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Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 not working with a different SIM

Recently, I bought a factory unlocked iphone 4 in Australia and brought it back to India and activated the phone through iTunes using an already trimmed SIM(since there are no Micro sims available in my country) of 'Cellone' Carrier that I was using for my iPad since quite some time.

The phone got activated without any issues and I was able to use all the functionalities of it. However, my 'Cellone' SIM is meant for data usage on my ipad and for regular calling purpose, I want to use my 'Airtel' Carrier SIM. Hence, I have trimmed my Airtel SIM to fit into my new iphone 4.

However when I insert the Airtel SIM, the phone is not recognized it and shows the "No SIM" message. I'm very sure that I have properly trimmed the Airtel SIM because when I insert the same Airtel SIM in my Ipad 3G, Ipad recognizes it properly and I'm able to browse the web.

Also, on my new Iphone 4, I have inserted another Micro SIM (apart from the Cellone SIM) which it recognizes properly. All that the issue is it is just not recognizing my Airtel SIM.

This being the situation, now I have gone clueless. Firstly, I was under the assumption that Factory unlocked iphone allows to use only one carrier SIM (in my case the Cellone SIM). However, it seems my understanding is not correct, since the phone recognizes another Micro SIM. Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Thanks much in advance.

Iphone 4, iOS 4

Posted on Sep 7, 2010 12:08 AM

Best reply

a1000

Level 2

271 points

Posted on Sep 7, 2010 12:33 AM

I'm afraid that the most likely cause is that the sim card is damaged in some way. I would get Airtel to send a replacement if you can, test it in another phone and then try again.

Best regards.

View in context

72 replies

Oct 6, 2010 2:19 AM in response to Raj5251

I got a factory unlocked iPhone 4 from the US couple of weeks ago

All US iPhones are locked to AT&T.

it's on FW 4.0.2

which means it can't be jailbroken

if i insert a airtel micro SIM it locks the phone and says emergency calls only .. not sure why

Because it is locked to AT&T. It won't work with any other SIMs.

this is factory unlocked

No, it isn't.

and i paid $600

That is the price when you don't sign a two year contract with AT&T. It is still locked.

please let me know what i need to do here

If you need an unlocked iPhone you have to buy it in a country where thaey are sold unlocked or the carriers offer unlocking.
<http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937>
You can also buy unlocked iPhones directly from Apple in Canada.

tomjtx

Level 1

5 points

Oct 6, 2010 4:30 AM in response to Raj5251

It is unfortunate that people keep buying their phones without enough research .

All US Iphones are locked and your only Apple supported solution is to return your phone if you are within the return window.

The solution another poster said is not available on 4.0.2 actually is available even up to 4.1

Use google and you can find a solution for your situation.

Oct 17, 2010 9:38 PM in response to Liju Mathew

Hi Liju,

I recently bought Iphone4 from USA. I was told that the handset is factory unlocked. I tried using it with a Vodafone sim, cut using a micro sim cutter, but not successful till now. I am worried if this phone is unlocked or still locked! Please suggest how to check it. I am based in Bangalore. <Edited to remove personal information>

Message was edited by: Host

Oct 17, 2010 9:53 PM in response to pankynancy

I recently bought IPhone4 from USA. I was told that the handset is factory unlocked.

There are no factory unlocked US iPhones. They are all locked to AT&T.

ajoy

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2010 9:17 AM in response to girishramarao

hey i seem to b having the same prob...... its supposed to b a factory unlocked phone4.... i had my airtel sim trimmed.... the phone wont accept it....it tried inserting it both ways..... but if i put the same sim back into the rest( cut out)original and insert it in my other non apple phone it works just fine.....

Shilu VM

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2010 1:30 AM in response to Abhays

Hope you got your simcard trimmed by now. If not, you can purchase one sim card cutter for below Rs 500 from ebay India website. When I checked in some shop in Bangalore about the charge, they were asking for Rs 300. They are just finding some means to loot ignorant customers. For little over Rs 400, you can own one sim card cutter.

Nov 9, 2010 8:19 PM in response to Liju Mathew

Hi Liju:

I'm in Bangalore. Could you please tell me where I can get SIM card cut. gscomix[@]gmail.com

Thanks,
Gaurav

ssprabhu

Level 1

0 points

Dec 12, 2010 5:41 AM in response to Raj5251

Hi Raj,

I am in the same position of yours. bought the iphone4 from US for 600$ and could not be able to activate my vodafone sim. Please update if you are able to workaround something to make the iphone4 work.
Thanks,
Prabhu

Dec 12, 2010 8:06 AM in response to ssprabhu

The number of times this gets brought up here is quite staggering.

Iphones in the USA are, and always have been, carrier locked to AT&T and cannot be unlocked for any reason whatsoever. You should either return the phone to the USA and buy one from a country where phone can be bought unlocked or sell it on Ebay ensuring you note that is is locked to AT&T

abhivish

Level 1

8 points

Dec 13, 2010 9:03 AM in response to mrmishra

Cutting a sim manually is hit & miss at best ! I first practiced on a sim and the phone activated, but when I did it with my Airtel sim, it did not work ! The cut sim with an adaptor worked in my older iphone.

Finally got a new Airtel sim and got it cut with a sim cutter and after that everything is fine.

2 factors - Cutting has to be perfect and secondly the sim has to be a fairly newer generation sim.

Jan 15, 2011 2:54 AM in response to girishramarao

i bought an iphone 4(ios 4.2.1) from UK MODEL NO-MC603B which is factory unlocked. but i am not able to use any sim in india. i tried inserting an airtel microsim but itunes keeps saying ur simcard is not supported and i am stuck on the emergency call screen...PLZ HELP....

Jan 15, 2011 3:07 AM in response to agarwaltarun

HEY AGARWALTARUN WHAT IS THE MODEL NO. OF UR IPHONE 4 BCOZ I ALSO BOUGHT A IPHONE 4 FROM UK WHICH IS FACTORY UNLOCKED MODEL NO-MC603B BUT I AM NOT ABLE TO USE ANY SIM IN INDIA ..PLZ REPLY

wegras

Level 6

15,305 points

Jan 15, 2011 4:33 AM in response to pkmandhyan

The model # has absolutely no bearing on whether an iPhone is locked or unlocked
and please don't shout

The only unlocked iPhone4 available in the UK are from Apple retail stores or Apple online no-one else sells "factory" unlocked in the UK ....what ever they tell you

Jan 15, 2011 5:55 AM in response to wegras

i just googled abt the model number and i found this link below.plz see it...

Jan 15, 2011 5:56 AM in response to pkmandhyan

http://technolo.co/20100826/identifying-a-factory-unlocked-iphone-4/

Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 not working with a different SIM