The iPhone 13 Pro is one of the most advanced smartphones available today. With its powerful A15 Bionic chip, stellar camera system, and gorgeous Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, it offers an unparalleled user experience. However, iPhones sold by carriers are often locked to their networks. This prevents you from using other SIM cards or networks on the device unless you unlock it.
Unlocking your iPhone 13 Pro offers several benefits:
- Use your iPhone 13 Pro with different carriers when traveling internationally
- Switch to a new carrier without buying a new phone
- Resell an unlocked iPhone 13 Pro for a higher price
- Avoid early upgrade fees or other carrier restrictions
Fortunately, unlocking the latest iPhone is easier than ever. In this guide, you’ll learn multiple methods to unlock iPhone 13 Pro and use it with any carrier you want.
Also Read: How to Unlock iPhone with Emergency Call Screen for Free in 2024
Is My iPhone 13 Pro Locked or Unlocked?
Before unlocking your iPhone, it’s important to check if it’s currently locked or unlocked:
Check iPhone 13 Pro Lock Status via IMEI
Every iPhone has a unique 15-digit IMEI number that identifies that specific device. You can retrieve the IMEI number by:
- Dialing *#06# on the Phone app
- Checking Settings > General > About
- Looking at the SIM card tray
Once you have the IMEI number, enter it on the Apple Unlock Check page. It will analyse the IMEI and tell you if your iPhone is locked, unlocked, or currently being used through the iPhone Upgrade Program.
If you purchased your iPhone 13 Pro full price from Apple, it likely comes factory unlocked. But devices bought on installment plans or from carrier stores often come locked.
Insert a Different SIM Card
The most definite way to confirm if your iPhone is locked is by inserting another carrier’s SIM card.
For example, if you’re currently using a Verizon SIM, try inserting a friend’s AT&T or T-Mobile SIM. If the iPhone accepts the card and connects to the other carrier’s network, it’s unlocked. If it displays an error like “SIM Not Supported,” “No Service,” or “Invalid SIM,” it means your iPhone is locked.
Once you’ve confirmed your iPhone 13 Pro is indeed locked, you can move forward with unlocking it.
Also Read: How to Unlock iPhone 14 Pro and Use it with any Carrier
Unlock iPhone 13 Pro Bought from a Carrier
If you purchased your iPhone through a carrier by making monthly payments, it is likely SIM locked to only work on that carrier. Here are a few methods to unlock it:
Unlock by Fulfilling Your Contract
Most carriers will automatically unlock your iPhone after you complete the entire device payment plan term, which is usually 24 months. Once paid off, you can request the carrier to unlock the device or they’ll do it automatically.
For example, if you bought your iPhone 13 Pro on a 2-year AT&T Next installment plan, AT&T would unlock it after you make 24 timely monthly payments.
[[To learn how to request unlock from major US carriers after completing payments, see this helpful guide from Life wire.
Unlock Early by Paying Off Your Balance
You don’t need to wait the entire 2-year contract period to unlock your iPhone 13 Pro. Most carriers allow you to pay off the remaining installments early to get the device unlocked sooner.
Once paid off, you can request the carrier to unlock the iPhone so you can use it on other networks right away. This option gives you flexibility if you want to switch carriers before the payment term ends.
Learn how to pay off your AT&T Next early and unlock the iPhone.
Also Read: Unlock Your iPhone 15 Pro/15 Pro Max and Use It With Any Carrier
Use Third-Party Unlock Services
If you meet eligibility requirements, third-party phone unlocking services can also unlock your iPhone from the carrier. They work directly with carriers through legal unlocking agreements and charge a small unlock fee.
The unlock process is very simple:
- Enter your device details on the unlock service’s website to check eligibility
- Make payment once eligible
- Receive the iPhone unlock confirmation in 1-3 business days
Some popular third-party unlock services include:
- Cellunlocker.net – Unlock for $39-$49 plus free shipping
- DirectUnlocks – Unlocks starting at $44.99
- UnlockBase – iPhone unlocks from $29.98
These services can even unlock your iPhone 13 Pro if you still owe payment installments. However, every carrier has different eligibility terms, so be sure to check with the unlock company first.
Unlock iPhone 13 Pro Bought from Apple
iPhones purchased at full retail price through Apple come unlocked by default. You can use them on any wireless carrier, both domestically and internationally.
However, there are still a few scenarios in which an iPhone bought from Apple may become locked:
Activated on Installment Plan via Carrier
If you buy an iPhone 13 Pro from Apple but activate it on an AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile installment plan, it sometimes gets locked to that carrier.
You cannot unlock the device until fully paying off the plan to that carrier. Only then can you request the carrier to unlock it or use a third-party service.
Locked Through Apple iPhone Upgrade Program
With the iPhone Upgrade Program through Apple, you can finance a new iPhone annually via a 24-month payment term.
iPhones activated under this program get locked to the carrier chosen during signup. You must complete all payments first before submitting an unlock request to Apple.
In short, if you buy an iPhone 13 Pro from Apple outright or activate it on month-to-month prepaid plans, it stays unlocked to all networks.
Check if iPhone 13 is Unlocked Successfully
After you unlock your iPhone through a carrier or third-party service, confirm it worked by inserting another carrier’s SIM card.
For example, if you were originally using Verizon and unlocked it, test with an AT&T SIM. If the iPhone accepts the card and switches to AT&T service successfully, your device is unlocked.
You can also enter the IMEI on Apple’s coverage checker or run it through a third-party IMEI checker. It will show if the iPhone is currently locked or unlocked to any network.
Use an Unlocked iPhone 13 Pro with International SIM Cards
One of the best parts of having an unlocked iPhone 13 Pro is travelling abroad with local data and calling. Just purchase a prepaid international SIM in the country you’re visiting and insert it into the iPhone.
It’s the most affordable way to make calls, text, and use internet without paying expensive international roaming fees through your regular provider. Some popular options for international SIMs include:
- [Three’s ‘Feel at Home’ Plan] – Roam in 71 destinations at no extra cost
- [Google Fi Network] – Low flat rate data/calling in 200+ countries
- [Airalo eSIM] – Local eSIMs for 200 destinations from $9
To insert a foreign physical SIM, you may need to use the included SIM eject tool to open the iPhone 13 Pro SIM tray. If your iPhone is unlocked, it will read the SIM card and connect you to that carrier for local connectivity.
Switch to New Carrier Without Changing iPhones
Once unlocked, you can easily switch wireless carriers and take your existing iPhone 13 Pro to the new provider. All you have to do is:
- Request Account Number (ACCT ID) and Account PIN from current carrier: This provides your account details to the new carrier for faster port out.
- Choose new carrier and select bring your own device: Inform you’re switching with an unlocked iPhone 13 Pro.
- Provide account details to new carrier and get service activated: They will port your old number to the new SIM card.
- Insert new activated SIM in iPhone 13 Pro: Turn off your iPhone, insert new carrier SIM and turn it back on. It will automatically configure settings for the new carrier.
You get the flexibility to change networks whenever you want while still using the blazing fast iPhone 13 Pro. No need to pay early upgrade fees or buy another new device.
Get the Most Value by Selling an Unlocked iPhone
An unlocked iPhone 13 Pro tends to sell for $100 or more compared to a locked model on sites like eBay and Swappa. That’s because the buyer can freely use it on any carrier they choose after purchase.
Before selling your iPhone 13 Pro second-hand, be sure to:
- Fully pay off device and unlock from carrier
- Check unlock status and include in sale listing
- Factory reset the iPhone to wipe data
- Include all original accessories to boost value
- Meet buyer locally or ship carefully for delivery
By selling an unlocked iPhone 13 Pro at maximum resale value, you can offset upgrade costs to your next new iPhone model.
Conclusion
The stunning iPhone 13 Pro is an investment – and unlocking it allows you to get the maximum return by using it freely on any wireless network or reselling at top-dollar.
While iPhone 13 Pros purchased at Apple come unlocked already, carrier-sold models require some finesse to unlock whether through early payoffs, third parties or contract completion.
Fortunately once unlocked, you can easily activate the iPhone 13 Pro on affordable prepaid plans, switch domestic or international carriers effortlessly, and score a premium resale value.
No wonder unlocking iPhones is becoming more popular. Who wants network restrictions to ruin their iPhone experience? Take back control and #UnlockYourFreedom today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, unlocking does NOT void your hardware warranty coverage through Apple. However, attempting risky software unlocks found online could damage your iPhone and lose warranty. Stick to official carrier unlocking methods only.
Unfortunately most carriers won’t unlock devices until you complete all monthly installment payments first. However some third-party services offer early unlocks for a fee even if payments are still due. Check eligibility requirements first before attempting this.
Yes, you can unlock an older iPhone model like the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7 and below. The process is the same – either finish paying off monthly installments or use a third-party unlock service. Older iPhones are easier and cheaper to unlock.
Absolutely! This process is called porting your number. When you signup with the new carrier, provide your account number and PIN to port your number to the new SIM card. Then just insert the activated SIM in your unlocked iPhone for service.
If your account is suspended for non-payment, you won’t be able to unlock your iPhone from that carrier yet. You must first reinstate the account by clearing the unpaid balance. Only then will carriers allow the unlock to go through.
