HT201328: How to unlock your iPhone for use with another carrier

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JaneyLou

Q: ORANGE / EE REFUSE to unlock iphone 4s

I have an Iphone 4s that my network (Orange/EE) say they cannot unlock and that I need to refer to Apple for unlocking.  Contract has ended.

 

Orange/EE basically are refusing to unlock the handset due to the place I purchased it from (phones 4u) they say Phones 4u should unlock it, but they dont do that AND I purchased another iphone 4s the same month from Phones 4u on an orange contract which amazingly was unlocked by Orange 3 weeks ago !!! 

 

Orange do not have an answer for how they managed/agreed to unlock one handset but cannot do this one.

 

I am so angry that a network can lock you into them just because its their poilicy. 

 

HELP !!

iPhone 4S, iOS 7

Posted on Feb 4, 2014 5:19 AM

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Q: ORANGE / EE REFUSE to unlock iphone 4s

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  • by varjak paw,

    varjak paw varjak paw Feb 4, 2014 6:43 AM in response to JaneyLou
    Level 10 (169,883 points)
    Feb 4, 2014 6:43 AM in response to JaneyLou

    If your carrier refuses to authorize unlocking, there's nothing you you can do. I would suggest you call them back and ask to speak with a supervisor and get a better explanation. If, however, the iPohone was actually hacked to unlock it, then Orange may well not be able to unlock it.

     

    Regards.

  • by wegras,

    wegras wegras Feb 4, 2014 6:51 AM in response to JaneyLou
    Level 6 (15,184 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 4, 2014 6:51 AM in response to JaneyLou

    Orange and EE can do exactly as they please

    The iPhone was sold at a discount when new subsidised by Orange .It is their decision and only their decision if they wish to unlock an iPhone locked to their network .It is "in their gift" in legalease

  • by JaneyLou,

    JaneyLou JaneyLou Feb 4, 2014 8:16 AM in response to varjak paw
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 4, 2014 8:16 AM in response to varjak paw

    BUT they contracdict there policy/decision as they have UNLOCKED another hand set bought from the same shop the week before.

     

    What is so annoying is that they have no valid explanation and keep trying to pass me onto anyone else. 

     

    As I have paid my bill and the contract is over, surely this handset is actually mine, isnt that what part of the contract/monthly payments are for.

     

    I have spoken to supervisors who say the same repetitive thing and have NO reason not to unlock it other than I bought it at phones 4u. Obviously the phone wasnt hacked to unlock it, as it is still locked !

  • by Antonio Rocco,

    Antonio Rocco Antonio Rocco Feb 4, 2014 8:29 AM in response to JaneyLou
    Level 6 (10,606 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 4, 2014 8:29 AM in response to JaneyLou

    Unfortunately it does not matter whether they contradict their policy even if you think or can prove they do. Orange are a law unto themselves unlike some other carriers such as O2 and they can either do this or not. If they do decide to unlock it will be an entirely whimsical decision based on the will of the wisp.

  • by varjak paw,

    varjak paw varjak paw Feb 4, 2014 8:29 AM in response to JaneyLou
    Level 10 (169,883 points)
    Feb 4, 2014 8:29 AM in response to JaneyLou

    Obviously the phone wasnt hacked to unlock it, as it is still locked !

     

    Not necessarily. Someone could have hacked it to use with a different carrier, and then after being restored it locked back to Orange but the hack left the phone not able to be unlocked. It's unlikely, I agree, but it's the only remotely rational reason I can think of for them refusing due to where it was purchased.

     

    In any case, sorry, but this is completely up to Orange. If they refuse, there's nothing you can do. No one else can authorize unlocking, and that includes Apple, so if negotiations with Orange fail, your only option is to sell the iPhone to someone who can use it with Orange and buy an unlocked iPhone or one locked to the carrier you wish to use.

     

     

    Regards.

  • by chris-topher,

    chris-topher chris-topher May 26, 2014 4:32 AM in response to JaneyLou
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 26, 2014 4:32 AM in response to JaneyLou

    HI, Just wondering if you had any luck with orange/ee unlocking your phone.

    i see they have a page for that http://ee.co.uk/help/getting-started/joining-ee/unlocking-your-phone

     

    despite what some have posted, the uk carriers must unlock your handset

    http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/iphone/how-unlock-your-iphone-3501427/

  • by wegras,

    wegras wegras May 26, 2014 7:52 AM in response to chris-topher
    Level 6 (15,184 points)
    Wireless
    May 26, 2014 7:52 AM in response to chris-topher

    despite what some have posted, the uk carriers must unlock your handset

    Complete and utter rubbish

    UK carriers have no legal responsibility to unlock any Phone locked to their network.

    As it happens they all do for marketing reasons NOT because they have to

  • by Tanny66,

    Tanny66 Tanny66 Jun 4, 2014 3:37 AM in response to wegras
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jun 4, 2014 3:37 AM in response to wegras

    I too am extremely frustrated by Orange/EE. I am close to the end of my contract and have asked for my phone to be unlocked using the official procedure on the EE website. I need my phone to accept a different sim as I am going to an area of poor orange signal. I als want to swith to a lower tariff while I wait for the 6 to come out. 

     

    It has been more than 20 days since the request, so they are in breach of the their own terms. I have spent hours on the phone with different advisers, who make outragous claims bordering on lying. Several examples- it will be done in 72 hours (it wasn't). -it is 20 busines days (it doesn't say that). -you can't unlock an orange phone with the EE web form (not true - it quite cleary states how to unlock orange phones). - will will call you back on a certain day (doesn't happen). I could go on.....

     

    I think that Mr Gillespie is incorrect as EE quite clearly states how they will unlock your phone- this is therefore a contractulal obligation if their terms are satisfied, it may not be criminal but certainly it is a contract and thus illegal not too honour it.

     

    If this phone is not unlocked, I will be putting my evidence to the regulator.

     

    Recently, I have had endless problems with my contract (which was a joint ipad, iphone one) with different people saying different things and making things incredibly complicated. Originally, I was going to upgrade with EE/orange but now after this experience I am going to leave at the end on my contract.