The iPhone 11 Pro is one of Apple’s flagship phones packed with top-of-the-line features. However, a common frustration for many users is having their iPhone locked to a specific carrier through a SIM lock or activation lock. This restricts you from easily switching carriers or using local SIM cards when traveling internationally.
Fortunately, there are a few methods to unlock your iPhone 11 Pro, allowing you to use it with any carrier you choose. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process to unlock your iPhone, as well as provide guidance on choosing the best unlocking method for your specific situation.
Overview of Unlocking iPhone 11 Pro
Also Read: How to Unlock iPhone 6s/6s plus and Use it with any Carrier
What Does It Mean to Unlock An iPhone?
Unlocking an iPhone refers to the process of freeing the device from any SIM restrictions imposed by a carrier. This allows you to use any GSM SIM card in your device, rather than being limited to a specific carrier’s network.
Here are some key points about unlocking:
- Removes carrier-imposed SIM restrictions, allowing other GSM SIMs to be used
- Lets you switch freely between different carrier networks
- Allows you to use local SIMs when traveling internationally
- Does not affect any contractual obligations you may have with your carrier
Benefits of Unlocking iPhone 11 Pro
Here are some of the major benefits of unlocking your iPhone 11 Pro:
Use Your iPhone With Any GSM Carrier
The biggest benefit is being able to use any GSM carrier’s SIM card in your unlocked device. This gives you flexibility to choose plans, deals, and networks rather than being stuck with your current carrier.
Switch Carriers Easily
It makes switching carriers as easy as getting a new SIM card. This puts pressure on carriers to offer you better deals and makes you less tolerant of poor service.
Avoid Roaming Charges When Traveling
Unlocked phones can use a local SIM when traveling internationally. This saves you from paying expensive roaming fees to your carrier at home.
Resell Value
An unlocked iPhone will command a higher resale value because it has wider appeal to more buyers. Carrier locked devices have a lower market value.
Use Internationally Before Trip
You can insert a new carrier’s SIM to test network compatibility and configure APN settings before an international trip. This avoids being without cell service when you land abroad.
Also Read: How to Unlock iPhone 8 or 8 Plus and Use it with Any Carrier
Checking iPhone 11 Pro Unlock Status
Before going through the unlocking process, it’s important to check if your iPhone is already unlocked or confirm it is indeed locked to a particular carrier. Here is how to check the unlock status on an iPhone 11 Pro:
1. Insert Non-Original Carrier SIM
The most definitive way is to insert another carrier’s SIM card and observe if cellular data and calling works. If it does, your device is unlocked. If it doesn’t, move on to the next methods.
2. Check Settings App
Go to the Settings app → General → About. Scroll down to Carrier Lock status. If it states “No SIM Restrictions,” your iPhone is unlocked. Anything else means a SIM lock is present.
3. Contact Original Carrier
You can contact your original carrier (the company you bought the iPhone from) and ask if your device is still under contract or has any outstanding device payment plans. If not, it should be carrier unlocked.
4. Check with IMEI Database Services
There are online IMEI checking services that can determine if a device is locked based on the IMEI number and original carrier details. This isn’t foolproof but gives another data point.
Now let’s explore the step-by-step process to unlock an iPhone…
Also Read: How to Unlock iPhone 12 Pro and Use it with Any Carrier
Unlocking Methods for iPhone 11 Pro
There are a few different legit methods to unlock modern iPhones depending on your specific situation. Let’s take a look at when to use each:
1. Carrier Unlock via Original Carrier (Official Method)
This is the standard official unlock method supported by all major carriers. It involves contacting your original carrier (the service your iPhone is currently locked to) and requesting an unlock.
The requirements are:
- The device must be fully paid off (no outstanding payment plans or fees)
- Service contract terms must be completed (or almost finished)
- Account must be in “good standing” (on-time payments, no suspensions, etc.)
The carrier will process your request and send an unlock signal to your iPhone within 1-3 business days generally. The advantages of going the official route are zero costs and minimal hassle – just contacting customer service is required.
The one downside is waiting out your contract period to become eligible, which could take many months. Fortunately there are alternative options if you need to use your iPhone 11 Pro with another carrier more urgently…
2. Third-party Unlocking Service
A quicker unlock solution is to use a paid third-party unlocking service. They can generate unlocks for all iPhone models, bypassing the contract waiting period. The advantages include:
- Much faster unlock turnaround time (~1 hour – 1 day)
- Works if you still have a service contract or payment plan
The disadvantages are the cost (~$20-$60 unlock fees) and risks associated with providing details to an unknown company.
Ensure you only use reputable sites with a long history, money-back guarantees, strong reviews and guarantees of avoiding any voided warranties or bricking. Overall though, third-party services provide the fastest and most convenient iPhone unlocking experience.
3. Submitting Unlock Request to Apple (Exceptions Only)
In special limited cases, Apple itself may provide a direct iPhone unlock at no cost. These exceptions include:
- Previous carrier permanently ceased operations
- Military personnel deployed abroad
- Device changed ownership or gifted status
If you meet these narrow requirements, you can contact Apple support directly and submit an unlock request. Provide all relevant documentation they request. If approved, Apple will complete the software unlock which overrides any carrier obligations.
However for most regular users who simply want to switch networks, this option doesn’t apply. Stick with the first two methods outlined above instead.
Walkthrough of Unlocking Your iPhone 11 Pro
Now I’ll provide a complete walkthrough of unlocking your iPhone 11 Pro using either the official carrier route or a third-party unlocking site. Follow along below:
Step 1 – Gather Required Information
To start the iPhone unlock process, there are a few key details you’ll need to provide (for both official and third-party methods):
iPhone 11 Pro Details
- IMEI number (15-digit code unique to your device hardware)
- Obtain by dialing *#06# on phone keypad
- Serial number
- Found in Settings > General > About
- Current carrier network
- The service it is currently locked to
User Account Details
- Basic personal info (name, address etc.)
- Account number with current carrier
- Account PIN or password
Having all this prep work done makes the actual unlock request much quicker.
Step 2 – Verify Device & Contract Details
Next, double check to make sure:
- The iPhone is fully paid off (no outstanding device payment plans or fees)
- Your account is in good standing (no past due bills, suspensions etc.)
- Confirm when your current contract period finishes
Most carriers will only process unlocks if you meet these conditions. If unsure, contact customer service to verify before proceeding.
For third-party unlocks, checking for payment plans is still needed in case complications arise later.
Step 3 – Submit Unlock Request
This next part differs depending on if you are using the official carrier method vs a third-party unlocking site:
For Carrier Unlocks:
- Contact your carrier’s customer service (live chat or phone)
- Request they unlock your iPhone 11 Pro
- Provide account details such as number, PIN and verification info
- Wait 1-3 days for unlock confirmation notice
Here’s AT&T’s unlock request page example
For Third-Party Unlocks:
- Select a top-rated iPhone unlocking site
- e.g. DirectUnlocks
- Purchase unlock service for iPhone 11 Pro
- Input your device IMEI number and other details
- Pay unlock fee securely (credit card)
- Wait ~1-24 hours for unlock email and instructions
Reputable sites make it a quick and mostly automated process.
Step 4 – Finish Unlock Steps
Once the unlock request is approved and processed, finish by:
- Inserting new non-original carrier SIM card
- Following any final unlock confirmation steps
- Wait up to 5 minutes for unlock to complete
- Enjoy your iPhone 11 Pro now working!
If facing any issues, reboot the device and reconnect to cellular data. You may need to manually configure APN settings for that carrier also.
Step 5 – Reset Carrier Profile (Optional)
As an extra step after the unlock, you can reset the iPhone carrier configuration profile:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings
- Wait for phone to reboot into setup mode
- Re-enable cellular data and confirm new carrier profile
This wipe of previous carrier settings ensures most compatibility issues are avoided when connecting to new networks.
Troubleshooting Common iPhone Unlock Issues
Despite following all the proper iPhone unlock steps, you may face issues getting cellular data working properly on other networks. Here are some troubleshooting tips for common unlock problems:
Cellular Data Not Functioning
- Ensure correct APN settings are configured for the new carrier inserted. Manually enter them under Cellular Data settings if needed. Ask the new carrier for the proper APN details.
- Reset the network settings on iPhone to wipe any previous carrier configurations causing conflicts.
- Try a different SIM just in case the first new one was faulty or connected improperly.
- Slow network speeds or intermittent drops could indicate a weak cellular signal in that location. Test SIM card functioning on another phone if possible.
Calls Not Going Through
- Check if calling over VoLTE or cellular voice is enabled in Settings. Toggle them on/off.
- Make sure there are sufficient minutes or credits on the new plan’s SIM card. Top up if running low.
Stuck on Searching Signal Screen
- Toggle Airplane mode on/off to jolt the baseband chipset
- Soft reset the device by holding Power + Home buttons 10+ seconds
In some instances, contacting the new carrier’s tech support may help identify provisioning issues on their network blocking iPhone usage. As a last resort, ask the original carrier to double check the unlock status as transactions can fail.
Avoiding Resolocks When Using Unlocked iPhone 11 Pro
A final risk when using an unlocked iPhone 11 Pro is it getting “resolocked” by connecting to the original carrier SIM down the road. This wipes the entire previous unlock!
Here’s what causes it and how to prevent it:
What Triggers A Resolock on iPhone?
- Inserting old carrier’s SIM card after unlock
- Restoring from an iCloud backup taken during locked state
- Updating to newer iOS via old carrier where baseband gets relocked
How to Avoid Resolocking
- Never reinsert original carrier SIM after unlock
- Setup iPhone as new after unlock (no old backups)
- Only update iOS via iTunes on computer (not OTA)
As long as you are mindful of blocking any paths for a relock, your iPhone 11 Pro will remain happily unlocked! Be cautious about inserting any previous carrier SIMs even just to “check” if the unlock worked.
Must Know Travel Tips for Unlocked iPhones
Unlocked iPhones offer amazing flexibility for global travel across 200+ countries. But there are still a few tips worth knowing before taking your iPhone 11 Pro abroad:
Get Unlock Done Before Departure
Don’t wait until arriving at your destination to complete the iPhone unlock! Do it at home with proper time buffer in case issues appear. Trying to resolve unlock problems while overseas without cell service would be extremely difficult.
Check Network Compatibility
Research what cellular bands and LTE networks major carriers in your destination countries utilize. Cross check networks like China Telecom use compatible GSM frequencies as your iPhone 11 Pro. Incompatibilities do happen on international trips.
Set Expectations on Speed
Cellular data speeds vary hugely across different country telecoms. Don’t expect US grade Verizon LTE performance when using a prepaid SIM card in a third world country. Manage expectations properly and enjoy the global connectivity regardless of throttling.
Utilize eSIM Where Available
For travel to countries like India, purchasing a prepaid eSIM plan for your trip allows avoiding physical SIM card logistics. Just scan a QR code and cellular data starts flowing! But confirm eSIM compatibility on the iPhone 11 Pro before banking solely on this option.
Pro Tip: Use a inbox scanning service like Flyp to manage global SIM card deliveries and account settings without a local phone number.
By preparing properly and understanding the realities of international carrier networks, your unlocked iPhone 11 Pro becomes the ultimate travel companion letting you stay connected anywhere in the world!
Conclusion
I hope this guide covered everything you need to know about successfully unlocking your iPhone 11 Pro and using it globally across any GSM carrier.
The key takeaways are:
- Unlocking frees you from restrictions imposed by original carriers
- Check if the iPhone is already unlocked to avoid unnecessary work
- Carrier and third-party methods exist to complete the unlock
- Troubleshoot issues with cellular data or calling
- Avoid resolocks when using the device long term
Feel free to bookmark this guide and share it with any friends or family who have an iPhone 11 Pro locked to certain carriers. Unlocking truly unleashes the full potential of your device and incredible value considering the premium price paid.
Have safe travels and let me know if you have any other questions come up during your unlocking experience!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, an iPhone 11 can be unlocked to work on any GSM carrier worldwide through official carrier unlocking or using a third-party unlocking service. Unlocked iPhones support all major GSM networks.
Yes, an unlocked iPhone with no SIM restrictions can be used with any GSM carrier by simply inserting a compatible SIM card. It won’t work on CDMA networks like Verizon/Sprint though.
If you mean the activation lock, no – an owner locked iPhone cannot be unlocked without the original Apple ID credentials used to set it up. Activation locks protect against theft.
Yes, carrier locked iPhones can be unlocked either officially through the carrier it’s currently locked to, or via third-party unlocking services that can generate network unlocks remotely.
Yes, the iPhone 11 can be jailbroken to run unauthorized apps and tweaks. However jailbreaking comes with security risks and voids the device warranty. Many also find the benefits of jailbreaking less necessary on modern iOS versions.
No, legit carrier unlocks for iPhones must go through the official carrier method or paid third-party unlocking sites. Any free tools claiming to offer unlocks are usually scams and malware.
Yes, a factory unlocked iPhone direct from Apple that never had carrier locks is completely safe to use on any GSM network worldwide without restrictions or risks.
Unlocked iPhones work on any GSM network in the world, which is used globally except by Verizon, Sprint and some U.S. regional carriers. If buying an unlocked iPhone for the U.S., ensure the bands support those CDMA carriers if needed.
In general an unlocked iPhone is better since it avoids carrier restrictions, offers more flexibility long term and typically holds resale value better. However carrier promos may incentivize opting into their locked model initially.
