If you don't make JioPhone Next EMI payments, your phone will be locked: Report

Timely payment of JioPhone Next EMI will be extremely critical if you don't want your phone to be locked by the company.

Reportedly, JioPhone Next comes preloaded with a Device Lock feature that could stop you from the phone if EMIs are not paid on time. (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

Those looking to buy JioPhone Next via EMI option should check this out. Reliance Jio is expected to launch the JioPhone Next today, on the occasion of Diwali. Notably, the smartphone comes with a feature that could stop you from accessing the device remotely if you do not pay the EMIs for the smartphone on time, according to these reports. JioPhone Next price is ₹6,499 and it can also be purchased via EMIs that are as low as ₹300. JioPhone Next EMI option makes it more accessible to first-time smartphone users.

JioPhone Next lock feature not for all

While JioPhone Next owners will be able to use the device after buying it after making a downpayment of ₹1,999 and the rest in EMIs, a report by Gadgets 360 suggests that the operator could restrict access to the device if a customer does not pay the EMIs on time. JioPhone Next lock feature is expected to affect only customers who have bought the device on EMIs, according to the report, which states that the feature has been developed by the carrier to “avoid bad debt instances” with regard to EMI payments.

Not sure which
mobile to buy?

When and where will JioPhone Next EMI message show

Visually, JioPhone Next units that are purchased on EMI will show a banner at the bottom on the lock screen that says “Device provided by the financer” and the message is expected to disappear once the phone is paid for. This message does not appear on units that are not bought on EMI, according to reports. Once the lock is enabled, customers will only be able to resume normal use after the EMI is paid.

JioPhone Next Lock Device

Restricting or limiting access to a device can be done with the help of the Device Administration feature (DeviceAdminService API) that can limit certain activities or enforce certain policies on the device. This feature is also used by other finance companies and money lenders in the country, while Google itself was working on an app called Device Lock Controller, according to the report. Device Lock Controller uses the same device administrator permission to control a device it is installed on.