iPhone unlocking problem. O2 say number hasn't been used against IMEI, but it has!

redmandarin

My partner gave me his old iphone 3gs when he got an upgrade (lucky me) it is locked to O2 (I want it unlocked as O2 deals are too expensive). O2 charge £15 to unlock, so I bought an O2 pay as you go sim with £15 credit, then found out I had to make a few calls to link the sim to the IMEI number. £5 top up wasn't available, so I topped up another £10 and made several calls.

I completed the O2 unlock form online. Ten days later I received an email which says:


Thank you for your unlatching request.

Sorry, We are unable to process your request as the IMEI given on the form has not been used against this mobile.no 07xxxxxxxxx

Please note that this is an unmonitored email account and we will not be able to respond to your query.

Kind Regards,
The-A-Team


The IMEI HAS been used against the mobile number. I really need my iPhone unlocked as I have two ill elderly relatives to look after (one is in hospital). This has cost me £25 so far, plus 10 days wasted and I have run out of credit (apart from the £15 unlock fee which has not been taken).

Please can you tell me how to get this resolved fast, so I don't have to buy another O2 £10 top up, fill in another form and have to wait another ten(+) days for O2 to unlock? I'm not working and I don't want to keep giving O2 money and I've spent long enough waiting for them to get this sorted.

Thank you very much in advance.
red

Buzby

They can override tis erroneous message if you speak to them directly, the cost is 25p for the call (any duration, and you can ask for ths to be refunded). Alternatively, use A GiffGaff SIM, which will work fine and is cheaper than O2.

redmandarin

Cheers!

I was on Giffgaff (owned by O2, surprise surprise) but I became sick and tired of their repeated drop-outs leaving me (and all their other customers) for hours (sometimes days) on end without any service (no calls, texts, email or internet)!!

I've had it with Giffgaff & O2 which is why I want O2 to unlock my 'phone so I can move on to a more reliable & cheaper supplier!

Do you have O2's number please? Is it 25p to call from a landline, as owing to O2 messing me about I've run out of credit? Or is there a free number that I can dial from my 'phone?

Thanks

Rusty!

4445 - free from an O2 line.

StuC75

As your partner was the original owner get him to message through o2 asking that the phone be unlocked from o2..

The o2 accounts team will know that the imei was tied to his account and will unlock it quite easily.. This will be free as well if his account is still active..

redmandarin

Thanks for your replies.

StuC75 Surely if my partner contacts O2 on my behalf it will only confuse the issue?

My partner's contract expired. Apparently O2 unlock iphones free if still in contract, otherwise you have to buy an O2 pay as you go & top up with £15 unlock fee, plus extra top up to make a few calls to link the number with the 'phone's IMEI. I made a few calls to link the IMEI to the new temporary O2 sim number, but I expect O2's records will show that my partner's old number (which he retained on his new 'phone) is linked to the IMEI on my 'phone, which is no longer his.

split_second

right this is the way to do it:
if you are on contract it is free, pay and go is £15

put the sim in the phone for 48-72 hours switched on for the whole time, make a few phone calls, at least 15-20 seconds in length from being picked up.
leave another 48 hours, THEN PHONE O2 AND CHECK IT IS LINKED TO YOUR NUMBER, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT

if you are unlocking on pay and go then make sure the £15 is on there until it is taken in one go.

pretty sure any o2 contract customer can unlock an iphone they are using, i didnt get my iphone with this contract and i unlocked it free of charge

redmandarin

I bought an O2 pay as you go & topped up with the fee plus £10 for calls & made calls to link the 'phone to the IMEI & ten days later was told the number isn't linked to the IMEI.

I 'phoned O2 & was told to complete another form. I asked to speak to a manager and but non were available and I was told a team leader would call me back within four hours. No one has called me.

O2 have had £25 out of me so far & now I'm out of credit & have to pay an another £10 to top up again. I don't want to be on O2 or pay as you go - it's expensive and I have no email or internet. I've waited long enough for O2. I need my iPhone unlocked now, as I have ill elderly relatives to care for.

Please can anyone tell me how I can speak to someone in authority at O2 to get this resolved quickly without having to complete another form & to wait (at least) another 10 days?

Thank you