Samsung galaxy s4

[philengland]

I won a Galaxy S4 on ebay advertised as unlocked. It arrived and is locked on to Vodafone.

Im not about to buy a vodafone sim or sign up to a contract or top up a pay as you go ammount.

How do I get an unlock code for it? Ive tried to buy one online but was told the IMEI number needs to be released.

Can anyone help?

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @philengland

Here are some help links. 

How-do-I-unlock-my-Vodafone-device-if-Im-not-a-Vodafone-customer.

So basically unlocking is free.

I appreciate you do not want to go down this route but the best way is to > Pick up a Vodafone Payg SIM card , top it up with the minimum amount and use it in the phone for a minimum of 30 days making calls etc. 

Then use those Payg details and the phones imei in this link > Vodafone unlock-code-request form.

Vodafone U.K won't provide an Unlocking Code otherwise. 

Using unlocking online sites can present issues such as the codes not working , the unlock status not holding and getting a refund can be difficult. 

The only other options would be to raise a dispute with eBay or sell the phone and then buy one that fully unlocked or locked to the network you want to use.