Do you need to use the Orange SIM?

[Guest peejay2000]

I've just ordered a San Francisco, and I'm not planning to use the Orange SIM that comes with it. So my question is - can you unlock it the first time you switch it on, or do you need to start it for the first time with the included Orange SIM? If you don't need to use the included SIM, I may sell it along with the phone I'm now replacing with the SF.

Thanks! I'm pretty new to this stuff.

[Guest veehexx]

afaik the phone itself is unlocked. it's the simcard that is locked and requires activation (ie: someone cant incur charges).

if your speaking of unlocking the phone for another provider, you are prompted for the unlock code when you insert a non-orange sim card.

[Guest goatee]

No, you don't need the Orange SIM card - as veehexx eventually managed to get round to, the first time you put in a non-Orange SIM card, it will ask you for the unlock code. I have my Orange SIM card unused in a drawer somewhere :).

[Guest Nebbo]

No, you don't need the Orange SIM card - as veehexx eventually managed to get round to, the first time you put in a non-Orange SIM card, it will ask you for the unlock code. I have my Orange SIM card unused in a drawer somewhere :).

Yep, what he said ^^^^^^ I didn't even take my SIM card out of its holder, straight in the bin! :)

[Guest StevenHarperUK]

If you buy your phone is-store and have a friend that already has an Orange PAYG account - you can topup their account with the mandatory topup you have to have.

[Guest oh!dougal]

afaik the phone itself is unlocked. it's the simcard that is locked and requires activation

...

NO, that is not correct.

The phone is barred from Orange's own network until 'activated' (at least for delivered phones - maybe also for in-store phones.)

Even "unlocking" does not activate it for Orange.

If you put an Orange contract sim in before activation, it just doesn't work.

Search for "activation" to find 10000 other threads ALREADY on this subject.

Potentially, this could be an issue with trying to roam (for free) from T-Mobile onto Orange.

[Guest meinnit]

NO, that is not correct.

The phone is barred from Orange's own network until 'activated' (at least for delivered phones - maybe also for in-store phones.)

Even "unlocking" does not activate it for Orange.

If you put an Orange contract sim in before activation, it just doesn't work.

Search for "activation" to find 10000 other threads ALREADY on this subject.

Potentially, this could be an issue with trying to roam (for free) from T-Mobile onto Orange.

This is true if you ordered from Orange website. You need to register at the address shown on the Orange invoice/delivery note otherwise it will be blocked on Orange network.

[Guest oh!dougal]

This is true if you ordered from Orange website. You need to register at the address shown on the Orange invoice/delivery note otherwise it will be blocked on Orange network.

Website or by phone -- which is why I said "delivered".

My (phone-ordered) one was 'activated' by a "sim update, delete this and restart" SMS message, but it wasn't the sim that was blocked ...

You need to have the phone on Orange to get it "activated".

Makes sense to do it before re-purposing the sim.

[Guest limegreenzx]

I've just ordered a San Francisco, and I'm not planning to use the Orange SIM that comes with it. So my question is - can you unlock it the first time you switch it on, or do you need to start it for the first time with the included Orange SIM? If you don't need to use the included SIM, I may sell it along with the phone I'm now replacing with the SF.

Thanks! I'm pretty new to this stuff.

I would advise that you use the SIM or another Orange SIM before unlocking and changing the ROM.

It is better to make sure the phone works perfectly before making changes. If you find a problem at least you know it is not you and you can return it easily for a refund/replacement. The phone is more likely to fail in the first hours of use than at any other time during it's life.

[Guest peejay2000]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll use the Orange SIM to begin with, and check everything's working alright.

Then I'll probably donate the credit to charity by SMS.

[Guest cartierv]

Interesting question.

Because Orange still (after 1.5 weeks) haven't activated my new SIM that came with the SF. They claim their system is being upgraded and every-time I ask them you have to give them the SIM number and IMEI number of the phone and they say it will be another 48 hours, another 48 hours and so on. So they said well you can I get a new number for the time being because that works, but that conversation was 3 days ago. So that's not working either.

Is anyone here actually getting their new Orange SIMs working ?

Now I've read this thread, if it's possible I'm thinking of just ditching Orange and get a new number through a new provider if Orange are not capable of activating new SIM cards, transferring your old numbersto the SIM, applying top ups you ordered or even giving you a fresh number.

It's just a joke.

Guess the SF makes a good WIFI tool for the time being.

[Guest thomasboyd]

if you want the £10 of credit you bought with the phone

You have to use the SIM

Orange will only activate the credit on THAT sim

(no matter what the idiots on the helpdesk say to you)

Keep that SIM!

[Guest That-Guy]

Never used the Orange Sim that came with my Orange San Francisco.

First thing I did was order a GiffGaff Sim and unlock the phone :)

Kept the Orange Sim incase I needed for warranty reasons.

[Guest cartierv]

Thanks guys. I guess I just would liked to actually use it as a phone. And I would like to have kept my number from my other sim and have the top up, but I'm thinking there's probably some number forwarding service. Over 1.5 weeks seems an awful long time to me. And they can't even do it with a new number either is just plain silly.