Radio code recovery

Recover your car radio code from your serial number

Your battery went flat, or a garage disconnected it, and now the radio just says CODE, SAFE or LOCKED. Enter your radio serial number and our team will look up the code and send it to your email. It is free, and it is for owners restoring their own radio.

  • Free radio code requests
  • Processed by our team
  • Owners only

Request your free radio code

Free for owners. A person on our team handles every request.

Please choose your car brand.
Copy every letter and number. Where to find it
Please enter your radio serial number.
Please enter a valid email address.
Please accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Please confirm the owner statement.

Free. Our team processes every request and emails your code. Timing may vary.

Before you start: check for a code cardMany cars came with a small radio code card or a sticker in the owner's manual or service book. Take a quick look in the glovebox first. If you find it, you do not need us at all.
A radio code card showing the radio serial and a four digit security code, next to the owner's handbook

Why your radio is asking for a code

Car battery with the negative lead disconnected and the radio display showing SAFE afterwards

Most factory car radios have a simple security feature. When power is cut, the radio forgets that it is in the right car and asks for its code before it will play again. That is why the screen often shows CODE, SAFE or LOCKED after a flat battery, a new battery, an alternator repair or any job where a garage disconnected the battery.

The code belongs to the radio, not the car. It is linked to the serial number printed on the unit, which is why the serial is the one thing we need from you. Your registration number on its own will not tell anyone what the code is.

How it works

Four steps from a silent radio to music again. Read the full walk through on how it works.

  1. Find your serial number

    Most radios show the serial on a label on the side or top of the unit. Some show it on screen with a button combination. Our serial number guide explains how for each brand.

  2. Send your request

    Pick your brand, type the serial, add your email, accept the terms and confirm you own the radio.

  3. Our team retrieves your code

    Every request is checked and processed by a person on our team. We email the code when it is ready. Timing may vary.

  4. Enter the code

    Follow our guide to entering a radio code so you do not lock the radio.

Choose your car brand

Each brand guide shows where that maker usually puts the serial, how our team handles the request and which official routes are open to you.

Brand guideFordM and V serialsBrand guideVauxhallVauxhall and Opel, Car PassBrand guideRenaultRenault and Dacia, precodeBrand guideVolkswagenVW, Audi, Skoda, SeatBrand guideHondaHonda and AcuraBrand guideToyotaToyota and Lexus, ERCDirectoryAll brandsSee every brand we cover

Supported brands and radio types are listed on each brand page. Not sure about yours? Send a request with your brand in the model box and we will tell you.

Owner recovery only

We only help owners, or people with the owner's permission, get back into a radio they already own. We do not offer tools or software for getting round radio security, and we will not process requests that look like misuse. That is why the form asks you to accept our terms and to confirm the owner statement before anything is sent.

Free official routes

Your dealer or the car maker can often give you the code too, usually with proof of ownership. Some do this free, some charge. We explain the options brand by brand so you can choose. If an official route suits you better, use it. Our job is to make the free request simple when you would rather not book a dealer visit.

What makes a request go smoothly

  • The full serial. Include any letters at the start, such as M or V on many Ford units.
  • The right brand. Choose the brand of the car the radio was fitted to at the factory.
  • A model or radio type if you know it. It is optional, but it helps our team find the right record.
  • An email you can check. Your code arrives by email, so look in your spam folder too.

Newer cars may not need a code

Many newer touchscreen systems are paired to the car electronically and never ask for a typed code. If your screen is blank or showing a different message after a battery change, a dealer may need to re pair the unit. Our brand guides point out where this is common.

Frequently asked questions

Is the radio code really free?

Yes. We do not charge for codes. Our team processes each request and emails the result.

How long does it take?

It depends on the brand and radio type. Some codes come back quickly, others take longer because our team has to retrieve them. Timing may vary.

Can I get my code from my registration number?

Not usually. Radio codes are linked to the radio's serial number, not the car's registration. Some makers can look it up from your VIN through a dealer.

What if my radio is not supported?

We will email you to let you know, and point you to the dealer or official route where one exists.

Where can I find my car radio code?

Start with the code card or sticker in your owner's pack, service book or glovebox. If it is missing, send us your radio serial for a free request, or ask a franchised dealer.

Do I need to remove the radio?

Not always. Many radios can show their serial or precode on screen with a button combination. Our serial number guide explains the options by brand.

More answers on our radio code FAQ.

Request my free code