How to Unlock Your Phone in Canada (It's Usually Free)
Since 2017, CRTC rules have made unlocking free in Canada for most people. Here's how to check your phone, how to ask your carrier, and what unlocking can and can't do.
Quick answer
In Canada, unlocking is usually free. Since December 1, 2017, CRTC rules give individual and small-business customers the right to have their phones unlocked free of charge on request, and all newly purchased phones must be sold unlocked. Ask your carrier by phone, online or in store. To check an iPhone, go to Settings › General › About and look for “No SIM restrictions” next to Carrier Lock. Phones locked to a carrier outside Canada are a different case, and that's where an unlocking service can help.
- New phones in Canada must be sold unlocked (CRTC, since December 1, 2017).
- Your Canadian carrier must unlock an existing phone free of charge on request.
- iPhone check: Settings › General › About › Carrier Lock should say “No SIM restrictions”.
- Carrier unlocking doesn't remove Activation Lock or Google account protection. Only the owner can.
A locked phone only works with the carrier that sold it. That used to mean paying $50 or more to unlock it. In Canada, those days are over: for most people, unlocking is free and you just have to ask.
What the rules say
The CRTC's Wireless Code is a mandatory code of conduct for wireless providers. In 2017 the CRTC announced that "as of December 1, 2017, all individual and small business wireless service customers will have the right to have their cellphones and other mobile devices unlocked free of charge upon request. In addition, all newly purchased devices must be provided unlocked from that day forward." You can read the CRTC's announcement and the simplified Wireless Code.
In practice: a phone bought new in Canada since then should already be unlocked, and an older phone from a Canadian carrier can be unlocked for free.
How to check if your phone is locked
- iPhone: go to Settings › General › About and scroll to Carrier Lock. "No SIM restrictions" means it's unlocked.
- Android: the simplest test is to put in a SIM from a different carrier. If you get service, it's unlocked. If it asks for an unlock code or shows "SIM not supported", it's locked.
How to get it unlocked
- Contact the carrier that locked it by phone, online chat or in store, and ask for a device unlock. Have your phone number, account details and the phone's IMEI ready (dial *#06# to see it).
- Follow their instructions. Some unlocks happen automatically in the background; others give you a code to enter with a new SIM.
- Test it with another carrier's SIM, or check Carrier Lock on an iPhone.
If a Canadian carrier refuses or charges you, contact them again and mention the Wireless Code. If it's still not resolved, the CCTS handles complaints about Canadian telecom providers.
Phones locked outside Canada
The CRTC rules only cover Canadian providers. If you've moved here with a phone locked to a carrier abroad, ask that carrier to unlock it first; many will, especially if the phone is paid off. If that isn't possible, ask us about our IMEI-based unlocking service, from $29. Newcomers will find more tips in our guide for newcomers and students.
What unlocking can't do
- It doesn't remove Activation Lock or Google account protection. Those are anti-theft features tied to the owner's account, and only the owner can turn them off. Apple explains how Activation Lock works. We don't bypass them.
- It doesn't fix a phone reported lost or stolen. Blocked phones can't be used on Canadian networks even when unlocked.
- It doesn't erase your data, but a backup before switching carriers is always wise.
Unlocked? Now pick a plan
An unlocked phone works with any carrier. If you're switching to prepaid, compare Public Mobile, Lucky, Chatr, Fido and Koodo, then see how prepaid activation works. We activate all of them at our Bronson Avenue shop.
Frequently asked questions
Is unlocking a phone free in Canada?
For phones from Canadian carriers, yes. Since December 1, 2017, CRTC rules say individual and small-business customers can have their phones unlocked free of charge on request, and new phones must be sold unlocked.
How do I know if my phone is unlocked?
On an iPhone, go to Settings › General › About and look at Carrier Lock: “No SIM restrictions” means it's unlocked. On Android, the simplest test is to insert a SIM from a different carrier and see if it connects.
Can I unlock a phone I bought outside Canada?
The CRTC rules only cover Canadian providers. For a phone locked to a carrier abroad, contact that carrier first; if that isn't possible, ask us about our IMEI-based unlocking service, from $29.
Will unlocking remove iCloud Activation Lock or a Google account lock?
No. Carrier unlocking only lets the phone work with other networks. Activation Lock and Google's account protection can only be removed by the owner with their account password, and we don't bypass them.
Does unlocking erase my phone?
No. A carrier unlock doesn't erase your data. It's still a good idea to have a recent backup before changing carriers.
Sources & further reading
- CRTC puts an end to locked cellphones and unlocking fees — CRTC (Canada.ca)
- The Wireless Code, simplified — CRTC
- Activation Lock for iPhone and iPad — Apple Support (Canada)
- Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services — CCTS
Prices and details were checked on September 27, 2026. They can change; call us for today's price.
