Apple

[T_Moorhouse]

I know this is a repeat topic, but I can't find anything quite matching my circumstances.
I bought an iPhone 3GS off eBay as a replacement to my broken 3G.

The seller has recently upgraded to another phone, but neglected to mention the phone was VF locked.

They sent an unlock form off on Wednesday (25/7) morning, and received a reply on Friday saying the IMEI code was wrong, mistakenly thinking they wanted to unlock the new upgrade.

The form was resubmitted and received this email 3 o'clock today:

The iPhone has now been unlocked – Please replace the SIM (use a SIM which has never been used with this iPhone) and connect to iTunes or perform a software restore via iTunes.

I have done as instructed but are still told 'The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported' in iTunes.

Help?

[bigrbuk]

Same error message here.

Just called the call centre, apparently this is a new error to them - never seen it before (maybe they should check the forum!) and told me to contact Apple.

Apple say to contact the carrier.

Give me my bloody phone!

Unlock reference number (which has apparently been actioned)....

Reference Number: 532001

[jeffkinn]

Apple will never be able to help in this situation. Only the network that the phone is locked to can help. 

Even though you have received an email, the phone clearly isn't unlocked yet. How long is it since yu requested the unlock as it normally takes a week or more for the whole process to complete. I wouild leave it a couple of days and try syncing with iTunes again with a non Vodafone sim.

In the meantime the eforum team here can check your unlock status. One of them will be along soon but they are a small team and work on a first come first served basis so please be patient.

[bigrbuk]

In my case, the second application was done via the call centre on Friday and the confirmation it had been done received on the monday. The online chat people just suggested I back-up / delete all content and try that, but I'm a bit reluctant if I don't have to. Will keep trying for a couple more days before I resort to that I think.

[jeffkinn]

This may be the confirmation that they have sent the request to Apple. Apple then takes several days to process the request and update their lock/unlock database on their servers.

[bigrbuk]

Maybe. They should really think about rewording the email in this case, it clearly states the phone has been unlocked. It would help them to not have people phoning all the time I imagine

[kids]

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bigrbuk wrote:
In my case, the second application was done via the call centre on Friday and the confirmation it had been done received on the monday. The online chat people just suggested I back-up / delete all content and try that, but I'm a bit reluctant if I don't have to. Will keep trying for a couple more days before I resort to that I think.

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From the time you receive the confirmation from Vodafone until the time Apple unlocks the phone can be up to seven working days.

To check the unlock status insert a non-Vodafone sim in the phone before you connect it to iTunes.

Providing you back up your phone in iTunes before you erase all contents and settings you will be able to restore all of the data by restoring the phone from the backup you created (not seeting it up as a new phone) . However a restore should not be necessary, just wait a few days to see if the unlock come through.

[bigrbuk]

Thanks both jeffkinn and kids - it seems that the email they send really is a bit confusing then - much better they tell you it could take this extra time rather than have you believe it's complete now and therefore broken in some way!

[T_Moorhouse]

Wow, a lot to log on to!

Yeah, I'm annoyed that Vodafones Email states the phone is unlocked, if only from their end, without mentioning the time it takes Apple to process.

I'll give it until Friday then see whats going on.

Thanks ever so much guys!

[James]

Hi Guys,

@ T_Moorhouse,

Please can you let me know the reference number for your request so that I can check this for you.

@ bigrbuk,

The email you have received is confirming that the unlock has been confirmed by apple and you need to perform a restore in iTunes with a non Vodafone UK SIM in the phone to complete the unlocking of the device, this will then also install the new carrier settings in the phone for you.

Please can you give this another try and let us know how you get on so we can escalate this through to our NUC teams for you.

James

[bigrbuk]

How can I perform a restore with my non-vodafone SIM inserted - it won't connect to iTunes to give me the option to restore, all I get is the error that the SIM is invalid?!

Followed Apple's own unlocking procedure here http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5014 and now have a phone which still only works with my Vodafone SIM but now has none of my apps installed.

[kids]

Personally I have never had to restore a phone when unlocking the network.

Restoring a phone with the new sim in it will not work until the unlock has been processed by Apple, it looks as though that at the moment that has not been completed as yuou are still seeing the invalid sim message.

Providing you followed the steps in the Apple help document that you linked to and made a back-up of your phone before you tried to restore it and lost your apps you will be able to restore from that backup and it will put back everything as it was when you backed up. Just make sure you select to restore from the backup and not set it up as a new phone.

[bigrbuk]

Unfortunately, that's not what James says above - he say's it has been processed by Apple. Just submitted another NUC request to see where that gets me, in the meantime, I'll try and fix my phone....

[kids]

I think you will find that James said that it had been confirmed by Apple, Meaning they have confirmed the request from Vodafone.

Processing is another matter and unfortunately you are in Apple's hands as to when it is processed.

[hail8]

If the unlock doesn't work you can let the seller know that what the information he posted on ebay was inaccurate, and ask for a return. If he says know you can just solve it in resolution centre on paypal. Best not to be stuck with a phone that has no use! 

[kids]

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hail8 wrote:

If the unlock doesn't work you can let the seller know that what the information he posted on ebay was inaccurate, and ask for a return. If he says know you can just solve it in resolution centre on paypal. Best not to be stuck with a phone that has no use! 

That solution only applies if the seller did give innacurate information.

If sellers do not state any network in the Sim Lock field then it is up to the buyers to satisfy themselves that the phone will work on the network they want it for.

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[Simon]

Hi bigrbuk

Thanks for your reply. If you're getting a SIM invalid error it will mean that the process hasn't been completed yet and the unlock request sent to your IMEI by Apple. Are you still having difficulties with unlocking your phone now or have you been able to rectify this since your last post?

With regards to submitting another NUC request, this will automatically be rejected as there has already been a request for this IMEI. We'll need to chase this up using the existing NUC reference.

If you still require further help then please contact us with the NUC reference via the details I've sent across to you in a PM. You can find your PM inbox here. If you can't access this link, please ensure that the box next to "Turn on private messages" is ticked on this page, and let us know if you need any further assistance.

Thanks

Simon

[T_Moorhouse]

Sorry, i've been abroad, so haven't been online in quite some time.

As it stands: I still can't access the iPhone.

Vodafone say to the seller -

Dear Ms Charmian

Download latest iTunes from "www.iTunes.com"
Plug the iPhone into your computer using your USB Cable.

Run iTunes on your PC.
Start backing up your data,
simply by going on iTunes and on the left side under Devices.

Righ click on the iPhone and choose Backup.
This will take couple of moments.

Then go back on the left hand side on the iTunes under Devices.

More options will appear.

Click "Restore" under the "iPhone Summary" tap .
It will take approxitmatly 20 Minutes for the restore to be completed.

Br
Chris
VFCS

I right click and i only get the option to eject the device.

Really sick of this now.

[James]

Hi T-Moorhouse,

You shouldn’t need to right click on anything as restore should appear on the summery page under check for updates when you connect your iPhone.

 

Can you see this option?

James