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Unlocking your EE mobile phone or device

James_B
EE Community Manager
EE Community Manager

We often see posts in the community about phone and device unlocking. So here's a quick guide on how to get your phone or device unlocked on EE.

 

Here are some quick facts.

 

  • All devices sold directly on EE since December 2021 are unlocked.

 

  • All Apple devices have been pro-actively unlocked, you can check by texting Unlock to 150.

 

  • All Google Pixel devices have been unlocked remotely.

 

  • All Samsung devices launched from the Galaxy S20 are unlocked.

 

  • Unlocking a device can now be done at anytime.

 

  • Unlocking a device is now free of charge.

 

  • You cannot unlock a device which is registered lost or stolen

 

If your device is locked, you can request it to be unlocked using the link below.

 

Request to unlock here

 

How do I know if my phone or device is locked?

 

 

For an Android device simply try a different network SIM card in your device. If it doesn’t work, it is likely that your device is locked. Text UNLOCK to 150 to check the status of your Apple device.

 

What is my IMEI number and how do I find it?

 

 

IMEI is your International Mobile Equipment Identity, a unique number used to identify your individual device. Made up of around 15 digits, the code is typically found behind the battery or in your device’s settings. You can also retrieve your IMEI by dialling *#06#.

 

I’m no longer an EE customer, can I still unlock my phone or device?

 

 

Yes, please use the new digital solution here

 

How will I receive my unlock code?

 

 

The new service will present the unlock details on screen, where you can request them sent in email to use later if you require. If you lose them, don’t worry, simply visit the link again and re-enter.

 

Important information

 

If we are ever unable to unlock a device due to software issues, we will contact you. We will then direct you to the manufacturer.

 

If you haven’t received your code within ten days and haven’t received a text saying we’re waiting for the codes from the manufacturer, please get in touch with Customer Care.

 

Did you know…?

 

 

Unlock codes are also known as: MEP code (Blackberry), NUC (Network Unlock Code), and subsidy PIN.

 

Unblocking is different to unlocking: Your phone or device can become blocked in several ways (for example, entering the wrong SIM PIN number three times in a row).

 

To unblock your SIM card you will need to use something called a PUK (Personal Unblocking Key) code.

 

For help with your PUK code see the help page >

 

If you have any further questions, let us know below.

91 REPLIES 91
James_B
EE Community Manager
EE Community Manager

Hi @MaraCristina25,

 

How did you request your unlock? It's free to unlock your device with EE.

 

James

 

edsureshlitch
Visitor

Hi I just tried to purchase a phone and simm from ee, but they said the phone will be locked to EE. Is that right? 

@edsureshlitch : No, all new devices sold directly on EE since December 2021 are unlocked, as the OP states, by order of Ofcom..

If you think I helped please feel free to hit the "Thumbs Up" button below.

To phone EE CS: Dial Freephone +44 800 079 8586 - Option 1 for Mobile Phone & Mobile Broadband or Option 2 for Home Broadband & Home Phone

ISPs: 1999: Freeserve 48K Dial-Up > 2005: Wanadoo 1 Meg BB > 2007: Orange 2 Meg BB > 2008: Orange 8 Meg LLU > 2010: Orange 16 Meg LLU > 2011: Orange 20 Meg WBC > 2014: EE 20 Meg WBC > 2020: EE 40 Meg FTTC > 2022:EE 80 Meg FTTC SoGEA > 2025 EE 150 Meg FTTP
eddieriff
Investigator
Investigator

I have received my unlock code but the link takes me nowhere except back to the start, where do I input this code

@eddieriff : If you've got your unlock code, where does a link come into it?

If you think I helped please feel free to hit the "Thumbs Up" button below.

To phone EE CS: Dial Freephone +44 800 079 8586 - Option 1 for Mobile Phone & Mobile Broadband or Option 2 for Home Broadband & Home Phone

ISPs: 1999: Freeserve 48K Dial-Up > 2005: Wanadoo 1 Meg BB > 2007: Orange 2 Meg BB > 2008: Orange 8 Meg LLU > 2010: Orange 16 Meg LLU > 2011: Orange 20 Meg WBC > 2014: EE 20 Meg WBC > 2020: EE 40 Meg FTTC > 2022:EE 80 Meg FTTC SoGEA > 2025 EE 150 Meg FTTP

After confirming the IMEI number, EE gives an unlocking code but on continuing, it takes me back to the "instruction page" when I anticipated it would be a page to input the unlocking code, am I missing something?

James_B
EE Community Manager
EE Community Manager

Hi @eddieriff,

Welcome to the EE Community. 🙂

You'll be asked to enter the unlocking code into your phone when you install a SIM card from another network.

Hope this helps.

James

eddieriff
Investigator
Investigator

Thank you for your reply; I was, I did but it was unsuccessful.

 

Eddie

Leanne_T
EE Community Support Team

Hi @eddieriff 

What happens when you enter the unlocking code into the phone with another network SIM card installed? 

Do you get an error message? 

Leanne 🙂

eddieriff
Investigator
Investigator

Hi Leanne

 

Invalid sim card, network locked sim card card inserted and it's asking for the PUK