topic Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2! in Apple

O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:53:56 GMT

I bought my iphone 5 from Carphone warehouse on it's release, it was supposed to be SIM FREE, little did I know it gets locked to the first SIM that is inserted in to the phone.

After my contract ran out with O2, now with the ability to shop around, O2 refuses to unlock my phone, while in the same time refuse to match any offers on other networks for contract renewal.

I think this anti compeitive, espically 6 months after it's release, with iPhone 5 in pentful supply. All other networks now freely allow their phone to be unlocked, with O2 refuses to do so, even though I did not buy my iPhone from them in the first place!

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

perksie — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:35:29 GMT

You are correct and there has been much on this here:

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Welcome-News/iPhone-5-is-coming-to-O2/m-p/280068/highlight/true#M3230

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:21:43 GMT

A much discussed subject.

Cpw charging the same as apple do for a sim free ip5 and then lock it to the first network sim is shady. I know they put it in small print but as so many people have complained it wasn't enough in sight in my opinion.

I agree with you and as other networks now unlock and the soon to be released iPhone 5s later this year it's about time they started unlocking it.

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:31:12 GMT

I was considering buying an iPhone 5 from O2 but have heard that O2 will only sell locked devices. Do other carriers have this policy? If not who would you recommend?

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

jonsie — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:59:03 GMT

Most networks sell phones locked to their own network but other companies are unlocking them after the qualifying period. O2 have not announced their unlocking schedule as yet.

If you can afford it, best bet is to buy sim free from Apple.

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:08:41 GMT

From the information I have found on the Internet ONLY O2 are currently refusing to unlock. Is this true?

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

jonsie — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:19:38 GMT

As far as I'm aware, yet that's correct. But bear in mind if you get a contract phone the other operators will probably unlock it for you but if you get a P&G phone all operators have a qualifying period as to when they will unlock the phone.

I am expecting that O2 will soon be unlocking the iphone 5 but there is nothing official as yet.

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:24:33 GMT

I will purchase my iphone 5 from Apple, but will not risk inserting an O2 sim, even if purchased sim free. Seems that O2 want to take control of the iPhone even when purchased sim free!

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

MI5 — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:29:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I will purchase my iphone 5 from Apple, but will not risk inserting an O2 sim, even if purchased sim free. Seems that O2 want to take control of the iPhone even when purchased sim free!

You are talking complete rubbish !!

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

jonsie — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:31:10 GMT

Buy sim free from Apple and it remains sim free no matter whose simcard you put in.

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:46:19 GMT

iPhone 5 even when bought sim free has been locked to O2 in some cases. O2 seem to take control of sim free phones and refuse to unlock them. Only posting what I have heard.

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

jonsie — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:51:28 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
iPhone 5 even when bought sim free has been locked to O2 in some cases. O2 seem to take control of sim free phones and refuse to unlock them. Only posting what I have heard.

That's when bought from independents such as CPW and is mentioned in the small print on their web page. This doesn't happen when buying from Apple.

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:57:43 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
iPhone 5 even when bought sim free has been locked to O2 in some cases. O2 seem to take control of sim free phones and refuse to unlock them. Only posting what I have heard.
That's when bought from independents such as CPW and is mentioned in the small print on their web page. This doesn't happen when buying from Apple.

...Usually

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:59:27 GMT

As far as I am concerned sim free should mean sim free, and not sim free with conditions attached. When people pay out £500 or £600 without any contract involved O2 should not lock MY phone.

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:02:14 GMT

It is the T&Cs of CPW (and other 3rd party retailers) that the phone will lock to the network.

It isn't O2 sneakily hijacking your purchase, it is the terms of the shop you purchased it from. It would lock to any network which you put a sim in it for.

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:07:13 GMT

I think I will purchase my iphone5 sim free from Apple and use a Vodafone sim. Just to be on the safe side and avoid an O2 lock-in!

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:08:53 GMT

As mentioned above - if you buy it from Apple you can use any sim card. The phone will not be locked to that network.

If you buy it from CPW - any sim you use (O2, voda, etc.) will lock it to that network.

Buying from Apple is the best solution as you are free to go from network to network.

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:13:14 GMT

Thank you for the advice opium.
Why do O2 make a phone purchase so consumer unfriendly?

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:16:51 GMT

I don't understand what it is that O2 have done wrong?

This is about a purchase made from CPW.

If you bought it from O2 then that would be a different story - as I believe it is getting a bit ridiculous now that O2 still don't unlock the iPhone 5. We can only hope that this will be allowed ASAP.

Re: O2 does not unlock iPhone 5 even if it was not bought from O2!

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:29:00 GMT

The very reason I will not use O2. After being an O2 customer for over 10 years I feel O2 are not behaving in a fair manner and will therefore take my custom elsewhere.