iphone 5s shows carrier and 3g but no signal

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Level 1

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iphone 5s shows carrier and 3g but no signal

I have just bought a second hand iphone 5s and the seller told me it was on O2 I checked on website of a phone unlock service and they told me it was unlocked. I put in my EE sim and I get carrier name EE, no signal strength, then searching, then it say 3g but still no signal, then occasional I get a signal of 1 or 2 dots depending on area. I have tried in friends iphone 5s and the sim works fine as he is also on EE, but with same sim in my phone in same area no signal or searching.

His phone is still on ios 7 mine is on latest ios8.

Could the phone be locked and that is why I cant get a signal.

Also when connected to iTunes it connects ok and allows to back up or restore and shows all things on it, but it shows a different mobile number.

Any ideas please I have tried resetting network to no avail.

iPhone 5s, iOS 8.4

Posted on Jul 16, 2015 9:31 AM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,774 points

Jul 16, 2015 9:52 AM in response to andrewjb

It's more likely that it was hacked or jailbroken to unlock it and has now been borked, or that it is blacklisted.

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Answer 2

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,303 points

Jul 16, 2015 9:55 AM in response to andrewjb

You mention that you can restore it. Did you restore this device as new and then insert your SIM to activate it? If so, did it activate with your SIM? If the phone is locked, you will not be able to activate it with your SIM, unless that is the company it is locked to. If it is displaying a different phone number, then it sounds as if you have not restored and activated it with your SIM.

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Answer 3

andrewjb Author

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Jul 16, 2015 10:02 AM in response to KiltedTim

I collected the phone from seller and he had it from new and didn't even know what a screen saver was, si I am certain it hasn't been tampered with.

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Answer 4

andrewjb Author

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Jul 16, 2015 10:04 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

I restored it from the back up of my old phone, but this was same sim card.

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Answer 5

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,303 points

Jul 16, 2015 10:06 AM in response to andrewjb

Same SIM card as what? Is it your SIM or the one that was in the device when you obtained it? It sounds as if it did not restore correctly if it is displaying a different phone number. You need to erase it and then activate it with your own SIM. It should have prompted you to activate when you put your own SIM in it.

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Answer 6

andrewjb Author

Level 1

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Jul 16, 2015 12:21 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

Sorry for being so long but been trying your suggestions. Regards sim card it is an EE and I had it in my iphone 4 and transferred to iphone 5 same sim and number.

I have erased everything and set up as new but should I do this without the sim in as I left it in and it still shows a different number.

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Answer 7

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,303 points

Jul 16, 2015 1:42 PM in response to andrewjb

The only way that it would show a different number is if you have changed the number in Settings. Have you tried to receive a call or make a call on that number? What number is being displayed on the phone? Is it your number from the old phone? If not, then something is not working right with that SIM in that particular phone. Are you sure the phone is not locked to another carrier? I don't trust those website services as they do not really have access to the true information. You can contact Apple Support and they would be able to tell you for sure if the device is locked and to whom it is locked. That is the only way you can trust.

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Answer 8

andrewjb Author

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Jul 16, 2015 2:10 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

NO I don't recognise number at all. Have managed to use 3G to send email when shows a signal but very rare must be in a really good signal area. Will see what Apple say as opened a case with them. Thanks

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