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Dumb question about unlocking phones
fizzycat
14-09-2016
I'm currently on EE as a PAYG customer but I could get a much better deal elsewhere. My phone needs to be unlocked so I can transfer but EE are saying it will take 'up to 10 working days' from receiving my payment and request and can't give any more specific time-scale.

I don't want to be left with no phone cover so I think I need to get the unlock request in soon. But - here comes the dumb bit - if it's unlocked will I still be able to use it on EE until the end of my monthly package?
Stig
14-09-2016
Originally Posted by fizzycat:
“if it's unlocked will I still be able to use it on EE until the end of my monthly package?”

Yes, of course.
chrisjr
14-09-2016
Unlocking simply means that the phone is not tied down to any network. So once unlocked it will work with whatever SIM on whatever network you care to use with it. Which of course includes the original SIM it had in when it was locked.
artnada
14-09-2016
Try eBay for an unlock code. It'll probably be cheaper, and most sellers provide you with a code within minutes.

Always amazes me how telcos have to take "up to 10 days" or "up to 3 weeks", when eBay sellers can do it in a matter of minutes in most cases!
Stig
14-09-2016
Originally Posted by artnada:
“Try eBay for an unlock code. It'll probably be cheaper, and most sellers provide you with a code within minutes.

Always amazes me how tecos have to take "up to 10 days" or "up to 3 weeks", when eBay sellers can do it in a matter of minutes in most cases!”

It depends on the phone. The iPhone for example can only be unlocked by Apple, so it can take a couple of weeks.
d123
14-09-2016
Originally Posted by Stig:
“The iPhone for example can only be unlocked by Apple, so it can take a couple of weeks.”

Plenty of eBay unlockers who have access to the Apple system. Many will sort the unlock in 5-7 days, best I experienced was 3 days.
LION8TIGER
14-09-2016
I unlocked an iphone on EE a couple of weeks ago (through EE) and it took 5 days @£8.99.
radio lad
14-09-2016
I phoned EE for an unlock (not a customer) at 4pm, they took my £8.99 and it was unlocked at 11 am the next day.
Stig
14-09-2016
Originally Posted by d123:
“Plenty of eBay unlockers who have access to the Apple system. Many will sort the unlock in 5-7 days, best I experienced was 3 days.”

You do realise that these are people working for mobile phone companies who are moonlighting and unlocking phones? I'm not sure I trust those kind of people, thanks.
d123
14-09-2016
Originally Posted by Stig:
“You do realise that these are people working for mobile phone companies who are moonlighting and unlocking phones? I'm not sure I trust those kind of people, thanks.”

Why wouldn't you trust them? You are giving them £10-£20 via Paypal (so protected) to buy a service on eBay (so protected).

You must be quite pessimistic to be scared of losing £20 even when it has more protection than buying from a shop...
alan1302
14-09-2016
Originally Posted by d123:
“Why wouldn't you trust them? You are giving them £10-£20 via Paypal (so protected) to buy a service on eBay (so protected).

You must be quite pessimistic to be scared of losing £20 even when it has more protection than buying from a shop...”

Why wouldn't you trust them? As they are doing something they shouldn't.

You might be protected but what about paying to support people that are doing something they shouldn't?
d123
14-09-2016
Originally Posted by alan1302:
“Why wouldn't you trust them? As they are doing something they shouldn't.

You might be protected but what about paying to support people that are doing something they shouldn't?”

Who says they shouldn't? Do you know for sure whether they are network staff, Apple staff or Apple authorised repairers/resellers with access to the system?

If it worried Apple or the networks they would have done something as some of the unlockers have been around for 4 years or longer.

It's also all a bit of a red herring by Stig who is attempting to deflect the criticism to his comment that it's only possible directly with Apple (which is wrong).

If a person wants their iPhone unlocked they can approach their network, if the network won't help they have a choice of going to an eBay unlocker. That's the fact of the matter...
Stig
14-09-2016
Originally Posted by d123:
“It's also all a bit of a red herring by Stig who is attempting to deflect the criticism to his comment that it's only possible directly with Apple (which is wrong).”

No, I said the codes from from Apple, but obviously via your mobile carrier (if that's who's unlocking it).

Maybe I'm a bit odd, but I don't think people should be rewarded for dishonesty. It's the same story with people who sell Windows keys on eBay for a few quid. They are obviously getting them for free via MSDN etc.
finbaar
14-09-2016
The OP asked a question and it was answered in the very next post. End of conversation? No. We get the spectrum people out to play.
d123
14-09-2016
Originally Posted by Stig:
“No, I said the codes from from Apple”

Just to clarify your point there, there are no codes for iPhone, the unlock is exclusively actioned on the Apple server.
LION8TIGER
14-09-2016
Originally Posted by d123:
“Just to clarify your point there, there are no codes for iPhone, the unlock is exclusively actioned on the Apple server.”

That is correct (I think), no codes are involved, they just send a text saying unlocked. That is EE I'm talking about. I don't see any unlocking service for Iphones that can beat the £8.99.
On the other hand I have unlocked 2 Vodaphones ( not iphones) using codes from Ebay, one for 99p the other £1.69.
The 99p one was difficult because the phone came from Ireland, it took many messages back and forth over a 2 hour period for them to find the correct code. I couldn't believe how much service I was getting for my 99p .... the other phone unlocked straight away.
Gigabit
14-09-2016
Essentially, the network (and only the network officially), sends a request to an Apple server setting the status of the iPhone as unlocked. No codes.

Apple cannot request codes. Anyone else has somebody from the network doing it and they will get found out and fired, as they always do, because the networks buy these unlocks and then trace the person who requested it.
Stig
15-09-2016
Originally Posted by Gigabit:
“Essentially, the network (and only the network officially), sends a request to an Apple server setting the status of the iPhone as unlocked. No codes.

Apple cannot request codes. Anyone else has somebody from the network doing it and they will get found out and fired, as they always do, because the networks buy these unlocks and then trace the person who requested it.”

Excellent clarification. Thank you.
gillyallan
15-09-2016
Do you think eventually the telco watchdog or something will make it unfair for phones to be locked and so eventually all will come unlocked ?

Although just reading on it, seems it's free on O2 pay monthly anyway.
fizzycat
15-09-2016
Originally Posted by gillyallan:
“Do you think eventually the telco watchdog or something will make it unfair for phones to be locked and so eventually all will come unlocked ?
.”

I hope so. The current situation is ridiculous when you opt for a company and package and they let you choose your phone from their limited range. We should be able to choose the phone we want and connect to any network with no locks. Every time my husband gets his 'free' (yeah, sure it's free) upgrade, he passes his old one to me and it's ludicrous how much we've paid for unlocking them over the years.
Stig
15-09-2016
Originally Posted by fizzycat:
“I hope so. The current situation is ridiculous when you opt for a company and package and they let you choose your phone from their limited range. We should be able to choose the phone we want and connect to any network with no locks. Every time my husband gets his 'free' (yeah, sure it's free) upgrade, he passes his old one to me and it's ludicrous how much we've paid for unlocking them over the years.”

You can buy unlocked phones and SIM only plans. Contract phones are subsidised, and the carrier has to cover those costs. It's always been cheaper to buy your phone up front rather than pay the 'loan' of contract prices.

Apple now allow you to buy an iPhone on an interest free payment plan. Along with a SIM only contract, it could be the cheapest way to afford an iPhone (if you wanted one).
gillyallan
15-09-2016
I don't get that as if I move to say vodafone from ee I'd still need to honor my contract anyway so they surely make the same money
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