How to unlock your existing phone

United Kingdom

Unlocking your mobile phone is a simple process for most United Kingdom mobile providers:

  1. Call the customer service number for your provider (see below)
  2. Ask to have your phone unlocked
  3. You will be charged a fee to unlock your phone (refer below), so have your credit card details ready.
  4. Most providers will then provide you with an unlocking code which you will need to enter into your mobile phone. This may be provided immediately over the phone, or sent to you via email or post. Follow their instructions carefully.

Information is correct as at 1st August 2006, and is subject to change without notice.

Vodafone Pay as you Talk
Cost: £19.99
Phone: + 44 8700776655
The unlocking code can be provided over the phone. This cost can even be debited directly from your calling credit. Vodafone will sometimes need to contact the manufacturer for newer handsets, in which case the code can be sent by SMS, email or by post. This process can take up to two weeks.

Vodafone Contract
Cost: £19.99
Phone: + 44 8700700191
Unlocking code provided over the phone. Cost can even be debited from your calling credit from abroad. Vodafone will sometimes need to contact the manufacturer for newer handsets, in which case the code can be sent by SMS, email or by post. This process can take up to two weeks.

Orange Pay as you Go
Cost: £20
Phone: + 44 7973 100 450
The unlocking code must be requested from the handset manufacturer. This process typically takes between 7-10 days, although may be quicker than this. Once obtained, the code can be sent by email.

Orange Contract
Cost: £20
Phone: + 44 7973 100 150
The unlocking code must be requested from the handset manufacturer. This process typically takes between 7-10 days, although may be quicker than this. Once obtained, the code can be sent by email.

O2 Pay as you Go
Cost: £15
Phone: + 44 08705 678 678
The unlocking code must be requested from the handset manufacturer. This process takes 21 days. O2 will only provide the code directly over the phone and will not send it out by email or by post.

O2 Contract
Cost: £15
Phone: + 44 8702 410 202
The unlocking code must be requested from the handset manufacturer. This process takes 21 days. O2 will only provide the code directly over the phone and will not send it out by email or by post.

3 Pay as you Go
Cost: £15
Phone: + 44 7782333333
The unlocking code must be requested from the handset manufacturer. This process takes 15 days. 3 will only provide the code directly over the phone and will not send it out by email or by post.

3 Contract
Cost: £15 + The total minimum charges for the remainder of your contract. E.g: If you pay £20 a month and are only two months into the contract, you will be charged £20 X 10 (remaining months) + £15 admin fee. The remaining minimum charge is credited to the account and can be offset against future bills. The £15 admin charge is not refundable.
Phone: + 44 7782333333
The unlocking code must be requested from the handset manufacturer. This process takes 15 days. 3 will only provide the code directly over the phone and will not send it out by email or by post.

T-Mobile Pay as you Go
Cost: £15
Phone: + 44 7953 966 150
The unlocking code must be requested from the handset manufacturer. This process takes 28 days. Once obtained, the code can be sent by email or by post.

T-Mobile Contract
Cost: £15
Phone: + 44 7953 966 150
The unlocking code must be requested from the handset manufacturer. This process takes 28 days. Once obtained, the code can be sent by email or by post.