In many countries, there are two main ways to buy a phone on contract: unlocked, or locked to a specific network.
An unlocked phone means switching networks is as easy as taking out one SIM card, and replacing it with another. However, there are a couple of 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 it with any provider once you’ve paid off the cost of the phone.
But it’s a different story in the US, where there are no such restrictions. Often, the best value plans will be locked to a specific network.
The good news is that there’s a way to unlock any Android phone and use it with whichever provider. If you can’t get past the lock screen on your phone, see 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’ve finished paying for your contract, it’s completely legal to unlock your phone. The same goes for any budget, mid-range or flagship phone that you buy 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 preventing it, but it’s worth making sure before you proceed.
Also, be 100% certain that your phone is locked via our guide on how to check.
How to unlock your phone
Unlocking a phone can be surprisingly easy once you know how:
- 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. See more detailed information for specific networks below
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Sprint
While it’s now part of T-Mobile, but need to go via Sprint itself if you first bought the phone before the merge in August 2020.
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.
Head to Sprint’s unlock page – right at the 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 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 by contacting EE directly.
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.
Access the Giffgaff unlockapedia.
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.
The network says that the easiest way to do it is by using My O2 Online or the My O2 app, and offers detailed instructions on its website.
Sky Mobile
Phones purchased via the Sky Mobile website 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 reset network settings via Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options > Mobile Data Network.
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
If you purchased your phone from Three after 1 January 2014, your device will already be unlocked. If it was before this for some reason, you’ll need to contact Three directly.
Vodafone
Most devices on Vodafone, including all Apple products, will be unlocked already. For any others, you’ll need to use the online unlock request form. It may take up to 10 working days to receive an unlock code from the company.
BT Mobile
Since December 2021, all devices sold by BT are unlocked. Even before that, every Google, Oppo and OnePlus phone was unlocked.
To unlock an older device, call 0800 800 150 and request it, ensuring you have your IMEI code. The process can take up to seven working days.
iD Mobile
All iD Mobile phones have always been sold unlocked, except iPhones made before 2018. To unlock one of those older Apple handsets, request it via a live text chat. Unlocking should take around 3-5 days to complete.
Voxi
Most Voxi phones are unlocked, including all devices from Apple, Google, OnePlus, Oppo and Xiaomi.
If your device is locked, follow the Vodafone instructions above.
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.
You may also need our guide on how to unlock an iPhone.