Unlocking is an extremely easy concept to explain, sort of Unless stated otherwise, cell phones purchased from carrier retail stores are locked” to that specific carrier. Only the Simple Choice plan sets you free. This is what prevents subsequent activation on another carrier and happens no matter where you buy your phone. It hasn’t seemed to work that way with the unlocked (Canadian) iPhone I bought on eBay. Actually, every technician, supervisor, and store manager has indicated that the unlocked version can be reset, even if initiated on a specific carrier. Paste the IMSI number you copied in step 6 now.
It seems strange to pay the same as a locked in customer (essentially leasing the phone) on AT&T when I own my phone! What Apple has always had going for it was great design that was easy to use. After more than 20 years with Verizon I am getting close to making my final decision to break away from Verizon. I have a Verizon iPhone 4S that was unlocked” by Verizon. You should now have a fully unlocked iPhone 4 !
I have often wondered why anyone would buy an iPhone from ATT or VZ store, or even Radio Shack, Best Buy etc… Bet you a dollar that those last two resellers lock the device for the contract they are selling you as well. Or they think it would be easier since they are going to have to deal with the carrier anyway. But it really pays to go to the Apple store (or online Apple store) and see for yourself.
If the serial number is not in their database, their activation system will decline to provide service to that phone. I fully agree, although in repeated conversations with senior Apple technicians and managers, they unlock iphone for free stated that their fully unlocked phone would work on all U.S. carriers. Please note that my iPhone 4S was bought in France on contract with a French carrier. I got tired on worrying about my over 100$ phone bill.
It would work on any GSM carrier, but Verizon and Sprint refused to register the unit but refused to provide a reason, other than it cannot be done.” I would imagine that if enough consumers raised the issue legally with the carriers, this might change. I had to pay a €76 fee to my carrier to have it officially unlocked. Inside the phone there was AT&T” in built sim card and we can’t use any other than this.