How long to get iPhone unlock code from Vodafone

justjax · 03-10-2013, 11:56

I requested my unlock code for my iPhone 5 via the unlock request page on the Vodafone site on Sunday and it states that its usually issued within 48 hrs, although it states that if they need to contact the manufacturer it could take longer.

I called VF last night as its was over 72 hrs and they couldn't see anything on my account (although I did get an auto reply confirming the request and my details with a reference so assuming its in the process but not actioned?) when I said it was an iPhone she said thats why and they would need to contact Apple and there may be a backlog. Not sure if thats just an excuse? Anyone recently had their iPhone unlocked via VF? How long does the process take if they have to contact Apple? Getting frustrated as my PAC code runs out in 5 days

Esot-eric · 03-10-2013, 12:16

I don't believe you get an unlock code. Apple use a weird system of whitelisting unlocked phones and once your phone has been added to the whitelist you connect it to iTunes and it unlocks.

At least that's how i think it works. Never done it myself.

justjax · 03-10-2013, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esot-eric

I don't believe you get an unlock code. Apple use a weird system of whitelisting unlocked phones and once your phone has been added to the whitelist you connect it to iTunes and it unlocks.

At least that's how i think it works. Never done it myself.

I think you might be right in that its not an actual code, but I think either way I would probably get some instructions from VF to connect to iTunes and follow the appropriate steps, etc.

BKM · 03-10-2013, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by justjax

....when I said it was an iPhone she said thats why and they would need to contact Apple and there may be a backlog. Not sure if thats just an excuse? Anyone recently had their iPhone unlocked via VF? How long does the process take if they have to contact Apple? Getting frustrated as my PAC code runs out in 5 days

I think it CAN take up to a "few days" to get it done - but is is normally faster!

Looking back to when VF did mine they sent me the following

Code:

Network Unlock Procedure	
Dear Customer, Reference Number : 8*****
 Mobile Number : 07977******
IMEI number : 01****************
 The iPhone has now been unlocked -
 Please replace the SIM (use a SIM which has never been used with this iPhone)
 and connect to iTunes or perform a software restore via iTunes. 
Kind Regards 
NUC Resolutions

BTW it seems NOT to be necessary to connect to iTunes any longer! My phone did it via its own network connection when I inserted another SIM card!

sethpet · 03-10-2013, 13:02

Took 3 almost a fortnight to get my wifes iphone 4s unlocked.

xreyuk123 · 03-10-2013, 13:17

My iPhone 5 was done in 2-3 days by Vodafone last month.

justjax · 03-10-2013, 13:36

Okay thanks all. Another quick question, does a 'carrier update' indicate an unlock? When I did a restore after installing iOS7 it prompted me to accept a carrier update after it finished and I was just googling and found this link http://support.vodafone.com.au/artic...r-Apple-iPhone (VF Australia page tho) and Step 10 mentioned accepting a 'carrier update' and phone being unlocked. Now the iOS7 update was done few weeks ago, but I had mistakening requested the unlock before that not realising it would cost me £20, but it failed as the IMEI numbers didn't match. I since had to email VF to get the IMEI updated and I'm now wondering if perhaps when VF did update to the correct IMEI numver, they processed the unlock even tho I stipulated not too as I didn't want to pay the fee (as my 12 month contract didn't expire until this past weekend).

justjax · 03-10-2013, 13:56

Well ignore my last post, clearly ins't the case as I just tried someone elses sim and it doesn't work, guess I'll just have to wait for VF.

jchamier · 03-10-2013, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by justjax

Well ignore my last post, clearly ins't the case as I just tried someone elses sim and it doesn't work, guess I'll just have to wait for VF.

You will get an email from VF confirming unlocked. Then you just put in your non-VF SIM, and the iPhone will ask you to enter your Apple ID (email and password). Once entered it will use either the data connection on the sim, or WiFi and re-activate.

Once its done this, you can swap SIMs at any time. I have noticed that iOS sometimes gets confused and you have to use airplane mode to make it pick up the new network signal and stop saying "no service".

BKM · 03-10-2013, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchamier

Once its done this, you can swap SIMs at any time. I have noticed that iOS sometimes gets confused and you have to use airplane mode to make it pick up the new network signal and stop saying "no service".

To be fair iPhone is the first phone I have ever owned which can "hot swap" SIMs at all!

For me, while it sometimes goes to No Service for a minute or two, it ALWAYS gets the new SIM active in the end!

jamct · 13-10-2013, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by xreyuk123

My iPhone 5 was done in 2-3 days by Vodafone last month.

That's amazing!.

It takes 28 WORKING DAYS now to get a Nokia 300 Unlock code via T-Mobile.

jamct · 19-10-2013, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamct

That's amazing!.

It takes 28 WORKING DAYS now to get a Nokia 300 Unlock code via T-Mobile.

30 Working days and still waiting!

jamct · 26-10-2013, 01:23

35 Working Days and still waiting... is this a record for entry into the Guinness Book of Records?.

xreyuk123 · 26-10-2013, 02:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamct

35 Working Days and still waiting... is this a record for entry into the Guinness Book of Records?.

I think so. There must be a problem, I had mine within 3 days

Roush · 26-10-2013, 03:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by xreyuk123

I think so. There must be a problem, I had mine within 3 days

He's not talking about an iPhone though.

jamct · 27-10-2013, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roush

He's not talking about an iPhone though.

Correct, ...a Nokia Asha 300 on T-Mobile PAYG

03-10-2013, 11:56	#1
justjax Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 911	How long to get iPhone unlock code from Vodafone I requested my unlock code for my iPhone 5 via the unlock request page on the Vodafone site on Sunday and it states that its usually issued within 48 hrs, although it states that if they need to contact the manufacturer it could take longer. I called VF last night as its was over 72 hrs and they couldn't see anything on my account (although I did get an auto reply confirming the request and my details with a reference so assuming its in the process but not actioned?) when I said it was an iPhone she said thats why and they would need to contact Apple and there may be a backlog. Not sure if thats just an excuse? Anyone recently had their iPhone unlocked via VF? How long does the process take if they have to contact Apple? Getting frustrated as my PAC code runs out in 5 days

03-10-2013, 13:00	#4
BKM Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,288	Quote: Originally Posted by justjax ....when I said it was an iPhone she said thats why and they would need to contact Apple and there may be a backlog. Not sure if thats just an excuse? Anyone recently had their iPhone unlocked via VF? How long does the process take if they have to contact Apple? Getting frustrated as my PAC code runs out in 5 days I think it CAN take up to a "few days" to get it done - but is is normally faster! Looking back to when VF did mine they sent me the following Code: Network Unlock Procedure Dear Customer, Reference Number : 8*** Mobile Number : 07977** IMEI number : 01************** The iPhone has now been unlocked - Please replace the SIM (use a SIM which has never been used with this iPhone) and connect to iTunes or perform a software restore via iTunes. Kind Regards NUC Resolutions BTW it seems NOT to be necessary to connect to iTunes any longer! My phone did it via its own network connection when I inserted another SIM card!

13-10-2013, 20:06	#11
jamct Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: BRIGHTON Posts: 465	Unlock Codes Quote: Originally Posted by xreyuk123 My iPhone 5 was done in 2-3 days by Vodafone last month. That's amazing!. It takes 28 WORKING DAYS now to get a Nokia 300 Unlock code via T-Mobile.

19-10-2013, 20:09	#12
jamct Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: BRIGHTON Posts: 465	T-Mobile/Nokia Unlock Code Quote: Originally Posted by jamct That's amazing!. It takes 28 WORKING DAYS now to get a Nokia 300 Unlock code via T-Mobile. 30 Working days and still waiting!

26-10-2013, 01:23	#13
jamct Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: BRIGHTON Posts: 465	Unlock Code Delay 35 Working Days and still waiting... is this a record for entry into the Guinness Book of Records?.

03-10-2013, 12:16	#2
Esot-eric Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,173	I don't believe you get an unlock code. Apple use a weird system of whitelisting unlocked phones and once your phone has been added to the whitelist you connect it to iTunes and it unlocks. At least that's how i think it works. Never done it myself.

03-10-2013, 12:34	#3
justjax Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 911	Quote: Originally Posted by Esot-eric I don't believe you get an unlock code. Apple use a weird system of whitelisting unlocked phones and once your phone has been added to the whitelist you connect it to iTunes and it unlocks. At least that's how i think it works. Never done it myself. I think you might be right in that its not an actual code, but I think either way I would probably get some instructions from VF to connect to iTunes and follow the appropriate steps, etc.

03-10-2013, 13:02	#5
sethpet Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 494	Took 3 almost a fortnight to get my wifes iphone 4s unlocked.

03-10-2013, 13:17	#6
xreyuk123 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 509	My iPhone 5 was done in 2-3 days by Vodafone last month.

03-10-2013, 13:36	#7
justjax Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 911	Okay thanks all. Another quick question, does a 'carrier update' indicate an unlock? When I did a restore after installing iOS7 it prompted me to accept a carrier update after it finished and I was just googling and found this link http://support.vodafone.com.au/artic...r-Apple-iPhone (VF Australia page tho) and Step 10 mentioned accepting a 'carrier update' and phone being unlocked. Now the iOS7 update was done few weeks ago, but I had mistakening requested the unlock before that not realising it would cost me £20, but it failed as the IMEI numbers didn't match. I since had to email VF to get the IMEI updated and I'm now wondering if perhaps when VF did update to the correct IMEI numver, they processed the unlock even tho I stipulated not too as I didn't want to pay the fee (as my 12 month contract didn't expire until this past weekend).

03-10-2013, 13:56	#8
justjax Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 911	Well ignore my last post, clearly ins't the case as I just tried someone elses sim and it doesn't work, guess I'll just have to wait for VF.

03-10-2013, 19:40	#9
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by justjax Well ignore my last post, clearly ins't the case as I just tried someone elses sim and it doesn't work, guess I'll just have to wait for VF. You will get an email from VF confirming unlocked. Then you just put in your non-VF SIM, and the iPhone will ask you to enter your Apple ID (email and password). Once entered it will use either the data connection on the sim, or WiFi and re-activate. Once its done this, you can swap SIMs at any time. I have noticed that iOS sometimes gets confused and you have to use airplane mode to make it pick up the new network signal and stop saying "no service".

03-10-2013, 20:20	#10
BKM Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,288	Quote: Originally Posted by jchamier Once its done this, you can swap SIMs at any time. I have noticed that iOS sometimes gets confused and you have to use airplane mode to make it pick up the new network signal and stop saying "no service". To be fair iPhone is the first phone I have ever owned which can "hot swap" SIMs at all! For me, while it sometimes goes to No Service for a minute or two, it ALWAYS gets the new SIM active in the end!

26-10-2013, 02:52	#14
xreyuk123 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 509	Quote: Originally Posted by jamct 35 Working Days and still waiting... is this a record for entry into the Guinness Book of Records?. I think so. There must be a problem, I had mine within 3 days

26-10-2013, 03:27	#15
Roush Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 2,938	Quote: Originally Posted by xreyuk123 I think so. There must be a problem, I had mine within 3 days He's not talking about an iPhone though.

27-10-2013, 11:43	#16
jamct Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: BRIGHTON Posts: 465	Quote: Originally Posted by Roush He's not talking about an iPhone though. Correct, ...a Nokia Asha 300 on T-Mobile PAYG

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How long to get iPhone unlock code from Vodafone