How to Unlock your Phone

[Admin48]

We want you to get up and running as soon as possible, so make sure your phone is unlocked before you activate your 48 SIM and especially before moving your number!

If you have activated your 48 SIM already and it’s not being recognised, it might mean your phone is still locked to your old network. You will need to unlock your phone before you start using your 48 services. If you’re not tech-y, this might sound like a total head wreck, but it doesn't need to be, so read on for your next steps!

To find out more about unlocking and how the different options work, check out our FAQs below:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mobile phone unlocking? 

Unlocking a phone is simply removing its SIM card restrictions, allowing you to use your phone with virtually any SIM card from any network in Ireland or elsewhere in the world.

When you buy your phone, in most cases, it is locked to that mobile network. This means you can only use it with a SIM card from that operator.

If you decide to switch to another mobile network and want to bring your phone with you, you will need to get it unlocked so that it works with the SIM card from your new mobile provider.

There are different ways that you can get your phone unlocked. You can ask the mobile network provider you bought the phone from, or if you are out of contract or were given your phone by someone else, you can use a number of unlocking service providers.

Is my mobile phone locked?

You'll know if your phone is locked to a network if it doesn't accept SIM cards from other mobile companies.

You'll get a variety of error messages when you insert a SIM from another network into your phone if it is locked, such as "incompatible SIM", "enter network unlock code" or "enter subsidy PIN".

If you see one of above messages when you put your 48 SIM into your phone, then your phone is locked.

It's really important to find out before switching your number to 48 if your handset is locked or not. If you have another active 48 SIM, pop it in your phone and check if the 48-network symbol appears. If not, or if you get one of the messages above, your phone is still locked.

If you don't have an active 48 SIM, contact the mobile operator and they should be able to tell you if the handset is still locked.

What information do I need to get my phone unlocked?

You generally need four basic pieces of information to unlock your handset: the make, the model, the IMEI and the network it is locked to.

Make & Model
You can usually find your phone make and model on the box it came in, the instruction manual, in the “about phone” section in your settings, or on the back of the phone itself, sometimes it is behind (or even on) the battery.

If you can’t find the model, there are sites such as www.gsmarena.com, that list most models of phones along with handy pictures to help you identify yours.

IMEI

Your IMEI is a 15-digit number, which is a unique device identifier. To get your IMEI, just type *#06# into your keypad when the phone is switched on. It’s as simple as that. You can also find it on the box that your phone came in, but this varies from brand to brand.

How much does it cost to get my phone unlocked?

Unlocking your phone can cost anything from €0 (nothing, zero, nada, zilch) to almost a hundred euros. Of course, how much you pay really depends on a number of factors such as your phone type, what network it's locked to, what payment method you use, and how quickly you need your phone unlocked.

As a rule of thumb, unlocking your phone from a network operator won’t cost you. However, if you are on prepay, they will require that you have topped up by a certain amount before they will give you the unlock code. If you are on bill pay, and still in your contract term, your current provider will require that you pay the remainder of your contract before they'll provide your unlock code. It's best for you to contact your current provider to check.

Online sites and unlock shops should give you a quote, so shop around as prices may vary, and always be aware that if the price sounds too good, it is typically a too-good-to-be-true scenario. 

Can mobile phones be unlocked?

Yes, most phones can be unlocked, although there are a few exceptions to the rule, typical examples include operator-exclusive phone models. Check with your current operator to find out.

In some cases, your operator won't be able to unlock your phone, yet a professional high street unlocker will. Pop down the road and talk to your local unlocking shop for a near-definitive answer.

Can I unlock an iPhone?

Yes, iPhones can be unlocked. 

When unlocking most iPhones, you have to activate it using iTunes after it has been unlocked by your mobile operator.

iPhones on iOS7 to the most recent version can only be fully activated after unlocking if the user knows their iCloud Account Details of the iPhone, or if the iPhone has not been registered to iCloud yet.

If your iPhone is running on these versions and is tied to an iCloud account, you must know the iCloud user details of the iPhone

You should do the following checks before unlocking your iPhone:

• Is the iPhone you are unlocking using iOS7 to the latest version of iOS?
• Is the iPhone you are unlocking using iCloud?
• If yes, does the user know their iCloud email address and password?

Without these details, you won't be able to activate the iPhone, even after the unlock is completed.

Unlocking through your mobile operator

On the face of it, this is the most "legit" option. Who better to unlock your phone than the people who locked it in the first place?

Some mobile phone companies are better than others when it comes to unlocking. Their terms also depend on whether you're a pre-pay or post-pay customer and how long you've have been with them.

How you request your unlock code and the length of time it takes to get it can vary by operator and also by the type of phone you have i.e., Make and Model. So check with your operator in advance of activating your 48 SIM and moving your number.

For specific details on how to request your unlock code and your requirements, simply check your operator's website or contact them directly to find out.

Just to let you know, some customers have reported not being able to unlock phones with their operators if they didn't buy the phone themselves (for example, if they bought the phones on eBay). If this is the case, you might need to get in touch with the previous owner to get authorisation or look into one of the other methods.

Unlocking using online websites

If you're out of contract or have been given your phone by someone else, a really popular way of unlocking your phone is buying an unlocking code from an online site.

There are a number of companies online that provide this service. Although their prices aren't usually cheaper than the high street, they offer an alternative that doesn't involve handing your phone over for days on end.

Some of the best companies offer reasonable customer service and they will give you full instructions on how to perform the unlocking procedure, but prices vary.

One question that is usually asked is, how do these companies get their codes? Well, they get them in much the same way as operators get theirs. They are sourced indirectly from mobile phone companies and handset manufacturers.

Unlocking in high street unlocking shops

You've probably been around town and seen phone-repair outlets, computer shops and even key-cutting businesses that offer an unlocking service. A lot live up to the stereotype of neon displays and a range of phone accessories.

There's a general perception that unlocking is illegal or that that these stores aren't necessarily above aboard, and your phone will be slightly lighter when you get back, but this isn't the case.

• Professional unlockers use a combination of methods to unlock phones, using cables, clips, codes and even online forums to help them find the right solution for your handset.
• Costs vary and depend on the type of handset you're using, and in most cases, the newer the phone, the higher the unlock price.
• You can expect to have to wait between 15 minutes and one week to get your phone back from high street unlockers.

While this solution involves leaving the house and handing your treasured phone over to a stranger, it still remains a popular option due to the convenience of not having to worry yourself about complicated instructions and technically challenging procedures. Prices also tend to be reasonable. For piece of mind, why not check with your friends or our community members to see if they can recommend a store in your area, as most people have used this option before.

Just a heads up: Make sure you ask what method they use, as this could affect your warranty. Some use a SIM card that they put in your phone that reads the phones information and updates it. If you opt for this method, it will definitely void your warranty.

Will unlocking affect my warranty?

In some cases, it can, but it depends on how you've gotten your phone unlocked. 

Your manufacturer warranty may be void if you opt to use a third-party service i.e., not using your current operator to unlock your phone.

If this happens, there are other options to get your phone repaired. Many computer repair shops also repair mobile phones. You can ask other 48 customers if they have used any that they can recommend.

Is mobile unlocking safe?

Phones are designed with unlocking in mind. Having said this, not all methods used to unlock handsets achieve this in the way that the manufacturers intended.

As a rule of thumb, if you're typing in a series of codes to unlock your phone, this is likely to be a safe method.

As soon as you connect your device to a machine or software built by a third-party, you run the risk of changing settings deep within the phone which may affect its usability.

Finally, using a special SIM to unlock your phone may involve physical damage to your SIM and to your phone, rendering them unusable or in urgent need of repair/replacement. While unlocking is not illegal, some methods may be dangerous.

Is mobile phone unlocking legal/illegal?

Locked phones mean customers have less choice. In Ireland, ComReg (the telecoms regulator) allows companies to lock mobiles because they often come subsidised at point of sale.

This means that mobile operators absorb part of the cost of the phone, so they expect you to stay with them until they make back this cost (and beyond, as many of you have discovered!).

Each operator has a number of requirements that you must meet before they will give you the unlock code. These are set out in the terms and conditions you agree to when signing up to that operator.

Once you have met these requirements, you are entitled to unlock your phone.

Have you used any of these unlocking methods yourself? If so, let the other members know how it went and what you thought of the services.