Unlocking second hand iPhone 5 that is still in contract with unknown previous owner

[Anonymous]

Am planning to buy a second-hand iPhone 5, which is locked to O2.

I expect (though I don't know) that this phone is still in contract.

I want to use the PAYG SIM unlock method - buy a SIM, top up £20, put in phone, make a few calls, confirm with O2 that IMEI and number are linked, and then request unlock.

My understanding is that O2 do unlock in these instances, but I am unsure of whether they do so if the phone is still in contract.

And presumably if the iPhone I buy happens to be a CPW lock-to-the-first-SIM-put-in one then I'm screwed as O2 won't/can't unlock these?

[adamtemp64]

@Coverco Chat cannot be relied on call 202 from your handset for free and they will sort it

Any o2 locked iphone can be unlocked on contract sim for free or payg £15. (not just original owner)

Have you tried to fill in the online unlock my phone form? https://www.o2.co.uk/apps/help/help?qid=1&q1=2&route=unlocking&case=Handset%20Unlocking%20Form

[Anonymous]

I filled in the online unlock and that came back with a "can not unlock due to security issues", I have no idea what that means. I assume it means my phone number does not match the phone number of the original contract. 

If chat can not be relied upon then why have the service? I will give 202 a try but I was just pointing out to people that it is not quite as simple as a number of people imply on this thread to get a second hand Iphone unlocked.

[MI5]

Chat have told you a complete nonsense (as usual). The "security issue" is usually the wrong IMEI number or you answered one of the security questions incorrectly.......

[adamtemp64]

@coverco.

You have used your sim in this iphone5?

[Anonymous]

I have used my sim in this phone and it works fine. I have just spoken to 202 and they have confirmed that chat have given the wrong information. I meet all the criteria which is being an O2 customer and having used the phone for over a month on their network (it even comes up in MY O2 as my phone). They have told me I should get a text from Apple within 10 days (that is what they said but I am not sure I believe it). I will update here if the unlock is successful.

UPDATE As I was typing this I got a message saying my phone has been unlocked, so it does work 🙂

[adamtemp64]

Glad you got it sorted 202 is always the way to go for any account / handset query.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully chat will get better, @chiara or Toby, how did the chat training thing go in the end