Learn: giffgaff Top Tips

[ragnorak]

Here's a tip for anyone thinking of using a Vodafone handset for Giffgaff. A few of you may know this already, but Vodafone will supply one unlock code for free if you have a SIM that's been active more than a year (and the handset has been on the market for at least a year). There are people who actually make a business out of maintaining dozens of Voda SIMs and charging others for getting the code on their behalf, so it's always a good idea to keep one spare.

[daveysludge]

How do you contact vodafone to obtain the unlock code?!

Is there a special number to phone, can you phone from a landline or non-vodafone handset for instance?

I'm interested in getting hold of that number as being able to unlock the phones for the customer is going to be mega handy!

[simon69c]

It will just be Vodafone customer support number I think - they will need to be able to check your account to see if you have an unlock request available to use.

If you are planning to offer to offer unlocks for other people then you won't simply be able to phone up Vodafone from a landline and request it - the account holder of the Voda SIM will need to make the request.  What you can do is as the OP mentioned - have loads of Voda SIMs and then each time you want to perform an unlock put one of your SIMs in the phone, call up Vodafone and request an unlock - after they give it you'll need to set that SIM aside for a year before you'll be able to request another handset unlock with it (though you'll need to keep the SIM "active" by making a call every 6 months).  This will still be subject to the model of handset you are trying to unlock being more than 12 months old though.

[ragnorak]

The number for customer services from a Vodafone number is 191.

[jamp]

Anyone know if Asda Mobile will also provide this service?  I've just given away a Voda sim that has been active over a year (**bleep**!) so I can't use them directly, but I have an Asda sim that I have used for over a year, and Asda use Voda's network...  The phone I'm trying to unlock is a Nokia 5230 locked to Voda (but works with the Asda sim).  Cheers.

[ragnorak]

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jamp wrote:

Anyone know if Asda Mobile will also provide this service?  I've just given away a Voda sim that has been active over a year (**bleep**!) so I can't use them directly, but I have an Asda sim that I have used for over a year, and Asda use Voda's network...  The phone I'm trying to unlock is a Nokia 5230 locked to Voda (but works with the Asda sim).  Cheers.

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It's doubtful that Asda will have access to Vodafone's database of unlock codes unfortunately...

[sausageandbun]

Hello.

New, first post etc.

Anyway I've just ordered a SIM (hurrah!), and I'll be coming from a Vodaphone handset, but I'm not sure whether I need to unlock it or not. How can I not be sure you may ask?

Well because (a) I'm mostly clueless about such things, but also (b) in the past I've put a friends o2 sim card into my phone ( A Sony Ericsson G502, fact fans) and it appeared to pick up the network, and download WAP settings etc just fine. So am I safe to assume my phone is already unlocked, or was that some sort of magic fluke?

[kaz]

Hi - was the Vodafone on a contract or PAYG?  I believe vodafone contract phones are unlocked nowadays anyway (although I've not had a contract so could be wrong!) If PAYG then it should have been locked but if the O2 SIM worked then giffgaff ought to!  If you need to unlock it it's pretty simple - I just contacted vodafone customer services with the IMEI number and a phone number from a freebie vodafone sim I ordered and registered (no topup necessary) just for the purpose.   The phone concerned wasn't quite a year old but the unlock code came within an hour (free)!

[sausageandbun]

Ah splendid. 'Tis a contract phone so it seems it must be unlocked then. Which should make life a lot easier.

Thank you!

[i_h8_indian_callcentres]

Can i unlock a nokia 6500 classic thats on orange network with a voda sim that i have had active for over a year?