Cheapest way to unlock an iPhone 5 original service provider unknown

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edmond
edmond Posts: 292 Forumite
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Hi guys
My son has an iPhone 5 of which he does not know who the original service provider is. So I was going to get it unlocked. Will apple do this or will I be better going to a local unlocking mobile shop?
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  • d123
    d123 Posts: 8,627 Forumite
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    edmond wrote: »
    Hi guys
    My son has an iPhone 5 of which he does not know who the original service provider is. So I was going to get it unlocked.

    Will apple do this or will I be better going to a local unlocking mobile shop?

    Neither can (or will) unlock it.

    You need to find out who it's locked to and proceed from there.

    Officially only the network who locked it can process the unlock, but there are unlockers on eBay that can ascertain the lock status and also process the unlock if required (if the original network can't or won't help).
    ====
  • Nebulous2
    Nebulous2 Posts: 5,131 Forumite
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    Has he tried a sim in it? He could luck out and find the provider he wants to use is the one it is locked to.
  • glentoran99
    glentoran99 Posts: 5,821 Forumite
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    Not hard to find what provider


    http://iphoneimei.info/
  • buglawton
    buglawton Posts: 9,235 Forumite
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    Presumably it's still working on WiFi and the original iTunes/iCloud password is known? A working SIM card is needed, afaik, to get an iPhone to work for the first time. I wonder what people do if the phone's been reset but is locked to an unknown network.
  • mongoose2009
    mongoose2009 Posts: 243 Forumite
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    order some free sims and by elimination youll find it
  • d123
    d123 Posts: 8,627 Forumite
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    mongoose2009 wrote: »
    order some free sims and by elimination youll find it

    It's a lot less effort to just pay 99p for a network check.

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IPHONE-3G-3GS-4-4S-5-5S-5C-6-6S-NETWORK-CHECK-CARRIER-CHECK-INFORMATION-REPORT-/121623647967
    ====
  • buglawton
    buglawton Posts: 9,235 Forumite
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    The IMIE number can read from an iPhones settings, but can you reset and get into one without a working SIM?
  • d123
    d123 Posts: 8,627 Forumite
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    buglawton wrote: »
    The IMIE number can read from an iPhones settings, but can you reset and get into one without a working SIM?

    The IMEI is engraved on the back of an iPhone 5.
    ====
  • Exemplar
    Exemplar Posts: 1,604 Forumite
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    Engraved? are you sure?
    'Just because its on the internet don't believe it 100%'. Abraham Lincoln.

    I have opinions, you have opinions. All of our opinions are valid whether they are based on fact or feeling. Respect other peoples opinions, stop forcing your opinions on other people and the world will be a happier place.
  • hollie.weimeraner
    hollie.weimeraner Posts: 2,147 Forumite
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    d123 wrote: »
    The IMEI is engraved on the back of an iPhone 5.

    Oh no it isn't:rotfl:

    But it can be found in settings Tap General > About and Scroll down to locate the IMEI number.
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