How Do You Port out with a Network Locked Phone?

Grazz989 on 10/06/2023 - 14:05

Unfortunately I've gone and trashed the screen on my old phone, and it'll take 2 weeks to get a replacement screen in. I figured I'd just transfer the SIM to an old backup phone I bought second hand at CEX like 2 years ago … But apparently it's network locked (and I don't have a clue to which carrier, but the SIM I used was Boost, so not Telstra) which means I can't even receive texts or calls. I tried Vodaphone's online unlocking tool, but it couldn't find my IMEI - it claims to only be able to help if the device was purchased directly from them, and I kind of doubt that. I also doubt CEX will be able to help, given that they probably bought the damn thing locked and just didn't tell me.

I don't mind porting to e.g. Kogan for a month (it's basically free anyway) - But is that even possible without being able to receive the confirmation text?

What do people do when they straight up lose their phone, along with the SIM in it?

Cheers for any help.

Mobile

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hikaru78 on 10/06/2023 - 14:52

Start with make and model of phone.
imei can be obtained by dialing *#06#
- Grazz989 on 10/06/2023 - 14:55
  
  The spare is a Samsung Galaxy A12.
  
  I know how to get the IMEI, but none of the free checkers seem to be able to tell me which carrier I'm locked to. I presume it's Vodaphone though, since I remember it working with a Kogan sim 2 years or so ago.
dcep on 10/06/2023 - 14:53

+1

old backup phone I bought second hand at CEX like 2 years ago … But apparently it's network locked (and I don't have a clue to which carrier, but the SIM I used was Boost, so not Telstra)

Get your friend's with different carrier sim to try it out,
or get $1 starter sim to try out.

Personally won't bother porting just to use the backup phone, also won't bother to try unlocking it. All too much hassle.
I would just get another temp cheap burner phone.

Unfortunately I've gone and trashed the screen on my old phone, and it'll take 2 weeks to get a replacement screen in

What phone? How much for screen replacement?

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/780298

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/779746

What do people do when they straight up lose their phone, along with the SIM in it?

Contact carrier to request for replacement sim and get a new phone.
- Neoika on 10/06/2023 - 14:57
  
  OP lives alone, no friend, no neighbor, only ozbargain mates.
- Grazz989 on 10/06/2023 - 15:02
  
  An unlocked temp cheap burner phone is still going to cost $128 … Seems like a waste for the 2-3 weeks it'll take to get my current phone fixed.
  
  A Kogan SIM and a month's data is $2. I can spare $2 to be able to text and call for that time. I've actually got one physically here.
  
  If I do the port, it'll send a text to my old SIM yeah, and if that SIM isn't in a phone at the time, but is inserted into a mate's phone a day or so later, would that text roll in, and I can just reply to it and off I go?
  
  The phone with the smashed screen is an ASUS ROG 3. I'm just about to pay $130 dollarydoos off Aliexpress. I've done the same thing to this phone before, though that time I paid twice as much to get one off eBay.
  - Neoika on 10/06/2023 - 15:46
    
    If you can not seek help from anyone, a Wi-Fi dongle (under $30?) may be able to receive SMS. I always use a pocket Wi-Fi modem and it does the job.
    
    Some related products
shxhshzhz on 10/06/2023 - 15:32

+2

OP, I'm not sure of the current phones but in the past generally, after factory resetting a vodafone locked, it might have some vodafone bloatware apps installed so check around the home screen or apps menu. Otherwise if it was Optus, it might have had an Optus startup screen but that's easy to notice so not sure.
- Any thing on 11/06/2023 - 09:23
  
  Usually the app for the telco is preinstalled as well.
87percent on 10/06/2023 - 16:50

If you pm me the imei, I can check if it’s locked to Telstra

How Do You Port out with a Network Locked Phone?

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