🔑 How to Unlock Your Phone Before Switching to Noble

When your phone is locked, it means it’s tied to the original carrier you bought it from. Even if you swap out the SIM card or switch providers, the phone won’t work until that lock is removed. This is common with phones purchased through carrier financing or phones under contract.

Noble Mobile uses SIM and eSIM technology to connect your device to our network. If your phone is still locked, you won’t be able to complete activation — even if your number successfully ports over.

So before you install your Noble SIM or eSIM, make sure your phone is unlocked.

Every carrier has its own process, but most follow a similar set of rules. Here's what to do:

Most carriers will unlock your phone if:

Here are direct links to the unlock policies of some major U.S. carriers:

You can usually request the unlock:

Make sure you have:

Unlock requests are usually processed within 1–2 business days, though some may happen within minutes. Once approved, you’ll get a confirmation and may need to restart your phone or insert a new Noble SIM card (if your phone uses a physical SIM) to complete the process.

Now you’re ready to activate your Noble Mobile service using your unlocked device. If you need help, our support team is standing by to guide you through the SIM or eSIM activation process.

If you're upgrading your device before switching, consider buying an unlocked phone directly from the manufacturer (Apple, Samsung, Google, etc.) or a trusted retailer. That way, you’ll be free to use it with Noble Mobile and any future carrier — no strings attached.
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We have some great offers from Noble partners to review here, including Back Market who offer refurbished, unlocked phones!

Still unsure if your phone is unlocked or having trouble with the process? Noble Support is here to help. Contact us in the chat and we’ll make sure your device is ready to roll.