iPhone 4 and 4S

[ElliottG]

I recently purchased an iPhone 4 (second hand) which had been used on a vodafone contract. I therefore sent off for a PAYG micro-sim from Vodafone to use with the iPhone 4 instead. I placed the micro-sim in, and it came up with 'Vodafone UK' in the top left hand corner but no actual signal strength? I filled out a NUC form as I was hoping to use it with another network but the e-mail I recieved stated that they 'cannot process the unlocking request if customer has not completed 1 year from the activation date with Vodafone UK service' but what I don't understand is how I have no signal strength if it's the same network, I understand that a sim from another network other than Vodafone wouldn't work but I just don't understand what I have to do to get the PAYG micro-sim working in the iPhone 4. I managed to activate the PAYG sim using an old phone I had but once I place it into the iPhone 4 nothing works.

I'm not sure if it has something to do with the iPhone 4 previously being used with a Vodafone UK contract but at the end of the day I don't mind using the Vodafone UK PAYG sim just as long as I can actually get a signal.

Sorry for the long-winded question but any help would be greatly appreciated.

[kids]

You say you activated the sim using an old phone, unless that was an iPhone you would not have downloaded the correct settings.

Connect the phone to ITunes and it will (should) download the correct carrier settings for an iPhone.

[ElliottG]

I activated it in my old unlocked iPhone 3GS, the iPhone 4 seems to be locked to Vodafone, but the Vodafone PAYG sim that I put into the iPhone 4 doesn't get any signal, it just has the network name in the top left hand corner, it won't let me ring the number to activate hense why I used another phone to activate it and when I plug it into iTunes nothing happens, it just comes up in the side but it still says the correct number for the sim under the general overview

[DaveMcNicoll]

It might be worthwhile doing a checkmend report on it. The symptons you describe indicate that it could be a blacklisted handset.

[ElliottG]

Checkmend? Is this a sort of website? If so then a link or something would be much appreciated.

[ElliottG]

I found the checkmend site and ran the IMEI through it and it returned saying that it has a record of the iPhone 4 being blocked by a cell phone network and that it's currently blocked by a cell phone network.

Any suggestions as to what I can do now to get it unblocked etc?

P.S. Thanks for your help so far!

[kids]

You will need to speak to Vodafone and explain that you purchased the phone and now find it is blocked.

Often what does happen and of course that may not be the case here, is that a phone is lost or stolen or goes missing in some way from the original owner, someone finds it and restores to wipe the data  it and then sells it on to another person. Meanwhile the original owner reports the phone as 'missing' and has the IMEI blocked and it ends up as yours has.

Vodafone will require the person who blocked the phone to request that it is unlocked. Are you in contact with the person who sold you the phone to check the history of it?

[ElliottG]

I'm not in contact with them no, I guess that'll be a problem if it can only be unblocked by whoever blocked it? Or would Vodafone allow for it to be unblocked now that it's in someone else's possession? Maybe even for a fee?

[kids]

You would need to speak to Vodafone to see if they will tell you why the phone was blocked in the first place.

There may be circumstances where it can be unblocked but until you ascertain the reason for blocking I would asume the worst.

[Dave]

Hi ElliottG,

As mentioned, we'd need to take a look at our end to confirm both whether the handset is barred and if so why this was done.

If a bar was requested by the original owner, for security it would need to be them who request the bar to be lifted. It would not be possible to bypass this and unbar for anyone else.

So we can take a closer look, I'm popping you a PM to get your details.

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.

Dave

[aclark10]

Hi I have exactly the same problem and I am in the same situation. I have been sent a new micro-sim & my contract details are being transferred to it as I thought this was the problem. It means when my number gets transferred I am going to be left with no useable phone. Could you PM me so you can check the IMEI number please. Many Thanks

[AnnS]

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aclark10 wrote:

Hi I have exactly the same problem and I am in the same situation. I have been sent a new micro-sim & my contract details are being transferred to it as I thought this was the problem. It means when my number gets transferred I am going to be left with no useable phone. Could you PM me so you can check the IMEI number please. Many Thanks

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If you are using a phone which you have purchased from an online or private seller and the phone is IMEI blocked, due to data protection, Vodafone would be unable to give you any information and your only option would be to go back to the seller.

You can check whether the phone is blocked from CheckMend on the link below.

CheckMend