How to Unlock a SIM When You Don't Know the PUK Code

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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 7, 2025 Fact Checked

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Unlocking the SIM

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If the PUK Doesn't Work

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What's my SIM PIN?

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Q&A

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Tips

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.

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]
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Research 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]
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- 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]
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- 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]
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  - 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.
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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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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]
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- 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]#

Section 2 of 3:

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]
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- 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]
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Research source} If you haven't changed the PIN, most SIM pins are 0123 or 1234 by default.^{[8]
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Research 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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My SIM is showing PUK lock. Does that mean the phone is locked permanently?

Community Answer

No, as explained above.

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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.

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