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HTTP UNLOCK Method

Removes a lock from a resource using the supplied lock token, in WebDAV.

SafetyUnsafe (State-Mutating)
IdempotencyIdempotent
CachingNon-Cacheable

What is the UNLOCK method?

The UNLOCK method is a WebDAV extension (RFC 4918) used by clients to release a lock previously taken on a resource, identified by its lock token.

API Usage & Best Practices

  • Provide the Lock-Token: Supply the Lock-Token header naming the exact lock to remove, or the server cannot honour the request.
  • Release when done: Always unlock as soon as editing finishes so other clients are not blocked longer than necessary.
  • Idempotent removal: Once a lock is gone the resource is simply unlocked, so repeating UNLOCK leaves the same end state.

Common Response Codes

  • 204 No Content: The lock was removed successfully.
  • 409 Conflict: The supplied lock token does not match a lock on the resource.

Common Response Status Codes

HTTP 204 — No Content

The request was successful, but the response body is intentionally empty.

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HTTP 409 — Conflict

The request conflicts with the current state of the target resource.

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