@Dunkgirl wrote:
@srlawren wrote:
@Dunkgirl are 3rd party unlock services viable for Apple? I thought only the carriers could unlock iPhones (permanently), as the unlock needs to be registered in Apple's database. I didn't think 3rd parties had access.
Yes the X is locked to the carrier at the factory and there is no "unlock code" per-se but apparently there are services that you can pay that know the right path to get it unlocked.
While carriers are supposed to unlock for free, some have been less cooperative if you didn't have an account with them (*cough* Bell *cough*)... to get around that, I found an unlock provider on eBay, paid $3, and provided them with iPhone model and IMEI, and it was unlocked within 24 hours.
I'm guessing these providers have access to various carriers, who can then update Apple's database. Not sure how it all works behind the scenes, but even for a tight-wad like me, paying $3 to have someone else jump through the hoops, and not having to wait on the phone, was a worthwhile price.
