topic iPhone 6S bought sim-free in Apple

iPhone 6S bought sim-free

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 18:08:32 GMT

I purchased a 6s from CPW sim free and put in an o2 sim I had lying around to activate it while I waited for a replacement for my contract sim (on EE). Stupidly didn't realise they locked to the first carrier and now can't get the phone unlocked. Are CS normally as obstructive as I have encountered recently? Put a request in for an unlock, no contact after the 72 hours. Tried live chat, told that I had to go to CPW to unlock, which I know is not correct. Tried live chat again, told that Apple had not "authorised" o2 to unlock 6s. Spoke to Apple, obviously they told me they cannot help. Is there any way I can get this unlocked or should I try and return it to CPW for a replacement?

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

MI5 — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 18:11:57 GMT

CPW can reset the phone to an unactivated state to allow you to activate it to your EE account but it will then re-lock to EE.
If you bought the phone at full price from CPW and it's all paid for O2 should unlock it for you though, either with a PAYG sim or by using someones contract sim (for free).
http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Other-Products-Services/Unlocking-an-O2-phone-to-use-a-different-SIM-card/td-p/540294

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

Bambino — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 18:14:47 GMT

It will be six months at least before O2 will unlock the iPhone 6S. If you've just bought it from CPW then you need to return it there, but I believe that if you bought the phone in store there is no period of grace for returns.

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

MI5 — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 18:20:58 GMT

O2 made the ruling last year that they would unlock phones that were fully paid for in advance of the 6 month rule - you may have to keep trying cs though until you get someone to accept this for you.

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

Bambino — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 18:25:36 GMT

Having never bought a sim free phone from CPW, do they not tell people who purchase iPhones that they will be locked to the first sim that's inserted? If not, why not?

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

MI5 — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 18:28:26 GMT

They should do and it's now pretty common knowledge. It's certainly on the website.

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

Cleoriff — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 18:57:45 GMT

I have just checked CPW returns policy. Instore and online and they do offer 14 days for O2 phones

http://selfhelp.carphonewarehouse.com/SelfHelp/request.do?view%28%29=c{1ff75c90-bcb9-11de-e56d-000000000000}

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

MI5 — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 19:02:57 GMT

They won't swap it just because you locked it to the wrong network.

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

MI5 — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 19:03:35 GMT

But they may reset it for you.

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 19:53:04 GMT

Cpw will reset the phone for you.. someone made the same mistake that was next to me the other day.. and they did it for them

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 19:55:06 GMT

It's not very clear on their website that iPhones lock to the first carrier though. o2 should unlock but their "Gurus" seem to think that Apple and CPW have access to the IMEI database to get that changed. It's like banging my head against the proverbial. Request is in again, hopefully it gets resolved soon.

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

MI5 — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 20:23:29 GMT

"iPhone will lock itself to the network of the first SIM card that is used in the phone. Subsequently attempting to use it on any other network, for example by replacing the SIM card, may mean it becomes permanently unusable. SIM free iPhones can only be used with a UK-network SIM card, and will not accept foreign SIM cards."
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/apple/iphone-6?dealtype=SimFree&capacity=16GB

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

Anonymous — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 21:07:16 GMT

o2 CAN unlock the phone, they just don't train their "gurus" enough for them to have the knowledge to do it. I'm going to take this to Ofcom and make a complaint. They really don't know what they're doing.

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

MI5 — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 21:11:55 GMT

Yes we know they can, we've already said that.
It's just o2 policy not to unless it's fully paid for, for the first 6 months or so and this is sanctioned by OFCOM so I doubt they will be interested in your mistake tbh.
You have been advised to seek help from CPW or get back onto o2 and explain if the phone has been purchased outright.

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

Anonymous — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 21:50:10 GMT

Is there any reason for your tone? I thought this was meant to be a community. Instead it seems like a board of o2 fan boys who are not able to accept that CS are useless. I have explained that the phone was purchased outright a number of times, but I really cannot get through to any one who knows what they're talking about.

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

Cleoriff — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 21:57:23 GMT

Actually I didn't realise you had purchased the phone outright. I presumed it was bought on contract from CPW. If it is paid for.... there is absolutely no reason for it not to be unlocked...

Not sure without reading back whether you have already completed the unlock form?

https://www.o2.co.uk/apps/help/help?qid=1&q1=2&route=unlocking&case=Handset%20Unlocking%20Form

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

Anonymous — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 22:12:18 GMT

Yes, I've completed two, latest one came back saying they don't unlock iPhone 6s and the first was ignored. CS keep telling me to go back to CPW, I'm running out of patience at this point.

Re: iPhone 6S bought sim-free

MI5 — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 22:12:22 GMT

Indeed I've asked a number of times if purchased outright and the question wasn't answered and as I've said, as so, call CS and explain and they will unlock it for you.
PS, I don't have a tone - but it seems you do.....?