Is my phone permanently locked to Vodafone?

[bimotaray]

I bought a Sony Xperia M2 from Tesco Direct at Christmas (I have already been to them, at the suggestion of some idiot from a Vodafone shop. The assistant at Tesco couldn't work out why I was sent to them as this is a purely Vodafone problem) and I didn't know about network locking or anything like that. I thought the Vodafone PAYG sim that came in the box was just part of some deal between Sony and Vodafone or something.

I tried to put a Virgin Mobile sim into it and it asked for a unlock code which I assumed was the ones the Virgin Sim came with.  Now I am worried that I have entered incorrect netowork unlock codes too many times.

I took it into a Vodafone shop and the saleswoman inside got a code and entered it about 3-4 times and declared "I have no idea"

I then wen't online, put the Vodafone Sim in, topped it up with £20 and filled the online form out. They sent a code in an email which I tried and it still hasn't worked.

I am extremely unhappy as I wanted nothing to do with Vodafone.

[Retired-Laura]

Hi @bimotaray

To have the phone unlocked this would need to be done Tesco Direct, They have provided you the phone.

Sony will not accept a request from Vodafone to have network unlocking code sent out.

Thanks,

Laura

[bimotaray]

I already took it to Tesco. I was told that Vodafone have to supply the unlock code because it has a 'vodafone exlusive' sticker on the box.

I am worried because I have read that apparently entering the wrong code too many time will 'hardlock' I think it is called, the phone to Vodafone.

[Retired-Matt_B]

Hi @bimotaray,

So that we can look into this further, see here for how to get in touch.

Thanks,

Matt