iPhone unlocking questions and discussion

[esters_]

Hello, I have a question regarding the unlocking of iphone 4.

Last year we bought this phone from a shop in NY, little did we know that it was carrier locked (AT&T) so we traveled back to Europe and tried to use it, as it was expected it didn't recognize our local carrier SIM card. Another thing was - we didnt make any contract with AT&T itself so my question is: Is the phone eligible to be unlocked or it is locked forever or until we go back to USA, make a contract with AT&T and then request the unlock ?

[cihatnuroglu01]

Hi;

iphone 4 unlock my device, but I'd like to open your company purchased over the internet by way of some other person, billing and line www.craiglist.org not bought a site, but what should I do imei Can you help available?

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

---

sofia3161 wrote:

Hello.

I have an iPhone 4g AT&T locked  (Carrier 10.0 )
I would like to get it unlocked !!!.   It's IMEI is : {Personal content removed for your safety}
This phone is the present of my friend but  ,unfortunately, I don't have any contact with him now... so I don't know any details about contract.

I'm sure that you offer the best service to your clients but I'm not a resident of USA, so I cannot use my phone with local operators !!  
I hope  you can  help me to solve this problem !

Yours sincerely,

Zoya

---

Copy the link in my signature on the rules for unlocking iPhones if you qualify, you should be good. I suspect you may be out of luck though unless your friend unlocks it for you.

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

---

cihatnuroglu01 wrote:

Hi;

iphone 4 unlock my device, but I'd like to open your company purchased over the internet by way of some other person, billing and line www.craiglist.org not bought a site, but what should I do imei Can you help available?

---

You need to call ATT after reading the post link in my signture that contains the rules for getting your iPhone unlocked.  If you do not qualify, you are going to be out of luck.  Keep in mind that you must be or have been an ATT customer to even start the process.

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

Here is the link to the unlocking guidelines. 

http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/Apple-Community-Discussion/iPhone-Unlock-Information/m-p/3260825#U...

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

---

esters_ wrote:

Hello, I have a question regarding the unlocking of iphone 4.

Last year we bought this phone from a shop in NY, little did we know that it was carrier locked (AT&T) so we traveled back to Europe and tried to use it, as it was expected it didn't recognize our local carrier SIM card. Another thing was - we didnt make any contract with AT&T itself so my question is: Is the phone eligible to be unlocked or it is locked forever or until we go back to USA, make a contract with AT&T and then request the unlock ?

---

Here are the guidelines http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/Apple-Community-Discussion/iPhone-Unlock-Information/m-p/3260825#U... 

The key part is that you must be or have been an ATT customer.  Your issue is with the seller who sold you the iPhone.

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

---

ranjitsisa wrote:

I think there is a business case for AT&T in not unlocking iphones for non-customers (past or present).

Actually the issue is deep rooted in monopolistic trade practises. AT&T enjoyed the upper-hand earlier as the only iPhone seller. Earlier Every iPhone sold in U.S was through AT&T and locked.

Apple & AT&T joined hands in these and made millions!

In a fair world, the consumers should have the right to chose.

And A phone manufacturer (Apple), should not be allowed to monopolistically join hands with a Wirelss company (AT&T).

Consumers should be allowed to chose. They have a right. (Now you can buy unlocked iPhones through apple).

But, as you all can see, we live in an open world. People do demand fairness. 

First, AT&T has bugged the iPhones and Locked them with a strong business case in mind. This is OK.

Businesses must protect their property.

But I fail to understand what is the "mistake" done by innocent customers who bought used, pre-owned, refurbished iPhones from other retailers. iPhone is definitely a good product and people all over the world are purchasing it.

So, now AT&T is basically saying, "Go Ahead, buy the iPhone and you are on your own!", "Yes, we bugged the iPhones, we locked it", "You are not our customer, so we cannot help"...... in all these arguments, if you think about it logically, who is getting hurt? - of course the prospective customers or for that matter any person (customer or not) buying an iPhone whether its used, pre-owned, refurbished, repaired, etc... 

So ultimately, its either APPLE that is losing business value and/or its AT&T that is portraying a MONOPOLISTIC bugged behaviour saying, "Hey, you were/are not our customer! So why did you buy that locked AT&T iphone? We cannot help. Oh Yes, we bugged your phones and locked them in the past, but now we cannot help you"

You see, ultimately whether we understand or not - "Generous behaviour from big corporatiions have only added more and more referral customers!" One happy customer, or one happy experience with a company goes a very long way in building the reputation of the company!

Compare AT&T behaviour with Amazon behaviour - you will see the difference.

I fail to understand how is AT&T losing business, by unlocking those bugged iPhones which anyways are being sold by someone who has legally purchased it. I think it is a fundamental right, ain't it?

I think iPhone owners are READY TO PAY to get their phones unlocked.

If someone buys an AT&T  iPhone, pre-owned, refurbished, etc from www.newegg.com or www.amazon.com or any retailer, then AT&T could charge a SERVICE FEE to unlock the iPhones which they have bugged in the FIRST INSTANCE.

In the fight of business and consumers - History says, CONSUMERS HAVE ALWAYS WON IF THEY WERE RIGHT.

Big Corporations like AT&T may lose customers every day because of these kind of non-consumer friendly behaviours.

For God's sake, AT&T must understand that they have bugged the iPhones, and it is their moral duty to unlock the phones for those ignorant consumers who purchased it from somewhere!

I mean what is the fault of a person who buys an iPhone from a friend, online dealer, shop, wherever he can legally buy it? 

Millions of iPhones will remain unusable very soon if this policy is not changed by AT&T.

So you go figure out - who will lose business value - I am sure both APPLE & AT&T.

And once a consumer goes through this non-iphone friendly policy, I think that person will never want to be in AT&T network. You see, some logical generosity will definitely go a long way to get great business in future!

And also, by not unlocking the iPhones AT&T is fundamentally saying that YOU ALL ARE NOW FORCED TO BE AN AT&t CUSTOMER, that itself is a MONOPOLISTIC Trade practice.

[Per Guidelines: Keep it Relevant and Appropriate]

I think consumers have a right to be heard.

Thank you

---

ATT is choosing to service it's customers past and preset.  It is not necessarily about competion but their business decision to not expend resources on non-customers.  This is especially true for those overseas who would never become a customer anyways in most cases and if someone did come to live in the US, it would be so few that their numbers probably do not make up for the cost of unlocking all the foreign iPhones.

Here are the guidelines. http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/Apple-Community-Discussion/iPhone-Unlock-Information/m-p/3260825#U...

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

---

HeinV wrote:

I still did not get an answer why you dont unlock after checking the status by EMEI.Number.

---

ATT is choosing to service past and present customers. It really is that simple.  Your issue is with the seller that sold you an iPhone not meant for your intended use.  There are unlocked iPhones out their that can be purchased even back before ATT started to unlock iPhones for their customers.

http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/Apple-Community-Discussion/iPhone-Unlock-Information/m-p/3260825#U...

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

---

ranjitsisa wrote:

I think there is a business case for AT&T in not unlocking iphones for non-customers (past or present).

Actually the issue is deep rooted in monopolistic trade practises. AT&T enjoyed the upper-hand earlier as the only iPhone seller. Earlier Every iPhone sold in U.S was through AT&T and locked.

Apple & AT&T joined hands in these and made millions!

In a fair world, the consumers should have the right to chose.

And A phone manufacturer (Apple), should not be allowed to monopolistically join hands with a Wirelss company (AT&T).

Consumers should be allowed to chose. They have a right. (Now you can buy unlocked iPhones through apple).

But, as you all can see, we live in an open world. People do demand fairness. 

First, AT&T has bugged the iPhones and Locked them with a strong business case in mind. This is OK.

Businesses must protect their property.

But I fail to understand what is the "mistake" done by innocent customers who bought used, pre-owned, refurbished iPhones from other retailers. iPhone is definitely a good product and people all over the world are purchasing it.

So, now AT&T is basically saying, "Go Ahead, buy the iPhone and you are on your own!", "Yes, we bugged the iPhones, we locked it", "You are not our customer, so we cannot help"...... in all these arguments, if you think about it logically, who is getting hurt? - of course the prospective customers or for that matter any person (customer or not) buying an iPhone whether its used, pre-owned, refurbished, repaired, etc... 

So ultimately, its either APPLE that is losing business value and/or its AT&T that is portraying a MONOPOLISTIC bugged behaviour saying, "Hey, you were/are not our customer! So why did you buy that locked AT&T iphone? We cannot help. Oh Yes, we bugged your phones and locked them in the past, but now we cannot help you"

You see, ultimately whether we understand or not - "Generous behaviour from big corporatiions have only added more and more referral customers!" One happy customer, or one happy experience with a company goes a very long way in building the reputation of the company!

Compare AT&T behaviour with Amazon behaviour - you will see the difference.

I fail to understand how is AT&T losing business, by unlocking those bugged iPhones which anyways are being sold by someone who has legally purchased it. I think it is a fundamental right, ain't it?

I think iPhone owners are READY TO PAY to get their phones unlocked.

If someone buys an AT&T  iPhone, pre-owned, refurbished, etc from www.newegg.com or www.amazon.com or any retailer, then AT&T could charge a SERVICE FEE to unlock the iPhones which they have bugged in the FIRST INSTANCE.

In the fight of business and consumers - History says, CONSUMERS HAVE ALWAYS WON IF THEY WERE RIGHT.

Big Corporations like AT&T may lose customers every day because of these kind of non-consumer friendly behaviours.

For God's sake, AT&T must understand that they have bugged the iPhones, and it is their moral duty to unlock the phones for those ignorant consumers who purchased it from somewhere!

I mean what is the fault of a person who buys an iPhone from a friend, online dealer, shop, wherever he can legally buy it? 

Millions of iPhones will remain unusable very soon if this policy is not changed by AT&T.

So you go figure out - who will lose business value - I am sure both APPLE & AT&T.

And once a consumer goes through this non-iphone friendly policy, I think that person will never want to be in AT&T network. You see, some logical generosity will definitely go a long way to get great business in future!

And also, by not unlocking the iPhones AT&T is fundamentally saying that YOU ALL ARE NOW FORCED TO BE AN AT&t CUSTOMER, that itself is a MONOPOLISTIC Trade practice.

[Per Guidelines: Keep it Relevant and Appropriate]

I think consumers have a right to be heard.

Thank you

---

Apple is losing absolutely nothing unles you purchased the phone new, just like you are demadnig fairness, corporations are just that same as you.

ATT is selling phones that are locked to their network, they are in the business of making a profit for their comany, their employees and their stock holders. Sorry contrary to what you believe they are NOT "bugging the iphone" is works, within their confines of their network - if a user wants to play the currency game or have a cheap iphone purchased, then buy it directly from apple as unlocked, not from a 3rd party reseler that is trying to make a quick buck on unsuspecting purchaserers by not doing a full discloseure of the simple fact that the phone is locked to a us based carier - the oneous is on the sellor,not the carrier.  Basicly buying form a 3rd party is caveat emptor - let the buyer beware, neother att nor apple is making any modecum of profit on a resale of a used device - only the resellor of used equipemnt. If you have a problem then contact the resellor, not the company. Research before a purchae is basic purchasing theory 101 - you would not by a used item from someone without know the rules woudl you,or would you?

[ranjitsisa]

Thank you all for the insights.

Still the question remains - what happens to those hundreds of thousands of iPhones locked by AT&T and sold online on www.cowboom.com, www.ebay.com, www.amazon.com, www.newegg.com, etc.

It does not hurt, to charge a small service fee and unlock those phones for people so that they can use it on any network.

AT&T can still make money!

[johnsmithens]

i was in the same problem with you guys i however got my iphone unlocked at [Per Guidelines:  Keep it Relevant and Appropriate]. and in a few hours it was done.Nice site and great team.Just my advice.

[johnsmithens]

just in case you wondering im not an att customer and its an iphone 4s i unlocked at [Per Guidelines:  Keep it Relevant and Appropriate]. .

[HeinV]

Frustration all over. AT&T what are you doing. Winning or keeping some customer? Yes! But loosing many more!

I wanted to unlock a phone, that was locked by T-Com Austria. No Problem, for 50 Euro they did it.

The same at T-Com Germany. They did unlock for free! Vodafone, the same. AT&T: only frustration. If your reputation is gone, it is hard to get it back. 

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

---

ranjitsisa wrote:

Thank you all for the insights.

Still the question remains - what happens to those hundreds of thousands of iPhones locked by AT&T and sold online on www.cowboom.com, www.ebay.com, www.amazon.com, www.newegg.com, etc.

It does not hurt, to charge a small service fee and unlock those phones for people so that they can use it on any network.

AT&T can still make money!

---

there is a choice for a unlocked iphone, it does carry a surcharge - the price is normally referred to as full retail price. The carrier gets nothing unless a 2 year voice contract is is entered into, in addition the carrier gets nothing from the resale of a phone. Your "small fee" is there, want pure unlocked - buy the unlocked version from Apple and you have exactly what you want.

Bottom line - it is the policy that was put into place

[pikas]

I have been an AT&T customer for almost 6 years and in October I bought the iPhone 4S.

I recently contacted AT&T about unlocking it since I will be travelling overseas but I was told that one of the terms is that the contract has to be completed before they can unlock it.

If they unlock my phone and I break the contract then I will have to pay the ETF.Either way they won't lose any money by unlocking the phone so why do they have such a term???

[pikas]

The majority of posts in this thread have become about people from overseas trying to get their phones unlocked from US AT&T customers.

So I don't understand why my thread was moved into this one for "better exposure".

[hoangminh1401]

Hi everyone,

This is my first time over here at the ATT customer community.

The reason now I am here is just because all the customer service of AT&T, just because of a little problem but I kinda having a headache now. I will list the problem and let see who was right:

My iphone 4 was unlocked by AT&T - I broke the screen of the iphone - I did bring to apple and they swap it! (I paid about $162)

- Apple represenative: This is an iphone which was from ATT. So all we can do I just can give you an ATT iphone and you can call them back for unlocking it then (Right or wrong ?????)

- I call ATT and they made a case, summited.

- After 1 week (07/31/2012),

ATT represenative: Case was denied because:

. If you phone was unlocked, they had to give me a unlocked one (right or wrong????)

After my few confusing questions, another way to answer came out:

. You did not fax us the receipt of the device which we need <------- HELP!!!! I swear to GOD I never received any email from ATT or from ATT cutomer represenative asked for it.

And I say I will fax it right away.

- ATT customer represenative: But it have to be an original one which you paid for the iphone I just get from the Apple.

- I said: I have it from the Apple, it cost me about $162.

- ATT customer represenative: No. The receipt of the iphone must be from a full price and retail store <----- How stupid and ridiculous is it?

She knocked me down with that unprofessonal which is help them to turn out customer. They did not respond for what they was saying! I think they thought they could fooled me with all of their stupid answers!

So is there anyone can help me out with my ridiculous problem right here with a very bad customer service which I did have in this morning!

I made the phone call from 9:30 am to 10 am in this morning, 08/02/2012.

Their names were Shawanda, and Supervisor Nicole.

If this is the last time I got no responsibility answer from ATT customer service, I will cancel all my lines and I would tell all of my friends (who I invited them to ATT just because of thinking your guys was very nice) cut off from ATT because of a very WELL customer service!

Thanks!

[ranjitsisa]

Welcome to classic process-screw up at AT&T.

Please read my earlier post. 

It took me 17 days and constant follow up to get my iPhone unlocked.

The customer service (phone support), you are talking to simply do not have any control.

You see, I FAXed the original receipt 5 times in 15 days, and all I got to hear was they did not receive the FAX.

Finally when I started writing emails and following up their Twitter and Facebook group with questions and also sending emails, they responded back.

So please read my earlier post, and you will see what I went through.

Talk about your problems in open on twitter and facebook in AT&T channels, and you may find some help.

Don't ever call that customer service number. They will simply waste your time.

[jamileh]

hoangminh1401 - this is a unique situation and I'd like to take a closer look at it. 

Will you please send me a private message with your name, account number, phone number and the best time to contact you?




To send a private message, you can either click on the link in this message or click on the little blue envelope in the upper right hand corner, click "compose new message" and type my username in the "Send To" field.

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

---

pikas wrote:

I have been an AT&T customer for almost 6 years and in October I bought the iPhone 4S.

I recently contacted AT&T about unlocking it since I will be travelling overseas but I was told that one of the terms is that the contract has to be completed before they can unlock it.

If they unlock my phone and I break the contract then I will have to pay the ETF.Either way they won't lose any money by unlocking the phone so why do they have such a term???

---

These are the rules ATT set down. They won't tell us so we have to live within their guidelines.

[bphuong2000]

Dear AT&T !

i received mail from AT&T 2 days ago

"Dear Customer:

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding your AT&T service.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.  The issue has been resolved.

Should you have any further needs regarding this issue, please do not hesitate to call us at 1 800 331-0500 and reference the tracking number shown above.

Sincerely,
AT&T"

but i can not unlock my Iphone 4, i can't active it with any sim?

please help me...

thanks and best regards

Phuong

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

---

bphuong2000 wrote:

Dear AT&T !

i received mail from AT&T 2 days ago

"Dear Customer:

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding your AT&T service.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.  The issue has been resolved.

Should you have any further needs regarding this issue, please do not hesitate to call us at 1 800 331-0500 and reference the tracking number shown above.

Sincerely,
AT&T"

but i can not unlock my Iphone 4, i can't active it with any sim?

please help me...

thanks and best regards

Phuong

---

what was the first email that was sent - that does not say if the unlock was approved or not

[bphuong2000]

what was the first email that was sent - that does not say if the unlock was approved or not
so i must wait how long time for results? please... sorry because my English is not good... thanks so much

[jamileh]

The email you posted looks like it was a reply to one you sent to AT&T.

If you are requesting an iPhone unlock, please read this to see if your phone is eligible: AT&T Wireless- What are the eligibility requirements for unlocking iPhone?

[lokidj]

Sorry.
I do not quite understand what are the steps to unlocking my iphone? The phone was presented to me and unfortunately I only know his imei [edited for privacy – please do not post personal information] From the man who gave it to me I can not connect because I do not know his number, and where he lives.
I am not a resident of the United States and can not use local operators
Will you help unlock my Iphone?
Many thanks in advance!

[sultano]

i live in middel east and i bought iphone from ebay but i surprised beacuse it locked

i try to call at&t to help me they told me my contract is already off

but you should be customer in AT&T to unlock your i phone

please if can any one help me to unlock my iphone

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

here is the link to teh requirements

http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/Apple-Community-Discussion/iPhone-Unlock-Information/m-p/3260825#U...

if you don;t qualify att will not unlock the device, get skype and call them if you qualify

[sofia3161]

Thank you for information and your help !!
I have knew today (from IMEI.INFO) that my phone has been bought in June 2010, is out of Warranty !!! so I hope that you'll make the decision to unlock my iphone!!!!
Yours sincerely,
Zoya

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

---

lokidj wrote:

Sorry.
I do not quite understand what are the steps to unlocking my iphone? The phone was presented to me and unfortunately I only know his imei [edited for privacy – please do not post personal information] From the man who gave it to me I can not connect because I do not know his number, and where he lives.
I am not a resident of the United States and can not use local operators
Will you help unlock my Iphone?
Many thanks in advance!

---

It is reallty simple.  read the following: http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/Apple-Community-Discussion/iPhone-Unlock-Information/m-p/3260825#U...  If you do not meet the requirements, you cannot get your iPhone unlocked.  How you obtained the iPhone does not matter unless you purchased it from an authorized dealer at full price or fulfilled a contract with ATT.  If you have not been or are not currently an ATT customer, you may be better off selling your iPhone and getting one that works in your country.