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How do I unlock an EE device to use with another network?
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Looking to unlock your device? You’ve come to the right place.
How does device unlocking work?
How does device unlocking work?
All devices sold by EE are locked to EE. This means they'll only work with an EE SIM card - they won't work with another network’s SIM card.
Your device will unlock automatically if it's:
any iPad or iPhone sold directly by EE on or after 1 September 2015 - the device will unlock automatically 18 months after it was sold (or after it was dispatched, if it was a replacement)
any google Pixel phone - the phone will unlock automatically 721 days from the day they were activated and you'll get a notification when it's unlocked
All other pay monthly, pay as you go and small business device will need a code from the original network to be unlocked. You can't unlock a corporate device: you'll need to contact your account manager.
Check the lock status of your Apple device
Text UNLOCK to 150 to check your unlock status.
How much does it cost to unlock my device?
How much does it cost to unlock my device?
Type of device
Cost
An EE pay monthly device
£8.99 in contract OR free out of contract
An EE pay as you go or Flex plan device
Free (if bought direct with EE by the requester) OR £8.99
A second-hand device locked to EE, bought from eBay, Gumtree or handed down, etc
£8.99
An EE small business device
£8.99 in contract OR free out of contract
Good to know:
We cannot unlock a device locked to any other network.
Please contact that network directly.
How long does it take to unlock my device?
How long does it take to unlock my device?
We aim to unlock all devices within 72 hours.
If we need a code from the manufacturer, it may take ten days. But we’ll be in touch if that’s the case.
As long as the second-hand device is more than six months old and has not been reported lost or stolen then we can unlock it for £8.99.
If you're calling from an EE device:
call 150 and speak to Customer Services
If you’re calling from a landline or non-EE phone:
call 0800 956 6000 (select option 2, then option 4)
we'll run a security check before we give you unlocking instructions
Second-hand devices connected to corporate accounts are not eligible for unlock. To raise an unlocking request for a corporate device, contact your account manager.
Glossary of unlocking terminology
Glossary of unlocking terminology
device: phone, iPad or tablet
locked: a device locked to a network
partially unlocked: an Apple device which has been unlocked by EE and is awaiting customer action to fully unlock
fully unlocked: a device which has been unlocked to use on any network
unlock code: the code provided by the network to unlock a device
bricked: an Apple device which has not been fully activated
unbricked: an Apple device which has been fully activated
