Sim free phone saying "SIM network unlock PIN"

[KarlosInBKK]

Hi guys,

I've just arrived back in the UK for a short holiday and have received a sim free Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini as a gift. I have put my pre-pay Truemove SIM in but it's saying that I have to enter a "SIM network unlock PIN". The receipt and stickers on the box say that it's sim free. It was bought from a reputable retailer, not some market stall. What do I do?

Thank you in advance for any replies.

[Brit_Doggie]

Sounds like the phone needs to be unlocked to accept thai sim if that is at all possible (J Doubter)

[KhunBENQ]

Isn't that the awful story of "region lock" or so?

Remember you had to use it in a European country/European SIM at least once to "unlock".

Sure someone will have the details.

A quick Google, haven't read through.

Maybe it helps:

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/mobile-phone/3590401/how-remove-samsung-region-locking/

Guess the unlocker in Thailand will be able to help?

Not quite sure whether I understood you:

You are now in UK or Thailand?

Where was the phone purchased?

EDIT:

Is it brandnew, never used before?

Have you tried a UK SIM?

Edited March 10, 2015 by KhunBENQ

[lopburi3]

True Move is a Thai provider but you are in the UK? So have you activated International Service?

http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/international_services/roaming_services/entry/652?ln=en

Would suspect a UK SIM card would be more cost effective (but maybe the UK do not sell without phone?)

[KarlosInBKK]

Isn't that the awful story of "region lock" or so?

Remember you had to use it in a European country/European SIM at least once to "unlock".

Sure someone will have the details.

A quick Google, haven't read through.

Maybe it helps:

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/mobile-phone/3590401/how-remove-samsung-region-locking/

Guess the unlocker in Thailand will be able to help?

Not quite sure whether I understood you:

You are now in UK or Thailand?

Where was the phone purchased?

EDIT:

Is it brandnew, never used before?

Have you tried a UK SIM?

Thank you for your reply.

I am in the UK and return to Thailand next week.

The phone was purchased in the UK from Argos.

It is brand new and this is my first time using it.

I haven't tried a UK SIM yet. I can do that later once my family arrive back from work and I can try one of theirs.

Thanks for the link. I'll read it now.

[KarlosInBKK]

True Move is a Thai provider but you are in the UK? So have you activated International Service?

http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/international_services/roaming_services/entry/652?ln=en

Would suspect a UK SIM card would be more cost effective (but maybe the UK do not sell without phone?)

Thanks for your reply.

I live in Bangkok and am just on vacation at the moment. I return to Thailand next week. I haven't activated the international service because I'm not using the service while I'm here. I'm just using my smart phone to connect to wifi etc. My old phone is the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini and that accepted my Thai SIM straight away.

[KarlosInBKK]

KhunBENQ - thank you. The problem will be solved later. I have to insert a UK SIM and make a call of at least 5 minutes. After that it will accept my Thai SIM.

Thanks again.