In many countries, there are two main ways to purchase a contract phone: unlocked or locked to a specific network.
An unlocked phone means changing networks is as easy as removing a SIM card and replacing it with another. However, there are a few additional steps if you want to keep the same number.
Even if you buy a smartphone on contract in the UK, it will be unlocked. In December 2021, UK communications regulator Ofcom banned networks from selling locked phones, so you can use them with any provider once you’ve paid the price of the phone.
But it’s a different story in the United States, where no such restrictions exist. Often, the best value plans will be limited to a specific network.
The good news is that there is a way to unlock any Android phone and use it with any carrier. If you’re having trouble bypassing your phone’s lock screen, check out our separate article on how to unlock it if you’ve forgotten your PIN, pattern, or password.
Is it legal to unlock your phone?
If you have finished paying your contract, it is completely legal to unlock your phone. The same goes for any budget, mid-range, or flagship phone you buy outright.
However, if you are still paying for your initial contract, unlocking your phone with other providers may not be possible until the contract ends. Some carriers may not have anything preventing this, but it’s worth making sure before proceeding.
Also be 100% sure your phone is locked via our guide on how to check.
How to unlock your phone
Unlocking a phone can be surprisingly simple once you know how:
- Contact your provider and request an unlock. This should be the original network and not the network of the new SIM card you are trying to use. See more detailed information for specific networks below
- You will normally need your IMEI number, which you will usually find on the original packaging or can find out by dialing the number *#06* on the phone keypad.
- Once you receive confirmation that your phone has been unlocked by your provider, you can turn the phone off, insert your new SIM card into the SIM card slot, and turn the phone back on.
- Try making a call to find out whether the unlocking was successful or not. If you can connect a phone call on the new network, the unlock worked. Otherwise, contact your network provider for assistance.
If you don’t have the original SIM card, you may need to reset the phone before you can unlock it.
Taking a closer look at step one, we’ve listed each of the popular network providers in the US and UK to help you figure out how to unlock your phone. Find your carrier in the list below and follow the instructions provided.
American carriers
AT&T
To unlock an AT&T phone, you must have paid for your plan in full – or if it’s a prepaid phone, you must have used it for at least six months.
Visit the AT&T unlock page to find your IMEI number and begin the process of unlocking your device.
Verizon
Verizon phones are locked for 60 days after purchase, but after that time they should unlock automatically.
The company does not provide unlocking instructions as the process should be automatic, but contact customer support if for some reason your device has not unlocked.
TMobile
If you use T-Mobile, you can unlock your phone as long as you’ve paid for it and used it on the network for 40 days. Prepaid phones must have been used for at least a year. You should receive a notification once your device is eligible.
If you’re not sure, you can find out by logging into My T-Mobile and choosing your line on the accounts. page (note that this does not work in the app). Then choose “Check device unlock status”.
Once you’re ready to unlock, T-Mobile offers step-by-step instructions for different types of Android phones that you can follow.
Sprint
Although it’s now part of T-Mobile, you have to go through Sprint itself if you first purchased the phone before the merger in August 2020.
Sprint also requires that your payment plan has been paid in full, in addition to a minimum of 40 days of usage on the Sprint network.
Head over to the Sprint unlock page – at the very bottom you’ll find step-by-step instructions for unlocking your phone.
UK Networks
EE
Visit EE’s phone unlock page.
To unlock your EE phone, you must be the account holder for the device and number, have owned the device for at least six months, have paid your bill up to date, and have not reported the device as lost or stolen.
While EE previously charged to unlock certain handsets, such as those still on contract, it will now unlock any device for free.
EE aims to unlock your phone instantly, but it can take up to seven days in some cases.
You can find out more about unlocking your EE phone by contacting EE directly.
Giffgaff
Giffgaff is a little unusual in that it offers an “unlock app” that you can use to look up the make and model of your phone to find out how to go about unlocking it.
Go to the Giffgaff unlock pedia.
O2
O2 will unlock your phone at any time for free. However, you will have to continue paying your contract until it expires.
The network says the easiest way to do this is to use My O2 Online or the My O2 app, and offers detailed instructions on its website.
Mobile Sky
Phones purchased through the Sky Mobile website should already be unlocked, so you won’t need to contact the company to unlock your phone. Instead, try your new SIM card and it should work.
If you’re using an iPhone, you may need to reset network settings via Settings > Mobile data > Mobile data options > Mobile data network.
Tesco Mobile
If you have a phone with Tesco Mobile, unlocking will be free, whether you’re on contract or not.
All you need to do is submit an unlock request and have your IMEI number handy.
Unlocking a phone on Tesco Mobile can take up to seven days.
Three
If you purchased your phone from Three after January 1, 2014, your device will already be unlocked. If it was before that for some reason you will need to contact Three directly.
Vodafone
Most devices on Vodafone, including all Apple products, will already be unlocked. For everyone else, you will need to use the online unlock request form. It may take up to 10 business days to receive an unlock code from the company.
BTMobile
As of December 2021, all devices sold by BT are unlocked. Even before this, all Google, Oppo and OnePlus phones were unlocked.
To unlock an older device, call 0800 800 150 and ask for it, making sure you have your IMEI code. The process may take up to seven business days.
Mobile ID
All iD Mobile phones have always been sold unlocked, except for iPhones made before 2018. To unlock one of these older Apple handsets, request it via live text chat. Unlocking should take approximately 3-5 days.
Wow
Most Voxi phones are unlocked, including all Apple, Google, OnePlus, Oppo and Xiaomi devices.
If your device is locked, follow the Vodafone instructions above.
Use a third-party unlocking service
We always recommend checking with your network provider before resorting to a third-party unlocking service, but sometimes this can be much quicker and easier.
It’s important to watch out for third-party unlocking services that sting customers with additional bills at the end of the process, so be sure to read the fine print before handing over your money.
We’ve tried and tested Doctor SIM in the UK, which promises a refund if unlocking fails and hasn’t surprised us with any hidden fees. This might be an option if you have tried the methods listed above.
We don’t recommend paying more than $25/£25 to unlock your phone. If someone tries to charge you more than that, they’re taking a chance.
You may also need our guide on how to unlock an iPhone.
Table of Contents
