How to unlock your mobile phone

Unlocking your phone takes minutes and lets you pick the best SIM only deal on the market. Here’s how to unlock your handset.

Last updated on 10/10/2019

Why bother unlocking your handset?

It’ll allow you to choose a SIM only deal from any provider, not just the one who sold you your phone in the first place.

This could make your phone bill much cheaper or mean you can get more data, calls or texts for the same price you pay now.

What will you need?

To unlock your phone you will need to know your handset’s:

Make e.g. Samsung or Apple
Model e.g. Galaxy S9 or iPhone X
Unique 15 digit IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number

You can check your IMEI number by entering *#06# into your phone app.

A pop up will then appear and display your IMEI number ready for you to use.

How to unlock your phone

First, check if your phone needs unlocking. Some suppliers offer handsets that are already unlocked.

You can do this by popping a SIM card from a different network into your phone, if it works your phone is already unlocked and you’re good to go.

If you find your phone does need unlocking you’ve got 2 options:

Ask your phone provider
Use an online unlocking service

1. Asking your phone provider

If your contract has ended you can ask your provider to unlock your phone.

Mobile networks have different ways of doing this, and you will normally have to wait between 3 to 21 days.

Most networks require your to call or email them with your request, but some do allow you to request this online, including:

You’ll usually then be given a unique unlock code with instructions on how to enter it into your phone to unlock your device.

2. Using an unlocking service

This can be quicker than contacting your existing network but also much more expensive.

While phone networks have to unlock your phone free of charge if you are out of contract, these services may ask you to pay a fee.

Some Irish unlocking services you could try include:

The exact cost of getting your phone unlocked using these services will vary depending on your handset, so always check you know the full cost before you proceed.

What next?

Now your handset is unlocked you’re free to shop around for the best SIM only deal, below are some of the leading offers:

Network	Plan Overview	Price
Lycamobile Ireland Plus	30 days Contract Unlimited Minutes Unlimited Texts 25GB Data	€15 per month Show More	+ 3G + EU Roaming This bundle includes an EU/EEA Countries data roaming allowance of 6GB + 3G only Choose Plan Click on the 'Choose Plan' button. You will be directed to your deal on the network site. Follow the steps to sign up for your new plan.
eir mobile eir mobile connect 30 Day	30 days Contract Unlimited Minutes Unlimited Texts Unlimited Data Save €90	€14.99 per month for 6 months, €29.99 thereafter. Show More	+ 4G + Save €90 + EU Roaming 30GB of your data to use in the EU + eir Wi-Fi calling Plan is Wi-Fi calling enabled Choose Plan Click on the 'Choose Plan' button. You will be directed to your deal on the network site. Follow the steps to sign up for your new plan.
Virgin Mobile Unlimited	30 days Contract Unlimited Minutes Unlimited Texts Unlimited Data Save €25	FREE per month for 1 months, €25 thereafter. Show More	+ 4G + Save €25 + EU Roaming 9.1GB of your data to use in the EU + Uses Three's Network Choose Plan Click on the 'Choose Plan' button. You will be directed to your deal on the network site. Follow the steps to sign up for your new plan.
Tesco Mobile Unlimited 30 Day 20GB	30 days Contract Unlimited Minutes Unlimited Texts 20GB Data 300 International Minutes	€25 per month Show More	+ 4G + 300 International Minutes Available to mobiles & landlines in the following countries: Poland, UK, Lithuania, Romania, USA, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China And India. + Double Clubcard points Tesco Mobile gives you double Clubcard points when your pay your phone bill. + EU Roaming EU Roaming is included. Use your minutes and texts while roaming plus 9GB of roaming data + Uses Three's Network Choose Plan Click on the 'Choose Plan' button. You will be directed to your deal on the network site. Follow the steps to sign up for your new plan.
Three Unlimited Flex Max SIM Only	30 days Contract Unlimited Minutes Unlimited Texts Unlimited Data	€30 per month Show More	+ 4G + All You Can Eat data* * Direct debit required. Fair usage policy of 10,000 flexi-units per billing cycle for calls and texts. All you can eat data for use in ROI only. Registration required for 3plus. + Unlimited Flexi Units Flexi Unit = 1 minute call or 2 text messages + EU Roaming Data 11GB of EU roaming data Choose Plan Click on the 'Choose Plan' button. You will be directed to your deal on the network site. Follow the steps to sign up for your new plan.