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Are all PAYG locked?

carbonmonoxide
carbonmonoxide Posts: 166 Forumite
in Mobiles
If I buy a new PAYG phone from somewhere like Tesco or mobiles.co.uk will the phone be automatically locked to the network I go with?

Comments

  • marleyboy
    marleyboy Posts: 16,698 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Generally Yes, unless you buy a Sim Free phone. But for around £10 most mobile phone shops can unlock them for you.
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  • Mrs_Arcanum
    Mrs_Arcanum Posts: 23,976 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    The Samsung Toccos we got from Carphone Warehouse were not locked. Originally bought with Orange PAYG & switched to GiffGaff with no unlocking.
    Truth always poses doubts & questions. Only lies are 100% believable, because they don't need to justify reality. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon, The Labyrinth of the Spirits
  • Fifer
    Fifer Posts: 59,413 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    My understanding is that most, if not all phones (contract and PAYG) from Carphone Warehouse are unlocked. Mrs F's Nokia Lumia 710 certainly was.
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  • vicki+1
    vicki+1 Posts: 737 Forumite
    yes i think most PAYG from carphone warehouse are, mine adn my dh's were.
  • carbonmonoxide
    carbonmonoxide Posts: 166 Forumite
    Thanks everyone. Does anyone know if that includes mobiles.co.uk? (aren't they linked to carphone warehouse?)
  • mustardseed6
    mustardseed6 Posts: 88 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    How do I know if my phone is unlocked?

    Thanks
  • SevenOfNine
    SevenOfNine Posts: 2,408 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Basically, stick a friends SIM in (who's on a different network to you) and see if you could make a call/text. Your phone should now think it's his/her phone and work if yours is unlocked.

    If it's locked your phone won't work with her SIM in it.
    Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it.
This discussion has been closed.
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