How can you tell if phone is locked?

Bogof_Babe

As per heading, just wondered how I can tell if a phone I have is locked to 3. I took out an upgrade contract with a new Samsung, but couldn't get on with the phone so sold it and bought a Nokia Asha 302 from the 3 shop, putting my contract SIM into the new phone.

Not entirely satisfied with the new Nokia either - it has a few shortcomings that my old Nokia E63 is an improvement on, so I've gone back to that one for 'everyday' use while I decide what to do. I was wondering whether I can get a very cheap, low usage contract anywhere just to get some use out of the Asha, without being restricted to 3. My OH has never had a smartphone so it might be suitable for him, but as he only spends about £1 a month on his current PAYG there's not much point paying a lot for a contract.

Sorry for the waffle - back to original question, can I check whether a phone is locked to a network or not?

The_pc_tech

Best to get a free PAYG Sim from another network and put it in, if it prompts you for a subsidy code or similar its locked.

Bogof_Babe

Ah thanks for that. So it's trial and error then, i.e. there's no way of finding out from the handset itself.

grumbler

It is worth saying that if the handset is locked to the main network there is no point in trying virtual subnetworks sims as they are likely to work.

Bogof_Babe

grumbler wrote: »

It is worth saying that if the handset is locked to the main network there is no point in trying virtual subnetworks sims as they are likely to work.

Sorry not sure what you mean by "virtual subnetworks sims".

grumbler

E.g. Tesco Mobile and Giffgaff are virtual subnetworks of O2.

saynotofastway

If 3 provided the handset it WILL be locked.

prowla

If you do cashback, the cashback sites might even pay you to take a SIM.