Clarification on unlocking an o2 iPhone 3GS please

KevinM

Hi,

I have just bought an iPhone 3GS off a mate of a mate, and it is locked to o2 (I knew this before I bought it).

Anyway, I just wanted clarification on what I need to do to get this officially unlocked by o2.

Can I simply buy an o2 PAYG SIM, and put £15 credit on it, and then go via the o2 unlocking wizard to unlock it?

Or, does the original owner need to unlock it, using his original o2 contract SIM? (it is now out of contract, and he doesn't use the SIM/number anymore).

Thanks,
Kevin

boxst

Either of those. I just got an O2 locked 3GS, got a PAYG SIM card, put some money on it and used their online chat. 5 minutes later and we were done and three days later the phone unlocked.

Edit: When I say 'either' I didn't read the bit about the SIM card not being active anymore. In that case you will have to use a new PAYG SIM.

Steve

KevinM

So, I take it, it won't matter that the phone was originally used with another o2 contract SIM? I just don't want to waste £15-£20 on getting (and topping up) an o2 PAYG SIM only to find that the phone can only be unlocked by the original owner using the original o2 contract SIM.

Thanks.

boxst

It can be unlocked, but not if the persons contract has ended. If the SIM is still active (i.e. he still has an active contract) then that is the cheaper route.

(your original post implies that he has stopped using the SIM in which case it immediately deactivates and cannot be used any more)

robbies_gal

is he still in a contraact officially

will-he-payitoff

Or dont unlock it and use giff gaff

Buzby

The solution if you still wish to unlock is to use a PAYG O2 SIM, and select a data plan from your loaded credit. After 3 months, you are seens as the 'owner' and you can pay the fee (from your remaining credit) for the iPhone unlock to be activated. No need for the original owner to do anything.