NEC: Secret Codes and Tricks for All Vintage Models — Complete Guide 2026
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This is the definitive guide to NEC secret codes for vintage phones. NEC — a Japanese electronics company — produced GSM phones for the European market between 2001 and 2005 with some of the most advanced technical specifications of the time (one of the first with 3G/UMTS connectivity in Europe). The NEC code system is unique: *#XXXX# sequences for system information and asymmetric #XXXX# / *XXXX*password*password# sequences for managing various lock types (SP lock, SIM lock, Net lock, Subnet lock). This guide includes all verified codes for e313, e616, e606, e808, e228, e338, N341i, N400i, DB2000 and many more.
How the NEC Code System Works — Read First
NEC uses a two-level system for lock management:
Level 1 — Check lock status: *#XXXX# + send → shows current lock status
Level 2 — Lock management:
#XXXX#+ send → query the lock*XXXX*password*password#+ send → enable the lock with password#XXXX*password#+ send → disable (unlock) the lock
Each lock type has a different number (3210 for SP lock, 4960 for SIM lock, 7320 for Net lock, etc.).
Main NEC unlock procedure: insert a non-accepted SIM → switch on → unlock screen appears automatically → enter Unfreeze/MCK first, then NCK. The order is critical: Unfreeze/MCK first, NCK second.
Universal NEC Codes — Work on Almost All Models
| Code | Function |
|---|---|
*#06# |
Display IMEI code |
*#2820# |
Software version — detailed firmware version |
*#3210# |
SP Lock info — Service Provider lock status |
*#4960# |
SIM lock info — specific SIM lock status |
*#7320# |
Net lock info — Network lock status (operator) |
*#8140# |
Corporate lock info — corporate lock status |
*#2220# |
Net lock 2 info — second level network lock |
*#1110# |
Subnet lock info — subnet lock status |
*73738# |
Master reset — full factory data reset ⚠️ |
*#2634# |
APN unlock — unlocks APN parameters 1-2 and GPRS attach |
NEC Lock Management Codes — Complete Table
SIM Lock (4960):
| Code | Function |
|---|---|
#4960# + send |
Check SIM lock status |
*4960*password*password# |
Enable SIM lock with password |
#4960*password# |
Disable (unlock) SIM lock |
Net Lock — Network lock (7320):
| Code | Function |
|---|---|
#7320# + send |
Check Net lock status |
*7320*password*password# |
Enable Net lock |
#7320*password# |
Unlock network — removes Net lock |
Direct network unlock: #7320*(8 digit password)# This is the direct code for removing the operator lock — the 8 digits are the NCK code specific to the phone's IMEI.
Net Lock 2 (2220):
#2220#→ check |#2220*password#→ unlock
Subnet Lock (1110):
#1110#→ check |#1110*password#→ unlock
SP Lock (3210):
*#3210#→ check |#7320*(password)#→ unlock
NEC e616 — Full Secret Codes
The NEC e616 (2004) was one of the first 3G UMTS phones in Europe — 2 megapixels, 176×240 display, advanced polyphony. Sold primarily by 3G operators like Three/H3G. Wikipedia officially documents its special codes.
IMEI: *#06#
Software version: *#2820#
SP Lock info: *#3210#
SIM lock info: *#4960#
Net lock info: *#7320#
Corporate lock info: *#8140#
Direct network unlock: #7320*(8 digits)# Enter the 8-digit NCK code specific to your IMEI.
APN/GPRS unlock: *#2634# Very rare code — unlocks APN parameters and GPRS attach that some operators (especially Three/H3G) locked to prevent use of unofficial APNs.
Master reset: *73738# ⚠️ Full factory data reset — deletes all user data.
e616 unlock procedure with non-accepted SIM:
- Insert SIM from a different operator
- Switch phone on
- Unlock screen appears automatically
- Enter Unfreeze/MCK first and confirm
- Then enter NCK and confirm
- Phone is now unlocked
Collector note e616: One of the first European 3G UMTS phones. Battery life in 2G mode is 3-4× longer than in 3G mode. The
*#2820#code shows full firmware version including build date.
e616 vs e616v: the "v" version has some additional features and slightly different firmware. The *#2820# code shows which version is installed.
👉 View NEC e616 available at Infosate
NEC e313 — Full Secret Codes
The NEC e313 (2003) was the first NEC 3G phone for the European market — compact, lightweight, integrated camera. Very popular on Three/H3G in several European countries as the first entry-level 3G smartphone.
IMEI: *#06#
Software version: *#2820#
SP Lock info: *#3210#
SIM lock info: *#4960#
Net lock info: *#7320#
Corporate lock info: *#8140#
Network unlock: #7320*(8 digits)#
APN/GPRS unlock: *#2634#
Master reset: *73738# ⚠️
Unlock procedure e313: Same as e616 — insert non-accepted SIM → switch on → enter Unfreeze/MCK first, then NCK.
Unlocking note e313: Almost all e313 units were locked to Three/H3G (MCC 222, MNC 99 for Italy; MCC 234, MNC 20 for UK). The code
*#7320#shows whether Net lock is active.
👉 View NEC e313 available at Infosate
NEC e606 — Full Secret Codes
The NEC e606 (2004) was the slim version of the e616 — thinner profile, same 3G hardware, integrated camera.
IMEI: *#06#
Software version: *#2820#
All lock codes: same as e616 (full table above)
Network unlock: #7320*(8 digits)#
APN unlock: *#2634#
Master reset: *73738# ⚠️
Forgotten security code e606: The only solution is master reset *73738# (erases all data) or reflashing via USB cable with dedicated NEC software.
👉 View NEC e606 available at Infosate
NEC e808 — Secret Codes
The NEC e808 (2004) was NEC's top model — first with a 1.3 megapixel camera in a compact 3G phone.
IMEI: *#06# | SW version: *#2820#
All lock codes: same as e616 | Network unlock: #7320*(8 digits)# | Master reset: *73738# ⚠️
NEC e228 and e338 — Secret Codes
The NEC e228 (2003) was the entry-level 3G NEC — more affordable than the e313, same UMTS connectivity. The NEC e338 (2004) was the e228's successor with improved specs.
IMEI: *#06# | SW version: *#2820#
All lock codes: same as e616 | Network unlock: #7320*(8 digits)# | Master reset: *73738# ⚠️
NEC e525, N341i, DB2000, DB4000 — Secret Codes
IMEI: *#06# | SW version: *#2820#
Lock codes: as e616 | Network unlock: #7320*(password)# | Master reset: *73738#
Getting the NCK/Unfreeze/MCK Codes for Your NEC
NEC codes are calculated from the phone's IMEI using the NEC algorithm. Typically two codes are needed:
- Unfreeze/MCK — "unfreeze" code — must be entered first
- NCK — Network Code Key — unlocks the network
Mandatory order: always Unfreeze/MCK first, then NCK. If you enter NCK without Unfreeze first, the phone may not accept it.
How many attempts do I have? NEC vintage phones generally allow 5-10 attempts. After exceeding attempts, "Phone restricted" appears permanently and professional reflashing is required.
Understanding the NEC Lock System — SP lock vs Net lock vs SIM lock
The NEC lock system is more detailed than most brands:
- SIM lock (
4960) — locks to a specific SIM card - Net lock (
7320) — locks to a specific operator network (most common — what Three/H3G used) - Net lock 2 (
2220) — secondary network lock - Subnet lock (
1110) — locks to a subset of the network - SP lock (
3210) — Service Provider lock — locks to a service provider (broader than operator) - Corporate lock (
8140) — corporate/enterprise lock
The codes *#3210#, *#4960#, *#7320#, *#8140# each show which locks are active. For most Three/H3G-locked phones, only the Net lock (7320) is active.
Universal GSM Codes — Valid for All NEC GSM
PIN and PUK management:
- Change PIN:
**04*[old]*[new]*[new]# - Change PIN2:
**042*[old]*[new]*[new]# - Unlock with PUK:
**05*[PUK]*[new PIN]*[new PIN]#
Call forwarding:
| Code | Function |
|---|---|
##002# |
Cancel all call forwarding |
##004# |
Cancel conditional forwarding |
*#21# |
Check unconditional forwarding |
*#61# |
Check "no answer" forwarding |
*#62# |
Check "not reachable" forwarding |
*#67# |
Check "busy" forwarding |
**21*[number]# |
Activate unconditional forwarding |
Call barring (default password 0000):
*33*(password)#→ bar outgoing calls*353*(password)#→ bar incoming calls*43#/#43#→ activate/deactivate call waiting
Frequently Asked Questions
What does *#2820# show exactly? The complete firmware version including version number, build date and variant. Useful for verifying whether firmware is up to date and identifying the exact model variant (e.g. e616 vs e616v).
Why must Unfreeze be entered before NCK? NEC 3G phones have a double unlock system. Unfreeze/MCK resets the failed attempt counter — if you've already made failed attempts, Unfreeze resets the counter so you can then enter NCK correctly. Without Unfreeze, NCK may not be accepted.
Does *#2634# change anything about the network lock? No — it only unlocks the APN parameters and GPRS attach. It doesn't affect the SIM/Net/SP locks. It's useful if you can make calls with an unlocked SIM but can't access data/internet.
Does master reset *73738# remove the SIM lock? No — master reset restores user data (contacts, messages, settings) but does NOT remove the SIM/Net lock. The phone remains locked to the original network after reset.
Why were NEC phones common on Three/H3G? NEC was one of the first manufacturers to offer compact, affordable 3G UMTS phones — perfect for Three/H3G, which was betting entirely on 3G. The NEC e313, e616, e606 were ideal as entry-level 3G devices, which is why Three distributed them massively.
What's the difference between e616 and e616v? The "v" suffix indicates a firmware variant, usually with operator-specific customisations. The *#2820# code shows which version is installed. Both use the same unlock procedures.
Original Vintage NEC at Infosate
At Infosate you'll find a selection of original vintage NEC phones — e313, e616, e606, e808, e228 and other iconic models of the Japanese brand, many already unlocked and ready for any SIM.