How to Unlock Your iPhone 13 Pro and Use It With Any Carrier

The iPhone 13 Pro is one of the most advanced smartphones available today. With its powerful A15 Bionic chip, advanced camera system, gorgeous OLED display and long battery life, it's easy to see why the iPhone 13 Pro is so popular.

One downside to the iPhone 13 Pro is that in the United States, it typically comes locked to a specific carrier like Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile when you purchase it with a plan. This locking restricts you from easily switching carriers or using local SIM cards when traveling internationally.

Fortunately, with the right tools and information, you can unlock your iPhone 13 Pro to work on any GSM network. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process to unlock your iPhone 13 Pro and enjoy the freedom to switch between carriers as you please.

>> Click Here to Unlock Your iPhone 13 Pro and Use It With Any Carrier

How iPhone Locking Works

Before going into the unlocking process, it helps to understand exactly how iPhone locking works and why it matters:

The Basics of Locked iPhones

When you purchase an iPhone 13 Pro on an installment plan from a carrier like Verizon or AT&T, it comes carrier-locked. This means the iPhone is restricted to only work on that carrier's network. The locking helps carriers ensure customers fully pay off the typically steep $799+ retail cost of the device as part of their monthly plan before unlocking it.

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No Switching Carriers with a Locked iPhone

A locked iPhone will not accept another carrier's SIM card. For example, a Verizon-locked iPhone 13 Pro won’t work properly with an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM card inserted. Your iPhone might display “SIM Not Supported” or “SIM Not Valid” errors if you try using the wrong carrier's SIM card in a locked device.

Why Unlocking is Useful

The ability to unlock your iPhone offers much more flexibility in terms of switching between carriers and using local SIM cards while traveling internationally. Rather than incurring expensive international roaming charges from your regular carrier, you can simply use a local prepaid SIM card in an unlocked iPhone to save money.

Unlocking also allows you to sell your iPhone or trade it in without the hassle of explaining that it only works on a specific carrier. Resale value tends to be higher on unlocked devices as well.

Now that you understand the benefits, let’s get into the step-by-step unlocking process.

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Making Sure Your iPhone Qualifies for Unlocking

Before starting the iPhone unlocking process, you first need to check a few things to ensure your device qualifies:

Check If Your iPhone is Already Unlocked

It never hurts to check if your iPhone is already unlocked before going through the full unlocking process. Here’s a quick way to find out:

1. Remove the SIM card from your iPhone if you have one inserted
2. Insert the SIM card from a different carrier
3. Power your iPhone off completely and then back on
4. If your iPhone works normally with full cell service from the other carrier's SIM card, then your device is already unlocked! There’s no need to take any further unlocking steps.

If your iPhone displays SIM errors or doesn’t get service with another carrier’s SIM card inserted, then it is still locked and you can proceed with the unlocking process next.

Confirm Payoff Status with Your Carrier

Contact your mobile carrier (Verizon, AT&T, etc) to confirm that your iPhone 13 Pro has been fully paid off. Most carriers will only unlock devices once the full retail cost has been paid as part of your monthly installment plan or 2-year contract.

You’ll need your account number and billing details ready when contacting support. Get written confirmation from your carrier that the device is eligible for unlocking with $0 balance remaining. Save any emails/documentation confirming payoff status.

Some third party unlocking services claim they can unlock iPhones still tied to a contract before completion. However, this is against carrier terms in most cases and may not be fully supported.

Check iPhone IMEI Number

You’ll need your iPhone's unique 15-digit IMEI number for the upcoming unlock request. Here’s how to find it:

On your iPhone, open the Phone app and tap the keypad button to open the dialer. Then type *#06# on the keypad to reveal the IMEI number. It's the longer 15 digit number vs. shorter MEID. Make sure to only enter the IMEI during unlocking.

You can also find your iPhone's IMEI number printed on the SIM card tray or on the back of the device near the bottom.

With payoff confirmation and IMEI handy, you can now proceed to submitting the official iPhone unlock request.

Submitting an iPhone Unlock Request

This is the most important step that enables your carrier to process the backend unlocking of your iPhone 13 Pro in their systems and databases:

Through Your Carrier

The recommended approach is to go directly through your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) to submit the iPhone unlock request.

Here are direct links to unlock request forms for major U.S. carriers:

Verizon iPhone Unlock Request

AT&T iPhone Unlock Request

T-Mobile iPhone Unlock Request

Sprint iPhone Unlock Request

You’ll need your account info, device details, and the IMEI number to complete the unlock request.

Make sure your carrier has the most up-to-date contact info (mailing address, email, phone number) so they can process the request properly.

Going directly through your mobile carrier's official unlocking process is the most reliable method. It also ensures accurate updating of your device status in their systems once unlocked. This helps avoid errors down the line if making plan changes or swapping phones.

You'll typically receive confirmation from the carrier once your iPhone unlock request is processed - usually within 1-3 business days. Their policies vary however on exact turnaround times.

Some third party "fast unlock" services also exist which claim to process iPhone unlocks more quickly or remotely. However, these do carry risks of not properly communicating with the carrier to update your device status. Proceed with caution using third party services and stick to official carrier unlocking processes if possible.

Through Apple

In some limited cases, you may also be able to submit an iPhone unlock request directly through Apple. However, Apple will first redirect you to work with your original carrier before accepting any requests themselves.

Get started here via Apple's official iPhone unlocking site. You may need your IMEI as well as proof of payoff / contract completion details.

Apple typically advises that it can take up to 5 business days to process iPhone unlock requests on the latest iOS firmware. Older iOS versions may take longer still.

Completing the iPhone Unlock Process

Once you receive unlock confirmation from your carrier and any details on next steps, you'll need to complete the unlocking process:

Updating iOS Software

Make sure your iPhone 13 Pro is updated to the latest iOS software version available:

• On your iPhone, open Settings > General > Software Update
• Download and install any iOS updates shown
• The latest iOS versions often contain important carrier updates that help facilitate the unlocking

Connecting your device to Wi-Fi ensures your iPhone can download the iOS update - cellular data connections may be blocked if roaming internationally.

You'll typically want to update iOS either right before or right after submitting the iPhone unlock request depending on your carrier's advice.

Restarting Your iPhone

After installing the latest iOS updates, you'll need to fully power down then restart your iPhone 13 Pro to complete the unlock:

• Go to Settings > General > Shut Down
• Wait at least 30 seconds with your iPhone fully powered off
• Press and hold the Side/Power button to turn your iPhone back on

Give your device some time to reboot and reconnect with your carrier's systems after restarting. This is when unlocked status can fully enable on the backend.

Inserting a New SIM Card

The final step is the most satisfying -- inserting a new SIM card from a different carrier into your unlocked iPhone 13 Pro!

Follow standard SIM card insertion steps to carefully place the new carrier's card into your iPhone's tray slot. Power your device back on and it should now get signal and connect to that carrier's network thanks to unlocking.

Repeat the process of activating your iPhone with any other carrier's SIM card you wish to use. It should seamlessly connect now that unlocking is complete.

If for any reason your iPhone still doesn't get service with another carrier's SIM inserted, double check unlock confirmation details with your original carrier. Further software updates or profile changes may be needed in some rare cases.

Using Your Unlocked iPhone 13 Pro

Congratulations, with those steps completed you can now enjoy using your carrier-unlocked iPhone 13 Pro freely on any network you choose!

Here are a few awesome benefits to take advantage of thanks to unlocking:

Switch Carriers Easily

Try out different carrier plans and deals by simply activating your unlocked iPhone with another provider's SIM card. No need to buy multiple phones to switch networks.

Travel Internationally

Use local prepaid SIM cards while traveling abroad to avoid expensive roaming fees from your regular carrier back home.

Resell at Higher Value

An unlocked iPhone 13 Pro will command a higher resale price via private sale or trade-in programs thanks to its added flexibility.

So get out there and start enjoying carrier freedom on your iPhone 13 Pro! Let us know if any other unlocking issues pop up along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do I need to fully pay off my iPhone 13 Pro before unlocking it? Yes, most carriers require you to complete all device payment plan installments before they will agree to unlock it for use on other networks. Get confirmation of $0 balance.
2. How long does the iPhone 13 Pro unlock process take? It can vary slightly by carrier, but expect it to take 1-3 business days after submitting an unlock request before receiving confirmation. Updating software and rebooting completes unlock.
3. Will unlocking void my iPhone's warranty? No, unlocking your iPhone through official carrier channels will not void the standard Apple hardware warranty or impact ability to get service.
4. Can I re-lock my iPhone if needed? In some cases yes - you may be able to re-lock an iPhone to its original carrier by inserting the old SIM, allowing emergency calls only before requesting re-lock. But double check specifics with your provider first.
5. Does unlocking allow switching between CDMA/GSM networks? iPhone 13 Pro models contain radios capable of operating on both major cellular standards. But unlocked usage may still have some limitations between CDMA vs GSM carriers.
6. Can I unlock an iPhone 13 Pro still on a payment plan? No, carriers will only unlock devices that have been fully paid off first. Trying other methods risks account suspension. Wait until zero balance confirmation.
7. Will my data/settings get erased when unlocking iPhone? The carrier unlocking process itself does not wipe any personal data or customized settings from your iPhone 13 Pro. It retains normal functionality.