Carrier Unlock - iPhone 5

[s erxson]

Hi all...

A lady friend bought an iPhone 5 (model A1387) whilst working in Chicago... believe it was used on AT&T's network.

She's back in SA now and obviously wants to use the phone, but it's obviously not working on Vodacom's network.

I need to get it unlocked...

Help!! Can I do it myself somehow? or where in Northern Suburbs of Cape Town can I find a reliable place to have it done?

Thanks!

PS. I know this is a newbie question, but I've recently converted from Androidism so need some pointers!
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[s erxson]

77 views and no reply...

C'mon gents... I know you have the answers i seek...



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[OomD]

Happened to me once, bought an iPhone in the UK. Had to get Vodafone to authorise Apple to do the network unlock. The network lock is not stored on the phone, but at Apple. The phone checks in with Apple HQ and HQ let's it know what networks it may operate on, so the change must be done at Apple HQ.

 

[s erxson]

Happened to me once, bought an iPhone in the UK. Had to get Vodafone to authorise Apple to do the network unlock. The network lock is not stored on the phone, but at Apple. The phone checks in with Apple HQ and HQ let's it know what networks it may operate on, so the change must be done at Apple HQ.

so you're saying my only option is to chat to MTN/Vodacom in this regard... that's a scary thought!

 

[riscbroker]

so you're saying my only option is to chat to MTN/Vodacom in this regard... that's a scary thought!

I may be wrong but I think you need to contact AT&T to arrange the unlock. Presumably they will authorize it with Apple.

 

[ahoudet]

You need to contact AT&T to do so. Their policy is if the phone was bought cash or the two year contract is over, they will unlock it. I bought an iPhone 4 in 2011 and it was unlocked - One of the first phones they ever unlocked. I applied for the unlock about a week after they started doing it. It was a contract phone and was about a year old so it shouldn't have been unlocked but I sent them the required info as well as my proof of purchase from eBay and about 3 weeks later I received confirmation it was all done

So I guess what they need to do is the following:
Make sure the phone isn't stolen
Make sure it is paid off (or if you're lucky like I was, make sure the account it was taken on is paid well)
Send IMEI and other relevant info as well as proof of purchase

 

[OomD]

so you're saying my only option is to chat to MTN/Vodacom in this regard... that's a scary thought!

No, you need to contact the network to which it is locked, AT&T in this case.

 

[s erxson]

No, you need to contact the network to which it is locked, AT&T in this case.

Ok cool thanks! Tried to call them but as it was actually bought by pwc and given to the staff, its quite a mission... Apparently my local cell shop can unlock it by rolling back factory settings or something????

Anyone tried this kind of solution before?

 

[Dave]

Ok cool thanks!
Apparently my local cell shop can unlock it by rolling back factory settings or something????

Anyone tried this kind of solution before?

Total BS, there is no unlock for the iPhone 5 other than the Apple server.

If you can't get AT&T to do the unlock there are some online unlockers and eBay unlockers who can get the IMEI onto the database (but it's gone up dramatically since the DMCA exemption was removed, used to be $5, now a lot more).

Edit
Looks like AT&T are becoming very difficult (even for existing US customers) and non AT&T unlock heading towards $100 for the unlock!

Recent McRumors thread:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1662643

 

[s erxson]

Ok,

But does any of this change if it's in fact an iPhone 4S?

She wasn't sure and like I said I'm no expert... I checked the model nr last night and its actually the 4s!

 

[Dave]

Ok,

But does any of this change if it's in fact an iPhone 4S?

She wasn't sure and like I said I'm no expert... I checked the model nr last night and its actually the 4s!

No, it holds true for almost all iphone 4 and all iPhone 4S, 5, 5c and 5s.