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on 11-05-2016 18:49
The problem is I am selling the handset and have no laptop and also no sim as it won't be mine. I have erased all setting etc so if a buyer inserts a new sim do they then have to plug it into a laptop or should it start working straight away?
Help please!!
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on 12-05-2016 11:37
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on 12-05-2016 11:37
See apple support here
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201328
Unlock your iPhone
First, your carrier will need to process your unlock request. Then you'll back up, erase, and restore your iPhone to unlock it.
Start the process:
- See if your carrier offers unlocking. Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone.
- Contact your carrier and request an unlock. You might need to meet requirements to qualify for unlocking. After you submit the request to your carrier, it might take a few days to complete. Contact your carrier for the status of your unlock request.
- After your carrier confirms that your iPhone unlock has been processed, go to the next section.
If you have a SIM card from a carrier other than your current carrier, follow these steps:
- Remove your SIM card and insert the new SIM card.
- Complete the setup process.
If you don't have another SIM card you can use, follow these steps to complete the process:
- Back up your iPhone.
- When you have a backup, erase your iPhone.
- Restore your iPhone from the backup you just made.
Please select the post that helped you best and mark as the solution. This helps other members in resolving their issues faster. Thank you.
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on 11-05-2016 18:56
You don't need to connect to iTunes now. The phone should be unlocked. Easiest way to check is just to insert another sim from the other main networks. Free online.
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on 11-05-2016 18:59
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on 11-05-2016 19:08
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on 11-05-2016 19:08
Many iPhones are sold this way.
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on 12-05-2016 11:16
I think that you will find that if you put a new sim into the iPhone it will not work. You must connect to iTunes via a MacBook or PC for it to unlock. The unlock code comes from Apples servers.
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on 12-05-2016 11:20
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on 12-05-2016 11:20
@Anonymous wrote:I think that you will find that if you put a new sim into the iPhone it will not work. You must connect to iTunes via a MacBook or PC for it to unlock. The unlock code comes from Apples servers.
Sorry but you are wrong.
The IMEI is whitelisted on Apples servers so as soon as the phone connects it recognises it as unlocked.
This process changed way back with iOS7 introduction.
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on 12-05-2016 11:30
Also, I am pretty sure that if you switch FIND MY PHONE off so that the new owner can activate it with his own Apple ID and password he must put in a valid sim in the phone to activate it.
If the phone has not been connected with iTunes, the new sim that the new owner puts in will not be valid.
So I would say that you must connect it to a MacBook or PC and get the message from Apple about your phone being unlocked before you sell it, then reset it and make sure FIND MY PHONE is switched off.
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on 12-05-2016 11:34
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on 12-05-2016 11:34
Trust me, iTunes is no longer needed.
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on 12-05-2016 11:37
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on 12-05-2016 11:37
See apple support here
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201328
Unlock your iPhone
First, your carrier will need to process your unlock request. Then you'll back up, erase, and restore your iPhone to unlock it.
Start the process:
- See if your carrier offers unlocking. Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone.
- Contact your carrier and request an unlock. You might need to meet requirements to qualify for unlocking. After you submit the request to your carrier, it might take a few days to complete. Contact your carrier for the status of your unlock request.
- After your carrier confirms that your iPhone unlock has been processed, go to the next section.
If you have a SIM card from a carrier other than your current carrier, follow these steps:
- Remove your SIM card and insert the new SIM card.
- Complete the setup process.
If you don't have another SIM card you can use, follow these steps to complete the process:
- Back up your iPhone.
- When you have a backup, erase your iPhone.
- Restore your iPhone from the backup you just made.
Please select the post that helped you best and mark as the solution. This helps other members in resolving their issues faster. Thank you.
- Mark as New
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12-05-2016 11:52 - edited 12-05-2016 11:56
I see what you are saying, but does not the above assume that the iPhone is already activated?
Do not forget the phone is being sold so will not be activated.
To be honest I am not 100% sure but one hears so much about iPhones that cannot be used.
And the OP said that he will not be putting a sim in it before he sells it.
I would very much encourage the OP to make sure it is unlocked before he sells it.

