Network locked phones

[Azbubu]

Ok so the Airalo eSim works and it’s with vodacom.

Thanks for the airalo tip!!

 

[airborne]

Maybe download the Airalo app and buy a gig of local data for $4.50 to see if the eSim works.

Ok going to try that.

Just load a R1 eSim from here, works great and is activated instantly:

Spot connect

Earn airtime as you go

www.meandyoumobile.co.za

Edit : They piggyback on the Cell-C network though but still worth a test and I have one running on my iPhone eSim as a free backup number.

 

[airborne]

Ok so the Airalo eSim works and it’s with vodacom.

Thanks for the airalo tip!!

View attachment 1518585

That's weird, have you tried a Vodacom physical sim before?

 

[airborne]

That confused me too. I was expecting an opened “new” phone. But received it sealed with the sticker still on the screen. When I asked the seller about it being locked they sent me links of network locked phones on takealot to show that phones still can be network locked.

The seller has been active for over 14 years with over 1000 sales and 99% positive reviews. They claim to have purchased it privately so if it is stolen, I think the seller themselves got scammed.

Bob sellers are full of sht and sellers will lie through their teeth to get a deal and the guy obviously knew what he was selling if he knew it was "networked locked" to Cell C and the phone was still sealed. Those old time cellphone dealers know all the tricks in the book and they all know that local Icasa branded iPhones are never networked locked in SA.

 

[Azbubu]

That's weird, have you tried a Vodacom physical sim before?

Nope, I don't have one in hand. Will try to get one and check. Only tried MTN and Telkom.

 

[Spizz]

That's weird, have you tried a Vodacom physical sim before?

I doubt the eSim is locked same as the nano.

 

[Pak Fa Fui]

How much was the phone

 

[backstreetboy]

I was told on here that means the IMEI is blacklisted. Cell C still works but not the rest. See many of those for cheap on FB marketplace. You got scammed.

 

[Totempole]

It's a pity that prepaid regular eSims aren't available here yet for the various networks. Seems to be a contract only thing with an added monthly charge in some cases.

 

[airborne]

I doubt the eSim is locked same as the nano.

They get blacklisted same as a physical sim but people often forget to include the eSim or dual sim IMEI when Blacklisting so they often remain free.

 

[SubtleBeast]

Nope, I don't have one in hand. Will try to get one and check. Only tried MTN and Telkom.

Any update yet?
Have you tried contacting BoB or the seller?

 

[backstreetboy]

Also got scammed on Facebook marketplace. Phone says no service.

 

[Azbubu]

Forgot to update this. Phone works on Cell C and Vodacom. Went to all the service providers and none of them had it listed as blacklisted. So I don't know what's going on but anyway...

 

[Azbubu]

Also got scammed on Facebook marketplace. Phone says no service.

Does it say "phone not allowed" when you go into "General - About - Network"?

 

[backstreetboy]

Does it say "phone not allowed" when you go into "General - About - Network"?

No says no sim restrictions. Works with the Rain sim I have.

 

[Azbubu]

No says no sim restrictions. Works with the Rain sim I have.

But no other network?

 

[backstreetboy]

But no other network?

Don’t have many sims to test. MTN doesn't work. FNB connects but there's no bars. Rain works.

 

[airborne]

Also got scammed on Facebook marketplace. Phone says no service.

That iPhone SE you bought?
There was a pristine 2022 SE going for R3500 the other day on FB but I could see the Cell-C network icon in the pic in the ad so I didn't bother. That and the seller was also a foreign national and I can only assume going by the cheap prices they ask and reams of phones they are selling they are near all stolen. How they would manage to get a phone without iCloud lock I don't know but they are shady af.

 

[lkpat]

I think what you guys have discovered is that Cell C / RAIN is allowing blacklisted / stolen phones on their network.

 

[airborne]

I think what you guys have discovered is that Cell C / RAIN is allowing blacklisted / stolen phones on their network.

It's not exactly that but from what I understand there's some glitch with the sync of the blacklisting list between them and the other networks.