MasterOlive
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: How to activate an unsupported sim i5 (on unlocked phone5)

Hello.

I am trying to unlock a phone for someone using their new Simple Mobile carrier.

I read online that Simple Mobile uses Tmobile towers, so the iphone can work if it is unlocked. I have also unlocked my own iphone for tmobile, so I know this is true.

 

The Iphone is unlocked, but it keeps forcing me to activate it when I put in the new sim card.

When I try to activate it, it says that the simcard is not supported.

when I insert the old at&t sim, it can activate, but the sim is a fake, its not a working card, so I am baffled.

Once its "activated" with the old sim, I try to switch them, but it will always force the activation screen on me when I use the simple mobile card.

 

-I have tried restoring the iphone

-I have tried hard restarting the iphone.

 

I did this before on my 4 on tmobile with no problems.

So Im just doing the same thing I did then.

 

Does anyone know how or have any tips for activating the iphone using an unsupported sim?

Posted on Mar 6, 2013 4:43 PM

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MasterOlive

Q: How to activate an unsupported sim i5 (on unlocked phone5)

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Lawrence Finch,

    Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch Mar 6, 2013 5:37 PM in response to MasterOlive
    Level 8 (37,952 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 6, 2013 5:37 PM in response to MasterOlive

    That depends on how it was unlocked. If the phone was locked to AT&T the ONLY way to unlock it is to meet AT&T's requirements, then request that they unlock it. See:

     

    Authorized Unlock an AT&T iPhone

  • by MasterOlive ,

    MasterOlive MasterOlive Mar 6, 2013 7:09 PM in response to Lawrence Finch
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 6, 2013 7:09 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

    Well I had a service unlock it for $3 on ebay.

    I used the same guys who unlocked my iphone 4.

     

    The problem is the Activation.

    The phone is unlocked, I can see the bars of service for Simple Mobile when the card is in, It just wont activate.

  • by deggie,Helpful

    deggie deggie Mar 6, 2013 7:17 PM in response to MasterOlive
    Level 9 (54,563 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 6, 2013 7:17 PM in response to MasterOlive

    Sounds like the unlock did not work. Call AppleCare and give them the model and serial number of your iPhone and ask them if it is locked. You may also need to manually install your APN settings in order to use the phone with them. Check their website.

  • by stevejobsfan0123,Helpful

    stevejobsfan0123 stevejobsfan0123 Mar 6, 2013 7:19 PM in response to MasterOlive
    Level 8 (43,718 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 6, 2013 7:19 PM in response to MasterOlive

    MasterOlive wrote:

     

    Well I had a service unlock it for $3 on ebay.

    No one on eBay can legally unlock your phone. You were scammed. ONLY the carrier can unlock it.

  • by Lawrence Finch,

    Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch Mar 7, 2013 5:42 AM in response to MasterOlive
    Level 8 (37,952 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 7, 2013 5:42 AM in response to MasterOlive

    As SJF said, and you discovered when your messages were deleted, no one can legally unlock your phone for you except the carrier it is locked to. And in the US, "legally" means just that. As of January 2013 it is a violation of the Federal DCMA law to unlock a phone through any means other than the carrier it is locked to. You can take your chances, and probably won't be caught unless the Feds are looking for someone to make an example of.

  • by varjak paw,

    varjak paw varjak paw Mar 7, 2013 6:51 AM in response to MasterOlive
    Level 10 (169,883 points)
    Mar 7, 2013 6:51 AM in response to MasterOlive

    AT&T does not, to the best of my knowledge, charge for unlocking.

     

    As to your unlock, what has apparently happened is that you found an  "unlocker" that has someone inside AT&T that the "unlockers" pay to add your iPhone without official approval to AT&T's unlock database. If AT&T finds out about this, and they usually do since they reportedly audit these databases regularly, they will relock your iPhone and may block it from their network permanently. So don't be surprised if the iPhone at some point in the not-too-distant future stops connecting to the cell network.

     

    Good luck.