Factory Unlocked iPhone Questions
We receive many questions about the Factory Unlocked iPhone like; What is a Factory Unlocked iPhone? What is the different between an iPhone and a Factory Unlocked iPhone? and which one is better? Can i still jailbreak my factory unlocked iphone? If i update my firmware version do i lose my unlock feature on the factory unlocked iphone? If i jailbreak my factory unlocked iphone will is lose anything? How much does factory unlocked iphone cost? Where can i buy factory unlocked iphone? Will apple do international shipping on factory unlocked iphone? What are the countries that have factory unlocked iPhone?
In some countries there is certain laws and restrictions that does not allow Apple to sell iPhone and lock it to local cell phone service providers. These laws made Apple come out with an iPhone that known in the market as Factory Unlocked iPhone, or Officially Unlocked iPhone, which is not 100% true, because this iPhone is never been locked, it was manufactured by Apple without any SIM card restrictions so you can use it with any GSM SIM card worldwide.
One of the great things about this Factory Unlocked iPhone is that it does not matter how many times you update, upgrade or downgrade your firmware, it will still work with any SIM card worldwide, also you can still jailbreak this iPhone and you don’t have to worry about effecting the unlocking status of your factory unlocked iPhone. But besides the fact that this iPhone is NOT locked to any specific service provider, and you can use it worldwide without having to unlock it, it is exactly like the locked iPhone.
Factory Unlocked iPhone is better than a locked iPhone because of two reasons, one its already unlocked so you don’t have to worry about unlocking to use any sim card you like, and two you can upgrade your firmware version every time apple have a new version and your iphone will stay unlocked.
Below is a list of countries that sells Factory Unlocked iPhones:
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Canada
- China
- Czech Republic
- Ecuador
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
- Qatar
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Vietnam
If you go to the Apple store for those countries it will show you for much you can buy the Factory Unlocked iPhone, but there is couple of things that you need to know, Apple store will not ship international so if you really want to get a factory unlocked iphone you might need to find someone you know that lives in one of those countries to ship to and then they can ship it to you, another thing is that the Apple Store will limit you to 2 iPhones per customer, so you can’t make a business out of it. Soon we will be listing the links for all the apple stores for the above countries that sells iPhone Factory Unlock.
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Hi there…
I purchased a factory unlocked iPhone4S from Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia a few months ago… i have a few questions for you…
1. How do i knw if my phone is factory unlocked?? (i dont have Cydia installed on the phone)
2. If it is unlocked… can i update my firmware version to iOS6?? am currently at iOS 5.0.1… will it lock back again? if no.. are you sure??
pls HELP…
Thanks
Ash
if your iphone does not have cydia and its not using gevey sim and your iphone is unlocked then it is factory unlocked and you can update to ios 6 and your iphone will stay unlocked.
Hi..i got an iphone 4 with ios 5 on it from the UK..i brought it to the middle east and now its locked..it doesnt have the cydia app on it..i took it to a local dealer (NOT the official Apple dealer) and the guy there told me that it can be unlocked and NO gevey sim will be required..my question is that will i be able to upgrade it to ios 6 using itunes without locking it again ?
if you dont have cydia or gevey and your iphone is unlocked then it is factory unlocked and you can update to ios 6 and your iphone will stay unlocked.
i have an iPnone 4s that i bought from a friend and its carrier is at&t but i have sprint can i get a factory unlock so that it can work for my carrier instead of at&t?
You can do a factory unlock iPhone but you need to make sure that sprint supports GSM att iphone first.
In have an Iphone 4 that works with a simple sim card (not with a gevey sim) does it mean that it is inevitably factory unlocked.
PS. before it worked with a gevey sim and a friend of mine unlocked it, i dont know why.
i mean i dont know how
what is your iOS version and modem firmware version.
I have Iphone 4s and i unlocked it I dont know if its factory unlock or unlock how do i know if its factory unlock by the way can I update ios6 and i phone 4s factory unlock
If it is factory unlocked this yes you can update with no problem, but if its not factory unlocked then if you update you will lose your unlock status. Are you using Gevey SIM and do you have cydia installed?
Hello, I am planning to buy and iphone 5 from Canada , i currently live in india though i have relatives there, my question is can my relative get the Factory Unlocked Iphone 5 in retail apple stores? of what i know is that you only get locked phones in apple store .. for factory unlocked you have to order from Apple Site and they will ship it to you? and will my relative be able to send that phone via Courier Companies like Fedex , Bluedart? and if you know about the cost and the procedure? i mean there is no custom system right? and will that phone work in india? with indian carrier Gsm?
Thank You Please REply
A factory unlocked iPhone will work any where.
I have a iphone4S and i want to upgrade it to IOS6, any kind of sim can be used so it is factory unlocked but i have a cydia app. on my 4S, can i upgrade to IOS6 or not?
Since your iphone is factory unlocked then you can update with no problem BUT as of now the jailbreak for iOS 6 is only available for iPhone 4/3GS and iPod Touch 4G so i would wait a little more until the jailbreak is released for iPhone 4S
hello,
is there anyways i can change the carrier from sprint to say vodafone or some else ?
i just wanted to know that if i have a friend in us and i ask him to buy an iphone5 over there with sprint as carrier and transfer it over to some other country,let say india to me
thank you in advance.
As of now there is no known way to unlock the iphone 5 but subscribe to our mailing list to stay updated.
Hi, I have an Iphone 4 which the seller told me to be factory unlocked. It is working for a Service provider without any problem. Is there some other method to know whether is it really factory unlocked or not for sure?
.Please help me…
Secondly, My IOS is 4.3.5 with a baseband of 04.10.01. I want to first update to IOS 5.1.1 and then jailbreak it. I want to know how to update it to IOS 5.1.1 and whether my unlock status will be lost when updating to IOS 5.1.1 via itunes? Also, after updating whether I need to protect my baseband when I jailbreak it? My apologies for so many questions as this is very confusing to me
Thanks in Advance…
If your iphone is not using Gevey SIM, then most likely your iphone is in fact factory unlocked and in this case you can update it, but now you can only update it to ios 6 since its the latest version and you will not lose your unlock if your iphone was factory unlocked. You update it by connecting it to itunes.
Thanks for the help…:) Yeah I read a lot and came to know that I can only update to iOS 6 now
but the jailbreak for the new iOS is not out yet so I will wait some more…Thanks again for the help…
You are welcome..
I have a 4s factory unlocked, bought in the US. I’m now in Mexico receiving a Samsung Galaxy company cell with a Mexican carrier SIM (Telcel). Will I be able to switch the Telcel SIM from the Galaxy into the 4s and make it work?
Thx!
yes you will as long as Tecel SIM supports your iphone.
hi i have an iphone 4s factory unlocked and wanted to know if i update it to ios 6 will it lose its unlock?
No you will not.
Recently purchased a sim free unlocked iphone 4s version 5.1.1 98026 in the UK, but cannot get it to activate with the following message that comes up on the phones: only compatible sim cards from a supported carrier maybe used to activate iPhone . Please insert the sim card that came with your iPhone or visit a supported carriers store to receive a replacement sim card. Is this locked, and if so how can I unlock it. The original sales team is not very helpful in this respect and being in Zimbabwe now does not help
there could be caused by two possibilities, 1 that the iphone is not in face factory unlocked, 2 that your iphone is factory unlocked but the SIM card that you used with it does not support he iphone, so we would recommend trying another sim from another carrier to test it.
I have a question regarding my iphone 4 lock in Saudi Arabia but living in the philippines. my problem is my iphone doesn’t work what should i do? pls. help me.
What is your iPhone firmware version and modem firmware version (baseband) please?
I have a factory unlocked iPhone 4s. Currently I am using an unlocked Nokia n8 on att with an unlimited plan. Att tells me that if I switch to the iPhone, they need to adjust my plan. If I want to switch back to my Nokia, they will have to adjust back to my old plan. so, every time I switch phones, ATT will have to switch plans for me. There is no cost, but it is a hassle because I must contact them each time. If I jail break the unlocked iPhone, will this solve the problem. Will ATT not know which phone I am using?
Well to begin with, they have no way to find out what phone you are using .. try that it might work.
hi umm i have a factory unlocked iphone 4 5.1.1 but i need to restore it because it is frozen on the booting up apple logo. Will restoring it remove the factory unlock or is it forever unlocked whether i restore it or not? PLEASE HELP!
Thanks!!
A factory unlocked iPhone will not lose its unlock status if you update, restore or jailbreak so you are fine.
Hi,
I am an iPhone4 (recently purchased from one of my friend as second hand) user from India. But i am not sure whether the phone is a factory unlocked one. But the phone accepts all sim cards in India. I would like to know whether the phone is a factory unlocked one in order to upgrade my iOS to 5.X (currently 4.3.3 and modem firmware is 1.59) via iTunes. Please suggest a way to check and confirm that the phone is factory unlocked one.
If your iphone does not have cydia installed (NOT jailbroken) then yes your iphone is factory unlocked, but if you have cydia and ultrasn0w is installed through cydia then its not.
I had my AT&T Iphone4 IMEI unlocked at GeveySim.net. It works perfectly. It is also Jailbroken. Currently running version 4.3.5 Firmware 4.10.01. Is there any reason to preserve the baseband when I upgrade to 5.1.1? Do I need to do anything special when I upgrade so I can jailbreak it again or do I just upgrade it in Itunes and re-jailbreak?
There is no need to preserve the baseband for two reasons your iPhone is now factory unlocked meaning that it does not matter what you baseband or ios you upgrade to it will always be unlocked, the 2nd reason is as of now you can do untether jailbreak on the latest ios 5.1.1 on any baseband so you are find to update and jailbreak .
is there any way to confirm iphone 4 factory unlock ?
Only solid way to find out is to test it with a SIM card.
Hey i have a 3g factory unlocked iphone but i updated it did it lock back ?
What is your iOS version and modem firmware version (baseband) please?
Hi!
My handy:
Iphone4, Canada Rogers & Fido
I’m upgraded my Iphone to 5.1.1 and the baseband is:04.12.01 With what there is not gevey because of this what you recommend? unlock exists?
As of now there is no unlock solution for your device, and as you know even Gevey Sim does not support it yet.
May this work?
We never heard of it but it might.
i want unlocl my iphone4 for free. o2 carrier netwrk 4.12 baseband and 5.1.1 version.plz help me
As of now there is no free or paid way to unlock your particular device.
Can I use any SIM card over the world for my iphone 4S 32gbit factory unlocked Model A1387 EMC 2430 FCC ID:BCG-E2430A? if not how can i get that?
If you have a factory unlocked iphone then yes you can use it anywhere
I bought iphone 4s factory unlocked how can i active it in Libya?
Just insert your new sim card and connect your iPhone to your computer.
i have an a i phone 4 16 gb version 4.1 / model mc603kh / modem firmware 02.10.04 can i unlok this model plz help me.
You can unlock your iPhone using Gevey SIM
Thanks, and why i cant factry unlock this 4n ?
You can only do factory unlock on AT&T iPhones
Hi,
I had my iPhone 3GS unlocked at a shop, it works fine. However, the guy said that I shouldn’t update the software. Is he right? What will happen if I did upgrade the software?
If he said not to upgrade then he did a software unlock for your iPhone which you could lose if you update your iOS but just to make sure What is your iOS version and modem firmware version please?
Hi, I want to buy a factory unlocked iPhone 3Gs, don’t want to worry about having to keep unlocking it everytime I update. My question is, if I have to jailbreak the my iPhone too? I read that a unlocked and jailbroken iPhone is best? Is this true? What is the difference?
THANK YOU!!!
Unlocking an iPhone and jail breaking it are two different things but they are related in some cases http://unlocker.ws/blog/iphone-reviews/what-are-the-benefits-of-jailbreaking-unlocking-apple-iphone
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPLY!!!
…love it!
I have bought my factory unlocked iphone now
great news .. Congratulations
hi i recently got my iphone 4 factory unlocked through a IMEI code service cause i use tmobile, and i plug it in to itunes, restore it, back it up and when its finished it says my phones unlocked. but when it starts to search for a signal, it goes back to saying no service. please help
Make sure that your service provider supports iPhones, also make sure you have a valid sim card.
hi! i have iphone 4 ios 5.1.1 baseband 04.12.01 is locked on vodafone DE Germany. can i unlocked?
As of now there is no unlock solution for this specific device yet.
I have iphone4 with
version 4.3.5(8L1)
Model: MC318LL
Modem Firmware:04.10.01
now am using this mobile INDIA..which is not UNLOCKED,how to UNLOCK & JAILBREAK this device is there any tools to unlock this device wirh free off cost…plz tell me in step wise thaanku….
You can unlock it using Gevey SIM which will give a free access also to jailbreak your device:
http://geveysim.net/product/unlock-iphone-4-gsm
if i jailbreak my factory unlock iphone 4 with Absinthe will my iphone 4 lose the unlock?
No, jailbreak will not effect your unlock status
If i bought Iphone 4G from USA or Canada with any network then i unlock it, Will it work in Canada or America or worldwide ?
Please tell me
Yes it will
If i bought Iphone 4G from Uk with any network then i unlock it, Will it work in Canada or America on any network?
Kindly guide me
Yes it will.
My wife bought me iphone 4(factory locked) from the US and it was on modem firmware 4.2.1 then I upgraded it to modem firmware 04.12.01 without preserving the modem so I have ios 5.1.1 and i cant unlock or downgrade my iphone4 even with gevey ultra sim. It has been ages i own iphone is sitting at my pocket with no use. Any options (Can I use other iphone’s saved modemfirmware to activate)? So worried, help please.
Thank you in advance
Kume
Which carrier is it locked to ?
Hi have a iPhone 4 5.1.1 baseband 4.12.1 and it is jailbroken I want to use the gevey sim I was using on it before I updated is this possible? And if not is there a new gevey sim that will work with 4.12.1?
As of now Gevey sim does not support 04.12.1 please stay update with Gevey SIM unless your iPhone is locked to AT&T then yes you can do a factory unlock on it using the the same website
Which web site… Ur talking about …. Can I unlock my I phone 4 AT&T carrier by the help of factory unlock … And how can I do that…. And what is factory unlock … Please do reply …. I desperately need ur reply…
http://geveysim.net/product/factory-unlock-iphone-4-att
my iphone 4 stuck in recovering mode…itunes shows an error dat der is some problem in ur iphone please visit the srvice center….but my iphone is factory unlocked so wat shud i do..
Try the following tutorial to exit iPhone recovery mode.
Hello, I have an iPhone 4 iOS 5.1.1 modem firmware 04.12.01
can i jailbreak and unlock it with cydia????????????
You can jailbreak it and install cydia using our website, but there is no unlock for it unless it is AT&T iPhone in this case please us the following to Unlock AT&T iPhone 4 5.1.1 04.12.01
Hey, my Dad just brought me a jailbroken Iphone3gs, because he didnt know the difference, if i remove the Jailbreak will i still be able to use any sim card?
It all depends .. what your is your iOS version and modem firmware version (baseband)?
same situation like me, but I’m the one who jailbreak my own iPhone 4S iOS version 5.1.1 modem firmware is 2.0.12, i want to use another sim card do u think its possible? team support i need your help.
It is possible using Gevey SIM
Hi:
I have an iphone4(factory unlocked)buy from saudi arabia and i jailbreak it now i want to get rid from
Jailbreak how can i unjailbreak it and how i update its software. After unjailbreak can i upgrade it any tim
As you writte. am very sad want to update it.
Thank You
If your iPhone is factory unlocked then all you need to remove cydia and the jailbreak is to restore through iTunes and you will not lose your unlock status.
I have an iphone which I purchased at Apple store, was told it was factory unlocked. Now that I am switching providers, the iphone is not working with the microsim of the new provider. What could be the problem?
Make sure that the new service provider do support iPhones first.
i have a iphone 4 factory unlocked and I just recovered it from water damage using rice. everything works again ONLY i resets it self every 2 minutes!!!!!
and ideas how to solve this problem?
I would first try to restore it through iTunes or update it to the latest iOS 5.1.1 if that did not work then you will need to take it a tech store because it might be a hardware problem.
I bought my iphone 4s AT&T from US … I use it in india with turbo sim(GPP)… Its iphone 4s ios version 5.1
There is a update available… v5.1.1 … I heard that it i will lock if i will update it… Bcoz its made to be used with AT&T sim of us n canada…
Can i update it….? Will it be factory locked again …?
If you are using Gevey SIM then if you update most likely you will get locked it really all depends of your current Gevey SIM supports 5.1.1 or not.
if i have a factory unlocked iphone will it still work while i have the gevey sim holder in my phone or do i need to get a new sim card and throw away the gevey?
If you have a factory unlocked iphone then you do not need the Gevey sim any more.
hi i have a question, i have 2011 3gs with ios 5.1.1.. i had it unlocked and jail broken from att so that i could use t mobile.. so when ever i use my location or use my maps app my signal dies and says no service?? any ideas y?? so i am wanting to have my 3gs factory unlocked is that possible now?
How to unlock carrier lab 12.0 iso 5.1 iphone 4 04.12.01 … please please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As of now there is no unlock solution for this specific version.
HI, I upgraded my iphone 4 to IOS 5.1.1. After that my phone stopped working for calls neither appear any carrier. It would work if I use Factory unlocked iphone or not. Please, answer me.
Yes it would.
I have. Been using An iphone4s for sometime now how do i know if it its factory unlocked or otherwise
Where did you buy it from? Which services provider are you using it with ? Is your iPhone jailbroken? Are you Using Gevey SIM?
Hello,
If I factory unlock my iPhone 4S AT&T cellphone, and after I download Cydia, can still update it? Will it be locked i I update my phone then or not? I really would like to use my iphone unlimited, download apps and software which requires jailbreak; can I do this?
Please help.
Thanks,
-Denise
Once your iphone is factory unlocked u can jailbreak update it and restore it with no problem
I am asking because I don’t have the original AT&T cartridge and I wanted to factory unlock my iPhone 4 so I dont have to worry about not being able to update my phone.
It will not work.
Can I use my gevey cartridge, which is holding my T-Mobile micro sim card, on a factory unlocked iPhone 4?
I Bought a Factory Unlocked phone from USA. I used it in India for a couple of months and then travelled to South Africa. I got a micro SIM there but it is not latching to the network. When i go and check in the Carrier in the About it says Network – Cell C, Line – Cell C, and Carrier Airtel 12.0, Cell c is my South Africa Carrier and Airtel is my India Carrier. Some How it is not able to update the carrier. What could be the reason. What should i do?
Make sure that your carries supports iPhones.
Hello, I have an iPhone 4 iOS 5.1.1 and I bought it in china, the guy I bought it from unlocked it for me without jail breaking, works perfect with any carrier, Europe Usa Mexico and china. My question is, can I download Cydia and keep it the way it is? “unlocked” I’m afraid to download cydia and change the unlocked iPhone. Thank you for your time!
Yes you can jailbreak it and download cydia and it will stay unlocked