Samsung Galaxy Alpha invalid sim

[Jonburmingham]

Hi all.

Hope this is in the right place.

I bought an unlocked Galaxy Alpha a few months ago for my wife. Got her (and my daughter) a sim on my account with the data sharer.

Last night my wife had an invalid sim error on her phone.

She has been using sim fine for months. Haven't changed any sims or taken this sim out but now it is asking for a code??

She is running Android 5.0.2

Any help is most appreciated

[Jonburmingham]

I will ask him now. Is there anyway for me to now get the phone unlocked if that is where the issue is?

[drey_p]

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@Jonburmingham wrote:
I will ask him now. Is there anyway for me to now get the phone unlocked if that is where the issue is?

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If it is a locking issue, it probably would have locked up to the original network.  You'd need to get your friend to help you with this as I am assuming it was an unwanted upgrade.  Your friend will need to contact the network that provided the phone and follow their process to get it unlocked. 

[BandOfBrothers]

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@Jonburmingham wrote:
I will ask him now. Is there anyway for me to now get the phone unlocked if that is where the issue is?

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Do you know what Network it was locked to and ask tbe original owner if they used the network to unlock it or by other means. i.e. An online unlocking site, market stall or Highstreet store. 

[Jonburmingham]

I have a feeling he may have used a market stall to unlock it as he can't remember the network either.

Can it still be unlocked and used again?

[drey_p]

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@Jonburmingham wrote:
I have a feeling he may have used a market stall to unlock it as he can't remember the network either.

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That's kinda what I thought when I mentioned not doing an official unlock a few posts up.

You could always use CheckMend and see which network it is locked to.  Then approach them and find out what their unlocking policy is.  You may be able to buy a PAYG SIM card, use it in the device and then request the unlocking but it is down to the individual network.

The alternative is to go for an unofficial unlock, but you run the risk of the same issue in the future.

[BandOfBrothers]

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@Jonburmingham wrote:
I have a feeling he may have used a market stall to unlock it as he can't remember the network either.

Can it still be unlocked and used again?

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Hi @Jonburmingham

Can't remember the network ?

This is is why I mentioned in post 3 "Another possible issue is the original owner had it force unlocked to all networks which hasn't held. "

You could try each of the main networks SIM cards in it. 

If none work it could be borked. 

[Jonburmingham]

I'll try check mend now. I only have Vodafone sims in the house but will try a Vodafone shop tomorrow and see if they can help. Thanks for the suggestions guys. Really appreciate it.

[BandOfBrothers]

You're very welcome and please do let us know how you get on. 

[drey_p]

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@Jonburmingham wrote:
I'll try check mend now. I only have Vodafone sims in the house but will try a Vodafone shop tomorrow and see if they can help. Thanks for the suggestions guys. Really appreciate it.

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Just so you're aware, a Vodafone shop won't be able to help unlock a device that isn't locked to Vodafone.  You have to approach the network to whom the device is locked in order to get it unlocked. 

[Jonburmingham]

Ok. I'll see what they say. I've done my checkmend report and it came back all clear but didn't provide me with a carrier??