The complete guide to a unlocking a Vodafone phone

• 1

  Enter your details

  Input your IMEI number and submit your request.

  Finding your IMEI number or Don’t know your network?

  
  
• 2

  Make payment

  Once your payment’s been verified, we’ll complete your phone unlock remotely.

  You can keep up-to-date with the phone unlocking process with our live tracking services.

  
  
• 3

  Free your phone

  Confirmation of your network phone unlock or network unlock code will be emailed within 24 hours. Job done, you can start searching for a better deal.

  
  

Why unlock a Vodafone phone

Using your IMEI number to unlock your Vodafone device takes all of the stress out of a phone unlock. But the simple process isn’t the only reason to make the change. There are big benefits that come with having an unlocked phone.

Reasons to use Mobile Unlocked to unlock your Vodafone phone

There are lots of reasons to unlock your Vodafone iPhone or another mobile device. Here’s why you should use us to help you access them.

How to unlock a phone to any network

You may associate unlocking your phone with lots of admin.

The good news is, unlocking your Vodafone mobile phone with us couldn’t be easier. The process is 100% admin-free. Everything’s managed online. The end result is permanent. And, above all, it’s simple. Our software does all of the hard work so you don’t have to.

So, how to unlock a Vodafone phone? All it takes is one piece of data: Your 15-digit IMEI number. A unique ID for your phone, you can find your phone's IMEI number by typing *#06# into your smartphone keypad. Or by looking in your phone’s ‘Settings', ‘About’ menu.

Using your IMEI, our software scans the Vodafone database to identify your device and process your unlock.

The next step depends on the type of Vodafone mobile phone you have. If it’s an iPhone you won’t need an unlock code. Instead the device is unlocked remotely, over-the-air, using WiFi. Our software has whitelisted access to Apple's device database. This enables it to process the unlock there and then. All you need to do is wait for us to confirm that the unlock is complete, insert your new SIM card, turn on your phone and it will automatically update and unlock automatically.

If your Vodafone device is an Android model, you will need to input a SIM unlock code in the unlock screen. This code will be emailed to you. All you need to do is type it into your device and replace your old Vodafone SIM card with a new one on a different network. Simple.

Find out more about unlocking your Vodafone

How do I know if my Vodafone phone is locked?

The most common way of acquiring a mobile phone (particularly the latest models) is to sign up for a payment plan. Spread over a fixed term (usually 18 or 24 months), this ties the user into a contract for that period of time. But it makes buying an expensive phone much more manageable. The downside to this is that many phones bought in this way come with a network lock in place. Before you try to unlock your phone, it’s worth checking to see if it’s locked first. To do this, you’ve got a few options.

1. Open up the ‘Settings’ menu on your device. Navigate to the ‘General’, ‘About’ section and look for the entry labelled ‘Network Provider Lock’. This will either read ‘Unlocked’ / ‘No SIM restrictions’, or ‘SIM restricted’ / ‘locked’.
2. Insert a SIM card from a network provider other than Vodafone into your phone. (Remember to turn your device off when you do this). If it works you’ll get a mobile signal (to confirm this look for the new network name in the right-hand corner of your device). If you’re getting a signal, your phone is probably unlocked. To double-check, you can try to make or receive a call). If you don’t have a connection, it’s likely to be locked. Although it’s worth restarting your phone and trying again, just to be sure.

Can I unlock any type of Vodafone device?

Most modern phones can be unlocked, including both Android and Apple devices. With Mobile Unlocked managing your SIM unlock, the requirements don’t change for different mobile models. All it takes is the IMEI number.

The process isn’t quite as simple using other unlocking methods. Going through a network provider like Vodafone, for example, means navigating a list of complicated conditions. These vary according to the type of phone you own, how long it’s been in contract for and the type of plan or package it’s assigned to.

Corporate or business devices will also have unique criteria.

How do I unlock as an Vodafone pay monthly customer?

If you’re on a monthly contract with Vodafone, you can still unlock your phone. With Mobile Unlocked the beauty of the process is its simplicity - all phones are equal. The method doesn’t and the information needed doesn’t change. Just provide the IMEI and that’s it. All phones are still unlocked in the same way, using your IMEI number. The only thing to bear in mind is, if you’re unlocking your phone within the terms of an existing contract, the conditions of your contract will still apply.

How do I unlock as a pay-as-you-go customer?

The same, one-size-fits-all principle applies to you if you’re on a pay-as-you-go or flex plan as opposed to a monthly contract. Again, the process pivots on one criteria: The 15-digit IMEI number. As long as you provide that, we can get on and do the rest.

How do I unlock a second-hand Vodafone phone?

Due to the high costs associated with buying a new mobile phone, used phones are becoming more popular. Even if you get your new device from a mobile network and pay for it in monthly instalments, those instalments aren’t cheap. Plus, add them up over 24 months and the total cost can stretch into thousands.

True, with secondhand phones you need to find the money to cover the initial outlay. But it’s usually a fraction of the cost of a new device. Plus, if it’s unlocked, it will cost less to run in the future.

The most important thing if you are buying a used device is to do a due diligence check to make sure the phone isn’t blacklisted (registered as lost or stolen, or has outstanding finance on it). Run a free blacklist IMEI check now.

Mobile Unlocked unlocks used Vodafone devices (and devices on other networks) in the same straightforward way it does all other types of phones. Just submit the IMEI.

TIP: Our phone blacklist check scans official databases for all devices reported as lost or stolen. So you can buy with peace of mind and know you’re making the right investment before you hand over your cash.

Related guides

Use the links below to unlock other popular UK SIM networks.

• Unlocking EE phone
• Unlock O2 phone