On Android phones, the steps will vary, depending on the make of the phone and the version of Android you use. Then scroll down to find the number near the bottom of the page. To find the IMEI on an iPhone, go to Settings > General > About. The quickest way to confirm that your phone is compatible with a new network is to type the IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) number, a unique identifier for every mobile phone manufactured, into an online tool on the carrier’s website.Īlmost every carrier, whether one of the three largest or a smaller provider, will have a section on its website where you can confirm via your IMEI that your phone is compatible. The exception could be older, less expensive phones that might still be confined to one standard or the other. In the past, two standards divided carriers: Verizon used a standard called CDMA, while AT&T and T-Mobile used GSM.īut most phones are now “dual band,” which means they can operate on either of those networks. Before you unlock your phone, though, make sure it’s compatible with the new carrier’s network.
