'Different SIM Detected' Issue on outright iphone

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Level 1

0 points

'Different SIM Detected' Issue on outright iphone

Hi,

I've bought my iphone outright many months back. Currently I'm on a overseas trip at a place with very limited internet. When I try to insert a local SIM, iphone says different SIM detected, and asks to connect to itunes. However, when I connect it to itunes, it tries to log on to apple store, and since there is no internet, it fails and thus stops verification. I think verification is unnecessary as I bought the phone outright, and it should work with any SIM anywhere in the world out of the box!

So, I've found my $800 iphone useless if i take it out of the country of purchase. Do you guys have any idea how to resolve this issue? With limited time on hand, and since I'm in a new country, I wouldn't be able to visit an apple store or a apple reseller. I do understand that all will be fine once I'm back from my trip, but I find this so annoying. I will appreciate any help.

Thanks a lot in advance.

iphone 3GS, iPhone OS 3.1.3

Posted on May 6, 2010 5:45 AM

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Answer 1

AKRBTN

Level 6

8,335 points

May 6, 2010 6:01 AM in response to chezwb

Well there's no indication of where you live in your post or your details, but I presume that your phone is carrier locked in the country of purchase. The fact that you have bought it outright isn't going to change that. Depending on where you are the carrier may offer unlocking but not necessarily - certainly ATT in the US don't.

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Answer 2

Tamara

Level 6

13,738 points

May 6, 2010 6:08 AM in response to chezwb

Buying outright does not necessarily mean unlocked. It can just mean that you aren't required to agree to a contract with the carrier.

You don't mention what country you are from or where you bought the phone.

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Answer 3

BPBUK

Level 1

9 points

May 7, 2010 3:36 PM in response to Tamara

I have had mine unlocked by O2 - I had the original iphone the day they were launched. however if I power down the phone for whatever reason when I switch back on again I need to connect to iTunes as I ger the message "different sim detected". This is a pain if you don't have access to iTunes!! Any ideas?

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Answer 4

aledb

Level 1

0 points

Aug 3, 2010 1:00 PM in response to BPBUK

I have exactly the same problem. I've had an official unlock for my iPhone 2G from O2 tonight but when I change SIMs it says "Different SIM detected, connect to iTunes" which when I do goes ahead and unlocks the phone.

But... if you're out and about and turn off your phone, when it turns on again, it happens again!

Okey, don't turn it off... but if you're on holiday without internet and run out of battery or something, then it'll do it again then too and you'll be stuck!

Any fix been found?

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Answer 5

aledb

Level 1

0 points

Aug 4, 2010 12:50 AM in response to aledb

I found the solution. Restore the phones in iTunes... then the unlock works just fine.

No more "Different SIM Detected" messages after turning it off or changing SIM. Yeye.

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Answer 6

Aug 6, 2010 8:50 PM in response to aledb

Is this a serious reply? I am always a bit supicious of solutions that involve resetting everything.

What does resetting change? What do you lose that you have to re-enter? For instance does it clear all your contacts, music, email settings etc etc?

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Answer 7

aledb

Level 1

0 points

Aug 7, 2010 7:53 AM in response to HowDoICreateAnAccount

It is a serious reply, that's what it took to fix it.

If you run a backup of your phone before you restore it you won't loose anything.

You'll just have to wait while iTunes re-syncs all your Music / Photos / Movies / Apps which can take some time depending on how many you have.

You'll still have all your SMS messages and Contacts though just fine.

Restore was the only option for me. Once the Official carrier unlock (from O2) came through from Apple on iTunes the phone was asking for iTunes when it changed SIM or restarted without exception. I couldn't suffer my phone doing that and I tried everything to fix it. Restoring was the only way to get it working properly. Now it's works perfectly and you can put in any SIM without any complaints.

Reply if you want any more info.
Aled

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Answer 8

stan598

Level 1

0 points

Aug 21, 2010 8:24 AM in response to chezwb

Would just like to re-affirm what has been suggested. I had the same issue until I tried the full restore method. It's small inconvenience to reload music, photos etc (just make sure you select backup phone option during the procedure to save all data).
My Omani sim card now works without having to unlock through iTunes each time the phone was switched off etc, sorted!!
I can now use my old iPhone 2G as my abroad/back up phone and my new iPhone 4 on staying O2 roaming to receive any UK texts etc while I'm away.
Hope this works for you.

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Answer 9

Aug 27, 2010 8:40 AM in response to aledb

Brilliant. Thanks. A restore fixed it.

Spent ages trying to get some support from Apple but nothing. I think it is poor when you cannot get any support for such a ridiculously weak design problem.

Got some time to do a Restore today and at last I have a reliable phone!

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