iPhone 4 from Australia

R

renierp

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2006
Messages
806
Reaction score
0
Location
Randburg
A friend from Australia is visiting me in 2 weeks, and I want him to bring me an iPhone from there (network unlocked). It appears that you still need to unlock it with a SIM from the network provider? Can someone confirm this please. Will I be able to just pop in my Voda SIM (micro sim ordered), should he activate it on that side first, or can he just bring along a sim card and let me activate it here?

Renier
 
iPhone activation and unlocking

Sup man,

So here's the deal. As you know there are two parts to getting an iPhone to work on a network: activation and unlocking. Activation was brought into effect because of the pre-order model that is implemented in the states where you can order the phone on contract and then have it mailed to you. It is only useable after it has had an AT&T SIM inserted into it and you have entered your debit order details etc... In countries where the phone is not network locked and this ordering model is not implemented the activation procedure has been implemented for the sake of push notification services. Activating the phone will send the UDID (Apples internal iPhone unique serial) to Apples servers and let them know that the phone can now have push notifications sent to it.

If the phone is network unlocked then any SIM card can be used to activate it.

If your phone IS network locked (I know that yours will not be but for the sake of other ppl reading this thread I'll explain) then you can still easily activate and use it in South Africa with push notifications. Just visit www.jailbreakme.com over WiFi (iOS V4.0.1 and under) and then install ultrasnow from Cydia. It should come with a micro SIM installed if it is network locked so just use that to activate it. If you take this route then you better be prepared to wait before you install software updates because jailbreaks generally take some time to get to the public.

Out of interest I am currently using an AT&T iPhone 4 that I activated using the card that came in the phone and then unlocked using the procedure above and it works like a charm. You really don't have to wait for your micro SIM. Just visit http://www.sosiphone.com/blogiphone/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/MicroSIM-template.pdf, print that PDF 1:1 and cut around the lines. You will cut through a portion of the SIM contacts but don't stress because the SIM electronics remains intact.
 
Your friend can bring you one over from Aus, no problem. Just keep in mind that he has to buy one from an Apple store - they are not locked and thus open to any network. He MUST NOT buy one from a cell phone store (like a Telstra or Vodafone store) because they are all network locked.

Once you receive the phone here in SA you can put your SA SIM in it and plug the phone into iTunes - it then "activates" on the network (same as the ones from Vodacom do) :) You need to do this activation every time you reload the OS on the phone. (As long as the phone is factory unlocked - which those from Apple Stores in Aus are - you can use any network's SIM to activate the phone).

Hope this helps :)

By the ways - just hope your friend can find one in a store - they are pretty hard to find (ver very popular). I ordered mine on the Australian Online Apple Store on the 1st of August and it's only been prepared for shipping today...
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the thorough responses guys. This does help a lot!!!

@looxonline, thanks for the micro sim PDF, that is quite cool (although the sim cutters you see on ebay are funkier. :) ) I have, however, phoned Nashua Mobile today and ordered a micro sim. No charge as I have SimSure (for R3 or something a month) so I should have my sim before I get the phone.

@rapidblueI am aware of the delays at the apple stores. He is phoning them daily to find out if they have stock. Alternatively, these guys have stock, although slightly more expenseve. http://www.techoni.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=204_180&products_id=34122&CDpath=2. They have stock, 1-3 days shipping to Brisbane. THey claim that it is
Unlocked, Outright


Yes - Use on any Standard network
Click to expand...
Prices are still WAY better than they will be when they get here. Good luck on getting yours soon though! Mine should land on 4 Sept. Hoping Apple Stores will have stock soon, if not I will order this one by mid next week.
 
Schweeet!! Hope you come right dude :) I actually did my sim swop at Vodaworld today to a Micro SIM. Using an adapter with the Micro SIM in my iPhone 3G at the moment - when I get to Aus I can just pop the SIM straight into my iPhone 4 :) (And then go get a Telstra SIM the next day - he he)...
 
Great stuff! Where can I get a MicroSIM adapter? Just in case i really need one.
 
Those issues are totally overblown. Read some reviews, almost everyone says it's got way better reception than previous iPhones.
 
Yes, there probably are some issues, but if they were really that "major" then why isn't it slowing their sales down at all?? Obviously it can't be that much of an issue then :)
 
Synaesthesia said:
Those issues are totally overblown. Read some reviews, almost everyone says it's got way better reception than previous iPhones.
Click to expand...

Agree. The media has a way of blowing things COMPLETELY out of proportion, especially since it is Apple we are talking about. They have a reputation to keep, and the media wants to be the first to bring the bad news. More users are reporting dropped calls on 3G/3GS then iPhone 4 currently. And I dont mind using a case/bumper (something slick and decent obviously), it keeps the phone in "good as new" condition, and you can get top dollar when you sell it again. It is worth the R300 for a decent case!
 
Also keep in m ind, that I am still using the First original iPhone. At this point, ANYTHING will be an upgrade. :D
 
renierp said:
Also keep in m ind, that I am still using the First original iPhone. At this point, ANYTHING will be an upgrade. :D
Click to expand...

Wow, and I thought I was outdated with my iPhone 3G!!! Hope you keep your original iPhone - collector's item :)
 
rapidblue said:
Wow, and I thought I was outdated with my iPhone 3G!!! Hope you keep your original iPhone - collector's item :)
Click to expand...

I am still considering what to do with it. I agree that it is a collectors item, but it is not in good shape anymore. Crack on the screen (off display area luckily), and a few dents and scratches on the aluminium back. But struggled to find decent covers in SA (and was just too lazy too import)
Wont make that mistake again though! :)
 
Nothing wrong with the original iPhone. It's battery was even better than the 3G and it had exactly the same specs as the 3G, except GPS + 3G of course.

Only problem is it's very expensive to repair the screen since it's one fused part, and the battery is also tough to replace, it's soldered in.
 
Synaesthesia said:
Nothing wrong with the original iPhone. It's battery was even better than the 3G and it had exactly the same specs as the 3G, except GPS + 3G of course.

Only problem is it's very expensive to repair the screen since it's one fused part, and the battery is also tough to replace, it's soldered in.
Click to expand...

yea, i think screen was about 2500 to replace (got a quote immediately, but never went through with it for some reason.) And the sad part is, that it is FULLY insured. So could have just fixed it there and then already. :)
 
Guys the antenna issue on the i4 is completely blown out of proportion...When it comes to calling you will be fine as long as you do not try to intentionally touch the bad spot. The only irritating thing I have needed to get used to is when I am web browsing my middle finger tends to wrap around the phone and short the two antennae. I've just had to adjust the way I hold the phone...The retina display makes it all worth it...I will never be able to use my 3Gs again!!! Its seriously amazing!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X