If you're thinking of moving from your current network provider to a new ane, while keeping hold of your iPhone, or y'all've picked one upwards second-mitt, you may discover that the device is locked to your current carrier or network provider. While this could exist a huge pain in the past, the good news is that it's usually much easier to unlock an iPhone these days.

Y'all should exist able to go your network provider to unlock the iPhone for you; often for free. In fact, you might even be able to do it yourself.

In this article we show how to unlock any iPhone model, either with an unlock code from the network itself (which is commonly free and piece of cake) or by using a third-party service like Medico SIM.

Unlocking an iPhone volition soon be a thing of the past, equally Ofcom has appear that all providers will be banned from locking devices to their network past the end of 2021. Just obviously this won't necessarily affect all devices already in apportionment. And then, for now, yous'll need to follow the steps outlined in this commodity to get your iPhone unlocked.

We're focusing on unlocking an iPhone tied to a Great britain carrier, but for those in the US, visit our sister site'southward commodity on how to unlock an iPhone.

Should you exist looking for help on gaining access to information on a device in the distressing issue of its possessor dying, you can read how to unlock an iPhone, iPad or Mac when its owner passes away.

Is iPhone unlocking legal?

It's completely legal to unlock your iPhone if yous've finished paying for your contract or you purchased it outright, unsubsidised. However, if you lot're still in the procedure of paying for your contract yous don't fully own the iPhone even so, so you're best to check with your carrier before unlocking information technology.

How to unlock an iPhone: iPhone 13 mini

Is my iPhone locked?

Commonly, if your iPhone is locked you'll see a bulletin saying something like 'SIM Not Supported' when you endeavour to ready the device. For more than information here's how to tell if your iPhone is locked.

The reason for the device being locked is nigh likely if you bought information technology 2nd-hand or inherited it from a friend or family fellow member. The previous possessor may accept bought the iPhone as function of a contract, and it's been standard practice for years that the network provider uses software restrictions to keep the device tied to its service for the elapsing of the contract.

How to unlock your iPhone

There are four unproblematic steps to take to unlock an iPhone:

  1. Contact your provider and request an unlock using the contact details and online tools listed below.
  2. If y'all haven't got the original SIM, you lot'll demand to reset the phone earlier it can be unlocked.
  3. Power down the phone, then replace the former SIM card with a SIM from a unlike network.
  4. Check that the iPhone is able to connect a telephone telephone call over the new network.

That's the shortened version, but allow's go through those steps in a bit more item.

Contact your network provider

Below we will outline separately how to get your iPhone unlocked from each of the UK's near popular networks. Scroll down to your carrier to find out that company's specific process.

How to unlock an iPhone on EE

EE states that information technology will automatically unlock 'an iPad or iPhone - 18 months later information technology was sold (or after it was dispatched, if it was a replacement)'. So if yous know the purchase date, then y'all might find that the device volition unlock itself very before long. Should this non be the case, so y'all tin still request EE to unlock the device.

If you've had your EE account for at least 6 months and have paid all of your bills to appointment, EE will unlock your iPhone for yous. It'll price £viii.99 if yous're still within the contract, though, and takes around 72 hours. If your contract has reached it's end, then EE will unlock the iPhone for free.

If y'all're a Pay As You Get client and have enough credit to pay the £8.99 admin fee, EE will unlock your iPhone for you.

If yous've bought the iPhone second-mitt, say from eBay, and then EE will unlock it for you lot at a cost of £8.99. Information technology does stipulate, 'Equally long equally the second-manus device is more six months old and has not been reported lost or stolen and so we can unlock information technology'

The procedure is quite straightforward. All you need to practice is phone call 0800 956 6000 and then select options two followed by 4. You'll exist required to undergo a security examination (to prevent anyone stealing your iPhone and unlocking it) after which you'll be given the unlocking instructions.

You'll find all the data y'all demand on EE's How do I unlock an EE device to use with another network? page.

How to unlock an iPhone on Vodafone

Vodafone states on its site that all Apple products issued by the company are already unlocked.

Should yous find this isn't the example, and so you lot'll need to go a Network Unlock Code from Vodafone. Before attempting this, be aware that the company states, 'Unfortunately, if you bought your phone from a different provider or e.g. Carphone Warehouse, nosotros tin't unlock it. You will take to contact them directly.'

So it could be that the device is locked by the other provider rather than Vodafone.

If you lot're thinking of handing on your iPhone to someone else, and are worried that it might be locked to your Vodafone account, you can utilise Vodafone'due south online unlocking grade to consummate the procedure. The company claims it usually manages to unlock your device within 72 hours, but that in some cases it may be upwards to 10 days depending on the circumstances. The process is free.

How to unlock an iPhone on Three

Three keeps things dainty and simple. On its website, the carrier states that any iPhone purchased after 1 January 2014 from Iii is automatically unlocked every bit soon every bit you connect it to Wi-Fi or iTunes/the Finder (depending on the version of macOS y'all are using).

Just fifty-fifty if you purchased your iPhone before that, you simply need to connect the iPhone to iTunes/the Finder and restore the device to unlock it. You'll want to back up first, though, as restoring volition wipe all the data.

Alternatively, you tin can fill out Three's online form.

How to unlock an iPhone: Three

How to unlock an iPhone on O2

If you or the original owner purchased your iPhone from O2 later 1 August 2018, information technology's probable to be unlocked already.

Should you detect you lot still tin't apply another SIM with it, then (if yous are an existing O2 client) you lot tin can follow these steps:

Log in to My O2 on your browser. Select 'More than' in the menu bar at the top of the page, followed by 'Unlock your device'. At present follow the instructions to get your iPhone unlocked.

Alternatively in that location'due south the Live Conversation characteristic on the O2 site, although you lot'll demand to have your IMEI ready (hither's how to notice it).

The whole process is explained conspicuously on the Unlocking an O2 mobile for use on a different network page of the visitor website.

The company says it will send a text to let you know when the iPhone is unlocked. You lot simply demand to pop the new SIM carte du jour in then and it should evidence as unlocked. If not, yous'll need to connect the device to iTunes/the Finder with the not-O2 SIM, and iTunes volition confirm the unlocking.

How to unlock an iPhone on Virgin Mobile

Virgin says any iPhone purchased from the company will be unlocked already, but some older iPhones models might not. These are iPhone four and earlier though, then there'southward a very good modify your handset is unlocked.

If you are on an iPhone 4, and why non it'south all the same a neat device, then you should still exist able to perform a full restore of the device to unlock it. Just be sure to support your data first and so nothing gets lost.

Yous tin read more almost how to do the former in our how to factory reset an iPhone and iPad guide.

How to unlock an iPhone on Tesco Mobile

If you lot've been with Tesco Mobile for 12 months or more, or if you've completed your contract, y'all'll be able to get an unlock code from Tesco for free by using the online course.

How to unlock an iPhone on Giffgaff

Giffgaff has a handy tool that helps you lot figure out how to free your Apple tree iPhone from other its own and other networks. It has the wonderful proper noun of Unlockapedia and is well worth exploring.

Using a third-party unlocking service

An culling to contacting your carrier and asking them to unlock the iPhone is to use a mobile phone unlocking service.

Retailers in near areas will arrange an unlock lawmaking for a small fee (usually around £25).

Y'all can also find online services that will unlock your iPhone, only they aren't ever reputable and nosotros would more often than not advise against it. If you do determine to use one, please make certain y'all read all the small-scale impress before you lot buy, because they can surprise you with extra bills at the finish of the process.

We've tried Doctor SIM, which promises to refund you if the unlock is unsuccessful, and then that could be an option if you've tried all of the methods listed above. Doctor SIM successfully unlocked our phone with no problems and no hidden fees, so we experience confident in recommending them.

How much should I pay?

Ideally you shouldn't pay anything to unlock your iPhone, considering your carrier should unlock it for yous for gratuitous. But some carriers are nonetheless setting admin charges, so you lot might adopt looking at third-political party options. These seem to accuse between £ten and £25, and nosotros wouldn't pay more that. Shop around if anybody quotes you lot a higher toll.

How to tell if the unlock worked

Once your telephone has been unlocked you lot'll receive a confirmation from the carrier. At present follow these steps:

  1. Power down the phone: concord down the power button (or the power button and volume down, if information technology'southward a Face ID equipped iPhone) and swipe your finger across as directed.
  2. Use the SIM carte tool (or a straightened paper clip, but preferably the proper tool) to eject the SIM card holder from the side of the telephone.
  3. Remove the former SIM card from the card holder. Place your new SIM - from a different network - into the card holder.
  4. Reinsert the SIM carte du jour holder into the iPhone.
  5. Make a phone call, and check that the iPhone is able to connect over the new network. If so, it's unlocked!

Insert SIM

How to update an unlocked phone without the SIM carte du jour

If you've requested an unlock from your carrier, only have not got the original SIM card, or if you have acquired a locked iPhone from someone else, you may need to reset the phone earlier it will be unlocked. Follow these steps to reset the iPhone:

  1. Support your iPhone to iCloud or via iTunes/the Finder.
  2. Erase your iPhone. Click on Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
  3. Complete the setup assistant and restore from your backup.

The phone should now exist unlocked.

When you turn the iPhone dorsum on, consummate the setup assistant and restore it from the backup y'all created. So you can insert the new SIM card and it should now work.

And there we take it! Your iPhone should be unlocked and free for utilize on any network. If yous're interested in repeating the process for your tablet, we've got a separate guide for those who wish to unlock an iPad.

If you're thinking of moving your erstwhile iPhone on to someone else, you lot should also read how and where to sell your quondam iPhone for the best price for some tips on resetting it and getting the best bargain.