Immaculate iPhone 4S rendered unusable due to locked SIM.

Question

Level 1

4 points

Immaculate iPhone 4S rendered unusable due to locked SIM.

I have an old iPhone 4S running iOS 9 that I really like. It's my favourite iPhone that Apple has ever released, yet I am unable to use it anymore.

At one point, the phone began displaying this message:

SIM Locked

Insert a valid SIM with no PIN lock to activate iPhone.

I've got one try left and I am quite lost. I tried connecting the device to an iMac running MacOS Ventura via. Finder, and it simply failed after 3 tries.

All I have on the iPhone are 50 photos I already saved when the iPhone still let me in, so I have absolutely no problem completely wiping it, and it would be preferable in fact.

Not sure if this can be solved, but it's worth a shot, especially since the battery health is immaculate.

Any suggestions? I believe the device does not contain a SIM, though I could check.

Earlier iPhone models

Posted on Feb 4, 2024 5:00 PM

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Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

189,184 points

Feb 4, 2024 5:14 PM in response to 123Jan

Apple has classified the 4s as Obsolete as far as support.

Carriers just about everywhere have dropped support of the 4s, since it is a 3G phone and very few carriers support 3G anymore. None in the U.S. do although there might be a few very rural cell towers still working.

If you have the time, you can ask your carrier about a SIM card, but I don't think this will get things working on the phone cellular wise, if that is your goal.

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Answer 2

Kurtosis12

Level 9

78,544 points

Feb 4, 2024 5:08 PM in response to 123Jan

Contact your carrier for help with their service. They will either send you a PUK code to unlock the SIM or just give you a new SIM to put in your phone.

Or

If you forgot the passcode on your iPhone, or your iPhone is disabled or unavailable -

Click on the link for instructions on how to reset your passcode without a computer if you have iOS 15.2 or higher.

If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support

Click on the link for instructions on how to reset your passcode using a computer.

If you forgot your iPhone passcode - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Kurtosis12

Level 9

78,544 points

Feb 4, 2024 7:49 PM in response to 123Jan

As Bob pointed out, most if not all carriers in the US. have dropped their 3G service which is what the iPhone 4S uses, Your phone is simply too old to work anymore.

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Answer 4

123Jan Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 4, 2024 5:34 PM in response to Kurtosis12

Trouble is that I now have a new problem. I have reset the software and downloaded a fresh install of iOS 9.3.6, but even in this wipe, it wants a PUK code. I deliberately keyed in the wrong SIM code, and now it wants a PUK code. It says 10 attempts remaining though it's a bit broken as no matter how many I enter it remains at 10. I doubt the phone has a SIM and I'm quite clueless regarding contacting a carrier to provide a PUK code. I could in theory pay for a SIM card and slot it in, but I've got no idea.

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