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What about if you're already unlocked via ultrasn0w and you buy a prepaid card from Vodafone or O2 and ask them to unlock your phone once you've already inserted the prepaid sim? Would that work?
 
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Really? So if I'm on AT&T and I'm unlocked with ultrasn0w and I can somehow get my hands on a vodafone or O2 sim, I can get them to permanently unlock my phone?

No.

The official unlock system works by Apple maintaining a database of every iPhone.

The database (in short) contains):

-the IMEI of each phone
-which carrier (if any) a specific phone is locked to
-which carrier (if any) the SIM contained in a specific phone belonged to, when the phone was last synced with iTunes

A carrier such as O2 or Vodafone can only unlock a phone that has been synced to iTunes with their SIM inside. iTunes wont allow you to sync (not fully anyway) an iPhone with a SIM other than for the carrier that it is locked to.

In short, you can only sync an AT&T iPhone with an AT&T SIM. That makes it impossible for O2 or Vodafone to unlock your phone (assuming all procedures are followed correctly).
 
@Daveoc64: So are you saying that people who unlock with ultrasn0w and use their phone on T-Mobile are unable to sync their phones with iTunes? That doesn't sound right.
 
I'm talking about official unlocks only.

I'm confused now. What exactly do you mean? I know what an officially unlocked phone is but I don't understand how that relates to my question above. Please explain if you can.
 
I'm confused now. What exactly do you mean? I know what an officially unlocked phone is but I don't understand how that relates to my question above. Please explain if you can.

When you unlock your iPhone with ultrasn0w or any other "hacky" way to unlock it, Apple's database isn't changed to unlock your phone.

The unlock exists only in the (modified) software on your phone.

As far as O2 or Vodafone is concerned, your iPhone is locked to AT&T even when it's "unlocked" with ultrasn0w. They wont touch it because of that.
 
When you unlock your iPhone with ultrasn0w or any other "hacky" way to unlock it, Apple's database isn't changed to unlock your phone.

The unlock exists only in the (modified) software on your phone.

As far as O2 or Vodafone is concerned, your iPhone is locked to AT&T even when it's "unlocked" with ultrasn0w. They wont touch it because of that.

Ok - that part of it I understand; however, you said "iTunes wont allow you to sync (not fully anyway) an iPhone with a SIM other than for the carrier that it is locked to." That makes it sounds like if I decide to use a T-Mobile sim with my iphone that is technically "locked" to AT&T but software unlocked via ultrasn0w, I won't be able to sync with itunes. That can't be true.

I'm totally following what you're saying though as far as voda and o2 not being able to (or just not wanting to) unlock my phone since it's locked to AT&T. I just thought that since my phone is software unlocked with ultrasn0w, I could use one of voda or o2's sims and have them unlock it. I didn't realize that my IMEI is sort of locked to AT&T and that nobody else will unlock it even if I can provide a legit voda or o2 phone number.

It's not a big deal to me anyway since I really don't need the unlock but I thought it might be nice to have it "factory" unlocked or whatever it's called. I'm sure the resale value would be higher that way and I also wouldn't have to worry about preserving my bb every time a new update comes out. Ultrasn0w introduces other problems too so I'd rather not have to use it, but I guess I don't really have a choice for now.
 
Ok - that part of it I understand; however, you said "iTunes wont allow you to sync (not fully anyway) an iPhone with a SIM other than for the carrier that it is locked to." That makes it sounds like if I decide to use a T-Mobile sim with my iphone that is technically "locked" to AT&T but software unlocked via ultrasn0w, I won't be able to sync with itunes. That can't be true.

It's true as long as you're talking about an unmodified iPhone. I don't know what ultrasn0w does, but it must trick iTunes into syncing the phone.
 
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It's true as long as you're talking about an unmodified iPhone. I don't know what ultrasn0w does, but it must trick iTunes into syncing the phone.

iTunes syncs fine if ultrasn0w is being used. The only time there's an issue is if you try to *activate* the phone w/ an unofficial sim card. But SAM can help there by spoofing the details of a valid SIM.
 
Heres My Last Try! I've been giving these people hell.... Im not sure if she actually did it or not? She says it will take 7 working days but didnt ask anything else lol. If anyone has any knowledge? Please help me out.... Should i keep my hopes up?

Welcome to O2. Someone will be with you soon.

You're through to Annabel.

Annabel: Hi I'm Annabel. How can I help?
MacRumors: Hello
Annabel: Hi.
MacRumors: I was wondering if i can speak to "FAY" ?
Annabel: I'm sorry but he's not available on shift at the moment.
MacRumors: oh.
Annabel: I've taken your request to unlock the phone and see that you've been on chat with my colleagues.
MacRumors: huh?
Annabel: Can I have the IMEI number of your phone?
MacRumors: (*IMEI EDITED*)
Annabel: Thanks.
Annabel: I've forwarded the request to unlock the phone.
Annabel: Is there anything else I can help you with?
MacRumors: Really?
MacRumors: How long till its unlocked?
Annabel: It'll take upto seven working days.
MacRumors: ohh ok, thank you very much.
Annabel: You're welcome.
Annabel: Have a nice day and enjoy your weekend.
MacRumors: Same to you!
Annabel: Bye and take care.



I HOPE THIS WORKS!!!!!!!! :)

One thing i noticed is all Customer Rep's are saying it will take 7 days to unlock... Not 24 hours or 48 hours. etc.
 
Crap - it was a good thought at least.


Actually ytou can do that with o2... if ur unlocked with ultrasn0w, get a pay2g sim from online or a friend from uk, insert the o2 sim in the iphone and call someone... talk for about 1 minute... After that, leave that sim in your iphone and the next day go to o2 private chat and have your iphone unlocked... of course, dont tell em its a AT&T phone n ur set... GL
 
website just full of widos
was only tryin to pass on info that might help
forget it
 
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So if I use the gevey sim in the uk with my AT&T iPhone and say an O2 sim I won't be able to sync to iTunes? Madness

Can you not comprehend what you read? A factory unlocked phone will not successfully sync with iTunes if it is on the AT&T network and you use another sim card.

Gevey Sim is not factory unlocking and if you had read the other posts, it allows you to sync because it is not actually affecting the phone as a factory unlock does.
 
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