Is an unlocked iPhone purchased SIM free from an Apple Store permanently unlocked?

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Is an unlocked iPhone purchased SIM free from an Apple Store permanently unlocked?

When I bought my iPhone 4s from the Apple Store, it was SIM free, and I then went for a pay monthly SIM only deal with Vodafone. My clear understanding was that because the iPhone was bought from an Apple Store it was permanently unlocked. I am long since out of contract on the SIM only deal and I have been considering switching carriers. However 2 High Street shops (Three and Carphone Warehouse) have told me that my iPhone was only on locked until I inserted the Vodafone SIM, and it is now locked to Vodafone, meaning I will have to pay Vodafone to unlock it. I have phoned Apple, and although their answer was not completely clear, it seems that Three and Carphone Warehouse might be right.

Is this right? If so Apple sales advice needs to be much clearer on this point.

ghh61

iPhone 4S, iOS 7.1.2

Posted on Mar 25, 2015 6:25 AM

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Answer 1

dilbert41

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Mar 25, 2015 6:33 AM in response to ghh61

Sim free is not the same as unlocked. Have you tried a different sim in the phone to see if it objects with the "Invalid Sim" message ?

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Answer 2

ghh61 Author

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Mar 25, 2015 7:24 AM in response to dilbert41

In my original post I used the phrase SIM free meaning not with a pay as you go starter SIM or with a pay monthly contract arranged through the Apple Store. When I bought the iPhone from the Apple Store it was my clear understanding that the phone was fully unlocked. I have not yet tried another SIM because I was intending to wait until I had made up my mind whether to switch to a new SIM only contract with Vodafone or move to another carrier. Apologies if I am getting the terminology wrong, but does "unlocked" mean unlocked regardless of how many times a customer change carriers? Or is it only unlocked until the first SIM is activated and then has to be unlocked each time there is a change of SIM?

ghh61

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Answer 3

dilbert41

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Mar 25, 2015 7:35 AM in response to ghh61

Unlocked means unlocked for all sims. Sim free sometimes means it will lock to the first sim put into the phone. By your description you should be good to go with any sim.

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Answer 4

Mar 25, 2015 7:39 AM in response to ghh61

Carphone Warehouse sells only "SIM-Free" phones, which will lock to the first carrier they are used with. Apple sells "Unlocked" phones that will be unlocked forever, regardless of which SIM you use first. So if the receipt says "unlocked" then it is unlocked.

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Answer 5

ghh61 Author

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Mar 25, 2015 7:49 AM in response to dilbert41

To dilbert41 and to Lawrence Finch. Thanks, guys, this is helpful.

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