activate new phone to different number

Question

Level 1

5 points

activate new phone to different number

I have a new AT&T phone purchased from someone else who did not activate it. Now I am trying to activate it but it keeps stopping me when it gets to a phone number that I do not recognize (assume it is whoever purchased this phone originally). I am trying to reset it so I can use my working SIM card. I have tried the restore and no luck. For some reason, the phone seems locked until it is activated by the original purchaser. Well I have no access to the original and not sure how to get a reset. Apple and AT&T have not helped. They send me back and forth. AT&T says go to Apple and Apple says go to AT&T.

Any ideas?

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1

Posted on Apr 18, 2012 9:13 PM

Reply

Answer 1

AW11 Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 18, 2012 9:52 PM in response to AW11

FYI the person I bought the phone got it direct from Apple Online Store. Still don't know why but seems as if they locked it to that persons number. Now I have the phone and it can't be activated by the original.

If I activate the phone with there info but my SIM, will that cause a problem like the seller or me lose phone number/service?

Reply

Answer 2

AW11 Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 18, 2012 9:30 PM in response to Ocean20

I know it does not make sense to me either. It seems as if the phone was preregistered for an (803) number and I asking to activate it and it says it should be this number, even when I have a working alternate SIM card in the phone with an entirely different number. AT&T tried the restore as I have also and it just will not get past the initial activation.

The page says this after trying activation:

"The mobile number displayed should match the number that was provided at the time you purchased your Iphone.

If you wish to use the IPhone with another number, please first complete your activation using the information provided when you purchased this IPhone. Once phone service has been transferred to your new IPhone, you can call AT&T to swap service between two mobile numbers.

If the number displayed does not match what you entered when you purchased your IPhone or if you need help with this process, please contact Apple at 800-MY-IPHONE so that we may further assist you."

Why won't Apple help me with this problem?

Reply

Answer 3

Ocean20

Level 6

13,733 points

Apr 18, 2012 9:15 PM in response to AW11

If the phone was never activated why would it have the phone number on it from whoever purchased the phone originally?

Reply