Unlocking an iPhone 5 (Pay & Go)

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

Hoping you can help...

Bought an iPhone 5 from Apple directly (therefore unlocked?) and put an O2 payg sim card in it. This appears to have locked it to O2 as when I try to use a Three sim it says 'Sim Not Valid' (and won't activate).

I believe that to unlock the iPhone 5 I need to pay £15 (from my payg credit) which isn't a problem, but my question is... If I do this, then use another payg sim card in the phone (from Three for example) will it just re-lock the phone to Three? Is this the case with iPhones when used on payg?

I used to have a contract phone and an unlocked phone is exactly that, but seems to be different for payg?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Sam

[Anonymous]

This would lend weight why they want you to activate the iPhone in store.

Possibly so they don't get returning unhappy customers !

[MI5]

No flippin wonder people get confused !!!

[Anonymous]

Definitely.

The Apple specialist was a little guarded with his response when I asked the specific question.

[MI5]

I'm not surprised

[Anonymous]

What I was told in the Apple store about PAYG and Unlocked iPhones locking out to some network sim cards just didnt sit right.

So after speaking to an online specialist they have linked me to this info which states neither will lock out at all.

About the unlocked iPhone

Unlocked iPhone isn't tied to one network, so you have the freedom to choose any supported GSM network worldwide. Buy unlocked iPhone at the Apple Online Store, then find a SIM-only plan for iPhone. Or contact your existing carrier to continue with your current plan.

About Pay as you go.

If you don’t want a service plan, you can add a Pay as you go starter pack from one of the available carriers at the Apple Online Store. With Pay as you go, your iPhone arrives ready to use with a compatible SIM and no credit check is needed. You just pay online for what you use and you can change networks at any time. Pay as you go is a good option if you prefer to use a local network when travelling abroad.

[MI5]

That was my understanding and this bit

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@Anonymous wrote:

About Pay as you go.

If you don’t want a service plan, you can add a Pay as you go starter pack from one of the available carriers at the Apple Online Store. With Pay as you go, your iPhone arrives ready to use with a compatible SIM and no credit check is needed. You just pay online for what you use and you can change networks at any time. Pay as you go is a good option if you prefer to use a local network when travelling abroad.

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is when I believe the phone will lock - ie if you bought it with a PAYG starter pack, as I assume Apple will get a network commission on those sales?

[Anonymous]

I thought that but it does say :

You just pay online for what you use and you can change networks at any time.

Pay as you go is a good option if you prefer to use a local network when travelling abroad.

Which would indicate the iPhone remains unlocked on Payg.

[MI5]

It does imply that, but we have heard of Apple shop bought phones locking - Unless these were processed as "upgrades"....???

[Anonymous]

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@MI5 wrote:
It does imply that, but we have heard of Apple shop bought phones locking - Unless these were processed as "upgrades"....???

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I honestly think that too.

The contract versions whether its a new one or upgrade do lock out to the first sim, as advised today online.

I think the Apple Store specialist was not either listening correctly or mis heard me. Well that's when he looked up from the iPad he was cradling used to meet and greet customers.

[MI5]

Makes sense in that respect then.....