iPhone 3Gs locked even though bought from Apple

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sami1990 Author

Level 1

0 points

iPhone 3Gs locked even though bought from Apple

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has had the same problem...

My sister bought an iPhone 3Gs outright from Apple about a year ago, and gave it to me as she upgraded. Even though it was purchased directly from Apple online, it is somehow locked to the carrier she was using (Virgin/Optus). I want to use my Vodafone sim, but it won't let me.

I've been to the Apple genius bar twice, and to Virgin, and noone seems to know what's going on. Virgin says they can't unlock it because it was never registered with them, but Apple keeps saying Virgin has to unlock it.

I'm now in email contact with someone a bit higher up and hopefully they will figure it out but wondering if anyone has experienced this!

Thanks!

iPhone 3GS

Posted on Jun 28, 2011 3:32 AM

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Answer 1

diesel vdub

Level 7

22,178 points

Jun 28, 2011 6:52 AM in response to sami1990

No contract/full price has NEVER implied unlocked.

I can only imagine that some details have been left out or you've only talked with morons at Apple and Virgin. This is not difficult. ONLY the carrier to whom the device is locked can unlock it.

Does Virgin/Optus offer unlocking of iPhones? If not, there is nothing you can do officially.

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Answer 2

sami1990 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 28, 2011 10:25 AM in response to diesel vdub

Virgin does unlock iPhones but only when they are actually registered in their system.. Because it wasnt purchased from them, there's nothing in their system about thus iPhone and so they can't unlock it. The latest apple guy on the phone agreed that it's apple and not virgin who have to unlock it... Also, why would you buy an $800 phone when you can get it free in a contract, except for the very reason of not having to be locked into anything?

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Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Jun 28, 2011 12:02 PM in response to sami1990

I don't know who this "apple guy" was, but if that's what he said, he was wrong. Only the carrier can authorize an unlock. Often the carrier will only do so for the original purchaser, so you might ask your sister to see if she can get a different answer from Virgin since it was her iPhone and her contract with Virgin.

why would you buy an $800 phone when you can get it free in a contract, except for the very reason of not having to be locked into anything?

Among other reasons:

Giving the iPhone as a gift
Replacing a stolen or lost iPhone
Using a "pay as you go" service where the carrier provides it

Regards.

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Answer 4

Jun 28, 2011 1:12 PM in response to sami1990

Apple do the final unlocking, but only when they are authorised to do it for that phones IMEI number. They may do it but will never do it without authorisation of the carrier it is locked to and they have an agreement with.

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