Q: has anyone been able to unlock from AT&T

Read this:

iPhone: About unlocking

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5014

Have you gone to this AT&T site and followed all its directions?

https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/

Ann,

Sure, but you have to first apply the code that AT&T sends you by following their instructions precisely. If the code does not work you need to contact them.

How to unlock your iPhone for use with another carrier - Apple Support

Then you have to do the Restore. It looks scary but in reality iTunes walks your through it rather easily. Again you just have to follow the instructions slowly and precisely. Here is a summary:

1. You will have to disable Find my iPhone first. Don't forget to set it back to On when you are through (iTunes should do this automatically but check any way and set Send Last Location to ON).

2. You will be connecting your iPhone to your computer. Then do a full backup to iTunes, just follow the instructions below. Then select Restore iPhone and iTunes will install a fresh copy of the current iOS and will erase all your data. After iTunes has installed a fresh copy of the iOS, it will ask you if you want to set your device as New or restore from Backup. Choose From Backup. Restoring will bring back all your Settings, Apps, Photos on Camera Roll, etc. You should not lose anything.

3. After completion check to see if all works well. I have done this myself many times and restored from backup with no difficulties - it takes 30-60 minutes.

Use iTunes to restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

elcpu wrote:

 

Ann,

Sure, but you have to first apply the code that AT&T sends you by following their instructions precisely.

 

IPhones do not use unlock codes.

iPhones do not use unlock codes.

If the iPhone is purchased directly from an Apple Store it is unlocked. If it is purchased from AT&T it is locked if it was subject to a contract.

From Apple's Official Instructions:  How to unlock your iPhone for use with another carrier - Apple Support

See if your carrier offers unlocking. Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone.

Contact your carrier and request an unlock. You might need to meet requirements to qualify for unlocking. After you submit the request to your carrier, it might take a few days to complete. Contact your carrier for the status of your unlock request.

After your carrier confirms that your iPhone unlock has been processed, go to the next section.

From AT&T specifically for iPhones:

• Find my iPhone Activation Lock - Apple iOS 7 or later devices includes a new feature called Activation Lock. The feature is designed to prevent anyone else from using your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch if you ever lose it. It starts working the moment you turn on Find My iPhone.
• Carrier unlock - To unlock your AT&T phone or tablet to work on another wireless carrier's network, request an unlock code online at att.com/deviceunlock.

http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB102449&cv=820

That is not specifically for the iPhone. There is no unlock code for an iPhone. The hazy part of the instructions the OP might be having a problem with is you have to Restore the iPhone as a NEW phone, not from backup. And I have successfully unlocked more than one iPhone from AT&T.

The hazy part of the instructions the OP might be having a problem with is you have to Restore the iPhone as a NEW phone, not from backup.

Hmmm.... ??  The Apple Instructions (June 11, 2015) say otherwise:   How to unlock your iPhone for use with another carrier - Apple Support

• Back up your iPhone.
• When you have a backup, erase your iPhone.
• Restore your iPhone from the backup you just made.

elcpu wrote:

 

iPhones do not use unlock codes.

 

If the iPhone is purchased directly from an Apple Store it is unlocked. If it is purchased from AT&T it is locked if it was subject to a contract.

 

Again, iPhones do not use unlock codes regardless of what you've read or posted. 

And, if you keep reading, they suggest you restore to factory settings if the unlock didn't work the first time around.

They should just say that right off the bat, but perhaps restoring from a backup has worked in their tests and/or the carrier has told them it's not always necessary.

~Lyssa

As I said, if the phone was purchased from AT&T under a contract, the phone will be locked until the contract has ended or other arrangements have been made. That is a fact. AT&T will have to unlock it from their end which is not technically a "code", just an email confirming that the phone is now ready to proceed to the next steps. If I were the OP I would first confirm that AT&T has unlocked it from their end and then proceed to follow Apple's official instructions regardless of what anybody says.  How to unlock your iPhone for use with another carrier - Apple Support

Have a good day!

And, if you keep reading, they suggest you restore to factory settings if the unlock didn't work the first time around.

Where does it say that? If we are reading the same article   How to unlock your iPhone for use with another carrier - Apple Support

here is what it says (a three step process):

Follow these steps if you have any issues or if you see this message in iTunes or on your device: "The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported. Only compatible SIM cards from a supported carrier may be used to activate iPhone. Please insert the SIM card that came with your iPhone or visit a supported carrier store."

1. Restore your iPhone to factory settings.
2. Contact your carrier to make sure that the unlock was applied in your carrier's system.
3. Restore your iPhone from a backup.  <<<<<<

I think by now the OP has received enough input to make a decision for herself....  A great evening to all.

elcpu wrote:

If the iPhone is purchased directly from an Apple Store it is unlocked. If it is purchased from AT&T it is locked if it was subject to a contract.

 

False.

The Apple instructions have been incorrect for some time. As I said I have unlocked my own phones and discovered with the first one that if you Restore it from backup it will not work. If you then Restore it as a new iPhone you will get the message, "Congratulations, your iPhone is now unlocked." When I unlocked my iPhone 5 I tried the restore from backup method and again did not get the unlock message and it was not unlocked. Then Restored it as new and got the message. I've sent feedback on this more than once suggesting they change the wording. You can also do a search here and get hundreds of posts where people tried restoring from backup, were advised to back it up as a new phone and it worked. This does happen sometimes with Apple's instructions. As the Terms of Use here require it is best to try it first before posting. How many times have you tried it?

If you buy an AT&T iPhone from the Apple Store for full price it is not in contract but it is locked. If you buy an unlocked iPhone from the Apple Store in the US it is unlocked and will work on AT&T.