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Note: please refer to an updated version of this guide in our How-to Guides section, here. 
If you want to use your O2 contract or PAYG phone with a SIM from another network, ie a local SIM when on holiday, you will need to release the network lock.
If you have a monthly contract it is free to get your phone unlocked.
Any phone can be unlocked (with the exception of the iPhone immediately after launch - see website for details of when these can be unlocked).
All you need to do is submit this form https://www.o2.co.uk/apps/help/help?qid=1&q1=2&route=unlocking&case=Handset%20Unlocking%20Form taking care to enter the correct details. Pay attention in particular to the security question as this is the most common cause of failure.
PAYG phones need to have been on the network for at least 12 months (iPhone is the exception here again which is anytime subject to the above restriction for new models).
There is a £15 unlocking fee on PAYG and the phone needs to be registered on the O2 network, so, if you have just purchased a phone off eBay for example, insert a PAYG SIM and top up £20. Make a few calls to register the phone and ensure you have at least £15 credit remaining then fill out the form as above https://www.o2.co.uk/apps/help/help?qid=1&q1=2&route=unlocking&case=Handset%20Unlocking%20Form
Business users can also submit the form for a free unlock.
Once the form is submitted it can take upto 28 days to receive the unlock code but it is usually much quicker - Typically within 7 days.
You will receive the code with instructions on how to complete the process with your specific handset, but in general, you insert a non O2 SIM card and enter the code when prompted.
Note: Unlocking the phone does not relieve you of any contractual obligations. You still need to complete your minimum term as agreed.
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It just means the * key is on the left of the keyboard.
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Anyway, no need for any of that. Just put a non o2 network sim in the phone and it will ask for the unlock code.
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@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks for your help - much appreciated by this Senior Citizen!
From one senior citizen to another @Anonymous....it's never a problem 
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@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks for your help - much appreciated by this Senior Citizen!
Happy to help the seniors.
My 80 yr old father just bought a new tablet. I think it's great that he wants to learn this stuff 
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Yes it should be as long as the phone is still registered on o2's system.
If not, just put your o2 sim back in it to re-register it.
If not, just put your o2 sim back in it to re-register it.
Hi I'm looking to unlock my iPhone 5 that I've had a while. It was first bought on tesco mobile, and I've been using giff gaff for the last year.
I now want to move to BT (mostly due to poor internet speed with giff gaff) so I've bought the sim ready but I just wanted to check that I have read and interpreted the thread correctly.
If I put in an O2 PAYG sim and top up £20, are O2 likely to unlock it for me if I go through the website?
Thanks again for all your help!
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Hi @Anonymous Is the iphone actually registered on the O2 network? Have a look at this help thread.
And here http://www.o2.co.uk/help/phones-and-devices/unlocking-an-o2-mobile-to-use-on-a-different-network#qs
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As it was bought from tesco you need them to unlock it as per here http://www.tescomobile.com/help-and-support/1080-getting-started/1822-pay-monthly/unlock-your-tesco-...
You need a non o2 sim to check if it is locked ie ee or vodafone etc not an o2 mvno like tesco and giffgaff
