topic Re: Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code. in Z Series

Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code.

Aliasname — Wed, 22 May 2019 06:27:07 GMT

I've got the network unlock code from Vodafone, I put in the SIM card from EE, a message at the top of the screen shows I've no service because it's a different SIM but the phone does not ask me to enter the code. I've searched on lots of different forums and watched a few videos and on all of them the phone prompts the user to enter the code - my Z5 Compact does nothing and I can't see anywhere in the settings options for how to enter it manually. I assume there must be a way to enter the code so can someone advise me how to do it?

Re: Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code.

Jonas — Wed, 22 May 2019 07:11:56 GMT

Hi @Aliasname, welcome to our forum!

If the device is locked to a specific operator, you have unlocking attempts left and you put in an activated SIM card from a different operator, you will be prompted to enter the NUC to remove the operator lock on the device.

To start with, if you start up the device as normal with or without SIM cards mounted > open up the application called "Phone" > type in *#*#7378423#*#* > Service info > SIM lock. Can you take a screenshot of this menu and get back to me with it? To take a screenshot, press and hold down the power button > tap on "Take screenshot".

Below you can see how it should look if it's locked to an operator but there are 10 attempts left to remove the lock.

[X] Network 10

Thanks!

Re: Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code.

Aliasname — Thu, 23 May 2019 06:20:44 GMT

Hi Jonas. I've tried that before and it shows there are 5 attempts available. I've just checked it again now and it's still the same as above.

Kind regards K

Re: Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code.

Aliasname — Thu, 23 May 2019 06:30:24 GMT

Hi, for some reason the screen shots don't seem to be loading properly - at least from my end - all I see is a yellow triangle with a grey border.

Also, without me knowingly pressing anything, the site appears to have just randomly changed my query into an accepted solution! This is not correct as the phone still doesn't prompt me to enter the network unlock code even though there are 5 attempts available. Is there a way to manually force the phone to prompt me for the code?

Re: Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code.

Aliasname — Sat, 25 May 2019 09:45:12 GMT

Hi. As per my last post, it seems I accidentally marked your post as the solution. I had already done what you advised and there are 5 attempts available (that's always been the case - I haven't used up any attempts). I just need to know if there's another way to force the phone to ask me for the unlock code as following the usual instructions (i.e just inserting a new SIM) doesn't work - as it didn't for another poster on here on an old post but that post doesn't show what the solution was.

Re: Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code.

Aliasname — Sat, 25 May 2019 09:47:54 GMT

Also, I've tried twice to mark your answer as being "Not the solution" but that doesn't seem to work and my post is still showing your answer as the solution 😕

Re: Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code.

Jonas — Mon, 27 May 2019 10:37:21 GMT

Hi again @Aliasname and sorry for the late reply!

I have unmarked my post as the accepted solution now!

There is no other way to force this as all should need to do is to insert an activated SIM card from a different operator and you should be prompted to put in the network unlocking code, but you can always check with your operator and see if there is any other way to do it, but from our side, that should be enough.

Is the SIM card you are inserting in the device, that is from your new operator activated? If it's not activated, it won't work as the SIM card won't be recognized.

Keep me posted!

Re: Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code.

Aliasname — Thu, 30 May 2019 06:30:49 GMT

Hi Jonas

Apologies for the late reply. The SIM I had been using was definitely active as it's the one that came with my new phone and I had been using that phone on the EE network. My old phone (the Z5 compact) was on Vodafone and it just refused to prompt me for the network unlock code when I put the EE SIM in it - though a message scrolling across the top of the screen clearly showed I had no service (on Vodafone) due to the foreign SIM. However, I tried using an O2 SIM from my work phone and - that worked! I was prompted for the code and was able to unlock the phone. I didn't do anything differently to when I put in the EE SIM but, for some reason, this time it worked. Thank you for the help you've been trying to provide.

Re: Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code.

Zaineb — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 23:01:28 GMT

Hi,

I have exactly the same issue, which is driving me crazy. My phone is locked to the network provider (three UK), and now I would like to use it with another one. I have the unlock pin, but as you said the phone doesn't ask me to entre it. I have tried different SIM but I always end up with nothing. I went to talk with (three) in person, they said "it's not our fault". Seriously, I don't know what to do!!!

Re: Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code.

Aliasname — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 23:50:18 GMT

Hi Zaineb

Unfortunately I can't help you 😞 I tried a number of times using my new EE SIM and it just wouldn't work. You can see by the dates on this chain that it took a while before I was able to use the unlock code that Vodafone provided but I have no idea what suddenly made the O2 SIM prompt me for the code when the activated EE SIM wouldn't. Maybe it's something peculiar to those networks or, possibly, it's a deliberate ploy by Vodafone (i.e. automatically add a delay of a few days before the code will work) to deter you from unlocking the phone in the hope that you'll give up and the phone will remain tied to their network. I'll be honest and say that sounds a bit lame but I can't think of any other explanation that would show why the EE SIM wouldn't work but, about 2 weeks later, an O2 SIM would. Good luck with getting yours unlocked! 👍🤞

Re: Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code.

Zaineb — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 10:15:18 GMT

Hi Aliasname,

Thank you for your quick response. I know you can't help, though I needed to talk about the issue since you had the same situation. I'm happy you were able to unlock your phone, it gives a hope that I can do some day! Maybe I will try few SIM from different providers, and hopfully one of them will work. Thank you again.

Re: Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code.

Aliasname — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 12:28:27 GMT

You're welcome Zaineb. I wish you luck 🤞

Re: Z5 compact not asking for Network Unlock Code.

Jonas — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 12:36:17 GMT

Hi again @Aliasname!

That sounds very strange that it didn't work with the EE SIM but it worked fine with the SIM card from O2. I'm not from the UK myself, but I think that EE, O2 and Vodafone have their own networks and they don't "loan" it from someone else either.

In the end, I'm glad to hear that you were able to remove the lock, even though it took a bit longer than it had to.

@Zaineb, sorry to hear that you aren't able to remove the network lock on your device.

Could you please check so you have any remaining unlocking attempts left? If you don't any attempts left, you will not be asked to enter the code. Follow the instructions below and let me know what is shown in your device.

Remove any SIM card from the Xperia device.
Turn on the device.
Dial *#*#7378423#*#* to access the service menu.
Tap Service info > SIM lock.
Look for the 'X' mark.
If 'X' is on Network and the value is different than 0, you can remove your device's operator lock.

Thank you!