iphone 4s on orange, contract expired, can i unlock for free?

pscullion2001

hi ive just upgraded to an iphone 5s, and ive been with orange for about 10years. I was going to give my old 4s to my sister however she's on the o2 network. Can someone tell me the cheapest method to get this unlocked? Thanks for your help

Jon_01

Through Orange is the best bet, but they do charge £20 odd and have been known to take many more then the 30 days they quote you.

d123

Through the network is about the only option you have. It's £20.42 for the unlock and with take around 20-28 working days. Orange are really slow and uncooperative with regard to unlocking.

SteveHenshaw

Usually when you have been on contract it's free to unlock but seen as though you upgraded to a new 5S and basically extended the contract it might not be. I would ring up and argue the toss with them and try get it for free.

d123

SteveHenshaw wrote: »

Usually when you have been on contract it's free to unlock but seen as though you upgraded to a new 5S and basically extended the contract it might not be. I would ring up and argue the toss with them and try get it for free.

Incorrect, Orange will always charge for the unlock.

19lottie82

I agree. Orange always charge. It was £20 last time I looked, and I doubt you will find anywhere that will do it for any cheaper.

d123

19lottie82 wrote: »

I agree. Orange always charge. It was £20 last time I looked, and I doubt you will find anywhere that will do it for any cheaper.

When they became EE it somehow went up to £20.42.

From the EE website:

Your EE, Orange or T-Mobile phone is locked so it can only be used on our EE network. If you want to use a SIM from another network in the phone, you’ll need to get it unlocked first.

HERE’S THE DETAIL

To get your phone unlocked:

You must be a current customer who’s had the account for at least six months
The IMEI must not be blacklisted (we’ll check this for you)
Pay monthly customers must have an account balance of zero - everything needs to be paid up to date
NEXT STEPS

It takes up to 20 days to unlock a phone (or 60 days if it's a Samsung) and there’s an admin fee of £20.42. This can be paid by credit or debit card, or if you’re a pay monthly customer you can add it to your next bill, and pay as you go customers can have it deducted from the account balance.

gjchester

19lottie82 wrote: »

I doubt you will find anywhere that will do it for any cheaper.

Due to the way the iPhone is locked (on Apples servers) there no other legitimate way.


Anyone claiming otherwise either is lying or is using someone on the inside of a network. If the accomplice is caught or audited any lock can be reverted.


It may be slow and cost £20, but at least you know it will be permanently unlocked.

Kingsd316

d123 wrote: »

When they became EE it somehow went up to £20.42.

From the EE website:

It went up to £20.42 when the VAT rate changed from 17.5% to 20%, the net price is £17.02