Unlocked Galaxy S9 asking me for the SIM PIN to Unlock SIM card?

[itsonlyme]

I recently purchased a Galaxy S9 phone here in Europe from a tech shop and my original SIM card was issued by T-Mobile using their SIM card for quite a while now even with previous phones in the past. I even emailed the Tech shop and asked them numerous times if the phone is Unlocked or not, and they said Yes, its Unlocked.

I had been using the same SIM card from T-Mobile when I was using my iPhone in the past.

Now when I first powered up the Galaxy S9 after inserting my original issued carrier's SIM card, how come it still ask me to enter my SIM PIN to unlock the SIM card even though this phone is Unlocked?

I remember setting a SIM PIN code and even changing the SIM PIN code when it was in my iPhone.

So even though my Galaxy S9 phone is Unlocked and I set a SIM PIN previously when the SIM card was in my previous phone, it would still prompt me to enter my SIM PIN to unlock the SIM card on this Galaxy S9 phone?

Maybe I am confusing this with Network Lock as opposed to SIM Lock.

[AndrewL]

Hi @itsonlyme

This is from the Samsung support site regarding Sim locks, "SIM lock is the highest security provision of a hand set. If you activate SIM lock, then you can use only that SIM (which is present during SIM lock activity) with the handset and if you insert any other SIM, then you need to provide the SIM lock password. If you forget the password, then you need to visit your Samsung Authorized Service Center to unlock it." With this in mind, it is possible that the S9 you have purchased has a SIM lock in place and will only accept the password set by the previous owner. I'd try your own SIM PIN, as set on your iPhone, and contact your network to obtain a SIM unlock code just to see if this works. If not then you may have to consider returning the device to the retailer.

[itsonlyme]

There was no previous owner of the S9, I bought it new.

1. I purchased the S9, brand new Unlocked.

2. Inserted my SIM card from my iPhone

3.  Powered ON my S9, and it asked for the SIM PIN which was set from the iPhone and entered it.

4. S9 phone works properly.

Is this normal for a phone even if it is an Unlocked version to still prompt me for the same SIM PIN code even if it was used previously in my iPhone?

Thanks

[AndrewL]

Apologies for the confusion, @itsonlyme.

If you have a SIM pin that was put in place on a previous device then it looks like the pin is assigned to the SIM if it is asking for it on your new device. If you purchase a phone new and unlocked then this refers to your ability to register with any network and doesn't relate to any security features.

[itsonlyme]

No no...I would be sorry for the confusion since I am a dummy at this...:smileyfrustrated:

Thanks!

[MasukaH]

We're happy we could help!