Do which first? Unlock a old iphone or upgrade to a new one?

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Level 1

2 points

Do which first? Unlock a old iphone or upgrade to a new one?

Hi all,

I am now planing to upgrade to a new iphone and unlock and sell my used iphone (AT&T, out of contract already). What should I do?

(1) Unlock the used one first?

(2) or upgrade to the new one first?

For (1) I read several on line articles taking about that now AT&T allows the unlock of a out-of-contract iphone. But, sorry, I do not understand these articles well. Simply speaking, where should I go to? To AT&T store or just go to an Apple Store?

Thanks a lot !!

iMac 20, iphone 4, ipad.

Posted on Sep 4, 2012 5:01 PM

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Answer 1

ckuan

Level 10

120,914 points

Sep 4, 2012 6:17 PM in response to stanleyoowa

stanleyoowa wrote:

Hi ckuan

Thanks a LOT for your super fast help.

So you mean that AT&T store could unlock my iphone for me?

If you qualify, yes, only AT&T can unlock it for you.

Once my used iphone is unlocked I could still use it ( I mean using the phone number and all the service) and then upgrade to a new iphone ( later, if not immediately ), right ?

Yes, of course.

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Answer 2

ckuan

Level 10

120,914 points

Sep 16, 2012 2:07 PM in response to stanleyoowa

Once you got the confirmation e-mail from your carrier, it might take a few days (some a few hours) before you can unlock the iPhone. Yes, the process is simple, just do a restore that's it.

If you have problem, go through troubleshooting here:

iPhone: Troubleshooting authorised unlock issues

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3198

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Answer 3

stanleyoowa Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 4, 2012 5:14 PM in response to ckuan

Hi ckuan

Thanks a LOT for your super fast help.

So you mean that AT&T store could unlock my iphone for me?

Once my used iphone is unlocked I could still use it ( I mean using the phone number and all the service) and then upgrade to a new iphone ( later, if not immediately ), right ?

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Answer 4

stanleyoowa Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 16, 2012 10:39 AM in response to ckuan

Hi

I recently read a post that said the unlock process simply is to restore the iphone !?

Quote: "Once you do receive the unlock instructions from AT&T , they are basically telling you to restore the iPhone to activate the unlock......"

http://osxdaily.com/2012/04/21/unlock-iphone-att-web-technical-support/

If it is true, then unlocking a iphone is equal to earsing everything in it ??

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Answer 5

Sk8Dreams

Level 3

906 points

Sep 16, 2012 2:03 PM in response to stanleyoowa

This is correct. Per the instructions that ATT will send you, do a backup first, so you don't lose your data. If you have many screens of apps, take screen prints, because when you restore, they are going to be all over the place.

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Answer 6

stanleyoowa Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 16, 2012 2:43 PM in response to ckuan

Thank you for your response

I am still not clear about one point : "restore"

What does it mean by "restore"? Does it mean restore the backup from iTune to iphone?

Before the "restore", will the unlocking process erase all the content in the iphone, like a "reset"?

Do any one of you have the instructions from ATT, for our reference?

Thanks a million !

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Answer 7

Sep 16, 2012 2:45 PM in response to stanleyoowa

Restoring from a backup will not unlock it. You have to restore as a new iPhone, in other words, factory settings with no personal data on it. This can be done in iTunes, and the confirmation from AT&T should be all the instructions you need.

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Answer 8

stanleyoowa Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 16, 2012 3:04 PM in response to stevejobsfan0123

So, does this single restoration to factory setting will complete the unlock process?

Then if I still want to use this iphone before my new iphone arrive I need to restore once again from the backup in iTune?

The brief summary looks like the followings. Please correct me if there is still something wrong.

(1) My situation is: I want to unlock my phone 4 before upgrading to iphone 5

(2) I have submitted the unlock form to ATT already

(3) I should backup my iphone 4 to iTune first

(4) After receiving a confirmation email from ATT, by using iTune, I should restore the iphone 4 to the factory

setting ==> this will complete the unlock process

(5) Then using iTune again, I should restore previous backup back to my iphone 4 to continue the use of it.

Please advise !

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Answer 9

Sk8Dreams

Level 3

906 points

Sep 16, 2012 3:13 PM in response to stanleyoowa

After receiving instructions from ATT, follow them. I just did this in June, so I know what I am talking about.

Here are some notes I took for my daughter to help her unlock:

1) Sync your phone (very important because iTunes does not back up your contacts and you want the latest data when you backup/restore)

If you have a lot of apps, take screen shots of each of your screens - when your apps are restored, they are scattered all over the place.

2) Right click your phone in the left side column of iTunes and select "Backup"

3) With your phone still connected, after Backup is successful, On the Summary tab in iTunes, under "Version" click "Restore"

You will get a warning that all data and settings on your phone will be wiped out

The process takes about 15 minutes

When it's done, you get a message that your phone has previously been connected to "this" computer

And you will be asked if you want to restore from backup - YES you do

You may or may not get a message from iTunes that your phone has been unlocked. I did not get it, but did get a text from ATT that it was unlocked. I called just to verify anyway.

After that restore, you need to right click on your phone in the left side column and select "Restore from Backup" to get your data back.

Sync your phone again to get your contacts back.

The restore is what unlocks your phone, as the unlock is in the update provided by Apple after ATT has told them your IMEI is eligible for unlock.

Disregard any info about changing sim cards. This is no longer true in the US for ATT. Apple is now in complete control, and no new sim is needed. I do not know why Apple has not updated their doc.

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