Activation

[Kez]

Hi all! Newbie ( I think ? ) here. On final page of online sim card Activation when submitting required info an ‘Error’ alert appeared requesting I log in again. Assuming activation of sim card failed I tried submitting info again with the reply: ‘ You’re already activated you can’t activate twice’. I’m currently awaiting the arrival of a new unlocked phone ( so couldn’t have any set up code texted to me on my newly chosen phone number )that i’ll use for my PM service. I also inputted a voucher payment during activation set up. Can anyone throw any light on if i’m activated or not? It’s promising that I got onto / registered successfully for this question/answer forum. Thanks in anticipation of any replies submitted.

[geopublic]

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@Kez wrote:

I have a model LGC441. When I put my PM sim card in it shows it as locked to my Virgin ( Bell ) carrier. Does anyone know with my PM sim card in the device if I press unlock and follow the instructions I will afterwards NOT BE ABLE TO PUT BACK my Virgin sim card to continue my service with Virgin. I’m waiting for a new phone and in the meantime don’t want to give up my Virgin service just yet as I want to eventually port my Virgin phone number to PM.

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@Kez Did you get an unlock code from Virgin? If yes, unlocking your phone will not affect your device being able to use your Virgin sim. If you don't have an unlock code then leave it alone.

[Kez]

I have a model LGC441. When I put my PM sim card in it shows it as locked to my Virgin ( Bell ) carrier. Does anyone know with my PM sim card in the device if I press unlock and follow the instructions I will afterwards NOT BE ABLE TO PUT BACK my Virgin sim card to continue my service with Virgin. I’m waiting for a new phone and in the meantime don’t want to give up my Virgin service just yet as I want to eventually port my Virgin phone number to PM.

[Jb456]

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@Kez wrote:

Again - old style flip LG F4NR

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Can you go to settings>>About phone and check the exact model number.

Seems like a few different models of the F4NR and some won't work on PM..what's it say under about phone? Maybe LGC441?

[Kez]

Yep..good call..as you point out will be a good back up. Well..for now thank you one and all for your time ( well after midnight ) and considerations. Looking forward to the PM experience. 

[darlicious]

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@Kez wrote:

Again - old style flip LG F4NR

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@Kez  An oldie but a goodie...my back up is an Alcatel that replaced my LG flip phone. Currently being used by my roommate because the SIM slot in his smartphone ejects his SIM card.

[Jb456]

In any event..it's still best to unlock your virgin mobile phone..because in the future if you wanted to get it unlocked you would still have to call virgin and ask for the unlock code...so you might as well unlock it now while you have an active account and can do it online through your account without having to speak with them.

Examples of why it's good to have it unlocked.

You loose your Nokia or it breaks..Backup phone for traveling..

[Kez]

Again - old style flip LG F4NR

[Kez]

Thank you. So looks as though it should work.

[Jb456]

And what's your virgin mobile phone model??

[Jb456]

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@Kez wrote:

It’s the ( very old ) Nokia flip: 3710 Fold.

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From Public Mobile phone checker

[Kez]

It’s the ( very old ) Nokia flip: 3710 Fold.

[Jb456]

From virgin mobile page.

WHAT DO I NEED TO UNLOCK MY DEVICE?

• The device you want to unlock (have it handy).
• A non-Virgin Mobile SIM card that fits the device you’re unlocking
• Your device’s IMEI number
• Account in good standing

Heads up! The unlocking codes and instructions will be provided to you upon completion of your request

https://www.virginmobile.ca/en/support/faq.html?q=unlocking-your-phone&province

[Jb456]

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@Kez wrote:

And while waiting for my new phone can I port my Virgin number over to the PM SIM card or do I have to wait for arrival of new phone?

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If your public mobile sim all works on your current virgin phone once you unlock it...then yes definitely you can port your number over...make sure to leave virgin account active...once the port completes they will be notified that you transfered your number and close your account..you do not have to do anything. The system does it once port is complete..just very important to keep virgin account active till you do the port..

I'd suggest you log into virgin mobile account to get your unlock code...and try your public mobile sim in it..

ASLO what is the model of the phone you ordered? So we can check if the frequency bands will work on public mobile.

And right now just take out virgin sim and put public mobile sim in...see what happens if it asked for an unlock code...or maybe it's already unlocked

[Kez]

And while waiting for my new phone can I port my Virgin number over to the PM SIM card or do I have to wait for arrival of new phone?

[Kez]

Good to know. Thank you. Also just assumed unlocking from a particular carrier is more complex than it really is. 

[Jb456]

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@Kez wrote:

Smart suggestion! Thank you also to the original poster. I’m enjoying this,my first foray (my last?) into the world of the community forum. Would this unlock be permanent by Virgin so if my new phone doesn’t work out I could use my current one while with PM?

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Years ago providers (Bell, virgin,Rogers, etc)..would sell phones LOCKED to their network so consumers couldn't easyily switch to other providers for better deals without paying them an fee for the unlock code or a 3rd party on eBay.

December 2017 law was passed that all providers have to sell phones UNLOCKED and older phones the code to unlock it needs to be given free.

All unlock does is it unlocks the network so you can use any company around the world provided your phone has their frequency bands.

If you log into virgin..you probably just click a button and maybe enter your IMEI number of the phone (dial *#06# for it) and their system will give you the unlock code.

Then take out virgin sim card and put in public mobile sim..a message will pop up  "Enter Sim network unlock code"....type the code you just got from virgin and you're done. Network unlocked and public mobile network up and running provided that phone has same frequencys bands that public uses.

All a matter of 5 minutes to do and then you can see if your sim activated or not instead of waiting till after 10am est for self serve account when maintenance is done.

Even at that it's not a given..you will still have to wait for your phone to arrive to truly test if it's working or not...so might as well get all that done now no?

[cellphoneuser1]

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@Kez wrote:

Smart suggestion! Thank you also to the original poster. I’m enjoying this,my first foray (my last?) into the world of the community forum. Would this unlock be permanent by Virgin so if my new phone doesn’t work out I could use my current one while with PM?

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Phone unlocking is permanent.

[Kez]

Smart suggestion! Thank you also to the original poster. I’m enjoying this,my first foray (my last?) into the world of the community forum. Would this unlock be permanent by Virgin so if my new phone doesn’t work out I could use my current one while with PM?

[cellphoneuser1]

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@darlicious wrote:

@Kez  The suggestion about a European trip is an excuse when virgin asks why you need it unlocked so they don't give you the hard sell. Or you pick some exotic location....with no roaming agreements or high rates. The they just think you're getting a local SIM for your vacation.

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You don't need an excuse to get the unlock code. There'a no reason to ask for unlocking othe than using the phone on another carrier or to sell it.

[cellphoneuser1]

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@Kez wrote:

Thanks. Not really wanting to give Virgin the heads up that i’m switching as want my number ported over to PM as smoothly as possible.  Also don’t want the potential of any unnecessary winback calls from Virgin. 

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Winback calls happen because you left, not because you asked for an unlock code.

[darlicious]

@Kez  The suggestion about a European trip is an excuse when virgin asks why you need it unlocked so they don't give you the hard sell. Or you pick some exotic location....with no roaming agreements or high rates. The they just think you're getting a local SIM for your vacation.

[Kez]

Thank you for that option - will consider doing that.

[Kez]

No. No trips planned. Just considering how best to port number over to PM when my new phone arrives

with the least possible fuss from my current carrier. 

[geopublic]

@Kez  Another option is to do dial 1-855-4PUBLIC enter your PM phone number and follow the prompts.

[Jb456 · Accepted solution]

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@Kez wrote:

If porting my number over to PM is possible without the task of having to unlock my current phone that I don’t intend to use with PM then I think i’ll go that route. 

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Alright. Well you'll have to try self-service after maintenance is over at 10am EST.

[Kez]

If porting my number over to PM is possible without the task of having to unlock my current phone that I don’t intend to use with PM then I think i’ll go that route. 

[Jb456]

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@Kez wrote:

Thanks. Not really wanting to give Virgin the heads up that i’m switching as want my number ported over to PM as smoothly as possible.  Also don’t want the potential of any unnecessary winback calls from Virgin. 

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This will not happen just by unlocking your phone.

Maybe you're going to Europe for a trip.

[Kez]

Thanks. Not really wanting to give Virgin the heads up that i’m switching as want my number ported over to PM as smoothly as possible.  Also don’t want the potential of any unnecessary winback calls from Virgin. 

[darlicious]

@Kez  You need to unlock the virgin phone for it to work.

[popping]

@Kez 

You can unlocked your Virgin phone online by login to your Virgin account.

https://www.virginmobile.ca/en/support/faq.html?q=unlocking-your-phone&province=AB&geoResult=AB

You can call Virgin in the morning.