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iPhone Q: Consequences of unlocking an in-contract iPhone 5

Y

yc92

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 26, 2013
2
0
Hello everyone.

I'm overseas (not in the US) for a few months and I'd really like to unlock my iPhone to use the local phone carriers. I'm currently still in contract with ATT. I contacted them to request for an unlock but since my 2-year period is not up, they refused to do so. I know I could always use the other online services like unlock fusion on eBay or something. But, I'm wondering what are the consequences of doing so?

For example,

1. Will my iPhone still work with ATT when I pop back the ATT sim card?

2. Is it illegal to unlock my phone without the consent of ATT? Can they take any action if I unlock my phone? and if so, is there anyway to reverse the unlock process so that they won't know?

3. Will unlocking my phone void any phone warranty? Or cause any issues with my contract with ATT?

4. Will it negatively affect the programming in my phone or something?

That's the few questions I have for now. Any comments will be much appreciated!
 
yc92 said:
Hello everyone.

I'm overseas (not in the US) for a few months and I'd really like to unlock my iPhone to use the local phone carriers. I'm currently still in contract with ATT. I contacted them to request for an unlock but since my 2-year period is not up, they refused to do so. I know I could always use the other online services like unlock fusion on eBay or something. But, I'm wondering what are the consequences of doing so?

For example,

1. Will my iPhone still work with ATT when I pop back the ATT sim card? Yes

2. Is it illegal to unlock my phone without the consent of ATT? Can they take any action if I unlock my phone? and if so, is there anyway to reverse the unlock process so that they won't know? Here is the official law - http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-26/html/2012-26308.htm
Once unlocked it is always unlocked and cannot be relocked

3. Will unlocking my phone void any phone warranty? Or cause any issues with my contract with ATT? No

4. Will it negatively affect the programming in my phone or something? No

That's the few questions I have for now. Any comments will be much appreciated!
Click to expand...

There are no downsides or consequences to have an AT&T iPhone 5 IMEI unlocked - the price is very reasonable ($5-$10)

Every iPhone I have has been IMEI unlocked, currently I am on AT&T with an iPhone 5 and a 4S
 
If you're out the country you can unlock it there. If you're HERE it's illegal.

Long as you're out the country you're good
 
That's good. So, is there anyway for them to find out? And does it matter even if they do? I read somewhere that they can blacklist my phone or something, what will that do to my phone essentially? Will that like void my warranty or something? I guess I'm being a little paranoid because of the different things I've read looking through forums and stuff.

Also, any recommendations for sites for ATT iPhone 5 IMEI unlock?
 
yc92 said:
That's good. So, is there anyway for them to find out? And does it matter even if they do? I read somewhere that they can blacklist my phone or something, what will that do to my phone essentially? Will that like void my warranty or something? I guess I'm being a little paranoid because of the different things I've read looking through forums and stuff.

Also, any recommendations for sites for ATT iPhone 5 IMEI unlock?
Click to expand...

AT&T finding out your iPhone is unlocked is very unlikely to happen.

www.swiftunlocks.com $2

Unlocking your iPhone does not void the warranty.
 
thehustleman said:
If you're out the country you can unlock it there. If you're HERE it's illegal.

Long as you're out the country you're good
Click to expand...


It's not "that" illegal, everyone does it. It's not like you're coming to me and being all like; "Hey, hey... you wanna eat a bald eagle brah?", and then I'd be all like; "Come on man, they're like, almost extinct"
 
dhlizard said:
There are no downsides or consequences to have an AT&T iPhone 5 IMEI unlocked - the price is very reasonable ($5-$10)

Every iPhone I have has been IMEI unlocked, currently I am on AT&T with an iPhone 5 and a 4S
Click to expand...

Dhlizard, will unlocking my ATT iphone 5 somehow affect my unlimited data plan?
thank you~
 
Nope, actually unlocking is now illegal for new phones in the USA.

This was extensively covered already.
 
TriJetHero said:
Nope, actually unlocking is now illegal for new phones in the USA.

This was extensively covered already.
Click to expand...

Out of curiosity, you can do it outside the USA correct? lets say during vacation?
If so... if you unlock it out of the States, but use your card made in the States, would it still be 'in the States transaction' and therefore illegal?
 
Norinion said:
Out of curiosity, you can do it outside the USA correct? lets say during vacation?
If so... if you unlock it out of the States, but use your card made in the States, would it still be 'in the States transaction' and therefore illegal?
Click to expand...

You can do it here and you can do it now. No one is going to come crashing your door down because you unlocked an iPhone.
 
Anyone actually used SwiftUnlocks recently? So far, their 1-12 hour timeframe is at almost 24 hours and counting on an AT&T iPhone 5 (manufactured in November, and supposedly legal to unlock, FWIW).

No, I'm not concerned about being out $2, more wondering if something went sideways and I need to resend. I did get Paypal confirmation. No sign of the email, and it's not in my spam folder with all the Viagra & Nigerian scams. ;) Website just says "processing".
 
IrishVixen said:
Anyone actually used SwiftUnlocks recently? So far, their 1-12 hour timeframe is at almost 24 hours and counting on an AT&T iPhone 5 (manufactured in November, and supposedly legal to unlock, FWIW).

No, I'm not concerned about being out $2, more wondering if something went sideways and I need to resend. I did get Paypal confirmation. No sign of the email, and it's not in my spam folder with all the Viagra & Nigerian scams. ;) Website just says "processing".
Click to expand...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1608198/
 
It's technically illegal to unlock a cell phone without the carriers consent if you purchased that phone on or after January 26, 2013.

It's also technically illegal to drive over the speed limit.
 
[iPhone] Q: Consequences of unlocking an in-contract iPhone 5

Until you are in contract period, you couldn’t unlock your handset. I have to continue till the contract is expire; once your contract period is expire you can unlock your iphone from any 3rd party unlocking professional.
 
alastairhall said:
Until you are in contract period, you couldn’t unlock your handset. I have to continue till the contract is expire; once your contract period is expire you can unlock your iphone from any 3rd party unlocking professional.
Click to expand...

Ofcourse you can unlock!
 
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