To unlock or not to unlock - that is the question

JustLikeThat

First the story, then the questions! I got an iPhone 3GS on a 2 year contract with T-Mobile and suffered with no service in my Norfolk home/village. I renewed in December 2013 on the promise that service was being improved; I got a 'sim only' 12 month contract. I was still unable to make or receive calls from home, so switched December 2014. I was told I could unlock the 3GS (for wife to use, as I now have an unlocked iPhone 5) and T-Mobile would only charge £20-ish. I filled out the online form but when doing so my account had been closed which seems to have messed things up. The girl in the shop said it wouldn't matter. However I have heard nothing since getting email back from sending form in mid-December.
So... any advice re T-Mobile unlocking situation? Any other route (market trader said £100+)?
I can't get past an automated phone for customer service.

InsideInsurance

iPhone network locking is controlled by Apple with network providers being able to tell them to unlock the phone for you.

Historically the only ways to unlock a phone outside of the network provider was jailbreaking it or have someone on the inside who will submit the request to Apple/ update the Apple db. Others have said jailbreaking is no longer an option but if its on an old version of iOS then it may be.

Im not sure why you are even considering paying £100 to get it unlocked by a back door route when T-Mobile charge £20 for the service using the official methodology.

Having unlocked iPhones from Vodaphone and O2 (both did it for free for contract phones once the contract has expired) I just got an email from them a couple of days after the request confirming it had been done. Next time the phone updates to the internet (or connects to iTunes for older phones) the changes take effect

JustLikeThat

Thanks. I'm not considering paying £100+, that was just an example of what was quoted. Having submitted the T-Mobile form to unlock, I have heard nothing after the acknowledging email which said they would get back in about 7 days after communicating with Apple. That was 20 days ago. Because my account is closed I am told this will not happen as they can't get the £20.40 from me. Everything seems to be automated and I can't talk with anyone who can help it seems. They seem geared up to unlock phones when you still have an active account. I have replied on their email but it probably isn't going to a manned site.
It is on an older version of IOS, so how can that help me?

bod1467

JustLikeThat wrote: »

It is on an older version of IOS, so how can that help me?

You may be able to unlock the phone by Jailbreaking it. Try Googling for Jailbreak IOS <version> unlock and see what come up.

Johnmcl7

I don't know how T-mobile work but it might be worth looking into whether you can get a pay as you go sim, top it up with the required credit and then request the unlock?

John

JustLikeThat

Success (I trust)...
By cheating the automated service I got through to Customer Service and they sent an 'unlocking SMS notice which said Apple had unlocked the phone. The main method described didn't work, but eventually we managed an unlock via iTunes.
At present, I don't know what's happening with regard to the £20.42 payment....