Is the used phone locked to T-Mobile? How to check

What T-Mobile's policy says

From T-Mobile's published device locking policy, a T-Mobile phone qualifies to have its lock removed when:

• It was sold by T-Mobile, isn't reported lost or stolen, and the account is in good standing.
• Postpaid: it has been active on the T-Mobile network for at least 40 days on that line, and if it was financed or leased, it's paid in full. If the account was canceled, the balance must be zero.
• Prepaid: at least 365 days have passed since it was activated on T-Mobile, or the prepaid account had more than $100 in refills per line and more than 14 days have passed since purchase.
• Once it qualifies, T-Mobile says it removes the lock remotely within two business days if the phone supports it.

How to tell if it's locked

• iPhone: Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock. "No SIM restrictions" means it isn't locked to a carrier.
• Samsung: T-Mobile points to Settings > Connections > More connection settings to see the network lock status.
• Any phone: put in a SIM from another carrier, restart, and try a call and mobile data.
• The seller can also show the lock status in their T-Mobile account or the T-Life app.
• Before you meet: LegitPhone's report shows the carrier lock for iPhones. For Android, use the SIM test in person.

What a T-Mobile lock tells you

A financed T-Mobile phone stays locked until it's paid off, so a lock is a reason to ask whether the seller still owes on it. Ask them to show the device balance in their T-Mobile account. A phone reported lost or stolen won't qualify at all, so always check the lost/stolen list too.

If you're on T-Mobile

A T-Mobile locked phone can work on your T-Mobile line, as long as it isn't reported lost or stolen and isn't tied to an unpaid balance. Check both before you pay.