unlocking an australian iphone

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taliam

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#61186 11-May-2010 17:28

my father was given an iphone by his employers in australia. it is brand new and was purchased from apple. he has given it to me. how do i go about having it unlocked? where can i take it? i reside in tauranga. i want to transfer my telecom number on to it. any help would be greatly appreciated

muppet

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Uber Geek

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#329028 11-May-2010 17:46

I don't think there's any way to get it officially unlocked, only 3rd party tool and utilities to do it. Then you can't upgrade the firmware because it'll lock again.

Have a search around online, there's lots of information about it. Don't buy anything though, all the unlocks are free.

You could take it to one of the many unlock shops about the place if you're not sure yourself, they'll be able to tell you if it's possible and how much.

I hate you.

johnr

19282 posts

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#329032 11-May-2010 17:52

Some unlocking methods are dodgy and will cause issues with the device

gehenna

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#329036 11-May-2010 17:57

If it's been purchased directly from Apple then it should already be unlocked, Apple don't sell locked iPhones in Australia.

johnr

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#329050 11-May-2010 18:28

gehenna: If it's been purchased directly from Apple then it should already be unlocked, Apple don't sell locked iPhones in Australia.

Good point i wonder if the OP has activated the iphone thru itunes

John

oldmaknz

536 posts

Ultimate Geek

#329051 11-May-2010 18:35

If it was purchased via a carrier then ask them to unlock it. All carriers in Australia have an unlock-by-request system. I'm unsure about iPhones direct from Apple.

Once you get your carrier to unlock it it's good forever to work on other networks.

To clarify; iPhones are locked to their carrier of purchase in Australia unless you ask them to unlock it for you.

gehenna

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#329062 11-May-2010 18:50

maknz: If it was purchased via a carrier then ask them to unlock it. All carriers in Australia have an unlock-by-request system. I'm unsure about iPhones direct from Apple.

Once you get your carrier to unlock it it's good forever to work on other networks.

To clarify; iPhones are locked to their carrier of purchase in Australia unless you ask them to unlock it for you.

The OP has stated it was purchased from Apple directly, and I can confirm that Apple do NOT lock their iPhones in Australia OR NZ when you purchase directly.

oldmaknz

536 posts

Ultimate Geek

#329166 11-May-2010 22:16

It's a fine line. Mistakes could have been made, or it may have come via a carrier for whatever reason. Just to make sure ;-).

muppet

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#329206 12-May-2010 06:49

Can Apple unlock an iPhone?

I was looking to buy one in the UK, where they're all sold locked.

I was told it's impossible to buy a phone in the UK unlocked (unless you import of course which is what I ended up doing) and that even if your contract with O2 (the carrier there who does iPhones) that they will not because they cannot unlock it.

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Behodar

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#329432 12-May-2010 16:07

O2 will unlock iPhones on request. You need to use this form while in the UK.

gehenna

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#329446 12-May-2010 16:34

muppet: Can Apple unlock an iPhone?

I was looking to buy one in the UK, where they're all sold locked.

I was told it's impossible to buy a phone in the UK unlocked (unless you import of course which is what I ended up doing) and that even if your contract with O2 (the carrier there who does iPhones) that they will not because they cannot unlock it.

Apple can't unlock iPhones, only the carrier it came from can. However there are other methods like using a Jailbreak unlock.

muppet

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#329448 12-May-2010 16:38

So it seems the person I spoke to at O2 flat out lied to me.

He told me that once the contract was over the phone would be forever locked to O2.

I bought an import in the end anyway, was easier, so was happy with that. Was a Christmas present for my wife and she still loves it.

[Hopefully I'll have one soon (see sig!)]

I hate you.

heavenlywild

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#329450 12-May-2010 16:39

It shouldn't be locked if purchased directly from Apple but if it is (maybe bought through Vodafone), you can get it unlocked by signing into Vodafone's website and going through the steps. Costs around $80.