Can Apple Canada unlock my Rogers Iphone after contract expired?

Question

Level 1

4 points

Can Apple Canada unlock my Rogers Iphone after contract expired?

I have an Iphone 4 that was updated to IOS 5.0.1 and baseband 4.11.08. I understand that Apple Canada sells unlock Iphone 4. I signed a contract with Rogers for 3 years and now its expired. Currently I am located in Japan. I want to know is what can I do with an Iphone that cost around 749 Canadian? I have a Japanese micro sim card that I would like to insert into my Iphone 4 from Canada. As we all know an Iphone is not cheap and I had spent quite a lot for this phone already so I don't want to keep it as an Ipod Touch.

Can Apple Canada unlock my phone if I provide the IMEI? I really hope that I can use this phone....or else its a waste of my money to buy another Iphone in Japan...no point to keep a $749 Ipod Touch...unless this is Apple's practice to ask consumer sign contracts and after contract expires just keep it as paper weights.

Please help with this issue, cost of living in Japan is not cheap and I would like to save money by having faith in Apple's support to help me unlock my Canadian phone. Thank you

iPhone 4, iOS 5.0.1, baseband 4.11.08

Posted on Jan 31, 2012 7:47 PM

Reply

Answer 1

stedman1

Level 10

265,648 points

Jan 31, 2012 7:51 PM in response to Imprezats10

Hi. Unfortunately the decision to unlock or not unlock is not Apple's to make. You need to contact Rogers to request unlocking. I'm not certain if Rogers offers unlocking.

Stedman

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Answer 2

Imprezats10 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2012 8:02 PM in response to stedman1

Hi Stedman1 thanks for your quick reply, I have asked Rogers and they said at the moment they cannot unlock it for me. I am asking Apple because Apple Canada sells the phone factory unlocked, I was wondering if its possible to have my phone factory unlocked.

My Iphone is IOS 5.0.1 Baseband 4.11.08 I have heard that it cannot be unlock by anyone but maybe only Apple can do it by IMEI. I don't know what I can do...no one else to turn to and its an expensive ipod touch sitting in my Japan home

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Answer 3

modular747

Level 6

19,684 points

Jan 31, 2012 8:08 PM in response to Imprezats10

Apple NEVER unlocks phones originally sold as carrier locked. Only the carrier can do that. The status of your original contract is irrelevant.

FYI, "factory unlocked" means the phone is sold new as unlocked out of the box and was never locked in the first place. Officially unlocking is a different procedure.

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Answer 4

Imprezats10 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2012 8:15 PM in response to modular747

Hi modular747,

Thanks for the confirmation. Will ask Rogers then. Hopefully it can be unlock but according to the IOS and Baseband...it seems hopeless.

I guess you work in aviation or an aviation enthusiast who likes the Jumbo 747?

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Answer 5

modular747

Level 6

19,684 points

Jan 31, 2012 8:26 PM in response to Imprezats10

The baseband version has nothing to do with it (assuming you haven't JB/hacked the phone already). You're confusing hacking methods to unlock with the official method (using ulocking codes). Rogers can unlock it if they choose to.

Hacking methods will leave your phone vulnerable to re-locking whenever updated or restgored (if you're luckey - otherwise bricked)/

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Answer 6

Imprezats10 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2012 8:38 PM in response to modular747

Yeah I am not clear on Jailbreak or hacking methods. What is the official method of unlocking? Changing the IMEI or something like that? Asking the provider then what can provider do to unlock it if they choose to?

My Iphone is never jailbreak before...

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Answer 7

modular747

Level 6

19,684 points

Jan 31, 2012 9:33 PM in response to Imprezats10

The carrier sends a special unlocking code to Apple, and the next time you sync with iTunes, a new carrier settings update is installed and you get an iTunes screen saying: "Congratulations, your iPhone has been unlocked." There is no change in the IMEI, model number, iOS or modem baseband.

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Answer 8

Imprezats10 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2012 10:07 PM in response to modular747

Ah thank you modular747, I will show Rogers this forum discussion and hopefully they will unlock for me.

Thank you again very helpful and informative reply.

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Answer 9

modular747

Level 6

19,684 points

Jan 31, 2012 10:17 PM in response to Imprezats10

You're welcome. Rogers does offer unlocking.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937?viewlocale=en_US

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Answer 10

Imprezats10 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 1, 2012 12:29 AM in response to modular747

wow thank you for all your help modular747.....checked the link you sent, they are down for maintenance hopefully rogers can help once they are up and running as the phone is sitting brick now in Japan

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Answer 11

Feb 1, 2012 6:45 AM in response to Imprezats10

You say your 3 year contact with an iPhone 4 has expired. The 4 has not been out for 3 years. If you have paid out your contact, Rogers will unlock your iPhone as long as you have completed your contact and are in good standing.

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