U.S. Phone Unlocking Guide: How to Stay Connected & Keep Your U.S. Number After Returning to China (Latest Edition)

Many people living in the U.S. choose to sign contracts with major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon to get the latest phones through installment plans or with $0 down payment—these are commonly known as carrier-locked phones.

When you plan to return to your home country, the first hurdle is: these phones are typically "network locked" by the carrier and must be unlocked to support Chinese carrier networks.

However, the real challenge isn't just the unlocking process itself. Even after successfully unlocking your phone, you still face more complex communication challenges upon returning:

● How to get online after returning? You need a local SIM card, but many new phone models only have eSIM.

● How to keep your U.S. number active? Your U.S. number is crucial for receiving SMS verification codes for important accounts like banks, Google, and PayPal. Once you switch SIM cards, these verification codes will stop immediately.

This article will provide a detailed breakdown of the U.S. phone unlocking process and potential risks, and offer a smarter, more convenient perfect communication solution for your return.

1. Why Unlock a Carrier-Locked Phone?

U.S. carriers offer phone discounts by signing service contracts, typically for 24-36 months. During this period, the phone is "Network Locked" and can only use that carrier's SIM card.

Simply put, unlocking removes this restriction, allowing your phone (whether via physical SIM or eSIM) to seamlessly switch and use networks from all carriers worldwide.

2. Official Unlocking Guide: Policies of the Three Major Carriers

3. Bypassing the Official Route? Assessing the Triple Risks of Third-Party Unlocking

If official unlocking fails, some users might turn to online services offering "third-party unlocking," "IMEI remote unlocking," or "low-cost unlocking." We strongly advise against using these non-official channels due to three core risks that could lead to financial loss and permanent phone locking.

4. Unlocking is Just the First Step: Two Core Challenges Using Your Phone Back Home

Congratulations! Your phone is successfully unlocked, but this only solves the problem of "whether you can use a Chinese SIM card." Next, you'll face two more practical challenges:

5. Best Solution for Using Your Unlocked U.S. Phone in China: iTalkBB China Connect eSIM

How can you get high-speed data in China while keeping your U.S. number active? iTalkBB China Connect eSIM offers a perfect, one-stop solution.

It eliminates the need to hassle with physical SIMs upon return, avoids costly international roaming fees, and ensures you never miss a U.S. verification code.