Moving from US to UK with 3GS

[britboyj]

So, due to a family issue, there's the distinct possibility of me moving from the US to the UK for an extended period of time.

I have a 3GS already, locked to AT&T (though Jailbroken, I have no need to unlock, I have a nice discount on my plan through work) but if came to the UK, would O2 unlock it?

The process, from what I gather, is to insert your SIM from your new carrier into your O2 phone, plug it in to iTunes and it does the rest.

Would this work for a US phone? Pop Vodaphone SIM in, change iTunes store to the UK store and bob's your uncle?

 

[ukcolinr]

AT&T would need to unlock your iPhone not O2. The network that sold you your iPhone is the one that would unlock it and my understanding is AT&T do not currently unlock. Only once your network has told Apple to unlock your iPhone will connecting to iTunes it with an Alternative SIM installed unlock your handset. Changing the country in iTunes will make no difference.

Unless anyone else can advise you otherwise, Jailbreaking or buying an iPhone on your network of choice in the UK would be your only option.

Good luck Hope you can sort something out!

Colin

 

[britboyj]

It would make sense that's it's IMEI or Serial number based.

Isn't there a law in the US that if you're out of contract the carrier must unlock the phone? If not, there should be.

 

[ukcolinr]

For O2 to unlock an iPhone they need the IMEI so it would seem it is IMEI based, but if it's locked to a network even with the IMEI it'd need to be unlocked by the network that locked it. I dont think anyone has tested that theory on here, as I seem to remember it coming up before, but I think it's a fair assumption.

As for the law, I don't have any claim know about US law, I guess not though as from what I understand the iPhone 1G you were never tied in a contract with AT&T and you still couldn't unlock it (1 month rolling contract I believe it was).

 

[nalk7]

just use black rain, your phone will be unlocked in seconds. Im Spanish and studying in the US, so whenever I come back to Spain I have to unlock my phone. Now Im just using my old original iphone for Spain and use the 3gs for the states.

 

[Applejuiced]

It would make sense that's it's IMEI or Serial number based.

Isn't there a law in the US that if you're out of contract the carrier must unlock the phone? If not, there should be.

There isnt but I agree there should be one.

 

[Applejuiced]

I dont think 02 or anyone would be able to unlock your AT&T iphone.
You're best bet would be to jailbreak and unlock it yourself.