Phone Unlocking

What Can We Do For You?

Cellell is a phone unlocking specialist. We can unlock most UK networks including O2, Tesco Mobile, EE, Virgin Mobile, T-Mobile, TalkTalk and more, as well as most Sony models, typically within 24 hours without affecting your phone’s warranty or performance.

UNLOCK MY PHONE

48 hour unlock delivery (unless otherwise stated).

Quickest factory unlock guaranteed. 

Every single feature works perfectly 100%, and your warranty remains valid.

Upgrade and Sync Sony’s using iTunes without fear of ever being locked out. 

Why Unlock Your Phone?

Same Day Repair

Avoid roaming charges and limits by using local SIM cards when you travel abroad.

1 Hour Window

Sell your more desirable unlocked phone easier and for a higher price than a locked phone.

Repair At Your Location

Shop around for great local SIM only deals – many contracts have an inflated monthly repayment price to help pay off the initial cost of purchasing a phone.

12 Month Warranty

Why not buy a used locked phone at a cheap price and use our unlocking service to be able to use it on the network of your choice.

Cellell Have The Best Phone Unlocking Service

Speedy Delivery Outstanding Customer

The majority of phones can be unlocked within 6 hours (Samsung devices typically take around 6 hours). Combined with our live order tracking and dedicated customer service team, you can be confident you’re in safe hands throughout the entire process.

Permanently Unlocked

Our unlocks are achieved by whitelisting your phone’s IMEI in the manufacturer’s database, enabling a permanent worldwide unlock that does not affect your warranty.

Completely Remote Sim Unlocking

Your phone stays with you throughout the entire process and your service is not interrupted. Apple devices can continue using 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi as normal, while Samsung devices are typically unlocked using a simple code. It’s quick, easy, and hassle-free.

Fantastic Value, Fast Unlock

We offer some of the fastest, most affordable, and most trusted phone unlock services available on the market — fully manufacturer and network approved.

To start the process, simply provide your Samsung model, IMEI number, and network, and we’ll take care of the rest. We offer a 100% guaranteed permanent factory unlock for your Samsung device, even after firmware updates.

If your model is not listed, feel free to get in touch with us on +44 1204 770902.

Four Reasons to Unlock Your Smartphone

Across the UK, some network providers restrict customers by locking their mobile phones to prevent them from switching providers. While this is often part of standard customer retention practices, it can create inconvenience and limitations over time.

In this section, we’ll look at some of the issues users face with locked phones and how unlocking your device can provide greater flexibility and freedom.

Overseas

One of the biggest issues with locked phones is when travelling abroad. Network providers prevent you from switching to a local SIM, which often offers much cheaper rates for calls, texts, and data.

Many people buy a local SIM card while travelling to save money, but if your phone is locked, you may still end up paying expensive roaming charges through your original network.

Although roaming charges within the EU were removed in 2017, this only applies under certain conditions and does not cover travel outside the EU. Outside of these regions, users can still face high international roaming costs depending on their network provider.

Because of this, unlocking your phone before travelling can give you more control, flexibility, and help you avoid unnecessary charges.

Cheaper Tariffs

Instead of being tied into costly and long-term contracts, if you already have a mobile phone you’re happy with, unlocking it allows you to switch to a SIM-only deal on another network. This often works out much cheaper, as you’re no longer paying for a bundled handset within an expensive monthly contract.

Unlocking your phone gives you the freedom to choose better value plans without being locked into a single provider.

Phone unlocking is completely legal, but it is not always clearly promoted by mobile networks, as they aim to keep customers within their own services. However, once unlocked, your device becomes fully flexible and usable on most networks.

To unlock your phone with Cellell, we simply need your phone’s brand, model, country, and current network. Once provided, our team can process your unlock quickly and efficiently.

Reselling

An unlocked phone is no longer tied to a specific network, which makes it more attractive to buyers when you decide to upgrade to a newer model. Because of this flexibility, unlocked devices typically sell for a higher price compared to locked phones, especially on marketplaces like eBay.

You’ll also notice that mobile recycling services often offer better payouts for unlocked devices, with an average price difference of around £30–£40 compared to phones that are still locked to a network.

No matter where you choose to sell your device, unlocking your phone can help you achieve a better resale value and a quicker sale.

Updates

Users who prefer Android and Windows devices over Apple iPhones can benefit even more from unlocked phones, as they may receive software updates more quickly compared to devices that are tied to specific networks.

Manufacturers are able to release updates directly to unlocked devices without delays caused by network carriers needing to test or apply their own custom settings before rolling them out.
Phone Unlocking FAQs
Phone unlocking refers to the process of removing the network or carrier lock placed on a mobile device by the manufacturer or network provider. This allows the device to be used with different carriers or networks, giving users greater flexibility and control over their phone. The practice of locking phones to specific carriers began in the early days of mobile technology, when networks would subsidise the cost of devices in exchange for customers signing long-term contracts. The carrier lock ensured customers remained with that provider for the duration of the agreement and prevented use on competing networks. While this may have made sense historically, it is becoming less relevant today. With the rise of affordable unlocked devices, SIM-only deals, and no-contract plans, many users now prefer the freedom to choose their own network without restrictions. In addition, as mobile phones are now essential for communication, work, and entertainment, being locked to a single carrier can be inconvenient. For example, frequent travellers or users in areas with poor coverage may find their device limited by network restrictions. Fortunately, phone unlocking has become more accessible and widely available. In many countries, including the UK, unlocking a phone is legal, and networks are often required to provide unlocking services once certain conditions are met, such as contract completion or full device payment. Methods of Phone Unlocking There are several methods used to unlock a phone, depending on the device and network: Contacting the carrier The simplest method is requesting an unlock directly from your network provider. They may require conditions such as contract completion or full payment, but are generally required to provide unlocking once eligible. Using a professional unlocking service Third-party services can unlock a wide range of devices and networks, often providing a faster and more convenient solution where carrier support is limited. Software modification (rooting or jailbreaking) This method involves altering the device software to remove restrictions. However, it can be risky, may void warranties, and is generally not recommended for most users. While phone unlocking offers flexibility, there are some considerations. In certain cases, it may affect resale value or warranty coverage, and not all devices are guaranteed to work on every network due to compatibility differences. Despite these factors, phone unlocking remains a popular choice, giving users more control over their devices, better network options, and increased freedom in how they use their mobile phones.
Unlocking your phone with Cellell is simple and hassle-free. Once you provide us with your IMEI number and a few basic details, we take care of the entire process for you. Our team works to check your device against official databases worldwide to retrieve your unlock code or whitelist your phone in the network provider’s IMEI database, depending on your make and model. Once your unlock has been confirmed, we’ll email you clear and easy-to-follow instructions to complete the final step on your device. The process is designed to be quick, secure, and straightforward from start to finish.
This is one area that sets us apart from our competition. While many carriers or third-party unlocking services can take several days or even up to two weeks, we aim to deliver your phone unlock code within 24 hours. In some cases, it can even be completed within a few hours. Occasionally, certain devices or networks may take slightly longer than 24 hours, but we always keep you updated throughout the process. Our system also includes full order tracking, so you can monitor the progress of your unlock at any time.
The cost of unlocking your phone varies depending on factors such as the make and model of your device, as well as the network it is locked to. Once you provide us with some basic details like your IMEI number and the carrier your phone is locked to, you’ll receive an instant unlock price.
Dial *#06# on your keypad, just like making a call — your IMEI number will be displayed on your screen.
For most phones, entering an unlock code is a simple and straightforward process. Before purchasing an unlock code from us, we recommend checking your device prompts. To do this, insert a SIM card from a different network than the one your phone is locked to, then restart your device. When the phone powers back on, you should be prompted to enter an unlock code. At this stage, simply enter the code we provide to complete the unlocking process.
You are not legally obliged to keep your phone locked to the carrier it is currently tied to. However, you are still required to continue paying your contract for the minimum agreed term. If you have a phone that is locked to a carrier, you can unlock it and use it with another network. This is a popular choice for users who experience poor coverage in their area, want to avoid roaming charges when travelling by using local SIM cards, or realise they need a different plan with more data, minutes, or better value.