How To Get An Unlocked Iphone Xr

Best answer: If you want the iPhone XR unlocked as soon as you buy it, choosing the SIM-free version is the most hassle-free way of doing that.

Colorful mainstay: iPhone XR ($749 at Apple)

Get the iPhone XR SIM-free for no hassle and maximum flexibility

Getting the SIM-free variant of the iPhone XR lets you buy your phone with the least hassle while offering maximum flexibility. When buying SIM-free, you won't have any carrier information that you need to enter, nor will Apple perform a credit check as it does with its iPhone Upgrade Program. You just pay for the phone and you're good to go. And your new iPhone XR can be used with any carrier, so just pop in the nano SIM of your preferred carrier and you'll be good to go. And because it's unlocked, switching carriers is as "simple" as cancelling service at one carrier and moving over to another.

The downside, of course, is that you'll be paying for the whole thing up front. That means you'll pay $749 for the 64GB model, $799 for 128GB, and $899 for the 256GB model.

Shop Cyber Monday deals at: Amazon | Walmart | Best Buy | Apple | Dell

If you don't want to pay that much up front, there's always the iPhone Upgrade Program.

The iPhone Upgrade Program offers carrier options, AppleCare+, and a low up-front price

With Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program, you'll get an unlocked iPhone that you can use with any U.S. carrier, much like you do with the SIM-free option, along with some added benefits. You'll also avoid the full up-front cost of the iPhone XR, as you'll only need to pay sales tax initially when you get your phone through the Upgrade Program

Keep in mind that you'll be tied to a monthly payment if you use the iPhone Upgrade Program.

After getting your iPhone through the Upgrade Program, you pay in monthly installments and are eligible for one iPhone upgrade per year after 12 payments. The program also includes the AppleCare+ protection program in its cost, with a $4.17 per month add-on available for AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss protection. iPhone Upgrade Program payments for the iPhone XR start at $37.41 per month for the 64GB model, climbing up to $43.66 per month for the 256GB version.

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint customers can enroll in the program online and in the Apple Store app. Approval should only take a couple of minutes at most.

Note that because this is a financing plan based on installment payments, Apple and its partner, Citizens One, will need to perform a credit check in order to determine your eligibility for the program.

Verizon

If you buy your iPhone XR through Verizon, that device should be SIM unlocked at the time of purchase. The carrier says that it's policy is not to lock their LTE-enabled phones, with a couple of statements on the subject:

We do not lock most phones or tablets that are activated with our postpay app service, either during or after the term of your service contract or Device Payment Plan installment sales agreement.

We do not lock our 4G LTE devices, and no code is needed to program them for use with another carrier.

So whether you buy your iPhone on a Verizon installment plan or pay for it all up front, you can just pull the Verizon SIM card out of the phone and insert another one.

Just remember that if you bought your iPhone from Verizon on an installment plan, then later want to switch to another carrier, you'll need to pay off the remaining cost of your phone before you do so.

Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile, an mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that utilizes T-Mobile's cellular network to provide low-cost service, allows you to get your iPhone completely unlocked on a financing plan, much like Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program. Financing goes as low as 0%, meaning that you'll pay no interest on your phone when you sign up for Mint Mobile to take advantage of this plan, instead just paying off the price of the iPhone over time.

The iPhone XR is avaialble through this financing plan starting at $32 per month. This will be in additon to your Mint Mobile service plan, which starts at $15 per month for unlimited talk and text, as well as 3GB of LTE data.

Other U.S. carriers

While we're primarily focusing on buying an unlocked iPhone, I wanted to mention the unlocking situation with other U.S. carriers.

First, a note on these carriers: While each one does allow you to unlock your iPhone, you should be aware that you'll need to wait a bit before doing so. AT&T requires you to wait 14 days before unlocking your device if you've just upgraded your iPhone. T-Mobile will let you unlock your phone after 40 days, and Sprint after 50.

Buy SIM-free

iPhone XR

Buy directly from Apple for a hassle-free experience

Buying your iPhone SIM-free directly from Apple gets you an unlocked phone, ready for any carrier you choose, completely unlocked. You'll just need to pay full price for your iPhone up front for to do it.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.