Unlock iPhone 5S

You have an iPhone 5S you want to unlock, and you have several options you can try.

Before you get your device unlocked you need to make sure it is locked. The easiest way to find out is to insert a sim card from another network. All the major mobile networks in the UK offer free Pay As You Go Sims.

The first is to contact your current carrier and request that they unlock your iPhone 5S. As long as you are outside the original contract, normally 2 years and there is no outstanding balance you should be ok.

If you are still in contract they may not agree to unlock the phone until it is complete. The carrier may charge a fee to unlock the phone and it can take up to twenty days to complete the process.

The second method is called an IMIE unlock which can be done online, all you need is the IMIE number of your iPhone 5S which you can get bt typing in *#06# which will show your 15 digit number. You need to enter this code with the unlock service and pay the unlock fee. This process should be completed within 24 to 48 hours.

Full details can be seen here.

To use the above service you must know who the current network carrier your phone is locked to. If you do not know this, see our network check page for further information on how to find this out.

The benefits of a permanent IMEI unlock

• The unlock is registered as an official unlock in the Apple database
• It is 100% guaranteed to unlock an iPhone 5S
• It will work even if you are still in contract
• It does not void your iPhone warranty

If you have a iPhone 5S and you are due an upgrade, but you like your phone, you could save over £300 per year, by switching to a sim only deal. Just because your phone company offer you a new phone does not mean you have to take it. At the end of the day your phone company wants you in contract with them as this is the way they make the most money from you.

Software unlock

This method is not recommended. This involves downloading software to your computer and trying to unlock your iPhone. This has produced mixed results and is not always a permanent unlock. Often when you update the IOS of your device it will stop the unlock working and it will revert back to the original carrier. You also need to be very careful that no virus is downloaded with the software.

Hardware unlocking

Hardware unlocking can be performed by many local phone shops, but this will void your Appal warranty and does not always work. We cannot make any recommendation about any national chain for this service. There will be some good repair shops that will be able to perform this service, and many not so good ones.

If you want your iPhone 5S unlocked permanently we can only recommend an IMEI unlock as they a registered on Apple database.