Vodafone sims/phones - how to remove restrictions etc

[Minxy]

I thought I'd do this thread as both me and hubby have had some setting issues with our Vodafone contracts and I can't believe we're the only ones who are having 'fun' so rather than others struggling to find out what to do about it, here's the info you need.

Who does it apply to:

If you've taken out a contract sim or PAYG sim with Vodafone you might wish to adjust some of the standard settings to make it as you want it, such as preventing premium texts, calls, set your spend manager etc. You can do a lot of the changes yourself but 2 in particular just won't go away no matter what you do, even if you managed to get them to show as being 'off' they actually aren't! These 2 are:

Content restriction - this limits what those under 18 can view - you have to go into the Vodafone site and confirm your ID by putting in details of a credit card etc after which the restriction should be removed ... however despite doing this, and even though it says you have removed the restriction, it is still there!​

​

Secure Net - an internet protection system provided by Vodafone free for 3 months but after that time you'll be charged £1 a month - you have to opt out so if you don't you'll get billed for it - even though website says you can't do this until after the 3 months its not true - if you remove it yourself though it doesn't go away either.​

How to sort them

You can ring 191 from your Vodafone sim but you'll be waiting a long time on the phone before they answer and although the techs are helpful and pleasant it's not easy to understand them as they have strong foreign accents.

The alternatively is do it via a live chat which is by far the easiest and quickest method as you don't usually have to wait long for someone to be available.

What you'll need/to do before contacting them via Live Chat:

• Make sure you have already done the ID confirmation for the 'content restriction' removal
• You will need your Vodafone phone (sim) number
• You'll also need your Vodafone pin

Now you can use the link below to take you to the 'Secure Net' page and click on the 'Live Chat' button:

How do I deactivate Secure Net?

You can cancel your Vodafone Secure Net subscription any time you like in the Secure Net app. Or, if you can’t use the app right now, you can log in to your account online.

support.vodafone.co.uk

​

You'll get a 'greeting' and be asked to confirm you want to remove 'Secure Net' so do that first then they'll ask if you want to do anything else and you can then get the 'content restriction' removed (as you've already done the ID submission this should be straightforward).

Good luck!

 

[Phill D]

fortunately was aware of both particularly the secure net one, which i disarm immediately.
you can sort both of these and much more in the "my vodafone" app .

just load it onto the phone and manage all settings ( with minor exception ) from there. you will need to go through account set up but that is a relatively straightforward affair.

 

[Phill D]

an example of the opening screen

 

[2657]

I have the app and log on using the website, there are long standing issues with altering some of the settings. Operators on numerous occasions say that actions have definitely been done and then no change, seems pot luck if alterations to settings work or not.

 

[Minxy]

fortunately was aware of both particularly the secure net one, which i disarm immediately.
you can sort both of these and much more in the "my vodafone" app .

just load it onto the phone and manage all settings ( with minor exception ) from there. you will need to go through account set up but that is a relatively straightforward affair.

Nope ... tried that, still didn't work, hence my thread.

Have you actually tried accessing any website that under 18's aren't supposed to? That's how we checked and found even though the app said the content restriction was 'off' it was still on.

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[Minxy]

Just to clarify ... I'm not talking about naughty sites ...

 

[Camdoon]

Just to clarify ... I'm not talking about naughty sites ...

Too late

 

[Nikki]

Brilliant thanks Minxy Girl
If really annoyed me that I couldn't get in most vape sites,
I went on via the app, it took all my details then told me it couldn't do it, try later, so went on to Tobi who was hopeless and then got moved onto a live chat, they could see that I had put my card details in and disabled if for me, confirmation email, then turn phone off and on and it works, I can now shop for e cig juice

 

[Phill D]

Nope ... tried that, still didn't work, hence my thread.

Have you actually tried accessing any website that under 18's aren't supposed to? That's how we checked and found even though the app said the content restriction was 'off' it was still on.

I have not lifted the age restriction on my new sim from Foneshop but done it on my normal phone sim ( Vodafone ) a while back. and i dont recall having access reject to any sites since.
will have to try harder.... perhaps

 

[namwaldog]

Mel, re. Secure Net, I took out a new contract with Vodafone just over 3 months ago. It included the 3 month free offer for SecureNet and I tried a couple of times to cancel it but went round in circles. However I received this text on 1st July from Vodafone...

"Your Vodafone Secure Net free trial ends in 8 days. After that, it's just £1 a month to keep you and your family protected online when using our network. Remember, Vodafone Secure Net helps defend against viruses and harmful websites, with more than 8 million threats blocked since launch. Head to www.vodafone.uk/SecureNet to manage settings and to see when you're protected. We'll text again when your free trial has ended. If you decide it's not for you, just make sure you're connected to our network (not Wi-Fi) and visit www.vodafone.uk/turnoff to cancel."


I clicked the link at the bottom and turned off SecureNet.
Received this text on 2 July from Vodafone....

" Just to confirm, Vodafone Secure Net has now been deactivated on your account. Any payments will be stopped immediately, but changes to your security settings can take up to 48 hours to be applied (or simply restart your phone to update them straight away). If you change your mind and want to carry on benefitting from added protection when using our network, just visit vodafone.uk/SecureNet to reactivate Vodafone Secure Net anytime."

But I will still check my next bill just to make sure.
Hope this helps

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[Phill D]

just checked our 3 vodafone numbers and all 3 have secure net OFF!

but

despite that 18s and over is blocked on all 3 and cant eem to lift it on the apps or in account settings on line.

so if i do need to be over 18 i will take your advice Mel Minxy Girl thank you.

 

[Minxy]

Mel, re. Secure Net, I took out a new contract with Vodafone just over 3 months ago. It included the 3 month free offer for SecureNet and I tried a couple of times to cancel it but went round in circles. However I received this text on 1st July from Vodafone...

"Your Vodafone Secure Net free trial ends in 8 days. After that, it's just £1 a month to keep you and your family protected online when using our network. Remember, Vodafone Secure Net helps defend against viruses and harmful websites, with more than 8 million threats blocked since launch. Head to www.vodafone.uk/SecureNet to manage settings and to see when you're protected. We'll text again when your free trial has ended. If you decide it's not for you, just make sure you're connected to our network (not Wi-Fi) and visit www.vodafone.uk/turnoff to cancel."


I clicked the link at the bottom and turned off SecureNet.
Received this text on 2 July from Vodafone....

" Just to confirm, Vodafone Secure Net has now been deactivated on your account. Any payments will be stopped immediately, but changes to your security settings can take up to 48 hours to be applied (or simply restart your phone to update them straight away). If you change your mind and want to carry on benefitting from added protection when using our network, just visit vodafone.uk/SecureNet to reactivate Vodafone Secure Net anytime."

But I will still check my next bill just to make sure.
Hope this helps

Whether its a recent issue or not I don't know but we tried many times to no avail hence my doing the web chat and hubby calling them to get secure net turned off.

 

[peterc10]

Now then Mel, spill the beans ........... what is your favourite adult content site and why ............ just asking

 

[Minxy]

Now then Mel, spill the beans ........... what is your favourite adult content site and why ............ just asking

A movie download site that hubby uses ... not saying which one though but we get to see some blockbuster films that aren't even released yet ...

 

[Rob Hammond]

A movie download site that hubby uses ... not saying which one though but we get to see some blockbuster films that aren't even released yet ...

Debbie goes to Dallas

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[carolyn]

I had no trouble turning mine off on my iphone once I realised they meant I had to turn wifi off whilst I did it. As soon as I turned wifi off and did it on 3g/4g it worked. I don’t really understand it though, it’s all magic to me!
It’s good to warn people though.

 

[Dave Flegg]

I had no trouble turning mine off on my iphone once I realised they meant I had to turn wifi off whilst I did it. As soon as I turned wifi off and did it on 3g/4g it worked. I don’t really understand it though, it’s all magic to me!
It’s good to warn people though.

I’ve had no trouble turning mine off either. But yes you need to be on the mobile network to make the changes as this is using the mobile SIM and logs the changes better. If on Wi-fi your just using your phone over the web as an internet browser (independent to your network) and the SIM / network don’t always see or associate the changes properly.

 

[Camdoon]

Just had an email through from Vodafone stating they are knocking off £2pcm from my bill which will take me down to £23.50 for SF broadband and 60Gb mobile. My broadband then phone went down as I refreshed my phone contract so they have given me £50 credit. I demanded to be taken of BB contract as well then discovered I would have had to pay £6pcm extra to start a new contract. Still need to sort out my contract so I can start 'vaping'.

 

[Minxy]

Just had an email through from Vodafone stating they are knocking off £2pcm from my bill which will take me down to £23.50 for SF broadband and 60Gb mobile. My broadband then phone went down as I refreshed my phone contract so they have given me £50 credit. I demanded to be taken of BB contract as well then discovered I would have had to pay £6pcm extra to start a new contract. Still need to sort out my contract so I can start 'vaping'.

Can you decipher that a bit for me ...

 

[Camdoon]

Can you decipher that a bit for me ...

Vodafone screwed up my phone handover as my BroadBand with them was playing up and have just chopped my bill by another £2pcm leaving my monthly bill for SuperFast Broadband 70Mb and 65Gb phone at £25.50 as well as giving me £50 back for the inconvenience over the 2 services.

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[Lenny HB]

Had a PAYG sim in my Mifi last year I emoved the Content Restriction via live chat, no ID required, not come across Secure Net.

 

[Minxy]

Had a PAYG sim in my Mifi last year I emoved the Content Restriction via live chat, no ID required, not come across Secure Net.

You must have been their super-duper extra special customer then Lenny ... some of us are mere plebs.

 

[Camdoon]

I have found that I cannot use the Opera Browser VPN on my laptop when using the phone as a mobile hot spot. I am sure that this has only occurred since renewing/changing my contract this month (well as sure as I can be at my age). Tried chatting online but that got as far as 'make sure your phone is up-to-date and switch it off and on'.
Does anyone else use Opera as a VPN on their laptop with their Vodafone Sim or does anyone use any other VPN successfully.