Think I need to unlock phone?

saver_ali

I’m a relative novice with phones so please be gentle!

I have a Samsung Galaxy S8. It was originally on an O2 contract from 2018, and I switched to Giffgaff in 2019 with no issue. I’ve just switched to Sky mobile but it won’t work. The message is “SIM network PIN blocked. Enter SIM network PUK.” 

I spoke to someone at sky who didn’t have a clue. All they could suggest was sending a new sim, but that’s clearly not the problem as the sim I am trying to use does work in an old iPhone. 

I think the Samsung must be locked or have another problem. I didn’t expect any locking issues because I thought Giffgaff and Sky both used the O2 network. I’ve seen something on the internet that said there was a defect with some Samsung phones, and you need to ask Samsung for an MCK code, so I contacted Samsung and they said I needed to contact the old provider, I.e. Giffgaff, but that’s not easy when you’ve already left them.

Can anyone suggest anything?

If it needs unlocking, how can I get that done? All the high street shops are shut during lockdown.

I might be best to see if we can cancel the whole transaction and go back to Giffgaff.

Thanks for any help. 

macman

Look on the back of the SIM card surround (the credit card size plastic bit). There should be an 8 digit PUK on there. 
If you binned that, then ask Sky Mobile for it again.

saver_ali

macman said:

Look on the back of the SIM card surround (the credit card size plastic bit). There should be an 8 digit PUK on there. 
If you binned that, then ask Sky Mobile for it again.

There is a 7 digit sky activation code and 19 digit sim number on the sim itself. No 8 digit number. The sim was stuck to a cardboard leaflet, which had the same numbers printed on it. 

macman

Google says try 8 zeros. Failing that, you'll have to call Sky and ask for your PUK. 

saver_ali

macman said:

Google says try 8 zeros. Failing that, you'll have to call Sky and ask for your PUK. 

Thanks. We tried 8 zeros, without success, and also phoned sky, but they were no help at all. The help desk person said that nothing came up when she did a search. All she could suggest was that she send a new sim, but the sim works fine in an old unlocked iPhone, so I don’t think that will make any difference.

It looks like we could get the Samsung unlocked for about £25 from a link on the Giffgaff website to a third party unlocking company.

liggerz87

Go to o2 they will unlock ot for free for you dont pay giffgaf

saver_ali

liggerz87 said:

Go to o2 they will unlock ot for free for you dont pay giffgaf

Thanks. Will they do that even though I don’t have a contract with them now?

saver_ali

liggerz87 said:

Go to o2 they will unlock ot for free for you dont pay giffgaf

I have now created a MyO2 account, but because I don’t have a current contract with them it doesn’t give me the option to unlock the phone, so that option won’t work, sadly.

macman

Try eBay, probably a lot less than going via giffgaff. a brief search throws up 270 offers for an S8, average price around a tenner.

pramsay13

Phone O2 and ask them to unlock the phone.

saver_ali

macman said:

Try eBay, probably a lot less than going via giffgaff. a brief search throws up 270 offers for an S8, average price around a tenner.

Thanks. I’ve found one on eBay that looks ok, so will try it. Here’s hoping! 😀