Can I get iPhone 4S unlocked after paying ETF ?

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

---

alefelippes wrote:

Hi, I'm from Brazil and i got my Iphone 4 16GB around April 2011, paid full price for it (around $700 W/taxes) and it's carrier locked to at&t, since I don't live in the US anymore, I would like to unlock it(since they're unlocking them now).

I can't call their local support because I'm not in the US anymore, and I don't have an account to have online support, so any tips to where I go for some help, I probably still have the receipt somewhere, and do know where to find serial numbers, EMEI, still have my original at&t SIM that came with it, original box and everything.

Any help is appreciated

Thanks in advance

---

get a skype account and call them using that. these are the new requirements, so you may have to go hunting for that reciept

[valeria_pearl]

hello,

im from greece and almost a year ago i bought an iphone 4 which i have bought brand new from ebay. it was not unlocked neither jailbroken. I was using gevey sim in order to use it with a greek sim, but after ive updated it in iOS5.1 ( if im not wrong) it doesnt allow me to connect and have a signal.. Could you please unlock my phone? i can give you the receipt of the payment and my itunes email. i can not contact you through phone because i live in greece.

Best regards

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

---

valeria_pearl wrote:

hello,

im from greece and almost a year ago i bought an iphone 4 which i have bought brand new from ebay. it was not unlocked neither jailbroken. I was using gevey sim in order to use it with a greek sim, but after ive updated it in iOS5.1 ( if im not wrong) it doesnt allow me to connect and have a signal.. Could you please unlock my phone? i can give you the receipt of the payment and my itunes email. i can not contact you through phone because i live in greece.

Best regards

---

set up a skype account and call them, and read the post right above that designates the requirements for unlocking the phone. Do not think that your ebay reciept will qualify according to the posted rules

[chivelats]

Dear ATT customers, please help me with my problem. I got the iPhone 4 about a year ago, but it was never activated or tied to a contract. Now I'm trying to get it unlocked but ATT representatives told me that it's not impossible because of this reasons. They advised me to subscribe and become ATT client (but I live in other country, here is no ATT) or find anybody who could add the phone to existed account and unlock it.

Please help.

Simon

[kiddsong]

I'm from China and I got an iPhone 3G from a US colleague; she is a current ATT customer using an iPhone 4. Can I have the 3G unlocked so I can use here in China?

[dwill05]

Nothing people here can do. Currently, you have to be an AT&T customer, or the phone had to be associated with an AT&T customer. Since you don't meet either of these conditions, AT&T won't unlock it.

BTW, why did you buy a phone that you couldn't use a year ago? Just curious.

[alessandrouw]

Hello. On 2011 I bought a contract free iPhone 4 from BestBuy, but I live on Brazil. After I arrived, I noticed that it was SIM Locked to AT&T. Well, now with AT&T is unlocking, I tried to unlock via phone, but they denied the request because I need to link my wireless number to my account.

How am I supposed to find this number? I got an AT&T sim card (that came with the iPhone), but I don't know how to find the number. I don't use this number for nothing, I just want to unlock the phone and use the iPhone with a local carrier.

Any1 could help me? I deeply appreciate any help. Thanks.

[elicoz27]

Hey, I have the same problem as chivelats.

I do not live in the US and my iphone 4 was purchased for me by a friend in NYC (apple store) back in october 2010.

I have the ORIGINAL Apple store reciept with all the serial numbers and stuff for $652.16 apple iPhone 4 16gb no contract.

I would like to unlock it for my local carrier as I'm tired of using Gevey sim and limiting my iPhone.

I''ve called ATT few minutes ago via skype, as I couldn't reach their staff online (stupid no account reasons) and they told me that it is possible to unlock only if I tie my IMEI to an existing att account or create a new account for atleast 60 days.

Then, obviously I asked if I'll have to pay anything and they told me yes cause it will be an active line.

this is so stupid.. line that I'll pay for and won't be able to use.. no help.

Is there something else to do?

thanks

[popping]

This is not fair at all for people who live in other countries. I live in Thailand. My brother bought me the Iphone4 as a birthday from USA with AT&T. Who will know that it will be locked?? 

Do i have to fly to USA in order to be a customer of AT&T for 60 days? Come on, please give a chance for other people who live oversea. We bought the Iphone4 from you and we hope to use it globally.

Tanakorn

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

---

popping wrote:

This is not fair at all for people who live in other countries. I live in Thailand. My brother bought me the Iphone4 as a birthday from USA with AT&T. Who will know that it will be locked?? 

Do i have to fly to USA in order to be a customer of AT&T for 60 days? Come on, please give a chance for other people who live oversea. We bought the Iphone4 from you and we hope to use it globally.

Tanakorn

---

those are the rules that they have set forth. Prior to 04/08/2012 the ability to unlock a ATT iphone did not exist. If your brother paid full retail, no contract price for the phone from a authorized dealer (not ebay) get the reciept from them and open a ticket via phone, they will ask you to supply a copy of the reciept and then they can start the process for you.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

---

elicoz27 wrote:

Hey, I have the same problem as chivelats.

I do not live in the US and my iphone 4 was purchased for me by a friend in NYC (apple store) back in october 2010.

I have the ORIGINAL Apple store reciept with all the serial numbers and stuff for $652.16 apple iPhone 4 16gb no contract.

I would like to unlock it for my local carrier as I'm tired of using Gevey sim and limiting my iPhone.

I''ve called ATT few minutes ago via skype, as I couldn't reach their staff online (stupid no account reasons) and they told me that it is possible to unlock only if I tie my IMEI to an existing att account or create a new account for atleast 60 days.

Then, obviously I asked if I'll have to pay anything and they told me yes cause it will be an active line.

this is so stupid.. line that I'll pay for and won't be able to use.. no help.

Is there something else to do?

thanks

---

If you review the requirements, as long as you can supply a reciept that you paid full price for the phone there is a good chance it can be unlocked, but you still need to call them to start the process. Not sure why they asked for the imeo number, did you tell them you paid full retail for the phone and had the reciept?

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

---

alessandrouw wrote:

Hello. On 2011 I bought a contract free iPhone 4 from BestBuy, but I live on Brazil. After I arrived, I noticed that it was SIM Locked to AT&T. Well, now with AT&T is unlocking, I tried to unlock via phone, but they denied the request because I need to link my wireless number to my account.

How am I supposed to find this number? I got an AT&T sim card (that came with the iPhone), but I don't know how to find the number. I don't use this number for nothing, I just want to unlock the phone and use the iPhone with a local carrier.

Any1 could help me? I deeply appreciate any help. Thanks.

---

call them the new rules mentioned about supplying a reciept for the purchase of the phone, tell them you have one and you will probably have to fax a copy to them.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

---

kiddsong wrote:

I'm from China and I got an iPhone 3G from a US colleague; she is a current ATT customer using an iPhone 4. Can I have the 3G unlocked so I can use here in China?

---

As long as the required information can be suppled then yes it can be unlocked. You need the phone number that was assigned to the iphone at the time it was active, or the account number it was assigned to. You will probably have to work with your colleague to obtain the information or have them request the unlock

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

---

wingrider01 wrote:

---

alessandrouw wrote:

Hello. On 2011 I bought a contract free iPhone 4 from BestBuy, but I live on Brazil. After I arrived, I noticed that it was SIM Locked to AT&T. Well, now with AT&T is unlocking, I tried to unlock via phone, but they denied the request because I need to link my wireless number to my account.

How am I supposed to find this number? I got an AT&T sim card (that came with the iPhone), but I don't know how to find the number. I don't use this number for nothing, I just want to unlock the phone and use the iPhone with a local carrier.

Any1 could help me? I deeply appreciate any help. Thanks.

---

call them the new rules mentioned about supplying a reciept for the purchase of the phone, tell them you have one and you will probably have to fax a copy to them.

---

Here is the phone number.  You can use Skype to make the call.

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

---

popping wrote:

This is not fair at all for people who live in other countries. I live in Thailand. My brother bought me the Iphone4 as a birthday from USA with AT&T. Who will know that it will be locked?? 

Do i have to fly to USA in order to be a customer of AT&T for 60 days? Come on, please give a chance for other people who live oversea. We bought the Iphone4 from you and we hope to use it globally.

Tanakorn

---

Unfortunately this is fair.  The phone was sold for use on ATT's network.  Your brother should have bought you the iPhone meant for use in Thailand.  Unlocking by ATT is new so even at the time your brother bought the iPhone, unlocking was probably not an option. Again if you or your brother read the box, it does say for use on ATT's network.  

You can call and see what they can do.  You might get lucky?  You can use it as a very nice iPod touch? You could sell it and use the proceeds to buy an iPhone meant for use in your country.

Try Skype to call.  The phone number is bellow.

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

---

elicoz27 wrote:

Hey, I have the same problem as chivelats.

I do not live in the US and my iphone 4 was purchased for me by a friend in NYC (apple store) back in october 2010.

I have the ORIGINAL Apple store reciept with all the serial numbers and stuff for $652.16 apple iPhone 4 16gb no contract.

I would like to unlock it for my local carrier as I'm tired of using Gevey sim and limiting my iPhone.

I''ve called ATT few minutes ago via skype, as I couldn't reach their staff online (stupid no account reasons) and they told me that it is possible to unlock only if I tie my IMEI to an existing att account or create a new account for atleast 60 days.

Then, obviously I asked if I'll have to pay anything and they told me yes cause it will be an active line.

this is so stupid.. line that I'll pay for and won't be able to use.. no help.

Is there something else to do?

thanks

---

Here is the phone number to call.  Use Skype to keep your costs down.

[veer12]

First of all I am extremely sorry if I am hurting someone.

The story begins from 14th April 2012 - I m living in UK and I have got iPhone 4 which I have received as gift from my uncle who is living in USA - I have rang at&t on 14th April to unlock it they have promised me this will be unlocked by 23rd April and given me case id number for future correspondence.

Up to now no problem rang in 23rd again not good answer given by operator that it should be unlock by tonight as there is time different in uk and us this will be done by tomorrow morning- next day nothing done rang about 10-15 and wasted lots of money to get unlock my phone and email them so many times. At last I have received email on 25th April it will be unlocked by 3rd may - rang yesterday "lady goes this will be unlocked by tonight" no problem waited long night no email nothing then at last rang them today 5 times but only waste of time and money - oh you should have received email we can not unlock ur phone reason behind that u r not eligable for unlock but the phone is in uk how come I can be AT&T USA customer. Operator was stubborn - she was telling me only one "not eligable" then I have asked for pass the phone to manager or supervisor - she goes sure and cut the phone down. I m not happy and I have asked them I would like to raise complain about this (service I have received) but neither give me anything nor providing info.

I m fade up with this - I want compensation for this of £50 or they have to unlock my phone.

If anybody can provide me info how can I raise complain about poor customer service or rudely treated with me.

Please help - thank u in advance

[lacs21]

Hi Thanks in advance for your help. 

Im trying to get my iphone 4 unlocked which was on ATT.  They are having some issues with IMEI number.  What happened was I had an Iphone 4 which was replaced under warrenty by apple for battery issues during my contract with att.  Unfortunatley the new phone has a different IMEI number that the original phone.  I got the replacement phone in July 2011 and my contract ended october 2011.  I would really appreciate your help.  

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

---

lacs21 wrote:

Hi Thanks in advance for your help. 

Im trying to get my iphone 4 unlocked which was on ATT.  They are having some issues with IMEI number.  What happened was I had an Iphone 4 which was replaced under warrenty by apple for battery issues during my contract with att.  Unfortunatley the new phone has a different IMEI number that the original phone.  I got the replacement phone in July 2011 and my contract ended october 2011.  I would really appreciate your help.  

---

Apple should have a record of the change-out.  From there you should be able to go into an ATT corporate store to demonstrate that your iPhone now is a replacement for the one they sold you then.

[chivelats]

I received it as a gift. 

[elicoz27]

Well I guess that emailing AT&T customer support is much more efficient than calling over the phone.

I've sent them an email explaining my problem and they replied asking for a scanned copy of my receipt, after that they started the unlocking process giving me the reference number.

Needless to say that I couldn't reach their contact email on this website cause I have no wireless account nor chat which is stupid by it self.

I'm happy that there is google for the rescue, anyhow people who are having similar problems to mine, I suggest to email customer support.

[Edited to comply with Guidelines]

Just explain your problem and I'm sure you will get a better solution than calling.

[dylansalva]

Hello people, I'm having a problem getting my black 32gb iPhone 4 unlocked. I issued an unlock on 13th april and he found my iPhone on the database after I gave him the location of purchase and imei. I did not buy the phone from America myself, I bought it from the owner via ebay which has finished the contract and paid for it. I got the location from the ebay page. I don't have an at&t account or number.

I am living in and called from Australia so I gave him a email to send to instead of a number. He said he would get back to me by the 20th. On the 21st, after restoring my iPhone with iTunes to the newest version multiple times, nothing changed! So I called at&t again, and I got a different guy this time, I gave him my imei and location of purchase and asked if they could still or were going to unlock it. He asked for a case number but the previous guy didn't give me a case number! He said they were still checking for eligibility and they might not unlock it. I have tried restoring it today, on the 4th may new york time, which was 21 days after I issued the unlock, and it still doesnt work!!! They haven't even sent me an email!!! How would I be the only one that is uneligible, I've read cases of people just giving the imei, not even the location and they got it unlocked within hours!!! This is outrageous!

Am I still getting unlocked? Or did I just waste $600? Has anyone else had a case like this? How do I fix it? Someone please help! Thanks in advance.

[popping]

Unfortunately, it was 2 yrs ago. I dont know where i put the recipt. 

Thanks for your recommendation.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

---

dylansalva wrote:

Hello people, I'm having a problem getting my black 32gb iPhone 4 unlocked. I issued an unlock on 13th april and he found my iPhone on the database after I gave him the location of purchase and imei. I did not buy the phone from America myself, I bought it from the owner via ebay which has finished the contract and paid for it. I got the location from the ebay page. I don't have an at&t account or number.

I am living in and called from Australia so I gave him a email to send to instead of a number. He said he would get back to me by the 20th. On the 21st, after restoring my iPhone with iTunes to the newest version multiple times, nothing changed! So I called at&t again, and I got a different guy this time, I gave him my imei and location of purchase and asked if they could still or were going to unlock it. He asked for a case number but the previous guy didn't give me a case number! He said they were still checking for eligibility and they might not unlock it. I have tried restoring it today, on the 4th may new york time, which was 21 days after I issued the unlock, and it still doesnt work!!! They haven't even sent me an email!!! How would I be the only one that is uneligible, I've read cases of people just giving the imei, not even the location and they got it unlocked within hours!!! This is outrageous!

Am I still getting unlocked? Or did I just waste $600? Has anyone else had a case like this? How do I fix it? Someone please help! Thanks in advance.

---

policy was updated, look back a page or so in this thread the new policy is posted. The IMEI number is no longer the trigger for a unlock request to be investigated. You need to supply the phone number or the account that was tied to the phone when it was on ATT's network OR a receipt showing that full retail price was paid for the phone from a authorized vendor.

Unfortunately you will not get any official support on the forum, it is a peer to peer forum with little official interaction by the carrier outside of moderation.

[dylansalva]

What a shame :/ I wonder why they can't just accept imei and real purchase location. The contract was fullfilled and all bills were payed, the phone was not reported lost or stolen, what else could stop them from unlocking the phone?

Would it work if I signed up for at&t and just used my account? Or screenshot / email copy that shows that I bought it from ebay?

[dwill05]

The fact that you bought the phone from eBay has nothing to do with it. They want a receipt showing it was bought as a no contract phone from an authorized retail location, not from some guy on eBay. If you know that the contact was fulfilled and all the bills paid, then you should be able to get the phone number of the account or the previous account number. That's what AT&T needs.

[neilrossgoco]

Hi,

Can anyone please help me unlock my cousin's iPhone 3G which is locked to AT&T? He bought it as a used one, and he's not in the US. I'm pretty much sure that whoever is the first owner of this iPhone has already finished the contract or has already upgraded.

[edited for privacy]

Thanks.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

---

neilrossgoco wrote:

Hi,

Can anyone please help me unlock my cousin's iPhone 3G which is locked to AT&T? He bought it as a used one, and he's not in the US. I'm pretty much sure that whoever is the first owner of this iPhone has already finished the contract or has already upgraded.

[edited for privacy]

Thanks.

---

unfortunately with the requirements you either need to supply the att number that was associated with the phone when it was connected to att, the account number it belonged to or a reciept from an authorized retailer showing you bought the phone at full retail cost.. If you can;t supply the required information chances are pretty good that the phone will not be unlocked

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

@neilrossgoco. Rather than worry about the new requirements as being properly conveyed,, call AT&T and let them figure out if your second hand iPhone is eligible for unlocking. The number is below and you can use Skype.

[ricklamesb]

I received an email from at&t and it said to restore my iphone 4s to unlock it and .

I restored it a few times and it did not unlock... it only activated when I inserted the at&t sim card but it did not work on t-mobile

what can I do?