Unlocking a Mobile

(Note: I did a search for this but no luck)

Where can one go to get their mobile phone unlocked? Does Carphone Warehouse/Phone 4 U or similar do this?

I only ask because I've been given a LG Shine mobile phone and it's not on the network I'm on. 

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

you may be able to get the code online- search moneysavingexpert.com

they have a forum where you can say the network the phones on, model.

alternatively, most markets have someone who will unlock mobiles.  mine does (oundle, peterborough) for £10. 

Try a shop that sells second hand phones. Carphone warehouse etc won't do it.  Where are you? I can tell you places in London & Kent that do it.

I'm ooop north in South Yorkshire.  Am going into the city tomorrow so I'll have a look there.  Someone has suggested trying the market. 

Thanks for your help!

Actually most markets have some stall where someone will unlock a phone for a fiver. Usually the ones selling all the mobile phone gadgets!  My MIL found a guy at a Pawn shop who did hers. 

Hi there

Sometimes the local shops and stalls etc can't unlock certain phones or handsets - you may need to do some research on any online forums specifically to do with LG handsets and see if anyone has a recommendation for an online unlock solution.

I just did a search (unlock lg shine) and found

http://www.mobile2mobile.net/unlock/RemoteunlockingLG.htm who charge £14.99 to unlock - amongst others as well

Sometimes the original network the phone was locked to, their customer services teams can and will unlock handsets, but there's usually some sort of clause(s) which means you have to use a 3rd party anyway.

Be careful though, research first to see which tool does work and has been recommended - the last thing you want to do is pay for an unlock tool only to find it 'bricks' your handset..

Hope this helps

DtM! West London & Slough UK!

heres a question about something similiar. My husband got a phone on my contract. (Vodafone) he later decides he doesnt want it,doesnt like it etc. Its too late to return it, so could we sell it and the person who buys it, unlocks it to another network, and put in a pay as u go,  will it work? or because its on a contract would it be blocked?

hi Al Lum Min Yum

Basically, Yes - Sell the phone off, either you unlock it or sell it as is and its up to the buyer to get it unlocked.

You can then pick up another phone that he/you like and so long as that's unlocked and not 'blacklisted', you can pop your SIM in and use as per normal.

Looks like you'll be searchin on ebay soon!

I'm just in the process of doing something like this, the buyer of the handset I'm selling is over in Chicago !!

Cheers!
DtM! West London & Slough UK!

cheers for that!

Are you near Sheffield?  There's a place in Meadowhall (well at the bus / train / tram interchange) that does it.   Also, there's a stall in the marketplace in Crystal Peaks (Donetsk) that does it - I think it was either £5 or £10.  It was quite I while when I got my phone unlocked.

Good luck!

I only ask because I've been given a LG Shine mobile phone and it's not on the network I'm on. 

Have you actually checked that it is locked by slipping in a replacement SIM card and seeing if it works?

Sorry if I'm stating what might sound obvious, but I've known people to worry about this when the phone isn't actually locked in the first place!

Have you actually checked that it is locked by slipping in a replacement SIM card and seeing if it works?

Sorry if I'm stating what might sound obvious, but I've known people to worry about this when the phone isn't actually locked in the first place!

No worries but yeah that was the first thing I did.  I've emailed orange to see if they'll unlock it for me and how much will it cost. 

Thanks for your help.

The providers will usually refuse or charge you a fortune. 


Vicky