iPhone 4 unlock time - iTunes necessary?

[Giuly]

Well, iOS 5 has been touted as being able to be used completely without a computer.

I've just sent the request to unlock my iPhone 4, and it says to connect it to iTunes and do a factory reset in order to unlock it.

Does this still hold true on iOS 6, or is there a method to do it computerless?

 

[Daveoc64]

Well, iOS 5 has been touted as being able to be used completely without a computer.

I've just sent the request to unlock my iPhone 4, and it says to connect it to iTunes and do a factory reset in order to unlock it.

Does this still hold true on iOS 6, or is there a method to do it computerless?

If the unlock has been processed by your carrier (and submitted to Apple), inserting a SIM from a different carrier should prompt the device to re-activate itself and the unlock should complete then.

If that doesn't work, the unlock might not have been processed yet.

 

[CBR900RR]

You can use the new redsn0w to de-activate your sim , plug in to computer itunes, and you will get the unlock message.

 

[wordoflife]

It's not necessary, it's just a way of verifying that it was done.
Inserting a SIM from another service will do the trick without the iTunes method.

 

[ZipZap]

Why can't you just use an imei lookup? There are a number of unlock sites with this free lookup.

 

[Giuly]

It is two years old and I unlocked it via the carrier.

However, popping in a SIM from another carrier while being connected to WiFi is not enough, and the only way to unlock it is actually doing the factory reset via iTunes.

 

[Daveoc64]

It is two years old and I unlocked it via the carrier.

However, popping in a SIM from another carrier while being connected to WiFi is not enough, and the only way to unlock it is actually doing the factory reset via iTunes.

This only seems to be the case with AT&T unlocks.

I haven't seen a reason for that.

 

[d123]

This only seems to be the case with AT&T unlocks.

I haven't seen a reason for that.

Pretty sure it's the case for all UK network unlocks as well, you do need to connect to iTunes to complete the unlock on Orange, T-Mobile and O2.

It doesn't need a factory restore though, just an iTunes sync.

 

[Giuly]

This only seems to be the case with AT&T unlocks.

I haven't seen a reason for that.

It's probably more in the "general case for GSM networks" direction

 

[d123]

It's probably more in the "general case for GSM networks" direction

I would agree, and a quick check shows its definitely the case with all UK operators, and therefore would be the same for any GSM operator, the unlock command is sent via iTunes.

From the instructions for an unlock

I’ve made a request to unlock my iPhone. What’s next?

Once you’ve informed your mobile network that you want to unlock your iPhone and you’ve made the necessary payments, your mobile network needs to inform Apple.

Apple maintains a central list of unlocked iPhone devices and it can take up to 14 days for your iPhone to be added to this list.

Once your device is on the list, you’ll need to connect it to iTunes to complete the unlocking process. A message should pop-up in iTunes to let you know that your device has been unlocked.

 

[Daveoc64]

Pretty sure it's the case for all UK network unlocks as well, you do need to connect to iTunes to complete the unlock on Orange, T-Mobile and O2.

It doesn't need a factory restore though, just an iTunes sync.

Not anymore.

Since iOS 5 it has been possible to do it over Wi-Fi.

I've done it multiple times myself on iPhones that were locked to UK networks.

When you put the SIM in, iTunes will recognise that the SIM is not (currently) valid for the device and will enter activation mode.

In iOS 4 and earlier that meant a prompt to connect to iTunes. In iOS 5 or later you get (part of) the same activation wizard as when you bought the phone.

I think that AT&T requiring a restore shows that their procedure is not normal.

From the instructions for an unlock

The networks are generally slow to update their literature.

I realise you're quoting a blog, one which I think is pretty good - but it doesn't get everything correct.