Carrier lock

Also called: network lock, SIM lock

A restriction that stops a phone accepting SIMs or eSIMs from any operator other than the one it was sold by.

A locked phone will refuse a Philippine SIM or a travel eSIM no matter what the hardware supports. Phones bought outright are usually unlocked; phones bought on a carrier contract often are not until the contract completes.

Ask your home carrier to unlock the handset before you travel. It can take several days, and it cannot be done from the Philippines with any convenience.