Apple’s Official iPhone 3G Unlock
While most iPhone users are aware of unofficial unlock methods, you may be surprised to discover that it’s possible to legally unlock your device, courtesy of Apple.
The above image is the not-often-seen official unlock notification, as displayed in iTunes. The dialogue succinctly confirms that the user’s iPhone, in this case a 3G, has been unlocked and can now be used on any carrier. Note the Apple logo at the top left — this is a result of an official unlock sanctioned by Apple.
Read on to find out how I legally unlocked my iPhone 3G.
In June, while over 1 million early adopters in the U.S. picked up their brand new iPhone 3GS devices, I was anxiously waiting for the official launch in my current country of residence, Finland. I picked up my iPhone 3GS in Helsinki just two weeks ago, when it was finally launched by Sonera.
Regarding Sonera, think of it as a less-repugnant version of AT&T. As the exclusive distributor of the iPhone over in Finland, Sonera has turned out to be a somewhat benevolent carrier. The carrier’s unlimited data plan is reasonably priced, and home hacking your iPhone to tether to your Macbook is positively encouraged.
And now I’ve discovered that Sonera is also happy to lend a helping hand in unlocking your old iPhone 3G. When the 3G was released last year, Sonera customers had to sign up for a two-year contract. When upgrading to the iPhone 3GS, those same customers are given the option to pay off the remainder of their original 3G contract. Paying off the contract, and thus completing the two years prematurely, entitles the customer to have their iPhone 3G unlocked.
The helpful assistant at the Sonera store made a note of my IMEI number and then passed it onto his boss — after that there’s a special piece of software that only his boss is authorized to use. This mystical application submits the IMEI to Apple, which in turn authorizes the device for unlocking.
I was advised that when the iPhone 3G was next synced with iTunes, it would be unlocked. Minutes later, back at home, I connected the iPhone 3G to iTunes and received a new carrier settings update. After downloading and installing the update, Apple’s official iPhone unlock screen appeared.
Going the legit route was a much more painless process than using a proxy SIM or the Dev Team’s unofficial unlock. Also worth noting is that, unlike some of the illicit approaches, this unlock is permanent: I’ll be able to keep updating the iPhone’s OS without losing the ability to use any carrier SIM in the device.
It was a surprisingly quick, easy and free unlock for me, although I’d be very interested to find out if any of our readers around the world have had similar success in unlocking their iPhones.
Jeroen on August 20th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
How is this free? You still have to payoff the two year contract.
Staff Comment Olly Farshi, TheAppleBlog on August 20th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
The way I see it, you’re paying off a contract that you are obliged to complete. They’re letting me out of the deal early (whether or not I think it’s a good deal is irrelevant in this case – I signed up for it).
To upgrade to the 3GS, I had to pay off the rest of my two year contract, note that this amounted to a cost of €24, approximately $34.
The unlocking wasn’t a part of the contract or upgrade deal as far as I knew. Sonera offered it to me and I accepted, it was a welcome bonus as part of the upgrade process.
Tim Spence on August 24th, 2009 at 6:12 am
If you got your 3G when it was released in July 2008, on a 2-year contract, and you paid off your contract in June 2009, you had 13 months left to run on it.
My question therefore is if the cost to pay off the remainder of your contract was a mere €24 (for 13 months), how the hell much do you pay each month!?!?!?
Staff Comment Olly Farshi, TheAppleBlog on August 24th, 2009 at 6:56 am
Hey Tim, it was 2 euros a month – I paid around 500 euros for my iPhone 3G when I first got it, forgoing crazy high monthly fees.
Mobile Phone Upgrade on August 25th, 2009 at 8:10 am
That is sweet. Will have to give it a go…
Gundosfgt on November 26th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Aloha! auc
test on August 20th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
etst
Sam on August 20th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
bah. this is no help for us in the US.
Josso on August 21st, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Bah…
It’s no help for us in Denmark (North Europe, too). :(
No seriously…
There’s a lot of iPhone and Mac owners all around the world and I think it’s great to see some blogs about other countries than the USA. ;)
attila on October 10th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
if you want a iphone just go to the apple store or carrier and tell them you just want to buy one outright and they will sell it to you (IN THE US AT LEAST)
3g 499usd 3gs 16g 599usd 3gs 32g 699usd just got of phone with an apple rep just now
Pmheart6 on November 15th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Nice try, owning an I phone outright in the us you are still required to use the official carrier and Att is the one with exclucivity.
Not only that, they still make you sign a 2 year agreement. Not for a cheaper plan, but any plan even on a shared phone plan.
Marko on August 20th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I updated my 3G to 3GS and the salesperson said that I only have to call Sonera to get the unlocking code for 3G. I made a new 12 month contract with Sonera for 3GS.
Ervin on August 20th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Actually in Singapore, the laws states that all phones sold must be unlocked. So purchasing an iPhone, and then terminating the contract at an additional SGD850, you can have an unlocked phone, without a contract.
Aleksandar on August 20th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
From the title, I thought there some new trick discovered, but there’s nothing special or new said here, this is old stuff known and possible since back with 2G iPhones.
For technical details how this works – and why it’s impossible to permanently unlock without Apple’s cooperation – see this link: http://www.hackint0sh.org/f203/76047.htm#post419358
Sophie on August 20th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Hello !
I’m french, I have an Iphone 3G contract with orange. In France, it is possible to unlock any phone (including the iphone) after 6 months of contract, legally, with Itunes. We don’t have to wait until the end of the contract to get the unlocking code.
:-)
Cooper on November 22nd, 2009 at 11:24 am
I heard the cellphone plan sux in France. You spent lots of $ but only get so little talk time. Maybe that explains it? =D
Arnan de Gans on August 20th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I think you should share you IPCC file :) at least with me…
Mazen on August 20th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
As Sophie said. Me too in Paris I unlocked my 3G officially by Apple for 100€ and I did not wait
for
the 6 months :-)
Shokho on August 20th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Not helpful for any one else rather than you
N Saini on August 20th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Well here in the states AT&T has blatantly said they are not going to unlock any iPhones. Even after your 2 year contract! So the only way to unlock your phone is by using unofficial methods! Thanks Apple for doing a deal with the devil.
Piotr Bielaska on August 20th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
In Poland when you buy iPhone 3G/3GS sold by one of the cariers (Era) you have the phone unlocked already. They have done it for all phones they selling. It’s great because I can buy Greek PAYG simcard when I will be in Greece on holidays and have mobile broadband without fighting to unlock my phone :).
Brian on August 21st, 2009 at 12:29 am
I did this months ago in Australia and I’m still in contract, here we just enter details in the phone company website then restore in iTunes.
Dante on August 21st, 2009 at 12:34 am
Dude this method was possible only because you paid off all 2 years contract and because Sonera had this option.
So, it’s not an universal method of unlocking!
This article was fabricated only to give you some visitors!
FAIL!
Paweł Tkaczyk on August 21st, 2009 at 1:14 am
This is an option in every place where they are selling iPhones without contract. I bought my iPhone 3G in Era (one of Polish official networks to carry it), but wanted it without contract, so they forwarde my IMEI to Apple and it was unlocked the first time I connected it to iTunes. It’s nothing new.
Sergiy on November 19th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Pawel, please answer, what was the full price to buy it unlocked and without any legal contract so you are obliged to pay on monthly basis. From Era of course
Shayne on August 21st, 2009 at 3:00 am
Vodaphone also provides unlocking for iPhones in Australia. http://Www.vodaphone.com.au/unlock.
Tursiops on August 21st, 2009 at 4:29 am
Well at least in Ireland it’s clear: As long as you have the exclusive deal between the carrier and Apple, it will not be possible to unlock the phone.
Charley on August 21st, 2009 at 5:59 am
Apple made life really easy here in Australia. We just walk into any apple store and buy an outright and unlocked iPhone over the counter.
Any sim from our 4 carriers can be used straight away.
Jamie Jennings on October 4th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
I would like to know if someone would be willing to puchase one for me from wherever you can get one 3GS UNLocked so that I may use it with Tmobile… I can pay a finders fee if the phone itself is not outrageous! In the states we cannot though apple, or att do it what so ever…
Hello on October 10th, 2009 at 4:45 am
yes you can buy unlocked iphone in USA. I believe it will cost about $600
Bonnie on October 22nd, 2009 at 6:18 am
I live mostly in China and come home to to the US for a couple of months every year. Is there a way that I could buy a legally unlocked iphone from Australia and then use it in China and the US? What about the warranty and support? And itunes? Thanks!
Cecil on November 11th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Hello,Jamie
I want to do the same as you. Any advise or luck?
Cecil
Jason Terhorst on August 21st, 2009 at 6:36 am
It’s easy, simple, and cheap for the consumer.
That’s why AT&T will never go for it.
Gemma on August 21st, 2009 at 9:18 am
I like this article.
Cody Clark on August 21st, 2009 at 9:22 am
So if I have an iPhone 3G with AT&T, and decide to upgrade to a 3GS, how do I unlock my iPhone 3G that is no longer in use or under contract?
balkimsk on August 22nd, 2009 at 5:53 pm
how to unlock iphone 3G
iPhone Compare Prices on August 23rd, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Now who would’ve thought that Apple will make it legal to unlock their own units? Talk about joining the bandwagon…
ewpiv on August 24th, 2009 at 6:08 am
I think this is both HELPFUL and INFORMATIVE for US people.
An iPhone costs more than what you get it for . . . and you can’t even buy one unlocked at full-price in the US – and if you hack it, it’s basically warranty/support voided (almost guaranteeing it will break) and it opens you up to malware.
Now, we know Apple’s got a route to do it. I’m not surprised they’re legally compliant to wherever their product is sold. Great, fine . . . back over to you AT&T . . . think “Take Back the Beep” people . . . it’s the laws and carriers that are broken, not the hardware manufacturers.
The free-loaders poo-pooing the article for it not being “free” are totally missing the point.
-EWPIV
PS: if you think AT&T’s the devil, you never owned a V710 from verizon, talk about a crippled phone that was capable of much more.
Pmheart6 on November 15th, 2009 at 11:25 am
If you search, you’ll see that 6 months ago the iPhone cost less than $200 to make.
Nathan Massey on August 24th, 2009 at 9:51 am
This is a really informative article, I didn’t even know this system existed. I’ve been under the impression that O2 in the UK didn’t offer unlocks because it was technically impossible on the iPhone, but this clearly goes against that.
Has anyone from the UK had any success with getting their iPhone unlocked from O2 using this system?
Alex on September 28th, 2009 at 3:22 am
Did you get any responses from O2. I am in the same boat as you and would really like to find out if the same European legislation also applies to this little island of ours.
Zoo on August 24th, 2009 at 11:05 am
TeliaSonera in Sweden states on it’s website that they will unlock iPhone after 12 months for a fee of SEK 300 (~EUR 30). Telenor does the same for SEK 350:-. (no mention what happens if there is time left on the contract).
iBeni on August 25th, 2009 at 3:58 am
It’s interesting to see how surprising that procedure appears to people in the US. In my country (Switzerland), mobile phones are sold without SIM-Lock in most cases. However, the iPhone is only available SIM-locked through either Swisscom or Orange (the two official carriers of the iPhone).
But it is possible, to buy the iPhone without a contract and have the network carrier remove the SIM Lock right after purchase free of charge (if you pay the full price for the phone). Although I’m a Swisscom customer (better coverage), I’m currently using an officially unlocked Orange iPhone 3GS and I have done it before with the iPhone 3G.
If you buy the phone in a shop and ask them to remove the SIM Lock, they will tell you that it will take 2-3 working days. Actually, the only thing they have to do is to transmit your phone’s IMEI to Apple. And the next time you connect your phone to iTunes (with internet connection) it will be unlocked as described above. If you don’t want to wait the 2-3 days, just call Orange customer service and *kindly* ask for the unlock. You may explain that you will go abroad the next day and that you want to use it with a local prepaid SIM card in that other country. They may ask you to email them the receipt of the purchase and the IMEI no. and if you’re lucky, your iPhone is unlocked within 15 minutes.
It’s a very simple procedure and I found it so very convenient to have an officially unlocked iPhone that I can use with whatever SIM card I want and where I don’t have to be super careful with firmware updates or the whole hassle of jailbreaking the iPhone.
IMO only an officially unlocked iPhone is a real iPhone. Everything else (locked or jailbroken) is a compromise.
Sasavi on September 8th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
It is very informative. I am in the US under an AT&T 2-year contract for my 3G iPhone. I also have a European sim card that I use when I travel in Europe and used it in my unlock Blackberry. Assuming I manage to unlock my iPhone in the US, where does the SIM card go? May seem like a stupid question but how does one open the iPhone to swap SIM cards?
Thanks
Michel on August 29th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Here at Brazil there is a law which forces cellphone operators to sell SIM-unlocked phones.
Since then, there is a way to unlock the iphone if you want, and it has pretty much the same steps described in this post.
dez on August 31st, 2009 at 4:59 am
im thinking of asking 02 where i am (uk)
whats the chances of them saying its not possible, even though thats now showing here as utter crap ? lol
shagee on September 29th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Did you get any response from 02?
Maukka on September 1st, 2009 at 3:51 am
Hello Olly,
I just made my first contract with Sonera here in Lahti. The Iphone 3gs is on its way, it’s said to take four weeks, two weeks more for me at this point. I wonder if it will work for me too. Mind that I did not previously have a contract at Sonera! For now I have the 1,99€ a month contract for one year as I have no idea about my “calling behavior” at all. So if I pay the phone and the remaining 1,99 times 12 I should be fixed, right? As I travel on a regular bases it would totally benefit me!
Kathryn on September 1st, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I am in the US. Technologically ignorant (I’ve no idea what unlocking refers to). After two+ years of hating my Treo Palm 700p now considering either Palm Pre or IPhone 3GS. I am utterly confused by everything I’ve read and know only that I *might* save money by “tethering”. To make matters yet more interesting I live in a place that gets interrupted signals from every possible carrier (verizon being the “best” available). I’m drowning.. any help would be piteously appreciated. =0(
Andrew on September 2nd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I just bought a unlocked iPhone 3G from http://www.key-electronics.net .It`s a great website and they will ship the item imediatly.
Andrew
mohd on September 18th, 2009 at 7:50 am
is this website trusted how to verify it
or just scams people
is iphone 3gs unlocked officially
mohd on September 18th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Andrew you are posting a scam website
this web is fake like your mother
Tom on September 6th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Very interesting.
I have a daughter with a 2G iPhone who will be moving to France soon. She will be staying for a year and we have been discussing the options. I know ATT here will not unlock the phone, but perhaps Orange in France will?
Any ideas, experiences, comments?
John on September 13th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Can confirm that Vodacom SouthAfrica sells unlocked phones by default – I got a 32GB 3GS 2 weeks ago as an upgrade to my contract, but the price is still high: about ZAR 4500 (about 570$) as a contract update and ZAR 10′000 (1400 US$) without contract.
My friend will try to buy one now here: http://www.key-electronics.net
Anyone experienced with them?
John
mohd on September 18th, 2009 at 8:43 am
be careful from
http://www.key-electronics.net
its faaaaaaaake
Erika on October 2nd, 2009 at 8:54 am
Hi,
I’ve been wondering about using key-electronics.net, and I just saw your post about their iPhones being fake — is that correct? If so, how can you tell that they’re fake? They seem like a really legitimate company, with a California address and a phone number with a Los Angeles area code, and their site seems legitimate. Plus, their iPhone prices are fairly high, unlike most counterfeit iPhone dealers. But I’d really like to know for sure if their iPhones are authentic or not — is there a surefire way to tell?
Sasha on September 15th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Thats not true my iphone 3g 16gb allways gets that message when i update or restore i bought it legaly unlocked! so thats just a copy of that!
Unlock_iphone_3G on September 23rd, 2009 at 9:32 am
Isn’t it still cheaper to buy it on contract and then unlock it?
Open Secrets on September 28th, 2009 at 3:13 am
In the US, big telecom companies lobby to ensure that no law will ever be passed mandating carrier independency. Lobbyists are, in effect, “special interest groups” that are often funded by a single corporation. They funnel cash toward re-election efforts and pay travel expenses for “meetings” in exotic locations where lawmakers can relax while contemplating their vote on a particular issue. The system is disgusting and facilitates what amounts to legalized bribery.
Lawmakers here have long been legally bribed to ensure unwanted competition is held at bay. Not unique to the telecommunications industry.
Don’t look for that to change anytime soon, either.
Alex on September 28th, 2009 at 3:23 am
What did you put into the email you sent to apple ? Could you post a template ? Who did you direct this email to ?
JN_hawaii on September 28th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
In Brazil the Law does not permit carries to lock the Phones. The only way they can lock the phone if the phone is free, after the contract is over they need to unlock, no question ask!!!
That is nice, because you have real freedom with carries, because now we can change carries and keep the same number!!!
I have ATT here in the US, and I have a Iphone and my wife has a Blackberry. I call att and I ask to unlock my wife’s BB. They did it, for free. I told them that we are going to travel inside of Brazil and they did not cover all the areas in the country, and I want to used her phone with a local carrier. They did her phone, but when I ask to do my Iphone, they told me sorry cannot do it!!!
shagee on September 29th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I bought a iphone from the 02 shop in uk,i paid £350 this is on pay as you go,so would apple or 02 unlock this for free?
I mean there’s no contract
tobyt on September 30th, 2009 at 4:55 am
O2 are saying that Apple have not provided unlock codes… clearly rubbish.
Looks like the phone will go in the draw until they do – not paying £10 per month for data – won’t make any calls.
Loose – loose – what a bunch of idiots
Madison on September 29th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
The simplest solution: http://softunlock.com
It works and it’s free.
tobyt on September 30th, 2009 at 5:07 am
If you are in the UK with O2 and think there position is stupid/comic/sad/untenable then please add your name to the petition:
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/O2UKiphone
Alex on October 2nd, 2009 at 11:55 am
So this might sound dumb, but can I just buy an iphone from a different country while I’m there. Then take it back to the US and use it?
Pmheart6 on November 15th, 2009 at 11:36 am
See my reply above. Att requires a 2 year contract on all new activations. Even if you buy out your contract, and are an added phone on a shared plan.
Unlock iPhone 3G on October 2nd, 2009 at 7:52 pm
While this method is doable, I’m sure you have to jump through fire blazing hoops and loops in order to get it done. Apple won’t do it often because it breaches their contract with ATT. I’m sure it’s a case-by-case scenario. I’m sure it’s tuff to get them to do it.
Pmheart6 on November 15th, 2009 at 11:44 am
You posted a new comment instead of replying. Check there…
Also, is
It Att’s choice? Is an unlocked phone truely unlocked? I know Att will unlock your phone if traveling to another country. Is this temporary, or country specific?
emil on October 4th, 2009 at 5:07 am
anyone who lives in the UK here? can anyone tell me how much is the prepaid iphone 3gs phone kit in th UK?
shagee on October 4th, 2009 at 5:22 am
£440.00 & £540.00 16/32gb uk
emil on October 7th, 2009 at 2:53 am
ahm,,is that already unlocked? if not,,can that be unlocked by apple?so that i can use it here with just any normal simcard?
Kane David on October 6th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
If you buy your iPhone in New Zealand, the phone is absolutely 100% unlocked and will work with a SIM for any carrier that supports the iPhone radio frequencies.
I’ve tested it with a Vodafone NZ (The only Apple sanctioned carrier over here) and also with Telecom NZ and also 2Degrees. They all work perfectly though if you’re using an unsanctioned carrier, you’ll need to create a custom carrier bundle, or find one someone else already has or configure the network MMS/APN settings manually.
Quickroute on October 10th, 2009 at 1:12 am
In Hong Kong all phones are sold unlocked including iPhones by law.
I can happily and legally use my iPhone on any network
emil on October 10th, 2009 at 5:42 am
gosh,i wish there are unlocked iphones in the uk,
Susan on October 18th, 2009 at 5:00 am
> has been unlocked and can now be used on any carrier
*ANY* carrier?
False.
Only those carriers that use the same radio frequences as your phone.
In the USA… that’s only *ONE* additional carrier.
T-Mobile.
(Almost as bad at AT&T)
Greg on October 20th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Hi. I agree with Sophie
I just bought a new 3Gs which is locked to the France Orange network. The people in the office said they would unlock it immediately for 72€ or if I waited for 6 months I could get it done free.
Mind you the contracts over in France are a rip off with very little choice.
Jaydip Parikh on October 21st, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Can I get it unlock if I had purchased it at India ?
Albert on October 23rd, 2009 at 5:01 am
Spoke with bloody O2 just now and they said that they can unlock the iphone at all and I will need to speak with Apple about this directly! What a bull sh*t!!!
Nina R on October 25th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Hello. I will be in France next month and would like to use my ATT iphone there. Will Orange Fr unlock it for me so I can use their PAYG service? I’m willing to pay to have it unlocked.
jsaq007 on October 27th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Probably not I tried that in Germany and they wouldn’t do it even though my contract was over. I had to get in touch with Orange in Switzerland to start the unlocking process. This was confirmed by Apple too.
Very simple process. Call your provider once your contract expires and the rest is described above.
Not 100% sure but I think I can pay CHF 100 and even get my 3Gs unlocked. However no need at present.
JoJo on October 29th, 2009 at 2:25 am
in the US its easy to get an unlocked iPhone, buy a phone and open a contract then pay the cancelation fee, the phone costs $375, $200 for a 16GB 3GS at a new contract price and $175 to cancel your contract with ATT then unlock the phone yourself with one of the many programs people have developed to do it, that are free.
brad on November 6th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Are you on t-mobile’s network now? If so, how is that working for you?
sotiger on November 24th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Beware, AT&T Customer Service enforces the requirement in their service agreement that requires you to return the equipment. They will almost always do this if you try to cancel before 30 days (presumably to get your activation fee back). And they will often do it at their discretion even after the 30 day period. Never tell them you just want to keep the phone because they will slap you with a bill for full retail on the phone and the $175 early termination fee. If you don’t believe this, just check out the fact that they are selling reconditioned iPhones and ask yourself where are they getting all these reconditioned iPhones?
Anoli on November 5th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
In Canada Bell has just started to sell iphones. They only sell locked devices with 3 year contracts. BUT accept bringing unlocked iphones into their network…seemingly without a contract, but a min. 45$CAD/month plan. Anyone know where I can buy a new unlocked 3GS 32gb for cheap, so that I can travel with it using different countries prepaid SIM cards ?
Dre on November 18th, 2009 at 8:56 am
This isn’t true. I went to a Bell dealer last week and the guy told me I can activate my iphone without a dataplan if I wish to do so. I wasn’t able to get the phone transferred though as the unlock didn’t seem to work. Every time we would put the SIM card in it would ask to connect to itunes and then it would give an error saying there’s something wrong with the phone.
Ari Ukkonen on November 6th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
I have tried talking to various people at Fido but to now avail. I paid the full price for my iPhone 3GS. I was given some bull about it being illegal in Canada to unlock phones which is a complete lie. It is against their policy to do so but they could technically do it too. I don’t understand why they are still sold unlocked if you are buying it outright when they are no longer exclusive to Rogers/Fido.
I’m going to continue to call Fido asking to speak to different people at different levels. I don’t want to jailbreak and I’m even willing to pay a fee and stay on Fido. I just want to have the option to use other sims while travelling without a jailbreak.
filmizle on November 15th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
I have tried talking to various people at Fido but to now avail. I paid the full price for my iPhone 3GS. I was given some bull about it being illegal in Canada to unlock phones which is a complete lie. It is against their policy to do so but they could technically do it too. I don’t understand why they are still sold unlocked if you are buying it outright when they are no longer exclusive to Rogers/Fido.
I’m going to continue to call Fido asking to speak to different people at different levels. I don’t want to jailbreak and I’m even willing to pay a fee and stay on Fido. I just want to have the option to use other sims while travelling without a jailbreak.
diziizle on November 15th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Hello. I will be in France next month and would like to use my ATT iphone there. Will Orange Fr unlock it for me so I can use their PAYG service? I’m willing to pay to have it unlocked.
Ari Ukkonen on November 16th, 2009 at 9:30 am
I’m the guy on Fido looking for an unlock. I’d suggest people send feedback feedback to your carriers and to the CRTC. I was called by someone in the customer relations department of the executive office of the president of fido. The person I talked so said that if enough customers sent requests to them requesting an official unlock service, they would be able to present a proposal to the executive to offer the service again.
Tomas on November 18th, 2009 at 4:58 am
Since the arrival of Orange, o2 now offers unlocking of iPhones.. see http://shop.o2.co.uk/update/unlockmyiphone.html
TSW on November 19th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I just have an unlocked iphone 3GS in US ($599). Can I use any pay as you go in ATT for data plan only? please advise. as I would like to make sure before I buy the program.
Also I still find my unlocked phone with carrier – ATT. does it mater? I do not have any sim in it except the default one. Thus, please advise if I can just buy pay as you go to use it? I was told my local store this program is only for 2G? very suprise. so I am kindly asking you expertise:-)
Chris Taylor on November 21st, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I just finished reading all of these posts…it’s a bit spinny. I’m just wanting to know the following — CAN I PURCHASE AN UN-LOCKED IPHONE FOR USE IN THE US AS WELL AS AUSTRALIA AND EUROPE? I wan to be able to use my at&t chip (no contractual obligations) while in the US, my Votaphone chip while in Australia and the same with Europe…
Can this be done and if so…how?
An honest response is GREATLY appreciated.
NaWaL on November 22nd, 2009 at 4:20 pm
hi everyone
I just finished reading and yes it hapened with me too when i connected my iphone to the itunes then pressed restore after a while it said congratulation, your iphone has been unlocked as the picture above and it was easy and free unlock for me too.
TSW on November 24th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Here is my lesson learned in my”unlocked” iphone 3GS… bought in USA, said unlocked from apple store- actually NOT unlocked… as I tried T-mobile sim, and it does not work!
I talked to ATT store if I could use pay as you go sim for 3GS….NO… only for 2G iPhone…. (i did not confirm this because I do not want to pay without using )… so at this time of writing… unlocked iPhone 3GS is not real to me when using other non-att sim, and no pay as you go program sim can apply.
Any new way to be real “unlocked”? please advise, as I already pay $599 plus tax for that… any legal way to unlock it is also welcome, too:-)
nana on November 25th, 2009 at 7:59 am
hi am from ghana and need an iphone 3g to buy i need the cost and shiping if you pay for the shipping then it cool and if the price is more than $199 i will welcome a used one
John on November 26th, 2009 at 12:13 am
In New Zealand, all iPhones are unlocked. I bought one from the Vodafone store, but don’t use a Vodafone sim. Kiwis won’t tollerate the big brother antics of Apple. If you want to sell us phone, sell the phones as we want them.
Sandeep on November 26th, 2009 at 10:28 am
We have this in stock
Apple iPhone 3G S 32GB Unlocked……………..$250
Nokia N900-………………………………-$300
Blackberry 9630 TOUR Smartphone Unlocked……..$195
Nokia N97 mobile computer…………………..$230
Sony Xperia 2……………………………..$250
Nikon D700 Digital camera – SLR – 12.1 Megapixel – 5 x optical zoom …..$700.
Do get back to us Via email……Elec1926@hotmail.com
Gundosntq on November 26th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Aloha! nlg
Amour.vita on November 28th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Apple should start selling unlocked iphones worldwide. I have heard that officially unlocked iphone 3gs will be sold in india this december or january 2010