Unlock Iphone

Just_Passing_Bi

I'm thinking of buying a used IPhone on ebay, if it's locked to a network, am I able to get it unlocked, or am I tied to the network?

gjchester

Just_Passing_Bi wrote: »

I'm thinking of buying a used IPhone on ebay, if it's locked to a network, am I able to get it unlocked, or am I tied to the network?

iPhones are locked by a flag on Apples server, only the network can request an unlock.

Networks are usually unwilling to unlock iphones if you are not the original purchaser, and another issue is if the previous owner does not fully remove their iCloud account it could be remote locked, or you may be unable to do a full reset later without their iCloud details.

Some people will say they can unlock any phone by a cable, others say they can do it via access to Apples servers.

Cable unlocks have not been possible on most recent versions of IOS, and anyone who claims they have access to Apples server usually rely on a man inside the network. Neither has any guarantees that the phone will not be locked back in a future software update.

Just_Passing_Bi

OK, so, it's best to buy an unlocked IPhone?

I live in an area where there are a number of independent mobile phone shops I take none of them will be able to unlock an IPhone?

On my Samsung Ch@t phone, one of the shops unlocked it from O2, so I could insert a Virgin sim card.

grumbler

iPhones are unique in terms of locking/unlocking.

Unlock T-mobile iPhone?
Unlock iPhone 5 on O2
Unlock Iphone 4 legally but how?
...
...

Just_Passing_Bi

Hi Grumbler

I'm looking for an IPhone 3gs, not sure whether it should be locked or unlocked, once purchased, I want to insert a Virgin Sim card.

grumbler

Personally, I would never buy so relict phone.
Any unlocked phone or locked to EE/Virgin will work with Virgin sim. Not sure if it's locked to Orange/TMobile.

d123

Just_Passing_Bi wrote: »

Hi Grumbler

I'm looking for an IPhone 3gs, not sure whether it should be locked or unlocked, once purchased, I want to insert a Virgin Sim card.

If your budget is that low rather consider an Android phone, the 3GS is antiquated and a waste of money to be buying now. The bare minimum iPhone to buy now would be a 4s.

The Moto E can be bought brand new for around £90 and if you buy a locked one, it can be unlocked via a code available from eBay for around £2.

Just_Passing_Bi

d123 wrote: »

the 3GS is antiquated and a waste of money to be buying now

Thanks for the tip, however, I've never used an IPhone before, I want t have a play around with it before investing in a more expensive upgrade, I've purchased an IPhone 3gs but it's locked to o2, hoping my local mobile phone shop can unlock it.

Just_Passing_Bi

Update: £30.00 to unlock :eek: and 7 days.

corf999

just put an o2 or giffgaff sim in it to play with it.

The 3gs will be running an old version of IOS that will not be compatible with many of the apps in the app store.

It can be jailbroken and unlocked that way.

Just_Passing_Bi

corf999 wrote: »

It can be jailbroken

:eek::eek: sounds dodgy to me :rotfl: and wayyyyyyyyy out of my teckie knowledge