Nightmare unlocking an old iphone purchased at Carphone Warehouse

[natnatnatnat]

I am have an old iphone 6plus that I purchased from CWP on a 2-year contract with Vodafone in 2016. I never unlocked the phone even after the 2 years were up as i simply moved to a monthly plan with Vodafone using the same SIM card and then since 2019 I haven't used it at all as I upgraded to a new phone (new contract with Vodafone). I now want to use my old iphone with another network and I have contacted Vodafone to unlock it. They have told me they can't unlock it as it was purchased through CWP. I have contacted CPW and they are telling me they don't unlock phones and that's for Vodafone to unlock!! I also tried contacting Apple and they also confirmed it is for Vodafone, the carrier to unlock the phone.. What do I do next? bear in mind this phone hasn't been used for a year...I am not sure who to turn to now!!

[AnnS]

Hi @natnatnatnat 

Are you absolutely sure the phone is not already unlocked?  The reason I mention that is Carphone don't lock phones, although I thought earlier iphones locked to the first network SIM inserted in the phone but Carphone no longer lock any phones, including the iphone.

If the phone is locked, it's going to mean using a PAYG SIM in the phone for 30 days with some chargeable activity this is necessary to prove ownership and associate the IMEI with the SIM.  See here: Unlock your phone 

I would also recommend browsing the unlocking forum, this is the place to find helpful tips and the process needed to unlock an iphone.

[natnatnatnat]

yes, unfortunately, it is a phone purchased in 2016 and it was locked to Vodafone, It still is as I have tried using a Giffgaff sim card and it says it is locked to another provider. 

[AnnS]

Hi @natnatnatnat 

Thank you for your reply @natnatnatnat . 

If it has only been a year since the phone was last used on the network, there is no reason for Vodafone being unable to unlock the phone immediately against your account as the original owner especially when you are still a Vodafone customer on  monthly contract with an account to verify.

If for any reason Vodafone are unable to unlock against your account as I mentioned the best way will be to go the PAYG route, this will enable you to continue using you present phone with your contract SIM without the worry of keep swapping your SIM to the phone you would like to get unlocked.

Have a word with the Social Team here, they will be able to advise if it is possible to unlock the phone through your account.  Contact the Social Team 

[BandOfBrothers]

It's correct that neither Apple nor CPW can unlock the phone for you @natnatnatnat 

Not CPW as they can't unlock phones.

Not Apple because it's a network locked phone.

The advice given by the Vodafone agent that they can't unlock the iPhone because you've bought it from CPW is incorrect 

What id suggest is to use your current Vodafone sim card in the iPhone for 30 days making calls etc, or pick up a Vodafone Payg sim card and use that for 30 days making calls etc and then use the new Vodafone Payg account details to request it's unlock.

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. 

[natnatnatnat]

thanks, really good to know that the Vodafone customer advisor gave me the wrong advice. I am going to try and call them again , this time using the complaints number and see if they can sort out.

[AnnS]

Yes @natnatnatnat 

I am not sure exactly what Vodafone will be able to sort out for you.  The information is on the website and quite easy to find.

The best thing for you to do is to order a free PAYG SIM here: Vodafone PAYG free SIM .  When you get the SIM you will need to add a small top up and make some chargeable activity during the 30 day period.  After this time just complete the form on the link and Vodafone with authorise the unlocking from Apple.  

[BandOfBrothers]

No worries @natnatnatnat 

As I mwntioned use your current sim in the phone for 30 days making calls etc to re latch the phone's imei number back onto Vodafone systems or use the Payg route and then they should be able to raise an unlock request or indeed try the unlock form again and or try another Vodafone agent.