Apple

[HenryV]

Hi folks,

I'm just hoping that someone can help me get my recently purchased iPhone 3Gs unlocked.

This is my situation:

1) I've recently bought the phone from a friend whose VF contract had expired.

2) I have the VF sim card that she had whilst the contract was running.

3) The iPhone does not now recognise the VF sim as the contract has expired.

4) She has submitted the VF unlock form (1 calender week ago) and recieved a reply informing her that the unlock would take 3 working days.

5) I've connected the phone to iTunes at least twice a day since the reply with my non VF sim in the phone and still get the 'sim not recognised' message.

6) Phone is still locked after 4 working days (1 calender week).

7) I am suspecting that the problem is that the old sim is not now 'live' and that the unlock cannot be activated?

Any advice would be sincerely appreciated.

Regards,

H..

[DaveCD]

Hi HenryV

Thank you for your post and a very warm welcome to the eForum.

Unlike the majority of devices it is unlocked through iTunes from the Apple Database and not using the Vodafone UK Network.

The device would be unlocked using the details from the owners account if on a Pay Monthly agreement or if it was on Pay As You Talk there would need to be a minimum of £19.99 to cover the cost of the unlock.

Do you have the reference number from the confirmation email received as we would be able to email the team for further information.

Many Thanks

DaveCD

eForum Team

[grolschuk]

Does the device not need to be live on the VodafoneUK network while the unlock request is being processed, thus needing an active SIM in (which it sounds like it does not have)?

[HenryV · Accepted solution]

Update;

Happy now

Many thanks for taking the time to reply Dave.

My friend rang VF again and they said (apparently) that the issue was that the contract had expired but they would unlock it anyway free of charge.

It would however (said VF) take up to '3 working days'.

It was unlocked when I plugged into iTunes the morning after on the 14th March.

I got the "Congratulations" screen in iTunes.

This is my second used iPhone and the second I've had to get unlocked.  The last iPhone was locked to O2.  Funny how getting the said "Congratulations" screen makes you feel like you've won the lottery lol.

Happy as a pig in 'Shetland'

Thanks too Grol for your reply.

I suspected that this might be the problem too.  However (whilst being no expert) I can confirm that being on the VF network is unnecessary.  At no point in the process was the phone on the VF network with a VF sim.

I hope my experience may be useful to any other forum users with a similar problem.

Regards,

H..

[jeremytopp15]

oh haaay,

im not sure what im doing,

basically my friend gave me her iphone 3gs when she was due her upgrade, to the 4s,

so she filled in the online form for me just now,as i have a 02 sim.

now, her sim is now in her new handset, and the old handset is simless. im using my 02 sim in an old sumsung till i can figure out what i need to do.

 

soo we got an email with a ref #8733729, actually i got 2 as she emailed twice by mistake, #8733717

saying it will be processed

do i need her to do anything else? do i need her sim? how long does the process take?

cheers!

[Wayne]

Hi jeremytopp15 and welcome to the eForum

I can check those references for you to give you an update however your phone is most likely already unlocked. All you need to do is to put your O2 SIM into the handset and connect it to iTunes. This will then perform the unlock and notify you that your phone is ready to use.

Please let me know if this is not the case and I’ll be happy to check the references for you.

Thanks

Wayne

If you have a spare minute could you please take the time to fill out a short feedback form about me?

You can do so here

[Missboo]

Hi,

I went into my local store on Sunday to request an unlock code for my 3Gs, how long does it usually take from the store requesting it to me receiving it my email please. This was on a contract with yoursevles so advised there was no charge.

Thanks in advance,

Georgina

[Missboo]

Hello,

I went into my local store on sunday for an unlock code for my 3Gs, how long roughly does it take for them to process it? I gave them the IMEI number and my email. 

Thanks in advance,

Georgina

[kids]

---

Missboo wrote:

Hello,

I went into my local store on sunday for an unlock code for my 3Gs, how long roughly does it take for them to process it? I gave them the IMEI number and my email. 

Thanks in advance,

Georgina

Generally 4-5 working days.

Connect your phone to iTunes after that period with a non Vodafone UK sim card and see if you get the 'congratulations your phone in now unlocked' message.

---

[Missboo]

Lovely, thank you very much  

I shall give it a go 

[jade_salisbury]

i need to unlock my contract phone as i have now left vodaphone and have paid my final bill.

how do i get it unlocked as i have had the phone for 2 years now.

Jade

[DaveCD]

Hi jade_salisbury

Thank you for your post and a very warm welcome to the eForum.

In order to unlock your device please complete the Network Unlock Code Request Form.

Many Thanks

DaveCD
eForum Team

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