Mobile phone...Doh

[hifi_dave]

Being even more of a numpty with a mobile than I am with a computer, I have just swapped over my phone. I had a Microsoft Lumia, which I didn't get on with so feeling bold, when my Wife upgraded her Samsung, I decided to use her old Samsung Galaxy Ace 2, as that is easier.

I put the Sim from my Lumia into the Galaxy, expecting the information to be transferred but it wasn't. All the calls logged and contacts my Wife had are still on the Galaxy but we sorted that out and now have an empty phone to work with. Unfortunately, I have fallen at the first hurdle. When I make a call, I get a message saying "not registered on network". What does that mean ?

[Sherwood]

Is your new phone locked to a specific network different from your old network?

If so, probably easiest to get a new sim and transfer the old number to the new sim.

Geoff

[hifi_dave]

I have no idea. My only knowledge is how to turn it on and make a call. Anything else is beyond me.

I thought that all was needed is to swap my Sim into the other phone and that would be job done. The Galakx was on EE and my phone + Sim are via Tesco.

[struth]

could get it unlocked(the phone) but it will cost most likely, or as said move to same sim company your wife used

[Sherwood]

could get it unlocked(the phone) but it will cost most likely, or as said move to same sim company your wife used

Exactly, you cannot simply swap sims that are locked to a network and use them in another phone locked to a different network. Assuming you want to keep your EE number buy a Tesco Sim and then transfer the number to the new sim.

Yes, you may be able to get the phone unlocked, but that may be a problem given your technical knowledge re cell phones.

Geoff

[walpurgis]

Or buy a cheap unlocked phone. Plenty to choose from.

[Ali Tait]

You could take the phone to a shop to be unlocked. Cost about 20 quid though.

[hifi_dave]

Thanks all.

I want to use Tesco because it's the cheapest I have found, just £7.50/month and as I have the phone just for an 'emergency', I don't want to pay more. So, it looks like I need to go a large Tesco and get the Galaxy phone unlocked or see if they will change the phone I find is a struggle. I have had the contract for 3 - 4 years, so they might do an upgrade.

[southall-1998]

Best bang for the buck mobile, is the Nokia 100. Simple phone, that does not suffer fools gladly :D

S.

[hifi_dave]

I have a couple of unused old style Nokia phones, ie not smart phones. I'm guessing these also won't work.

[rigger67]

Phones are locked to a network because you are paying for them over the length of your contract.

If you bought a new Samsung PayG handset, it might cost you £500.
If you took out a contract for the same handset, it might cost you £20/month for two years.
It's roughly the same amount of money and that's how they work out which phones go on which tariffs.

Unlocking is easy enough - you can often buy a code from eBay for about a tenner.
Just read the instructions carefully, maybe watch a YouTube about how to do it before if you're nervous, check the feedback of the seller and away you go.
Could be done in minutes that way rather than faffing with a new sim.

[Stratmangler]

So, it looks like I need to go a large Tesco and get the Galaxy phone unlocked or see if they will change the phone I find is a struggle. I have had the contract for 3 - 4 years, so they might do an upgrade.

I'd be surprised if Tesco have the wherewithal to unlock a phone.

Is your wife still with EE?
They can provide you with an unlock code, but they'll charge you for it.
Then the phone will work with whichever SIM you want to put in it.

[Sherwood]

I'd be surprised if Tesco have the wherewithal to unlock a phone.

Is your wife still with EE?
They can provide you with an unlock code, but they'll charge you for it.
Then the phone will work with whichever SIM you want to put in it.

+1

[walpurgis]

Here you can pop into one of the small local mobile phone shops and get the little Indian guy (it's always a little Indian guy) to unlock just about any phone for around a tenner.

[hifi_dave]

I didn't realise it was this complicated. I thought the Sim carried all the info and could be used in any phone. Looks like I was wrong.

Best bet is to go to Tesco and see of I can change the phone.

[Stratmangler]

Here you can pop into one of the small local mobile phone shops and get the little Indian guy (it's always a little Indian guy) to unlock just about any phone for around a tenner.

He'll have software on his laptop that will enable him to flash different firmware onto it.

[Stratmangler]

I didn't realise it was this complicated. I thought the Sim carried all the info and could be used in any phone. Looks like I was wrong.

Best bet is to go to Tesco and see of I can change the phone.

They'll want you to renew your contract before they hand a phone over, and I'd be wary of the devices they supply at the monthly cost you're currently paying.

[struth]

just take it to a phoneshop. lots about that will unlock for 20/30 quid and your away to use any sim you choose, now or future. ive had a few done as i get my sons handowns

[walpurgis]

I had the foresight (or luck) to hang onto my old and no longer available PAYG account free Tesco SIM card.

I only make about a dozen calls a year, so an account with a monthly tariff is not what I want, but that's all that's on offer these days.

My SIM reguires that I make one call or text in each six months to keep the number open. I can manage that :). I top it up with a tenner maybe once a year.

[walpurgis]

just take it to a phoneshop. lots about that will unlock for 20/30 quid and your away to use any sim you choose, now or future. ive had a few done as i get my sons handowns

It's about a tenner here. Mind you, new unlocked phones start at that kind of money.

[struth]

It's about a tenner here. Mind you, new unlocked phones start at that kind of money.

probably cheaper in london with all the competition

[struth]

my last one got done for free. it was a tesco contract, and when the 2 years were up you just had to contact then and ask for the unlock. all others have cost a bit

[Sherwood]

probably cheaper in london with all the competition

I don't know anything in London that is cheaper than in the north and midlands! Maybe public transport in London though not to London.

Geoff

[struth]

I don't know anything in London that is cheaper than in the north and midlands! Maybe public transport in London though not to London.

Geoff

only one or 2 in area will do it so they can charge a lot more.

[TazSob]

If your wife's phone was supplied by EE and is now at the end of her contract term (18 months) then EE will unlock it for free, you'll just have to give them a call mate

[hifi_dave]

Thanks for that. I will take it into our EE shop next week.

[shane]

If you go onto My EE and log in to your wife’s account, you can unlock the phone in there. If your wife is out of contract it’s free, otherwise it’s £8.99.

http://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/getting-started-and-upgrading/unlock-your-phone/unlock-a-ee-device-to-use-with-another-network

[Pigmy Pony]

I think Geoff and Grant had the best advice for you. Just hand it to the 'little Indian guy, and he'll probably do it while you nip off for a Costa, then hand it back to you, all ready for your old sim.

The Indian guy at my phone shop is actually very large, but I haven't seen the little one for a while. Maybe he's eaten him. :)

[rdpx]

When you're in the EE shop you could ask them what their cheapest deal is on a SIM only.

If you get pay as you go it should work out a lot cheaper that £7.50 a month.if you're not using it much.

Also GIFF GAFF do cheaper than £7.50 month.

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

[Firebottle]

...or sign up with Plusnet and you can get a plan for £5 a month, plus they use the EE network.

[Minstrel SE]

Go down to Carphone Warehouse and get a Huawei P8 lite 2017 for £130 unlocked. Thats what I have just done. Fantastic phone for the money...any sim of my choice bought elsewhere later.

I will never buy a phone locked to a airtime provider ever again as that is a mugs game. I buy just what I need now and this phone is fast enough and good enough so I cant see any point in spending more. Ive got three older phones for every possible occassion

When Apple are just a memory Huawei will be sending rocket ships through space :D

[Pieoftheday]

Thanks all.

I want to use Tesco because it's the cheapest I have found, just £7.50/month and as I have the phone just for an 'emergency', I don't want to pay more. So, it looks like I need to go a large Tesco and get the Galaxy phone unlocked or see if they will change the phone I find is a struggle. I have had the contract for 3 - 4 years, so they might do an upgrade.

You def won't be in contract after 3 years, if you can get your phone unlocked go to IDmobile, £3.99 a month for a sim