Unlocking iPhone X

[AndrisAlex]

Hi.

I am a bit confused how to go about with my new phone i received today. I got it by winning a raffle at work since we had a "farewell" party. And the phones that where up for grabs have been donated by O2. So today i found that it's locked to O2 network and I`m on 3. Got through the boot sequence and all with a PAYG sim i just bought, but when trying to use my 3 sim it asks to activate the phone and obviously fails.

Long story short - how would i go about getting it unlocked if I`m not even an O2 customer?

Any help much appreciated.

[Cleoriff]

Hi @AndrisAlex

You can get it unlocked by following this guide https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/How-to-Guides/Unlocking-an-O2-phone-to-use-a-different-SIM-card/ba-p/1...

Congratulations on your win and welcome to the forum

[AndrisAlex]

Hi Cleoriff.

Thanks for reply and welcome. So it means i would have to top up the O2 sim i bought and make an account before i can do that?

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

You need to top up the PAYG sim with £20 but make sure you are on the classic PAYG tariff or else the top up will disappear immediately.
Once topped up, create a MyO2 account and make some calls to register the phone on the network.
Once your MyO2 shows the phone under device details you can submit the unlock request.
Make sure you have £15 credit remaining at this point.

[Cleoriff]

Mmmmm... if it's PAYG there are different rules for unlocking an O2 phone.

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 PAYG phone which was previously supplied by O2, insert an O2 Simply PAYG SIM free 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 manual form

You might be better applying for a 30 day sim only contract which would mean you could get it unlocked more quickly https://www.o2.co.uk/shop/sim-cards/sim-only-deals#deviceType=phone&contractLength=P30D

Edited to add correct link for 30 day sim only tariff

[MI5]

iPhones are excluded from the 12 month rule so you can go ahead and unlock immediately.

[Cleoriff]

Though the 30 day sim only tariff is also an option.

[AndrisAlex]

Thanks for the info guys, will get it toped up then and go ahead with unlocking.

I guess paying 20£ for a top up on a free phone isn't so bad

Thanks for the help!

[MI5]

Just remember to cancel it but you will probably end up paying for 2 months use due to having to give 30 days notice.

[Cleoriff]

Best of luck whichever route you choose @AndrisAlex