NUC

[faisalparacha]

Hi, i have a vodafone locked Iphone. I was advised by vodafone to buy PAYG sim and use it for 30 days in my phone and then i will be able to get NUC. I used vodafone PAYG sim in my phone for 6-7 days in UK and then i flew outside UK with the phone. My PAYG sim is still in the phone and is on roaming. After 30 days i tried to get NUC from vodafone but it says i haven't completed 30 days of my vodafone sim in my phone therefore i can't get NUC. 

Is it necessary to use vodafone sim for 30 days in the phone within UK? because if the sim is on roaming phone is still using vodafone sim. 

Please help as i need to use my phone on a local network here. 

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @faisalparacha 

It is recommended to use the Vodafone sim card in the phone while making calls , sending texts etc while in the uk so your latched to the Vodafone Uk network.

The possible problem is that if a person is abroad using a Vodafone UK sim card your not latched to the Vodafone UK network but roaming on a foreign network.

Your options are probably...

When you return to the UK complete the required 30 days usage and then request it's unlock.

Or send the iPhone to someone you know in the uk to use it for 30 days on the Vodafone UK network and they unlock it and send it back to you.

Or see if a local highstreet store that advertises they unlock iPhones can help for a fee or try an online unlocking site but be careful that they are reputable.

Or sell the iPhone and use the funds to buy one that's unlocked.

Finally to add....

An iPhone is not unlocked via inputting a Nuc {unlocking code} like other phone models are, but instead is unlocked remotely by Apple themselves and their Database.

So no actual Nuc is sent by Vodafone UK. 

The Vodafone Network lets a person know by email it's unlocking has been requested to Apple after accepting your Nuc online unlock request. (Please Check Spam Inboxes too) 

Please Note > The iPhone isn't actually usually unlocked to all networks at this stage when Vodafone email you. 

What happens is Apple then process the Networks request and occasionally this can take Apple approximately from a few days upto a further 30+ days sometimes from Vodafone's email to complete an unlock request made by a Network. 

To complete the process please periodically insert an active i.e. connects to mobile network data, alternative Networks Sim Card in the iPhone with hooking upto iTunes is only typically needed if its an iPhone 4 or older although it wouldn't harm to do so. 

From the iPhone 5 onwards there's not normally the need to hook up to iTunes to complete the process. 

When it's unlocked you should see a pop up message and the alternatives Networks name will show in the iPhone's status bar.

🌈 Stay Safe  🌈 

[AnnS]

Hi @faisalparacha 

If you refer to this page How do I unlock my phone ? you will see the phone has to be used on the local Vodafone UK network for 30 days with the PAYG SIM.  This is needed to connect the IMEI number to the SIM and prove the phone is your property and entitlement to unlock.

The problem you are having is only using the phone for 6-7 in the UK, and not fullfilling the unlocking criteria. 

Vodafone won't provide the unlock, the other alternative is to find an unlocking company where you are located, it won't come free but at least you will get the phone unlocked to use a local SIM.

If you are in contact with someone you know in the UK, they will be able to continue to use the phone on your behalf to complete the 30 days but that will leave you phoneless.