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iPhone 6 unlocking UK.

N

nellisere

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 5, 2011
108
36
Hi everyone, I understand a lot of people on here aren't from the UK but I'm not sure where else to put it.

Basically, I bought my phone from CarphoneWarehouse outright and their policy is that the phone locks to the network of the first sim that's put in the iPhone, which was fine at the time as I was with Three, but now I have switched to EE. This is where the problems start. I filled out the unlocking form with three and got an email shortly after saying my phones already unlocked, so I rang three. What I have worked out is that they do an IMEI check, and because the phone was unlocked at the time of purchase, it shows on apples systems as unlocked, so they won't process the unlock. Has anyone else had a similar issue? Is it possible to speak to apple to get the unlocked status changed to locked so I can continue with the unlock process through three?
 
nellisere said:
Hi everyone, I understand a lot of people on here aren't from the UK but I'm not sure where else to put it.

Basically, I bought my phone from CarphoneWarehouse outright and their policy is that the phone locks to the network of the first sim that's put in the iPhone, which was fine at the time as I was with Three, but now I have switched to EE. This is where the problems start. I filled out the unlocking form with three and got an email shortly after saying my phones already unlocked, so I rang three. What I have worked out is that they do an IMEI check, and because the phone was unlocked at the time of purchase, it shows on apples systems as unlocked, so they won't process the unlock. Has anyone else had a similar issue? Is it possible to speak to apple to get the unlocked status changed to locked so I can continue with the unlock process through three?
Click to expand...

Three's phone support are absolutely useless for anything that's not on their scripts.

The best thing to do is to get in touch with three on Twitter. They're based in this country, and generally know what they're talking about.
 
Go to your local Apple Store and show them your receipt with the full purchase price. They will put the White flag request through for you.

Alternatively if you call three they should unlock it for you given it wasn't there device to lock.
 
nellisere said:
Hi everyone, I understand a lot of people on here aren't from the UK but I'm not sure where else to put it.

Basically, I bought my phone from CarphoneWarehouse outright and their policy is that the phone locks to the network of the first sim that's put in the iPhone, which was fine at the time as I was with Three, but now I have switched to EE. This is where the problems start. I filled out the unlocking form with three and got an email shortly after saying my phones already unlocked, so I rang three. What I have worked out is that they do an IMEI check, and because the phone was unlocked at the time of purchase, it shows on apples systems as unlocked, so they won't process the unlock. Has anyone else had a similar issue? Is it possible to speak to apple to get the unlocked status changed to locked so I can continue with the unlock process through three?
Click to expand...

I bought mine unlocked from Apple. I can use different sims no problem. I'd give Apple a call to see if they can sort it for you. Shouldn't be a problem if you have a recipt saying it was bought unlocked.
 
Gav2k said:
Go to your local Apple Store and show them your receipt with the full purchase price. They will put the White flag request through for you.

Alternatively if you call three they should unlock it for you given it wasn't there device to lock.
Click to expand...

Scrap the call three thing then lol

Question though you don't mention trying your new SIM card.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. Unfortunately my local Apple Store is an hour drive. I tried my new sim and it comes up with sim not valid. Three are trying to sort it out but not much hope. They're twitter team told me to phone up. Didn't know it could be done in apple stores? Always thought they redirected you to the network it's locked to, they did when I rang up for my iPhone 5.
 
nellisere said:
Thanks for the replies guys. Unfortunately my local Apple Store is an hour drive. I tried my new sim and it comes up with sim not valid. Three are trying to sort it out but not much hope. They're twitter team told me to phone up. Didn't know it could be done in apple stores? Always thought they redirected you to the network it's locked to, they did when I rang up for my iPhone 5.
Click to expand...

Call Apple you are still within the 90 day phone support period

Apple will direct you to the network as that's there default. But if it's a full price purchase then it shouldn't lock to any network..
 
Unfortunately it's carphone warehouse's policy for iPhones that they lock to the first sim network that was placed in the phone. I'll go in the shop and ask as I paid the full £539 for it. They warned me it would lock but never mentioned that it wouldn't be able to be unlocked.
 
nellisere said:
Unfortunately it's carphone warehouse's policy for iPhones that they lock to the first sim network that was placed in the phone. I'll go in the shop and ask as I paid the full £539 for it. They warned me it would lock but never mentioned that it wouldn't be able to be unlocked.
Click to expand...

Honestly call apple
 
Applejuiced said:
You're serious?
:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I've never had to ring them before haha.

Spoke to a senior advisior. He said he had heard of a couple of similar cases before. He confirmed that the activation policy shows the phone is locked to three and to tell three that and if there are any issues he's given me a direct contact number for him so we shall see how things go tomorrow!
 
Apple in my experience will not get involved in unlocking an iPhone that's been locked by a Network.

I remember when the iPhone 5 was first released and Carphone Warehouse were doing the same then, all of course in their small print , even when as you say the full retail price was being paid. Ridiculous.

I hope the Network its locked to can help.
 
It's something that carphone warehouse shouldn't do and apple should clamp down on.
 
I agree it can be misleading as many don't see the small disclaimer on their shops point of sale.

The Cpw salesperson should at the minimum be expected to point this 'locking out' to the first SIM card out o the customer so an informed decision then can be made to proceed or not.

It's not Apples fault as they are after all a business who will supply whichever type of handset that is requested. They can't be expected to intervene into another businesses selling practices.
 
You're going to need to visit a store with your purchase receipt that states it was sold unlocked. Then, they will escalate your case to get the lock removed as it paid for in full, it normally takes 24-48 hours but can be longer over weekends.

If you haven't tried already, restore the phone and see if the unlock policy gets sent to your phone otherwise, a drive to an Apple Store is required because as far as I'm aware, AppleCare don't process those cases over the phone unless a case has already been opened from a store.

Just remember your proof of purchase!
 
Willis said:
You're going to need to visit a store with your purchase receipt that states it was sold unlocked. Then, they will escalate your case to get the lock removed as it paid for in full, it normally takes 24-48 hours but can be longer over weekends.

If you haven't tried already, restore the phone and see if the unlock policy gets sent to your phone otherwise, a drive to an Apple Store is required because as far as I'm aware, AppleCare don't process those cases over the phone unless a case has already been opened from a store.

Just remember your proof of purchase!
Click to expand...

Hi

Herein lies the issue. They don't sell them as stated Unlocked.

This is on their home website.

"iPhone will lock itself to the network of the first SIM card that is used in the phone. Subsequently attempting to use it on any other network, for example by replacing the SIM card, may mean it becomes permanently unusable. SIM free iPhones can only be used with a UK-network SIM card, and will not accept foreign SIM cards."
 
bandofbrothers said:
Hi

Herein lies the issue. They don't sell them as stated Unlocked.

This is on their home website.

"iPhone will lock itself to the network of the first SIM card that is used in the phone. Subsequently attempting to use it on any other network, for example by replacing the SIM card, may mean it becomes permanently unusable. SIM free iPhones can only be used with a UK-network SIM card, and will not accept foreign SIM cards."
Click to expand...

Wow... why buy from them and not Apple?! That seems a little messed up
 
Willis said:
Wow... why buy from them and not Apple?! That seems a little messed up
Click to expand...


Many did because someone's Network didn't have them Instock and didn't have a local Apple Store to buy from and wanted it 'now'. ;)

Carphone Warehouse was one of the main players that had them available.
 
bandofbrothers said:
Many did because someone's Network didn't have them Instock and didn't have a local Apple Store to buy from and wanted it 'now'. ;)

Carphone Warehouse was one of the main players that had them available.
Click to expand...

No wonder they were available because thats a shoddy sales practice from my point of view. I'd of just waited
 
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