"iPhones need to be unlocked by the carrier before they'll work"

That's the point. There is no U.S. carrier.


"Best thing with Italian sims for iPhone is to purchase there in Italy"

Are you saying purchase the phone in Italy or purchase the SIM card in Italy? because he did purchase the SIM card in Italy.


"get him to do a full restore and see if that helps."

How does one do that?



Thanks