhone and Android devices.

What is phone unlocking?

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Phone unlocking allows a smartphone to work on any compatible wireless network instead of being restricted to a single carrier. Before 2017, Canadian carriers often sold phones at discounted prices but locked them to their networks. Customers would pay a lower upfront price for the device in exchange for signing a multi-year contract with that carrier.

For example, instead of paying $600 for a smartphone up front, customers could pay $0 down and finance the device through monthly payments bundled into their plan. However, the phone would only work on that carrier’s network until it was unlocked.

Today, unlocking a phone simply means removing any remaining network restrictions, allowing the device to work with any compatible Canadian carrier. Having an unlocked phone also allows you to use an international SIM card in your device while travelling.

How to check if your phone is locked

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The easiest way to check is to insert a SIM card from another carrier. If the phone works normally, it’s unlocked. If the device asks for an unlock code, it’s still locked to the original carrier.

You can also check through your phone settings.

On iPhone

Open and follow the path of: 

1. Settings
2. General
3. About
4. Carrier Lock

If it shows “No SIM restrictions,” the phone is unlocked.

On Android

Open and follow the path of:

1. Settings
2. Network & Internet
3. SIMs or Network Operators

If the phone allows you to connect to different networks, it’s unlocked.

How to unlock a phone

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Unlocking a phone in Canada is easy, thanks to a 2017 law requiring phones to be sold unlocked. However, some carriers like Bell and Virgin Plus have skirted around the rule by enforcing a 60-day cooling period between purchase and an automatic unlock to be processed due to fraud concerns.

Let's move step by step to explain the process of unlocking your device and then show you how to unlock a phone by yourself.

What do I need to unlock a phone?

To unlock your phone, you need its IMEI number, a SIM card from a different wireless network, and possibly APN settings for the new carrier.

Your phone's IMEI number: This is your phone's unique identity, like a fingerprint. Some phones have it as a 15-digit number on a sticker on the back. You can also find it by typing *#06# into your phone's dial, or find it in the About Phone section of your phone's settings.

A SIM card from another network: A SIM card is how your device communicates with your wireless provider. If you activate a SIM card or eSIM (a digital version) for another carrier that uses the same network, then you may not get the unlock code request. However, you can still switch to these other carriers without the need to unlock your phone.

APN settings: This information is the network configuration that allows your smartphone to access the data network. Many phones have these built in for when you switch, but some may need to be added manually. You can search for them online or ask your new wireless carrier to help with configuration.

How to unlock an iPhone

Unlock your iPhone by contacting your carrier to ensure it’s been unlocked on their end. If your device runs iOS 14 or newer, you can confirm if your device is unlocked in Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock. Look for “No SIM restrictions” to confirm that you can activate a SIM card from a different carrier.

This is a lot of tech to understand, but you're not alone. Your easiest option is to simply call your cell phone carrier for help or walk into a store and ask them to do the work for you. Your carrier may also require the:

• Name of the account holder
• Account holder's security password
• Phone number currently assigned to the phone

How to unlock an Android phone

The process to unlock your Android phone is the same as that for an iPhone. You must contact your carrier with your phone's IMEI number to find out whether it's still locked to a Canadian network.

You can also check in your Android phone's settings. Depending on your specific model and version of Android, you'll find this info in your Network menu, under the Network Operators option. If you can connect to a different network, your phone is unlocked. 

You can also pop another carrier's SIM card into your device to see if you're able to connect successfully to that network.

What if I didn't buy from a wireless carrier?

Apple, Google, and third-party resellers like Best Buy and Walmart can sometimes get you exclusive deals. However, they can't help you unlock your phone.

No matter where you bought your device, contact the wireless carrier (Rogers, Bell, Telus, etc.) to unlock your phone. Your carrier is the company you pay monthly for your cell phone service.

Phones such as Samsung's Galaxy S series or Google Pixels come factory unlocked. You can take them to any carrier that supports the technology. Similarly, Apple's iPhones are usually unlocked straight from the box as well. 

Some phones sold before 2018 are locked to a carrier if they were bought on a two or three-year contract. At this point, it’s pretty unlikely you’ll stumble across a locked phone.

Purchasing an unlocked phone from a third-party seller, like Amazon, allows you

How much will it cost to unlock my phone?

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Unlocking your Canadian cell phone is free. In June 2017, the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) updated the Wireless Code of Conduct to established that all wireless carriers must follow these rules:

• All wireless devices sold after December 1, 2017, must be unlocked.
• All wireless devices that are locked to a carrier must be unlocked upon request at no cost.
• Unlocking must be completed even if the consumer is still on contract.

How to unlock a phone on a corporate plan

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Unlocking your Canadian cell phone is free. In June 2017, the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) updated the Wireless Code of Conduct to address a number of common consumer complaints. One of them was the cost to unlock a phone, even after a customer has fully paid for the device. The government agency established that all wireless carriers must follow these rules:

• All wireless devices sold after December 1, 2017, must be unlocked or sold with instructions on how to unlock the device at no additional cost.

• All wireless devices that are locked to a carrier must be unlocked upon request at no cost to the consumer.

• Unlocking must be completed even if the consumer is still on contract or the device has not been paid in full.

How to unlock a phone on a corporate plan

If the phone was sold to a corporate account after December 1, 2017, it should not have been locked to a single carrier in the first place. If it is locked, it should be unlocked within 60 days of purchase without cost (as long as the phone has not been reported stolen or lost). As of now, phones under a corporate plan fall in line with consumer-made purchases.

Can I unlock my phone myself?

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Yes, you can unlock your phone without getting the carrier involved, but you still need help. Cell phone repair shops and online storefronts offer to unlock your phone for a fee. There are a few reasons you might choose to go this route. If you've had difficulty with the original carrier or you’re not the original owner, you may want to do it yourself.

Should I use a third-party unlocking service?

At WhistleOut, we don’t recommend using third-party unlocking services in Canada. We've used them before, and many are trustworthy, but getting the original carrier to unlock the device first will be the smoothest process.

You may see third-party unlocking services that charge a small fee ($7 to $20 or more) to unlock your device. This was often the most affordable way to unlock your phone prior to the CRTC's changes to the Wireless Code of Conduct in 2017; although it came with some risk. You often have to pay upfront and wait a few hours or a few days to find out if they're going to send you an unlock code.

Why should I unlock my cell phone?

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Unlocking your cell phone lets you switch to another wireless carrier and lets you pay month to month when you bring your own phone (BYOP). However, there is no rush to unlock your smartphone. If you are happy with your wireless provider, you may choose to leave your device locked. If you do choose to move to another carrier later, you'll still have the right to unlock your phone at a later date.

When you unlock and use an old phone with a new carrier, you may have to pay off any remaining costs or discounts from when you bought your phone. That's really only to close out your account. You never have to finish paying off your device to unlock it.

Can I unlock my phone to any network?

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Yes, you can unlock your phone in Canada and use it on any compatible wireless network across Canada. Typically, iPhone and Android smartphone models that support 4G LTE will work on every cellular network in Canada. You may unlock an older 3G device, but it probably is not usable with modern mobile networks. 

You may not need to unlock your phone when switching carriers, as many use the same network. 

The big three national wireless carriers also have sub-brands that have marketing that targets a younger demographic. Bell owns Virgin Plus and Lucky Mobile, Telus has Koodo and Public Mobile, and Rogers provides service for Fido and Chatr customers. All of these flanker brands have network coverage and customer service that is as good as the parent companies for a lower monthly fee. If you move from one brand to another (like moving from Koodo to Telus), then you don't need to unlock your phone since you're not changing networks.

Unlocking your device also opens you up to regional carriers like Freedom Mobile, SaskTel, Eastlink, and Videotron. All these carriers let you roam outside their main coverage area and across Canada on partner networks.

If you often travel outside the country, you may want to unlock your phone and use cheaper plans while abroad; some carriers will even let you subscribe on a daily rate. Different carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T sometimes use different and incompatible technologies. Even if your phone is unlocked, call ahead first to make sure it will work with the wireless provider you plan to use. 

Once you're ready to move on, selling your old smartphone privately can benefit from unlocking your phone first. With three major carriers in Canada (and a dozen more small ones) you can triple the number of potential buyers by simply unlocking your device first.

If you're ready to switch your unlocked phone to a new network, check out some of the best bring-your-own-device (BYOD) phone plans below.