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Anyone know of a free way of doing it? I've been given a phone that's locked to 3. It's not pinched, but it was found dropped down a service grate so presumably it's been reported lost/stolen and an official route might be a problem?
If reported stolen, probably blocked on the network. Only way to remove block is changing the imei number, which is well illegal, even dodgy shops will refuse to do it.
I would look on it and phone numbers in it like 'home' or whatever. And return it to whoever owns it.
Oh. If it is only network locked, it's a phone shop job to remove that, should cost 10-20 quid.
so presumably it's been reported lost/stolen and an official
If its been reported as lost or stolen, it will have been barred completely. They wouldn't just leave it open to the network it was on.
Hmm how would I know if it's been barred completely? It fires up and tells me it's got no sim, if I put my sim in it it says the sim is invalid (and its clearly 3 branded, and my sim is O2). I can still wander around it and change wifi settings etc no problem so it's not been completely closed down as far as I can see.
Wouldn't want to be changing IMEI, just wondered if it's been reported as lost and claimed for on insurance then it'll hopefully just be a case of shifting it to O2.
I wouldn't be doing this if I thought it had been pinched, but the last thing I need is to call 3 to get the unlock code and be told it's stolen and have the plod turn up at my door!
Get a cheap pay as you go three sim, or borrow one and try it.
Big difference between Blocked and Locked. Sounds like the one you have is locked.
Ordered a free 3 sim, lets see how it reacts when I put one in it!
Give it to the police.........
Bit pointless, it's several years out of date, 50 miles from the town it was found in and undoubtedly been replaced by now.