How to Unlock Your Mobile Phone (2025 Guide)

Planning to use a travel eSIM or switch networks? Here’s the updated 2025 guide for unlocking your mobile device from major carriers in the United States and United Kingdom. All info below is accurate as of October 2025.

🇺🇸 United States Carriers

AT&T

  • Your phone must be fully paid off and not reported as lost, stolen, or involved in fraud.
  • Postpaid: Device must be active for at least 60 days.
  • Prepaid: Device must be active for at least 6 months.
  • Request unlock: att.com/deviceunlock
  • Unlock approval is typically within 24 hours.

Verizon

  • All Verizon postpaid and prepaid phones are now automatically unlocked after 60 days.
  • No manual request needed unless your account is flagged for fraud.
  • Check unlock status under Settings → About → Carrier Lock (should read “No SIM restrictions”).

T-Mobile

  • Device must be active for at least 40 days on the T-Mobile network.
  • All installments must be fully paid.
  • Prepaid: must have used more than $100 in refills or active for 12 months.
  • Request unlock directly via T-Mobile app → Device Unlock.

US Cellular

  • Phones sold after 2023 are automatically unlocked after 60 days.
  • Older devices may require a manual unlock request via customer support.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom Carriers

Since December 2021, Ofcom regulations made it illegal for UK carriers to sell locked phones. However, older devices (pre-2022) might still need unlocking.

EE

  • All phones sold after December 2021 are automatically unlocked.
  • Older devices: request unlock via EE Help.
  • Processing time: up to 10 days.

O2

  • All O2 devices are now sold unlocked.
  • Older phones: submit an unlock request through O2 Unlock Tool.

Vodafone UK

  • Vodafone has fully stopped selling locked phones since 2022.
  • If your older device is locked, request unlock at Vodafone Unlock Portal.

Three UK

  • All Three devices are automatically unlocked.
  • If yours isn’t, contact support via Three Help.

Tip: Once your phone is unlocked, you can freely use any global or travel eSIM — including JustData eSIM — for affordable roaming-free data worldwide.

Unlocking your phone gives you freedom, flexibility, and better value wherever you travel. Always check your carrier’s latest policy before submitting an unlock request.