iPhone network unlock websites - are they a scam or not?

[djneils98]

Bit of a nightmare - was a Vodafone contract customer for 2 years - have ported my number over to O2 using a PAC code and have just realised the phone (iPhone 7 Plus) is locked to Vodafone so the new O2 sim won't work.
Have contacted Vodafone but my number is now not on their system as it's been ported. The best they can do is suggest I get a Vodafone PAYG sim for a month (!) then they can unlock. Apple won't help either. So I'm a bit stuck now to say the least

I see these unlock websites (e.g. https://directunlocks.com/en_gb ) - does anyone know if they are legit or a scam?
Any constructive suggestions gratefully received !

[sparkyhx]

yes and no,
yes - they make you pay for something you dont need to pay for
no - they unlock your phone

just contact Voda they have to give u the unlock code.

[djneils98]

sparkyhx said:

yes and no,
yes - they make you pay for something you dont need to pay for
no - they unlock your phone

just contact Voda they have to give u the unlock code.

thanks but I have contacted them - they said as I have ported my number to O2 I will need to get a PAYG sim, put some credit on it and wait a month!!

[Busa mav]

There is an online form , just go that way, they have to unlock your phone.

Just been through this for an old iPhone 8 that is no longer used.
They just wanted the IME ? Number for the phone and it was done in a week.

[djneils98]

Thanks! Just tried the form and it seemed to go through. Fingers crossed

[alorotom]

Busa mav said:

There is an online form , just go that way, they have to unlock your phone.

Just been through this for an old iPhone 8 that is no longer used.
They just wanted the IME ? Number for the phone and it was done in a week.

Normally networks also require an active mobile phone number on their network as well - hence the PAYG comment above - I believe this allowed them to push the unlock down to the handset.

Yes there is a legal obligation to unlock but there are conditions to meet to make it happen.

[sparkyhx]

moral of the story get your phone unlocked b4 porting your number.

[djneils98]

sparkyhx said:

moral of the story get your phone unlocked b4 porting your number.

No st Sherlock!

[sparkyhx]

djneils98 said:

sparkyhx said:

moral of the story get your phone unlocked b4 porting your number.

No st Sherlock!

so can these websites unlock the phone still, or do they only do what you can do yourself for free.......or are you still screwed?

[The_Jackal]

Cant a slightly dodgy organisation clone your phone with your IMEI number?

[djneils98]

The_Jackal said:

Cant a slightly dodgy organisation clone your phone with your IMEI number?

No

[buggalugs]

I got one of the local phone repair shops to do mine, took a few days IIRC

[djneils98]

well to finish this thread on a happy note my phone has now been unlocked by Vodafone for free
Moral of the story is not to always believe what a Vodafone representative tells you!
And perhaps to think ahead (!)

[CanAm]

djneils98 said:

well to finish this thread on a happy note my phone has now been unlocked by Vodafone for free
Moral of the story is not to always believe what a Vodafone representative tells you!
And perhaps to think ahead (!)

Vodafone are a nightmare. I was trying to get a PAC for my wife’s PAYG phone with them. They denied that it existed in their recorded despite the fact that they were sending marketing texts to it weekly. It took me two weeks of constant phone calls and messages. They never called back as promised, so whenever I called back I would get a different “agent” and had to start all over again. Thank god it was payg, the poor people on contract were tearing their hair out (see Vodafone Complaints group on Facebook)

Edited by CanAm on Monday 28th December 19:20

[Busa mav]

djneils98 said:

well to finish this thread on a happy note my phone has now been unlocked by Vodafone for free
Moral of the story is not to always believe what a Vodafone representative tells you!
And perhaps to think ahead (!)

Perfect.