Ok guys sp ive just sold my iphone as unlocked, i contacted Vodaphone to get the unlock code but been told the IMEI number they have doesnt match the one provided. now i kn ow why this is, its because 3 month ago a got a cracked screen so went to apple and paid £140 under the apple replacement service. do this mean that the phone they gave me will be locked to Vodaphone? there was no mention of it being locked at the time.
Iphone Help
- Thread starter Nova2k7
- Start date
Nova2k7 said:
If the donor iPhone is carrier locked to a carrier the out of warranty or in warranty replacement will be locked to the carrier who holds the lock
This is nothing to do with Apple ,carriers apply the lock and only they can sanction it's removal
Apple Genius bar replacing an locked iPhone with an unlocked device would be a serious breach of the agreement between Apple and the carrier and may happen accidentally ,although unlikely
it is not a practice you can expect
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Anonymous
Guest
Easiest way to confirm is to try another sim in it! If you've already sold and sent the phone, be honest with the buyer and ask them to try.
It makes sense that the replacement phones in the Apple Store would be unlocked, as they don't know which network they will end up on, but I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes "locked" as part of the process of assigning it to you? I had my 5 replaced a few weeks back so could try, but I don't think I've got any sims for other networks anymore.
Either way, if the phone is out of contract (and I think some networks let you unlock it even if it is in contract) then they should unlock it, but I don't know the process for Vodafone.
It makes sense that the replacement phones in the Apple Store would be unlocked, as they don't know which network they will end up on, but I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes "locked" as part of the process of assigning it to you? I had my 5 replaced a few weeks back so could try, but I don't think I've got any sims for other networks anymore.
Either way, if the phone is out of contract (and I think some networks let you unlock it even if it is in contract) then they should unlock it, but I don't know the process for Vodafone.
Carriers lock an iPhone because they have subsidised the original cost .Apple sells unlocked iPhones at full price
When you buy on contract from any UK carrier (or elsewhere for that matter)the iMEI goes into an Apple Database ,maintained for the carriers, an iPhone will stay on the database until the carrier requests through internal systems for the iMEI to be removed as they have approved a lock The user then restores as new and the iPhone is then carrier free
When Apple exchanges the device for in or out of warranty reasons the new IMEI is also listed as locked to the carrier and will remain locked until the carrier formally requests for it to be unlocked
When you buy on contract from any UK carrier (or elsewhere for that matter)the iMEI goes into an Apple Database ,maintained for the carriers, an iPhone will stay on the database until the carrier requests through internal systems for the iMEI to be removed as they have approved a lock The user then restores as new and the iPhone is then carrier free
When Apple exchanges the device for in or out of warranty reasons the new IMEI is also listed as locked to the carrier and will remain locked until the carrier formally requests for it to be unlocked
wegras said:
called and spoke with Vodafone again, and they keep saying that if its come direct from apple it should be unlocked. but ive also put another request in for them to send me an unlock code. all the seem to go on about is me trying another sim card in the phone! unfortunately i done have one laying around!
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Anonymous
Guest
Nova2k7 said:
When they say to you "if its come from Apple it should be unlocked" I'm wondering if they think you bought it unlocked from Apple, i.e. full price. Perhaps they don't realise it was a replacement.
As I said, and they've said....trying another sim is the only way to test for sure. You can get them cheaply, or even free, although some make you top up when you get it.
Nova2k7 said:
you can do two things ,go to an Apple store and the Genius bar may check the Apple data base to see if it is listed locked
call AppleCare in UK and they may also tell you you will need serial ,IMEI all available in settings>>>about on the iPhone
(44) 0844 209 0611
or borrow a non Vodafone sim and see if that will give you a link to that carrier or gives an error message as in ' use a sim from a supported carrier or like '
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Anonymous
Guest
I would go into town and buy a pay as you go sim for it, obviously for a different network. Try Tescos, I think they are only 99p for the sim card?
Seems that's your quickest way.
If that fails, then be honest with the buyer - if you are up front and honest, they will be more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt and let you get it sorted. Or you could ask the buyer what network they are on, then just try it when you deliver it (will save you the hassle of buying a new sim). Again, honesty is the only route here as you are looking for their understanding. Just say it should be unlocked etc, and if it isn't, then ask for a few days to sort it out.
Seems that's your quickest way.
If that fails, then be honest with the buyer - if you are up front and honest, they will be more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt and let you get it sorted. Or you could ask the buyer what network they are on, then just try it when you deliver it (will save you the hassle of buying a new sim). Again, honesty is the only route here as you are looking for their understanding. Just say it should be unlocked etc, and if it isn't, then ask for a few days to sort it out.