How to unlock a Telstra phone

Joseph Hanlon - Editorial Director

Last updated 12 February 2026

Contents

In this Telstra phone unlock guide:

Unlocking on Telstra: postpaid and prepaid
Step-by-step guide to unlock Telstra phone
Where to Find your IMEI number
How to unlock a Telstra phone
How to unlock a Telstra iPhone
Why unlock your Telstra phone?
Telstra phone unlock troubleshooting

Unlocking your Telstra phone can open the door to a world of flexibility and savings, if you know how to shop around for a bargain.

If you’re a Telstra customer, getting an unlock should be easy, but it may not be free; read on for everything you need to know about unlocking your smartphone.

Unlocking on Telstra: postpaid and prepaid

These days, the only Telstra smartphones which should need unlocking are prepaid devices. If you've bought a phone on a contract any time in the last couple of years, it should be unlocked out of the box.

Prepaid phones are a bit different. Telcos typically sell these phones with significant discounts, but will lock them to their network. If you buy a prepaid handset from an Aussie telco, you won't be able to use it on a competitor's network until you unlock it.

Step-by-step guide to unlock Telstra phones

Retrieve the International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI) number from your phone.
Call Telstra.
Pay your unlock fee using your prepaid credit or your credit card.
Wait up to 72 hours for the unlock to take effect.
When you pay your unlock fee you may get a network unlock code, once you put your new SIM card in your unlocked phone you may be prompted to enter this unlock code.

Where to find your IMEI number

Before you do anything, you will need to know the International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI) number for your phone. This is a unique code specific to your phone, and you can find it on the box your phone came in or by calling:

*#06# (star - hash - zero - six - hash) from your handset.

When you make the call you should see your IMEI and serial numbers appear on the screen. Write down the IMEI number you see on screen - It should be about 17 digits long.

How to unlock a Telstra Phone

When you have your IMEI you are ready to unlock your phone. Simply call Telstra:

From a Telstra phone - 125 8887
From a non-Telstra phone - 13 22 00
From overseas - +61 439 125 888 (international charges apply)

The operator will talk you through the process, and at the end, you will be asked to nominate how to pay the unlocking fee. You have the option to use your prepaid credit or to pay via credit card. The cost is determined by how long you've had the phone for.

Less than 6 months - $80
More than 6 months, but less than 2 years - $25
More than 2 years - Free

Once you've paid your fee you may receive a network unlock code (although in some cases this step might be skipped). Note down the code - when you insert your new SIM you may be prompted to enter your network unlock code in order to free the device from Telstra.

How to unlock a Telstra iPhone

If you have bought an iPhone on prepaid plan or an older iPhone (iPhone 4s or older) on a postpaid plan back in the day, the process is basically the same, but it takes a bit longer. Follow the process above, and wait until you receive instructions from Apple.

There is a shortcut to discovering your IMEI number on an iPhone though. Simply go to Settings > General > About, then scroll down to the IMEI entry on the page.

Why unlock your Telstra phone?

The main reason to unlock a phone is you want to change providers. Unlock your Telstra phone, and you're free to take it to Optus, Vodafone, amaysim, or basically any telco that offers SIM-only / BYO phone plans. If you're not ready to pay for a brand new device, unlocking your handset means you can switch plans and still keep the phone you own and love.

For instance, if you love the strong coverage your Telstra plan provides, but want to cut down on your monthly mobile spending, there are several smaller providers (Mobile Virtual Network Operators, or MVNOs) who use Telstra's 3G and 4G networks.

The good news? Taking your phone to one of the below telcos means you'll likely save hundreds of dollars every year in mobile plan costs. The downside is that these plans don't offer service on Telstra's ultra-fast 4GX network, but standard 4G coverage is readily available (and definitely fast enough for most of your mobile use). For a sense of your options, check out the widget below for a snapshot of the most popular SIM-only mobile plans under $30 that use the Telstra network.

#1	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 30GB 5G Mobile SIM 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#2	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Saver 4G Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#3	ALDI mobile	ALDI mobile $28 Mobile Plan 12GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $28 Prepaid 8GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $28.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$28.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#5	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile Pre-paid Mobile $25 Recharge 22GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	EZEE Mobile	EZEE Mobile 29GB Mobile SIM Plan 29GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 5G Mobile Network in selected areas $29.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$29.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

If you're looking to save even more, you'll find great value plans from smaller providers using Optus and Vodafone's networks. These include known and trusted brands such as amaysim, Vaya, Dodo, Lebara, Coles Mobile, and more.

For a sense of your options, check out the widget below for a snapshot of the most popular SIM-only mobile plans under $30 that use the Optus and Vodafone networks.

#1	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick Medium Mobile Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10 $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#2	felix mobile	felix mobile felix 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply $30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#3	Yomojo	Yomojo Starter 29GB Plan 29GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	TPG	TPG 100GB Large Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $22.50/mth for first 6 months, then $45/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	SpinTel	SpinTel $29 Mobile Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $29.00/mth Min. cost $29 Go to Site	$29.00/mth Min. cost $29	Go to Site
#6	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small Monthly Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network $23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#7	Swoop	Swoop 60GB SIM Only 5G 60GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $10 off for first 6 months - $23/mth for first 6 months then $33/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.2027 $23.00/mth Min. cost $23 Go to Site	$23.00/mth Min. cost $23	Go to Site
#8	iiNet	iiNet 100GB Large Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $22.50/mth for first 6 months, then $45/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#9	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 40 SIM Only 100GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 100GB for $22– Includes $18 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $40. Offer ends 30.06.27 $22.00/mth Min. cost $22 Go to Site	$22.00/mth Min. cost $22	Go to Site
#10	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $25 SIM Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

Another big plus to unlocking your phone? If you're heading overseas and want to buy a local SIM to save on roaming prices - or plan to buy a travel SIM before you fly - you also need to have an unlocked smartphone. If a phone is locked to a network, it prevents every other SIM card from working, not just ones from local competitors - so unlocking your Telstra device means you can save money on overseas roaming.

Having problems unlocking a Telstra phone?

If you get stuck at any place in this process, or the whole thing seems too difficult, there's an easy fix. Simply head into a Telstra store, and one of the sales assistants will be able to unlock your phone on the spot.

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Joseph Hanlon

Editorial Director | X | LinkedIn

Joe Hanlon has been immersed in mobile phones, plans and the internet for over a decade, having written for publications like CNET, Techradar, Gizmodo and Lifehacker. He steers the editorial ship and makes sure that we are always serving up the most useful guides and recommendations. If you ever bump into Joe on the street, don't be afraid to ask for a phone recommendation. It's embarrassing how much he enjoys talking about this stuff. He also loves listening to podcasts, so feel free to email Joe with recommendations.

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