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"Congratulations your iPhone has been unlocked"

There are iPhones with unique product numbers that don't come with a SIM card and come with the SIM ejector tool.

However, back when Apple started selling the unlocked iPhone 4, this website revealed a note from an Apple Retail Project Manager:

http://9to5mac.com/2011/06/26/apple-stores-now-capable-of-unlocking-full-price-att-iphones-at-checkout/

"Running low on any of the Unlocked iPhone 4 SKUs? You've got a solution. Sell any of the AT&T iPhone 4 SKUs as Device Only, and they'll get unlocked too."

Apparently, this carried over to the 4S, which is why many people who posted in this thread were able to get one already. The only difference is that there's an AT&T SIM card inside, and you don't get the SIM ejector tool aka expensive paper clip.
 
SGMD1 said:
Not true.

The official factory unlocked 16GB White model # is MD237LL/A while the AT&T Device Only unlocked 16GB White model # is MC920LL/A.
Click to expand...

This is not sure!

I have a AT&T contract one (locked) and off contract Device only one (unlocked, still unlocked after upgrade to 5.01, and i think it will be always unlcoked for sure), both are MC918LL/a.

The office unlocked one I just ordered online is MD234LL/a.

So I think the model # really does NOT matter!!! As soon as it is not locked in apple system.
 
Last edited:
you have two att models, one locked, one unlocked.
the official unlocked one you ordered uses a separate model number that can never be confused with a locked att model.

i'm not saying apple will lock your unlocked att phone - most likely nothing like that will ever happen, on purpose or not. but the official unlocked model number will never introduce confusion when you bring it in for service.
 
I'm a little confused with all this.

I have a Verizon iPhone 4S... I will be going to Israel in January for 10 days. It'd be nice to buy a prepaid microSIM card over there and pop it in the phone.

If I call Verizon and ask for an 'International Unlock' will this work?

Thanks for the input guys.
 
fizzwinkus said:
you have two att models, one locked, one unlocked.
the official unlocked one you ordered uses a separate model number that can never be confused with a locked att model.

i'm not saying apple will lock your unlocked att phone - most likely nothing like that will ever happen, on purpose or not. but the official unlocked model number will never introduce confusion when you bring it in for service.
Click to expand...

When I had my Canadian unlocked iPhone 4 replaced last year at a Genius Bar in the US, they gave me the same model iPhone that they give anyone who needs a replacement, but the process of transferring the warranty to the new serial number also transfers the lock/unlock status. So, I essentially ended up with a permanently unlocked AT&T iPhone 4, which didn't even exist back then.

If you ever end up doing a warranty replacement of your unlocked iPhone 4S with the special factory unlocked SKU, after your first replacement, your iPhone will be indistinguishable from someone who received a replacement for an unlocked AT&T iPhone that was purchased as device only.
 
aziatiklover said:
reading> once unlocked it stays unlocked forever! Re read about third party unlocking att iphone 4 fact! It will make more sense if you were or know how to read. I'm sure you can do it since you can reply amirite brah?
Click to expand...

Rude much? Ps: I'm not your brah. cheers.

----------
lifetree said:
This is not sure!

I have a AT&T contract one and off contract Device only one, both are MC918ll/a.

The office unlocked one I just ordered online is MD234ll/a.

So the model # does not matter!!! As soon as it is not locked in apple system.
Click to expand...

Right. my device only one is an MD269LL. I don't think the numbering really matters.
 
Good points and thanks for responses. And yea, I just called two local stores and neither had them either. One said who knows but suggested they would be in sooner or later, and the other said I have to order online and then hung up. fwiw
 
I went to local store today and they said they do not know when Apple will sell unlocked. :confused:

Bought AT&T device only instead. What is the best way to activate it? I've AT&T iPhone 4S which I want to return to AT&T. Can I just use the SIM from that phone put it in device only and then activate?
 
JoganJani said:
I went to local store today and they said they do not know when Apple will sell unlocked. :confused:

Bought AT&T device only instead. What is the best way to activate it? I've AT&T iPhone 4S which I want to return to AT&T. Can I just use the SIM from that phone put it in device only and then activate?
Click to expand...

That would work. Just put the SIM from the new phone into the one you are returning. You can also call AT&T and transfer your account to the other SIM.
 
davidnyjets said:
Thanks. Right after I posted that I realized their was a Verizon thread. My bad.

On another note, anyone have experience using a prepaid SIM in Israel?
Click to expand...

i have orange big talk sim card, i used the tool to cut it to microsim
in the usa its log to T mobil and in Israel its work with orange,useing factory unlocked iphone 4.
 
LapsangSouchong said:
ZOMG dude, nothing in the "whole thread" indicates what Apple will do.
Click to expand...

Ok, here is what happened today. After i heard of the anouncement of the official unlocked, i called up my apple store and here is what the Manager told me in answer to my question "do u guys have the unlocked phone in stock? Answer- yes we do, we have the AT&T unlocked phones off contract but if you want you can wait for the officially unlocked for 2 weeks...." Then i asked, are you saying that the unlocked AT&T will remain unlocked? Answer- Yes once you buy full price device only its the same as the officially unlocked.
So there you go, Thomases, stop doubting. Apple is selling the phone as the unlocked or you could wait the 2 weeks, the only difference is there will be no AT&T SIM in it and it would have the eject pin.
 
Isn't it better for those who want peace of mind, just get the official unlocked one.

Here's another issue, lets say you wanna upgrade in the future, and you want to sell this, wouldn't it fetch less$$$ since the model # on the att off contract/device only is not the "official" unlocked one. So people verifying model # to buy would be turned off?

Just my $.02
 
shanmugam said:
who is going to return the Device only iPhone to get the official official unlocked iPhone 4S? :D

i just got two days before, return or not? :eek:
Click to expand...

I won't because I already had a warranty replacement and my replacement is unlocked, so I don't see a need to go jumping hoops.

albert1028 said:
Isn't it better for those who want peace of mind, just get the official unlocked one.

Here's another issue, lets say you wanna upgrade in the future, and you want to sell this, wouldn't it fetch less$$$ since the model # on the att off contract/device only is not the "official" unlocked one. So people verifying model # to buy would be turned off?

Just my $.02
Click to expand...

In case you didn't notice, the thread was started before Apple started to sell the "officially" unlocked iPhone 4S. ;)

As with selling, sell it by listing it as a factory unlocked iPhone 4S. Don't go around listing model numbers because that just confuses people.
 
albert1028 said:
Isn't it better for those who want peace of mind, just get the official unlocked one.

Here's another issue, lets say you wanna upgrade in the future, and you want to sell this, wouldn't it fetch less$$$ since the model # on the att off contract/device only is not the "official" unlocked one. So people verifying model # to buy would be turned off?

Just my $.02
Click to expand...

No, it's the same thing.
Different model number same exact officially unlocked iPhone.
Same resell value.
 
Akinzo said:
Ok, here is what happened today. After i heard of the anouncement of the official unlocked, i called up my apple store and here is what the Manager told me in answer to my question "do u guys have the unlocked phone in stock? Answer- yes we do, we have the AT&T unlocked phones off contract but if you want you can wait for the officially unlocked for 2 weeks...." Then i asked, are you saying that the unlocked AT&T will remain unlocked? Answer- Yes once you buy full price device only its the same as the officially unlocked.
So there you go, Thomases, stop doubting. Apple is selling the phone as the unlocked or you could wait the 2 weeks, the only difference is there will be no AT&T SIM in it and it would have the eject pin.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing that. THAT is useful.
 
LapsangSouchong said:
Thanks for sharing that. THAT is useful.
Click to expand...

I just had a chat with an Apple rep on the apple store help chat, i still have the screen and would love to share it but dont know how to take screen shots of the chat or copy and paste on my ipad. can someone tell me how to, so i can share this
 
Akinzo said:
I just had a chat with an Apple rep on the apple store help chat, i still have the screen and would love to share it but dont know how to take screen shots of the chat or copy and paste on my ipad. can someone tell me how to, so i can share this
Click to expand...

Hit the power button and the home button at the same time.
 
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