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Activation Lock, a carrier lock and an IMEI blacklist are 3 separate restrictions: Activation Lock is set by Apple and tied to an Apple Account, a carrier lock is set by a carrier and limits the phone to its network, and a blacklist flag is set by a carrier to block the phone from cellular service. Each has a different owner and a different fix. They also change a sale differently: carrier-locked phones sell at a locked offer, phones blacklisted for an unpaid balance sell at a reduced offer, and phones with Activation Lock or a lost or stolen report cannot be sold until the lock is removed. Sell Locked iPhone for Cash covers carrier-locked phones.
- Activation Lock: Apple; cleared by the Apple Account owner.
- Carrier lock: the carrier; cleared by an unlock once the carrier's rules are met.
- Blacklist: the carrier and shared databases; cleared only when the reason is resolved.
- A phone can have more than one at once.
How do the 3 locks compare?
The 3 locks differ on 6 attributes. The table compares them.
| Attribute | Activation Lock | Carrier lock | Blacklist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set by | Apple, through Find My | The carrier that sold the phone | A carrier, shared through the GSMA Device Registry for lost or stolen reports |
| Linked to | The Apple Account | The IMEI in carrier records | The IMEI in carrier and registry records |
| What it blocks | Setting up and using the phone | SIM cards and eSIMs from other carriers | Cellular calls, texts and data |
| Phone still usable | No, by anyone but the owner | Yes, on the original carrier | Yes, on Wi-Fi |
| Who removes it | The Apple Account owner, or Apple with proof of purchase | The carrier, when unlock rules are met | The carrier, when the reason is resolved |
| Removed by erasing | No | No | No |
What is Activation Lock?
Activation Lock is an Apple security feature that links an iPhone to its owner's Apple Account whenever Find My is turned on. After an erase, the phone asks for that account's email and password before it can be set up. The lock stops a thief, or anyone else, from using a phone that is not theirs. It is cleared in 3 ways:
- The owner signs out in Settings, which turns off Find My.
- The owner removes the phone at icloud.com/find with Remove This Device.
- Apple removes it after an Activation Lock support request with proof of purchase.
An iPhone with Activation Lock on cannot be sold, because no buyer can set it up or test it. Can You Sell an iCloud Locked iPhone? What to Do Instead explains the options.
What is a carrier lock?
A carrier lock, also called a SIM lock, restricts an iPhone to one carrier's SIM cards and eSIMs. Carriers lock phones they sell, often at a discount or on installments, until the phone meets their unlock rules. The table summarizes the major carriers' rules.
| Carrier | Postpaid unlock rule |
|---|---|
| AT&T | Paid in full and active 60 days; request at att.com/deviceunlock |
| T-Mobile | Paid in full and active 40 days; request through T-Mobile support |
| Verizon | Bought after January 27, 2026: locked until paid off; earlier phones unlock after 60 days |
A carrier-locked phone works normally on its own carrier. It sells at a locked offer, which is lower than the unlocked offer. How to Tell If Your iPhone Is Unlocked Before Selling explains the check.
What is a blacklisted IMEI?
A blacklisted IMEI is a phone identifier listed in carrier or shared records that block it from cellular service. The 4 common reasons are a lost or stolen report, an unpaid device balance, an insurance claim and fraud. A blacklisted phone still works on Wi-Fi. The sale result depends on the reason:
| Reason | Sale result |
|---|---|
| Unpaid device balance | Reduced offer from the account holder |
| Lost or stolen report | Not bought |
| Insurance claim or fraud | Not bought |
Sell Blacklisted iPhone for Cash explains the unpaid balance offer, and What Is an IMEI Blacklist and How Does It Work? explains the records.
Which of these can still be sold?
Two of the 3 locks still allow a sale, and one does not. The table shows the result for each case.
| Lock | Can it be sold? | Offer |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier lock only | Yes | Locked offer |
| Blacklist for unpaid balance | Yes, by the account holder | Reduced offer |
| Blacklist for lost or stolen | No | Not bought |
| Activation Lock | Not until the owner removes it | Full offer after removal |
| None | Yes | Full unlocked offer |
How do I check which lock my iPhone has?
Check which lock an iPhone has with 3 tests:
- Activation Lock: while signed in, open Settings > your name > Find My; "On" means Activation Lock is active. After an erase, an Activation Lock screen during setup confirms it.
- Carrier lock: open Settings > General > About; "No SIM restrictions" means unlocked.
- Blacklist: enter the IMEI in CTIA's Stolen Phone Checker at stolenphonechecker.org, and check the carrier account for unpaid balances.
How to Check an iPhone IMEI Before You Sell It covers IMEI checks in detail.
Can an iPhone have more than one lock?
An iPhone can have all 3 locks at once. A financed phone that was lost, for example, can be carrier-locked, blacklisted for an unpaid balance and Activation Locked to the owner's account. Each lock must be cleared by its own owner: the Apple Account owner for Activation Lock and the carrier for the carrier lock and the blacklist flag. Clearing one does not clear the others.
Does erasing an iPhone remove any of these locks?
Erasing an iPhone removes none of these locks. Activation Lock is stored on Apple's servers, and carrier locks and blacklist flags are stored in carrier records linked to the IMEI. Erasing removes data and the passcode only. To remove Activation Lock during an erase, sign out of the Apple Account first, which requires the account password. Does a Factory Reset Delete Everything on an iPhone? explains what an erase does.
Which lock lowers the price most?
Activation Lock and a lost or stolen report lower the price most, because they stop a sale entirely. An unpaid balance flag reduces the offer more than a carrier lock does. A carrier lock reduces it least, because the phone is fully usable on one carrier and can be unlocked later. The order from highest to lowest offer is: unlocked and clean, carrier-locked, unpaid balance, then not bought.
What is MDM, and is it a fourth lock?
Mobile device management (MDM) is a fourth type of restriction, set by an organization such as an employer or school. A managed phone can be locked or erased remotely, and a phone assigned in Apple Business Manager returns to management after an erase. Only the organization can release it. How to Check an iPhone for an MDM Profile explains how to check.
What should I do if I bought a phone with one of these locks?
When a used phone has one of these locks, contact the seller first. A carrier lock is the least serious, because the phone works on its original carrier. An unpaid balance flag needs the original account holder to pay. Activation Lock needs the previous owner to remove the phone from their account. A lost or stolen report means the phone belongs to someone else. Bought a Used iPhone That Is Locked? What to Do covers each case.
Do unlock and bypass services work on these locks?
Third-party services cannot reliably clear any of these locks. Only Apple and the account owner control Activation Lock, and only the carrier controls carrier locks and blacklist flags. Some services sell unofficial workarounds that leave the phone linked to the original records, and some are scams. Buybacks check all 3 locks during testing, so a workaround does not change the result.
How does each lock affect a mail-in sale?
Each lock affects a mail-in sale at a different point. The table shows when each is checked and what happens.
| Lock | When checked | Result if not declared in the quote |
|---|---|---|
| Activation Lock | On arrival | The seller is asked to remove it at icloud.com/find before testing continues |
| Carrier lock | During testing | Revised locked offer |
| Unpaid balance flag | During testing | Revised reduced offer |
| Lost or stolen report | During testing | Not bought |
Declined revised offers lead to a free return of the phone. Revised Offer Explained: What Happens If My iPhone Differs explains the process.
Why do these locks exist?
Each lock exists for a different purpose:
| Lock | Purpose | Who it protects |
|---|---|---|
| Activation Lock | Make stolen iPhones useless to thieves | The phone's owner |
| Carrier lock | Keep a discounted or financed phone on the carrier until it is paid for | The carrier |
| Blacklist | Block lost, stolen, unpaid or fraudulent phones from networks | Owners and carriers |
Apple introduced Activation Lock with iOS 7 in 2013. It turns on automatically whenever Find My is turned on, so most iPhones in use have it active.
Which lock should I clear first before selling?
Clear the locks in this order before selling: Activation Lock first, because it blocks any sale; then the unpaid balance, which removes a blacklist flag and enables an unlock; then the carrier lock, which raises the offer to full value. Each step depends on its own owner, so start each request as early as possible. A quote stays valid for 14 days.
How long does it take to clear each lock?
The time to clear each lock varies. The table lists typical ranges.
| Lock | Typical time to clear |
|---|---|
| Activation Lock, owner has the password | Minutes |
| Activation Lock, support request to Apple | Several days or longer, after review |
| Carrier lock, eligible phone | Minutes to a few business days |
| Unpaid balance flag | A few business days after payment posts |
| Lost or stolen report, owner recovered the phone | Depends on the carrier's review |
What do I tell a buyback about locks?
Tell a buyback 3 facts in the quote form: whether the phone is unlocked or which carrier it is locked to, whether a device balance remains, and confirmation that Find My will be off before shipping. Accurate answers keep the paid amount equal to the quote. The buyback checks each item during inspection within 1–2 business days of arrival.
Do iPads, Apple Watches and Macs have the same locks?
iPads, Apple Watches and Macs with Find My also use Activation Lock. Cellular iPads and cellular Apple Watches can be carrier-locked or blacklisted like iPhones. Macs have no carrier lock. The same rule applies to each device: remove it from the Apple Account before selling.
Does a carrier store remove Activation Lock?
A carrier store cannot remove Activation Lock, because Apple controls it through the Apple Account. Carrier staff can help with a carrier unlock or a device balance.
Frequently asked questions about Activation Lock, carrier locks and blacklists
What is the difference between Activation Lock and a carrier lock?
Activation Lock is set by Apple through Find My and ties the iPhone to its owner's Apple Account, so no one else can set it up. A carrier lock is set by the carrier that sold the phone and limits it to that carrier's SIM cards. The owner clears Activation Lock; the carrier clears a carrier lock.
Can I sell an iPhone with Activation Lock?
An iPhone with Activation Lock on cannot be sold until the owner removes it, because no buyer can set it up or test it. The owner removes it by signing out in Settings, by choosing Remove This Device at icloud.com/find, or through an Activation Lock support request to Apple with proof of purchase.
Can I sell a carrier-locked iPhone?
A carrier-locked iPhone can be sold at a locked offer, which is lower than the unlocked offer for the same model and condition. When the phone is paid off and meets the carrier's unlock rules, requesting the free unlock first raises the offer to the full unlocked price for the model.
Is a blacklisted iPhone the same as a locked iPhone?
A blacklisted iPhone is different from a carrier-locked iPhone. A blacklist flag blocks the phone from cellular service, usually after a lost or stolen report or an unpaid balance, while a carrier lock only limits the phone to one carrier. A carrier-locked phone works normally on its own carrier network.
Does a factory reset remove Activation Lock or a carrier lock?
A factory reset removes neither Activation Lock nor a carrier lock nor a blacklist flag. Activation Lock is stored on Apple's servers, and carrier locks and blacklist flags are stored in carrier records linked to the IMEI. Sign out of the Apple Account before erasing to remove Activation Lock. Check all 3 locks before requesting a quote, because each one changes the result.
Sources and references
- Apple Support: Activation Lock for iPhone.
- CTIA: Stolen Phone Checker.
- AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon: device unlock policies.