Understand the difference between locked and unlocked iPhones and how to identify them

Do you often see second-hand iPhones/iPads ranging from hundreds to one thousand on platforms such as Pinxixi, Mouyu, and Moubao? Why are these models so much lower than the second-hand prices on the market?

Many consumers purchased iPhones or iPads priced below the market price when looking for cheap options, but then they encountered some problems, such as being unable to activate the device or not using the SIM card.

Usually, we will get the answer after searching online, which means that the mobile phone you purchased is locked.

Many people are confused about the term "locked machine" and want to know its meaning.

After the editor has sorted it out, let’s now introduce in detail the situation of locked machines and normal unlocked machines. First of all, a locked phone means that the phone is locked by the operator after purchase and can only use the SIM card of a specific operator. A normal unlocked phone means that the phone is not locked by any operator after purchase and can be used by changing the SIM card at will. In addition, locked phones can be further divided into carrier locks (also called network locks) and ID activation locks. Carrier lock means that the mobile phone is locked by a specific operator after purchase and can only use the SIM card of that operator. Such a lock can usually be removed through an unlocking service, allowing the phone to use another carrier's SIM card. On the other hand, ID activation lock means that the mobile phone needs to be activated with a specific Apple ID after purchase, and it can only be used normally after activation. This lock is to prevent theft and unauthorized use, and can only be unlocked by providing the correct Apple ID and password. To sum up, it is very important to understand the situation of locked phones and normal unlocked phones as well as the difference between carrier lock and ID activation lock when buying and unlocking mobile phones. I hope this article can provide you with some help.

1. What is a network lock?

Network lock refers to restrictions on the use of operators, restricting users to only use one or two specific operators. Common network-locked phones include contract phones and customized phones. For example, the US version of the iPhone is a contract phone with an operator, so most of them come with a network lock. This means that users can only use their mobile phones under the designated operator network and cannot change operators at will. The existence of network lock is mainly to protect the interests of operators and limit users' right to choose.

The unlocked version of iPhone refers to the iPhone without operator restrictions. It usually refers to the National Bank version of iPhone, also known as the full Netcom version. This kind of mobile phone can directly use SIM cards from telecom, China Unicom, China Mobile and other operators without any restrictions. Therefore, users can choose operators more freely and communicate and access the Internet in different network environments. Compared with the locked version of the iPhone, the unlocked version of the iPhone has higher flexibility and convenience.

Except for carrier restrictions, locked and unlocked iPhones are exactly the same in terms of function usage and performance, without any difference.

Whether it is a brand new phone or a second-hand phone, a phone with a lock is often cheaper than a phone without a lock. This kind of locked mobile phone can be unlocked by using a card sticker, which is also called a card sticker machine. However, a locked phone cannot be flashed or restored, nor can the SIM card be replaced.

In addition, we also need to pay attention to the issue of mobile phone upgrades. When upgrading the mobile phone system, sometimes the card application machine does not support the new system, which makes it impossible to use the SIM card. Therefore, before upgrading the mobile phone system, we need to confirm whether the card application machine supports the new system to avoid any trouble in use.

In short, if you can accept not flashing, not restoring, not changing cards, and only looking at cost performance, a locked phone is very suitable. If you find these operations troublesome and don’t want to risk bricking, then you can buy it directly. No lock machine!

It is particularly important to note that if you purchase a locked mobile phone such as the American version or the Korean version, you will not be able to enjoy the one-year warranty service of the National Bank mobile phone. If there is a quality problem within one year, you will have to repair it yourself. Therefore, be sure to pay attention to this when buying a mobile phone.

2. What is an ID lock?

Activation Lock, also known as Activation Lock or ID Lock, is a feature introduced in iOS 7. Its main purpose is to make it more difficult to use and resell the iPhone/iPad after it is lost.

Simply put, when your phone is lost, you can use the phone's search function to lock the device and clear the data on it. Even if someone finds your phone and performs operations such as flashing it, they still need to verify the activation lock, that is, log in to the Apple ID you used to complete the authentication process. This keeps your device and personal information safe.

For users who purchase an iPhone or iPad with an activation lock, it is actually equivalent to purchasing a device that cannot be used normally. In addition to selling the device directly or keeping it as your own, another common method is to hide the ID lock of the device so that it cannot be flashed or restored. As a result, users cannot unlock the device and cannot use the device normally.

When you buy a second-hand device and find that it is activated locked, don’t worry, you can still use the iCloud unlock tool to bypass the iCloud activation lock on your iPhone or iPad. This tool can help you unlock your device with one click, allowing you to regain control of your device. Just follow the tool's instructions and you'll be able to easily unlock your device and enjoy its full functionality. This will save you time and effort and allow you to have smooth use of the equipment you purchased used. So, don’t worry, using iCloud unlock tool you will be able to bypass your device’s activation lock easily.

Summary:

Therefore, whether you are buying a second-hand iPhone online or on-site, you must carefully inquire whether there is an ID lock, whether there is a network lock, and whether it can be flashed, upgraded, and restored. , generally some merchants will still reply truthfully.

It is recommended that the purchased device has been restored to factory settings, then insert the SIM card into the device and perform activation settings. During this process, you need to check whether ID activation lock occurs. If there are no restrictions on ID authentication, the device can be used normally, and SIM cards of different operators can be replaced to ensure normal use of network data. Through these steps, you can basically confirm that the device is unlocked.

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