iPhone 4 purchased on eBay - unlock?

Lara

My son purchased an iPhone on eBay . He was told it was unlocked. However now he has it it's locked to Vodafone Spain!! Two questions: is it easy to get unlocked and is it expensive?

Sorry asking on here in case anyone knows the answers. Many thanks.

Browntoa

£25 off ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VODAFONE-SPAIN-IPHONE-3GS-4-4S-5-OFFICIAL-FACTORY-UNLOCK-CODE-SERVICE-/221251737752?pt=UK_Mobile_Home_Phones_Other_Phones_ET&hash=item3383a19898

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vodafone-Spain-iPhone-3g-3GS-4-4S-5-Factory-Unlocking-unlock-code-Direct-Source-/171044867094?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27d3118c16

d123

Lara wrote: »

My son purchased an iPhone on eBay . He was told it was unlocked. However now he has it it's locked to Vodafone Spain!! Two questions: is it easy to get unlocked and is it expensive?

Sorry asking on here in case anyone knows the answers. Many thanks.

It's probably easier to send back as not as described.

You can try one of the unofficial official unlockers, but expect to pay £50+ for the service.

I've heard of these offering a valid service: http://www.gsmliberty.net/shop/

d123

Browntoa wrote: »

£25 off ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VODAFONE-SPAIN-IPHONE-3GS-4-4S-5-OFFICIAL-FACTORY-UNLOCK-CODE-SERVICE-/221251737752?pt=UK_Mobile_Home_Phones_Other_Phones_ET&hash=item3383a19898

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vodafone-Spain-iPhone-3g-3GS-4-4S-5-Factory-Unlocking-unlock-code-Direct-Source-/171044867094?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27d3118c16

That is a good price, probably worth doing at that price.

gjchester

Lara wrote: »

My son purchased an iPhone on eBay . He was told it was unlocked. However now he has it it's locked to Vodafone Spain!! Two questions: is it easy to get unlocked and is it expensive?

Sorry asking on here in case anyone knows the answers. Many thanks.

Return it.

There's is a good chance it's been locked because it was reported stolen. The way Apple lock phones the original network have to make the request to Apple.

The methods on Ebay rely on someone at the network putting the code through on the side so to speak, and if it's marked as blocked it may be locked again in the future. Both ads say they will not unlock barred phones.

d123

gjchester wrote: »

Return it.

There's is a good chance it's been locked because it was reported stolen. The way Apple lock phones the original network have to make the request to Apple.

Locking the phone has got absolutely nothing to do with blocking of stolen phones.

Networks apply a network lock at point of sale which only allows their specific network simcard to work in the phone.

In the case of the OP, they bought a phone that was falsely described as being sim unlocked when it actually had a network lock for Vodafone Spain.

Buzby

Send it back. Did he buy it fom Spain? How did he know it was locked to VF Spain? IPhones can only be unlocked by Apple - these 'services can only offer jailbreaking, not only does this devalue the phone, at the next firmware update it will relock automatically.

The item is not as described - get your money back and try again.

Kingsd316

Buzby wrote: »

Send it back. Did he buy it fom Spain? How did he know it was locked to VF Spain? IPhones can only be unlocked by Apple - these 'services can only offer jailbreaking, not only does this devalue the phone, at the next firmware update it will relock automatically.

The item is not as described - get your money back and try again.

Apple dont unlock phones the networks do, these services on eBay are nothing to do with jailbreaking, they have people who work for the various networks who have access to apples whitelist database that store the lock status of evey imei

Lara

He bought the phone from eBay here in UK. He contacted the person who sold it and they said it was fine and could be unlocked!! I'm not sure but I think he's returning it. I haven't spoken to him for a couple of days so haven't heard the last bit of the story. Thanks for your help everyone. It's a little disturbing if it is a stolen one! Oops!

d123

Lara wrote: »

. It's a little disturbing if it is a stolen one! Oops!

Nothing you have posted indicates it is stolen, the poster who made that comment either misread or doesn't understand the way networks lock phones to restrict their use to their own simcards and the process of blocking a phone after being reported lost or stolen.

They are two entirely different procedures, and being locked to Voda ES just means the phone is not unlocked for all networks.

Seagull_Sid

Most town markets have stalls that sell phone accessories and unlock for about £25. As stated before in this thread, this is not the same as "jail-breaking" and you will still be able to update with Apple.