How do I unlock a secondhand phone?

mrsyardbroom

I've bought a Samsung phone from someone as mine was dying but it's locked to O2.  I know O2 don't charge for unlocking phones but how do I go about it?  I want to use a sim card from Asda mobile and I'm not a customer of O2.

candiii

https://www.o2.co.uk/help/phones-sims-and-devices/unlocking-an-o2-mobile-to-use-on-a-different-network

Failing the above, order an o2 sim and use that information to fill in the request form

mrsyardbroom

Thank you.  I've completed the form but it says I may have to wait a week and they may not accept the request.  I'm elderly and my old phone is failing.  I'll try to ring them.

cranford

What Samsung is it? The last few Galaxy ones I have had on pay monthly  O2 have already been unlocked. So try your Asda sim in the Sansung. Failing that get a Giffaff or Tesco sim which are on the O2 network and may work and transfer your  Asda number to it. 
Only other suggestions are to pay a local phone shop to unlock it or buy a sub £20 sim free phone in Argos if your present phone is failing.

mrsyardbroom

I tried putting an Asda sim card in the phone and then restarting and the phone doesn't appear to be locked. The seller was sure that it was.