Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 19:38

He has a tablet too. I know, I worry about security too, but he was capable when he asked for them.

I've tried to talk him through making a Messenger call and failed miserably.

OP posts:
AlternativePerspective · 09/02/2021 19:39

Is it actually his Apple ID he needs to unlock the phone or is it that he can’t remember the passcode? Because if he can’t remember the passcode then tbh there isn’t a way to unlock it. And some phones (depends how he set it up) can be set up to wipe the phone if he gets it wrong more than 10 times.

A cheap phone really is the only way around this. Maybe even a 2nd hand iPhone of an earlier generation perhaps? That way he will still have a phone he’s familiar with.

BabbleBee · 09/02/2021 19:39

@Embracelife

6 digit is usually a passcode for the ipad lock screen
That’s what I was going to say. It’s not the Apple ID she needs, it’s his PIN
IAmongstTheWorld · 09/02/2021 19:39

Have the work e-mail forwarded to you, you reset the apple ID and password from home and give to DH.

Becca11973 · 09/02/2021 19:40

The 6 digit password it’s asking for now it’s the one he uses each tome he uses his phone to unlock the screen. Hoops that helps a little x

Invisimamma · 09/02/2021 19:40

Just send in a cheap new phone for him, or ask alrund for a spare, lots of people will have one in a drawer somewhere gathering dust. My son uses 1p mobile, all texts and calls are 1p and you can top up remotely.

IAmongstTheWorld · 09/02/2021 19:40

And when that is done set him up with fingerprint recognition on the phone (but do make sure you know which finger he has used).

NoSquirrels · 09/02/2021 19:41

It’s a work iPhone?

If that’s the issue - that it’s linked to his work email address and actually work property- then you can’t fix it. And I doubt his work would be able to help without your DH being contactable to talk to them so catch 22.

If he is familiar with an iPhone & you don’t think he’ll cope with a new android phone then ask around and see if anyone has an old iPhone lying about anywhere? You can buy refurbed e.g. www.quickmobilefix.com/products/refurbished-apple-iphone-6

Then a SIM on a 30-day contract e.g talkmobile.co.uk/sim-only

m0therofdragons · 09/02/2021 19:41

He will have free WiFi so can’t you audios call using an ipad app. What was wrong with messenger? I use video calling on messenger to speak to my brother and nephew in a different country.

Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 19:42

Ok, so it's his pin he needs and he should be used to putting that in every time and now he can't remember it, doesn't even know what it's for Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 19:42

@m0therofdragons

He will have free WiFi so can’t you audios call using an ipad app. What was wrong with messenger? I use video calling on messenger to speak to my brother and nephew in a different country.
I don't think there's anything wrong with it, except that he couldn't do it.
OP posts:
IAmongstTheWorld · 09/02/2021 19:43

You can call him, the phone should unlock (slide to answer) and then he should be able to disable the pin setting?

wibblewombat · 09/02/2021 19:44

Giffgaff, set up a monthly call & data package, you can roll it over & run the account from home. Pretty cheap, I pay £6 or 8 a month, depending on how much I'm going to use it.

You can get a refurb phone from them too.

Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 19:44

@IAmongstTheWorld

You can call him, the phone should unlock (slide to answer) and then he should be able to disable the pin setting?
It goes straight to answer phone when I call him
OP posts:
IAmongstTheWorld · 09/02/2021 19:47

Ok so if he's tried too many times it will lock itself for a while - should tell him on the screen how much longer it has, I think the longest is 24 hours. (Starts at like ten minutes or something, then increases)

DogsSausages · 09/02/2021 19:50

Its straightforward to change the PIN through the settings app but if he is likely to forget it then someone will have to write it down for him which is a real security issue. Maybe its turned to ansaphone on. Have you tried calling the bedside phone as a one off. Does the ward have a mobile phone for patients use for a quick call.

NoSquirrels · 09/02/2021 19:50

@Toorapid

Ok, so it's his pin he needs and he should be used to putting that in every time and now he can't remember it, doesn't even know what it's for Sad
It might be, or it might be that he’s locked it, tried to fix it and the 2-factor authentication is linked with his Apple ID via work email address. Have a look here: support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204306

In general this is going to be really really hard to fix remotely without being in front of the device if you don’t quite know the issue and no one there can tell you (confusion or IT unfamiliarity).

I’d try to get a new one over to him under your account set up with a PIN you know etc.

Invisimamma · 09/02/2021 19:51

Doesn't he have face or finger print recognition? Even if he doesn't know the pin he should still be able to open the phone with his face or finger.

Acovic · 09/02/2021 19:53

Maybe he has no reception if it goes straight to answer phone and he has dropped off the hospital WiFi network.

Should possibly be able to get texts though.

(DOI: work in hospital, if my phone accidentally disconnects from the wifi I am uncontactable in the building. Fun when I'm on call!)

twinkletoestwinklenose · 09/02/2021 19:56

Hi OP, sorry you're in such a horrible situation. I agree, in times where family can't visit ensuring communication by phone is everything. I know everyone is so busy but it's such an important part of care as it's just so distressing for everyone if that is removed.

I am crap at technology so can't help with accessing the current phone. However, if you need to get a new phone as some have suggested, I agree with @Airplanes giffgaff is a great option. That way you don't need to worry about topping up. You can just get a no contract monthly package, I think they start at about £6, so a good inexpensive option. It will roll over automatically but you can just cancel whenever you want.

A doro phone could be a good option to go with it if just using for texts / phone.

I do hope you're able to find a way to sort it out Flowers

Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 19:56

I can't believe, with all the things we've had to deal with lately that this is the one making me feel I just can't do it.

How can it be humane to keep a dying man away from his family for more than a month?

I'll speak to McMillian again in the morning and find out why he hasn't been told how to make free calls from the bedside phone. Maybe see if someone there can help him with Messenger on the tablet. That can't be too much to ask.

OP posts:
niknac1 · 09/02/2021 20:01

Some Trusts have NHS iPad and can allow families to make a FaceTime call to their loved one. They may also have a ward phone which can be taken to a patient’s bedside. It’s worth directly asking if this is possible.

Todaywillbegood · 09/02/2021 20:01

Sorry @toorapid, it must be so tough for you. I have no magical solutions I'm afraid but is there any prospect of him moving to a hospice where the visiting rules might (hopefully) be less strict. Or coming home? (Sorry if these aren't possible.)

Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 20:03

@Todaywillbegood

Sorry *@toorapid*, it must be so tough for you. I have no magical solutions I'm afraid but is there any prospect of him moving to a hospice where the visiting rules might (hopefully) be less strict. Or coming home? (Sorry if these aren't possible.)
Yes, they were talking about a short hospice stay for symptom management before coming home, then he got this infection, so he's not going anywhere for a while.
OP posts:
GabsAlot · 09/02/2021 20:08

sorry op i know youve had a roughtime

theyre not being inhumane though there is a hpsital phone by his bed we all had to cope with that a few years ago even though it cost a fortune