Unlocking an EE phone
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‎31-08-2024 03:18 PM
Hi, I'm trying to unlock an old EE phone of mine so my son can use it with a Smarty pay monthly SIM. I've been through the guide and got the unlock code from EE. When I put the Smarty SIM in the EE locked Samsung Galaxy S10, it comes up with the following message 'SIM Network PIN blocked, enter SIM Network PUK. What is not clear, is who do I get the PUK from? I've got one from Smarty, that didn't work. My own EE puk doesn't work. I bought the phone from Ebay, does it need the PUK from the original owner? If so, how the heck do I get that? It really shouldn't be this difficult to unlock a phone these days. I don't seem to be able to get help by calling 150 either- I just get directed to a guide which doesn't help.
Any help to put an end to the increasingly wasted hours I'm spending on this would be much appreciated.
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‎04-09-2024 09:39 PM - edited ‎04-09-2024 09:40 PM
I did eventually get through to the technical department and a very helpful gentleman advised me to try the first 4 numbers of the 16 digit unlock code that I'd received from EE. This didn't immediately work so we tried the last 4 numbers. After turning off and on again, the phone was unlocked. Thanks for the replies folks. Sorted in the end.
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‎31-08-2024 03:21 PM - edited ‎31-08-2024 03:22 PM
When it's asking for a PUK, it wants the PUK from the network that the inserted SIM belongs to. PUKs are for unblocking SIMs, not phones.
To phone EE CS: Dial Freephone +44 800 079 8586 - Option 1 for Home Broadband & Home Phone or Option 2 for Mobile Phone & Mobile Broadband
ISPs: 1999: Freeserve 48K Dial-Up > 2005: Wanadoo 1 Meg BB > 2007: Orange 2 Meg BB > 2008: Orange 8 Meg LLU > 2010: Orange 16 Meg LLU > 2011: Orange 20 Meg WBC > 2014: EE 20 Meg WBC > 2020: EE 40 Meg FTTC > 2022:EE 80 Meg FTTC SoGEA > 2025 EE 150 Meg FTTP
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‎31-08-2024 03:43 PM
Hi @LordWazzock
Here:
https://help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/1159752-getting-and-using-a-puk-code
I am surprised the Samsung S10 was locked. Did you buy from a reputable seller.
Thanks
To contact EE Customer Services dial 150 From your EE mobile or 0800 956 6000 from any other phone.
EE standard opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm - Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 8pm.
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‎04-09-2024 09:39 PM - edited ‎04-09-2024 09:40 PM
I did eventually get through to the technical department and a very helpful gentleman advised me to try the first 4 numbers of the 16 digit unlock code that I'd received from EE. This didn't immediately work so we tried the last 4 numbers. After turning off and on again, the phone was unlocked. Thanks for the replies folks. Sorted in the end.
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‎05-09-2024 03:14 PM
Thanks for coming back and letting us know @LordWazzock.
It's great to hear this is now resolved.
Katie
