O2 iPhones can be unlocked from today -- totally free if you're on contract. The ability to put different SIM cards into your iPhone comes just in time for the iPhone's arrival on Vodafone and Orange.
Pay monthly customers can unlock their handsets at any time, completely gratis. Once unlocked, you can stick any SIM card in your iPhone and off you go. Sadly, you'll have to continue to pay O2 for the duration of your contract.
Pay as you go customers have to pay £14.70 to unlock. If your PAYG iPhone is less than a year old, you can unlock and the fee will be deducted from your airtime balance.
To unlock your iPhone, fill in O2's standard unlocking form. You'll receive a text confirmation of your request. Unlocking will take up to 14 days. When you have a non-O2 SIM in the iPhone, plug it into iTunes and iTunes will confirm the iPhone has been unlocked.
This is good news, even for those who are happy with their current situation. The ability to swap SIMs means each Wednesday you could stick a cheap Orange PAYG SIM in your iPhone and hey presto: instant free cinema ticket courtesy of Orange Wednesday. Or if you're travelling overseas, you could stick in an overseas SIM card and dodge those pesky inflated call rates.
Changing SIMs does mean you'll need new access point name (APN) settings to allow you to surf and send messages. You can see these in your iPhone's Settings menu: tap General, then Network, then Cellular Data Network. APN settings can be manually edited here, or requested from your new provider, which should be able to simply text them to your phone.
Phone companies are traditionally unforthcoming about letting you exit from their clutches, so we'll be interested to see how easy this process turns out to be. We've already put in our request and we'll let you know how we get on. If you're unlocking your phone, keep us posted on your progress.
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Comments 17
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Anonymous 1 August, 2010 21:03
O2 said they aren't unlocking the iPhone 4's yet, and I couldn't find any free software out there. Got mine unlocked through a site called www.fonesunlock.co.uk
It's all fully unlocked now through iTunes so it's an official unlock, took only a couple of minutes. Well worth it if you're traveling abroad like I am :o)
Anonymous 17 August, 2010 17:33
Guys,
Best phone in black berry serice, perfect and exicutive look like a pefect gentleman.But I had the same problem in my vacation in India. My BB locked for other networks and i suffered for a day and i googled it and i found some paid websites. some are expensive and some are cheaper so i found one cheaper one and they gave me the unlock code within 24 hours. i think they are good
try that site
http://unlockgenie.com
Thanks Ulockgenie to make my vacation happy
Paulo
Anonymous 10 October, 2010 14:23
I tried to have my Pay as you go iPhone unlocked and I was told by customer services that even if you have had the phone for more than a year, you still have to pay the £15 charge yo have the phone unlocked.
I did try to explain that I was told different by the u2 store, and there reply was that the store had given me incorrect information.
Anonymous 4 November, 2010 19:34
If anyone is still reading this, i've got two questions.
1. When o2 text you that your phone is unlocked, is that text a piece of software that acctually unlocks the phone or do they just do something their end? I'm asking because the sim that was in my iphone is being used in another phone - i've got the phone from my friend and obviously she doesnt want to walk around with he old phone for 2 weeks waiting for the text. So my iphone is currently without any sim.
2. If it happens that i need to restore the phone to factory settings, will i lose the unlocking and will i have to go through this again?
Thanks!
Anonymous 24 November, 2010 19:05
its a great thing wat o2 has made ......
Anonymous 24 December, 2010 19:43
Yes, this works perfectly. I came to know about this just a few mins ago (24 Dec 2010) and tried calling O2, but they are closed (obviously). So I went to their website to fill in the form and all of a sudden, a chat window popped up. Without expecting much I requested to chat with a sales executive. I told him that I have been with O2 right from iPhone 1G and wish to unlock both Iphone 3G and 3GS. He asked me for the IMEI numbers and told me to wait a min whilst he unlocks...after a min or so..whola...he said both have been unlocked and when I sync with iTunes, he asked me to use a non O2 sim card..I did the same and both my iPhones are unlocked now..So simple and straightforward!!
Anonymous 27 December, 2010 20:16
the easiest way to unlock an o2 payg iphone 4 is to go to o2 website,and talk to a live advisor. it takes about 10 mins, there is a 15 pound charge which is taken off your credit
Anonymous 21 February, 2011 19:47
I have an Orange i-phone 4, want to unlock it and go to vodafone without breaking the warranty. Any one know how to do this without spending over £40?
Anonymous 30 June, 2011 02:47
hi eweryone any body no the begining of the unblocking code for o2 i have the code but i need the front bit it was something like * * 05 i am not sure please help meee
Anonymous 11 July, 2011 22:19
to unlock my iphone4
Anonymous 19 July, 2011 20:55
I'm waiting my iphone4 possible?pls tell me mobile ver 4.3.3
Anonymous 20 July, 2011 20:32
Hi any body know how to unlock to the networks... Repeat not to unlock the phone. Have
iPhone 4 and have 3G but can not phone or tx any body know how to get past the barring
To the networks.
anonymous 2 September, 2011 10:23
I hope it works
anonymous 9 October, 2011 02:35
i got mine iPhone unlocked. it did check few websites but they were cheapest for iPhone factory unlocking. Did not had any problem quick and easy process.
mick 1 November, 2011 14:19
ive just got iphone3gs lock on o2 need to get it unlocked for vodaphone can anybody help
anonymous 1 December, 2011 09:27
i want to unlock my iphone 4g
anonymous 5 January, 2012 06:52
IPONE 4G UNLOCK