How To Unlock Iphone 6 With No Service

If you're thinking of moving from your current network provider to a new one, while keeping concur of your iPhone, or y'all've picked one upwards 2nd-manus, you may find that the device is locked to your electric current carrier or network provider. While this could be a huge pain in the past, the skillful news is that information technology's usually much easier to unlock an iPhone these days.

You should be able to go your network provider to unlock the iPhone for y'all; ofttimes for complimentary. In fact, y'all might fifty-fifty exist able to practice information technology yourself.

In this article we show how to unlock any iPhone model, either with an unlock code from the network itself (which is usually free and piece of cake) or by using a third-party service like Doc SIM.

Unlocking an iPhone will soon be a thing of the past, every bit Ofcom has appear that all providers volition be banned from locking devices to their network past the cease of 2021. But obviously this won't necessarily impact all devices already in circulation. Then, for now, you'll need to follow the steps outlined in this article to become your iPhone unlocked.

We're focusing on unlocking an iPhone tied to a Great britain carrier, but for those in the U.s.a., visit our sis site'due south article on how to unlock an iPhone.

Should you be looking for assistance on gaining access to data on a device in the distressing consequence of its owner dying, y'all tin read how to unlock an iPhone, iPad or Mac when its owner passes away.

Is iPhone unlocking legal?

Information technology'due south completely legal to unlock your iPhone if you've finished paying for your contract or you purchased information technology outright, unsubsidised. However, if you're still in the process of paying for your contract you don't fully own the iPhone yet, and then you're best to bank check with your carrier earlier unlocking it.

Is my iPhone locked?

Ordinarily, if your iPhone is locked you'll run across a message saying something similar 'SIM Not Supported' when you effort to set up the device. For more than information here's how to tell if your iPhone is locked.

The reason for the device being locked is almost probable if you bought it 2d-hand or inherited it from a friend or family member. The previous owner may have bought the iPhone every bit office of a contract, and it'due south been standard exercise for years that the network provider uses software restrictions to keep the device tied to its service for the duration of the contract.

How to unlock your iPhone

There are four simple steps to have to unlock an iPhone:

Contact your provider and request an unlock using the contact details and online tools listed beneath.
If you haven't got the original SIM, you'll need to reset the phone earlier it can be unlocked.
Power downwards the phone, then supplant the sometime SIM bill of fare with a SIM from a different network.
Check that the iPhone is able to connect a telephone call over the new network.

That'south the shortened version, but allow's go through those steps in a fleck more than detail.

Below nosotros will outline separately how to get your iPhone unlocked from each of the Uk's most pop networks. Coil down to your carrier to observe out that visitor'south specific process.

How to unlock an iPhone on EE

EE states that it will automatically unlock 'an iPad or iPhone – xviii months afterwards information technology was sold (or after it was dispatched, if it was a replacement)'. And then if you know the buy date, then yous might discover that the device volition unlock itself very soon. Should this not exist the case, then you tin still request EE to unlock the device.

If y'all've had your EE account for at least six months and have paid all of your bills to date, EE will unlock your iPhone for you. It'll toll £eight.99 if you're even so within the contract, though, and takes around 72 hours. If your contract has reached information technology's end, then EE will unlock the iPhone for free.

If you lot're a Pay As You Become client and have plenty credit to pay the £8.99 admin fee, EE will unlock your iPhone for y'all.

If you've bought the iPhone second-manus, say from eBay, and so EE will unlock it for you at a toll of £8.99. It does stipulate, 'Equally long equally the second-hand device is more than than vi months erstwhile and has not been reported lost or stolen then we can unlock it'

The process is quite straightforward. All you need to do is call 0800 956 6000 and so select options two followed past 4. You'll exist required to undergo a security exam (to forestall anyone stealing your iPhone and unlocking information technology) later which you'll be given the unlocking instructions.

You'll discover all the information you need on EE'south How practice I unlock an EE device to use with another network? page.

How to unlock an iPhone on Vodafone

Vodafone states on its site that all Apple products issued by the visitor are already unlocked.

Should you lot find this isn't the example, then y'all'll demand to get a Network Unlock Code from Vodafone. Before attempting this, exist aware that the company states, 'Unfortunately, if you bought your phone from a unlike provider or e.g. Carphone Warehouse, we can't unlock it. You will have to contact them direct.'

And then information technology could be that the device is locked by the other provider rather than Vodafone.

If you lot're thinking of handing on your iPhone to someone else, and are worried that it might exist locked to your Vodafone business relationship, you tin can use Vodafone's online unlocking class to consummate the process. The company claims information technology ordinarily manages to unlock your device within 72 hours, but that in some cases it may be up to ten days depending on the circumstances. The process is complimentary.

How to unlock an iPhone on Three

Three keeps things overnice and unproblematic. On its website, the carrier states that any iPhone purchased after ane January 2014 from Three is automatically unlocked as presently equally you connect it to Wi-Fi or iTunes/the Finder (depending on the version of macOS you are using).

Just even if yous purchased your iPhone earlier that, you merely need to connect the iPhone to iTunes/the Finder and restore the device to unlock information technology. You'll want to back up starting time, though, as restoring will wipe all the data.

Alternatively, you can fill up out 3's online course.

How to unlock an iPhone: Three

How to unlock an iPhone on O2

If yous or the original owner purchased your iPhone from O2 subsequently ane August 2018, it's probable to be unlocked already.

Should you detect you nonetheless can't use another SIM with it, then (if you are an existing O2 client) you can follow these steps:

Log in to My O2 on your browser. Select 'More than' in the menu bar at the top of the page, followed by 'Unlock your device'. Now follow the instructions to get your iPhone unlocked.

Alternatively there's the Live Chat feature on the O2 site, although yous'll demand to have your IMEI ready ( here's how to find it).

The whole process is explained conspicuously on the Unlocking an O2 mobile for use on a different network page of the company website.

The company says it will send a text to let you know when the iPhone is unlocked. You just need to pop the new SIM card in so and it should show as unlocked. If not, you lot'll need to connect the device to iTunes/the Finder with the non-O2 SIM, and iTunes will confirm the unlocking.

How to unlock an iPhone on Virgin Mobile

Virgin says any iPhone purchased from the company will be unlocked already, but some older iPhones models might non. These are iPhone 4 and before though, so at that place'due south a very good change your handset is unlocked.

If you are on an iPhone 4, and why not it'due south even so a swell device, and so you lot should notwithstanding be able to perform a full restore of the device to unlock it. But be certain to back upwards your information showtime so naught gets lost.

You lot can read more well-nigh how to practise the one-time in our how to manufactory reset an iPhone and iPad guide.

How to unlock an iPhone on Tesco Mobile

If you've been with Tesco Mobile for 12 months or more, or if you lot've completed your contract, you'll exist able to get an unlock code from Tesco for free by using the online form.

How to unlock an iPhone on Giffgaff

Giffgaff has a handy tool that helps you figure out how to gratuitous your Apple iPhone from other its own and other networks. Information technology has the wonderful proper noun of Unlockapedia and is well worth exploring.

Using a third-political party unlocking service

An alternative to contacting your carrier and asking them to unlock the iPhone is to use a mobile phone unlocking service.

Retailers in most areas volition arrange an unlock code for a pocket-size fee (usually around £25).

Y'all can also find online services that will unlock your iPhone, but they aren't e'er reputable and nosotros would generally advise against information technology. If you do decide to apply one, please make sure yous read all the small impress before yous buy, because they can surprise y'all with extra bills at the cease of the process.

We've tried Doctor SIM, which promises to refund you if the unlock is unsuccessful, and then that could be an option if you've tried all of the methods listed above. Doc SIM successfully unlocked our phone with no problems and no hidden fees, so nosotros feel confident in recommending them.

How much should I pay?

Ideally you lot shouldn't pay anything to unlock your iPhone, because your carrier should unlock it for you for free. But some carriers are however setting admin charges, and then you lot might adopt looking at third-political party options. These seem to charge betwixt £ten and £25, and we wouldn't pay more than that. Shop around if anybody quotes yous a college price.

How to tell if the unlock worked

In one case your telephone has been unlocked you'll receive a confirmation from the carrier. Now follow these steps:

Ability downward the phone: concord down the power button (or the power button and volume down, if it'due south a Confront ID equipped iPhone) and swipe your finger across as directed.
Apply the SIM bill of fare tool (or a straightened paper clip, but preferably the proper tool) to eject the SIM card holder from the side of the telephone.
Remove the old SIM card from the carte holder. Place your new SIM – from a different network – into the carte holder.
Reinsert the SIM menu holder into the iPhone.
Make a phone call, and check that the iPhone is able to connect over the new network. If so, it's unlocked!

Insert SIM

How to update an unlocked phone without the SIM card

If you've requested an unlock from your carrier, just have non got the original SIM menu, or if you take acquired a locked iPhone from someone else, yous may need to reset the phone before it will be unlocked. Follow these steps to reset the iPhone:

Back upwardly your iPhone to iCloud or via iTunes/the Finder.
Erase your iPhone. Click on Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
Complete the setup assistant and restore from your backup.

The telephone should now be unlocked.

When y'all turn the iPhone back on, consummate the setup assistant and restore it from the backup you created. And then you can insert the new SIM card and it should now work.

And at that place nosotros have it! Your iPhone should be unlocked and free for apply on whatever network. If you lot're interested in repeating the process for your tablet, nosotros've got a separate guide for those who wish to unlock an iPad.

If yous're thinking of moving your former iPhone on to someone else, you should also read how and where to sell your old iPhone for the all-time cost for some tips on resetting it and getting the best deal.