Carrier Will Not Unlock iPhone, Please Help

By techluver, 22 June, 2017

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

Hello,
Does someone know how to unlock an iPhone? We urgently need to unlock an iPhone SE and the carier refuses to do it. Is there a reputable company or something someone can recommend?

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Comments

By Dave Matters on Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 23:06

Wasn't it the FBI that had that terrorist's phone and needed it unlocked? Apple refused to help them stating privacy concerns (which I agree with). They ended up having some company come forward saying they could do it. It cost like a million dollars or something.
Apple basically says (I think) if they create a way to do it, it puts everyone at risk, so they won't do it.

Sorry, but I don't you have any options. Is the phone set to reset after 10 failed attempts? If not, you can always take the time (try every combination), otherwise you are stuck.

Sorry.

By Fatima.Hamoud10 on Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 23:06

Try restoring your iPhone using iTunes:
1. Connect your iPhone to a computer.
2. iTunes should open automatically.
3. Press and hold the home and power buttons until a dialogue box appears on the computer screen. You should hear JAWS ask if you want to restore or update your iPhone.
4. Press enter on restore.
If that doesn't work, try erasing your iPhone using find my iPhone:
1. On the computer, sign in to http://www.iCloud.com.
2. Look for the find my iPhone app.
3. Press enter and you might be asked to enter your Apple Id password.
4. Press enter on show devices using find my iPhone.
5. Press enter on the name of your iPhone, then press down arrow until you hear erase iPhone.
6. Press enter.
7. When setting up your iPhone again, you can set it up as new or restore from an iCloud or iTunes backup.
Hope this helps and good luck!

By techluver on Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 23:06

I'm not talking about iCloud lock here. I'm talking about carier lock. iCloud we have everything for since it's her password. Problem is ATNT won't let it on other networks

By Fatima.Hamoud10 on Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 23:06

In reply to by techluver

You should try contacting your carrier again. Did you accidentally set up a sim pin? If you did, you might be able to ask your carrier for a PUK code. That would be your personal unlocking key. Or just go to your carrier and get a new sim card with the same phone number.

By AnonyMouse on Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 23:06

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Hello teshuva,

Well, I'm not an expert by any means but I thought that some carriers like mine. Will not unlock your device if you still owe on that phone. Once you have paid off that device or fully fulfilled your contract then you by law can have them unlock the device. It is a simple process of calling your carrier to have them unlock it for you. Now it also vary from country to country as some by law to allow for you to unlock your device from Day One regardless if you own on it or not. So this really depends of your country and of your carrier. I have seen services that you can pay to unlock your device. I don't know how that works and I don't have any to suggest. There are exceptions as one will be leaving for another country for a visit and want the phone to be unlock so that they can utilize on cheaper plans overseas of purchasing those discard of your visit. However, once you return and what you have agreed upon of when you return. The phone will be locked again until that phone is fully paid off. Again, I am not 100% certain about the actual law but only from what I have heard and dealt with on my phone.

Hopefully, someone may know of a legal way or a legal service to unlock your phone for you.

By Dave Matters on Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 23:06

Sorry, I totally misinterpreted unlock. If the carrier will not help, I know there are 3rd parties that will do it. Do you own the phone outright? It is legal, right?

By techluver on Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 23:06

Can someone suggest one of those services that you have used in the past?

By Matt D on Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 23:06

Theunlocking company will unlock for $30 or so. Can usually remote unlock within 2 to 4 hours.
HTH

By Toonhead on Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 23:06

Thomas, AKA Anonymouse brings up a great point about making sure the phone is fully paid off. You have to make sure that your phone is fully paid off, or they probably aren't going to unlock it. I would not trust an unlocking company, that is just asking for more trouble than I am even willing to consider. If you choose to go that route, you do so at your own risk.