can I unlock a phone I no longer use?

[Anonymous]

I am on O2 PAYG. 2 years ago I bought a Nokia 710 from O2 and used it until a few months ago when I bought a Nokia 925 sim-free from elsewhere. I'd like to unlock the 710 and give it to a friend. I went online to ask a guru about this and was told it would take 7 days and I should put my sim back in the 710 for those 7 days. I don't want to go back to my old phone for a week, a day would be ok but that's it. If I had a different O2 sim with the required £15 credit on would I be able to get it unlocked on that or does it need the sim I bought it for?

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous yes it can be any sim with the required credit on it you would have to make a few calls though so it registers on the network then fill in this form https://www.o2.co.uk/apps/help/help?qid=1&q1=2&route=unlocking&case=Handset%20Unlocking%20Form

[MI5]

I would just fill out the form with your phone number you used in the phone. If it's still registered on the system (it should be if not too long) it should work ok.

[Anonymous]

thanks Damien - I wouldn't have realised I had to make a few calls to register the phone on the network but it makes sense when you think about it. I bought an O2 sim with £20 credit (for £12 on ebay), made the calls, registered on my o2 to check it showed the Lumia 710 and then used chat to request the unlock. It's in progress and I should get the unlock code in 7 days.

I have no idea how the post after yours came to be registered as the solution (I'm new at this) - apologies for that.

dotdash