No. Unlocking phones in China violates the Regulations on Telecommunications of the People’s Republic of China and risks fines up to ¥10,000 under MIIT enforcement. Since 2023, carriers like China Mobile and China Unicom strictly prohibit SIM-lock tampering, aligning with Beijing’s 2026 cybersecurity compliance push targeting unauthorized device modifications.
Key Regulations for Unlocking Phones in China
- MIIT’s 2021 Circular (No. 154): Explicitly bans unlocking SIM-locked devices, classifying it as unauthorized network access under Article 60 of the Telecommunications Regulations. Violations trigger administrative penalties.
- Carrier Policies: Major operators (China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom) enforce contractual clauses prohibiting unlocking, citing network security risks. Unauthorized unlocks void warranties and may lead to service termination.
- Cybersecurity Law (2017) & 2026 Amendments: Unlocking devices could be construed as circumventing network access controls, violating Article 28’s data security provisions. The 2026 updates expand MIIT’s authority to inspect devices for compliance.