Mobile unlocking

Why unlock your phone?

How to unlock your phone

Before trying to unlock your phone, make sure it's necessary. To check if you REALLY need to unlock your phone, try inserting another network's Sim – if it's locked, it should say on the screen.

1. If you have a smartphone, go to your network (it's often free to unlock)

   

   Contacting your network is the simplest way to get your phone unlocked – and often it will be entirely free.
   If you're a pay-monthly customer outside your minimum contract term, networks aren't allowed to charge you unlocking fees – and in many cases, even if you're still within your minimum contract term, they won't charge you.

   Once your network has confirmed that your phone unlock has been processed, you may or may not need to enter a code to finalise it.
   

   This depends on your handset – you should receive specific instructions from the network, but generally speaking with iPhones you'll just need to follow the on-screen instructions for setting up the new Sim once you've inserted it (which may involve connecting it to iTunes).

   Is your iPhone jailbroken? In order for the official unlock to work, you must remove the jailbreak and all associated applications from your iPhone first. If you don't, you won't be able to unlock it this way.

   

   It's unlikely you'll be able to find a third-party retailer to unlock your phone for less than what the network will do it for (though there's no harm in checking), but if the network won't do it because you've got a second-hand phone or you're not yet far enough through your contract, it's worth looking elsewhere.

   The web's not the best place to look due to the amount of dodgy operators promising quick fixes. Check specialists on the high street – they might be cheaper, and there's the added advantage that if they can't do the job you won't be charged (always check first though), whereas on the web you may pay regardless.

   If you're looking online, be sure you know exactly what you're getting before you pay. Read the terms and conditions to make sure you won't get fobbed off with something other than the code you need. Also, always check the site's legitimacy, as there are some unscrupulous firms out there.

   Do note, while some are quick and can send the code in 15 minutes, reports claim it can take several weeks for your code to come through, depending on the network. Once it arrives, follow the instructions in the next method to put it into the handset.

   You may need to finalise the unlock

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   If the network won't help, try other unlockers

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2. Non-smartphones - find a free code

   

   Several sites simply list codes for a range of older phones without charge. Giffgaff's useful Unlockapedia notes that while this method works for many older Nokia, LG, Panasonic and Siemens phones, it's unlikely to work for most others. It's still worth quickly trying to see if you can find a code for your phone just in case.

   To find a working unlocking code for your handset, you need three pieces of info – its brand/model number, the network, and the International Mobile Equipment Identity, or IMEI, code. Here's how to find them:

   • Brand and model number. The chances are you already know this, as it's likely to be written on the handset, its box, and any documentation you got when you bought it, so we'll move on.

   • The network. This is simply the network the phone's currently locked to, not the one you want to move to.

   • The IMEI. The International Mobile Equipment Identity is a unique number given to all mobiles, which gets marked as invalid when phones are reported lost or stolen. To find your IMEI, simply type *#06# into the dialling screen of your handset (as if you're making a call), and note down the number that appears.

   

   There are a raft of websites dedicated to phone unlocking. Which you should use depends on your handset brand
   

   • Nokia phones. The easiest way to unlock older Nokia is via codes found via Giffgaff's handy Unlockapedia.

   • Other brands. Again, try Giffgaff's handy Unlockapedia – just pop in your handset type to get more info. If you can't unlock your phone with a free code, try unlocking it with a cable.

   The sites above will generate a code based on the info you provided, so double-check it's right first. The code will look something like this: #pw+2746763089+1# (Nokia phones), or *2767*637# (other makes).

   To unlock the handset, take the Sim card out of the phone and put in a different network's Sim. Now you can put the code in.

   How to enter the code

   This can be fiddly – for some phones, rather than using the regular text keys, you need to use the * key if you want to produce letters as opposed to numbers. For example, to produce a 'p', press the * button three times within two seconds; to produce a 'w', press the * button four times within two seconds; to produce a '+', press the * button twice within two seconds.

   You should now get a message saying 'phone restriction off' (or words to that effect). You generally only have five attempts to enter the correct code, so be careful. If none are successful, the phone will still work, but you'll have to go to the network or a retailer to get it unlocked instead.

   Quick question

   If all else fails, your phone may only be unlockable by using a cable attachment. You can either pay to have it unlocked this way, or, if you've a knack with technology, do it yourself.

   Use a high street or market unlocking service

   Since you're going to have to post your phone to any online unlocking service for them to be able to unlock it via cable (a process which can in itself be costly and cause headaches), the local unlockers have the upper hand here.

   It's worth asking for a few quotes and playing the sellers against each other. With these sorts of services, you may be surprised at how far a bit of haggling can go.

   Do it yourself

   If you fancy yourself as tech savvy, you can also buy a cable on eBay or via a cheap phone accessory website, and download free software which should do the trick.

   An important warning – this can get complicated, so be sure to research it thoroughly online before parting with cash for the unlocking 'clip'. Be very careful, as this method is only for the technologically-experienced who can work through any issues that arise.

   There are different clips for each brand, and often for different handsets within that brand, so make sure you get the right one for your needs. If you only want to unlock one handset, then the most economical option may be to buy the clip, unlock the phone, then sell the clip on eBay to recoup your costs.

   What if I am still having trouble unlocking my phone?

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   Keep on top of your mobile bill

   Wanna know how to slash your mobile costs – and when to do it? The MSE App has a new tool called Bill Buster – give us a few details about your mobile bill & we'll track it, alert you when your contract's ending, then show you the cheapest deals based on how much data you need.

   

Now it's unlocked, go & save cash!

Now your handset's unlocked, the mobile world's your oyster! Read the Cheap Mobile Tips guide for info on getting a good deal, and Cheap Mobile and Data Roaming for top deals on calling and getting online abroad.

If you've tried everything above to no avail and you're left with a handset you don't want and can't unlock, why not recycle it and earn some cash? See the Sell Your Old Mobile guide to find out how to flog it.