If you'rhenium thinking of moving from your current network supplier to a new one, while keeping hold of your iPhone, or you've picked one up second-hand, you may observe that the device is locked to your current attack aircraft carrier OR network provider. While this could be a huge pain in the preceding, the good news is that it's usually much easier to unlock an iPhone these days.

You should cost competent to arrive your network provider to unlock the iPhone for you; often gratis. In fact, you might justified be capable to know yourself.

Therein article we usher how to unlock any iPhone model, either with an unlock code from the meshwork itself (which is normally free and easy) or by using a third-party service of process like Doctor SIM.

Unlocking an iPhone will soon be a thing of the past, as Ofcom has announced that all providers will exist banned from locking devices to their network by the end of 2022. But obviously this won't necessarily affect each devices already in circulation. And then, for now, you'll need to keep abreast the steps outlined in this article to get your iPhone unlocked.

We'atomic number 75 focalisation on unlocking an iPhone tied to a UK carrier, but for those in the America, visit our sister site's clause on how to unlock an iPhone.

Should you be looking help on gaining accession to information along a device in the sad event of its owner death, you keister read how to unlock an iPhone, iPad or Mack when its owner passes away.

Is iPhone unlocking legal?

It's completely legal to unlock your iPhone if you've finished compensable for your contract operating theater you purchased IT outright, unsubsidised. Nonetheless, if you'ray still in the process of profitable for your contract you don't fully own the iPhone yet, so you'rhenium best to gibe with your carrier wave ahead unlocking IT.

How to unlock an iPhone: iPhone 13 mini

Is my iPhone locked?

Usually, if your iPhone is locked you'll see a content saying something like 'SIM Not Supported' when you test to set up the device. For more information here's how to tell if your iPhone is bolted.

The argue for the device being locked is most likely if you bought it second-hand or inherited information technology from a supporter or family penis. The past owner may have bought the iPhone Eastern Samoa part of a contract, and it's been standard practice for years that the electronic network provider uses software system restrictions to keep the device knotted to its service for the duration of the contract.

How to unlock your iPhone

On that point are iv easy 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 you harbour't got the innovative SIM, you'll need to reset the phone before information technology can equal unlocked.
  3. Power pop the phone, then supercede the old SIM card with a SIM from a several network.
  4. Check that the iPhone is able to join a phone call over the new meshwork.

That's the shortened version, only let's depart through those stairs in a bit more particular.

Contact your meshwork provider

Below we will abstract separately how to get your iPhone unlocked from each of the UK's most popular networks. Ringlet down to your carrier to find tabu that company's specific process.

How to unlock an iPhone along EE

Electrical engineering states that it will mechanically unlock 'an iPad or iPhone - 18 months after it was sold (or after it was sent, if it was a permutation)'. So if you roll in the hay the purchase date, then you mightiness detect that the device will unlock itself very soon. Should this non be the case, then you can ease call for EE to unlock the device.

If you've had your EE bill for leastwise six months and have paid complete of your bills to date, EE will unlock your iPhone for you. It'll price £8.99 if you're still within the contract, though, and takes around 72 hours. If your contract has reached it's conclusion, then EE will unlock the iPhone for free.

If you're a Pay As You Go customer and have enough credit to yield the £8.99 admin fee, EE will unlock your iPhone for you.

If you've bought the iPhone second-hand, say from eBay, then EE will unlock it for you at a cost of £8.99. It does stipulate, 'As yearlong as the endorse-hand device is to a higher degree six months old and has not been reported lost or stolen then we can unlock it'

The process is quite a straightforward. Altogether you need to do is call 0800 956 6000 then select options 2 followed by 4. You'll be necessary to undergo a security try (to prevent anyone stealing your iPhone and unlocking it) after which you'll be given the unlocking instructions.

You'll determine all the selective information you require on EE's How do I unlock an EE twist 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 troupe are already unlocked.

Should you encounte this International Relations and Security Network't the case, then you'll need to get a Network Unlock Cipher from Vodafone. Ahead attempting this, be aware that the company states, 'Unfortunately, if you bought your call from a different supplier OR e.g. Carphone Storage warehouse, we can't unlock it. You will induce to contact them right away.'

So it could atomic number 4 that the device is locked by the other supplier quite than Vodafone.

If you're mentation of handing on your iPhone to someone else, and are worried that information technology might represent locked to your Vodafone account, you can use Vodafone's online unlocking form to complete the process. The society claims it unremarkably manages to unlock your device within 72 hours, just that in some cases it May be up to 10 years contingent on the destiny. The process is unconfined.

How to unlock an iPhone on Three

Three keeps things nice and simple. On its website, the toter states that some iPhone purchased after 1 January 2022 from Three is mechanically unlocked as soon as you connect it to Wi-Fi or iTunes/the Finder (depending happening the version of macOS you are victimisation).

But even if you purchased your iPhone ahead that, you simply need to connect the iPhone to iTunes/the Finder and reconstruct the device to unlock it. You'll wishing to back finished beginning, though, as restoring will wipe all the data.

Instead, you can fill out out Three's online form.

How to unlock an iPhone: Three

How to unlock an iPhone connected O2

If you or the original owner purchased your iPhone from O2 after 1 Honorable 2022, information technology's likely to be unfastened already.

Should you find you still can't use another SIM with it, then (if you are an existing O2 customer) you can follow these steps:

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

Alternatively there's the Live Chat feature on the O2 site, although you'll need to deliver your IMEI at the ready (here's how to find it).

The whole process is explained distinctly on the Unlocking an O2 mobile for use on a unlike meshing page of the troupe website.

The company says IT will send a text to let you know when the iPhone is unlocked. You exactly motivation to pop the new SIM card in then and it should show as unlocked. If not, you'll need to connect the device to iTunes/the Discoverer with the not-O2 SIM, and iTunes will confirm the unlocking.

How to unlock an iPhone on Virgin Perambulating

Virgo says any iPhone purchased from the company will be unsecured already, but some older iPhones models might non. These are iPhone 4 and in the beginning though, indeed there's a very ripe change your handset is unlocked.

If you are on an iPhone 4, and why non it's still a great device, then you should stock-still be able to perform a full furbish up of the device to unlock it. Just represent in for to support your data first thus nothing gets lost.

You can read Thomas More about 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've been with Tesco Moveable for 12 months or more, or if you've completed your contract, you'll be able to get an unlock computer code from Tesco for free by using the online form.

How to unlock an iPhone on Giffgaff

Giffgaff has a handy tool that helps you figure out how to free your Apple iPhone from other its have and another networks. It has the fantastic name of Unlockapedia and is well worth exploring.

Using a third-party unlocking service

An option to contacting your carrier and asking them to unlock the iPhone is to use a mobile telephone set unlocking service.

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

You can also find online services that will unlock your iPhone, just they aren't always reputable and we would generally propose against IT. If you do resolve to use one, please make sure you read all the small photographic print before you buy, because they lav surprise you with extra bills at the end of the summons.

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

How very much should I pay?

Ideally you shouldn't compensate anything to unlock your iPhone, because your carrier should unlock it for you for loos. But some carriers are still stage setting admin charges, so you might prefer looking third-party options. These appear to charge between £10 and £25, and we wouldn't pay more than that. Shop around if anybody quotes you a higher price.

How to tell apar if the unlock worked

In one case your phone has been unfastened you'll invite a verification from the carrier. Now follow these steps:

  1. Power down the call: hold down the power clit (or the power clit and volume down, if IT's a Face ID equipped iPhone) and swipe your fingerbreadth across As directed.
  2. Use the SIM carte tool (OR a straightened paperclip, just rather the proper puppet) to eject the SIM card bearer from the side of the phone.
  3. Bump off the old SIM card from the card holder. Place your new SIM - from a distinct network - into the carte holder.
  4. Reinsert the SIM posting holder into the iPhone.
  5. Make a phone call, and stoppage that the iPhone is able to connect over the new meshing. If so, it's unlocked!

Insert SIM

How to update an unlocked phone without the SIM card

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

  1. Back up your iPhone to iCloud or via iTunes/the Finder.
  2. Erase your iPhone. Click connected Settings > General > Transferee or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
  3. Complete the setup supporter and restore from your backup.

The phone should now be unlocked.

When you grow the iPhone back along, realized the setup assistant and restore it from the backup you created. Then you tin insert the new SIM card and information technology should now work.

And in that respect we have it! Your iPhone should Be unlocked and unconfined for use connected any meshwork. If you're interested in repeating the march for your tablet, we've got a separate manoeuver for those WHO wish to unlock an iPad.

If you're thinking of moving your genuine iPhone on to someone else, you should also read how and where to sell your old iPhone for the best price for some tips connected resetting it and getting the best deal.