Hi all,

My brother just bought an second hand iphone 6 and using for few month without any issue. Last week, it showing no network and bring it to repair shop. The technician said this iphone has been blocked by Telco. If unblock it, need paid few hundred for IC chip replacement.

Is it true? I mean Telco can blocked the iphone? Anyone having this problem before?

If true, i also want to advice everyone here. DO NOT BUY SECOND HAND IPHONE

You probably bought the carrier locked set.
Why not check first before buy :/

if telco block , need to settle all pending payment first , then only can unblock
have u try check the problem at other phone shop ?

normally telco block because first owner not paying monthly as state in their contract

This post has been edited by holoman: Jul 28 2017, 10:41 AM

are u talking about outstanding bil?

nope, phone blocking is different to barred lines..

phone blocking, as long as u put a non certified sim by that particular telco, the phone is useless.. it wont detect the signal...

have to change the chip to unblock...

Yeah....my fren also said have to change IC chip...any idea hw much does it cost?

around rm200++ i think

TS, you have been scam by the previous owner. One of the reason is because the previous owner maybe signing for plans like Maxis zerolution or any telco plan, then instead of using the phone the owner sell it and then default on the monthly payment. So in the end telco block that phone from being use. they give out phone with very low downpayment or no payment, and those people take advantage to earn some money by selling it. Therefore, be careful who you buy phone from.
I personally would say, it is as useless as a sheet of junk paper now, since replacing the chip means you will definitely void warranty and possibly brick the phone if you ever update the iOS in future. You can still try to spend a few hundred to replace the chip, but there is no guaranty it will have no problem later.

Telco block works by blocking IMEI. Im not sure how the phone shop would be able to change some chip and make it work. You cant write new IMEI on iphones. Android devices you can do that by replacing the EMMC and write new IMEI, though its quite hard to get cert files for newer Samsung phones nowadays.

Is it local set?
Based on my knowledge, iPhone 6 don’t have zerolution
Only 6s and above

Must be Zerolution, or actually the phone was stolen. MCMC has launched the service few years ago iinm.

Edit - https://www.blockmyphone.my/

This post has been edited by isr25: Jul 29 2017, 09:01 AM

That is the risk you have to take for buying 2nd hand iphones these days.

Have to take into consideration whether the Iphone is
1. Stolen
2. Dishonoured payment by previous owner, therefore locked and disabled by Telco -unusable in Malaysia


But it is good in some way, because it discourages people to steal iphones

This post has been edited by Chrono-Trigger: Jul 30 2017, 12:34 PM

Fuhh I didn't know this service exists. Thanks for sharing

mind to share your model code here? Let's see if you bought an oversea set or telco block

phone was stolen..

https://my.carousell.com/p/iphone-7-plus-12...CkKPn2OssDCAzWM


So this case is real.
But really can be unlock by phone shop? What is the cost to do that?

Moral of the story, if buying used set never buy telco set.
I was wondering why seller like to advertise as telco set, where purchase from Apple direct is much better.

This only happens for Maxis zerolution sets right ?
What about other Telcos (umobile )?

i think all Telco also practice the same, not only maxis zerolution.
just checked with celcom on this.

I bought an Iphone 8+ from Maxis (under plan 128) but am using my Celcom Sim. Works fine. How would they lock it?

This post has been edited by terryfu: Nov 6 2017, 12:23 PM

My guess is that they will only lock if you don't pay. Anyone care to clarify?

Those who bought under Zerolution scheme will have telco lock if never settle the installment payments.

The phone will be locked as in. .? If we use the sim from different Telco?

IMEI block.

So it’ll become an iPod Touch.

This post has been edited by Wildcat: Nov 7 2017, 08:21 PM

is there any way to check whether the 2nd hand phone is a telco set or not?

just ask for the receipt, at least you also can check where they bought the phone

my cousin got a 2nd hand iphone from a forum member few months back (claims is from a reseller but no receipt cause lost it). so now he worried after reading about TS post. i guess there's nothing he can do now though

Well, if the reseller is trustworthy or well established then there should be nothing for your cousin to worry about.

I have the same issue previously. Gotten a second hand iPhone 6S plus from mudah.my. I didn't check upon COD. When I reached home, put sim card card, cannot work at all. For maxis centre, change new sim card also same. No signal.
Then since it's under warranty, I just walk into apple warranty centre. Then check my iPhone and took my phone for further examination. One week later, then just replace a brand new one.

How can we check it’s telco set or not?

Apple service center replaced it for you? That's pretty good then.

ast time can replace because Apple dunno about telco lock
Now if your phone no service and send the ASP
They will first check is it maxis set or other telco Set
If yes they will return back to u

Service centers pun sudah pandai:D

Erm... bro this just happened kinda recently. Say its june of this year. I just want to point out, the telco lock is not always true. Unless someone could get a black and white notice from either maxis or apple. Its pointless to speculate.

i thought only maxis zerolution or others like celcom easyphone? maxis one plan sets shouldn't be affected right?

I saw this thread and wanted to know further rheadibg this.

Does zerolution and easyphone plan which falls under epp ?

yes its something like epp where you skip the 1 lump sum payment, and pay monthly for xx months... and after 1 year u get to upgrade to a new phone/model as long as your phone is in working condition, surrender it back to them and they'll swap you with the new phone..... but people tend not to buy zerolution/easyphone units coz if the owner have bad record ie doesn't pay or always late in payment, Telco will lock the device, so if you buy it u'll become the victim coz the phone cannot be used...

Those bought iphoneX in forum without proper receipt, BEWARE

only Malaysia sets right? if sg/hk sets i don't think theres such thing as lock by Telco..

So this epp is totally diff with normal iphone plan right?

Telco block imei number only for those iphone under epp or including all iphone non epp as long purchased from telco ?

yes zerolution/easyphone is not the same as normal iphone plan, for maxis normal ones would be maxis one etc...

Telco only block those devices under zerolution/easyphone plan, other plans are not epp anymore coz u are required to pay one lump sum for the device...then comes the monthly commitment (if you have late payment on your monthly fees, your devices won't be locked, your phone line will be barred after 2 months of late payment and once you clear the outstanding it'll be unbarred within 30 mins)...

Thank you so much for this info.

God bless u

np, im not a big fan of zerolution/easyphone so take it for a pinch of salt... might not be 100% accurate but more or less should be it

thank you for your clarification... nowadays people so afraid to buy iPhone from telco... because their misunderstanding about the 'lock' matters. people always think, the phone will be locked if the owner didn't pay their monthly bills... actually it depends on what type of plan they subscribed...

cant confirm but i think maxis scrapped off zerolution from their plan? for iphone x definitely no zerolution... got easyphone from celcom though..

yup, no iPhone for Zerolution... only samsung, huawei and oppo...

ooo ok so zerolution is still there just not for iphone... haha rugi too much coz ppl abuse it i guess

Can you share place where i can change IC?

my spare iphone has this issue, it's not blocked/locked however the cellular data disconnects intermittent and reconnects back.. it's quite annoying, anyone knows how to fix this? I've tried resetting the phone and network but still the same..

i'm interested to buy ipX from forum , how can i check whether it is telco set or not?

Ask for the receipt of the phone.

Means other than that we cant be sure whether its telco or not?

So to be safe should buy from authorised dealer

Might be a stolen set and the imei got blacklisted by the actual owner.

well maybe the original owner got it from maxis one and then did not service the whole debt and now telco block it

As far as I know Malaysia telco only can block their own network and if you change sim they can't lock anymore

Correct.

But if they can block the IMEI of the phone then regardless of SIM card, the phone still gets blocked right?

telco is the one that can block your imei. Maxis can't block imei on Celcom and Digi network

can anyone clarify if its safe to buy "un-activated" iphone from a person that claim she got it from company lucky draw?

Most probably hardware fault? Can get your phone diagnosed for a small fee..

I would just activate the phone during the meet up and ensure all is well, and working fine before parting with your money. That is the only way that is safe.

Telco contract phones are risky.
You acknowledge and agree we have the rights to block the IMEI of the Device if you are:
1, suspected of fraud or found to have committed fraud; or
2, after signing up to this Offer, you fail to make payment for a continuous period of three (3) months.

Yes, that’s the normal terms and conditions. Need to be extra cautious when buying a used one these days.

So in the end did you report that mudah scammer?

Wondering, how if got the phone from company dinner lucky draw without any receipts? Anything I can do to check whether it is Telco phone or not?

how do you even know if the phone is being under Telco plans, which telco because anyone can lie.

I don't think you can check. I'm very skeptical about buying those phones that are "lucky draws" or "gifts". Really got so many people that are so lucky or have friends/relatives that are so generous meh?

True, so exercise caution when buying.

true.. lately a lot of ppl selling phone under categories 'lucky draw'.. zzzz

Hi. I have bought iphone X new sealed in box in february this year. I bought it from a person i saw his ad in facebook. That was early this year so i dont really keep his number.

Then on early november this year suddenly showing no service.

I went to apple center. A week later they replaced me with a totally brand new iphone X.

After using this new iphone x for about 2months it shows no issue service again. I went to apple center again but this time they said my phone have been blocked by MCMC? Seriously? Why at the first place they replace me with new iphone and now telling me this new iphone is being blocked with MCMC?

Means this ne iphone have been blocked by telco? How do i find out which telco blocked it?

Finding the seller is impossible i think coz i lost the conversation and his number. I dont feel suspicious since its brand new seaed and using the phone with no problem at all for 10months.

Or my iphone is totally unuseable now? Practically i have been using this phone for 11months but its only 1month++ old since Apple just replaced it 1month++ ago.

Is there any way to find out which telco blocked it? I went to celcom center they said they cannot check which telco is it from.

This post has been edited by nyatio: Dec 14 2018, 05:45 PM

Aren't you envious of those lucky people? I am, heh heh...

Oh wow, real life example of what can really happen with a telco set. Since it's not blocked by Celcom, it could be maxis. Maybe check with them and see.

Well another telco sure cannot check others telco block.. U needed to go check each telco...

Why sealed set u ask. Simple. Example I sign up Maxis most expensive plan. Rm188. Then the iPhone XR could be foc and I ask them not to open and it can be totally sealed. Then I take the phone and sell to you rm3k. Maxis first month NG block maybe 2nd or 3rd month only block. By the time I know it is too late. Btw u can’t check unless u go to each telco but then it is hard also cause no number and ntg. How they wan to check for u.

The replacement new iPhone X comes with new IMEI and serial number.

How do the Telcos get this new info to block your phone again?

That is why im wondering as well. Apple center said their system already upgrade.

Well..maybe I'm the lucky 1..not iPhone but mate 20 Pro, got from company dinner lucky draw...thought to sell it out for cash, but then now decided to use it myself..

You mean Apple release iMEI coded to MCMC ?

Nice. Congrats!

One possible situations..
Since MCMC is the boss of telco

Double poat

This post has been edited by kahyeec: Dec 17 2018, 05:50 PM

Bloody hell.. i kena this too.. exact same situation.. I brought in my iPhoneX I bought from this f**ker in LYN called “AK Comm” in Dec 2017 and they swapped a new one for me.. happened last week my phone no network and I sent it back and now they tell me high chances its telco locked now..

I thought Ak Comm says as long as it gets locked they will help you settle?

Was tempted to buy an iPhone X from him some months ago but glad I decided otherwise.

This post has been edited by attw: Dec 17 2018, 06:34 PM

I’m a bit puzzled why new replacement set can still be locked by telco after the original set is returned/exchanged. How do the telco know?

My current set is from telco. I guess I’ll be keeping the phone for two years.

I can’t even reach him anymore.. do you know or remember what was the post?

Here you go, bro

You can search for the posts he started, though not sure if he’s disappeared or still using the same phone number.

This post has been edited by attw: Dec 17 2018, 08:32 PM

Thank you so much.. I manage to contact him.. he has changed his number.. he say he will help me solve it and if he can, I take back my words that he is a f**ker..

Haha, ok bro. Hope he solves it for you. Cheers!

Sold my new iphone X replaced set by Apple for rm2000. Better than nothing. I just bought new iphone but this time singapore set, no worries for telco set.

I don't mind doing that too actually.. who did you manage to sell your phone too?

Make sure it’s not a Singapore telco set

Singapore telco set should not affect malaysia sim card.
Unless you roam to SG.

Yeah, but was told if got any problems warranty claims must go back to respective telcos..

The person who bought my iphone X is Singaporean. He kkows that he can use this telco blocked iphone X in his hometown. So should be not a problem if my new iphone is singapore telco set, which i hope not.

how much you wanna let go?

May I know isn’t a risk to buy local telco set (new set) from seller ah?

Any possibility phone be blocking in future.

Thank you

Yes, definitely possible. Seems to be a trend now especially if the phone was bought using a leasing-like method for example Maxis Zerolution or Celcom Easyphone.

It is risky to buy. The phone may be locked if the original seller do not pay to Telco. If that happens, the phone will be useless as a phone. I buy these kind of phones as spareparts. Anyone selling please whatsapp me at https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=0178399033

They transfer the activation policy to the new replacement set

anyone (foreigner) interested in buying iphone X 256GB?
mine is locked by celcom also. unfortunately previous owner tarak bayar aiseh