HT201328: How to unlock your iPhone

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saumyo

Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Do we really have to "erase the contents of iphone" (step 3) in order to unlock it?

Do we really have to "erase the contents of iphone" (step 3) in order to unlock it?

iPhone 3GS, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Sep 14, 2012 3:42 PM

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Q: Do we really have to "erase the contents of iphone" (step 3) in order to unlock it?

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by IdrisSeabright,

IdrisSeabright Sep 14, 2012 3:43 PM in response to saumyo
Level 9 (59,729 points)

iPhone

Sep 14, 2012 3:43 PM in response to saumyo

Do you mean you forgot your lock code and you're restoring your phone? If so, yes, everything on the phone will be deleted.
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by Trumania,Helpful

Trumania Sep 14, 2012 3:45 PM in response to saumyo
Level 4 (1,165 points)

Sep 14, 2012 3:45 PM in response to saumyo

If your following the unlock carrier process, yes. You must complete all the steps. Step 5 instructs you to restore from a backup so you'll get your stuff back.
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by saumyo,

saumyo Sep 14, 2012 3:48 PM in response to IdrisSeabright
Level 1 (0 points)

Sep 14, 2012 3:48 PM in response to IdrisSeabright
No, I am trying to "unlock" my iphone (currently locked with AT&T carrier), so i can use it with other carriers. I am out of AT&T contract already, and they have sent me the unlocking instructions. The steps in the instruction are:
Ensure that you've waited the recommended wait period provided by your carrier.
Back up your iPhone.
Erase the contents of your iPhone.
Swap the old SIM card with the one for the new carrier.
Complete the setup assistant and restore your backup.
My question is, is it NECESSARY to "erase the contents" (step 3), in order to unlock the iphone successfully?
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by IdrisSeabright,Helpful

IdrisSeabright Sep 14, 2012 3:51 PM in response to saumyo
Level 9 (59,729 points)

iPhone

Sep 14, 2012 3:51 PM in response to saumyo

According to the instructions, yes. However, step 2 is "Back up your Phone". And step 5 involves restoring from the back up so you should have everything back when you're done.
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by saumyo,

saumyo Sep 14, 2012 3:55 PM in response to saumyo
Level 1 (0 points)

Sep 14, 2012 3:55 PM in response to saumyo

Thanx... Trumania and Meg St._Clair!
But, I am confused about step 4. It says "Swap the old SIM card with the one for the new carrier".
Does it mean if I do a "restore from backup" with my existing AT&T sim (not with a new carrier sim, as I dont have it yet), the unlock wont be successful?
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by IdrisSeabright,

IdrisSeabright Sep 14, 2012 3:56 PM in response to saumyo
Level 9 (59,729 points)

iPhone

Sep 14, 2012 3:56 PM in response to saumyo

The back up has nothing to do with the SIM. The iPhone stores no data (other than the carrier stuff) on the SIM. The back up is on your computer. However, in order to complete the process, you need the new carrier SIM.
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by saumyo,

saumyo Sep 14, 2012 4:01 PM in response to IdrisSeabright
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Sep 14, 2012 4:01 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

So, if I borrow a T-Mobile sim from a friend, and perform the process, will I be able to verify the unlock process is successful? OR do i need a NEW sim?
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by Trumania,

Trumania Sep 14, 2012 4:06 PM in response to saumyo
Level 4 (1,165 points)

Sep 14, 2012 4:06 PM in response to saumyo

If the phone picks up a TMobile cell signal, then the process worked.
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by Rakkety Tam,

Rakkety Tam Sep 23, 2012 12:08 PM in response to saumyo
Level 1 (0 points)

Sep 23, 2012 12:08 PM in response to saumyo

I still don't exactly understand what you guys are saying. What would happen if I didn't erase everything and didn't back my phone up but still unlocked it? Would I lose everything? Thanks for any help
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