Will my phone work on Mac Wireless?
Almost certainly, if it is unlocked. Here is how to check in two minutes — before you pay anything — and exactly what to do if it is locked.
Reviewed September 2026 · Mac Wireless Co.
The two-minute check
Three things decide whether a phone works on a network: it is unlocked, it is not reported lost or stolen, and it supports the network's bands. The phone check tests all three from one number — the IMEI.
- Find the IMEI. Dial *#06# on the phone, or open Settings → General → About on an iPhone, or Settings → About phone on Android.
- Enter it in the phone check on our home page. It needs no account, and nothing is charged.
- Read the answer: which of our three networks the phone works on, and whether it is locked or blocked.
Is my phone unlocked?
- iPhone: Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock. If it reads "No SIM restrictions," the phone is unlocked.
- Android: menus differ by maker, so the surest test is a SIM from another carrier — if the phone says "SIM not supported" or asks for an unlock code, it is locked. The phone check reports the lock for you either way.
- Bought it used? Check the IMEI before you pay. A phone reported lost, stolen or unpaid can be blocked on every network, and no plan can fix that.
eSIM or a physical SIM?
Most phones sold in the United States since about 2022 have an eSIM. To check, look for an EID in Settings → General → About (iPhone) or Settings → About phone (Android), or dial *#06#. An eSIM is issued electronically, usually the same day; a mailed SIM kit is $9.99. Either one keeps your number — the eSIM guide walks through activation.
If it is locked
Ask your current carrier first: carriers generally unlock a phone once it is paid off and the account is in good standing. If that is not an option — a second-hand phone, a carrier that will not help — our unlocking service quotes the unlock from the IMEI before anything is charged. Most carrier unlocks come back in 1 to 3 business days.
We unlock phones for the people entitled to unlock them. We never remove an activation lock, an iCloud or Google account lock, an MDM profile or a financing lock — those protect the owner and the lender.
Questions
Do I need a new phone to switch to Mac Wireless?
No. Any unlocked iPhone or Android that supports our networks works, and you keep it. Run its IMEI through the phone check before you order; if it passes, choose an eSIM or a mailed SIM at checkout and keep your number.
Will a phone I bought from another carrier work?
Yes, once it is unlocked. A phone bought from a carrier is often locked to that carrier until it is paid off. On an iPhone, Carrier Lock in Settings tells you; on any phone, the phone check reports the lock from the IMEI.
Does my phone need to support 5G?
No. Most 4G LTE phones work for calls, texts and data, and 5G phones also use 5G where it is built. Calls on today's networks need a phone that supports voice over LTE, which is why the phone check confirms your model. Phones that only support 3G no longer work anywhere in the US.
What is an IMEI and where do I find it?
The IMEI is the 15-digit serial number that identifies a phone to a network. Dial *#06# to see it, or look in Settings → General → About on an iPhone and Settings → About phone on Android. A dual-SIM phone shows two; either works in the phone check.
Can I use a flip phone or a basic phone?
Some. A basic phone has to be unlocked and support voice over LTE, and many sold by carriers are locked to them. Enter its IMEI in the phone check before you order — it answers in a minute.
Enter the IMEI on the home page. It takes a minute and needs no account.