We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

How can I get an iPhone unlocked?

Options
I intend to move networks and dont need a new handset, I just need the iPhone unlocked.

However, I'm concerned about just taking it into a regular shop as it has lots of info on it that I dont want someone else to be able to download.

I'm not great at technology - can the Apple store unlock an iPhone?

Any advice gratefully received.

Thankyou!
«1

Comments

  • Inner_Zone
    Inner_Zone Posts: 2,856 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Contact you current provider. When they inform its ready connect it to Itunes.

    FYI Orange charge about £25 and take a month from experience.
  • Browntoa
    Browntoa Posts: 49,602 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    You need to ask your current network for the code , you need to have been the original owner of the phone otherwise it needs to be the original contract holder that requests the code

    There may be a fee

    Once you have the code you connect the phone to iTunes and unlock
    Ex forum ambassador

    Long term forum member
  • StuC75
    StuC75 Posts: 2,065 Forumite
    request your outgoing network to unlock the handset.

    Some phones are locked to the first network - some are not..

    I bought my Iphone 5 direct from Apple and have been always able to put any sim into it.

    An older iphone 3 first bought on o2 needed a request to o2 to unlock when switched.

    Assuming you are the legal owner of the handset, and all is upto date with the existing network\ account it will be straightforward and some are free to get them to unlock from the network (assuming the contract has been running for some time - i.e. not first couple of months).

    have you checked on the website for the network?
  • I have got a PAC code from my current provider. Can I unlock the phone myself through my iTunes account? If so, is there a website I can download instructions from? I'm not very tech savvy!
    Many thanks!
  • Jon_01
    Jon_01 Posts: 5,915 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You can't unlock it yourself. Its done remotely by Apple and the request has to come from the network the iPhone was bought from (or on contract with).
  • Silk
    Silk Posts: 4,836 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    ItchieFeet wrote: »
    I have got a PAC code from my current provider. Can I unlock the phone myself through my iTunes account? If so, is there a website I can download instructions from? I'm not very tech savvy!
    Many thanks!
    The PAC code is to take your phone number to another network ...it's not the code for unlocking the phone
    It's not just about the money
  • d123
    d123 Posts: 8,731 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    ItchieFeet wrote: »
    I have got a PAC code from my current provider. Can I unlock the phone myself through my iTunes account? If so, is there a website I can download instructions from? I'm not very tech savvy!
    Many thanks!

    You just contact your network and ask them to arrange the unlock, after 3-30 days they will tell you it's done, you then simply attach your phone to iTunes and the unlock happens. It takes no technical knowledge to do.

    Which network are you on?
    ====
  • Thanks StuC75 - I just went on the Vodafone website and you can submit a request for an unlocking code...they should get back to me within 48hrs. Thanks for the advice - hopefully it really is as simple as that?!
  • corf999
    corf999 Posts: 348 Forumite
    It was with me on Voda - Its about the only good thing I have to say about them.

    You won't get a code, but instead you just need to use a different sim - I dont believe iTunes is even needed anymore.
  • J_B
    J_B Posts: 6,806 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    corf999 wrote: »
    I dont believe iTunes is even needed anymore.

    Then, if you are correct, is iCloud needed???????
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.