How to unlock a Smart first 7 which has always been on O2, never Vodaphone

[multiplybaffled]

The VFD 200 has only ever been on an O2 contract and now I want to use the data included on that contract I have tried to connect to wifi and Vodaphone downloaded 17 app updates and then the phone is locked with emergency calls only. I need a NUC apparent.ly.  Where can I get one of those please?

[BandOfBrothers]

It shouldn't have accepted an o2 sim card unless it's been unlocked to all networks.

If the phone wasn't unlocked by the network it was locked to originally then this can sometimes make the phone never work on the original network again as it's been force unlocked.

Using an o2 sim in an unlocked phone wont lock it to o2.

Have you tried keying in o2's Apn settings in manually.

The no service may mean a hardware issue or sim card issue or mast issue or if the phone was bought privately it's been imei locked.

What happens if you try another sim card in it ?

[multiplybaffled]

Why did 17 updates download without asking my permission.  I just wanted to use the data I pay for on my O2 plan. I have never used device on Vodaphone paygo or contract.

[BandOfBrothers]

If a phone has been supplied by Vodafone originally and then unlocked to all networks it will still have Vodafones blend of firmware and bloatware apps on it which is known as a branded phone.

So updates can still be sent in some instances from a wifi connection.

May I ask what were the updates ?

[multiplybaffled]

 Thanks, but I don't know what the 17 updates were.  I can't get past the keypad for emergency calls only since the 1-17 came onto it.

[BandOfBrothers]

Try turning the phone off and remove the sim card.

Give the chip a gentle wipe and re insert then boot the phone back up.

I'm not confident app updates etc would brick a phone  

It has to be something else.

[AnnS]

Hi @multiplybaffled 

When application updates are pushed to the phone, you should have the option of downloading over WiFi or mobile data, you need to make sure WiFi is selected.

If you are going to be using the applications it is important to do the updates, these can very often contain security updates.  With the phone having Vodafone branded firmware you may not be able to remove the applications but you should be able to go into the application permissions and turn these off, this will stop the application accessing some of your phone contents.

Unfortunately, with you using a Vodafone product on an alternative network, there will be nothing to stop the applications being downloaded to your phone, as you are not using Vodafone you really need an O2 branded phone.

[multiplybaffled]

Well it is a good job that Ford and Vauxhall don't work on that principle.  Esso and BP wouldn't sell much.

[AnnS]

@multiplybaffled 

It sounds like you are trying to use a O2 SIM and the phone is still locked to Vodafone.  This would be the reason you are getting emergency calls only.

Before you can even complete the unlock code request, this is going to mean having to use a Vodafone PAYG SIM in the phone for 30 days to prove ownership.  Unlocking your phone or SIM

If the phone has downloaded updates, this won't have used any of your O2 data, it's quite possible the updates were installed over a WiFi connection.

[BandOfBrothers]

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@AnnS wrote:

@multiplybaffled 

It sounds like you are trying to use a O2 SIM and the phone is still locked to Vodafone.  This would be the reason you are getting emergency calls only.

Before you can even complete the unlock code request, this is going to mean having to use a Vodafone PAYG SIM in the phone for 30 days to prove ownership.  Unlocking your phone or SIM

If the phone has downloaded updates, this won't have used any of your O2 data, it's quite possible the updates were installed over a WiFi connection.

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I'm not sure this is the case @AnnS as the OP has stated.....

" The VFD 200 has only ever been on an O2 contract "

This points to my understanding that the op has successfully used their o2 sim card in the phone.

"have never used device on Vodaphone paygo or contract. "