Go back a couple of decades and the idea of having a mobile phone locked to a network was unheard of, even if mobile phones were relatively new at the time. But in the last decade or so, it's become an expectation that if you buy a new phone, specifically one that is under a contract, it'll be locked to whichever network you got it from. That brings us to the focus of this article: are Three phones unlocked or are they locked to the network from the get-go?
Are Three Phones Unlocked?
Surprisingly, yes. When you get a new phone from Three, it isn't locked to the network and you're free to use it as you please. This is one of the things that makes Three stand out from the crowd – the overwhelming majority of carriers will lock your phone to their network, but Three doesn't.
To be completely transparent, this hasn't always been the case. Before 2014, Three was like every other network, and any phone Three sold was locked. However, once 2014 came around, they made the bold decision to cancel this policy, and anyone with a Three phone doesn't have to deal with the lock anymore.
Why Get an Unlocked Phone?
There are dozens of reasons to get an unlocked cell phone and most people don't realize how limiting a carrier lock really is.
First off, if your phone is locked then you can only use SIM cards that have been distributed by the carrier that locked it. So, if T-Mobile give you a new iPhone 14 Pro and you wanted to sign up for a data plan offered by Three, you wouldn't be able to do that.
Similarly, if you already signed up for a data plan with another provider, you won't be able to install the new SIM card and take advantage of the benefits that come with your new data plan.
Another limitation that you have to endure with a locked phone is that when you inevitably upgrade to a newer model, your old phone won't be needed anymore. Most people either try to trade it in and reduce their new phone's price or sell it themselves, both of which aren't as profitable when the phone is locked.
All of these problems are easily solvable and the only thing you have to do is unlock your phone. But, as we've already said, those of you who are signed up to Three don't have to worry about this because all Three phones come unlocked.
How to Unlock a Three Phone
Unfortunately, anyone who isn't a Three customer will have to jump through hoops in order to unlock their phone. Thankfully there are a couple of ways to do this and we're going to walk you through them.
1. DirectUnlocks
The absolute best way to unlock phone, regardless of the network that it's locked to, is with the DirectUnlocks.
With its Three unlock service, you don't have to worry about hidden fees or long waiting times, and you don't even have to send your phone anywhere. Rather, the whole unlocking process is handled from the comfort of your own home and only takes minutes.
- Capable of unlocking phones on any carrier in almost any country
- 100% safe and doesn't require any jailbreaking/rooting
- There is no risk of your warranty being affected by using this service
- This service is handled remotely meaning that you can continue to use the device
- A quick and effortless way to unlock your phone from the carrier!
These are just some of the things that DirectUnlocks have to offer but the biggest benefit of all is that instead of having to wait up to 2 weeks for your phone to be unlocked, it's a matter of hours. Follow these steps to use this service:
Step #1 – Fetch your Three phone's IMEI number by dialing *#06# which will display it on the screen.
Step #2 – Type the phone's IMEI number into the form below, then click on Unlock Your Three Phone.
Enter Your IMEI to Unlock
Step #3 – Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the payment process and place your order.
Step #4 – Shortly after your order has been confirmed, you will be alerted via text and email that your phone is now unlocked.
While newer Three phones are being distributed without a carrier lock, if you're still under the old policy and have a locked Three phone then this is the best way to permanently get rid of the pesky lock!
2. Via Three
The alternative option is to use Three's phone unlocking service which, while isn't used as much nowadays due to their devices now being unlocked by default, is still very accessible. Below we'll show you how this service works.
Step #1 – Start by getting your device's IMEI number which can be retrieved by dialling *#06# or in the Settings app.
Step #2 – Head over to Three's Device Unlock page and fill in the form with your information. This includes the IMEI, phone number, and personal information that will be used to verify that you are the owner.
Step #3 – Submit the form and once the information is verified, you will be emailed alerting you that the unlock is in process.
Step #4 – After the device has been successfully unlocked, you will receive an email with the next steps.
In most cases, you can expect an unlock code to be in your inbox within just 3 days. However, a safer bet is to expect it within 10 days.
Fees
This is another area where Three stands out from other carriers who don't just make you wait a long time but will also charge you a hefty fee on top of that. With Three, you don't have to pay anything – it's completely free when you ask them to unlock your phone!
What is a Three SIM Network Unlock PIN?
When unlocking your phone via Three, you'll receive a SIM Network Unlock PIN. Also known as the NUP or NUC (Network Unlock Code), this PIN is given to you by the carrier to enter into the device and unlock it from the network.
When you submit an unlock request to a carrier there are two parts of the process. First, they must approve the request and update your device on their network. Second, you must complete the unlock process by entering the assigned PIN on the device.
Only after you've used this Pin will you be able to use SIM cards from any network you want.
Conclusion
Although it's great to see Three, a major carrier, being the first big name to switch their new phone policy to unlocked by default, other carriers are yet to follow suit. The likes of Vodafone, EE, and T-Mobile show no sign of making this decision and that's why knowing about services like DirectUnlocks is so useful. Rather than waiting a long time just to be able to use another network's SIM card, you can do so in less than a few hours!