Galaxy Alpha suddenly "SIM locked"!?!?!

StevieP

StevieP

StevieP

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I helped my mum buy a 2nd hand Samsung Galaxy Alpha a year or so ago and all of a sudden it's prompting her to put in a "SIM Network Unlock PIN"!?!?!

She's on a BT SIM only plan and I'm pretty certain it's not the SIM card that's the problem because my Three SIM doesn't work in the handset and her BT SIM DOES work in my phone!

She did drop the phone a week or so ago but despite it cracking the screen, the phone appeared to work fine until now!??!

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what the problem could be - is it possible that a former owner has somehow barred the handset???

Any idea's guys??
 
Former owner reported it stolen, did insurance fraud, you're left holding the bag. This is very common I'm sorry to say as people are terrible. If you don't have a receipt for the device you're probably stuck - where did you get it from? How did you pay?
 
I bought the phone 2nd hand off another forum's classified section - last July from the looks of it!

I've messaged the last owner but no guarantee he will reply I guess!

Paid by bank transfer and don't have a receipt other than emails etc - I guess it's worth running a checkmend report to see what's what? I'm guessing that it's been locked by the original network as opposed to Samsung themselves???
 
I believe the phone was originally locked to o2 but the guy I bought it from got it unlocked!

Had a reply from him and he says he thinks he bought it from eBay!

I assume I won't be able to contact o2 and be able to just give them the IMEI number to look into it?
 
StevieP said:
I believe the phone was originally locked to o2 but the guy I bought it from got it unlocked!

Had a reply from him and he says he thinks he bought it from eBay!

I assume I won't be able to contact o2 and be able to just give them the IMEI number to look into it?
Click to expand...

It's worth a shot but don't expect anything.
 
It's possible it was SIM locked but unlocked using a crappy method which has now been overwritten with a firmware update or something. The fact it is asking you for a SIM unlock code suggests to me that it's not IMEI blocked, just SIM locked. I would look around for somewhere selling unlock codes, or perhaps try O2.
 
Em3bbs said:
It's possible it was SIM locked but unlocked using a crappy method which has now been overwritten with a firmware update or something. The fact it is asking you for a SIM unlock code suggests to me that it's not IMEI blocked, just SIM locked. I would look around for somewhere selling unlock codes, or perhaps try O2.
Click to expand...

That's a fair point don't blocked phones normally just show a "Not registered on the network" or similar message.

Buy an O2 SIM for a pound or find someone with one to chuck in it to try.
 
Thanks guys - I'll give it a go with an o2 SIM and see how I go on!

My mum has decided to swap phones anyway given the screen has a crack in it from being dropped so she's gone for a Moto G4 now!

Will persevere and keep the Galaxy as a spare handset if I can get it working!

Thanks again...
 
Right, it does look like it's somehow just lost it's "unlocking" as I've tried an o2 SIM and it works a treat!

Can't understand why it's stopped being unlocked all of a sudden but at least I can see if I can try getting it unlocked again so it's not a total loss!

Thanks again for all the help!
 
Apologies for suggesting the lockout then sorry - I wasn't aware that this was possible under Samsung firmwares at this time.
 
Well o2 are about as much use as a chocolate fireguard!!!! :mad:

The webchat operator was essentially as clued-up as a rusty spanner - just kept ignoring what I was asking and repeating that I had to be with them for 12 months before I could unlock the phone!

The guy in the customer services department was marginally more intelligent but still couldn't explain a) why the "re-locking" had occurred and b) how to get it unlocked again!

Last try will be to pop into an o2 shop to try and explain things but I'm not holding out much hope - looks like I've got a new £200 paperweight! :(
 
Yeah, I saw the link but wasn't overly confident in the top one - "If found wrong network then 5 pound will be deduct and rest will be refunded.
If you buy any unlock code service then If code not work you have to proof us with video proof without that no refund
Once order processed cannot be cancelled."

Erm...no!
 
I recently got a phone unlocked, off some site that I randomly googled.

Sent them a paypal payment, they sent me a code. Job done.
 
StevieP said:
Yeah, I saw the link but wasn't overly confident in the top one - "If found wrong network then 5 pound will be deduct and rest will be refunded.
If you buy any unlock code service then If code not work you have to proof us with video proof without that no refund
Once order processed cannot be cancelled."

Erm...no!
Click to expand...

I think that's just to stop people claiming it doesn't work and then claiming their money back.

If they didn't have that disclaimer I'd bet they get a LOT of fraudulent claims.

I bet they are completely fine.
 
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