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Q: iphone 5: Wait time for email to unlock phone

After a 2 year contract, I switched phone providers this morning from EIR Mobile to ID Mobile.  As the new ID Mobile SIM didn't work in my phone, I have just discovered that as Apple lock their phones, my phone was locked since I purchased it, and therefore any new SIM card will not work in it. I never had any reason to think about whether it was locked or not.   I contacted EIR Mobile and they have now closed my a/c, & cannot re-establish as the phone is now locked.  EIR Mobile have had to request Apple to unlock my iphone5 in order for me to transfer to another service provided. What is the likely response time from Apple ?? (I have been told it would be 7-10 days before I get email from them)  & in the meantime I am now left in the lurch with no service on my iphone.  ID Mobile have suggested that if I want to keep/use my telephone number I will have to purchase a new cheap phone and sign up with another operator for the interim, as they have my number now!! I am most annoyed with the assistant I dealt with as she never enquired if the phone was locked,

iPhone 5, iOS 9.1, Waiting on Apple to unlock iphone

Posted on Oct 23, 2015 6:47 AM

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Q: iphone 5: Wait time for email to unlock phone

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  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Oct 23, 2015 6:54 AM in response to scorpiocp
    Level 9 (55,790 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 23, 2015 6:54 AM in response to scorpiocp

    Apple does not lock phones. The carriers do. ONLY the carrier the phone is locked to can authorize unlocking it. They set the requirements and the time frame, not Apple.

  • by scorpiocp,

    scorpiocp scorpiocp Oct 24, 2015 3:50 AM in response to KiltedTim
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 24, 2015 3:50 AM in response to KiltedTim

    I have been told that the carrier has to apply to Apple for a code to unlock the phone!  Why should a customer have to wait up to 10 working days to have a phone (which they have paid for and own) unlocked and therefore useable with any SIM they so wish to use???

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Oct 24, 2015 5:58 AM in response to scorpiocp
    Level 9 (55,790 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 24, 2015 5:58 AM in response to scorpiocp

    The carrier doesn't have to apply to Apple for anything. All they have to do is give Apple the IMEI of the phone to be unlocked.

     

    The wait doesn't have anything to do with Apple. It has to do with large, ponderous companies taking time to process paperwork.