Using my iPhone in South Africa

Question

Using my iPhone in South Africa

My daughter flew to South Africa yesterday and is trying to use a Vodacom SIM without any joy. Her phone was purchased from Apple in the UK and is therefore unlocked to all networks. The Vodacom shop said it has an International lock on that needs to be removed by Apple, and the Apple Store there said the same thing but said it had to be done in the UK. Is she being led on a wild goose chase or is this info genuine. She has used her UK SIM in Europe fine but never tried an International SIM

Posted on Apr 1, 2017 7:59 AM

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Answer 1

FelipeV

Level 6

12,005 points

Apr 1, 2017 10:05 AM in response to SimonLewis1971

A couple of clarifications:

--There is no such thing as an "international lock". The only thing there is (apart from Activation Lock) is a carrier/SIM lock.

--There are no Apple Stores in South Africa. Only resellers.

-- There is no such thing as an International SIM or European SIMs. The SIMS are carrier based, not country based.

You phone is carrier locked even though you seem to believe it is not. Apple does not unlock phones. Only the carriers do. Now, at what exact store was the phone purchased in the UK?

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Answer 2

Apr 1, 2017 10:08 AM in response to FelipeV

The phone is unlocked as Apple don't sell locked phones and it has had various UK SIMs from different providers in it. I'm at a loss as to what the problem is. The phone came from the Apple Store in Reading

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Answer 3

FelipeV

Level 6

12,005 points

Apr 1, 2017 10:26 AM in response to SimonLewis1971

Well, I suggest she resolves the problem when she gets back to the UK by taking it in to an Apple Store. They will be able to verify what the activation policy on that phone is. No one in SA will be able to help her.

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Answer 4

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,401 points

Apr 1, 2017 8:02 AM in response to SimonLewis1971

If the iPhone is carrier locked, then only the carrier to which it is locked can unlock it.

Contact that carrier and see if they offer that service and if you qualify

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Answer 5

Apr 1, 2017 9:15 AM in response to roaminggnome

It's not carrier locked, it's a factory unlocked phone supplied by Apple from an Apple store

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Answer 6

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Apr 1, 2017 10:11 AM in response to SimonLewis1971

Actually most iPhones sold by Apple are carrier locked.

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Answer 7

Apr 1, 2017 10:13 AM in response to Csound1

I have purchased numerous phones from Apple and I have never know Apple sell a carrier locked IPhone instore

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Answer 8

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Apr 1, 2017 10:14 AM in response to SimonLewis1971

Well I never.

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Answer 9

Apr 1, 2017 10:19 AM in response to Csound1

iPhones are only locked to a carrier in Europe if they are purchased as part of a contract. Apple don't sell locked phones as they are carrier independent

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Answer 10

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Apr 1, 2017 10:26 AM in response to SimonLewis1971

If you say so.

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