Phone locked to EE?

[ExpatPR]

I was looking at my profile on my EE account. I noticed that it says my phone is locked to EE and I would need to unlock it to use a sim from a different carrier. I have a Payg sim that I use on my phone from a US carrier. I'm assuming this is just a mistake and I can use any sim I want on my phone. Am I right?

[Northerner]

Hi, 

What phone do you have and did you buy it sim free/unlocked? 

Thanks, 

[ExpatPR]

I have an iPhone 7 from Verizon in the US. All their phones are unlocked which allows me to use a local sim when I travel. When I go to the U.K. I just swap in the EE sim and it works. I just haven't tried any other SIM cards yet. I haven't been to the EU for an extended time yet but my plan would be to get a local sim when I do unless the roaming charges from EE improve this summer. 

[XRaySpeX]

@ExpatPR: MyEE is rather ignorant/stupid when you register an EE SIM on it & the EE SIM happens to be in a non-EE phone. It, by default, assumes the phone is an EE one & reports that the phone must be locked to EE. This is a unjustified & crazy assumption & you may safely ignore it.

As you know your phone is actually unlocked & can be used with any SIM.

[Lee_H · Accepted solution]

Hi @ExpatPR and welcome back to the Community.

If the device was purchased via another provider unlocked we certainly wouldn't lock the device.

I do believe it is the auto assumption of MyEE which has caused a small bit of confusion.

Many thanks,

Lee

[ExpatPR]

Thanks @Lee_H,

Thats what I thought was happening. One more question. Is topping up considered a chargeable event that keeps the SIM active? Because for those of us that travel to the U.K., and don't have a U.K. credit card, EE now accepts foreign credit cards. I was able to add my credit card to both our accounts. I can now top up from the app, which is awesome. 

[James_B]

Hi @ExpatPR,

A chargeable event is classed as making a chargeable call, sending a text or accessing data, so topping up wouldn't count.

The best way to keep your SIM card active is to send a text once every 179 days.

You can find out more in our pay as you go hibernation guide.

Hope this helps.

James

[XRaySpeX]

@James_B: I must correct you. Topping up does count as a chargeable action. 

[James_B]

Hi @XRaySpeX,

I'm going off the information in our pay as you go hibernation guide.

I'll make sure this is double checked and get back to you. 

Thanks

James

[ExpatPR]

Thanks @James_B!,

I do have a routine to swap in the SIM cards every 160 to send a text. It's good to know that if I top up I can skip the texting for another 179 days. 

[James_B]

No problem @ExpatPR

I'll double check that topping up counts as a chargeable action on the back of @XRaySpeX's feedback.

Have a great weekend.

James

[XRaySpeX]

@James_B: Read on to the 2nd post in that thread, with justification:

Pay as you go Non-Standard price guide

You must make a connection action at least once every 180 days. If you do not, your SIM card 
will be disconnected from the network, and you will not be able to use the service at all. 
You will also lose your mobile phone number. Any credit on your account at the time of 
disconnection will be forfeited.

 ‘Connection actions’ are:
 – Making a chargeable outbound call
 – Sending a text message
 – Topping up your account
 – Making a payment for an Add-On
 – Registering your details 

 It's a "connection action" actually, not a "chargeable action"!