• FITNESS
  • Food
  • Beauty
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • Athleisure Studio
  • Athleisure List
  • Athleisure TV
  • THIS ISSUE
  • The Latest
  • ARCHIVE
  • About
  • Press
  • Connect
Menu

Athleisure Mag™ | Athleisure Culture

ATHLEISURE MAG™ | Athleisure Culture
  • FITNESS
  • Food
  • Beauty
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • Athleisure Studio
  • Athleisure List
  • Athleisure TV
  • THIS ISSUE
  • The Latest
  • ARCHIVE
  • About
  • Press
  • Connect
iphone for international travel.jpg

BEST WAYS TO UNLOCK YOUR IPHONE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

November 11, 2020

BY PAUL FARKAS, TECH DIRECTOR

Why are iPhones locked? Before you blame it on Apple, you should know that it’s not the manufacturer’s fault. If you got the newest iPhone model as part of an ongoing network plan, the carrier locked it. It’s their way to protect their services: they give you a lower price on the device, but they want you to keep using their network for a specific period of time (usually two years). 

Most users don’t have a problem with that. But what if you travel abroad and you want to use a local SIM card? That would save you a lot of money. Is it possible to unlock your iPhone for international travel without causing any damage to the device? 

We’ll give you the tips you need!

How to Unlock an iPhone for International Travel

1. Check If You Meet the Requirements for the Carrier to Unlock Your Device

The first step is to check if the carrier allows you to unlock the device. It’s the most painless solution, which doesn’t involve installing apps and trying to complete the process by yourself. You can check your carrier’s official websites for the instructions on unlocking. 

The usual conditions require the contract commitment to be completed. Also, your device mustn’t have been reported as stolen or lost. 

If you’re still under the commitment of your contract and the carrier doesn’t allow you to unlock the device, you can ask for their international plans. If you can get an affordable offer, unlocking may not be necessary. 

2. Consider the Unrecommended Alternative

This solution is not recommended. You can get your iPhone unlocked in independent phone stores. However, you will lose the warranty. That’s not something you want after paying so much money for the device.

If you plan to live abroad and you see this as your only solution, you can do it.

3. Consider the Recommended Alternatives

What if your carrier doesn’t unlock your iPhone and you don’t want to risk unlocking it yourself? There are a few things you can do:

  • Use a tablet with a SIM card slot. If it’s not locked, you can get a local card and use Wi-Fi through it. 

  • Buy or rent a portable hotspot. It’s an affordable device, which will also accept a SIM card. You can connect your iPhone to its Wi-Fi network, and stay online at all times. 

  • Borrow or buy a cheap phone for your trip. If you’re traveling for a short time, borrowing someone’s old phone might be a good idea. You surely have many friends and relatives, who have devices that they don’t use. If they are willing to do you a favor, it’s a painless solution to your problem. But if you’re traveling for a period longer than a month, you should consider investing in a cheap second-hand phone. It will serve you for the duration of your trip, and you’ll go back to your expensive iPhone as soon as you get back home. 

  • Rely on local Wi-Fi networks. If you’re traveling to a well-connected area, you might not need a SIM card at all. You can use the Wi-Fi network in your accommodation spot. When you’re in an emergency and free Wi-Fi is not available, you can use your iPhone and rely on your provider’s services. If it’s a single call, you won’t be charged with a devastating bill at the end of the month. When you don’t have access to the Internet all the time, you’ll have to get better at planning. Save all maps you need before you head out exploring, and save notes for social media posts that you plan to share. 

Did You Find a Solution?

Locked iPhones are not convenient at all. You can use them only with the provider whose contract you signed. That’s not a problem that disturbs your daily life, but it’s a serious issue when you want to travel. There are a few solutions, and the ideal one is getting your provider to unlock the device.

Featured Travel
MARPH-OUTSIDE-VIEW-SWIMMING-POOL-GOLF-COURSE-PALM-TREES-PAVILLONS-RESORT.jpg
Jun 15, 2025
ATHLEISURE LIST | PARK HYATT MARRAKECH
Jun 15, 2025
Jun 15, 2025
OS CHEF MASAHARU MORIMOTO copy.png
May 27, 2025
EXQUISITE EXPERIENCES | CHEF MASAHARU MORIMOTO
May 27, 2025
May 27, 2025
AM APR ISSUE #112 TRRR 130.png
May 18, 2025
ATHLEISURE LIST | THE RA RA ROOM
May 18, 2025
May 18, 2025
AM MAR ISSUE #111 ARIA.png
Apr 18, 2025
ATHLEISURE LIST | ARIA RETREAT & SPA
Apr 18, 2025
Apr 18, 2025
AM FEB ISSUE #110 AL GM II.png
Mar 13, 2025
ATHLEISURE LIST | GYAN MUSEUM
Mar 13, 2025
Mar 13, 2025
Wander Rooftop 1.jpg
Feb 16, 2025
ATHLEISURE LIST | CANOPY BY HILTON CANCUN ISLA
Feb 16, 2025
Feb 16, 2025
AM NOV ISSUE #107 SK 120.png
Dec 16, 2024
ATHLEISURE LIST | CASA SOL AT MAXX ROYAL BODRUM RESORT
Dec 16, 2024
Dec 16, 2024
AM OCT ISSUE #106 174 175.png
Nov 24, 2024
FALL STAYCATION | THE MARMARA PARK AVENUE
Nov 24, 2024
Nov 24, 2024
OS HOLLY GRAHAM (1).png
Nov 22, 2024
COME AS YOU ARE | HOLLY GRAHAM
Nov 22, 2024
Nov 22, 2024
Pool Aerial View.jpg
Nov 21, 2024
ATHLEISURE LIST | THE ST. REGIS LONGBOAT KEY RESORT
Nov 21, 2024
Nov 21, 2024
In ATW
← BINGELY STREAMING THE BACHELORETTE S16. E5. | WELCOME TAYSHIA →

GET ATH MAG

Read the JUN ISSUE #114.

GET YOUR COPY OF JUN ISSUE #114

Personal trainers
Personal Trainer Jobs

Sign up for our newsletter!

Sign up for our newsletter!


PODCAST NETWORK

ATHLEISURE STUDIO SLATE.jpg
LISTEN TO ALL OF #TRIBEGOALS’ EPISODES ON SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCAST, GOOGLE PODCAST AND MORE

LISTEN TO ALL OF #TRIBEGOALS’ EPISODES ON SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCAST, GOOGLE PODCAST AND MORE

LISTEN TO ALL OF ATHLEISURE KITCHEN’S EPISODES ON iHEARTRADIO, SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCAST, GOOGLE PODCAST AND MORE

LISTEN TO ALL OF ATHLEISURE KITCHEN’S EPISODES ON iHEARTRADIO, SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCAST, GOOGLE PODCAST AND MORE

LISTEN TO ALL OF BUNGALOW SK’S EPISODES ON iHEARTRADIO, SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCAST, GOOGLE PODCAST AND MORE

LISTEN TO ALL OF BUNGALOW SK’S EPISODES ON iHEARTRADIO, SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCAST, GOOGLE PODCAST AND MORE

LISTEN TO ALL OF THE 9LIST’S EPISODES ON iHEARTRADIO, SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCAST, GOOGLE PODCAST AND MORE

LISTEN TO ALL OF THE VOT3D IO’S EPISODES ON iHEARTRADIO, SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCAST, GOOGLE PODCAST AND MORE


TRENDING

Featured
ATHLEISURE MAG #114 | DARUDE
AM, Jun 2025, Ath Mag Issues, Editor Picks
ATHLEISURE MAG #114 | DARUDE
AM, Jun 2025, Ath Mag Issues, Editor Picks
AM, Jun 2025, Ath Mag Issues, Editor Picks
AM MAY ISSUE #113 TAOTS 1.png
AM, Food, May 2025, The Art of the Snack, Editor Picks
THE ART OF THE SNACK | A.KITCHEN + BAR D.C.
AM, Food, May 2025, The Art of the Snack, Editor Picks
AM, Food, May 2025, The Art of the Snack, Editor Picks
MARPH-OUTSIDE-VIEW-SWIMMING-POOL-GOLF-COURSE-PALM-TREES-PAVILLONS-RESORT.jpg
AM, Athleisure List, May 2025, Travel, Wellness Editor Picks, Wellness, Food, Editor Picks
ATHLEISURE LIST | PARK HYATT MARRAKECH
AM, Athleisure List, May 2025, Travel, Wellness Editor Picks, Wellness, Food, Editor Picks
AM, Athleisure List, May 2025, Travel, Wellness Editor Picks, Wellness, Food, Editor Picks
AM MAY COVER CHEF EC I a.png
AM, May 2025, Ath Mag Issues, Editor Picks
ATHLEISURE MAG #113 | CHEF ESTHER CHOI
AM, May 2025, Ath Mag Issues, Editor Picks
AM, May 2025, Ath Mag Issues, Editor Picks
OS DILLON GABRIEL (1).png
AM, Apr 2025, Athletes, Editor Picks, Sports
IT'S ABOUT THE GAME | DILLON GABRIEL
AM, Apr 2025, Athletes, Editor Picks, Sports
AM, Apr 2025, Athletes, Editor Picks, Sports
OS GODFATHER OF HARLEM Elvis Nolasco_Erik LaRay Harvey (1).png
AM, Apr 2025, Editor Picks, TV Show
MGM+ GODFATHER OF HARLEM | RETURN TO HARLEM
AM, Apr 2025, Editor Picks, TV Show
AM, Apr 2025, Editor Picks, TV Show
ATHLEISURE MAG #112 | CHEF MASAHARU MORIMOTO
AM, Apr 2025, Ath Mag Issues, Editor Picks
ATHLEISURE MAG #112 | CHEF MASAHARU MORIMOTO
AM, Apr 2025, Ath Mag Issues, Editor Picks
AM, Apr 2025, Ath Mag Issues, Editor Picks
SPRINGING AHEAD | KELLY OLMSTEAD CMO ALLBIRDS
AM, Fashion, Lifestyle, Mar 2025, Editor Picks
SPRINGING AHEAD | KELLY OLMSTEAD CMO ALLBIRDS
AM, Fashion, Lifestyle, Mar 2025, Editor Picks
AM, Fashion, Lifestyle, Mar 2025, Editor Picks
THE SPICE OF LIFE | CHEF MANEET CHAUHAN
AM, Food, Mar 2025, TV Show, Editor Picks
THE SPICE OF LIFE | CHEF MANEET CHAUHAN
AM, Food, Mar 2025, TV Show, Editor Picks
AM, Food, Mar 2025, TV Show, Editor Picks
AM MAR COVER I p.png
AM, Ath Mag Issues, Editor Picks, Mar 2025
ATHLEISURE MAG #111 | RASHEE RICE
AM, Ath Mag Issues, Editor Picks, Mar 2025
AM, Ath Mag Issues, Editor Picks, Mar 2025