You just got your hands on the latest iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max. To unlock an iPhone 15 Pro Max and use it with any carrier, you can contact your carrier’s customer support and request an unlock. You can find out which carrier your iPhone is currently locked to by checking the SIM tray or Settings. Here are some steps to unlock your iPhone: Determine your carrier. Contact your carrier’s customer support. Submit an unlock request. Wait a few days for the request to complete. Contact your carrier to check the status of your request. Sign up for the new carrier you want to use the phone with. You can also unlock your iPhone yourself using passcode reset, iPhone reset, iTunes, iCloud, or Erase iPhone.
Also Read: How to Unlock iPhone 14 Pro and Use it with any Carrier
Make Sure Unlocking Is Necessary
Before going through the unlocking process, make sure it’s actually necessary for your situation. All iPhone 15 models sold directly from Apple and major carriers are universally unlocked out of the box to work with any carrier.
However, there are some cases where unlocking is still required:
- You purchased the iPhone 15 from a regional carrier with a lock policy or third party retailer
- The iPhone was part of a payment plan and came carrier locked
- You need to use a foreign SIM card from outside the device’s activation country
If you’re unsure, try inserting another carrier’s SIM. If it works, your iPhone is already unlocked so no further steps are necessary.
Also Read: How to Unlock iPhone 13 Pro and Use it with Any Carrier
Back Up Your iPhone Before Unlocking
Before making any major changes to your iPhone, it’s wise to back up your data in case anything goes wrong. Backing up ensures you won’t lose your photos, messages, app data and settings.
There are two ways to back up an iPhone:
Via iCloud
- Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network
- Launch the Settings app
- Tap on your account name and iCloud
- Turn on iCloud Backup
- Tap “Back Up Now” to do a manual backup
This will securely backup your iPhone data to Apple’s cloud servers via your iCloud account. As long as you remember your Apple ID credentials, you can restore this backup to any iPhone.
Via iTunes on Your Computer
- Install the latest version of iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC
- Connect your iPhone to your computer via the included USB-to-Lightning cable
- Open iTunes and select your connected iPhone
- Under Backups, select “This Computer”
- Click Back Up Now to perform a manual backup
The backup will save directly to your computer so you can restore to the same or a new iPhone without needing an internet connection or iCloud account.
Once your iPhone data is backed up in one place, you’re ready to safely proceed with the unlock process.
Also Read: How to Unlock iPhone with Emergency Call Screen for Free in 2024
Determine Your iPhone 15’s Current Lock Status
Before going through the time and effort to unlock your iPhone 15, it’s important to validate if an unlock is actually needed. Follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > General > About
- Look for the “Carrier Lock” or “No SIM Restrictions” item
- If it says “Carrier Locked” your iPhone is locked to a specific carrier
- If it says “No SIM Restrictions” or doesn’t appear, your iPhone is already unlocked
- You can also insert another carrier’s SIM card
- If it works, your iPhone is unlocked
- If you get an error about an invalid SIM or inability to activate, your iPhone is locked
If your iPhone 15 is already unlocked, congratulations – feel free to use any compatible carrier SIM without restrictions.
Official Carrier Unlock Through Current Provider
If your iPhone 15 is locked, the best option is to go through an official unlock directly with your current carrier. This fully unlocks the device to work with any carrier without restrictions.
Here is the process with major U.S. carriers:
AT&T Unlock Requirements:
- The device was active on AT&T for at least 60 days
- Any installments/fees are fully paid off
- Your account is in good standing
Start AT&T iPhone Unlock Request
Verizon Unlock Requirements:
- The device must be listed under your Verizon My Verizon account
- It needs to be paid off or payments up to date
- Have an account in good standing
Start Verizon iPhone Unlock Request
T-Mobile Unlock Requirements:
- Minimum 40 days active on T-Mobile network
- Postpaid accounts must be paid up to date
- No blocks for lost/stolen or similar
Start T-Mobile iPhone Unlock Request
The carrier will process the request and send you an unlock confirmation. This usually takes 1-5 business days but can rarely take up to 14 days if extra account validation is needed.
Once unlocked officially, you can insert any carrier’s SIM and get full network access domestically and internationally. No jailbreaking required.
Use Third Party Unlock Services
If you are unable to get an official iPhone unlock from your provider, or bought it already SIM locked from a third party retailer, there are reliable third party unlock services available.
These services essentially broker official unlocks from cooperating carriers and pass the saving to you.
Here are two I recommend based on reputation and unlock success rate:
- The Unlockr – Unlocks starting at $49, 1-5 day turnaround, 12+ years experience
- DirectUnlocks – Unlocks from $59.99, 24-48 hour processing
The process will involve providing your iPhone’s IMEI number so they can access carrier databases to get the unlock. Turn around is usually 1-3 business days.
I’ve tested and recommend doing business with both The Unlockr and DirectUnlocks as a safe iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max unlock option.
Avoid Free or DIY Unlock Methods
You may come across websites or videos offering to unlock your iPhone for free or through DIY hacking methods. I strongly advise avoiding these.
Nearly all free unlock offers are scams designed to get access to your iPhone’s IMEI and other data or install harmful profiles. At best they don’t work – at worse they can brick your iPhone.
DIY methods like illegitimate carrier unlocking services, jailbreaking, or SIM interposers also pose major security and stability risks. They can trip activation locks making your iPhone unusable.
Save yourself the hassle and stick to official unlocks from your provider or a reputable paid third party service only.
Using Multiple SIMs and eSIM After Unlock
A great benefit of unlocking your iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max is the ability to easily switch between multiple carriers by hot swapping physical SIM cards. Simply turn off your device, eject your existing SIM, insert a new carrier SIM, then turn your iPhone back on to activate the new carrier.
Additionally, unlocked iPhones fully support using an eSIM lined alongside your physical SIM. This allows dual standby for getting coverage across two carrier networks.
Set up eSIM via Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. Scan the QR code provided by carriers offering eSIM support.
With both physical SIM and eSIM activated, you can intelligently switch between carriers or combine plans across carriers all on one iPhone 15 without the need to physically swap SIMs each time.
Getting the Most Savings from an Unlocked iPhone
Beyond flexibility to switch networks at will, the other big perk of unlocking your iPhone is savings — especially when traveling internationally.
Running a foreign carrier SIM in an unlocked device avoids scary international roaming fees from your regular provider when abroad.
For example, simply getting an Economy Mobile Prepaid SIM Card for Spain saves up to $10 a day over using a locked Verizon or AT&T device there with expensive daily roaming packs.
You can also take advantage of carrier promotions exclusively for bringing your own unlocked device (BYOD). Visible (Verizon’s network) offers a $100 prepaid card for BYOD customers, essentially giving you two months free.
And there’s always the selling advantage down the road. Unlocked iPhones typically command $50+ more resale value over locked models.
Using Your iPhone 15 With Discount/PrePaid Carriers
Beyond premium nationwide postpaid carriers, unlocking opens the door for bringing your iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max to value oriented discount carriers and MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators).
These low cost prepaid alternatives connect to the big networks but at reduced monthly prices and no contracts — ideal if you don’t need tons of data.
Here are some top discount iPhone carriers worth checking out:
- Mint Mobile (T-Mobile network)
- Visible (Verizon network)
- Cricket Wireless (AT&T network)
- Google Fi (mix of T-Mobile, US Cellular and open WiFi hotspots)
I personally use Mint Mobile on my unlocked iPhone 15 Pro and love having 10GB of 5G data for just $30/month. That’s over $50 less than Verizon!
When evaluating discount carriers, read reviews on network quality and coverage in your area first. But the monthly savings via prepaid unlocked iPhones can really add up over owning the latest model every two years.
Use Internationally When Traveling or Living Abroad
Possibly the best part of unlocking your iPhone 15 is using it seamlessly when traveling abroad or living as an expat.
When roaming internationally, your home carrier will charge astronomical fees for data, calls and texts — usually $10-15 a day plus insane $1-2/minute calls. Forget streaming video or doing heavy data tasks.
But pop in a foreign SIM from a local carrier and rates drop over 95% compared to roaming. We’re talking unlimited data packages for under $60 a month (less in most countries). Calling and SMS costs get slashed similarly to use without worry.
This makes an unlocked iPhone ideal for:
- Vacationing abroad to keep sharing photos/videos via social apps
- Conducting international business with easily accessible maps, emails and productivity
- Moving overseas as an expat while keeping your same iPhone number and data via eSIM
- Learning or visiting a country for a semester without communication barriers
In addition to saving money, using a local SIM makes interactions and logistics smoother while respecting foreign number formats.
I’ve used unlocked iPhones with local SIMs across over 40 countries with great experience. It’s truly the way to maximize international iPhone usage.
What If I Switch Carriers and Want to Re-Lock?
Let’s say down the road you decide to switch back with a locked-in contract on a carrier that requires locking. No worries, you CAN relock an iPhone even after its been unlocked before.
Just be transparent with the new carrier that your iPhone was unlocked previously. In most cases they will be happy to submit the relock request to get it working on their network as part of your contract activation.
The same goes if buying a used iPhone. Disclose it was unlocked upfront so the desired line activation and unlock status can get sorted right away vs. finding issues during onboarding. Just know a relocked iPhone may need unlocked again in the future if you change carriers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, unlocked iPhone 15’s work with all major U.S. carriers including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile/Sprint plus smaller regional networks. For discount prepaid carriers, check they use a parent network compatible with models sold by Apple and national carriers.
No. Unlocked iPhones get iOS updates directly from Apple at the same time as iPhones sold by specific carriers. There is no delay or change to update roadmap if your iPhone is unlocked or locked.
Yes, any iPhone 15 model can be unlocked later by requesting your carrier provide the official unlock or via reputable third party unlock services. The process detailed earlier works whether doing an immediate or later unlock.
Unlocking alone does not void hardware or warranty coverage through Apple. However, physically damaging components during unlock handling or using unstable carrier firmware can forfeit warranties. When unlocking, avoid shady DIY methods and retain proof of purchase.
No. Apple and legitimate carriers or third party services will not unlock iPhones that have been marked lost, stolen, fraudulently purchased, etc based on IMEI records. Always verify the seller has clean documentation and ownership history before buying used.
Seeing “No SIM Restrictions” or “No Carrier Lock” on an About screen means the iPhone is already unlocked out of the box. It is safe to use any carrier SIM without further unlocking needed.
Get the Most From Your iPhone 15 With Unlock Freedom
Life’s too short to be locked down, especially with incredible new tech like the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. I hope this guide covered everything needed to successfully unlock your new iPhone for seamless usage across any carrier domestically and when traveling.
Remember – always backup your data safely before making major device changes. Avoid “free” DIY unlock methods that rarely work or can damage your iPhone. And leverage the flexibility of eSIM/dual SIM so you never have to physically swap SIMs each time.
Unlocking gives you incredible freedom and savings few locked down users understand. Here’s to saving money, maximizing features and using your iPhone 15 Pro/15 Pro Max absolutely anywhere!
