Iphone 5S, Sim Not Valid

[Anonymous]

Hello!  I bought my Iphone 5s from an O2 store and paid for it fully.  Right now I try to put my foreign Sim card and I keep on getting this message "Sim Not Valid".  What should i do?

[Cleoriff]

Is the phone unlocked?

http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Other-Products-Services/Unlocking-an-O2-phone-to-use-a-different-SIM-ca...

You may have to undertake the swap my sim process..

http://swapmysim.o2.co.uk/

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

Phone is locked. You need to request an unlock from the link given above.

[Anonymous]

Is it a PAYG handset? 

If it is, and you have had it for at least 12 months, then you can request an unlock code, but O2 will charge you £15 (which is deducted from your airtime credit). 

Edit: advice not relevant for an iPhone 5s

[MI5]

iPhones are exempt from the 12 month rule unless it's an iPhone 6.

[Anonymous]

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@MI5 wrote:
iPhones are exempt from the 12 month rule unless it's an iPhone 6.

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Only O2 could come up with something like that  

[Anonymous]

I must admit though, I'm confused by the relevant Help & Support article, which suggests a more black and white situation. But I guess it's covered by this disclaimer:

"This policy may vary according to the handset you have purchased."

Is there an up to date list of all the exceptions? 

[MI5]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Is there an up to date list of all the exceptions? 

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No, we just generally have to work it out for ourselves.

iPhones have always been exempt from the 12 month PAYG rule.

Currently, afaik, the only phone that cannot be unlocked, whilst still on contract, is the iPhone 6 / 6+

[perksie]

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@MI5 wrote:

.

Currently, afaik, the only phone that cannot be unlocked, whilst still on contract, is the iPhone 6 / 6+

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Apparently they can be from today, the unlocking page has been updated:

http://www.o2.co.uk/help/phones-and-devices/unlocking-your-iphone-and-using-it-on-another-network

[Anonymous]

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@MI5 wrote:

No, we just generally have to work it out for ourselves.

iPhones have always been exempt from the 12 month PAYG rule.

Currently, afaik, the only phone that cannot be unlocked, whilst still on contract, is the iPhone 6 / 6+

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Well I'm sure you've asked the question before, so I won't labour the point any further