In Canada, unlocking a cell phone has three basic steps – dialing *#06# to get your phone’s 15-digit IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number, identifying the exact model of phone you are unlocking, and then contacting your wireless carrier.
In 2017, the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunication Commission (CRTC) updated the Wireless Code, mandating that all cell phones sold in Canada after December 2017 must be sold unlocked. Many phones sold prior to this date are locked to a carrier, but the updated Wireless Code stipulates Canadians have the right to get older phones unlocked for free.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to unlocking your phone for free.
Key Takeaways
- As of December 2017, all new cell phones sold in Canada must be unlocked.
- By law, Canadians are entitled to get their old cell phones unlocked by the carrier for free.
- Unlocking a phone is usually an easy process, requiring you to find your IMEI number, identifying your locked phone’s exact model number, and then contacting the carrier to unlock it.
What does it mean to unlock a phone?
An unlocked cell phone can operate on any wireless network, so long as it has compatible technology.
Before December 2017, most cell phones sold in Canada by Bell, Rogers, Telus, and other carriers were "locked", meaning they were tied to the specific carrier that sold them for a fixed-length term, usually two or three years.
On the surface, this kept cell phones more affordable – you could buy them on monthly payment plans with no money down (as opposed to buying a cell phone outright), but you were tied to an inflexible contract.
An unlocked cell phone (even if it's an old device) gives customers the ability to choose the wireless carrier of their choice, no matter which carrier the phone was purchased from.
Why did the CRTC update the Wireless Code?
The CRTC updated the Wireless Code and its position on unlocked phones in large part due to customer complaints:
- Customers were angry at the cost of unlocking a phone, especially if the device had already been paid for in full
- Customers were angry at carriers for inflexible cell phone contracts, amongst other issues
These complaints led to the CRTC mandating all new cell phones be sold unlocked as of December 2017, and that carriers unlock cell phones free of charge at customers’ request.
What cell phones are unlocked in Canada?
According to the CRTC Wireless Code, after December 2017, all new cell phones must be sold unlocked in Canada.
Older cell phones purchased before the Wireless Code was changed may still be locked to a specific carrier, even if those phones aren’t in use anymore. They should have come with a sticker on the packaging containing an unlock code and instructions.
To quickly test whether a cell phone is locked, try this:
- Swap out your SIM card with a different one
- If the phone is locked, you will get a prompt to enter an unlock code
- Contact the carrier the phone is currently on, and ask for them to unlock it
As of now, most Google phones (such as the Pixel) are sold unlocked, as are most iPhones. Samsung, Motorola, LG, and Sony phones are all sold unlocked.
What you need to unlock your cell phone in Canada
To unlock a cell phone in Canada, you will need your IMEI number, a SIM card from a new wireless carrier, and your account information.
- IMEI code: Get your phone’s unique 15-digit code by dialing *#06# into your phone’s keypad
- SIM card: You’ll need a SIM card from the wireless provider you plan on joining so your phone can communicate with its network
- Account information: Provide all account information to your new service provider so they can get your unlocked phone up and running
How to confirm if an iPhone is unlocked
The process to confirm if an iPhone is unlocked depends on which operating system the device uses – an iPhone operating on iOS 13 or lower, or a device with iOS 14 or higher.
For an iPhone using iOS 13 or lower, do the following:
- Ask carrier to unlock it
- Backup data on the device
- Restore iPhone to factory settings
For an iPhone using iOS 14 or higher, do the following:
- Go to "Settings"
- Tap "About"
- Tap "Carrier Lock"
- If it says "no SIM restrictions", that means the phone is already unlocked
- If the device is still locked, contact the carrier to get it unlocked
However you get your iPhone unlocked, you’ll need the following:
- Account holder name
- Account holder’s security passcode
- Device’s current assigned phone number
How to confirm if an Android phone is unlocked
To unlock an Android phone, you can contact the carrier the phone is currently locked to, or you can see if the device is already unlocked.
To determine if your Android phone is already unlocked:
- Tap on "Settings"
- Tap "Network"
- Tap "Network Operators"
- If you’re able to connect to a different network, this means the phone is already unlocked
- Swap in a SIM card from a different carrier – if it works, the phone is unlocked
Unlocking a phone you didn’t buy from a wireless carrier
If you buy a used cell phone from a third party re-seller (such as Best Buy, Amazon, etc), they won’t be able to unlock a locked phone for you – you can try taking it to the carrier it was with last, or go to a third-party unlocking service.
Nowadays, most phones bought from manufacturers are unlocked. Google’s Pixel and Nexus phones are factory unlocked, as are most Apple devices bought outright from 2018 onwards. If you buy a pre-2018 iPhone, it may be locked – you may need to get it unlocked by the carrier the device is tied to.
If you buy a used cell phone from a private seller, insist it is unlocked upon purchase. If it is locked, you may have trouble getting a carrier to unlock it, as you aren’t the original owner. If this is the case, you may have to go to a third-party unlocking service.
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By law, carriers are mandated to unlock your cell phone for free, or come with instructions on the device’s packaging.
After the Wireless Code was updated in late 2017, customers are entitled to have a device unlocked at their request.
Can you unlock your phone to any network?
An unlocked phone can be used on any wireless network, so long as it is compatible with network technology.
Any Apple or Android device with 4G LTE capability will function on any network. Older 3G phones likely won’t work on today’s current wireless networks.
Some carriers share networks, so you may not need to unlock your phone if switching to a carrier on the same network as the one you are leaving. The following wireless providers share network:
- Rogers and Fido
- Bell and Virgin Mobile
- Telus and Koodo
Unlocking a cell phone with Canadian carriers
Each carrier has a different process for unlocking cell phones.
Unlocking a Bell Canada phone
- Call: customer support at 1-800-667-0123
- Online: MyBell unlock page
- Store: use their store locator
- Rules: device must not be flagged as lost or stolen, and must be locked to the Bell network
- Bell MTS: unlocking a phone connected to Bell MTS follows the same procedure as a Bell device
Unlocking a chatr mobile phone
- Call: customer support at *611
- Store: use their store locator
- Rules: customers with active chatr account or one that closed within last 12 months can get chatr to unlock their phone; will only unlock chatr phones
- More information
Unlocking an Eastlink phone
- Call: 1.888.345.1111
- Online: try their live chat
- Store: use their store locator
- More information
Unlocking a Fido phone
- Call: customer support at 1-888-481-FIDO (3436)
- Online: contact Billing & Payment team
- Store: use their store locator
- Rules: customers with current Fido account or one that closed within last 12 months (must be paid in full with no balance owing)
- More information
Unlocking a Freedom Mobile phone
- Call: customer support at 1-888-481-FIDO (3436)
- Online: follow unlock instructions or contact customer support
- Store: use their store locator
- More information
Unlocking a good2go phone (formerly Petro-Canada)
- Call: customer support 1(866)788-3475 or dial 611 on a good2go mobile phone
- Online: follow unlock instructions
- Store: N/A
Unlocking a Koodo phone
- Call: customer support at 1-888-481-FIDO (3436)
- Online: follow unlock instructions or try their chat tool
- Store: use their store locator
- Rules: Koodo won’t unlock a phone that was lost or stolen, a blacklisted phone, or a phone on a carrier other than Koodo or Telus
- More information
Unlocking a Public Mobile phone
- Call: N/A
- Online: contact a community moderator or customer support
- Store: N/A
Unlocking a Rogers phone
- Call: customer support at 1.855.381.7835
- Online: contact Rogers or try their live chat
- Store: use their store locator
- Rules: will unlock for current customers and those with account closed within the last 12 months so long as no fees outstanding
- More information
Unlocking a SaskTel phone
- Call: customer support at 1.800.727.5835
- Online: follow SaskTel unlocking instructions
- Store: use their store locator
- Rules: will only unlock for current SaskTel customers; won’t unlock for customers with suspended accounts or for blacklisted devices
- More information
Unlocking a Telus phone
- Call: customer support at 1-800-727.5835
- Online: see if your device is eligible
- Store: use their store locator
- Rules: phone must be locked to the Telus network and not be stolen or lost
Unlocking a tbaytel phone
- Call: customer support at 1-800-264-9501
- Online: N/A - call them
- Store: use their store locator
- Rules: tbaytel will only unlock devices locked to the tbaytel network, and lost, stolen, or blacklisted devices will not be unlocked
- More information
Unlocking a Videotron phone
- Call: customer support at 1-877-512-0911
- Online: follow online instructions
- Store: use their store locator
- More information
Unlocking a Virgin Mobile phone
- Call: customer support at 1-888-999-2321
- Online: log into MyAccount to unlock
- Store: use their store locator
- Rules: Can only unlock Virgin devices, and they can’t be stolen or lost
- More information
FAQ
Where can I buy unlocked phones in Canada?
By law, all new cell phones sold in Canada after December 1, 2017, must be unlocked. If you are buying a used cell phone, you can usually find unlocked phones at third-party retailers.
Is my phone unlocked in Canada?
All new cell phones sold in Canada after December 1, 2017 must be sold unlocked, so if you buy a new cell phone, the law guarantees it will be unlocked. If an older phone is locked, your carrier will unlock it for free.
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Comments
Hello Jou!
According to The Wireless Code, the service only extends to "individual and small business customers," which they define elsewhere as a business "whose average monthly telecommunications bill is under $2,500"
If your business is larger than this, your phone wouldn't be eligible for the free unlocking.
Hope this helps!
Hey Jo,
The network info is in different places depending on what kind of phone you have.
I did some research and some people recommended this site: https://realphonevalidation.com/resources/phone-carrier-lookup/
Tested it for my phone and it gave me Bell Mobility, which is technically true since I'm with Virgin.
I might be able to help more if you tell me what kind of phone you have. Hope this helps!
Those plans are definitely the best if you're a light user or can do most of your usage of wi-fi and use VoIP calling.
It's great that people won't have to working about this whole locking fiasco now when buying and selling phones and when they want to switch plans.
Nothing wrong with a great Canadian classic :)
Glad to know you go it done Alan, thanks for stopping by!
Ya, that's an issue. I suggested a few workarounds in the FAQ above. Worst case scenario is you activate it on a Bell prepaid plan so you are technically a "customer". Probably more hassle than it's worth though.
Or just find somebody who IS a Bell customer and get them to do it for you :)
It's actually part of the Wireless Code that all new phones must now be sold unlocked as well Daniel, which is why it came to you that way.