Buying used iPhone, can I unlock it?

[alexx]

Hello 

I'm looking to buy a used iPhone XR. 

I've been with EE for over 3 years and I still am on a pay monthly contract.

The seller says the phone is out of contract but locked on EE, but I want to be 100% sure in case they lie. 

Can I unlock any phone with over 6 months on contract for the £8.99 fee? 

What do I need to know before proceeding?

[XRaySpeX]

Your existing contract & its time on contract has nowt to do with unlocking a 2nd-hand phone.

To unlock a 2nd-hand phone you need to call Customer Services on +44 800 956 6000 (option 2, option 4) to put you in touch with the Unlocking Team to request an Unlock Code. You will be asked for your email addy. They will take payment (of £8.99) from any valid UK bank card.

Once the process has been started you will receive an email from the Unlocking Team to process the unlock. It can take up to 10 days to complete the unlock.

But even so beware that EE could still refuse to unlock it. Many phones sold 2nd-hand have been reported lost or stolen, have been sold by the original owner when under 6 months old without EE's permission or have money owing on them.

If that is the case your only remedy is against whoever you got the phone from.

[Chris_B]

@alexx  The device should already be unlocked as iPhone are automatically unlocked after 18 months. 

[XRaySpeX]

... if bought originally directly from EE in the 1st place.

[Chris_B]

Where does it say that the iPhone has to come from EE after the 18 month period to be automatically unlocked,  The rule is iPhones/iPads are automatically unlocked after 18 months.   There is nothing about the place of purchase after 18 months to be eligible for the automatic unlocked.  

[XRaySpeX]

@Chris_B : From this conditional statement in Unlocking your EE mobile phone or device :

From 01 August 2017 any Apple device which was purchased directly from EE on or after 1 September 2015 will be unlocked automatically once the device reaches 18 months old.