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Original poster

The latest issue with DHin hospital, can you help?

190 replies

Toorapid · 09/02/2021 18:55

People have been so helpful.

He's still in hospital, still very confused but a bit more lucid if you catch him at the right time.

However, he's managed to lock himself out of his iPhone.

The McMillian nurse, who admitted IT is not her thing, says it's asking for his Apple ID. I don't use Apple and haven't a clue. DS1 has managed to get into his apple account using some guesswork, but to unlock it needs to get into his work emails, which none of us can do.

DH has his work laptop with him, a week ago he was using it and checking emails from his hospital bed, but now doesn't seem to be able to open it. He's getting very cross with himself because he can't make it do what he wants.

So our only way to contact him is via the bedside phone, which is extortionate and most annoyingly has a long message,which you're paying for, before you even get put through to the phone. Plus we can't send him texts etc. Which has been a way to let him know we're thinking of him (whether he knows it or not) when he hasn't been well enough to talk.

Any ideas how we get this phone unlocked?

OP posts:
WorriedMillie · 09/02/2021 19:16

When my dad was in a similar situation, we took in a basic, PAYG handset, it wasn’t expensive and it allowed him to keep in touch, via texts and calls

DogsSausages · 09/02/2021 19:16

Call PALs, they sorted it out for us, the TV package also got changed.

ilovebagpuss · 09/02/2021 19:18

We got locked out of some iPads at work when people left and there was no way anyone could get in them, even our tech people couldn’t hack past the Apple ID. Work then set everyone’s gear up centrally and the tech people held all the codes. Could well be the same at your DH work and if you could contact them they might be able to give you the ID.
Otherwise it’s way to complicated for a ley person to be able to fix.
It must be so frustrating for you at this time I would certainly consider getting a cheap pay as you go or old phone with a cheap sim to send in while you ask his work for help.

MichelleScarn · 09/02/2021 19:19

Whats the error message hes getting? Is he able to say?

trunumber · 09/02/2021 19:20

Getting into a locked iPhone is an absolute nightmare - honestly. We have given up and bought new phones when it's happened here sometimes (and DH is quite good at this stuff)

I would also get him a cheap phone - maybe see if you can take his iPhone back and figure it out at home. The hospital honestly don't have the capacity to do this for you.

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 09/02/2021 19:21

Is there a reason you aren't addressing all the posts suggesting the obvious solution of a different phone?

DogsSausages · 09/02/2021 19:22

www.hospedia.com/patient-area/contact-us/

Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 19:23

I'm just not sure he'll be able to cope with a new phone (not that he can cope with an the old one!) but it's probably time to accept he needs to give back the work one anyway.

If I get a payg one, how will I know when it needs topping up? I haven't had one in years. It used to be if you didn't use the credit it you lost it, but I think that's changed?

OP posts:
MaggieFS · 09/02/2021 19:23

I'm not sure why you need the access to the work emails if you now have the Apple ID and password, but no need to explain.

What I would do:

  1. Get a new mobile set up as a temp PAYG option. If you don't have an old one, ask on a local Facebook group, I'm sure you'll get one quickly.
  1. Contact his manager and get the details for their IT dept. They'll probably have security protocols which mean they may not be able to help you unlock it, but should be able to e.g. give the details to his manager.

Good luck,

C152 · 09/02/2021 19:25

His Apple ID should be the email address he used when he first signed up to an Apple product. There's some info here on how to re-set passwords or find out your Apple ID:

support.apple.com/en-us/HT201354

bloodywhitecat · 09/02/2021 19:26

@AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair

Is there a reason you aren't addressing all the posts suggesting the obvious solution of a different phone?
Because I would imagine it would just cause him even more confusion, the OP has already said he is very confused.

When DP was in hospital a while ago there were some iPads the ward could lend out so patients could stay in touch, is there anything like that the hospital could access for him?

MadeForThis · 09/02/2021 19:27

Could he have put it into airplane mode?

enjoyingscience · 09/02/2021 19:28

If you get a no contract (30 day thing) sim only instead of a PAYG then you don’t need to worry about credit - Tesco have some good ones. Pop in a cheap phone.

DogsSausages · 09/02/2021 19:28

you can top up payg phones at most bank ATMs

MadeForThis · 09/02/2021 19:29

It's should only be asking for the Apple ID if the whole iPhone has been reset.

slothbyday · 09/02/2021 19:30

I haven't read your previous threads so apologies if this is off track.

I would buy a doro phone (these are easy to use and designed for those who struggle with tech)

Get a payg sim with your same phone network and link it with them. You should then be able to top up directly via your account, you can also set it to too up automatically when it drops below a set amount. I am with ee and all accounts show in the one and we can transfer data between us etc

Take these to the hospital and bring his phone and laptop home. He can't use them and they are a theft risk there at the moment. I am assuming at present Covid allows people to do that even though they can't see patients. I would also imagine staff would rather this than trying to get into laptops etc.

Also consider the option of sending him a basic tablet that he can use with data - can use it as a phone and watch Netflix etc

C152 · 09/02/2021 19:30

@Toorapid

I'm just not sure he'll be able to cope with a new phone (not that he can cope with an the old one!) but it's probably time to accept he needs to give back the work one anyway.

If I get a payg one, how will I know when it needs topping up? I haven't had one in years. It used to be if you didn't use the credit it you lost it, but I think that's changed?

Do you have a spare phone at home? If so, you can just get a PAYG sim card (they'll post it to you).

In any event, you just need to sign up for an online account with whichever provider you choose, then you can login any time with the phone number of the new phone/sim and check the balance or buy more credit.

Different companies have different packages and options. Some PAYG options won't allow you to carry over un-used credit to the next month, whilst others will.

DianaT1969 · 09/02/2021 19:32

I know you need to act fast, but a Giffgaff PAYG sim card is free and is easy to top up remotely online.
At handover of the simple phone, you could ask a member of staff to meet you downstairs with his laptop and work phone and take those home.
I'm sure he doesn't need the stress. I agree with a previous poster. Apple is awful for trying to recover passwords. It would send a well person over the edge.

DianaT1969 · 09/02/2021 19:33

I'd avoid Vodafone for PAYG. Awful, poor access for top ups and poor customer service. 3 used to be good, if you can find a store open.

Airplanes · 09/02/2021 19:35

I wouldn't get a payg sim, get a gift gaff one. There's different monthly tariffs which are generous for around £8-10 a month. You can set it all up for him and there's no contract period

Airplanes · 09/02/2021 19:35
  • giff gaff
Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 19:36

@MadeForThis

It's should only be asking for the Apple ID if the whole iPhone has been reset.
Hmm, the McMillian nurse told me it was asking for a 6 digit Apple ID, but his Apple ID is an email address and the password is more than 6 digits
OP posts:
Embracelife · 09/02/2021 19:36

If you call your mobile provider they will do you a deal. can do you a tablet deal for say 10 or 15 a month. Either ipad or other.

Thebizz · 09/02/2021 19:36

When my iPhone keeps asking for my Apple ID, I just ignore it and carry on using it.

Not sure if that is helpful but phones do that when they want you to update settings etc but you can still use it.

Could that possibly be the case for your husband?

Embracelife · 09/02/2021 19:37

6 digit is usually a passcode for the ipad lock screen

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