Mobile phone is Bell locked

[SN257]

Hello,

I bought iPhone 14 pro max in Feb 2023 with Bell plan. I’ve come to India to visit my family and wanted to use Jio/Airtel SIM services available in India. Whenever I insert any of Jio/Airtel/Vodafone in the phone it says Updating and the next step it shows SIM not supported, either the phone is locked or the SIM not supported. I tried 3 carrier SIM in the phone and it says the same while the other device which I bought this month only on add a line from Bell works with any SIM inserted. I talked with chat service at Bell services and they say your device is unlocked from Bell. I’m not sure what the problem is. 

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❗AI Summary:

This thread discussion revolves around having a mobile phone that is locked to the Bell network. This means the device can only use a Bell SIM card and cannot operate on other carriers until it has been unlocked. After 60 days from the activation of your phone on the Bell network, your phone will unlock automatically at no cost.

Users often encounter a locked device after a new activation, hardware upgrade or when switching providers; when the phone has not been activated on the Bell network for a minimum of 60 days.

Unlocking Policy

Your phone must meet all eligibility conditions. Bell may refuse any unlock request that appears intended to defraud Bell or its customers.

Check if you’re eligible:

• The phone is not flagged as lost or stolen.
• Your phone must be locked to the Bell network. Bell can only unlock Bell devices.
• It has been at least 60 days since you activated your device on the Bell network.

If it has been less than 60 days since your phone has been activated on the Bell network but you meet the other eligibility criteria, you can request Bell unlock your device.

Bell phones that have been stolen or fraudulently acquired are permanently disabled from working on any Canadian, U.S. or international mobile networks. See Unlock your Bell device for full details.

To see if your Bell device is unlocked

Apple iOS devices:

Go to Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock. If No SIM Restriction is displayed, your device is unlocked.

Google devices:

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs. Select the active SIM listed, scroll down to Network and toggle off Automatically select network. The device will scan for mobile networks. If you see network operators other than Bell, your device is unlocked.

Samsung devices:

Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network operators and toggle off Select automatically. eSIM-activated devices may need to select the eSIM at the bottom of the screen if the toggle is greyed out. The device will scan for mobile networks. If you see network operators other than Bell, your device is unlocked.

Motorola devices:

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Advanced. Scroll down to Network and toggle off Automatically select network. The device will scan for mobile networks. If you see network operators other than Bell, your device is unlocked.

LG devices:

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile networks > Network operators > Search networks. The device will scan for mobile networks. If you see network operators other than Bell, your device is unlocked.

[BellKris]

Hi there, @SN257. Welcome to the Community.

We'd be happy to take a closer look into this for you and will be reaching out in a private message. Please check your Messages within your profile avatar in the top right corner.

Unsure how to check or send a private message? See How to send a private message

[Azeem]

Hi i want to unlock my device but when i go to the procedure its give me error with caution

Error DE03

The imei number provided was found but the device cannot be unlocked at this time.

what it means whats wrong why my device cannot unlock at this time and how can i unlock my device

please help me out

[WelshTerrier]

If your issue is related to unlocking your device or that your passcode is not working, you can try one of the following. I have included solutions for the most common device manufacturers. If your device is from another supplier, then I would suggest that contact them on their support line.

If it is an Apple iPhone, here is a link that will assist you:

If you forgot your iPhone passcode - Apple Support (CA)

If it is a Samsung Galaxy, here is a link that will assist you:

How can I unlock my Galaxy device if I forgot the security PIN, pattern or password? | Samsung CA

If it is a Google Pixel, here is a link that will assist you:

Can't unlock your Pixel phone - Pixel Phone Help (google.com)

If it is a Motorola, here is a link that will assist you:

Forgot my passcode or pattern lock| Motorola Support CA EN

If you problem is hardware related, then you will need to contact the device manufacturer support line.

[BellKris]

Hi there, @Azeem. Welcome to the Bell Community.

Were you still having issues receiving an error while trying to unlock your phone? If so, we'll be reaching out in a private message to gather more info.

Please check your Messages within your profile avatar in the top right corner.

Unsure how to check or send a private message? See How to send a private message

[myspan]

I have error with unlock :

Error DE01

The IMEI number you entered is not recognized.

[WelshTerrier]

Please verify your device IMEI number once again.

The SIM card on your mobile phone will become locked if you enter an incorrect personal identification number (PIN) three times. You won't be able to use your phone, except for emergency calls.

Did you recently purchase this device? In order to unlock the SIM, the device can not be flagged as lost or stolen. Your device must also be locked to the Bell network. Bell can only unlock Bell devices.

To unlock it you must reset your PIN by entering your SIM card's unique unlock key (also called a PIN unblocking key or PUK).

To unlock your SIM card:

1. Log in to MyBell and retrieve your unlock key.
 
2. Enter the unlock key on your mobile phone.

Note 1:  Entering an incorrect unlock key 10 times will permanently lock your SIM card. If you need a new SIM card, please visit a Bell store or order one online.

Note 2: The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number is a unique identification or serial number that all mobile phones and smartphones have. It is normally 15 digits long.

The IMEI number can be found on the silver sticker on the back of your phone, under the battery pack, or on the box your phone came in.

You can also display the IMEI number on the screen of your mobile phone or smartphone by entering *#06# into the keypad.

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

In most cases, the main reason why your iPhone says SIM not supported is that your iPhone is locked to a carrier. Therefore, you're not allowed to insert a SIM card from any other carrier. Besides, any software problems and bugs can also result from the error.

If you purchased it this year from Bell, then it should be unlocked. There are a few things you must do first.

Let's try the following:

1. Ensure you have first inserted your active Bell Mobility SIM card into the phone and completed the Set Up flow on the phone; i.e. choose your language, time zone, login with your Apple ID or Google profile etc. This registers the phone on the network and confirms its authenticity (not lost or stolen etc.). This must be completed first or the device will not show that it is 'unlocked'.
2. You can check if your iPhone is locked by the carrier you purchased the phone from.
   You can verify this by going to the Settings app > General > Select About > Scroll down to locate Carrier Lock. If your iPhone says No SIM restrictions, then it is unlocked
3. Make sure the alternate carrier's SIM card is active and working.
   Before inserting the SIM card into your iPhone, please make sure it has been activated by the carrier to provide services or the error message will pop up.
4.  Eject and reinsert SIM card.
   Simply restarting your SIM card on iPhone may help you fix the problem. Just open the SIM card tray using an ejector and insert the SIM card again. Wait for seconds to check if your iPhone stops saying SIM not supported.
5. Do a force restart of your iPhone.
6. Check that your iPhone is up to date with the most current iOS.
7. Check that all of your apps are up to date.

Hopefully, one of these suggestions will resolve your iPhone 14 Max Pro SIM issue.

For more details, check out Unlocking your Bell Mobility phone

Please keep us updated on the Bell Community Forum.

[BellDRock · Accepted solution]

Make sure you input your active Bell Mobility SIM card in the phone first.

This is an important first step and must be done while in Canada on the Bell network.

If you already have input your active Bell Mobility SIM in the phone, and are then still unable use an alternate carrier, let us know as we may need to investigate further.

NOTE: Protecting your new phone from fraud is important to us.

That's why a 60-day security lock is added to a new phone, ensuring that it can only be used on the Bell network. After 60 days from the activation of your phone, it will unlock automatically at no cost. 

[dks]

Thank you for your question. A detailed response to this issue can be found by clicking on the green check mark at the top of the thread. The post it links to outlines steps you can take to resolve this situation. 

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

Good Day.

This is a peer-to-peer community forum. As such we do not have access to your account information & device details. Have you contacted Bell Mobility Customer Services?

Have a look at the following after which if your device is still locked, I can only suggest that you contact Bell Mobility Customer Service. You can do so from India via Bell online Chat services. Contact Bell | Bell Mobility, Internet, TV and Home phone | Bell Canada

In most cases, the main reason why your device is locked to a carrier is your SIM is not supported.Therefore, you're not allowed to insert a SIM card from any other carrier. Besides, any software problems and bugs can also result from the error.

Was this device purchased from Bell? If you purchased it from Bell, then it should be unlocked. 

Your device must meet all eligibility conditions below:

• The device is not flagged as lost or stolen.
• Your device must be locked to the Bell network. Bell can only unlock Bell devices.

Let's try the following:

1. Ensure you have first inserted your active Bell Mobility SIM card into the phone and completed the Set Up flow on the phone; i.e. choose your language, time zone, login with your Apple ID or Google profile etc. This registers the phone on the network and confirms its authenticity (not lost or stolen etc.). This must be completed first or the device will not show that it is 'unlocked'.
2. You can check if your device is locked by the carrier you purchased the phone from.
   You can verify this by going to the Settings app > General > Select About > Scroll down to locate Carrier Lock. If your device says No SIM restrictions, then it is unlocked
3. Make sure the alternate carrier's SIM card is active and working.
   Before inserting the SIM card into your device, please make sure it has been activated by the carrier to provide services or the error message will pop up.
4.  Eject and reinsert SIM card.
   Simply restarting your SIM card on device may help you fix the problem. Just open the SIM card tray using an ejector and insert the SIM card again. Wait for seconds to check if your device stops saying SIM not supported.
5. Do a force restart of your device.
6. Check that your device is up to date with the most current iOS or OS.
7. Check that all of your apps are up to date.

Hopefully, one of these suggestions will resolve your device SIM issue.

For more details, check out Unlocking your Bell Mobility phone

Please keep us updated on the Bell Community Forum.

Take care.

[TwitchyPuppy]

Bell got approval from the CRTC to ship "locked" phones that get unlocked after they are purchased. It's an anti-theft measure - if someone breaks into a Bell store and steals 50 phones, those phones are locked and stay locked in the thieves' hands.

So once an active Bell SIM card has been inserted and the phone connects to the network, it will then automagically be unlocked!

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

I appreciate your feedback & input.

That is correct. It is a anti-theft deterrent. Once activated with a Bell SIM, the device is unlocked.

Unlock your Bell device

Take care.

[TwitchyPuppy]

Anytime!

And thanks, you too 🙂

[Jude32]

I bought an iPhone15 pro from Wireless Wave on a Bell contract. I have been using it in Canada for more than 3 months. I travelled to London and bought a local sim (giffgaff) to use. I popped out the Bell sim and put in the local sim, my phone went into this weird “Hello” setup mode. I put my Bell sim back in & my phone started up as normal. I saw in Settings->About->carrier lock=sim locked. I thought Canadian carriers are not allowed to sim-lock phones. I contacted Bell “unlock” team & they took my IMEI #, told me to turn on roaming to receive the unlock. It has been almost 10 hours and 4 calls later, my phone still shows “sim lock”. The last agent told me to wait another hour & restart. How long does it process take? Do I have to be in Canada for the unlock to work? Very frustrated, I refuse to pay $16/day roaming. Please share any advice or experience.