Time taken to unlock iPhone

[Anonymous]

I want to unlock iPhone 5 to give to brother who can't get network coverage from O2 at his home. I haveO2 on the IPhone6 that I use. I contacted the O2 guro's on chat and gave all details. I was told this would cost £15 and told them to proceed. Was told this would take 72 hours Max. This was now more than 72 hours ago and still nothing. Starting to loose faith in O2 and if its not done soon will have to consider other options for my current business. Both iPhones were bought direct from Apple and it seems ludicrous that O2 has locked them to their network and is charging me to unlock them - if they eventually do. What advice can the community give me? Thanks in anticipation.

[adamtemp64]

If bought from apple not on contract they should be unlocked ! only cpw phones lock to first network sim or o2 direct purchases

[Toby]

Hi @Anonymous,

Sorry to hear you're having trouble. We are currently experiencing a technical issues with our unlock system which we hope to have resolved soon. We’ll process your unlock as soon as we’re able to and sorry for any delays or inconvenience this causes!

[MI5]

As Adam has stated - they won't be locked.

[Anonymous]

I bought the phone from 02 - the phone I now use was bought direct from Apple. I will always now buy direct because of problems I am having getting 02 to unlock it

[adamtemp64 · Accepted solution]

Ok so you will have to wait for the o2 unlock proces to complete.

Is your main iphone on payg or pay monthly ?

But normally when things are working fine mine have been unlocked same day or next day at the longest wait

[Anonymous]

Perhaps people should be made aware that if they do not buy direct from Apple their phone will be locked

[adamtemp64]

It is common knowledge that most mobiles are locked if sold by the carriers even ofcom has this page https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/advice/mobile-phone-locki...

[Cleoriff]

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@adamtemp64 wrote:

It is common knowledge that most mobiles are locked if sold by the carriers even ofcom has this page https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/advice/mobile-phone-locki...

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As @adamtemp64 says it really is common knowledge. Carriers will always be able to sell iPhones and so they all lock them to their network in the hope you will stay with them. Apple don't sell them locked because they get more custom that way I presume?

Different carriers have various time scales for the unlock process to begin. O2 usually will unlock a new iPhone after 6 months

However your situation is slightly different so I hope it gets unlocked asap...

[MI5]

Normally iPhones are unlocked very quickly.
Just wait until the system issue is sorted.
Apple are fully aware that o2 and other networks lock their phones as it is Apple who actually do the unlock on their servers.