iPhone 6s showing invalid sim

Stephen93 · 06-10-2015, 21:49

I brought an iPhone 6 from Carphone Warehouse on an EE contract, as I wanted to transfer my number from Vodafone to EE I got a PAC Code, filled the on-line form on to get it transferred, this was on Monday.

The text arrived from EE to say it would be done this Monday, my Vodafone signal was cut off at midday, I put my EE SIM card in the iPhone 6, it went through the usual ie connecting to wifi, after that the message on the screen said "it will take sometime for the iPhone to be set up"

Then a message came up saying invalid sim, this isn't a hardware problem, tried it several times same message appears, could even get the homescreen back just the message "invalid sim", the only way I could get the the apps back is by taking the SIM card out.

Tried resetting the iPhone by pressing the power & home button together, that didnt resolve it.

Anyone know how to sort this, it it Carphone warehouse or EE problem?

Ps before I had the number transferred the Vodafone SIM card worked perfectly, it's just the EE SIM card that causes the problem.

Thanks

Mystic Eddy · 06-10-2015, 21:56

Have you tried going into settings > general > about and seeing if the phone informs you a carrier update is available? Then hard reset the phone with home and power buttons again.

Stephen93 · 06-10-2015, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystic Eddy

Have you tried going into settings > general > about and seeing if the phone informs you a carrier update is available? Then hard reset the phone with home and power buttons again.

Just checked it says under Carrier - EE 21.1

matty1000kk · 06-10-2015, 22:20

Erm I could be wrong but don't iPhones from carphone warehouse lock to the first SIM that is inserted? So if you placed your Voda SIM in it will now be locked to that......

Stephen93 · 06-10-2015, 22:23

I see didn't know that what are my options do you think?

grumpyoldbat · 06-10-2015, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by matty1000kk

Erm I could be wrong but don't iPhones from carphone warehouse lock to the first SIM that is inserted? So if you placed your Voda SIM in it will now be locked to that......

Yes, you'd need the phone to be unlocked.

AxeVictim · 06-10-2015, 22:29

Blame CPW for not telling you and either get them to unlock it or give you another phone.

-GONZO- · 06-10-2015, 22:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen93

I see didn't know that what are my options do you think?

I'm pretty sure the only ones that can unlock it will be Vodafone.

Stephen93 · 06-10-2015, 23:06

I've got 14 days to return it I may do that.

Gigabit · 06-10-2015, 23:53

This is interesting. If the phone locks to the first network it connects to, does that mean the number gets added to the Vodafone part of Apple's database? Because as far as I was aware they can only remove numbers, not add them.

d123 · 07-10-2015, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigabit

This is interesting. If the phone locks to the first network it connects to, does that mean the number gets added to the Vodafone part of Apple's database? Because as far as I was aware they can only remove numbers, not add them.

Yes, it will be listed as a Vodafone phone now on the database. Only Vodafone can process the unlock.

This thread just proves the stupidity of the CarPhoneWarehouse method of selling iPhones that lock to the first simcard inserted.

mupet0000 · 07-10-2015, 00:43

That's actually ridiculous. You bought the phone on an EE contract from them, bring it back to them and let them figure it out, this isn't your fault or your problem.

-GONZO- · 07-10-2015, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by mupet0000

That's actually ridiculous. You bought the phone on an EE contract from them, bring it back to them and let them figure it out, this isn't your fault or your problem.

Trouble is as harsh as it may seem, it is the OPs fault and problem as the phone was bought on an EE contract, but chose to use a Vodafone sim instead.
Not too sure if Carphone Warehouse will be able to do anything about it, possibly the only option maybe to fill in Vodafones online unlock form and pay around £20.

Stig · 07-10-2015, 07:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen93

I brought an iPhone 6 from Carphone Warehouse on an EE contract, as I wanted to transfer my number from Vodafone to EE I got a PAC Code, filled the on-line form on to get it transferred, this was on Monday.

The text arrived from EE to say it would be done this Monday, my Vodafone signal was cut off at midday, I put my EE SIM card in the iPhone 6, it went through the usual ie connecting to wifi, after that the message on the screen said "it will take sometime for the iPhone to be set up"

Then a message came up saying invalid sim, this isn't a hardware problem, tried it several times same message appears, could even get the homescreen back just the message "invalid sim", the only way I could get the the apps back is by taking the SIM card out.

Tried resetting the iPhone by pressing the power & home button together, that didnt resolve it.

Anyone know how to sort this, it it Carphone warehouse or EE problem?

Ps before I had the number transferred the Vodafone SIM card worked perfectly, it's just the EE SIM card that causes the problem.

Thanks

Just to be clear: was the old Vodafone SIM the first card you put in the phone, or did you initially use the EE SIM from CPW?

Stephen93 · 07-10-2015, 08:13

I put the Vodafone card in first.

I wonder if I say I want to return it under the 14 days returns policy they'll accept that & I don't mention the sim card debacle.

Lidtop2013 · 07-10-2015, 08:19

Why not? Your not obliged to tell them why your returning it if it's within their returns policy dates. I'm returning this, should be all that's needed to be said.

planetf1 · 07-10-2015, 08:32

Was the fact it locked made clear to you when purchased? If not I don't think it's unreasonable for someone unaware of this "feature" to put their old sim in to transition from one network to another. I've certainly done it on other phones in the past (though my iPhone was from apple direct this time around)

I'd go with a say-nothing return first off, but if that failed I'd be arguing my case for sure. It comes down to whether the contract was fair....

d123 · 07-10-2015, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen93

I put the Vodafone card in first.

I wonder if I say I want to return it under the 14 days returns policy they'll accept that & I don't mention the sim card debacle.

I would just take it back and say "it's not working, fix it so it works or I'm cancelling" and then let them resolve the issue (probably by swapping the handset).

Stig · 07-10-2015, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

I would just take it back and say "it's not working, fix it so it works or I'm cancelling" and then let them resolve the issue (probably by swapping the handset).

This sounds the sensible approach.

Stephen93 · 07-10-2015, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

I would just take it back and say "it's not working, fix it so it works or I'm cancelling" and then let them resolve the issue (probably by swapping the handset).

I'm just going to say it's not working & ask them to replace the handset or I'm cancelling all together.

AxeVictim · 07-10-2015, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen93

I'm just going to say it's not working & ask them to replace the handset or I'm cancelling all together.

Best option they should be supplying them unlocked anyway stop all this fannying about locking to the first network.

d123 · 07-10-2015, 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by AxeVictim

Best option they should be supplying them unlocked anyway stop all this fannying about locking to the first network.

There is no excuse, CPW tried to say it was the way Apple required them to be sold by other retailers but the fact Giffgaff, Three, Currys and now John Lewis sell them shows what a lie that is.

BKM · 08-10-2015, 08:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

There is no excuse, CPW tried to say it was the way Apple required them to be sold by other retailers but the fact Giffgaff, Three, Currys and now John Lewis sell them shows what a lie that is.

This may, at one time, have been true but it still suits CPW themselves to only have one model of iPhone handset to stock (rather than one for each network). This would work if CPW staff were trained to insert the appropriate SIM before the customer left the shop.

I see that "Authorised Apple Resellers" (like Western Computers locally) now also sell unlocked models.

soulboy77 · 08-10-2015, 08:37

My OH had a nightmare with her new phone trying to get everything changed over. Had to go back to CPW three times to get it sorted and they admitted that the guy she first saw was a trainee and had basically cocked it up, due to not understanding the correct process.

Stephen93 · 08-10-2015, 21:23

Rang CPW explained the phone wasn't working, ie, invalid sim, first of all the CS person said they would send me another EE SIM card, I said I'd already tried one & it didn't work, he then told me he'd ring EE to get the card I have to be put back to its original number.

Knowing this wouldn't work I said how can it, I then told him after the EE card didn't work I put a Vodafone card in the iPhone he said it's obviously locked to Vodafone now

He directed me to www.myimeiunlock.com to get it unlocked, I did this whilst still in the line talking to them, the cost to get it unlocked was £75.

I said that's expensive can I just cancel the contract, he replied we don't accept locked phones, he wouldn't budge he even asked his manager, I told him I wasn't aware the phones are locked to whichever SIM card is first inserted, didn't make any difference.

Think I will try Vodafone it's only £20

Great eh.

06-10-2015, 21:49	#1
Stephen93 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 968	iPhone 6s showing invalid sim I brought an iPhone 6 from Carphone Warehouse on an EE contract, as I wanted to transfer my number from Vodafone to EE I got a PAC Code, filled the on-line form on to get it transferred, this was on Monday. The text arrived from EE to say it would be done this Monday, my Vodafone signal was cut off at midday, I put my EE SIM card in the iPhone 6, it went through the usual ie connecting to wifi, after that the message on the screen said "it will take sometime for the iPhone to be set up" Then a message came up saying invalid sim, this isn't a hardware problem, tried it several times same message appears, could even get the homescreen back just the message "invalid sim", the only way I could get the the apps back is by taking the SIM card out. Tried resetting the iPhone by pressing the power & home button together, that didnt resolve it. Anyone know how to sort this, it it Carphone warehouse or EE problem? Ps before I had the number transferred the Vodafone SIM card worked perfectly, it's just the EE SIM card that causes the problem. Thanks

06-10-2015, 21:56	#2
Mystic Eddy Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,885	Have you tried going into settings > general > about and seeing if the phone informs you a carrier update is available? Then hard reset the phone with home and power buttons again.

06-10-2015, 22:09	#3
Stephen93 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 968	Quote: Originally Posted by Mystic Eddy Have you tried going into settings > general > about and seeing if the phone informs you a carrier update is available? Then hard reset the phone with home and power buttons again. Just checked it says under Carrier - EE 21.1

06-10-2015, 22:20	#4
matty1000kk Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 272	Erm I could be wrong but don't iPhones from carphone warehouse lock to the first SIM that is inserted? So if you placed your Voda SIM in it will now be locked to that......

06-10-2015, 22:23	#5
Stephen93 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 968	I see didn't know that what are my options do you think?

06-10-2015, 22:24	#6
grumpyoldbat Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,636	Quote: Originally Posted by matty1000kk Erm I could be wrong but don't iPhones from carphone warehouse lock to the first SIM that is inserted? So if you placed your Voda SIM in it will now be locked to that...... Yes, you'd need the phone to be unlocked.

06-10-2015, 22:29	#7
AxeVictim Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 2,644	Blame CPW for not telling you and either get them to unlock it or give you another phone.

06-10-2015, 22:31	#8
-GONZO- Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 8,954	Quote: Originally Posted by Stephen93 I see didn't know that what are my options do you think? I'm pretty sure the only ones that can unlock it will be Vodafone.

06-10-2015, 23:06	#9
Stephen93 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 968	I've got 14 days to return it I may do that.

06-10-2015, 23:53	#10
Gigabit Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,887	This is interesting. If the phone locks to the first network it connects to, does that mean the number gets added to the Vodafone part of Apple's database? Because as far as I was aware they can only remove numbers, not add them.

07-10-2015, 00:24	#11
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by Gigabit This is interesting. If the phone locks to the first network it connects to, does that mean the number gets added to the Vodafone part of Apple's database? Because as far as I was aware they can only remove numbers, not add them. Yes, it will be listed as a Vodafone phone now on the database. Only Vodafone can process the unlock. This thread just proves the stupidity of the CarPhoneWarehouse method of selling iPhones that lock to the first simcard inserted.

07-10-2015, 00:43	#12
mupet0000 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 620	That's actually ridiculous. You bought the phone on an EE contract from them, bring it back to them and let them figure it out, this isn't your fault or your problem.

07-10-2015, 06:48	#13
-GONZO- Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 8,954	Quote: Originally Posted by mupet0000 That's actually ridiculous. You bought the phone on an EE contract from them, bring it back to them and let them figure it out, this isn't your fault or your problem. Trouble is as harsh as it may seem, it is the OPs fault and problem as the phone was bought on an EE contract, but chose to use a Vodafone sim instead. Not too sure if Carphone Warehouse will be able to do anything about it, possibly the only option maybe to fill in Vodafones online unlock form and pay around £20.

07-10-2015, 07:03	#14
Stig Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sandy Heath, Beds. UK Posts: 10,383	Quote: Originally Posted by Stephen93 I brought an iPhone 6 from Carphone Warehouse on an EE contract, as I wanted to transfer my number from Vodafone to EE I got a PAC Code, filled the on-line form on to get it transferred, this was on Monday. The text arrived from EE to say it would be done this Monday, my Vodafone signal was cut off at midday, I put my EE SIM card in the iPhone 6, it went through the usual ie connecting to wifi, after that the message on the screen said "it will take sometime for the iPhone to be set up" Then a message came up saying invalid sim, this isn't a hardware problem, tried it several times same message appears, could even get the homescreen back just the message "invalid sim", the only way I could get the the apps back is by taking the SIM card out. Tried resetting the iPhone by pressing the power & home button together, that didnt resolve it. Anyone know how to sort this, it it Carphone warehouse or EE problem? Ps before I had the number transferred the Vodafone SIM card worked perfectly, it's just the EE SIM card that causes the problem. Thanks Just to be clear: was the old Vodafone SIM the first card you put in the phone, or did you initially use the EE SIM from CPW?

07-10-2015, 08:13	#15
Stephen93 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 968	I put the Vodafone card in first. I wonder if I say I want to return it under the 14 days returns policy they'll accept that & I don't mention the sim card debacle.

07-10-2015, 08:19	#16
Lidtop2013 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: West Midlands Posts: 2,450	Why not? Your not obliged to tell them why your returning it if it's within their returns policy dates. I'm returning this, should be all that's needed to be said.

07-10-2015, 08:32	#17
planetf1 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hampshire Posts: 521	Was the fact it locked made clear to you when purchased? If not I don't think it's unreasonable for someone unaware of this "feature" to put their old sim in to transition from one network to another. I've certainly done it on other phones in the past (though my iPhone was from apple direct this time around) I'd go with a say-nothing return first off, but if that failed I'd be arguing my case for sure. It comes down to whether the contract was fair....

07-10-2015, 10:31	#18
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by Stephen93 I put the Vodafone card in first. I wonder if I say I want to return it under the 14 days returns policy they'll accept that & I don't mention the sim card debacle. I would just take it back and say "it's not working, fix it so it works or I'm cancelling" and then let them resolve the issue (probably by swapping the handset).

07-10-2015, 12:49	#19
Stig Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sandy Heath, Beds. UK Posts: 10,383	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 I would just take it back and say "it's not working, fix it so it works or I'm cancelling" and then let them resolve the issue (probably by swapping the handset). This sounds the sensible approach.

07-10-2015, 20:55	#20
Stephen93 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 968	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 I would just take it back and say "it's not working, fix it so it works or I'm cancelling" and then let them resolve the issue (probably by swapping the handset). I'm just going to say it's not working & ask them to replace the handset or I'm cancelling all together.

07-10-2015, 21:49	#21
AxeVictim Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 2,644	Quote: Originally Posted by Stephen93 I'm just going to say it's not working & ask them to replace the handset or I'm cancelling all together. Best option they should be supplying them unlocked anyway stop all this fannying about locking to the first network.

DS Forums

iPhone 6s showing invalid sim

07-10-2015, 23:31	#22
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by AxeVictim Best option they should be supplying them unlocked anyway stop all this fannying about locking to the first network. There is no excuse, CPW tried to say it was the way Apple required them to be sold by other retailers but the fact Giffgaff, Three, Currys and now John Lewis sell them shows what a lie that is.

08-10-2015, 08:22	#23
BKM Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,288	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 There is no excuse, CPW tried to say it was the way Apple required them to be sold by other retailers but the fact Giffgaff, Three, Currys and now John Lewis sell them shows what a lie that is. This may, at one time, have been true but it still suits CPW themselves to only have one model of iPhone handset to stock (rather than one for each network). This would work if CPW staff were trained to insert the appropriate SIM before the customer left the shop. I see that "Authorised Apple Resellers" (like Western Computers locally) now also sell unlocked models.

08-10-2015, 08:37	#24
soulboy77 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herts Posts: 17,005	My OH had a nightmare with her new phone trying to get everything changed over. Had to go back to CPW three times to get it sorted and they admitted that the guy she first saw was a trainee and had basically cocked it up, due to not understanding the correct process.

08-10-2015, 21:23	#25
Stephen93 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 968	Rang CPW explained the phone wasn't working, ie, invalid sim, first of all the CS person said they would send me another EE SIM card, I said I'd already tried one & it didn't work, he then told me he'd ring EE to get the card I have to be put back to its original number. Knowing this wouldn't work I said how can it, I then told him after the EE card didn't work I put a Vodafone card in the iPhone he said it's obviously locked to Vodafone now He directed me to www.myimeiunlock.com to get it unlocked, I did this whilst still in the line talking to them, the cost to get it unlocked was £75. I said that's expensive can I just cancel the contract, he replied we don't accept locked phones, he wouldn't budge he even asked his manager, I told him I wasn't aware the phones are locked to whichever SIM card is first inserted, didn't make any difference. Think I will try Vodafone it's only £20 Great eh.