Unlocking an O2 phone to use a different SIM card.

[MI5]

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Note: please refer to an updated version of this guide in our How-to Guides section, here. 

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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.

[MI5]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I have just bought an iPhone 6s as a present but it's locked to o2. If I buy a new sim, top up £20, do a few calls then ask for an unlock , this will definitely work?

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Yes of course it will, but you need to get a sim on the classic PAYG tariff or else £10 will be taken for a bundle you don't need.

[Anonymous]

I've tried twice now to unlock my previous iPhone via the online form linked in the OP, but both times have had a response saying that I have not passed the security checks.  Pretty sure I know my mother's maiden name, so I'm not sure where I'm going wrong?  Note that I have upgraded my handset now, so is the problem that the IMEI of the old handset is not "linked" to my telephone number?  I can't see it being that, as surely unlocking old phones is the most common type of unlatching request?

[MI5]

You need to have the phone you want unlocking registered on the network or else it won't work.
Also double check with an ee sim to make sure it's locked.
Not all are.

[Anonymous]

I was hoping to unlock my device but My O2 and the app both say device details unavailable.  Is there a way to get it to update the device details?  Or an alternative way of unlocking if not?

Thanks

Lee

[MI5]

Just fill out the form in the first post manually, but you must have used the phone on the network first.

[Anonymous]

I need to use the phone on a local SIM over Christmas. I was told the app will generate a return in less than 48 hour so 28 days is obviously a non-starter, even 7 days will mean the phone is useless off WiFi.

[MI5]

No difference in time as it needs a human to process the request either way.
I'm not sure if they will be working on this over Christmas though...

[Anonymous]

Got an almost instant reponse telling me the security details were wrong.  How can that be when I put the tariff and bill details from my bill today on it?

[MI5]

Security word isn't your password to log in. It's the one set as your contact password.
You can find it in your MyO2 under manage my details.

[Anonymous]

Phoned then and they were very helpful.  7 days for non-iPhones and they don't work weekends.  It's submitted and I can swap out as soon as I get notification next week. The lady I spoke to is working Monday but doesn't know if the unlock team will be in, fingers crossed.

Thanks for your advice.