Except for the BlackBerry Storm, we will supply a Network Unlock Code (NUC) for you if you've bought a phone from us on either pay monthly or pay as you go. A NUC allows you to use non-Vodafone SIM cards with your Vodafone phone.
If the unlock code is held in our systems, you will receive the unlock code and instructions by email within 24 hours.
If the unlock code is not held by us, you will get an email confirming your request has been received and that the turnaround time is 48 hours for all makes except Samsung which is 7-10 working days.
If you got the phone on pay monthly, the NUC will be free of charge, regardless of its age, as all new pay monthly phones (other than BlackBerry devices) are now supplied unlocked. You can only get unlock codes for the numbers on your account, if you have 2 mobile numbers on your account then you can get 2 free unlock codes. There is usually no charge for these network unlock codes.
Most pay monthly phones and devices are not network locked, before requesting a network unlock code please try a non-Vodafone SIM card and check for error messages.
Typical network locked messages when a non-Vodafone SIM is placed in the phone include:
Invalid SIM
PAYT Lock
SIM Card Not Accepted
Enter SP Code
Insert Correct SIM Card
Enter subsidy code
If no error message appears the device is already unlocked.
Follow the link below to fill out the NUC request webform - you will need the following information:
- phone make
- phone model
- IMEI number (get this by entering *#06# into the phone)
- your name
- your email address (where you want the unlock code sending to)
- your account number or mobile number.
If the unlock code is held in our systems, you will receive the unlock code and instructions by email within 24 hours.
If the unlock code is not held by us, you will get an email confirming your request has been received and that the turnaround time is 48 hours for all makes except Samsung which is 7-10 working days.
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Except for the BlackBerry Storm, we will supply a Network Unlock Code (NUC) for you if you've bought a phone from us on either pay monthly or pay as you go. A NUC allows you to use non-Vodafone SIM cards with your Vodafone phone.
If the IMEI number is kept on our systems we can give you the NUC straight away. If we don't hold the details there is a timescale of 72 hours to retrieve the code from the mobile phone manufacturer. The main exception to this is Samsung, who have a timescale of up to 10 days.
If the phone is on pay as you go and over 12 months old the code will also be free of charge.
For pay as you go phones less than 12 months old a charge of £19.99 including VAT applies. The £19.99 will need to be credited to your phone before you apply for the code. Once the NUC has been issued the charge will be debited.
To get a NUC code you need to contact your pay as you go customer services team.
Contact Customer Service
We will need the following information for us to process your code request -
- your active Vodafone mobile number (if you don't have one you can order a free pay as you go SIM card online and can get your NUC as soon as this is registered)
- your phone's serial number/ IMEI (enter *#06# into the phone to get this, or you can look on the manufacturer's sticker which is underneath the battery, it is a 15-20 digit code starting 35)
- the make and model of phone or device
- an alternative contact number for you
- an email address for you.
If the IMEI number is kept on our systems we can give you the NUC straight away. If we don't hold the details there is a timescale of 72 hours to retrieve the code from the mobile phone manufacturer. The main exception to this is Samsung, who have a timescale of up to 10 days.
Getting a GID1 codePrior to October 2004 all Vodafone pay as you go phones were GID1 locked as well as being network locked.
A GID1 code means that the phone would only accept a pay as you go SIM card (ie you could not use a pay monthly SIM card in them).
From October 2004 onwards Vodafone pay as you go phones were no longer GID1 locked. In instances where an older phone may still be GID1 locked we will remove this free of charge. Please follow the above instructions to obtain a GID1 code if required.
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Except for the BlackBerry Storm, we will supply a Network Unlock Code (NUC) for you if you've bought a phone from us on either pay monthly or pay as you go. A NUC allows you to use non-Vodafone SIM cards with your Vodafone phone.
The process for business users is slightly different - please check details directly with your Account Manager or customer services team.
Contact Business Customer Service
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