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Need help activating iPhone

A

anuprasb6541

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 27, 2017
9
0
Canada
Hi everyone.

I recently bought an iPhone 6S, and just got it in the mail today.

The problem with it, is that it's locked to the T-Mobile network, and has also been blacklisted due to the original owner having an unpaid balance on the phone.

I do not want to use this iPhone on any network, I am only planning on using it as an iPod Touch.

How can I get it past the activation screen?

I don't have an T-Mobile SIM though. With my carrier SIM, it says your SIM isn't supported. Without a SIM, it says to insert one. I tried using iTunes to activate it, but iTunes also tells me to insert a SIM.

How should I go about getting my 6S activated?
 
If at all possible, return the iPhone and get a refund. The phone is blacklisted until the unpaid balance is paid off to T-Mobile. If you can't return the phone, you may be out your money.

Don't know what you paid for the phone but a 32GB brand new Apple iPod Touch now costs $199.00 US. You would be better off buying that.
 
chscag said:
If at all possible, return the iPhone and get a refund. The phone is blacklisted until the unpaid balance is paid off to T-Mobile. If you can't return the phone, you may be out your money.

Don't know what you paid for the phone but a 32GB brand new Apple iPod Touch now costs $199.00 US. You would be better off buying that.
Click to expand...

I paid $170.00 US, and the seller does not want me to return the phone, and has bought and shipped out a T-Mobile SIM to my address, he says that it worked for his other bad IMEI iPhones, so I will wait until I get that. Is there anything I could do in the mean time, doesn't really matter if it's illegal, but anything that can get my 6S activated?

On a side note, I actually bought the 6S since my iPod 6G screen broke, and I thought I'd rather buy a new iPhone instead of a new screen for it. The seller is in Forth Worth.
 
anuprasb6541 said:
is that it's locked to the T-Mobile network, and has also been blacklisted due to the original owner having an unpaid balance on the phone.
Click to expand...
Doesn't help but did you know this before buying it / the seller made these issues know up-front ?
 
HallStevenson said:
Doesn't help but did you know this before buying it / the seller made these issues know up-front ?
Click to expand...

Citing the seller, "Selling here because these phones were blacklisted earlier but I used a service and now they are clean. Some of devices are blacklisted and some are not. Can't give any garauntee. It's been 2 months and they are still clean."
 
What the **** is he saying ? They're clean, some aren't, some are, won't guarantee, they're clean !!
 
HallStevenson said:
What the **** is he saying ? They're clean, some aren't, some are, won't guarantee, they're clean !!
Click to expand...
Based on OP's first post in this thread, he bought the phone knowing that what he received could have been blacklisted or not.

The seller doesn't know which ones are or aren't so he indicated that it was the luck of the draw.

OP is intending to use the phone as an iPod Touch. But he needs a SIM to activate it.

OP is not interested in returning the phone because he fully understood the situation when he bought it.

The legality is a whole different issue.
 
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Well,well,why do people never ever learn. iPhones need a SIM to be activated,a blacklisted phone is only useful as an aquarium decoration or door stopper. This OP wasted his money on nothing. Next time,instead of buying a suspect phone on eBay or Craigslist,buy a couple of lottery tickets instead. Or maybe visit a horse race,betting is probably more profitable than paying for useless phones. If you just want a phone as a mail weight,you can find one for free in the recycle container at your local garbage dump.
 
Like Erik said above you need a sim from Tmobile to activate it and get into the home screen.
You can borrow someones tmobile sim for a minute to stick in and then give it back. Or buy one on ebay or something.
You will be able to use it as an ipod touch but not as a phone.
 
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Stefan johansson said:
Well,well,why do people never ever learn. iPhones need a SIM to be activated,a blacklisted phone is only useful as an aquarium decoration or door stopper. This OP wasted his money on nothing. Next time,instead of buying a suspect phone on eBay or Craigslist,buy a couple of lottery tickets instead. Or maybe visit a horse race,betting is probably more profitable than paying for useless phones. If you just want a phone as a mail weight,you can find one for free in the recycle container at your local garbage dump.
Click to expand...
???

If you buy a blacklisted phone, insert an expired or non-active SIM and reach the springboard are you saying the device cannot be used as an iPod Touch?

Or are you saying that you'd never make it to the springboard?

I ask because your point would only be valid if you can't get past the activation screen for the SIM.

Again, OP doesn't intend to use the device as a phone.
 
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eyoungren said:
???

If you buy a blacklisted phone, insert an expired or non-active SIM and reach the springboard are you saying the device cannot be used as an iPod Touch?

Or are you saying that you'd never make it to the springboard?

I ask because your point would only be valid if you can't get past the activation screen for the SIM.

Again, OP doesn't intend to use the device as a phone.
Click to expand...
Not sure if the phone can be activated at all as long as it's blacklisted,if that was possible,anyone with a stolen phone could change the sim and reset it. Of course,Apple or carrier could revoke it,but that cost more than just buying a new iPod touch.
 
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Stefan johansson said:
Not sure if the phone can be activated at all as long as it's blacklisted,if that was possible,anyone with a stolen phone could change the sim and reset it. Of course,Apple or carrier could revoke it,but that cost more than just buying a new iPod touch.
Click to expand...

I think blacklisting just makes sure you can't access the cellular network, not that you can't activate a device.
 
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noobinator said:
I think blacklisting just makes sure you can't access the cellular network, not that you can't activate a device.
Click to expand...
Wrong,blacklisting is also used as protection against theft,the carrier or the true owner of the phone can use that to make the phone worthless. That's why a blacklisted phone is only useful as paper weight or door stopper.
 
Stefan johansson said:
Not sure if the phone can be activated at all as long as it's blacklisted,if that was possible,anyone with a stolen phone could change the sim and reset it. Of course,Apple or carrier could revoke it,but that cost more than just buying a new iPod touch.
Click to expand...

Yes, the phone does get activated when its blacklisted.
It lets you into the home screen but on the top left corner it displays no service.
Even if your reset/restore it you will not be able to use it as a phone, just as an ipod touch.
Dont assume what if and why its possible, research and learn before you post giving bad info.
[doublepost=1501252884][/doublepost]
Stefan johansson said:
Wrong,blacklisting is also used as protection against theft,the carrier or the true owner of the phone can use that to make the phone worthless. That's why a blacklisted phone is only useful as paper weight or door stopper.
Click to expand...

No, you are wrong.
Blacklisting and icloud activation lock are not the same.
Maybe you're confusing the 2 or just posting whatever you think or feel should happen.
But reality is it doesnt work as you think it does.
 
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