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Unlocking your phone from Vodafone

If you're moving your mobile service to another network, you might find that your phone is locked to Vodafone. If you're not sure, you can check by inserting a SIM card from any network other than Vodafone into your phone. If you see an error message such as: 

Network Locked

Invalid SIM

PAYT Lock

SIM Card Not Accepted

Enter SP Code

Insert Correct SIM Card

Your phone is locked to Vodafone. You'll need to get your phone unlocked before you can use another network SIM card. The good news is, we can arrange this for you free of charge. 

 

 

request

Contact us and ask for your phone to be unlocked

confirMation

Confirm your phone's IMEI, model name and manufacturer

unlock

Your phone will be unlocked so it works on all networks

 

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15 or 17-digit code, which is unique to your device. You should be able to find it:

  • By entering *#06# on the keypad. Your screen should then display the IMEI
  • Printed on the compliance plate under the battery (unless you have a sealed smartphone

You'll need to know the model of iPhone you have before you contact us. We'll need to know whether it's an iPhone X, iPhone 13, iPhone 14 Pro etc. There are a couple of ways you can find the model of your iPhone if you're unsure:

iCloud users

Tap Settings in the main iPhone menu and then and tap on your iCloud profile at the top of the menu. You'll see your model name listed a little way down the page as 'This iPhone XX'.

iTunes users

Connect your iPhone to iTunes on your computer. Once you've selected your iPhone, you'll see your model name at the top of the screen.  

 

Android Phones

  1. Tap System Settings from the main menu > About Phone.
  2. Locate your model name and number in the list.Make sure you know your phone's IMEImodel name and manufacturer (see below)

Nokia Lumia

Tap Settings from the main menu > About.

Your model name and number will be displayed in the Phone Information Section.

Nokia

Type in *#0000# on your phone's keypad. The display shows your phone's model.

Older HTC, Nokia and LG phones

  1. Remove the back cover
  2. Remove the battery
  3. Your model number will be printed beneath, usually on a white label

BlackBerry 10

  1. From the menu tap SettingsAbout
  2. The model information will be displayed

BlackBerry OS6 or OS7

  1. Select Options on the home screen or in the Settings folder > DeviceAbout Device Versions
  2. The model information will be displayed on the first line

  1. Please contact us to arrange for your phone to be unlocked. Have your mobile phone to hand, just in case we need to check anything from it
  2. We'll contact you within 3-5 working days if Vodafone already have your unlock code. In some cases, Vodafone may need to contact the manufacturer, which can take up to 10 working days
  3. Once we've contacted you, insert your new SIM card and follow the unlock instructions below. You'll now be ready to start using your new service

 

How do I unlock my phone?

Once we've let you know that your unlock request has been processed, here's how to unlock your phone:

iPhones are unlocked Over the Air. Simply insert your new SIM card and start using your new service.

  • If your iPhone is still locked, connect it to iTunes via a cable and follow the onscreen instructions.  
  • If that still doesn't work, follow the guidance on Apple's support website

 

  • Insert a non-Vodafone SIM into the phone and enter the unlock code we gave you.

If you’re having problems using your Network Unlock Code (NUC), make sure you’re entering it correctly. Network Unlock Codes are case sensitive, so you’ll need to enter it exactly as it was given to you.

The NUC will work for only the specific device you gave us the details for. If you want to unlock a different device that's been used on TalkTalk Mobile, you’ll need to contact us.

You only get a limited number of attempts to type in your code. If you’ve entered it correctly but are still having problems, we recommend you contact us for support and to double check your NUC.

 

 

other network provider

If your mobile phone is locked to another network provider (other than Vodafone), please see the contact details below:

A table showing network contact details for unlocking mobile phones
Network Contact details
O2 0844 809 0222 (pay as you go)
or complete the O2 online form
Orange (EE) 07973 100 450 (pay as you go)  
07973 100 150 (pay monthly contracts)
or complete the EE online form
T-Mobile (EE) 0845 412 5000
or complete the EE online form
Virgin 0845 6000 789
Three 0843 373 4444 (pay as you go) 
0843 373 3333 (pay monthly contracts)
Tesco Mobile 0845 301 4455 or 4455 from your Tesco Mobile
Talkmobile 0333 304 8064 or 5888 from your Talkmobile