Network Provider shows Vodafone, but Vodafone sim displays 'Sim is Not Supported'

[PepperDr]

I won a iPhone 6s on eBay some time ago and in General > About, it shows Network Provider as Vodafone UK 49.0.

If I put in my Vodafone Pay as you Go chip (with credit) it displays Sim Card Not Supported.

Without a sim, the phone operates fine and goes to the main menu.

I've also tried EE, O2, Lycramobile, Lebara, Three and Tesco sims with the same error.

I've done a DFU reset but it didn't help.

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @PepperDr 

I take it the iPhone has worked at some time ?

I wonder if it's possible that the iPhone has become imei barred as it's rejecting those sim cards.

You could hook up to iTunes and see if that helps when it syncs.

You can check it's status by using services like checkmend.

If it's been used on Vodafone UK then customer service can also check it's status as well as the Vodafone Social Media Team's Contact-us-for-account-specific-queries. 

Edited to add some potential help links.

https://www.imobie.com/support/bypass-iphone-sim-not-supported-issue.htm 

https://www.tenorshare.com/iphone-tips/fix-iphone-sim-not-supported. 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.payetteforward.com/sim-not-supported-on-iphone-fix/amp/ 

[jeffkinn]

Just as a point of information, iTunes is now a Windows only application. For Mac users, the iPhone is now accessed using Finder when it's connected.

[PepperDr]

Thanks,

I used IMEIcheck and the phone is not blacklisted. 

It says

Carrier: IE Vodafone Locked Activation Policy

Next Tether Policy: 262

Country: Ireland.

Sim Locked: Locked

I'm in London. Could this be the problem?

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @PepperDr 

It could be if the phone is locked to Vodafone IE meaning Ireland it wouldn't accept a Vodafone UK Sim card.

You would have to probably use an unlocking site that's reputable or a highstreet store that advertises they unlock iPhones. 

I am suprised it's locked however as iPhones nowadays are unlocked to all networks.

[jeffkinn]

It’s an iPhone 6 which is probably a 7 year old old device so clearly still sim locked to the Irish network. Using an unlocking service is probably the best way although the phone may relock if you update iOS.