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Our Help section contains answers to the most frequently asked questions, so please check if your question can be answered here before contacting us.

If you still require help, please contact our Customer Services team on 0870 950 0044 or email us here.

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Unlocking Summary

Summary
Details of how to unlock your mobile phone.

How do I unlock my mobile phone?

0044 SIM cards work in any make of mobile handset. Many handsets are actually not locked, so please check first. The easiest way to do this is to remove your current SIM card and replace it with another SIM from a different network. If you can make a call it's unlocked. If you see a message saying 'barred' or 'invalid' it will be locked. To unlock it please follow one of the steps below;

  1. Use the FREE 0044.co.uk remote unlocking facility - this is a free service for all 0044 customers who purchase a SIMpack. We can unlock many Nokia handsets by simply sending you unlocking codes created by our in-house software, via email. Detailed instructions on unlocking are included in the order confirmation email that you receive after you place your order and there is more detailed advice on our web site. If your handset is not a Nokia model please refer to the options below. Please note that we cannot unlock all Nokia models with our remote software and therefore unlocking may need to be carried out at a local store – see below.

  2. Look for an on-line specialist unlocking company that may be able to help unlock your handset. Try using a search engine to locate a suitable company and make sure you email them first to verify they can unlock your model and review their unlocking policy, terms & conditions and other relevant information.

  3. Visit a local mobile phone store - certain Nokia models, as well as other popular makes like Sagem, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Samsung cannot be unlocked remotely and you will therefore need to visit a local mobile phone sales and repair shop. Your local small independent mobile phone store (see www.yell.com or your yellow pages) will be able to unlock your phone for a small, one-off fee while you wait. Expect to pay around £5-10 and don't be afraid to shop around!

  4. Send your handset off to an unlocking specialist - many mobile phone unlocking companies offer a postal service, but please remember to send your handset via a traceable service and make sure it is insured.

  5. Ask your UK network - If you have been with your UK network for 12 months or more (3 months with Virgin and they'll unlock it for free) then they will be able to send you an unlocking code, but this may take a while and involve several phone calls. They will also charge you a premium for this service of around £20-30.

Please note: To be able to use a 0044 foreign SIM card in a mobile phone the handset must be unlocked.

Many handsets are actually unlocked, but UK networks may have locked your handset prior to selling it to you.

0044.co.uk provide a free remote handset unlocking service for Nokia phones with each purchase and can unlock many Nokia models. 0044 can also provide general advice on unlocking other makes and models that cannot be unlocked via the 0044 web site. However, 0044 do not guarantee that they can unlock handsets and cannot be held responsible if a handset cannot be unlocked, either remotely or by other methods as described on the 0044 web site. Refunds will not be provided if a handset is not able to be unlocked by the customer.