How do I know if I have successfully unlocked my iphone and how long until I can use another SIM?

Only the carrier to which it is locked can unlock it.

They will send you instructions once the unlock is complete on their end.

Did you get your phone unlocked by Vodofone? They are the only one that can unlock it. You need to ask them to unlock your phone.

Yes.

If the iphone is carrier locked, then ONLY the carrier to which it is locked can unlock it..

What do you mean "do it online"?

Please explain.

If Vodaphone has unlocked your iphone, then they would give you instructions on how to complete the unlock, once they have unloced the iphone from their end. Generally, this includes restoring the iphone.

What instructions did Vodaphone give you?

How much credit was on the UK SIM? Sounds as if the iPhone had data turned on and the iPhone quickly used up all of the credit. You will need to configure your PAYG account with an iPhone option as the iPhone is a data "hog". If not you will quickly run out of credit. I suggest you turn off data in Settings, topup and then configure the account settings from the phone itself with a data option. After you have a data "plan" you can turn on data.

Depending on the carrier, this could be anywheres from a couple of UKP a week, to a freebie depending on how much you topup. I would also suggest you stop by the carrier store where they can clarify the often confusing PAYG data options.

If you did this and the Phone recognizes your UK SIM, then it looks like the phone is unlocked. If so, read my previous answer.

You cannot receive or make calls because your credit is zero. Or have you topped up after that? In any case if you can confirm that the phone is unlocked, making or receiving calls is a carrier issue.

The standard IMEI number unlocking and code method does NOT work with an iPhone as the “lock‘ is within the firmware and iTunes servers.

The process to unlock requires the iPhone to be on the home network

i.e. In your case needs to be on Vodafone Australia - this is confirmed by the network towers and the phone identifiers.

The process for unlocking is as follows:

Call the network support line from the phone.

Ask IF they offer unlocking.

IF yes request the unlock and pay any fees requested.

The network will ask for the IMEI number and check this via the mobile towers

Your network supplier then contacts Apple to request the White listing (Unlocking) of your phone on the iTunes servers.

Apple do this -It takes anything from 3 days to several weeks to complete.

On completion Apple confirms this back to your Network supplier (NOT YOU)

Your network supplier contacts you via email or SMS inviting you to connect your iPhone with your computer via the supplied USB cable and launch iTunes and follow on screen prompts through to the "Congratulations your iPhone is now unlocked" screen.

All these steps need to be carried out with the ORIGINAL SIM and by REGISTERED account holder used when setting up the phone.

Once the Congats...... screen has been reached you can swap out the REGISTERED SIM and replace with a compatable SIM on another network.

Only the original SIM and Account holder can initiate an unlock- If you bought the phone used/second hand you CAN NOT UNLOCK through official routes.

Unlocking can only take place in country and whilst on registered network.

Once unlocked use of a Mobile Virtual Network SIM may result in difficulties sending SMS messages.

Sorry for the lecture.

PRESEE -

ONLY REGISTERED ACCOUNT HOLDER AND SIM CARD CAN BE USED TO UNLOCK THROUGH OFFICAL ROUTES

Then contact the carrier whose SIM you are using. I just checked the link you posted and it seems that this unlock is for Phones other that the iphone. So make sure the phone is unlocked; I'm not clear now whether iti is or not.

Keith is correct in stating the correct procedure of unlocking an iphone which is diffrent from a "standard" phone. Herer is the iPhone unlocking "primer" from Voda AU

http://support.vodafone.com.au/articles/FAQ/Unlocking-your-Apple-iPhone

Whom ever told you that are quite wrong - The process is exactly as I said .

You are unable to un-lock an iPhone through legitimate routes when off of the registered network.

What I would do is put the phone on eBay Australia and sell it back to someone so they can use it on Vodafone AU -They won't be able to unlock it either.

Another Vodafone AU Sim would work through.

These issues constantly turn up here and I believe the iPhone manuals should be modified somewhere to reflect this or a sticky should be placed at the top of these forums to the point :-

Specifically unlocking can only be take place when on home network and by registered user.

When selling an iPhone on - the registered user should carry out the unlock BEFORE SALE !