Unlocking your device from Vodafone
This support article will give you key information about unlocking your device from Vodafone’s network. If you’ve purchased a device from Vodafone Australia, 3 Mobile or Crazy John’s and want to use it on another provider’s network, you’ll need to network unlock it.
How to unlock your device
The best way to unlock your device from the Vodafone network is through our online unlocking tool.
Not all devices are locked to the Vodafone network. Depending whether you bought your device on a plan, or purchased it outright on a prepaid service, there may be a fee for network unlocking your device.
Depending on when you purchased your device, it may be locked to the Vodafone network. There's no fee for unlocking a device purchased with a plan.
If you purchased your device before 1 August 2013, it may be network locked.
If you purchased your device after 1 August 2013, it won't be network locked.
If you purchased your device outright to use with a prepaid service, there'll be a fee to unlock it from the Vodafone network.
If you’ve had your device for less than 6 months there’s a $50 unlocking fee.
If you’ve had your device for over 6 months there’s a $25 unlocking fee.
Depending on when you purchased your iPhone or iPad, it may be locked to the Vodafone network.
If you purchased a Vodafone prepaid iPhone bundle after November 2020, the device may be locked to the Vodafone network.
If you purchased an iPhone or iPad on a plan after April 2013, it won’t be locked to the Vodafone network.
If you purchased an iPhone or iPad prior to April 2013, it may be network locked, and will display 'Invalid SIM' or 'SOS only' in status bar.
You can unlock your USB modem from the Vodafone network through our online unlocking tool.
Once you’ve got your unlocking code, you’ll need to download the unlocking code for your device.
| Device | Operating system | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Huawei | Windows | Download Huawei unlocking software for Windows. |
| Mac | Unlock through Terminal. Detailed instructions are provided with your unlock code. | |
| ZTE | Windows | Download ZTE unlocking software for Windows. |
| Mac | Download ZTE unlocking software for Mac. |
Network unlocking troubleshooting
If you’ve tried using our online unlocking tool, but you’re unable to unlock your device from the Vodafone network, try these troubleshooting steps:
Verify where your phone was purchased
Check the device was purchased from Vodafone, 3 Mobile or Crazy John’s. If not, contact the service provider you purchased it from.
Check the IMEI number
Check the IMEI number you entered into our online unlocking tool is correct.
Check your SIM is active
Check your Vodafone SIM card is active. If not, give us a call on 1300 650 410.
Unlocking a blocked device.
If the unlock code has been entered incorrectly into the online unlocking tool too many times, your device may be network blocked and you’ll be unable to unlock it. If your device is blocked, you can restore it by taking it to your nearest Vodafone store.
Please note, we’ll need to send your device to the manufacturer to lift the block, which may require a master reset. We recommend backing up your device before heading in store.
Additional information
For some devices, you may need to insert a SIM card from another provider to complete the unlocking process. We will advise you if a non-Vodafone SIM is required in the unlocking instructions supplied with your unlocking code.
If you’re trying to unlock a Nokia device and the unlocking instructions tell you to enter ‘+’, ‘p’ and ‘w’, these characters are entered using the ‘*’ key:
- To enter ‘+’, press ‘*’ two times quickly.
- To enter ‘p’, press ‘*’ three times quickly.
- To enter ‘w’, press ‘*’ four times quickly.
If you’re trying to unlock your Samsung device and it has frozen, it means the unlocking code has been entered incorrectly too many times. To complete the unlocking process, you'll need to enter the master reset code to restore your device. You can get the Samsung master reset code through our online unlocking tool.
If you purchased your device from another network provider, including an overseas Vodafone store, you’ll need to contact them to network unlock your device.