Moving to Australia-"Legal" way for iPhone to work?

Question

Moving to Australia-"Legal" way for iPhone to work?

Excited to say we've just been notified of a transfer to Perth. I currently own an iPhone 3GS (not quite a year old, still under warranty). Is there a legitimate, legal way to take my current phone and have it functional in Australia with a new Australian number? (i.e. will Apple condone under any circumstances the exchange of SIM cards when moving?)

iMac G4

Posted on Sep 25, 2010 1:52 AM

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Answer 1

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Sep 25, 2010 1:56 AM in response to Barbara Pierson

Is your current iphone officially unlocked? If so, it will work fine on any GSM carrier's network with the appropriate activated sim card. If your current phone is carrier locked, you will have to request your current carrier unlock it, be aware that not all carrier's offer unlocking. Here in the US, AT&T does not offer unlocking for the iphone.

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Answer 2

Sep 25, 2010 2:06 AM in response to wjosten

No, current phone is under standard AT&T plan, never monkied with. I'd seen a few other postings that AT&T "rarely" unlocks iPhones.

Can you explain exactly what "unlocking" means? I've always assumed it's some back alley software hack to get around expensive contracts and that "hacked" iPhones can then use any sim card once you get to the country of choice.

I realize the hardware is offered cheaper in the US due to the required contracts with ATT, but dang it, ATT has gotten a lot of my money over the years I've lived here!!! Is there not a "legitimate" time in which Apple would help me take my hardware with me????

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Answer 3

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Sep 25, 2010 2:15 AM in response to Barbara Pierson

All cell phones are sold as either carrier locked(will only work on that carrier's network) or unlocked(will work on any carrier's network). Unfortunately for you, ALL iphones sold in the US are carrier locked to AT&T with no way to officially unlock them as AT&T does not unlock iphones for anyone for any reason. Only the carrier that an iphone is locked to can authorize its official unlocking and AT&T will not do that for the iphone. Your best course of action is to sell your current iphone & purchase a new one when you get to Australia. Be aware that if you "hack" your phone to unlock it, you will void ALL warranty & support.

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