Unlocking iPhone

oli356 · 27 Apr 2012 at 15:58

Hey guys

Trying to help out my mate. He's been given an iPhone 4 from his dad (company phone, on Vodaphone). He is on T-Mobile (contract) and wants to use the iPhone.

I've talked him through unlocking the phone using jailbreak methods but not working. So how can he unlock it?

Will Vodaphone stores do this? - The phone isn't under his name
Some random shop in town?
Buying unlock code from the net?

Thanks

Disco Boy · 27 Apr 2012 at 16:03

Get his dad to call Vodafone, and they'll do it for him.

Craig321 · 27 Apr 2012 at 16:05

As above, call Vodafone, that'll be the most reliable/permanent way and shouldn't cost much.

You might be able to unlock using the new SAM unlock if he's on a newer baseband. Not sure how good or reliable it is though.

A random stand/shop will probably just try jailbreak the phone. Also, didn't think you you could buy unlock codes for iPhones?

oli356 · 27 Apr 2012 at 16:18

Craig321 said:
As above, call Vodafone, that'll be the most reliable/permanent way and shouldn't cost much.

You might be able to unlock using the new SAM unlock if he's on a newer baseband. Not sure how good or reliable it is though.

A random stand/shop will probably just try jailbreak the phone. Also, didn't think you you could buy unlock codes for iPhones?

There's websites which say they do it. If it's a scam is a different question!

He doesn't want to ring them up -.-, told him to try: http://campaigns.vodafone.co.uk/UnlockCodeRequestForm/#hoverID1

Thanks

Craig321 · 27 Apr 2012 at 17:16

oli356 said:
There's websites which say they do it. If it's a scam is a different question!

He doesn't want to ring them up -.-, told him to try: http://campaigns.vodafone.co.uk/UnlockCodeRequestForm/#hoverID1

Thanks

Maybe they do, if unlocking an iPhone is anything like other phones then you can buy software that will give you unlock codes, they then just pay for unlock code credits which can be used to redeem a code for any compatible phone, so yes a high street shop or online store might be able to do it without jailbreaking, but I'm not sure if it's possible on an iPhone.

SB118 · 27 Apr 2012 at 21:50

Watch out for any of the "dodgy" jailbreak methods of unlocking, from what i remember they update the phone using the ipad baseband which permanently buggers the gps functions, no more satnav, etc.

Craig321 · 27 Apr 2012 at 21:53

oli356 said:
There's websites which say they do it. If it's a scam is a different question!

He doesn't want to ring them up -.-, told him to try: http://campaigns.vodafone.co.uk/UnlockCodeRequestForm/#hoverID1

Thanks

Why doesn't he want to ring them? They will be your best bet at getting a non dodgy, permanent unlock.

oli356 · 27 Apr 2012 at 22:01

Craig321 said:
Why doesn't he want to ring them? They will be your best bet at getting a non dodgy, permanent unlock.

Think it's because the phone is registered from dads work. He filled out unlock form on voda website, can't see a reply happening before Monday though.

demonix · 28 Apr 2012 at 14:06

Craig321 said:
Maybe they do, if unlocking an iPhone is anything like other phones then you can buy software that will give you unlock codes, they then just pay for unlock code credits which can be used to redeem a code for any compatible phone, so yes a high street shop or online store might be able to do it without jailbreaking, but I'm not sure if it's possible on an iPhone.

Unfortunately it doesn't work like that for iPhones as apple holds a database of unlocked phones and it's the network that has to tell them to put a network locked iPhone on that database (the phone then has to be connected to iTunes to complete the unlock).

oli356 · 2 May 2012 at 17:32

oli356 said:
Think it's because the phone is registered from dads work. He filled out unlock form on voda website, can't see a reply happening before Monday though.

Reply from them was along the lines of "We are unable to view your account details for numbert xxxx. ...... Kindly contact your server provider or account manager to process this unlock request....."

He doesn't want to ring up (especially because he doesn't even know who his dad works for) and won't ask dad. I give up

This is why company phones are meant for those in the company :rolleyes:

demonix said:
Unfortunately it doesn't work like that for iPhones as apple holds a database of unlocked phones and it's the network that has to tell them to put a network locked iPhone on that database (the phone then has to be connected to iTunes to complete the unlock).

Aha right, smart of them I guess!