how to tell if phone is unlocked
Whereas a locked cell phone will only accept SIM cards from its current provider, an unlocked cell phone will accept a SIM card from any service provider. (This is very useful if you want to use your phone abroad, for example.) To identify an unlocked cell phone, follow these steps.. Power down your cell phone, remove the battery cover and battery, then look for the SIM card. 1  If you cannot find a SIM card in the back, look for one in the side or top of the phone.