Sim Cards

[gimpywalker]

Its been a long time since I've been on the site and I can't find exactly where I should be asking this question. Could someone tell me why the sim cards I purchased at the corner café in Paris would not work in my iphone. I did wind up going to the Orange store and had success there but it just seems like it would be so much easier to purchase at the corner café. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks--and if I need to move my question please tell me, Thanks, Gimpywalker

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Perhaps for the same reason that the Orange store does not sell cafe. It is not their profession.

 

[Kanga]

I assume you are talking about using it in France?
To give a real answer as to why the sim does not work you would need to give us more details. What model iPhone, what type of sim card (carrier?)

 

[evanlow]

You might be scammed. Even if is not...

Is it an Orange SIM at the corner?
Have you ask the Orange shop why?
Did you check for the cell provider and signal on you cell phone when you got the SIM card at the corner?
What didn't work? Phone calls? Data?
Is it a French number? +33? Or a UK number? Until they leave Brexit, it is not uncommon to peddle a UK SIM card outside the country. They will market it as able to use everywhere in Europe. However, it will cost you more (voice and especially data). Using data on even a few hours of moderate use will clean out your balance.

To defend the corner store, I always get my SIM cards in Spain from either the corner store at the train station or bus station before I travel to my Camino starting point. Less effort than to find a department store, Carrefour, or Orange store. So far, they have been fine. You just need to spell out what you need to them.

Just a bit of attention is all you need.

1. Make sure the SIM card says Orange, or Movistar, etc....
2. Make sure they put the SIM onto you phone and check for signal.
3. Know how much voice credit you are getting.
4. If you need data tell them. 1 GB? 2 GB? How much?
5. Make them help you enter the code to say topup the data, etc. You don't want to do it yourself especially if you not familiar with the language and procedure.
6. Finally sent a message via text or data (Whataspp) and make sure it is okay before you leave the store.

A note: Make sure you cater around 20 minutes for this unless the SIM card already has all the things you want already bundled. Almost missed my train the last time.

 

[gimpywalker]

Ok Thanks everyone--simply an unlocked iphone 6--the packets sold at the tabac were sealed and seemed to be what the locals were using, I have used sim cards purchased in many countries and had no problem--but usually at the actual orange, voda phone etc outlets--just curious why the card all the locals used didn't work in my phone--no worries, will just find an orange store when I arrive, thanks

 

[jmcarp]

Ok Thanks everyone--simply an unlocked iphone 6--the packets sold at the tabac were sealed and seemed to be what the locals were using, I have used sim cards purchased in many countries and had no problem--but usually at the actual orange, voda phone etc outlets--just curious why the card all the locals used didn't work in my phone--no worries, will just find an orange store when I arrive, thanks

Are you sure your iphone was unlocked?

 

[gimpywalker]

Yes

 

[SYates]

I might have simply been a malfunctioning card/production error or the like. This things happen, Buen Camino, SY

 

[Margaret Butterworth]

In France, unlike in Spain, it is a two-step process. The Orange shop will put a SIM card in your phone, but then you have to go to a tabac to purchase a certain amount of credit, for example 20 Euros-worth.

 

[Laurancetsang]

I got a SIM card in Spain and took me 2 days to get it to work. Had to go to settings. Change carrier from automatic and choose carrier. Add a new ssid I think it was and then restart the phone. Once I did this it worked fine