Even though Three UK doesnât sell locked phones anymore, this continues to be an issue among users who for any other reason, still experience network restrictions on their phones. Thatâs why SafeUnlocks will explain here the normal circumstances under which your phone can be locked to Three, what other locks can your mobile device have, and how to unlock Three. So, keep reading to learn a little more about this problem and how to get it fixed today!
Why would my Phone be Locked to Three?

Even though other carriers in the UK still have this practice where they lock their usersâ devices (like Vodafone, EE, and others), Three doesnât do this anymore. They only sell fully unlocked devices, but anyway, that doesnât mean it is not possible to have a device restricted to their network. Letâs see together the principal cases in which users end up with a smartphone SIM-locked to Threeâs network!
Was your Device bought Long Ago?
The fact that Three doesnât lock phones anymore doesnât mean there canât still be users with old phones who never got them unlocked, so if you bought yours a while ago, this might be the issue. Just keep reading to learn how to really confirm youâre actually dealing with a network restriction and what to do if thatâs the case.
Did you buy your Phone from Three Ireland?
Three is not locking phones anymore but thatâs only in the UK, so if you bought your smartphone from Three Ireland, then the device was most likely locked by them. All you need to do is visit Threeâs website and go to their phone unlocking section to complete the process directly with them.
Is your Device locked to a different Carrier?
Thereâs a chance that your mobile phone might not be locked to Three but to a different providerâs network, and in that case, youâll need to contact the company in question. Keep reading to learn how to confirm if your phone is actually SIM-locked, to which carrier, and what to do if it is.
How can I confirm if my Mobile Phone is Locked to Three?

There are a couple of ways you can verify your phoneâs locking status, the principal one being simply testing the device with a non-Three SIM card to see if it works or not. All you have to do is get a chip from another network like Tesco Mobile or any other â the key is to use a different one, so for example, for Virgin Mobile Phones it can be any SIM except a Virgin one, and the same applies for Threeâ.
Now, if the new SIM card works as normal and you can get connected to the new network, then the device is fine and youâre free to switch carriers whenever you want. If it doesnât work, shows you an error saying that the SIM is not valid, and the phone canât use the new network, then itâs most likely locked.
How to run an Online SIM-Lock Check

Another alternative to confirm whether your phone is locked or not is running an IMEI check, and itâs actually pretty useful because it also tells you which network provider is locking the phone. So, if youâre unsure whether your device is locked to Three or to a different wireless carrier, or simply want to make sure it is locked, simply visit the SIM-lock checker of your preference.
All youâll have to do is enter the IMEI number of the handset and wait a couple of seconds while the program makes the verification; thatâs it, youâll immediately receive a full report on your phoneâs status! In addition to that, youâll also be able to discard other types of SIM restrictions (like an IMEI lock) as the report will also highlight any blacklist reports or anything out of the ordinary.
How can I Unlock my Phone from the Three Network?

The first alternative to consider should always be to contact the carrier directly, so if your phone is locked to Three, then youâll need to call Three or visit one of their physical stores. However, as this lock is not something so common for them, the process is normally very time-consuming, not to mention that they wonât help if your device turns out to be locked to another carrier.
Thatâs why the best alternative to permanently fix any SIM-locked iPhone or Android device is to use SafeUnlocksâ online tool, which can take care of the issue in no time and without any policies. Keep reading to learn a little more about why we have been recognized as the #1 alternative to getting rid of the SIM lock on any device regardless of its specific brand, original carrier, or current location!
Benefits of SIM-unlocking your phone with SafeUnlocks
- This service works on phones from any tariff (pay as you go, pay monthly, and business).
- Youâll get to unlock your handset in less than an hour.
- SafeUnlocks can unlock phones no matter if theyâre second-hand.
- Our method works via NUC (Network Unlock Code), which is what carriers use as well.
- You wonât need to change the phoneâs settings (jailbreak and rooting are not required).
- It doesnât matter if youâre still under contract with Three.
- We only charge a very small fee of $1 per SIM-unlocked device.
How to get your Phone Unlocked to use SIM Cards from other Carriers
Getting rid of the network/SIM lock on any smartphone with SafeUnlocks is very easy, but before that, we recommend that you go get your phoneâs unique IMEI number. That code is incredibly important for the process; in fact, even if you call Three to sort out things directly with them, theyâll also need it.
But donât worry because it is really easy to find, simply dial *# 06 # and itâll pop up on your screen, or if not, just go check if itâs printed on the phoneâs SIM card tray. Now, if you already have the phoneâs IMEI and are ready to start, just follow the instructions weâll leave here to get started!
Step by Step to Unlock Your Phone from Three

- Visit SafeUnlocks.com.
- Go to the carrier lock section.
- Fill out the form with the required information.
- Submit and activate your order.
- Follow the instructions to complete the process.
#1 Service to Unlock Three Phones in Less than an Hour!

Getting rid of your phoneâs SIM restrictions doesnât take more than 40 minutes, and thatâs for the whole thing because all you need to do is send us the order, which can be done in less than 5 minutes. So, if you donât want to spend hours on the phone with the carrier and want to unlock your phone now, then we can definitely help you out!
What do I do if my Phone is Locked to the Network of another Carrier?
You donât need to worry about which specific network provider activated the SIM restriction on your smartphone; either way, SafeUnlocks supports all wireless companies in the UK and other countries. In addition, you can also rest assured we count on high compatibility with phones of any brand, so it doesnât matter if you own a Samsung, an iPhone, or any other; we can get the job done!
Can I unlock my Phone even if my Contract Expires next Year?
Carriers normally network lock phones for at least a year or more depending on what their minimum period of active service is. However, if you need to get the phone unlocked before finishing your monthly contract term, you can simply use SafeUnlocksâ service and get it fixed whenever you want.