Some refurbished phones are locked to a single carrier, and some are sold unlocked. A carrier-locked iPhone only works with SIMs from the network it was tied to, while an unlocked one works on any compatible carrier. On RefurbMe you can see the status before you buy, because every iPhone listing shows its carrier and you can filter to unlocked models only.
How do I know if a listing is locked?
Every iPhone listing on RefurbMe shows a carrier value. If it names a network, such as AT&T or Verizon, the phone is locked to that network. If it says Unlocked, it works with any compatible carrier.
When you are unsure about a specific unit, an IMEI check with your carrier confirms the lock status.
How do I filter by carrier or unlocked?
When you search for an iPhone, open More Filters:
Scroll down to Carrier and select the option(s) you want, including Unlocked:
Unlocked phones suit you if your carrier is not on the list, or if you might switch networks later. You can also unlock a locked iPhone once it meets the carrier's conditions.
Locked or unlocked: which should I buy?
Locked models are sometimes a little cheaper, but they tie you to one network. Unlocked, or SIM-free, is the flexible choice and travels better. The difference between the two is explained in unlocked vs SIM-free, and you can check first whether a phone is compatible with your carrier.
