Legal / Regulatory & Consumer Resources

 

Domestic SIM Unlock (DSU) refers to enabling the SIM slot of your device to allow you to insert another carrier's SIM card (either domestically or internationally.) Unlocking a device will not necessarily make a device interoperable with another carrier's network. Additionally, unlocking a device may enable some functionality of the device but not all (e.g., an unlocked device may support voice services but not data services when activated on a different network). NOTE: Not all devices are capable of having the SIM slot unlocked.

Sprint will only activate devices certified to work on the Sprint network. Sprint cannot unlock phones other from carriers.

Unlocking for Domestic Usage

Sprint will unlock a device from Sprint's network under the following circumstances:

• The device is Domestic SIM Unlock capable
• The device must be or have been active on the Sprint network for a minimum of 50 days
• Any associated Service Agreement, Installment Billing Agreement, or Lease Agreement has been fulfilled including payment in full of any applicable early termination fees or end-of-lease purchase options. Because leased devices are not owned by the user, the end of lease purchase option must be exercised and paid in full before the Domestic SIM unlock is completed.
• The associated account is in good standing
• The device has not been reported as lost or stolen, associated with fraudulent activity, or otherwise flagged as ineligible to be unlocked

For domestic SIM unlockable ("DSU") devices launched after February 2015, Sprint will automatically unlock the device when it becomes eligible. Please note that a domestic SIM unlock will also enable your device to be used internationally using a foreign carrier's SIM card.

For inactive devices, customers must contact Sprint Customer Care to request that their DSU-capable device be unlocked and may have to take steps to perform an over-the-air update to ensure the unlock programming has been relayed to the device. Additional validation may be required to ensure eligibility.

Sprint makes no guaranty that an unlocked device will work on another carrier's network. Whether another carrier will accept and activate a device is subject to that carrier's policies and capabilities. Additionally, Sprint devices which the owner has attempted to reprogram or activate on another carrier's network or otherwise altered from its initial programming or settings may not be able to be reactivated on the Sprint network.

Unlocking for international travel

Traveling abroad? Sprint customers traveling abroad for a short period of time may be eligible to have their Sprint service provisioned to allow for international roaming. See sprint.com/international for full details.

Current Sprint customers remaining abroad for an extended period of time may want to try to use their Sprint device with a foreign carrier. As a courtesy for our customers, for certain devices, Sprint may be able to unlock the device SIM slot for a foreign carrier's SIM card to be inserted. Customers must meet the following conditions to be eligible:

• The device is capable of international SIM unlock
• The person requesting the international SIM unlock is a current Sprint customer on an active account that can authenticate as the Account Holder or an Authorized Contact
• The applicable device is currently active on a Sprint account and the applicable account has been active for at least 90 days.
• The account is in good standing
• Each phone number on the account is allowed up to two unlocked devices within a 12 month period.
• The device has not been reported as lost or stolen, associated with fraudulent activity, or otherwise flagged as ineligible to be unlocked

For inactive devices, current Sprint customers must contact Sprint Customer Care to request that their device be unlocked and may have to take steps to perform an over-the-air update to ensure the unlock programming has been relayed to the device. Additional validation may be required to ensure eligibility.

Please note that requesting an international unlock will not unlock a DSU-capable device for use with domestic (U.S.) SIMs. When using a foreign carrier's SIM it is important to note that all information, service and support must be provided by that carrier. You remain responsible for any charges to your Sprint account, as well as any charges from the foreign provider. Upon returning to the U.S., you may need to remove the foreign carrier's SIM to register on Sprint's network.

Current Sprint customers who believe they meet these conditions can attempt to unlock their devices by logging on to their sprint.com account, clicking on the "My Account" tab, locating the applicable device from the device list, and choosing the "Unlock device to use int'l SIM" option from the "Manage this device" drop-down menu.

Current Sprint customers unable to unlock their device for international SIM use via sprint.com or customers who prefer to speak to a Care representative can contact Sprint Worldwide Care to request an international SIM unlock. Sprint Worldwide Care can be reached by calling 888-226-7212.

Unlocking for military personnel

Sprint greatly appreciates the service that our U.S. military men and women provide at home and abroad. For military personnel deployed overseas, Sprint has established a favorable unlocking policy, as follows:

• The device is capable of international SIM unlock
• The subscriber is an active member of a branch of the United States military as well as family members who are on the same account as deployed personnel.
• The subscriber has been issued overseas deployment papers
• The person requesting the unlock is a current Sprint customer that can authenticate as the Account Holder or an Authorized Contact
• The account is in good standing
• Each phone number on the account is allowed up to two unlocked devices within a 12 month period.

Military personnel deployed overseas can contact Sprint Worldwide Care to unlock the device SIM slot. Sprint Worldwide Care can be reached via chat or email from sprint.com/swwsupport or by calling 888-226-7212.

Note Regarding Sprint's Unlocking Policies
Sprint may refuse any unlock request that would result in an abuse of these policies or is part of an effort to defraud Sprint or its customers. These policies are subject to change at Sprint's discretion without advance notice.

SIM Unlock capable devices

The following is a list of unlock capabilities for some of Sprint’s most popular devices.  The following list is not necessarily a comprehensive list of Sprint-certified devices.  

Device	Domestic SIM Unlock (DSU) A domestic SIM unlock allows a device owner to insert another domestic carrier's SIM card into the device in order to attempt to activate the device on that carrier's network.	International SIM Unlock (ISU) An international SIM unlock allows a device owner to insert an international carrier's SIM card into the device in order to attempt to activate the device on that carrier's network.
Apple iPhone 4s		X
Apple iPhone 5		X
Apple iPhone 5s	X	X
Apple iPhone 5c	X	X
Apple iPhone 6	X	X
Apple iPhone 6 Plus	X	X
Apple iPhone 6s	X	X
Apple iPhone 6s Plus	X	X
Apple iPhone SE	X	X
HTC One M8		X
HTC One M9	X	X
LG Flex		X
LG G Flex2	X	X
LG G3		X
LG G4	X	X
Samsung GS3
Samsung GS4		X
Samsung GS5		X
Samsung GS5 Sport		X
Samsung GS6	X	X
Samsung GS6 Edge	X	X
Samsung GS7	X	X
Samsung GS7 Edge	X	X
Samsung Note 3		X
Samsung Note 4		X
Samsung Note Edge		X

For devices that are not Domestic SIM Unlockable, Sprint may be able to provide a Master Subsidy Lock ("MSL") code to eligible customers.

• The MSL code was utilized to lock many devices manufactured prior to February 2015. For these MSL-based devices, Sprint will provide a bill notification and/or text message when you are eligible to receive your MSL code. The bill notification will direct you to Sprint Customer Care who can provide you the MSL code.
• Please note, while Sprint can provide the MSL code to eligible customers, this does not mean that device will be accepted by another carrier or interoperate with another carrier's network. Whether another carrier will accept and activate a device is subject to that carrier's policies and capabilities. Additionally, Sprint devices which the owner has attempted to reprogram or activate on another carrier's network or otherwise altered from its initial programming or settings may not be able to be reactivated on the Sprint network.