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iphone 5s unlocking


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Old 09-04-2014, 11:11
BKM
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I
Apple stores sell unlocked iPhones where you can use any Sim Card. But they also stock the dreaded Sim Free auto lock phones so do be careful!
That should only happen by mistake - Apple stores - and their online sales website - clearly say their handsets are fully unlocked.
My other half took an iPhone 3GS to the Apple store. Was faulty as usual. They replaced it with a brand new iPhone still sealed as it was only a 3 months old. It auto locked to Three as I tried another sim card O2 in it to test it. Alas it was locked.
That is a mistake! For replacements under warranty Apple stores should always (and normally do!) transfer the locking database entry from the old to the new IMEI.
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Old 09-04-2014, 11:22
Everything Goes
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That should only happen by mistake - Apple stores - and their online sales website - clearly say their handsets are fully unlocked.

That is a mistake! For replacements under warranty Apple stores should always (and normally do!) transfer the locking database entry from the old to the new IMEI.
Didnt realise they could transfer the lock status from old phone to new phone based on an IMEI number in their database. Very sneaky!!

No other manufacturer does this. Apple really are control freaks
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Old 09-04-2014, 13:35
swordman
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My god even the geeks on here are sure how this works exactly what a complete mess. I have told the person I can't advise them now so I am clear just in case

I was going to say the itunes connection can't be right and it seems not but still why does a company still think the phone is theirs even after selling it
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Old 09-04-2014, 13:47
daleski75
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My god even the geeks on here are sure how this works exactly what a complete mess. I have told the person I can't advise them now so I am clear just in case

I was going to say the itunes connection can't be right and it seems not but still why does a company still think the phone is theirs even after selling it
If that phone belongs to EE then it's theirs for 6 months of the initial contract!!

The iTunes connection WAS the only way you could do it previously but now it's done OTA.
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Old 09-04-2014, 13:50
swordman
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Well my advice would be source an unlocked version 5s i think especially given the prices of unlocking.
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Old 09-04-2014, 13:53
daleski75
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Which network is the phone locked to if you know that?
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Old 09-04-2014, 15:02
BKM
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Well my advice would be source an unlocked version 5s i think especially given the prices of unlocking.
I would disagree! Most networks will unlock an iPhone a low cost/for free (Vodafone only after 12 months) - except for EE.

I would argue that it is almost always worth doing this as it
(a) Increases future resale value
(b) gives more options for SIM-only contracts

I got my Vodafone iPhone 5 unlocked last year (when they only needed 2 months use) and it is now on a cheap EE SIM-only contract.
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Old 09-04-2014, 15:40
IslandNiles
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My god even the geeks on here are sure how this works exactly what a complete mess. I have told the person I can't advise them now so I am clear just in case

I was going to say the itunes connection can't be right and it seems not but still why does a company still think the phone is theirs even after selling it
The whole issue of whether or not it's an iPhone is a red herring here, isn't it? It's simply down to each network's process of unlocking phones.
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Old 09-04-2014, 15:44
BKM
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The whole issue of whether or not it's an iPhone is a red herring here, isn't it? It's simply down to each network's process of unlocking phones.
No totally! Apple are the only manufacturer who retain control of the entire process - rather than using unlock codes which (often) can be generated by 3rd parties.
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Old 09-04-2014, 15:46
daleski75
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The whole issue of whether or not it's an iPhone is a red herring here, isn't it? It's simply down to each network's process of unlocking phones.
Precisely it's the network which can make it very easy or very difficult as the unlocking process is exactly the same no matter who you are with.
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Old 09-04-2014, 17:16
swordman
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The whole issue of whether or not it's an iPhone is a red herring here, isn't it? It's simply down to each network's process of unlocking phones.
No, I wouldn't be asking for advice with any other phone the unlocking process is simple with other manufacturers.
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Old 09-04-2014, 18:16
IslandNiles
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No, I wouldn't be asking for advice with any other phone the unlocking process is simple with other manufacturers.
It's exactly the same process from a user point of view, isn't it? Ring the network and ask them to unlock the phone, and pay any applicable fee. That's it.
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Old 09-04-2014, 18:23
swordman
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I have never rang a network to unlock a phone ever, nor is it abundantly clear which phones are unlocked to start with or which are locked at first sim. I had assumed clearly wrongly that phones from CPW would be unlocked as any other model again clearly not. Also the unlock prices are very high for the iphone it seems.

Nothing is that complicated when you understand it but gaining the exact information online for the iphone was not easy.
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Old 09-04-2014, 22:40
d123
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I had assumed clearly wrongly that phones from CPW would be unlocked as any other model again clearly not.
CPW do make the statement on the iPhone page

[SIM free iPhone 5s will lock to the network of the first SIM used.
SEE PHONE DETAILS
And the Help page

Our phones are unlocked!

Most of the phones we sell aren't locked to a network, including almost all of our SIM free phones. That means you can put any UK SIM card into your phone and enjoy the benefits of whichever UK network you prefer.

Exceptions

iPhone is unlocked when you buy it SIM free but Apple's software means it locks to the first network you use it with. To find out about a particular model or using your phone abroad, ask in store or give us a call on 0870 087 0870.

View our SIM free phones here
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Old 11-11-2015, 09:50
steven_good2
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I know this is abit off topic but I have brought and iPhone 6S from Carphone Werehouse (three didn't have the 128gb available) requested three to unlock it. Three are saying it's unlocked and the process I have to do is do a restore in iTunes then put the other network sim in but then three said it will lock to that network as its on a flex or something? Is this right? I'm confused because I thought that it will be fully unlocked??
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Old 11-11-2015, 12:55
d123
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I know this is abit off topic but I have brought and iPhone 6S from Carphone Werehouse (three didn't have the 128gb available) requested three to unlock it. Three are saying it's unlocked and the process I have to do is do a restore in iTunes then put the other network sim in but then three said it will lock to that network as its on a flex or something? Is this right? I'm confused because I thought that it will be fully unlocked??
Never seen or heard of that happening. Who told you that? A CS agent or a salesman? It's probably just a bit of personal opinion being given as fact.
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