iPhone shows "SIM Not Valid" on activation

Devices are locked by carriers, and only the carrier it is locked to can authorize an unlock. There is no other solution and this is a problem with buying any used cell phone - if it is carrier locked, you need to contact the carrier it is locked to and work with them to get it unlocked.

Apple cannot do anything about a carrier locked device. And if it was brand new sealed device then it was sold directly from the very carrier it is locked to. Only that carrier can release their carrier lock on that device.

S_Maryenko wrote: But this phone is not locked to any service provider.

Yes, it is. The message in the second screen shot is telling you that device is indeed locked to a carrier.

The device is still locked to a carrier.

You did not buy an unlocked phone.

Same answer. Your device is locked to a German carrier and only they can unlock it.

Call them and ask for help.

You need to work with your cellular carrier to resolve this.

So... if he bought it in Qatar, and it is locked to a carrier in Qatar, a service provider that he obviously doesn't have a sim card for then what should he do?? I have the same problem. Bought a phone from Germany and i live in Sydney, Australia, can't use a sim card from a local AUS provider. Not going to Germany to fix this problem!

Please help!

T_T

Thank you. So even apple store can’t help? It’s a brand new phone, was sealed.

Apple will not get involved.

You bought a carrier locked device.