topic Re: PUK code question in Get Support

PUK code question

mimmo — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 08:41:27 GMT

I have noticed several people lately asking for PUK unlock codes. I know the mods can retrieve them by sending the sim card number to them. I was curous however, could one just buy a new sim card and pop it into the phone? woud this bypass the need for the code, or does the PUK also block the phone so only the blocking sim can unlock it?

Re: PUK code question

closng — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 18:14:46 GMT

That's a good question @mimmo.

My understanding is that the PUK code is unique to each individual SIM card, so going with your suggestion to buy a new SIM card and updating your account to the new SIM card should solve the issue.

But perhaps the @CS_Agent can chime in and confirm this.

Re: PUK code question

Bucko — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 18:59:02 GMT

May I ask, what is a PUK code?
Regards, Paul.

Re: PUK code question

wetcoaster — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 19:59:53 GMT

@Bucko wrote:
May I ask, what is a PUK code?
Regards, Paul.

PIN Unlock Code

It's used if you have your SIM secured with a PIN (instead of just your phone / screen - this was the only way to secure your phone in the early 2G GSM days when all your contacts and texts were stored on your SIM) and you punch in the wrong number too many times.

Re: PUK code question

Michael77 — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 21:23:37 GMT

@Bucko,

Thanks for asking that question. I was wondering the same thing. Thanks for the answer @wetcoaster.

Re: PUK code question

Bucko — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 21:48:35 GMT

So I guess it's not relevent today?

Re: PUK code question

Michael77 — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 22:17:37 GMT

It doesn't seem relevant.

Re: PUK code question

mimmo — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 01:32:30 GMT

@Michael77 wrote:
It doesn't seem relevant.

It doesn't seem relevant but it seems a couple people have been asking for them recently.

Re: PUK code question

Michael77 — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 01:45:00 GMT

@mimmo wrote:
@Michael77 wrote:
It doesn't seem relevant.
It doesn't seem relevant but it seems a couple people have been asking for them recently.

True.

Re: PUK code question

wetcoaster — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 02:07:10 GMT

I can't speak for iOS but all Android phones I've had so far (currently running Android 5.1 and 7.1.1) do have that "Set up SIM card lock" function in the security settings...

By the looks of it some people are toggling that on and then enter the wrong PIN too many times in a row.

(I don't have SIM lock on, but I've been in the situation of having fingers that are too fast or aiming inaccurately and then getting that "wrong PIN" from my phone's screen unlock, but I usually get it the second time... 😉 )

Re: PUK code question

computergeek541 — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 03:55:10 GMT

The sim card security settings are accessed by and set by using the phone but the actual code and status of the security lock out is saved on the sim card itself.

If removing a PIN locked sim card and placing it into another phone (or even trying to use it in the same phone as before) will still make the phone prompt you for the PIN.

The PUK only gets asked for if the wrong PIN is entered too many times. As with the PIN, the PUK cannot be bypassed by simply placing the sim into a different phone.

If a customers changes the active sim card on the account, there will no longer be a need to know the PIN or PUK of the new sim card. The PIN will default back to the standard 1234, while the PUK won't be needed either because the phone won't ask for it any more after changing sims. As for the PUK, the PUK is unique to each specific sim card, so the PUK for an old sim card wouldn't be any good after switching to another.