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How to Unlock a SIM When You Don't Know the PUK Code Download Article Easy ways to bypass a locked SIM or eSIM without a PUK Co-authored by Nicole Levine, MFA Reviewed by Stan Kats
Last Updated: November 12, 2025 Fact Checked
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Unlocking the SIM
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If the PUK Doesn't Work
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This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 128,225 times.
Protecting your SIM card with a PIN can prevent unauthorized use of your cellular plan, but if you enter your SIM PIN incorrectly three times, you'll need an 8-digit PUK (PIN Unlock Key) to unlock it. While you cannot unlock a SIM card or eSIM without the PUK code, it's pretty easy to get the PUK so you can keep using your phone. This wikiHow article will teach you how to get your PUK code and use it to unlock your SIM card on an Android or iPhone.
Unlocking a SIM Without the PUK
If you enter a SIM pin incorrectly too many times, your phone will ask you to enter a PUK. Don't try to guess the PUK, as guessing incorrectly will lock the SIM permanently. Instead, check your SIM card's packaging and any documentation you received upon purchase. If you can't find the PUK, call your carrier to get it.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
How to Unlock a SIM Without a PUK Code
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1 Get the PUK code. If you don't have the 8-digit PUK code, don't try to guess it–entering the PUK incorrectly too many times will permanently lock the SIM.[1]XResearch source If this happens, you'll have to get a new SIM card or eSIM. There's no way to bypass the "Enter PUK" prompt, but there are simple ways to get the PUK code for your SIM:
Check the packaging or documentation. If the SIM came in a package or welcome pack, the PUK and SIM PIN should be somewhere in or on the packaging. If you have an eSIM and received an order confirmation email from the carrier, check the email and any attached files.[2]XResearch source
Check your carrier's website or app. If you can log in to your carrier's website to manage your account online, you may be able to find the PUK somewhere on your dashboard. Look for an area of your account dashboard called something like "SIM" or "SIM Card," which should have a sub-area called "PUK" or similar.[3]XResearch source
Contact your carrier. If you can't find the PUK, call your carrier (or visit one of their stores in person) to get the PUK so you can reset your SIM. You'll just have to prove your identity over the phone or at an in-person location.[4]XResearch source
If you're not sure who your carrier is, remove the SIM card. You will find your carrier's name printed somewhere on the card.
2 Enter the PUK code when prompted. Once you have the PUK, enter it when prompted to unlock your SIM. You'll then be prompted to enter a new SIM PIN. Write your new SIM PIN down so you don't lose it.
If you are not prompted to enter a PUK, you can force the prompt by opening the phone app and trying to make a phone call.
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3 If you're not prompted again, try entering a special call code. If you can't get back to the prompt that requires you to enter a PUK code even after trying to make a phone call, give this a try:[5]XResearch source
If you have one SIM, or need to reset the PIN for SIM 1, enter this code into the phone dialer, replacing [PUK] with the PUK code, and both instances of [New PIN] with a new SIM PIN you'll remember: **05*[PUK]*[New PIN] *[New PIN]#
If you have 2 SIMs and need to reset the PIN for SIM 2, enter this code into the phone dialer, replacing [PUK2] with the PUK code, and both instances of [New PIN2] with a new SIM PIN you'll remember: **052*[PUK2]*[New PIN2]*[New PIN2]#
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What if I can't get my PUK or it doesn't work?
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Get a new SIM from your carrier. If you see "PUK exhausted," can't get the PUK code, or the code isn't working, the worst thing that can happen is that you lose access to your SIM card completely. Fortunately, this isn't as terrible as it sounds–if you have a removable SIM, your mobile carrier will send you a new one. If you have an eSIM, call your carrier to request a new eSIM.[6]XResearch source
If you stored any contacts or texts on your old SIM, they'll be gone, but storing things on SIM cards is rarer these days.
Section 3 of 3:
What's my SIM PIN?
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Your SIM PIN protects your SIM card from unauthorized use of your mobile service. If you've protected your SIM card with a PIN, your phone will ask for the SIM PIN each time you restart it or remove and reinsert the SIM.[7]XResearch source If you haven't changed the PIN, most SIM pins are 0123 or 1234 by default.[8]XResearch source But don't try to guess the SIM PIN if you don't know what it is—if you mis-enter it 3 times, you'll only be able to unlock the SIM if you use a PUK code from the provider.
SIM PINs are different from the PIN you use to unlock your phone's screen, and most phones do not have SIM PINs by default.
If you see a message on your phone that says "Locked SIM" or similar, you'll need to enter the SIM PIN to do anything on the phone.
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Question My SIM is showing PUK lock. Does that mean the phone is locked permanently? Community Answer No, as explained above. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 28 Helpful 85
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Tips
Your carrier will not charge you for a PUK unlock code. However, if you enter the PUK incorrectly enough times to need a new SIM or eSIM, you'll likely be charged for it. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 7
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Reviewed by: Stan Kats Professional Technologist This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals. This article has been viewed 128,225 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 4Updated: November 12, 2025 Views: 128,225 Categories: Operating SystemsArticle SummaryX
If you enter your SIM PIN incorrectly 3 times, you'll only be able to unlock your SIM with an 8-digit Personal Unlocking Key (PUK). Fortunately, your provider will give you your PUK if you can prove your identity. If you can't get your PUK or enter it incorrectly too many times, you will need to replace the SIM card. Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Stan Kats Professional Technologist Click a star to vote Co-authors: 4Updated: November 12, 2025 Views: 128,225
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Download Article Easy ways to bypass a locked SIM or eSIM without a PUK Co-authored by Nicole Levine, MFA Reviewed by Stan Kats 
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Reviewed by: Stan Kats Professional Technologist This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals. This article has been viewed 128,225 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 4 Updated: November 12, 2025 Views: 128,225 Categories: Operating Systems Article SummaryX
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1 Get the PUK code. If you don't have the 8-digit PUK code, don't try to guess it–entering the PUK incorrectly too many times will permanently lock the SIM.[1] If this happens, you'll have to get a new SIM card or eSIM. There's no way to bypass the "Enter PUK" prompt, but there are simple ways to get the PUK code for your SIM: 
2 Enter the PUK code when prompted. Once you have the PUK, enter it when prompted to unlock your SIM. You'll then be prompted to enter a new SIM PIN. Write your new SIM PIN down so you don't lose it. 
3 If you're not prompted again, try entering a special call code. If you can't get back to the prompt that requires you to enter a PUK code even after trying to make a phone call, give this a try:[5] 
Get a new SIM from your carrier. If you see "PUK exhausted," can't get the PUK code, or the code isn't working, the worst thing that can happen is that you lose access to your SIM card completely. Fortunately, this isn't as terrible as it sounds–if you have a removable SIM, your mobile carrier will send you a new one. If you have an eSIM, call your carrier to request a new eSIM.[6] 
Your SIM PIN protects your SIM card from unauthorized use of your mobile service. If you've protected your SIM card with a PIN, your phone will ask for the SIM PIN each time you restart it or remove and reinsert the SIM.[7] If you haven't changed the PIN, most SIM pins are 0123 or 1234 by default.[8] But don't try to guess the SIM PIN if you don't know what it is—if you mis-enter it 3 times, you'll only be able to unlock the SIM if you use a PUK code from the provider. 
Community Answer No, as explained above. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 28 Helpful 85 
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