Unlocked iphone 3g not jailbroken - emergency calls only

Socialinsur

I purchased an iphone 3g from what seems to be an honest seller on ebay. He advertised it as unlocked - not jailbroken - and said it had been on the 02 network. I can see from googling that 02 does do an unlocking scheme.

The phone appears to be in perfect condition and asked for a sim card with no pin lock. I duly inserted a T-mobile card with no pin lock. However it then switched to emergency calls only mode. I hooked it up to my Windows laptop and iTunes and did a restore software. However I then got the message that the sim card was not supported. I've restored a couple of times more with the same result.

I'm not a big tekkie. I've only just got the phone and don't want to jump to conclusions as yet but ... is this phone unlocked? I have googled the internet and there does seem a lot about this problem but often the posters are dealing with jailbroken phone and this is not supposed to be a jailbroken phone. There are a few which seem to be about unlocked phones which are not jailbroken and this does seem to be a problem that comes up.

I only got the phone yesterday so I'm hoping this is a blip that can be fixed without going back to the seller.

I would be really grateful for people's help on this - is it possible this is unlocked, not jailbroken and still has this problem? And if so, can anyone tell me a fix?

Thank you in advance!

Buzby

The unlock may not have been successful. Put in an O2 SIM ans check that it iworks first. If you still get an error message, check with the CheckMend service that the IMEI number is not listed as blocked for theft or loss.

bengalknights

Check that it isn't reported lost stolen

Browntoa

looks blocked to me from the description

Socialinsur

Buzby wrote: »

The unlock may not have been successful. Put in an O2 SIM ans check that it iworks first. If you still get an error message, check with the CheckMend service that the IMEI number is not listed as blocked for theft or loss.

Hey Buzby, thanks for this! You had me worried, so I've already checked with Checkmend and all seems fine in that respect.

Can it be any 02 sim card? If I get a new Pay & Go simplicity card, I can just put it in the phone without having to register at all with 02 just to check? I'm not a tekkie and I've only ever been on one network (not 02), which is why I'm asking.

I do appreciate your help!

Browntoa

any O2 sim card will work

Socialinsur

Browntoa wrote: »

any O2 sim card will work

Thanks for this. And if it works and activates the phone, I should be able to put my sim card in the phone?

I have to ask the basics cos I don't know much about this and I'm very grateful for all the help I'm getting here!

Browntoa

well its either locked or your t-mobile sim is inactive ??

Socialinsur

Browntoa wrote: »

well its either locked or your t-mobile sim is inactive ??

The T-mobile sim card works. I've put it back in my other phone now. I thought maybe the 02 sim card was just to activate and then I could use my T-mobile sim card?

The phone was sold as unlocked and I checked with the seller whether it was factory unlocked or jailbroken unlocked (I had gained enough knowledge from the internet to ask that!). Are you saying it definitely must be locked if this message comes up?

He has also given me the barcode. Does this have any bearing on this?

Thanks again for your help!

Socialinsur

Just to say I've contacted the seller who contacted the people at 02 who have told him, although he had been previously told it was unlocked, it's not down as being unlocked, so he is dealing with this now. Googling this problem, it seems that this happens quite a lot with 02 and all concerning the seller is above board. Will keep you updated on my progress!

Browntoa

its easy enough to do it when he gets the code