Is your phone asking for a PUK code. PUK = Personal Unlocking Key. Personal Unblocking Key, or PIN Unblocking Key.
This can only come from your cellphone carrier and usually the company that still owns the phone under the agreement. Sometimes it is because you have put another SIM card in it, and they own the phone and need you to use them as carrier to get the price of the phone back, or you are in default of payment, or on a Pay as You Go plan, it is over expired. I can also happen if you have entered the unlock code wrongly three times. This often happens when a phone is stolen or lost and has been found by or sold to someone else who then try and use the phone.
Wikipedia
A
personal unblocking code (PUC), also known as a
PIN unlock key (PUK), is used in
3GPP mobile phones to reset a
personal identification number (PIN) that has been lost or forgotten.
Most mobile telephones offer the feature of PIN protection. After switching on the phone, if the PIN security function is active, the user is requested to enter a 4-8 digit PIN enabling the phone's non-emergency calling functions. If the wrong PIN is typed in more than three times, either the
SIM card, the device, or both become locked. They can be returned to their original unlocked state by entering a PUC, provided by the service operator after verification. If the wrong PUC is entered ten times in a row, the device will become permanently blocked and unrecoverable, requiring a new SIM card. Cellular phone users are therefore advised by most providers to keep their PUC written down in a safe place separate from the device.
The PUC (PUK) is a SIM-specific code assigned and provided by the service provider.
Once you enter the PUK code, you must set a PIN. The PUK and PUK2 are used to unlock the PIN and PIN2 codes respectively if your SIM card is blocked
From Bell
The PIN unblocking key (PUK; sometimes called personal unlocking key) is a master security code for unblocking and resetting the personal identification number (PIN) for your SIM card. For added security, the PUK is unique to your SIM card.
If your PIN code is active and you enter it incorrectly three times, your SIM card will be blocked. You won't be able to use your phone, except for emergency calls. You must enter your PUK into your phone to unblock the SIM card.
If your SIM card becomes blocked, Contact us to get your PUK.
You may be able to do it from the website or your cellular provider. This is from Orange - T-Mobile in the UK.
Your phone can become blocked in a number of ways - one of them is if you enter your SIM card PIN number incorrectly three times in a row.
To unblock your SIM card, you will need to use something called a PUK (Personal Unblocking Key).
Remember that unblocking is different to unlocking. Read more information on
unlocking your device.
How to get a PUK code
The quickest way to get a PUK code is online using My Account. We'll show you this information whenever you need it.
- Register or log in to My Account.
- Select Help & Support from the main menu options on your account homepage.
- Select Get your PUK code.
- Then select Get PUK1 code.
- Once you have your PUK code, enter this into your phone to unblock your SIM.
Please enter your PUK code carefully - if you enter the wrong PUK code 10 times, you will permanently block your SIM card and we'll need to send you a new one.
