Used phone still has number programmed.

[SW5]

I recently bought a used U.S. Cellular iPhone 4s from a one of their stores, it was a return for their "15 day return policy" in which if you don't like your phone, you can return it within 15 days. It was dirt cheap, only $150 for a basically brand new phone. Only catch, it still has the previous owner's phone number on it. Will I still be able to add this phone to my plan this weekend?
P.S. Excuse me if there is an obvious error in my knowledge, I am new to the vast world of smartphones.

Thanks!

 

[iOS Gravity]

Call your carrier and ask them to add it to the plan. The number might not matter, but be sure to ask the rep.

 

[Ledsteplin]

Is the previous owner still using the number on another phone?


Sent from from my iPhone 5

 

[SW5]

Is the previous owner still using the number on another phone?


Sent from from my iPhone 5

I do not know, as I said I do not know who the previous owner was, since it was bought from a U.S. Cellular store. Is there any way to find out?

 

[iOS Gravity]

I do not know, as I said I do not know who the previous owner was, since it was bought from a U.S. Cellular store. Is there any way to find out?

As I said before, call customer service and ask the rep.

 

[Ledsteplin]

Yep, what Gravity said.


Sent from from my iPhone 5

 

[IAmSixNine]

CDMA phones almost always retain the original phone number in their memory after they have been activated.
There are extra steps you can take to remove that info but the general wiping wont remove it.
I have seen this with HTC, Motorola, Blackberry, Samsung and many others. Its normal.
Because of the nature of CDMA programming it has to have some number in there. When it was brand new the number was 000-000-0000 or 0001.
As long as it was cleared from the original users account you will be able to add it to your account.
After you add it to your account it will then re-provision your info into the phone and all should be good.

 

[Septembersrain]

Best way to erase any of the previous network settings is by contacting the carrier and finding out the iPhone code.

I know for Boost Mobile it is ##873283# then the call button. It'll set it back to 000-000-0001 as if it's new.

You can also go under settings > general > reset > reset network settings.


Sent from another beautiful blue using Tapatalk Pro.

 

[deondrayivey]

@septembersrain. I went to reset network settings but it still has the number if the previous owner on my phone. It is a 4s.

 

[Septembersrain]

@septembersrain. I went to reset network settings but it still has the number if the previous owner on my phone. It is a 4s.

What carrier is it for? Nevermind. Read it. Let me see if I can find out your carrier code.

Sent from a larger than life device using Tapatalk!

 

[Septembersrain]

Okay. If you're not having any trouble connecting it to your account, I'm not seeing a way to remove the previous owners number.
If you are having trouble: http://m.imore.com/iphone-bug-connect-cellular-data-network

I'd suggest calling your carrier. I can't find their code, I'm thinking that the 4/4s might not have one? Did you try the code I sent you?

Sent from a larger than life device using Tapatalk!

 

[deondrayivey]

It's with verizon. And what code did u send me? I'm new to the site sorry

 

[Septembersrain]

It's with verizon. And what code did u send me? I'm new to the site sorry

##873283# then the call button. Try resetting it this way?


Sent from another beautiful blue using Tapatalk Pro.

 

[deondrayivey]

It just gives an automated response that says phone is not in service. Thank you for trying

 

[Septembersrain]

It just gives an automated response that says phone is not in service. Thank you for trying

I'm sorry about that.


Sent from another beautiful blue using Tapatalk Pro.

 

[EmceeGeek]

It sounds like US Cellular didn't do something correct on their end. You shouldn't have someone else's number.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[thejasonhowell]

It sounds like US Cellular didn't do something correct on their end. You shouldn't have someone else's number.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have an old VZW 4s that still shows my phone number, even though I can't make normal calls with it.

I'm pretty sure once the OP take it to where they want to go, and it's got a clean ESN, then she should be fine.


Sent from my T-Mobile iPhone 5c using Tapatalk