Need Help Quick As Poss - Unlocking

[thetrainman]

So I bought a locked iPhone for Christmas.
EE said all their phones were unlocked but would lock to the first carrier inserted.
I am on Tesco Mobile.

Turns out the phone is locked, through and through.

EE want to charge £20, but only if the original account holder has been with them for 6 months (which they haven't). EE checked the IMEI number and said it wasn't showing on their system at all.

I've read I can get an unlock code online in 24 hours, but shy away from that.

I've also read jailbreaking the phone will unlock it. Is that permanently? IE, could I jailbreak to unlock, then un-jailbreak?

The last bit of reading talked about connecting it to iTunes, performing a full erase and restore, which clears everything but I don't think that's right as everyone would be doing it surely?

The significant problem is that I have had Tesco transfer my details to the Nano sim (from a micro sim) and don't have an adaptor to change it back so I am without my number now until it's resolved!

Thanks for any pointers.

 

[Kyotoma]

Jailbreaking will not unlock your phone.

Restoring the software through iTunes will not unlock the phone either.

Have you tried putting the SIM in? What does it tell you?

 

[Chatter]

To add to Kyotoma's post, to unlock your phone you have 2 options:
1. Have the carrier do it.
2. Have a reputable 3rd party do it (but they can charge big bucks)

I am sure someone else on here can suggest their favorite unlocking site.

 

[thetrainman]

I put the sim in and it says it's not valid. A nice explanation says it's not a phone fault but restrictions with the carrier. However when calling the carrier, they say the IMEI number isn't on their system :-s

I'm visiting the carrier shop today, but as I'm not a customer of theirs then I'm not sure it'll happen.

Yes please, any uk unlocking websites that are okay would be welcomed.

Thanks