Want to unlock your EE phone but don’t know where to start? Maybe you bought a second-hand EE iPhone and see the “SIM Not Supported” message, or you switched carriers but your phone is still locked. This guide will walk you through the official free unlocking process. And if EE confirms your phone is unlocked but your iPhone still shows “SIM Lock remains,” don’t worry—we’ll also cover extra solutions, like Passixer iPhone Unlocker.
Part 1. What Does “EE Lock” Mean on iPhone?
If your iPhone shows issues when inserting a new SIM or switching carriers, it might be EE locked. Many people get confused by different types of locks, so here’s a simple breakdown:
1. Carrier Lock (EE network lock)
This lock ties your iPhone to EE’s network. Until it’s officially unlocked, you can’t use SIM cards from other carriers. If you want to unlock your EE phone, this is the main lock to remove.
2. SIM Lock
A SIM lock restricts a SIM card to a specific device or network. Even after EE unlocks your phone, you may still need a PIN or unlock code to use a new SIM. This is separate from the network lock and requires a different solution.
3. iCloud Activation Lock
Apple’s anti-theft feature links the phone to the owner’s Apple ID. It’s unrelated to EE unlocks but still requires the Apple ID to activate the device.
4. PUK (SIM PIN unlock code)
A PUK code unlocks a blocked SIM after multiple wrong PIN attempts. It does not unlock your EE phone—it only fixes SIM card issues.
Understanding these locks helps explain why your iPhone might still show “SIM Not Supported” even after EE confirms the unlock. Once you know which lock is active, you can choose the right method—official EE unlock or tools like Passixer iPhone Unlocker—to regain full access to your device.
Part 2. How to Unlock EE Phone for Free (Official Method)
Before you can unlock your EE phone, you need the IMEI number. This 15-digit number identifies your device. You can find it easily by checking your phone’s box, dialing *#06#, or going to Settings > General > About.
Once you have your IMEI, follow these steps to unlock your EE iPhone officially:
Official EE Unlock Steps:
Step 1: Note down your IMEI number. Make sure you copy it carefully. This is the key to unlocking your phone.
Step 2: Visit the EE official website and request an unlock.
Step 3: Type in the 15-digit IMEI, confirm you’re not a robot, and click “Verify IMEI Number.” Follow the on-screen instructions to submit your unlock request.
Step 4: EE will check your phone. When prompted, tap “OK” to complete the unlocking procedure.
Step 5: Insert a non-EE SIM and connect to Wi-Fi. Check your unlock status by going to Settings > Carrier Lock. It should say “No SIM restrictions.” Alternatively, you can text “UNLOCK” to 150 from your EE iPhone to confirm.
Most Android phones sold by EE (Google Pixel, Oppo, OnePlus) are already unlocked.
If your Android device is locked, use EE’s official unlock method or enter the
Network Unlock Code (NUC) provided by EE.
Part 3: Why Some iPhones Still Show “SIM Not Supported” & How to Fix
Even after EE confirms the unlock, your iPhone may still show issues. Here’s why and how to solve them:
Cause
Quick Fix
Incorrect PIN entries
Use the PUK code provided by your carrier
Previous carrier profile remains
Delete old eSIMs and install the new one manually
iPhone retains EE settings
Go to Settings > General > About and update carrier settings if prompted
Unlock doesn’t reflect immediately
Restart your iPhone or reset network settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings
Step-by-Step Fixing Guide
Step 1: Check unlock status: Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock → should say “No SIM restrictions.”
Step 2: Restart the iPhone and reinsert the SIM.
Step 3: Update iOS and Carrier Settings. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Update if one is available.
Step 4: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Step 5: Back up your data and perform a full restore with the new SIM inserted to force Apple’s activation server to update the unlock.
Part 4. Unlock EE Phone on iPhone with Passixer
If the official EE unlock doesn’t fully free your iPhone, or you need a faster solution, Passixer iPhone Unlocker is a reliable alternative. It works regardless of your carrier or location.
When to use Passixer:
- EE is officially unlocked, but the SIM is still blocked
- Second-hand iPhone locked to EE
- Need instant unlock without waiting for EE
How to Use Passixer to Unlock SIM Lock
Open Passixer and Select Remove SIM Lock
Launch Passixer iPhone Unlocker on your computer and choose the “Remove SIM Lock” option.
Connect iPhone and Trust Computer
Connect your iPhone to the PC using a USB cable. Tap “Trust” on your iPhone to allow the computer to detect it.
Start Jailbreak
Click Start and select iOS Jailbreak. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the jailbreaking process.
Confirm Device and Start SIM Lock Removal
Once your iPhone is detected, confirm the device details and click Start SIM Lock Removal to begin.
Turn Off Wi-Fi During Removal
Follow instructions to disable Wi-Fi and network connections. Wait for the SIM lock removal process to complete.
SIM Lock Removed Successfully
After successful removal, you’ll see the message “SIM Locks Removed Successfully.” Click OK to finish.
iPhone Troubleshooting Integrated:
Even after EE confirms the unlock, some iPhones may still show “SIM Not Supported” or related errors. In these cases, Passixer iPhone Unlocker is the recommended solution:
- SIM Not Supported → Use Passixer to remove SIM and carrier locks.
- Still locked after EE approval → Likely a residual SIM lock, which Passixer can fix.
- Other unlock PIN prompts → Usually Android-specific, not relevant for iPhone.
With Passixer, these common iPhone unlock issues are resolved quickly, letting you use any SIM worldwide without waiting for EE support.
FAQs – EE Unlock Phone
You can also use an eSIM and enjoy dual SIM flexibility for personal and work numbers.
- U.S. – T-Mobile (ideal for travelers and freelancers), Airalo US eSIM, AT&T Prepaid
- EU – Orange Holiday Europe, Bouygues Telecom Travel Basic, Airalo Eurolink eSIM
- India – Jio Prepaid, Airtel Prepaid, Vi Superhero Plans
- LTE & 5G band support – Check the network settings for LTE (4G) and 5G bands. For example, Jio uses LTE bands 3, 5, 40.
- VoLTE support – Android: Settings > Mobile Network > Enable VoLTE. iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Enable LTE > Voice & Data
- Install carrier settings – Android: Settings > Mobile Network > Access Point Names. iPhone: Look for “Carrier Settings Update” prompt after inserting the SIM.
- Check for regional restrictions – On iPhone: Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock should show “No SIM restrictions.”
Conclusion
Since December 2021, all phones sold in the UK must be unlocked. But if you bought an EE phone before that or are on an EE installment plan, your device might still be carrier locked.
This guide showed you how to unlock EE phones officially and introduced Passixer, a fast and reliable solution for unlocking SIM and carrier locks anywhere.
With these methods, unlocking your EE phone is straightforward—so you can start using any SIM or network without hassle.