iPhone SIM unlock?
Nov 7, 2007 | 12:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
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iPhone SIM unlock?
Looking at my AT&T wireless account online for my iPhone today, I find that I can get an 8-digit PUK code (SIM unlock code) from the website. Will this really work for the iPhone with a locally purchased SIM overseas? I thought the iPhone was still absolutely SIM locked to AT&T.
Note my phone is not jailbreaked or otherwise hacked - it is still stock, running 1.1.1.
I may simply be misunderstanding what the PUK code is really for.
Note my phone is not jailbreaked or otherwise hacked - it is still stock, running 1.1.1.
I may simply be misunderstanding what the PUK code is really for.
Unblock SIM Card
To unblock your SIM card, follow the instructions below on your phone.
Apple iPhone
[first name last name redacted]
402xxxxxxx
PUK Code : xxxxxxxx
How to Unblock your SIM Card
You'll need your phone in hand to unblock your SIM Card.
1. First, enter the 8-digit PUK code, then press OK/Yes.
Note: Some Motorola phone users will need to enter **05* if "enter PUK" is not already displayed. After entering **05*, then enter the 8-digit PUK code and press OK.
2. Select a new PIN code, then press OK/Yes.
3. Re-enter the PIN code, then press OK/Yes.
4. If the codes were entered successfully, the phone is ready for use.
Important: If the incorrect PUK (Pin Unlock Key) code is entered 10 times in a row, the SIM card will become permanently locked, and you must purchase a new SIM card. If your device is requesting PUK 2 please call Customer Care at 1-800-331-0500.
To unblock your SIM card, follow the instructions below on your phone.
Apple iPhone
[first name last name redacted]
402xxxxxxx
PUK Code : xxxxxxxx
How to Unblock your SIM Card
You'll need your phone in hand to unblock your SIM Card.
1. First, enter the 8-digit PUK code, then press OK/Yes.
Note: Some Motorola phone users will need to enter **05* if "enter PUK" is not already displayed. After entering **05*, then enter the 8-digit PUK code and press OK.
2. Select a new PIN code, then press OK/Yes.
3. Re-enter the PIN code, then press OK/Yes.
4. If the codes were entered successfully, the phone is ready for use.
Important: If the incorrect PUK (Pin Unlock Key) code is entered 10 times in a row, the SIM card will become permanently locked, and you must purchase a new SIM card. If your device is requesting PUK 2 please call Customer Care at 1-800-331-0500.
Last edited by omahajim; Nov 7, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Nov 7, 2007 | 1:22 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Rockville MD USA
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Unlocking the PIN is different from unlocking the SIM.
Nov 7, 2007 | 5:08 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: A Southern locale that ain't the South.
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The PUK code is only useful if you ever forget your PIN code and mis-enter it too many times. IF you don't have the PUK code and guess??? You'll fry your SIM and need to replace it if you try to enter THAT too many times.
Nov 7, 2007 | 10:38 pm
#4
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Thanks for setting me straight on that one.
Guess I'll be looking for a cheap unlocked handset to use with a local prepaid SIM while outside the US. Not gonna pay the AT&T international rates.
Guess I'll be looking for a cheap unlocked handset to use with a local prepaid SIM while outside the US. Not gonna pay the AT&T international rates.
Nov 8, 2007 | 10:52 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Why not just unlock the iPhone?
You may want to look at Hackintosh for discussions on unlocking the iPhone. I've unlocked my iPhone (running 1.1.1) fairly painlessly based on Hackint0sh instructions and have used it without any problms with several carriers in Australia.
Nov 8, 2007 | 12:39 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: A Southern locale that ain't the South.
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http://iphone.unlock.no . There's NO easier way to unlock an iPhone. Done 3 now, it's flawless.
Nov 8, 2007 | 12:40 pm
#7
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http://iphone.unlock.no . There's NO easier way to unlock an iPhone. Done 3 now, it's flawless.
Nov 8, 2007 | 1:00 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 103
http://iphone.unlock.no . There's NO easier way to unlock an iPhone. Done 3 now, it's flawless.
Nov 8, 2007 | 1:41 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: A Southern locale that ain't the South.
Programs: Bah, HUMBUG!
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Do note now that y'all have unlocked you absolutely MUST go in and turn off iTunes autoupdate feature. Also, DO NOT upgrade to iTunes 7.5. Keep 7.4. You may lag on firmware updates but 1.1.1 pretty much has everything for now and is stable. Until Apple does something major it'll be all you need. Heck, 1.0.2 wasn't bad at all either.
If anyone has problems; it is possible to erase and rewrite the phone's 'baseband' such that it's in as-new status. One then would load the 1.0.2 firmware and have a phone that's in 'pristine' status. Haven't tried a bricked phone but on a misbehaving/improperly upgraded iPhone this worked perfectly.
If anyone has problems; it is possible to erase and rewrite the phone's 'baseband' such that it's in as-new status. One then would load the 1.0.2 firmware and have a phone that's in 'pristine' status. Haven't tried a bricked phone but on a misbehaving/improperly upgraded iPhone this worked perfectly.
Nov 21, 2007 | 11:01 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Sweden
Posts: 195
Does anyone know if there still are 1.1.1 phones in B&M Apple Stores? I was counting on a friend to bring me a iphone but he shortchanged my so I am sol. The few ebay seller that ships overseas charge thru the teeth.
I don't have an associate stateside until the second week in December.
I don't have an associate stateside until the second week in December.
Nov 21, 2007 | 11:03 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: A Southern locale that ain't the South.
Programs: Bah, HUMBUG!
Posts: 8,014
Does anyone know if there still are 1.1.1 phones in B&M Apple Stores? I was counting on a friend to bring me a iphone but he shortchanged my so I am sol. The few ebay seller that ships overseas charge thru the teeth.
I don't have an associate stateside until the second week in December.
I don't have an associate stateside until the second week in December.
Nov 21, 2007 | 3:04 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Sweden
Posts: 195
He'll be in NYC and Washington D.C, so it looks like I am out of luck again. Unlockable iphones seems to become this hollday season's wii.
Nov 21, 2007 | 7:31 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: A Southern locale that ain't the South.
Programs: Bah, HUMBUG!
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It's worth a shot... the restock fee is 10% so if you don't mind investing $80 you can get two shots at getting the right phone. I would give pretty good odds at getting a 1.1.1 unit from Cingular. I WOULD NOT try in NYC.
Nov 22, 2007 | 12:08 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Sweden
Posts: 195
Not necessarily. Have him go to a Cingular store in DC and buy an iPhone there. He doesn't have to fully unpackage it to check the firmware, he just needs to take off the shrinkwrap and turn it on. I wouldn't do it at the store tho. It's worth a shot... the restock fee is 10% so if you don't mind investing $80 you can get two shots at getting the right phone. I would give pretty good odds at getting a 1.1.1 unit from Cingular. I WOULD NOT try in NYC.
It's worth a shot... the restock fee is 10% so if you don't mind investing $80 you can get two shots at getting the right phone. I would give pretty good odds at getting a 1.1.1 unit from Cingular. I WOULD NOT try in NYC.edit: How annoying isn't the so called "Myster Auctions" for iPhones on ebay. I can't fathom how Ebay allows this scam to go on.
Last edited by fredl; Nov 22, 2007 at 8:31 am