att cannot find iphone 3gs for unlock. claims ALREADY unlocked. huh?

Thanks for the reply, but yes I would qualify.

The device falls under a no contract/not in contract phone And their policy regarding such devices is very clear.

So long as a phone is not reported lost/stolen they will unlock provided the original proof of purchase can be sent to them.

I had a really long reply, but it did not show up.

I assume the talk of alternate app stores and naming them is the reason for this.

Apple Store visit with the genius

So, spoke to a genius:

PROBLEM:

Att cannot see the device in their system. It was purchased at THIS VERY STORE and i want to get it officially unlocked so i may upgrade to a newer version of ios.

The phone has been SOFTWARE UNLOCKED via a tool that is found on the internet via unauthorized means.

Thats fine, it is way way way out of warranty anyhow.

The Genius tells me:

Good news. We see this is indeed an att device, it was purchased here on June 27th 2009. The bad news is that it has already been unlocked.

To make things worse, the installation of an alternate OS (the genius actually did call this "other" app store an entire operating system) means that you will not be able to restore your phone without the risk of permanently rendering your phone unusable.

The fact it shows unlocked is because you installed this alternate unauthorized software, this has changed something in the phone and it now shows unlocked.

What I ask (cause you know, I am a dumb consumer)

Doesnt a restore bring you back to square one? Like get rid of ALL data on there? I mean, then the phone SHOULD show locked, and I can get it UNLOCKED properly right?

She Answers

No, because that alternate software will likely prevent a restore from being completed. Your device would be rendered unusable.

OF NOTE:

• The genius was cool enough to get me a slip that shows it was purcahsed at that apple store June 27th, 2009
• I am pretty frustrated with her answers but understand the Apple corporate view on that software and the like
• I am in no way whatsoever looking for "Free" service for an out of warranty device that has had its warranty voided, so dont go and lecture me lol

So, thats that. I suppose I could restore the phone (yes, it can be restored) which will likely relock it, and then try my hand at unlocking legitimately... This however means that I will have a phone that is useless if i cannot find a proper hardware unlock via att and on top of that CANNOT software unlock it.

ROCK -- ME -- HARDPLACE

meh.

want to add:

the phone is going overseas to the philippines, and i want to donate it to family there. I also want them to be bullet proof in case they must restore or service the phone and not need to mess around to get it working on a Filipino network.

Message was edited by: stevencampbellfitness

No, I hear you... the device though was not never ever "unlocked" via any means other than the free software available without purchase, that involves installing stuff on the device that voids the warranty.

Thats what is messing me up.

1. I ran a tool on this before it was software unlocked with the free software. The tool said "already unlocked" so i put in a tmobile sim, and had no luck at all.

2. Software unlocks should not cause att and apple to see the IMEI number as an unlocked device. It should TRICK the iOS into thinking there is an unlock present.

hence why when they run the IMEI though the servers, it shows unlocked but shouldnt.

please dont be offended, this contradicts what you said before. or do you mean APPLE is the ultimate authority on it and att uses a database you do not trust.

I am using a tmobile mvno and when it goes out of country it's a moot point.

Thanks for the replies, it's always appreciated that someone such as yourself will take your time to help me out.