Can't unlock a few year old Orange phone

[timmy963]

I'm trying to unlock both mine and my mother's phone, but EE doesn't recognise the mobile numbers which is locked to Orange.

Every time I try to register the phones, it just says it doesn't recognise these as an EE, Orange or T-Mobile number.

If I put the IMEI number in, again it says it doesn't recognise the phone.

[XRaySpeX]

Did you buy this device yourself new direct from EE/Orange or is it 2nd-hand?

[timmy963]

I bought both a few years ago from Argos. I still even have the boxes...

[XRaySpeX]

To unlock a phone not bought directly from EE you need to call Customer Services on 0800 956 6000 (option 2, option 4) to put you in touch with the Unlocking Team to request an Unlock Code. You will be asked for your email addy. They will take payment (of £8.99) from any valid UK bank card.

Once the process has been started you will receive an email from the Unlocking Team to process the unlock. It can take up to 10 days to complete the unlock.

[timmy963]

Is it possible to have them take the fee from my payg credit?

[XRaySpeX]

You could ask. The only way is by phoning them.

[Lee_H]

Hi @timmy963 and welcome to the community.

Let us know how you get on after speaking to customer services.

Many thanks,

Lee

[timmy963]

Just phoned about 5 minutes ago.

The nice bloke took my details phone number, email and IMEI number, but sadly couldn't process it due to the department which handles unlocks was too busy.

I was told to ring early tomorrow.

[Lee_H]

Hi @timmy963

Do let us know tomorrow though.

Many thanks,

Lee

[timmy963]

Had to ring 3 times on different days because they kept saying the unlock team was too busy.

Finally got passed on to the unlock team and they took my details etc. Strange thing was that they said there was "no fee as it's on my orange account" which confused me a bit.

They said it will take about 10 days and will email me the code when ready.

[Leanne_T]

Good Afternoon @timmy963

Thanks for coming back and letting us know 🙂

Leanne 🙂

[Chris_B]

@timmy963  It’s free to unlock an old contract device or a payg device.  You only pay if that device is still in contract or it’s a 2nd hand device.  

[timmy963]

That just contridicts everything I've been told.

[Leanne_T]

Hi @timmy963

I am sorry you have been told differently.

Our unlocking team will do checks on the device and let you know if a payment is needed at that time.

You have been eligible for the unlock free of charge.

Thanks 🙂

[timmy963]

"We have checked with Samsung and your Device is already unlocked, all you need to do is

Insert a different network SIM card and switch on ( 02 or Vodafone works best)"

What a load of BS. I used the same o2 sim I tested before I even requested the unlock and it still says network locked.

[Chris_B]

@timmy963. 

please can I ask what devices are these ?  

[Leanne_T]

Hi @timmy963

Thanks for coming back to us.

Is this what the unlocking team have advised?

Is this for both devices?

Thanks, Leanne.

[timmy963]

They are both Samsung GT-E1230 phones and yes that is the email I received yesterday.

I've not tried getting my mothers unlocked yet, just mine for now.

[Chris_B]

@timmy963. Did you receive  the unlock code for this device?    If you did have you entered the unlock code for this device on the device? 

[timmy963]

All they gave me was a freeze code which didn't work.