How To Unlock Your Phone In 2023 (The #1 Simplest Method)


How To Unlock Your Phone In 2023 (The #1 Simplest Method)Pin

Unlocking your phone used to be a massive pain in the ass but now, thanks to a host of new start-up companies, you can do it all online (and in less than 24 hours)…


Not so long ago, unlocking a network-locked phone was a pain. You had to call your network, speak to an advisor, get some codes, and even then, it might not work. Thankfully, this is no longer the case. Nowadays, you can unlock your phone in a relatively stress-free manner.

That’s where companies like DirectUnlocks come in; they provide a one-stop shop for unlocking your phone. The process is simple and it is all done online. I sat down for a coffee with the owners to discuss the state of phone unlocking in the UK.

I’ve unlocked a few of my phones in the past, so I know how annoying the process can be. For this reason, I was eager to hear more about its service which promises to take the headaches out of unlocking your phone once and for all.

Benefits of Unlocking Your Phone:

  • Carrier SIM hopping, for coverage in different locations.
  • Shop local tariffs when on holiday or just roaming.
  • Negotiate a better tariff deal with carriers.
  • Swap tariffs whenever a new deal is out.
  • Increased resale value for your device.
  • Purchase cheaper locked devices, only to unlock them and save yourself some money.
  • Recycle old phones that were previously locked.

Why Do People Unlock Their Phones?

DirectUnlocks told me that 32.5% of the unlocks they perform come from about-to-be-sold devices, meaning people are trying to maximize their returns by unlocking the phone they’re attempting to sell. Why does this matter? Think about it: if you bought a phone online, wouldn’t you rather it could be used on ANY network, not just one?

How To Unlock Your PhonePin

For this reason, it always pays to run unlocked phones. If you buy outright, you won’t have this problem. However, most people get their phones on contacts and this means, nine times out of ten, that their phone will be locked to their network of choice. When the time comes to sell the phone, you DO NOT want this. You want your phone 100% unlocked, as it will increase the resale value of it on sites like Gazelle.

How Do You Perform A SIM Unlock?

Because we are talking about DirectUnlocks in this post, we’ll take a look at its unlocking process – it’s only four steps (and that’s one of its main USPs):

  1. Enter your IMEI Number (International Mobile Equipment Identity) this is located by dialing *#06# on the keypad of your device or looking in your settings, about this phone. (Sometimes it can be found on the rear of the device or the sim card holder). Fill out your brand and model and then the current carrier of the device. (If you don’t know the carrier you can use their network check service).
  2. Review the order and verify the IMEI is correct, and make your payment. (Provide any further information requested by the payment provider)
  3. Wait while their automated system accesses your network provider’s IMEI register and processes the network unlock. (This process can take up to 72 hours depending on the carrier, but usually is instant.)
  4. Turn off your device, insert a different SIM card and turn on your unlocked device.

And, BOOM, your device is unlocked. Simple, right?

Things To Keep In Mind…

Unlike a lot of unlocking companies, DirectUnlocks isn’t a reseller. It will do a full manufacturer unlock that will whitelist your device for life. All of its unlocks are performed over the air (OTA), so your phone stays with you while the unlock is happening, and the entire process usually takes no more than 24 hours. If you got a Samsung phone, it can be unlocked in six hours.

How To Unlock Your PhonePin

Once your phone is unlocked, you’re free to shop around for new, cheaper SIM-only deals. Our current #1 most-recommended SIM-only deal is Three’s Unlimited Plan – it’ll net you unlimited data, unlimited tethering, unlimited calls, and unlimited texts for just £20 a month (and 5G is included).

That’s about as good as it gets for data deals in the UK right now.

Latest Smartphone Releases


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  • Google Pixel 9

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  • Google Pixel 9 Pro

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  • OnePlus 13

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  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra

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Best SIM-Only Plans & Deals


  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium Plan

    Boost’s top-tier option brings the heat: 50GB of premium data, hotspot, North America roaming, global talk & text, and $430 off select devices. All-in at $60/month with no contract.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (50GB premium speed)

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited+ Plan

    Level up with 40GB of premium data, hotspot access, global calling, and up to $300 in device savings. All for just $50/month. No contracts and flexible phone options included.

    +

    Data: Unlimited; Speed Caps After 40GB

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan

    Start strong with 30GB of premium data, unlimited everything, and a killer intro offer: just $15/month for the first 3 months, then $25/month forever. No contracts. No fluff. Big value.

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    Data: Unlimited (Speed Caps Over 30GB)

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    Another high-data, low-cost option with no contract. 108GB for just £9, full 5G access, and the same goodies you get with 12-month deals.

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    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 20GB

    The lowest price option. 20GB for £6 with all the same perks as pricier plans. Great if you don’t use much data and want to save every penny.

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    Data: 20GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 110GB

    This plan gives you big data and zero commitment. 110GB for just £10 with all perks intact. If you need more data but want the freedom to cancel, this is the one.

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    Data: 110GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    More data, same price. For just £8/month, you get 60GB on a no-strings 1-month rolling plan. Ideal for users who stream often but don’t want long commitments.

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    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 40GB

    Perfect if you want full flexibility. You get 40GB and all of iD Mobile's perks with no lock-in, annual increases, or setup fees. Great for short-term users.

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    Data: 40GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    One of the best pound-per-GB plans around. You get 60GB for £8 with £25 cashback, which means you’re effectively paying closer to £6/month. Includes roaming and data rollover.

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    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    This deal gets you a healthy 108GB of 5G data for less than a tenner, with no upfront costs and £24 cashback. All the perks are included too: data rollover, roaming, and loyalty rewards.

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    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: Unlimited Data

    This iD Mobile plan doesn’t just compete on price, it’s up there with the best of them. Unlimited everything, a year-long lock-in with no price rises, and £42 cashback straight to your pocket. It’s like getting nearly 3 months free.

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    Data: Unlimited, No Speed Caps

  • Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

    If you're looking to save some cash on your bills, this plan is an awesome option. You'll get 20GB of data per month and 20GB hotspot data allowance. For moderate to heavy users, that should be more than enough. I seldom use more than 10GB of data a month, and I'm always using my phone

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    Data: 20GB