Cannot unlock my old iPhones

[Ziggy1]

Please help. I have been trying to unlock 4 of my old iPhones (5 & 6, fully paid) from the O2 network. I have followed all the steps in the various forums, O2 guide etc (before you ask) and nothing works. Each time I get “ I'm sorry, we have not been able to unlatch your device at this time. The reason given is: The IMEI - *********[IMEI no]*** has not been used on our network with the MPN provided, so it will not be possible to unlatch it. Thank you, O2 Customer Service.” I have kept the same phone number over the years and [stupidly] stayed with O2. I simply wish to sell my old phones and want to unlock them before I do so. The frustration over this is huge and quite frankly makes me want to never use O2 again! I have paid for these phones so it is outrageous that they are still locked to O2! Any help gratefully received, thank you!

[MI5]

@Ziggy1 

They will have dropped off the system so you need to put your sim back in them and use then on O2 so the system picks them up again.

Guide: Unlocking an O2 phone to use a different SIM card 

[madasaf1sh]

@Ziggy1

This was the norm back in 2012 and 2014 when these devices where released and this isn't unique to any UK network at the time.

As @MI5 says put your o2 sim in the handset for a few hours and let it register on o2's network and you should have the ability to get them unlocked.

The alternative is to find somewhere that unlocks iPhones and they will do it for you for a price (around £20 per phone)

[Ziggy1]

Sorted! Thanks for your help!

[MI5]

You're welcome