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Do I need to plug into iTunes for an unlock?

R

Retired Cat

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 12, 2013
1,210
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I received an email from my carrier that my iPhone 5 is unlocked. I confirmed via a free IMEI checker on the web.

Do I need to plug the phone into iTunes to complete the unlock? Or will a SIM card from any compatible GSM carrier work now?

support.apple.com/kb/HT5014 suggests that all one needs to do is put in a SIM from the new carrier and complete setup process, no need for iTunes. Anyone done this?
 
Last edited:
My education on the matter shows that an iTunes restore is the only thing that completes a software unlock. It has to go through the iTunes server.
 
My test says no. ... And once I was using the sim iTunes or even after a restore itunes would not give me the message (windows iTunes). The sim just worked.

Just try it there is nothing to lose and if it works you save lots of time not having to do a restore.
 
Retired Cat said:
I received an email from my carrier that my iPhone 5 is unlocked. I confirmed via a free IMEI checker on the web.

Do I need to plug the phone into iTunes to complete the unlock? Or will a SIM card from any compatible GSM carrier work now?

support.apple.com/kb/HT5014 suggests that all one needs to do is put in a SIM from the new carrier and complete setup process, no need for iTunes. Anyone done this?
Click to expand...

As per att I had to plug into iTunes. The restore took about 20 min.
 
Retired Cat said:
I received an email from my carrier that my iPhone 5 is unlocked. I confirmed via a free IMEI checker on the web.

Do I need to plug the phone into iTunes to complete the unlock? Or will a SIM card from any compatible GSM carrier work now?

support.apple.com/kb/HT5014 suggests that all one needs to do is put in a SIM from the new carrier and complete setup process, no need for iTunes. Anyone done this?
Click to expand...

What website did you use to check the unlock ?
 
Is the "lock" actually on the iPhone's iOS, or is it a server-side lock on Apple's activation system?

From what I understand, Apple has a database of all iPhones that contains info on whether each IMEI is locked to a specific carrier. Does the iPhone check w' the Apple server when a new SIM is inserted and activated?

I am curious about this from a technical perspective.
 
PNutts said:
According to SwiftUnlocks website you plug into iTunes and a restore isn't necessary. But that doesn't answer your question.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking that iTunes pushes a message to confirm the unlock, but doesn't actually change anything on the phone.

Just my theory. Was hoping that someone with insider knowledge of Apple and iOS could tell us for sure.
 
Retired Cat said:
I'm thinking that iTunes pushes a message to confirm the unlock, but doesn't actually change anything on the phone.

Just my theory. Was hoping that someone with insider knowledge of Apple and iOS could tell us for sure.
Click to expand...

I think this is the case. My old 3GS and 4S were unlocked (3GS through AT&T, 4S through SwiftUnlocks) and I don't even remember plugging them into iTunes after that.

Took them both to India and they worked fine on the local GSM carriers.

In fact, I only just got the "Congratulations, your iPhone has been unlocked" message a week ago on both phones when I had to restore the 3GS to give to my younger brother and when I had to restore the 4S to sell.

You should be good to go.
 
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