Unlocking a device from abroad

[EdenBaker]

Hello,

Seeking advice please,

I’ve recently moved to Australia and am wanting to unlock my IPhone. The issue I have is for some reason EE have closed my online account in the past and I don’t know why? I’ve being paying the same sim only deal for over 4 years and am wanting to stop it and keep my UK number but also place my new Australian number on a ESIM.

I receive no signal in Australia so am unable to call EE and now that I’ve had to create a new online account I cannot link my account to my UK number.

I still have been receiving monthly messages to view my statements but these are pointless as when I do try accessing them my account does not exist. Confused on why I no longer have an online account and have not had a reason to log into since now.

Thank you for any assistance with this,

Much Appreciated.

[Chris_B · Accepted solution]

@EdenBaker   Unless you keep paying for that sim only you’ll not keep the number as you can not switch it to a PAYG when abroad if that was your intention the sim will just switch off and not activate as a PAYG sim. 

The only way round this will be to change over to PAYG then next day request a replacement sim through customer service and this will be sent to your UK billing address and someone there will have to activate and use that sim to make a call and then they can post this to you.    Oh and you want this on a standard PAYG so it’ll be best who ever send you this sim also send a text to 150 with the words STOP PACK.   This will then be a standard PAYG for calls/texts.  And you can top up once every 3 months ( best to make a call also in this time ).  You have to use the sim to keep it active. 

You will have to speak with customer services about your EE account 

The ability to use your device when abroad is down to you to activate roaming on your EE account when in the UK by texting ROAMING to 150,  this allows your device to connect to a roaming network.   To activate this now and use your EE sim you’ll have to contact customer service. 

As for your iPhone,  if you go to settings>general>about and scroll down.   Next to NETWORK PROVIDER LOCK if it says no sim restrictions the device is already network unlocked.      If it says anything else have you put a different network sim in the device?  The iPhone should already be network unlocked and just might require you to put a different network sim in it to complete the process.  

You can call Freephone +44 800 079 8586 on Skype to speak with EE customer services

Thanks @Northerner for the number above 👍