What is an unlocked device?

Smartphones can be locked or unlocked. A carrier-locked smartphone is only meant for use with a specific wireless carrier. An unlocked smartphone can be used with any carrier with compatible bands.

Unlocked smartphones can either be carrier-unlocked or factory-unlocked. Swappa only allows factory-unlocked devices to be listed in the unlocked category. Devices that were originally purchased from, or locked to a specific carrier, must be listed under their original carrier.

• Carrier unlocked: Originally purchased from or locked to a single wireless carrier, but later unlocked by the carrier for use on other carrier networks.
• Factory unlocked: Often originally purchased directly from the manufacturer, and has never been locked to a specific carrier.
• Flex Device: US Reseller Flex Policy, also known as SIM OUT, allows retail stores to sell devices that have not yet been locked for use on a specific US cell carrier. However, these devices will lock to the first US carrier they connect to after inserting a compatible SIM card.

Network Compatibility: Not all unlocked devices are compatible with all carriers. For example, an unlocked smartphone intended for use with a US carrier may not work with an international carrier.

Unlocked Non-US: Swappa is a U.S.-based marketplace, but we do include a category for international factory unlocked devices, labeled as "Unlocked Non-US". Devices in this category might work in the U.S., but buyers are expected to confirm compatibility with their carrier prior to purchasing an "Unlocked Non-US" device.

Learn more about carrier compatibility on the Swappa blog:

• Unlocked iPhone Carrier Compatibility Guide
• Android Phone Compatibility Guides