What does an unlocked phone mean in Canada — and why it matters when buying used
Updated
The short answer
An unlocked phone isn't tied to any carrier. Insert a SIM card — or activate an eSIM — from Bell, Rogers, Telus, Vidéotron, Fizz, Koodo, Fido, Freedom or any other Canadian carrier, and it just works. A locked phone rejects any SIM that doesn't come from the carrier that sold it. The lock lives in the phone's software, so it applies the same way to a physical SIM and to an eSIM. Every phone SubTech sells is unlocked and works with all Canadian carriers.
Locked vs unlocked: what actually changes
Same phone, same camera, same battery — the difference only shows up the day you want options.
| Locked phone | Unlocked phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Switching carriers | Blocked until the lock is removed | Insert the new SIM or eSIM — done |
| Travelling | Roaming with your home carrier only | Local SIM or travel eSIM abroad |
| Reselling | Smaller buyer pool, harder sale | Any buyer in Canada can use it |
| Changing plans | Tied to one carrier's pricing | Free to take any offer, anytime |
The 2017 rule that changed everything
Since December 1, 2017, the CRTC's Wireless Code requires Canadian carriers to sell all new devices unlocked — and to unlock phones they sold before that date free of charge when the owner asks. Before the rule, paid unlocking was routine. The practical result: the vast majority of phones bought from a Canadian carrier since late 2017 are already unlocked.
So is every used phone in Canada unlocked?
No — and this is exactly where buying used goes wrong for people. The rule covers phones sold by Canadian carriers; it says nothing about imports or older devices.
| Where the phone comes from | Lock risk | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian carrier, December 2017 or later | Sold unlocked — that's the rule | Nothing — you're fine |
| Canadian carrier, before December 2017 | May still be locked | That carrier must unlock it free on request |
| US or international import | Can be locked to a foreign carrier | Only that foreign carrier can unlock it — verify before paying |
| Private seller or marketplace | Unknown until you test it | Test in person with your own SIM |
| SubTech | None — every phone is sold unlocked | Nothing to do |
How to check whether a phone is unlocked
On an iPhone, open Settings, then General, then About, and read the "Carrier Lock" line: "No SIM Restrictions" means unlocked. Android has no universal menu for this, so the most reliable test is inserting a SIM from a different carrier and seeing whether it gets service. Buying from a private seller? Bring your own SIM and test on the spot. And whatever the lock status says, check the IMEI before buying any used phone — that's a separate check from the carrier lock, and our guide on buying a used iPhone safely walks through it step by step.
Unlocked at SubTech, in plain terms
Every used phone we sell — retail on our phones page or in wholesale lots — is unlocked and works with all Canadian carriers, with no contract attached. Each device is tested and graded before it's listed. Pick up at our Montréal location, or have it shipped anywhere in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
›Are all new phones sold in Canada unlocked?
Yes. Since December 1, 2017, the CRTC's Wireless Code requires carriers to provide all new devices unlocked, and to unlock phones they sold before that date free of charge on request.
›Is an unlocked phone the same as a jailbroken phone?
No. Unlocked only means no carrier lock — the phone accepts any carrier's SIM. Jailbreaking modifies the phone's operating system, which is unrelated, and you never need it to switch carriers.
›How do I check if an iPhone is unlocked?
Settings, then General, then About — read the "Carrier Lock" line. "No SIM Restrictions" means unlocked. On Android, the surest test is a SIM from another carrier.
›Will a phone bought in the US work in Canada?
If it's unlocked and supports Canadian networks — recent iPhone and Samsung models generally do — yes. If it's locked to a US carrier, only that carrier can unlock it, so verify before you buy.
›Are SubTech's used phones unlocked?
Yes, all of them. Retail or wholesale, every phone is unlocked, works with all Canadian carriers, and is tested and graded before it's listed.