Just a quickie. I've bought a 6700 Slide which is locked to O2 (No good for me as I need it for t-mobile) Would it be poss for me to take that phone direct into a O2 or T-Mobile shop and get it unlocked there and then? I wouldn't mind paying a small fee for it to be done.

Networks generally do not have the unlock code for another network, so you are better taking it to an o2 shop and seeing if they can do it there.

since when has it been ilegal to unlock a phone?

I think the OP is confused as to the difference between IMEI unlocking and network unlocking.

Network unlock = legal

IMEI unlock = illegal

It depends on the network (which would be O2 in your case), I think. You may also have an issue in that even PAYG phones can be lightly subsidised, and so they may not unlock it until you've used it for a few months / a year.

My experience with Orange (circa 2008):

It required an active SIM (to put onto the bill or take credit away for the unlocking fee), and it took weeks.

When I enquired as to why it took forever, I was told that Orange only owned one machine that could generate the codes (I guess Nokia tightly controls it) and that it was broken.

Assuming that someone has developed a unlock for the backstreet vendor types, you might have more luck doing what you want there.

Just take it to your local independent or market stall phone accessory dealer. They will usually unlock for around £10. This is not illegal.

Its not a question of it being illegal. The problem with going to an independent store for an unlock is that (for many phones) it involves connecting to the phone and altering it electronically which renders the warranty void.

It is a question of it being legal!!! Check out the thread title.....

just go to a o2 shop or give them a ring, o2 can charge anywhere between £15-£20, it would be quicker to ring them as a o2 shop would have to put the request into o2.

whereas is you just ring them, they can process the whole unlock there and then.

also dont they offer an unlock service online?????

https://www.o2.co.uk/apps/help/help?...king&case=Hand

check the link.

The unlocks that Vodafone do are done by a code that is entered into the handset. This doesn't affect the warranty at all.

Yes, that's true. But my post wasn't about network stores, it was about the methods used by independent phone shops to unlock a phone without the manufacturers code.

The thread title says that the OP is looking for the correct/legal way.
And as I pointed out, whilst there is nothing illegal about a third party unlock, it nearly always invalidates your warranty. Which makes it an incorrect way to unlock a brand new phone.

I did take the phone to an independent stall monday at my local shopping centre and went back for it yesterday. He said that it would take a week and it would be 45 Quid to unlock it. I thought thanks.....but no thanks! I had an idea to take it to a O2 Shop and there can't be any harm in taking it there and trying it is there? My current mobile I'm using doesn't even have bluetooth or a cam so I really am looking forward to being able to use this. I'll check the O2 Site I was given too.

would a rebel sim not work?

chaos77 did you get any further with your unlocking on the 6700 ? just got one on orange and want it unlocked (to ring abroad with another sim, its cheaper than orange) but took it to market stall they didnt have codes as phone too new ?

I never got my 6700 unlocked in the end. O2 Refused because of issues from the past. God knows but I sold the 6700 on and bought myself a Samsung Tocco Lite in the end. Feel much happier with that phone that I can use.