Trouble unlocking iPhone 5

I recently acquired an iPhone 5 from a friend who had originally bought it directly from apple and then brought it to his carrier (Koodo Canada). I am with Virgin Mobile Canada but my friend was under the impression his iPhone was unlocked since he bought it off contract. I cut my sim card down to a nano-sim and put it in the phone, I received the "Sim not valid" error. I took it to a third party to get it unlocked and the worker assured me that iPhone would have been locked to the first sim card put in (Koodo) and that he would have to unlock it. I waited a day for them to unlock it but I still got the same error, after some research I found that virgin mobile only accepts certain phones that run on the same network frequency, regardless of being unlocked. Went back to the store and it seemed like they hadn't made any progress anyways. Apparently, the imei wasn't matching with Koodo when they were trying to send it off to apple. I asked if that could mean that the phone was already unlocked and so the worker took a bell sim card (un-activated) but we still got the same "Sim not valid" error.
Long story short I don't know if my iPhone is locked, or if it just doesn't work on Virgin Mobiles network. If I call Apple can they tell me if the iPhone is unlocked or not or when it was unlocked? (so I know they don't try to rip me off by saying "oh well we actually did unlock it")

No, not unless you imported those pics to your computer.
What should've happen - import the new pics to your computer, then you could've restored your phone and then sync those pics you imported via itunes.

Similar Messages

Hi everyone, Im trying to figure out how I can unlock my iphone 4s. I purchased it in Japan under AU KDDI and i finished my contract, im having trouble unlocking it so I can use it in India. Any suggestions?

Hi everyone, Im trying to figure out how I can unlock my iphone 4s. I purchased it in Japan under AU KDDI and i finished my contract, im having trouble unlocking it so I can use it in India. Any suggestions?

Only the carrier to which it is locked can do it. Contact them.
Please don't use that font. It makes your post difficult to read and people are less likely to take time to read it and help you.

Is anyone having trouble unlocking the new iphone after you lock it?

I was wondering if anyone is having trouble unlocking the new Iphone after you lock it? this has happened to me twice and then I have to reset my phone, I never had this problem with the 4s

Go to expresslane.apple.com and go to itunes/itunes store and billing/redemption and apple ID account billing, and click on send an email or talk to a live chat advisor.. have your order numer, cost, and the name of the item... you'll need to explain in detail. If you send an email they will get back to you within 24 hours. If you chat with a live advisor they will assist you immediately. They are really good at getting you a refund when needed.

HT201406 i have been having trouble my iphone 3gs doesn't work the slide to unlock is broken i have tired everything to get it open but it won't work please help me!

i have been having trouble my iphone 3gs doesn't work the slide to unlock is broken i have tired everything to get it open but it won't work please help me!

Basic troubleshooting steps are: Restart, Reset, Restore,

Hi,i am using iphone mobile and i have trouble from iphone

hi,i am using iphone mobile and i have trouble from iphone
WHEN WE USE IPHONE THEN THE IPHONE 4G IS AUTOMATIC TURN OFF.
AFTER THAT WE CHARGE THE MOBILE & MOBILE IS AUTO ON.
THE PHONE IS 100% CHARGE BUT WE CALL 1-2 CALL THE PHONE IS AUTO SWITCH OFF & WE PLUGGED TO CHARGE THE PHONE THE PONE IS AUTO ON.
PLZ REFENCEE ON THIS MATTER.
PLZ PROVIDED ME BEST SOLUATION BY UR SIDE.
<Edited by Host>

If you updated to iOS 6, you have a 3GS, not a 3G. The 3G can not run anything higher than 4.2.1.
Activation problems are almost always caused by one of 2 problems:
There is no SIM in the phone. A SIM is required for activation.
or
The phone was previously hacked to illegally unlock it. You can not get help here for a hacked phone.

Can I buy an unlocked iPhone 5, activate it in the US and then use it in Italy?

I am an italian guy studying in the states and I want to buy an unlocked iPhone 5 here in the US, but I’ll go back permanently in Italy in May.
1429 CDMA model should well with my ATT sim since it covers all GSM features, right?
Then back in Italy I just need to put in a nano sim from my italian carrier and that’s it…it should work.
Just one more question….is it better to activate the iPhone with US sim or Italian sim i have on my iPad 4?
Although I don’t have internet pack in neither of sims, thus I use WiFi to activate it, but i don’t know if it’s better to put italian sim for some reasons i don’t know…Anyway i’ll use another sim back in Italy (sim in iPad is not my “official” number, i just use it for data pack).
I hope everything is clear and easy to understand.
Thank you!

progjoe wrote:
Matter of fact i do not need LTE in US, i just need normal 3G connection, and there shouldn't be any troubles with ATT for that, right?
Correct, but AT&T will require you sign a contact for new service, whether your phone is unlocked or not. They don't do pay-as-you-go for the iPhone.
Thus 1429 CDMA won't work with LTE in Italy?
Only if roaming with Verizon, otherwise, no.

Problems With Unlocking iphone

Im having Trouble unlocking my iphone, Just paided to have it unlocked, they told me to sync with itunes, and then it should permently be unlocked.
well im having trouble connecting my phone to my itunes, it says; The phone cannot be used because it requires the update 10.6.3
Ive updated it and still doesnt work how do i get it to unlock?

It should say 10.something. Like 10.1, etc. If it does not you need to use your browswer and download and install a new version of iTunes.
http://www.apple.com/itunes/
Message was edited by: deggie

Will the T Mobile unlocked iPhone 6 be compatible in India?

Will the T Mobile unlocked iPhone 6 be usable in India? Can it be used as it is in Indian GSM networks without any unlocking required? I asked my friend who lives in Connecticut to enquire in a T mobile store where the seller told him that it will be locked for 90 days. Is it so? I could not contact live chat support. Please help.

Firstly, the T-Mobile phone is NOT unlocked, but rather contract/sim free. You don't buy the phone directly from a T-Mobile store or the phone will be locked, but you need to get your friend to go and buy the T-Mobile phone contract free directly from the Apple store.
This phone comes with a T-Mobile sim card, but the trick is to take the T-Mobile sim card out of the phone when you receive it and put your local sim card into the phone and then activate it and then it will remain unlocked.
Remember though that if this phone comes from the US, you will have no valid warranty on the phone for India, as iPhone warranty is not international, so if anything goes wrong with the phone, you have to physically take it back to the US - no shipping accepted.
The phone will also not support 4G/LTE, due to frequency differences.
There are no unlocked phones for sale in the US yet, but if you want to risk the T-Mobile phone, then get your friend to go and buy the T-Mobile contract free phone directly from the Apple store and NOT a T-Mobile store - if you go to T-Mobile, then the phone will be locked, but if you get it from Apple, you should be able to take the T-Mobile sim card out of the phone and then activate it with a local sim card and the phone should remain unlocked.
It is only if you activate with the T-Moible sim card that you are in trouble.

Can I transfer my SIM card from an iPhone 4 to an unlocked iPhone 4s?

I broke my old iPhone 4. Instead of going through the hassle, I want to just buy an unlocked iPhone 4s. Can I just transfer the SIM card to the new one with no trouble? Or can I only transfer to an iPhone4? Thamks.

Yep. You can transfer it just fine.

How to activate a Factory unlocked Iphone 4s

When I buy a Verizon IPhone 4s I am able to get a SIM unlock but this is not a unlocked Phone. I am not able to use for example
a AT&T SIM or use is on other CDMA Carriers. It states on the Apple Web-Site if I buy a Factory unlocked phone I am not able to use it on Verizon. This makes absolute no sense. I would like to stay with Verizon (customer for over 10 Years) but since I am traveling all over the world I would like to order a real World Phone.
Does anyone know how to activate a Factory unlocked IPhone 4s on Verizon.

Kufi wrote:
When I buy a Verizon IPhone 4s I am able to get a SIM unlock but this is not a unlocked Phone. I am not able to use for example
a AT&T SIM or use is on other CDMA Carriers. It states on the Apple Web-Site if I buy a Factory unlocked phone I am not able to use it on Verizon. This makes absolute no sense. I would like to stay with Verizon (customer for over 10 Years) but since I am traveling all over the world I would like to order a real World Phone.
Does anyone know how to activate a Factory unlocked IPhone 4s on Verizon.
The Verizon iPhone 4s is a real World Phone...what you are wanting to do is have Verizon service and use GSM networks while in the US...or at least that what it sounds like since you state that you are having trouble using another U.S. carrier's sim card on your phone. You can't do that. But when you are overseas you can use a local carrier's simcard there if you have the Verizon sim unlocked. As far as the Apple unlocked device that can't be used with Verizon...it makes sense because that device is natively a GMS device...so it will work unlocked on other GSM networks but not on VZW's CDMA. In general, it has always been my understanding that unlocked devices (not just sim's) are for use n GSM networks and not CDMA's.

When is the Unlocked Iphone 5 releasing in the US???

I have been waiting since 3 months to buy an Unlocked Version of the Iphone 5, if someone from apple just tells me when it releases?, that would be great.
I am really finding it hard to manage my work and studies without a smart phone so i want to buy the best asap.
I dont want to buy from other countries, i know Unlocked is released in other countries too...

The reason you're having trouble getting an unlocked iPhone 5 is that the U.S. carriers operate proprietary networks and bully the manufactures preventing unlocked options for a period of time. The FCC needs to step in and stop this practice. Its ridiculous to think that one has to buy phones over and over if you must change cell carriers. If a carrier overloads their network and you cant make calls or get incredibly slow internet service then you have to live with the poor service or spend the money on another phone. I actually experienced this issue.
The reality is that the phones are capable of working on all networks. Its a policy and database that keeps it locked to a vendor. The vendors will try to convince you that the phone is specific to their network. Yes, each vendor has specific network specifications defined in the phone software, but this can easily be changed to the vendors specific specifications. The iPhone has the hardware to support all of the US carriers. T the best of my knowledge Apple is not dedicating a manufacturing line for each vendor with specific cellular radios for each. It wouldn’t make economic sense.
Can you imagine what it would be like if you purchased a laptop or tablet and it was locked into a specific WIFI network. Oh you can only run this laptop on Cable Company wireless. There is no difference. The cell carrier should lock the customer into their service by providing a discount for 2 years of service. If their performance fails then the customer should have a way to exit form their contract.
If you really want to change this poor business practice, then go online and file a formal web based complaint with the FCC and FTC. If enough people complain, a law will be put in place to force fair business practices.
FCC Complaint Link:
http://www.fcc.gov/complaints
FTC Complaint Link:
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
Keep pushing back. If enough people complain, this will change.

Siri is prompting to unlock Iphone 6 when pressing home button for voice dial of existing contact

Just upgraded me to an IPhone 6. I restored my new phone from recent back up so all contacts, etc. are there. Also updated to latest OS.
If I depress the home button Siri is now prompting me to unlock my IPhone.
Scenario:
Depress Home button to activate Siri
Say "Call Home:"
Siri responds "You'll need unlock your IPhone first"
Unlock IPhone
Siri responds "Just to confirm - you'd like to call home".
I used to be able to just say "Call home" and it would just dial.....no unlock...no confirmation.
What's changed? Is there a setting I need to tweak?
Running iOS 8.1.1
Thanks

Hi teturner,
I'm sorry to hear you are having issues with your new iPhone 6. If you are unable to voice dial from your lock screen, you may want to see if the setting to disable Siri when the phone is locked is enabled, as is noted here:
Prevent access to Siri when iPhone is locked. Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (iPhone models with Touch ID) or Settings > Passcode (other models). You can also disable Siri by turning on restrictions. See Restrictions.
Siri settings - iPhone
Regards,
- Brenden

Issue with Airplane Mode on legitimately unlocked iPhone

Hi,
I bought an iPhone in Australia from a distributor for one of the large carriers. I bought the white 16Gb outright and paid the fee to have the phone unlocked (as is permitted in Australia). It all worked well with both an Aus and a UK SIM card I had.
The white plastic back then cracked so I took it to an Apple store where they replaced it. I told the Genius that I'd had it unlocked and he said no problems, etc, etc.
He replaced the phone and I took it home, all seemed to work well. Again, with both SIMs.
I installed the 2.2 firmware upgrade.
Now to the troublesome bit.
Sitting in Melbourne airport, about to leave Australia for some significant time, I swapped the SIMs over and the phone started complaining about needing to be connected to iTunes.
I did this and it unlocked (again).
Question 1: Do I really have to connect to iTunes every time I change the SIM?
I replaced the SIM with my Aus one and turned the phone off to fly to Kuala Lumpur. On arrival in KL I swapped SIMs again, went through the hassle of connecting to iTunes to unlock.
Then, as I wanted to use the phone on my net flight to watch movies and play Fuzzle, I turned on Airplane Mode with the UK SIM.
The phone instantly complains about the SIM being changed and asks to be connected to iTunes. I did this (getting annoyed at this point)! This time, iTunes reports that the phone is fauly and I should take to an Apple Store
I then replaced the SIM with my Aus one, and it all started working nicely again including allowing me to use Airporne Mode.
Question 2: Why can't I use Airplane Mode when my UK SIM is installed?
This seems like a bug to me, rather than some complication with Airplane mode. Surely if my phone has been unlocked and I can make calls with both SIMs, then I can use Airplane Mode regardless of which SIM I'm using?
Added complication here is that I'm not going back to Australia for a while (maybe years), so unless Apple are nice to me and decide that the phone is faulty and will replace it in the UK, I'm going to be left with an expensive, and white, iPod Touch.
Cheers for any suggestions,
Ian

I don't think the problem lies specifically with the SIM card, but with the software on the phone.
I would appreciate others trying to replicate my problem with their iPhones. Simple steps (requireing an unlocked iPhone) are...
1. Insert original SIM card (all should be fine)
2. Remove orginal SIM card and replace with second carrier SIM
3. Sync with iTunes to get the phone working again.
4. Either turn on Airplane Mode or turn the phone off and on again.
5. The phone (at least mine) will require you to connect to iTunes again.
Turning on Airplane Mode or turning the phone off and on with the original SIM card inserted doesn't lead to this behaviour.
Ian

How do I make sure the unlocked iPhone 5s I buy on the Apple Store will be compatible with my carrier?

Hi, I'm looking to buy an unlocked iPhone 5s on Apple Store Canada - but my phone carrier, Wind Mobile, has a different frequency. I know this carrier isn't compatible with the iPhones 4s and earlier, but it was working on some versions of the 5. If I buy one here, will it work?

Ask the carrier if they support the iPhone and if it will work.

Hi, i am going to buy and iPhone 5 in france but it says its an unlocked iphone so i guess ir i take it to Ecuador (my country) the iPhone is gonna work with a sim card form Ecuador right¿

Hi, i am going to buy and iPhone 5 in france but it says its an unlocked iphone so i guess if i take it to Ecuador (my country) the iPhone is gonna work with a sim card from Ecuador right¿

If the receipt says "unlocked" (and not "SIM free") then it will work anywhere in the world that there is a GSM network. However, if it ever needs repair you will have to take it back to France.

Trouble unlocking iPhone 5

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for