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How and why you should enable SIM lock on your Android
Smartphones are already powerful on their own. Throw in a SIM card, and you have a device for communicating with others and accessing the internet. The SIM card gives you a phone number that identifies your phone on the issuing carrier's network. Whether it's a 5G Phone or a budget Android phone, you can contact your carrier to lock your SIM card if it's stolen.
A thief can remove a SIM card from a phone and put it into another phone for nefarious purposes. To prevent theft, Android phones have a feature called SIM card lock that adds an extra layer of security to protect your SIM card. This guide discusses a SIM lock and how to activate it on your Android phone.
What is a SIM card lock?
A SIM card lock is a layer of security that prevents carrier services from being used unless the SIM is unlocked. This is different from a phone being carrier locked, which means a phone can only use SIM cards from a certain carrier. The lock is a PIN, which must be entered each time the phone is turned on, even if the SIM is moved to a different phone. This prevents someone from using your SIM on your phone or another phone without knowing your SIM unlock PIN.
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The reason for activating a SIM card lock is due to SIM phishing. Scammers use SIM phishing, also known as SIM swapping, to gain access to your SIM card to control your phone. For this, they collect as much of your personal information as possible from your social media and other accounts that use two-factor authentication or similar verification methods. Then, they trick your carrier and its customer executive into believing you contacted them and asked them to transfer your number to a spare SIM card they (the scammer) own.
How to activate and modify a SIM card lock on an Android phone
Setting up a SIM card lock requires you to enter the default passcode set by your operator. The default SIM PIN is often on the packaging that comes with your phone, so make sure to save it when you get a new SIM. Make sure you know the default PIN before setting up the SIM card lock, as you will be locked out of your SIM after a few incorrect attempts.
Turning on the SIM lock may differ from one phone to another. Use the search box in your phone's Settings app to search for SIM lock and activate it.
- Launch the Settings app.
- Scroll down and select Security & Privacy.
- Select More security settings near the bottom of the page.
A screenshot of the Settings app on a Google Pixel phone with a red arrow pointing to the Security & Privacy option© Provided by Android PoliceSecurity & Privacy settings on a Google Pixel phone with a red arrow pointing to the More security settings option© Provided by Android Police
- Tap SIM card lock.
- Flip on the Lock SIM card toggle. You may be prompted to enter the default PIN.
More security settings on a Pixel phone with a red box around the SIM card lock option© Provided by Android PoliceSIM card lock settings on a Google Pixel phone with a red arrow pointing to the Lock SIM card toggle© Provided by Android Police
- After it's turned on, tap Change SIM PIN to change your PIN.
SIM card lock settings on a Pixel phone with a red box around the Change SIM PIN option© Provided by Android Police
- Enter your old PIN, then enter your new PIN, and tap OK. Be careful while entering your old PIN. Entering the wrong PIN three times blocks your SIM and requires you to get a new SIM.
The Lock SIM card dialog box prompting you to enter your current SIM PIN on a Pixel phone with a red arrow pointing to the entry line© Provided by Android PoliceThe SIM PIN dialog box prompting you to enter your new SIM PIN on a Pixel phone with a red arrow pointing to the entry line© Provided by Android Police
You can test that this feature is working by restarting your phone. When the SIM is transferred to a different phone, whether an iPhone or Android, you can't use it until it's unlocked. Here's what you see when you insert your locked SIM into another iPhone or Android device:
How to activate and modify a SIM card lock on a Samsung phone
Samsung phones have the One UI Android skin, which looks and functions slightly different from stock Android. Follow the steps below to set up a SIM card lock on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
- Open the Settings app on your Samsung phone.
- Scroll down and tap Security and privacy.
- Select Other security settings.
The Samsung Settings app with a red arrow pointing to the Security and privacy option© Provided by Android PoliceSecurity and privacy settings on a Samsung phone with a red arrow pointing to the Other security settings option© Provided by Android Police
- Tap Set up SIM card lock.
- Turn on the Lock SIM card toggle.
Other security settings on a Samsung phone with a red arrow pointing to the Set up SIM card lock option© Provided by Android PoliceSet up SIM card lock settings on a Samsung phone© Provided by Android Police
- Enter your current SIM card PIN and tap OK.
- Select Change SIM card PIN and enter a new passcode to protect your SIM.
The Lock SIM card dialog box prompting you to enter your current SIM PIN on a Samsung phone© Provided by Android PoliceSet up SIM card lock settings on a Samsung phone with a red arrow pointing to the Change SIM card PIN option© Provided by Android Police
What happens if I am locked out of my SIM?
If you accidentally locked your SIM card due to three failed attempts, your phone prompts you to enter a Personal Unlock Key (PUK), an eight-digit number. This number is located on the packaging your SIM card came in. If you don't have the box, contact your carrier and verify yourself to get the PUK from them. We recommend storing your new SIM PIN in one of the top password managers on Android so that you never lose it.
What if you have an eSIM?
You can still activate a SIM card lock if you have an eSIM. Even if you have a SIM card lock on a physical SIM, anyone can remove it and work on unlocking the SIM on another device. An eSIM is more secure because it can't be removed from your phone, so it's harder to unlock it without the SIM PIN. Follow the steps listed above to activate a SIM lock on an eSIM.
Prevent unauthorized access to your data
Adding a SIM lock to your phone protects against SIM phishing and keeps your accounts safe. You can take other steps to protect yourself, such as good password hygiene. If you get too many spam calls and texts, block the spam callers or block the spam messengers. There are also ways to spot and report phishing emails to keep yourself and your community safe. If you click a phishing link, take steps to minimize data loss from phishing.
