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How long to get iPhone unlock code from Vodafone
justjax
03-10-2013
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
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
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
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
Took 3 almost a fortnight to get my wifes iphone 4s unlocked.
xreyuk123
03-10-2013
My iPhone 5 was done in 2-3 days by Vodafone last month.
justjax
03-10-2013
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
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
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
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
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
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
35 Working Days and still waiting... is this a record for entry into the Guinness Book of Records?.
xreyuk123
26-10-2013
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
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
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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