Unlocked iphone 6 limitations

Question

Unlocked iphone 6 limitations

My iPhone 6 (iOS 9.3.1) was purchased through Tmobile. I have since terminated that carrier and had them unlock the phone so I could use another carrier (GSM phone).

That is all fine and good. I have no problem with the new carrier. However, since then, I can no longer connect to my UVO system in my Kia automobile.

Previously, I would connect via USB to the built-in port. With that, I would be able to launch my Pandora app on the UVO screen. Now, I can not. In fact, I can't access any of the UVO apps.

My question is for the very knowledgable iPhone geniuses out there. Is there anything known that a (non-factory) unlock cause this? I have connected 2 other iPhones and they tested okay (including a factory unlocked iPhone SE).

My searches online have come up dry.

Thanks,

Traj

iPhone 6, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on Apr 30, 2016 8:50 AM

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Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,297 points

Apr 30, 2016 1:46 PM in response to Ken Trajanowski

You say your device is currently on iOS 9.3.1. Was it on that iOS and still working with the USB plugin? If it was an older iOS, it is possible the Kia does not support the newer iOS. That is entirely possible. If it was working with the latest iOS, there is nothing about an unlock that should affect that. The unlock just determines what carriers can connect to the phone.

When you mention non-factory unlock, I'm guessing you are using the phrase to describe the fact that it was unlocked via T-Mobile? That is, in fact, an authorized unlock, which is accomplished through Apple, it is just that it is done through the carrier, as they are the only ones that can authorize an unlock. The term factory unlock can be confusing, since there really isn't what some would consider a factory unlock after the fact, just an authorized unlock. Actually, the factory does not lock phones, the carriers do, but that is a conversation for another time.

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Answer 2

Apr 30, 2016 9:02 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Thanks for responding.

The other 2 iphones that I tested also have 9.3.1, so I think we can eliminate that.

I do say non-factory just to differentiate from an unlocked phone directly from Apple.

I can't think of any other reason why it suddenly will not connect. I've gone back and forth with Pandora's techs but haven't found a solution. I have erased and restored the contents of the phone a few times. But nothing has worked.

Traj

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Answer 3

Apr 30, 2016 9:08 AM in response to Ken Trajanowski

One more thing to add:

My daughter's phone was also unlocked by Tmobile. I just tried her's and it has the same problem. So, the phones that are original unlocked phones do work. The 2 that were unlocked by Tmobile don't.

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Answer 4

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,297 points

Apr 30, 2016 9:10 AM in response to Ken Trajanowski

Have you restarted the phones since they were unlocked? As I indicated earlier, the unlock should have no affect on the ability to connect a USB connection to a device.

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Answer 5

Apr 30, 2016 9:20 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Yes. This has been the issue for several days which during that time I have restarted, erased, restored from a backup. They only thing I haven't done is erase and treat it like a new phone instead of restoring.

Having 2 phones unlocked by Tmobile exhibiting the same problem sure shows me that something in the OS changed.

Thanks,

Traj

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Answer 6

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,297 points

Apr 30, 2016 9:26 AM in response to Ken Trajanowski

The only way there would be a change in the iOS is if you upgraded to a new iOS since the devices worked. If it is the same iOS that was on the device when it was working, there is no change. Does the other device that works have the same iOS as the devices that do not?

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Answer 7

Apr 30, 2016 9:49 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Yes. They all have 9.3.1.

Thanks,

Traj

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Answer 8

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,297 points

Apr 30, 2016 10:20 AM in response to Ken Trajanowski

I would not be aware of anything different that would cause your issue. As I said, the unlock status of the device would not have anything to do with the ability to connect your audio.

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Answer 9

ManSinha

Level 6

12,183 points

Apr 30, 2016 1:47 PM in response to Ken Trajanowski

You mentioned you have restored the device a couple of times

Here is an experiment if you are willing to try:

Backup to iTunes

Restore as NEW

Try to connect it without putting anything else on the phone

See if the problem persists -

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Answer 10

Apr 30, 2016 11:50 AM in response to ManSinha

That was my last resort. But I decided to go ahead and do that. It made no difference.

Something must have happened during the unlocking process when I left Tmobile. Something that the UVO head is looking for is gone.

That's all I can figure. I guess I will just have to wait for another iOS update and see if anything gets fixed.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Traj

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Answer 11

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,297 points

Apr 30, 2016 1:54 PM in response to Ken Trajanowski

If you restored to factory, there cannot be anything missing from the device, if you were on iOS 9.3.1 before. I'm not sure what UVO stands for in regards to the Kia auto, is this some type of CarPlay system? So the phone only connects to this system via a USB cable and the lightning port? Have you tried a reset of this UVO system, or made contact with Kia to see if there is any problems with specific iOS devices running iOS 9.3.1? If one iOS device is working with iOS 9.3.1 and one is not, I cannot see an iOS update making any change or improvement. Was there some type of app through Kia that made this system work?

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Answer 12

Apr 30, 2016 1:55 PM in response to Ken Trajanowski

My problem is resolved.

As I stated, I had done a complete erase and restore several times over the past few days. That resolved nothing.

After today's discussion, I decided to go ahead and erase again, but this time not restore from an earlier backup. This was a suggestion posted by ManSinha, which I had considered earlier but hesitated to do so.

After doing that, I again tried connecting to my Kia and again was disappointed by the results. Nothing changed. So, after that, I restored my phone from a backup and guess what? It now works. The only difference here was I didn't immediately restore it.

So, why didn't it work after erasing and set it up as a new phone? Who knows. I only care for the result. I hate gremlins. They've stung me in the past and I'm sure they'll reek havoc in the future.

Thanks to ChrisJ4203 and ManSinha for the assistance.

Traj

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Answer 13

ManSinha

Level 6

12,183 points

Apr 30, 2016 2:00 PM in response to Ken Trajanowski

Thank you for following up - glad your issue was resolved

Please let us know of any further issues

(1253)

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Answer 14

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,297 points

Apr 30, 2016 2:08 PM in response to Ken Trajanowski

I'm glad to hear it is working, however I would like to ask you a question. You say that you erased everything. Are you saying that you used the Erase all Content and Settings in Setting>General>Reset>Erase All Content and Settings, or did you connect the device to the computer and Restore to Factory using iTunes? Just curious, or if it is just the way you are saying what you did.

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Answer 15

Apr 30, 2016 2:55 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

ChrisJ4203 wrote:

Are you saying that you used the Erase all Content and Settings in Setting>General>Reset>Erase All Content and Settings

Yes, each time.

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