Three SIM in an iPhone 5?

Talizman · 06-06-2015, 08:07

I bought my iPhone 5 unlocked and have been using it on EE for several months and on Virgin for a while before that.

I've just taken on a Three SIM-only contract but when I put it in the phone it tries to active then tells me 'SIM Not valid' and that the carrier is not supported for activation.

I know the 4G wouldn't work on it from Three but surely 3G or even 2G would? Can a Three SIM work in an iPhone 5?

BKM · 06-06-2015, 08:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talizman

I know the 4G wouldn't work on it from Three but surely 3G or even 2G would? Can a Three SIM work in an iPhone 5?

It sounds like your iPhone is not unlocked properly. You have not really tested this before - as Virgin use EE's network.

Any iPhone will work fine on 3. It actually DOES do 4G as 3 use 1800MHz for 4G and the iPhone 5 supports this.

Talizman · 06-06-2015, 08:35

I even tried a Tesco mobile SIM in it once which worked, surely that means it's unlocked?

BKM · 06-06-2015, 08:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talizman

I even tried a Tesco mobile SIM in it once which worked, surely that means it's unlocked?

This is true!

The problem has got vastly more mysterious as I personally have used 3 SIMs in an iPhone 5 with zero problems!

Does the SIM work OK in other phones?

Talizman · 06-06-2015, 09:00

I don't have another phone to use.

Gigabit · 06-06-2015, 09:01

Are you sure you have Three coverage in this location?

Stig · 06-06-2015, 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talizman

I bought my iPhone 5 unlocked and have been using it on EE for several months and on Virgin for a while before that.

I've just taken on a Three SIM-only contract but when I put it in the phone it tries to active then tells me 'SIM Not valid' and that the carrier is not supported for activation.

I know the 4G wouldn't work on it from Three but surely 3G or even 2G would? Can a Three SIM work in an iPhone 5?

You shouldn't need to activate your iPhone again. Did you erase your iPhone before putting the SIM in?

You should activate your iPhone (if you need to) with a known working SIM before changing to a new SIM.

Talizman · 06-06-2015, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigabit

Are you sure you have Three coverage in this location?

Yes and it's the same whether I try to activate by mobile signal or wifi.

Talizman · 06-06-2015, 09:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stig

You shouldn't need to activate your iPhone again. Did you erase your iPhone before putting the SIM in?

You should activate your iPhone (if you need to) with a known working SIM before changing to a new SIM.

No I haven't erased it and this problem didn't occur when I put the Tesco SIM in - and neither did I get the activation screen. I did try resetting the Network settings too burt that made no difference.

Stig · 06-06-2015, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talizman

No I haven't erased it and this problem didn't occur when I put the Tesco SIM in - and neither did I get the activation screen. I did try resetting the Network settings too burt that made no difference.

Can you try another PAYG SIM, preferably one you know works already, and use that to test?

Talizman · 06-06-2015, 09:08

I don't have another SIM to try. Am on the phone to Three now...

Talizman · 06-06-2015, 09:15

Ah yes, typical Indian callcentre support...."Have you tried switching it off and on again?"...and my favourite so far, "Can you make calls or send text messages?"....

Talizman · 06-06-2015, 09:26

This just gets better and better. She just said "Ok you have used other SIM cards in the phone which means it's unlocked but actually it is locked".

Priceless.

BKM · 06-06-2015, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talizman

This just gets better and better. She just said "Ok you have used other SIM cards in the phone which means it's unlocked but actually it is locked".

You have too many variables! The unlocking should have been done by Apple (and whoever it was locked to)- not Three!

You really need to check the CURRENT lock status of the handset using other SIMs and ensure the 3 SIM is OK in another phone!

moox · 06-06-2015, 09:42

Where did you buy the iPhone "unlocked"? Carphone Warehouse?

Talizman · 06-06-2015, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKM

You have too many variables! The unlocking should have been done by Apple (and whoever it was locked to)- not Three!

You really need to check the CURRENT lock status of the handset using other SIMs and ensure the 3 SIM is OK in another phone!

As I've said I don't have another phone and I've already tried other SIMs.

Talizman · 06-06-2015, 09:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

Where did you buy the iPhone "unlocked"? Carphone Warehouse?

Computer Exchange but it's a bit too far away for me to take it back there.

moox · 06-06-2015, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talizman

Computer Exchange but it's a bit too far away for me to take it back there.

I'm guessing it was second hand then?

I think "unlocked" iPhones from carphone warehouse do lock themselves to the first network that they were used with, so maybe its original owner bought it from there, though it wouldn't explain why you say a Tesco SIM worked

Stig · 06-06-2015, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talizman

I don't have another SIM to try. Am on the phone to Three now...

Walk down the road and buy another SIM from somewhere to test.

Talizman · 06-06-2015, 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stig

Walk down the road and buy another SIM from somewhere to test.

There's always one...

The only shop down the road is a bakery.

d123 · 06-06-2015, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talizman

There's always one...

The only shop down the road is a bakery.

Around the corner from the bakery is a newsagent

.

You need another sim to test, it's that simple.

It sounds as if your phone isn't unlocked properly, if you really can't find another sim you could buy a status check from eBay for a couple of £'s to check.

For example, 99p from http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lock-Unloc...-/131520146991

£1.49 from http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Check-Your...-/251867587390

moox · 06-06-2015, 17:58

It's worth pointing out that if you can wait a couple of days, all the networks will post a SIM to you for free

jchamier · 06-06-2015, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talizman

There's always one...

The only shop down the road is a bakery.

I assume you've tried a reboot with the new SIM in the phone?

Hold down the top sleep/wake button and hold the front home button at the same time, keep them held down until you see the Apple logo and then let go.

Talizman · 07-06-2015, 06:45

Turns out the phone was 'partially unlocked' or some such guff. Voda, EE and O2 SIMs would work in it but Three would, truly bizarre. Anyway CEX allowed me to swap it for another handset at the same sale value so I chose a genuinely unlocked S5

06-06-2015, 08:07	#1
Talizman Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a journey Posts: 1,901	Three SIM in an iPhone 5? I bought my iPhone 5 unlocked and have been using it on EE for several months and on Virgin for a while before that. I've just taken on a Three SIM-only contract but when I put it in the phone it tries to active then tells me 'SIM Not valid' and that the carrier is not supported for activation. I know the 4G wouldn't work on it from Three but surely 3G or even 2G would? Can a Three SIM work in an iPhone 5?

06-06-2015, 08:26	#2
BKM Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,288	Quote: Originally Posted by Talizman I know the 4G wouldn't work on it from Three but surely 3G or even 2G would? Can a Three SIM work in an iPhone 5? It sounds like your iPhone is not unlocked properly. You have not really tested this before - as Virgin use EE's network. Any iPhone will work fine on 3. It actually DOES do 4G as 3 use 1800MHz for 4G and the iPhone 5 supports this.

06-06-2015, 08:35	#3
Talizman Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a journey Posts: 1,901	I even tried a Tesco mobile SIM in it once which worked, surely that means it's unlocked?

06-06-2015, 08:57	#4
BKM Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,288	Quote: Originally Posted by Talizman I even tried a Tesco mobile SIM in it once which worked, surely that means it's unlocked? This is true! The problem has got vastly more mysterious as I personally have used 3 SIMs in an iPhone 5 with zero problems! Does the SIM work OK in other phones?

06-06-2015, 09:00	#5
Talizman Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a journey Posts: 1,901	I don't have another phone to use.

06-06-2015, 09:01	#6
Gigabit Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,887	Are you sure you have Three coverage in this location?

06-06-2015, 09:01	#7
Stig Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sandy Heath, Beds. UK Posts: 10,383	Quote: Originally Posted by Talizman I bought my iPhone 5 unlocked and have been using it on EE for several months and on Virgin for a while before that. I've just taken on a Three SIM-only contract but when I put it in the phone it tries to active then tells me 'SIM Not valid' and that the carrier is not supported for activation. I know the 4G wouldn't work on it from Three but surely 3G or even 2G would? Can a Three SIM work in an iPhone 5? You shouldn't need to activate your iPhone again. Did you erase your iPhone before putting the SIM in? You should activate your iPhone (if you need to) with a known working SIM before changing to a new SIM.

06-06-2015, 09:02	#8
Talizman Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a journey Posts: 1,901	Quote: Originally Posted by Gigabit Are you sure you have Three coverage in this location? Yes and it's the same whether I try to activate by mobile signal or wifi.

06-06-2015, 09:04	#9
Talizman Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a journey Posts: 1,901	Quote: Originally Posted by Stig You shouldn't need to activate your iPhone again. Did you erase your iPhone before putting the SIM in? You should activate your iPhone (if you need to) with a known working SIM before changing to a new SIM. No I haven't erased it and this problem didn't occur when I put the Tesco SIM in - and neither did I get the activation screen. I did try resetting the Network settings too burt that made no difference.

06-06-2015, 09:05	#10
Stig Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sandy Heath, Beds. UK Posts: 10,383	Quote: Originally Posted by Talizman No I haven't erased it and this problem didn't occur when I put the Tesco SIM in - and neither did I get the activation screen. I did try resetting the Network settings too burt that made no difference. Can you try another PAYG SIM, preferably one you know works already, and use that to test?

06-06-2015, 09:08	#11
Talizman Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a journey Posts: 1,901	I don't have another SIM to try. Am on the phone to Three now...

06-06-2015, 09:15	#12
Talizman Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a journey Posts: 1,901	Ah yes, typical Indian callcentre support...."Have you tried switching it off and on again?"...and my favourite so far, "Can you make calls or send text messages?"....

06-06-2015, 09:26	#13
Talizman Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a journey Posts: 1,901	This just gets better and better. She just said "Ok you have used other SIM cards in the phone which means it's unlocked but actually it is locked". Priceless.

06-06-2015, 09:39	#14
BKM Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,288	Quote: Originally Posted by Talizman This just gets better and better. She just said "Ok you have used other SIM cards in the phone which means it's unlocked but actually it is locked". You have too many variables! The unlocking should have been done by Apple (and whoever it was locked to)- not Three! You really need to check the CURRENT lock status of the handset using other SIMs and ensure the 3 SIM is OK in another phone!

06-06-2015, 09:42	#15
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Where did you buy the iPhone "unlocked"? Carphone Warehouse?

06-06-2015, 09:46	#16
Talizman Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a journey Posts: 1,901	Quote: Originally Posted by BKM You have too many variables! The unlocking should have been done by Apple (and whoever it was locked to)- not Three! You really need to check the CURRENT lock status of the handset using other SIMs and ensure the 3 SIM is OK in another phone! As I've said I don't have another phone and I've already tried other SIMs.

06-06-2015, 09:47	#17
Talizman Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a journey Posts: 1,901	Quote: Originally Posted by moox Where did you buy the iPhone "unlocked"? Carphone Warehouse? Computer Exchange but it's a bit too far away for me to take it back there.

06-06-2015, 09:49	#18
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by Talizman Computer Exchange but it's a bit too far away for me to take it back there. I'm guessing it was second hand then? I think "unlocked" iPhones from carphone warehouse do lock themselves to the first network that they were used with, so maybe its original owner bought it from there, though it wouldn't explain why you say a Tesco SIM worked

06-06-2015, 13:36	#19
Stig Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sandy Heath, Beds. UK Posts: 10,383	Quote: Originally Posted by Talizman I don't have another SIM to try. Am on the phone to Three now... Walk down the road and buy another SIM from somewhere to test.

06-06-2015, 15:04	#20
Talizman Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a journey Posts: 1,901	Quote: Originally Posted by Stig Walk down the road and buy another SIM from somewhere to test. There's always one... The only shop down the road is a bakery.

06-06-2015, 17:42	#21
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by Talizman There's always one... The only shop down the road is a bakery. Around the corner from the bakery is a newsagent . You need another sim to test, it's that simple. It sounds as if your phone isn't unlocked properly, if you really can't find another sim you could buy a status check from eBay for a couple of £'s to check. For example, 99p from http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lock-Unloc...-/131520146991 £1.49 from http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Check-Your...-/251867587390

DS Forums

Three SIM in an iPhone 5?

06-06-2015, 17:58	#22
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	It's worth pointing out that if you can wait a couple of days, all the networks will post a SIM to you for free

06-06-2015, 19:01	#23
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by Talizman There's always one... The only shop down the road is a bakery. I assume you've tried a reboot with the new SIM in the phone? Hold down the top sleep/wake button and hold the front home button at the same time, keep them held down until you see the Apple logo and then let go.

07-06-2015, 06:45	#24
Talizman Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a journey Posts: 1,901	Turns out the phone was 'partially unlocked' or some such guff. Voda, EE and O2 SIMs would work in it but Three would, truly bizarre. Anyway CEX allowed me to swap it for another handset at the same sale value so I chose a genuinely unlocked S5