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Please note: all new O2 devices are sold unlocked, so you just need to test a different SIM in the phone before you request unlocking. If it is indeed locked, then you can follow the rest of this guide.
Note also that since June 2018 it is completely free to unlock any O2 phone at anytime. 
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 (No exceptions).
The easiest way is by using the link found in your MyO2 Unlock (this assumes that it is the current phone you are using is the one you want to unlock)
If you want to unlock a phone you have stopped using, all you need to do is submit this form manual form 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 as above.
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. Make a few calls to register the phone on the network then fill out the form as above manual form
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.
For iPhones you will not receive a code. Just replace the O2 sim with one from a different network once you receive notification that it is unlocked.
If the unlock fails first time, try connecting to iTunes to complete the process, but this is not required for every phone.
Note: Unlocking the phone does not relieve you of any contractual obligations. You still need to complete your minimum term as agreed.
Note for iPhones:
If you’ve already requested an unlock for your iPhone but you feel it hasn’t worked, try the following:
1) Insert a non-O2 SIM in the phone
2) Connect to Wi-Fi
3) Go to Settings > General > About, and enter your Apple ID and password, and you should be good to go.
If it’s still not working, please contact customer services on 202 or 4445 or post on the community so we can escalate the issue for you.
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