2degrees unlocking after 9 months, not recognizing IMEI

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Pendulemon

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 180586 14-Sep-2015 17:39

First of all I want to say I've had nothing but hell trying to get this stupid phone going. A little backstory, it's a Samsung Galaxy Trend that I gave to my mother for her Birthday. The man who sold it to me told me it was unlocked, but it is not. I changed her number over to a 2degrees sim only to find that the reception is shocking. We threw the phone to the side and instead got her an iPhone which she hasn't had trouble with since.

Anyway, after that rant, it has been around 9 months since that time. I want to unlock the phone, but I'm unsure of the exact date it was purchased, so I'm trying to send Check <IMEI> to 299 to find out if I am eligible for a free unlock. The text I receive back says that the IMEI number isn't recognized. I've put in the 15 digit number with and without slashes, without spaces and with. Many combinations.

As it is suggested in the text message, I rang 200 for 2degrees support. Funnily enough, both times when I got through and told the person my troubles, I was put on hold and then promptly disconnected. Either I'm a goof and accidentally hung up twice at the exact same point, or 2degrees doesn't want to help me with my problem.

I may be reading too far in to this but this phone has been nothing but trouble, and the only reason I want to get it working is because my own personal phone has bit the dust and I need a swift replacement.

Thanks to anyone who can help. You're my last resort!

clinty

669 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1387346 14-Sep-2015 17:54

Is it possibly locked on Vodafone - you may have been roaming on the vodafone towers with the 2d sim hence the dodgy reception

Clint

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
65030 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

# 1387347 14-Sep-2015 17:55

Where are you getting the number from? The box or from entering *#06# via the keypad?

Also have you checked if this number is not blocked in the IMEI Checker here?

myndlyz

460 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1387354 14-Sep-2015 18:06

if it is a locked 2d phone, then you'll need to leave it on overnight with a 2d sim card, tomorrow morning you should be able to check if its locked or not, by doing that text to 299

most likely the system doesnt recognise the imei number as its not being active for so long, leaving the sim in the phone overnight should work

Pendulemon

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 1387356 14-Sep-2015 18:09

clinty: Is it possibly locked on Vodafone - you may have been roaming on the vodafone towers with the 2d sim hence the dodgy reception

Clint

Could be.

freitasm: Where are you getting the number from? The box or from entering *#06# via the keypad?

Also have you checked if this number is not blocked in the IMEI Checker here?

The box, behind the battery, and *#06#. They're all the same, and no, not blocked.

I purchased this sim today, and set it up. Could it be that it's because I haven't topped up? My texts to 299 are sending, and I'm receiving texts back. I really don't want to have to top up the phone as it wont be used.

myndlyz: if it is a locked 2d phone, then you'll need to leave it on overnight with a 2d sim card, tomorrow morning you should be able to check if its locked or not, by doing that text to 299

most likely the system doesnt recognise the imei number as its not being active for so long, leaving the sim in the phone overnight should work

Ok thanks, the sim is a fresh one, so I will do this.

I appreciate all of the help in this thread.