AT&T Factory Unlock

Question

Level 1

0 points

AT&T Factory Unlock

Hi

I recently requested to have my iPhone 4 unlocked from AT&T. They approved my request. After receieving instructions on unlocking the phone (which I later found out came from Apple), I went through the steps, basically backing up and restoring the iPhone, and it still remained locked. I attempted the same instructions again and it still remained locked. I turned it off and on and that did nothing.

Can anyone help me here? Is there any other troubleshooting steps to unlocking my iPhone?

Thank you

James

iPhone 4, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Sep 4, 2012 6:45 PM

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Answer 1

brad805

Level 5

7,397 points

Sep 4, 2012 9:53 PM in response to iSurf1234

My experience with ATT unlock is that it is immediate. They say it will take maybe a day to enter, but all mine have been right away. The only step is to Restore the iPhone. Apple has nothing to do with it, only ATT.

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Answer 2

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Sep 4, 2012 9:55 PM in response to iSurf1234

iPhone: Troubleshooting authorised unlock issues

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

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Answer 3

dani4576

Level 2

396 points

Sep 4, 2012 10:05 PM in response to iSurf1234

I read somewhere that only unlocked iPhones purchased from Apple can roam on other US carriers while all others are for international use only.

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Answer 4

Sep 4, 2012 10:12 PM in response to iSurf1234

Did you restore as new or from a backup? Restore as new.

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Answer 5

dani4576

Level 2

396 points

Sep 4, 2012 10:19 PM in response to stevejobsfan0123

How are you every where?! Why are you always online!? It's like 1:18 AM where I am. You are truly dedicated.

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Answer 6

Sep 4, 2012 10:22 PM in response to dani4576

Thanks, actually only 10:20 here.

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Answer 7

wegras

Level 6

15,305 points

Sep 4, 2012 11:54 PM in response to dani4576

an iPhone is either locked to a carrier or unlocked ie useable with any suitable carrier anywhere

No halfway status

An iPhone is only locked where the carrier has subsidised the purchase price at new or that

was the the criteria required by the carrier when the they took on the iPhone as a product

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Answer 8

wegras

Level 6

15,305 points

Sep 4, 2012 11:59 PM in response to wegras

Above only applies to GSM iPhones CDMA carriers have their own rules

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Answer 9

MAE0125

Level 1

115 points

Sep 5, 2012 12:01 AM in response to iSurf1234

CONFIRM to AT&T if they have it unlocked on their system. Restoring as new or from backup doesn't matter really. This should work if AT&T really had it unlocked.

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Answer 10

iSurf1234 Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 5, 2012 3:30 AM in response to brad805

Hey Brad thanks for replying. Do you have an AT&T sim card? When you say the phone was immediately unlocked, does that mean you were able to access the APN (Access Point Name)?

Thanks

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Answer 11

iSurf1234 Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 5, 2012 3:35 AM in response to MAE0125

Hey

I called AT&T and they confirmed it was unlocked. However, I am unable to access the APN (Access Point Name) settining under network. Do you or anybody else know if you have to have an AT&T sim card?

I currently have a straight talk sim, but I use to be a AT&T customer therefore they granted me approval to unlock my phone. Does anyone know if this is a problem?

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Answer 12

Nathan-D

Level 3

979 points

Sep 5, 2012 3:41 AM in response to iSurf1234

I have read that if the iPhone in question has ever been jailbroken, it will never be able to succeed with the AT&T unlock.

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Answer 13

Sep 5, 2012 8:49 AM in response to iSurf1234

I think you need an AT&T SIM until the unlock is complete.

You might also want to note that StraightTalk is not a supported carrier. Not all features will work.

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Answer 14

Sep 10, 2012 6:14 AM in response to iSurf1234

You will need to put non-AT&T SIM Card inside the iPhone before performing restore.

So when iTunes doing activation for the first time, it will see other SIM card then returned an 'unlocked' status for your iPhone.

Non-AT&T customers can't get unlock from at&t easily, even an exisiting customers couldn't either, so a simple search on google "unlock at&t imei senseiphone" will help those who cannot unlock AT&T iPhones normally.

For APN settings, open up unlockit.co.nz from the iPhone => Continue => Custom APN =>
Country "United States" and Carrier "Straight Talk" =>
create profile, then install the profile.

Hope it helps!

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Answer 15

iSurf1234 Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 10, 2012 10:01 PM in response to SenseiPhone

Thanks for the advice. I've read there hasn't been any software that resolves this issue for modem firmware 4.12.01 which is what I have. Will this still work?

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