SIM protection

Also known as Wireless Account Lock, Number Lock, and Port Out Protection, SIM protection is a security feature that helps protect a smartphone from illegal SIM swapping. In 2024, it became law in the United States that all carriers provide this feature for free to all of their users. We recommend enabling this feature to prevent anyone from gaining access to your phone number, which could help them break into accounts protected by two-factor authentication. The steps below are how to enable SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) protection for each major phone carrier.

AT&T

With AT&T, this feature is called "Wireless Account Lock" and can be enabled by following the steps below.

1. Open and log into the myAT&T app.
2. Select Services.
3. Choose Mobile Security and go to Wireless Account Lock.

T-Mobile

With T-Mobile, this feature is called "SIM protection" and can be enabled by following the steps below.

1. Log into your T-Mobile account.
2. Click your name and select Profile.
3. Click Privacy and Notification.
4. Select SIM Protection and toggle to enable the option.

or

1. Log into your T-Mobile account.
2. Select Account.
3. Under Lines and Devices, select the line you want to protect.
4. Scroll to Active Add-ons and select Manage add-ons.
5. Go to the Services section and select Port Out Protection.

Verizon

With Verizon, this feature is called "SIM protection" and can be enabled by following the steps below.

1. Sign in to My Verizon.
2. Open Account and go to the Security settings.
3. Select Edit from the SIM Protection section.
4. Select On.
5. Select Save changes.

Additionally, we suggest enabling the "Number Lock" option by clicking Edit next to the Number Lock section, and clicking On, and saving the changes.

Google Fi

If you use Google Fi, this feature is called "Number lock" and can be enabled by following the steps below.

1. Log into your Google Fi account.
2. Open Phone settings and then Privacy & security.
3. Under the Number Lock option, select Sign in to manage Number lock.
4. Re-enter your account login information.
5. Toggle the Number lock to ON.

Mint Mobile

With Mint Mobile, this feature is called "Number Lock" and can be enabled by following the steps below.

1. Open the Mint Mobile app.
2. Select Account and scroll to Security.
3. Select Number Lock.
4. Toggle the button to turn Number Lock on.

Cricket

With Cricket, this feature is called "Account Lock" and can be enabled by following the steps below.

1. Open the MyCricket app.
2. Click Settings.
3. Under Security, click Account Lock.
4. Toggle the Account Lock option to On.

Cell phone, Number lock, Phone terms, SIM card, SIM lock