You could be forgiven for thinking that phone contracts go something like this: buying the phone outright will give you the ability to switch networks with ease, while getting the device on contract means you’re locked to the provider.
While that is true to some extent, it definitely doesn’t tell the full story. A locked phone will prevent you using your minutes, texts and data with a new SIM, but once the contract is up you’re probably free to do as you please.
In the UK, networks are no longer allowed to sell locked handsets. UK communications regulator Ofcom has introduced a new set of rules that will prevent any networks from being allowed to sell a phone that isn’t unlocked, which came into force in December 2021.
That’s not true everywhere though, and in the US in particular most smartphones are still sold locked to a specific carrier.
Just to clarify, we are referring to phones that may be locked to particular service providers. If you are locked out of your device as a result of forgetting your password, PIN or swipe gesture, check out our guide here.
Is it legal to unlock your phone?
If you’ve finished paying for your contract, it’s completely legal to unlock your phone. The same goes for any phone you purchased outright.
However, if you’re still in the process of paying off your initial contract unlocking your phone to other providers may not be possible until the contract ends. Some carriers may have nothing against it, but it’s definitely worth checking before you start the process.
Before you proceed, it’s worth being 100% sure that your phone is already locked. Check out our dedicated guide to find out how.
How to unlock your phone
Unlocking a phone can be surprisingly easy once you know how.
- First, you’ll need to contact your provider and request an unlock. This must be the original network, not the network of the new SIM you’re trying to use.
- You’ll normally need your IMEI number, which you can usually find on the original packaging, or can discover by dialling *#06* on the phone’s keypad.
- Once you’ve had confirmation that your phone has been unlocked by your provider, you can power down the phone, put your new SIM card into the SIM card slot, and turn the phone back on.
- Now, try making a call to find out whether or not the unlock has been successful. If you’re able to connect a phone call over the new network, the unlock has worked. If not, get back in touch with your network provider for further assistance.
If you don’t have the original SIM card, you may need to reset the phone before it can be unlocked.
Contact your carrier or network provider
Taking a closer look at step one, we’ve listed each of the popular network providers in the US and UK to help you find out how to go about unlocking your phone. Find your carrier from the list below and follow the instructions provided.
US carriers
AT&T
To unlock an AT&T phone you must have paid off your plan in its entirety – or if it’s a prepaid phone, you must have used it for at least six months.
Head to AT&T’s unlock page to find your IMEI number and begin the process of unlocking your device.
Sprint
Sprint also requires your payment plan to have been paid off in full, in addition to a minimum of 40 days of use on the Sprint network.
It actually aims to unlock most devices automatically within two days of them becoming eligible – so your phone may already be unlocked. If not, you should receive a notification with instructions.
If you’re unsure, head to Sprint’s unlock page – right at the bottom you’ll find step-by-step instructions for unlocking your phone.
T-Mobile
If you’re on T-Mobile, you can unlock your phone so long as you’ve paid it off, and used it on the network for 40 days. Prepaid phones must have been in use 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 doesn’t work in the app). Then choose ‘Check device unlock status’.
Once you’re ready to unlock, T-Mobile has step-by-step instructions for various types of Android phones you can follow.
Verizon
Verizon phones are locked for 60 days after purchase, but after this period they should unlock automatically.
The company doesn’t provide unlock instructions because the process should be automatic – but contact customer support if for some reason your device hasn’t unlocked.
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 had 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 used to charge to unlock certain handsets, such as those still under 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 and contact EE directly by clicking here.
Giffgaff
Giffgaff is a bit unusual in that it offers an ‘unlockapedia’ that you can use to search for your phone make and model to find out how to go about unlocking it.
You’ll find the Giffgaff unlockapedia here.
O2
O2 will unlock your phone at any time for free. However, you’ll need to continue to pay for your contract until it ends.
O2 says that the easiest way to do it is by using My O2 Online or the My O2 app, and the network offers more detailed instructions here.
Sky Mobile
Phones purchased via Sky should already be unlocked, so you won’t need to get in touch with the company to unlock your phone. Instead, try your new SIM and it should work.
If you’re using an iPhone, you may need to go into Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options > Mobile Data Network > Reset Settings.
Tesco Mobile
If you’ve got a phone with Tesco Mobile, it will be free to unlock whether you’re in a contract or not.
You just need to submit an unlock request, and have your IMEI number handy.
It can take up to seven days to unlock a phone on Tesco Mobile.
Three
Three has an online unlocking form available, but if you purchased your phone from Three after 1 January 2014 your device will already be unlocked.
Virgin Mobile
Most Virgin Mobile phones will already be unlocked, so you should have no trouble here. Just try the new SIM card and it should work without requiring any further action.
Vodafone
You’ll be able to use Vodafone’s online unlock request form. It may take up to 10 working days to receive an unlock code from the company. You’ll need to be up to date with your bills, too.
Using a third-party unlocking service
We would always recommend checking with your network provider before you resort to a third-party unlocking service, but sometimes it can be much quicker and easier.
It’s important to watch out for third-party unlocking services that sting customers with extra bills at the end of the process, so be sure to read the small print before you hand over your money.
We’ve tried and tested Doctor SIM in the UK, which promises a refund if the unlock is unsuccessful and didn’t surprise us with any hidden fees. It could be an option if you’ve tried the methods listed above.
We wouldn’t recommend paying anything more than $25/£25 to have your phone unlocked. If someone is trying to charge you more than that, they are trying their luck.
If you have more than one phone, you may also need our guide on how to unlock an iPhone.
Author: Dominic Preston, Deputy Editor
Tech Advisor's Deputy Editor, Dom covers everything that runs on electricity, from phones and laptops to wearables, audio, gaming, smart home, and streaming - plus he's a regular fixture on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.