only first owner can unlock iPhone?

[princesses]

I have heard someone said, only first owner can unlock iPhone with his SIM card. I want to send my iPhone4 to my mom, so I need to unlock it. But I don't kown the first owner of my iPhone4, how can I unlock it? Please help me. I'd rather pay more money. Thx.

[wally_west · Accepted solution]

Hello, the original mobile carrier, Telus, will be able to do it if you have a friend in Canada with a valid Telus mobility account. Your friend will need to contact their client care service at Telus and using the IMEI number of your phone, they'll be able to unlock it. Your friend's account will be charged $35 and the IMEI will be investigated to make sure that it was in service for a 90 period. Good luck!

[xl]

• It's going to cost you more money to unlock it.
• if Telus is unable to unlock it, phone repair and mall kiosks can unlock... again for a fee
• don't try guessing the unlock code, you might get the phone permanently locked!

[Lethal]

You can call in and request to have it unlocked.  It does not matter that you bought it from someone else, the only thing that matters is that you've had  it active on the network for 90 days, are the authorized user on the account and the account is still active.  If you meet those criteria, you can have the device unlocked for a $35 fee.

[princesses]

Do you know how much? Isn't only telus can unlock? I know some phone repair shops on the Internet can unlock, but it's cheaper than Telus, is it really credible？I'm afraid of being cheated If phone repair shops on the Internet unlock my iPhone, will it be locked sooner or later?

[xl]

Telus charges $35... but you must have 90 days activation....

I've used a repair depot that charges around the same price.

I have not used an Internet service.

Other carriers charge around $50, which I think is a ripoff.

[NFtoBC]

A Telus unlock is processed through Apple's database, ensuring your phone remains unlocked through any updates you may do. I have heard not all unlock services provide this certainty.

[princesses]

But I don't have a Telus account ..........What can I do? May I ask friend who has a Telus account help me?

[NFtoBC]

If you do not have a Telus account, then the advice of @xl is the option to follow.

[princesses]

Please help me .....I'd rather pay more money to unlock my iPhone......You said you have heard not all unlock services provide this certainty, so I'm afraid if phone repair shops on the Internet unlock my iPhone, it would be locked sooner or later

[princesses]

Thank you very much for your help

[xl]

For starters, I'm NOT suggesting you use Internet repair shops.  I'm saying where ever you are, there might be repair services nearby.  Where abouts are you in Canada?

[princesses]

I am in China now

[xl]

Being outside of Canada is going to complicate things.... You can their speak to a local for repair advice, or wait until you return to Canada.

Warning find someone who knows what he's doing, or the phone become known as an iBrick from guessing the unlock code one too many times.

[princesses]

As a Chinese, it is difficult for me to enter Canada........ So, If telus doesn't allow me to unlock the iPhone, I can only find Internet repair shops......That is very dangerous....

[SA]

Maybe your safest option is to give the phone to a friend in Canada, let them use it for 90 days or more and then they can get it fully unlocked by Telus.

Try your luck on the net?  I'd rather throw the phone away myself.

[xl]

---

@princesses wrote:
As a Chinese, it is difficult for me to enter Canada........

---

Actually it's much easier for the Chinese to visit Canada than ever before.

• In 2009, Canada is award "approved visitor" status for travel
  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/china-approves-canada-as-travel-destination-1.850798
• Canada is a nation built on immigration, which many are Chinese
• the Chinese helped build the railways that tie this nation together and work in many industries
• Western Canada has many Chinese communities which also offer phone services
• Many Telus customers are Chinese
• There are many direct flights from various China cities to Vancouver
• Telus customers can use their phones in China (with roaming packages)

If you choose to unlock the phone outside of Canada.... best to avoid internet services.  I think local repair shops are better qualified.  Ask if they have a warranty?  Do they have experience with that phone model?  Don't go to the first place. Shop around until you find someone responsible.

[princesses]

But I need to use the iPhone, I hope Telus chould provide unlock service for me......I'd rather spend more money....

[princesses]

Thank you, most of the repair shop in China are not official, unless the Apple company provide the unlock service........

[wally_west · Accepted solution]

Hello, the original mobile carrier, Telus, will be able to do it if you have a friend in Canada with a valid Telus mobility account. Your friend will need to contact their client care service at Telus and using the IMEI number of your phone, they'll be able to unlock it. Your friend's account will be charged $35 and the IMEI will be investigated to make sure that it was in service for a 90 period. Good luck!

[princesses]

Thank you. If I make a phone call to Telus, can they tell me whether I meet the conditions of 90 days or not?

[Nighthawk]

If you are overseas and don't have active service, they will not help you. You need someone who has had an active Telus account for the last 90+ days to call in to try get it unlocked.

The one possible issue I could see would be since Apple likes to compartmentalize it's hardware/software, I'm not sure if the unlock code will work outside of North America or not.

[SuperFred]

Hi there, yes, using the IMEI number of your phone, they'll be able to trace the history of this device.

[princesses]

You are right, I called telus last week, telus said my iPhone cannot be unlocked

[princesses]

Thank you very much