Desperately need to unlock my t-mobile iphone4

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Desperately need to unlock my t-mobile iphone4

Hi - looking for some help please....

I've got a t-mobile locked iphone4 and would like to unlock it.

I have spoken to t-mobile who have advised that they cannot actually unlock my phone.

In fact, they gave several reasons, but the final one they are sticking to is that because the phone was issued by apple (it broke and the folks at the apple store kindly replaced it) and not provided by them, they are unable to unlock the phone, even though it is on their network.

I wanted to know if:

a) anyone has had similiar experiences with t mobile;

b) whether what they say (i.e. that they can't do the unlock) is true;

c) are apple able to unlock a t mobile iphone, and if not;

d) who can and where can i get more information on doing this?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance guys and gals

Rich

🙂

iPhone 4

Posted on Mar 19, 2013 6:57 PM

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Answer 1

diesel vdub

Level 7

22,184 points

Mar 19, 2013 8:00 PM in response to Richard_HK

Only the carrier to whom the device is locked can unlock it.

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Answer 2

SIVIOKY

Level 1

0 points

Mar 19, 2013 9:25 PM in response to Richard_HK

Hey,

T-mobile does not currently sell the Iphone (any model). Therefore no store or customer care from them would be able to unlock it for you. Currently your best course of action would be to check Ebay. I've heard that some people there are offering factory unlock depending on carrier, as well as wether the phone is blacklisted or not. Do so at your own risk. Hope this helped.

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Answer 3

MlchaelLAX

Level 4

2,293 points

Mar 19, 2013 9:47 PM in response to Richard_HK

Are you in the USA or Europe?

There is currently no such thing as a T-Mobile iPhone in the USA.

To answer your questions in the USA:

a) Yes, I have

b) Yes, they cannot unlock a GSM iPhone issued by AT&T

c) I do not know if Apple will do it, but I suspect they can

d) And now my story:

My ex-wife gave me her AT&T iPhone 3G when she purchased an iPhone 4. I took it to the chain ubreakifixin Los Angeles and they unlocked and JB'd it for me and programmed it for T-Mobile for $25. Now I move my T-Mobile SIMM between my Blackberry and this iPhone 3G as needed.

For example, I continue to use my Blackberry in areas where a T-Mobile signal is not readily available but WiFi is. T-Mobile has a poorly marketed technology in the USA known as WiFi Calling or UMA (Orange has this technology in the UK). So anytime I have WiFi, I have T-Mobile.

This was especially helpful in London, as when WiFi was present, all my calls/texts back to the USA were just a part of my unlimited calling plan back home and no roaming charges.

However otherwise, the iPhone 3G only has access to T-Mobile's EDGE data band and not to 3G or 4G, so I use my Blackberry when 3G is needed. This will change soon for 3G/4G on the iPhone 5 and beyond, as T-Mobile uses the $4 billion it received as a bonus from AT&T to expand its 4G system on the correct frequency band for the iPhone 5.

Lastly, T-Mobile actively seeks iPhone users to migrate over to their system and they actively support them. But you have to bring them an unlocked iPhone for their service.

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Answer 4

Richard_HK Author

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Mar 19, 2013 9:49 PM in response to MlchaelLAX

Hi, thanks - I forgot to mention that I have a UK T-mobile phone.

T-mobile had said they'd unlock for £20.42, but then they checked their records and said that as the phone wasn't issued by them, then they could not unlock.

What I'm not sure of, is whether they can't or won't unlock. It seems silly that they are unable to unlock phones that are locked to their own network. Similarly, it would seem strange that appl have provided software which they cannot change....

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Answer 5

MlchaelLAX

Level 4

2,293 points

Mar 19, 2013 9:52 PM in response to Richard_HK

So T-Mobile UK is an official seller of iPhones?

Where did you purchase the iPhone; take it back to them...

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Answer 6

Richard_HK Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 19, 2013 9:56 PM in response to MlchaelLAX

Yes, in the UK T-Mobile are an official carrier for iphones.

However, I bought the iphone over the phone. This phone subsequently broke and I used the apple warranty to get it replaced at the genius bar in the apple store in central london.

T-mobile tell me that as they didn't issue the phone, then they cannot unlock it.

Apple say that I must go back to my mobile operator (T-mobile).

I suspect neither want to do it for me and are just passing the buck, but wanted to be sure before I kick up a fuss....

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Answer 7

MlchaelLAX

Level 4

2,293 points

Mar 19, 2013 10:06 PM in response to Richard_HK

WOW: Good luck!

So far no one has made a WiFi Calling/UMA app for the iPhone, strangely enough...

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Answer 8

Richard_HK Author

Level 1

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Mar 19, 2013 11:23 PM in response to MlchaelLAX

Thanks - but unfortunately, I don't expect I'll get very far...

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Answer 9

RajaRani

Level 4

1,473 points

Mar 20, 2013 1:13 AM in response to Richard_HK

None other than the carrier who sold the iPhone can unlock. Decision of the Carrier is final.

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Answer 10

Richard_HK Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 20, 2013 7:30 PM in response to RajaRani

but if the person selling the phone, isn't the carrier, then what happens?

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Answer 11

diesel vdub

Level 7

22,184 points

Mar 20, 2013 7:34 PM in response to Richard_HK

Does not change the fact that only the carrier to whom the device is locked can unlock it.

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Answer 12

Richard_HK Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 20, 2013 7:38 PM in response to diesel vdub

the carrier (t-mobile) say they can't unlock it and i have to speak to the people who provided the phone (apple).

what i wanted to know is whether t-mobile are just being difficult as they didn't provide this handset (incidently, i would still have the handset if they didn't give me a faulty one) or whether that it's technically impossible (which i would find unbeleivable as it's locked to their network!)

:/

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Answer 13

RajaRani

Level 4

1,473 points

Mar 20, 2013 8:46 PM in response to Richard_HK

From t-mo point of view they are correct, as they did not give you the replacement. It is a matter of tying up loose ends.

If the handset is sim locled to t-mo, it would certainly be in their data-base.

I would approach t-mo with a proof; from Authorized entity, who replaced the original handset and submit case for reconsideration.

Good Luck

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Answer 14

Richard_HK Author

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Mar 20, 2013 9:01 PM in response to RajaRani

thanks 🙂

however, i have been given the run around....

this is actually the 4th time they have taken the unlock fee (after a cust services manager has agreed to make the unlock) before the technical team come back with a 'no'.

I am minded to take the advice of the technical team (as they're the ones actually doing the work and are not just passifying an unhappy customer). However, i just don't believe that it's impossible for them to do this...

I may have to give this up and get a new phone....

anyone want to buy a t-mobile sim locked iphone4 😉

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Answer 15

Jan 6, 2014 10:52 AM in response to Richard_HK

I have exactly the same issue with tmobile and an iPhone 4S. I have emailed them 6 times called them 7 times submitted 2 forms and have been trying for over 3 months now! They keep saying that my imei number cannot be found but assuming this is because it was issued by apple as a warranty exchange the same as you. I will keep you informed if I get anywhere

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