What service do you provide?
Briefly
- IMEI-based permanent sim unlock for all iPhone and iPad models, all basebands and firmware covered
- Official Apple Unlock using iTunes - warranty remains valid
- Permanent - always upgrade to the latest version of iOS
- No need to jailbreak - once you've made your purchase you simply connect your iPhone to iTunes to complete the unlock and be able to use any sim card worldwide
In detail
We provide an Official, Permanent, Apple unlock that remove any network restrictions your iPhone or iPad may have by marking your handset as unlocked in Apple's IMEI database. It allows you to use your handset on any network worldwide. We provide this unlock for all iPhone models running all firmware versions, and there is no need to jailbreak.
Because this unlock is official and does not require a clumsy "jailbreak", it means you can safely update the OS on your handset at any time, and sync your device with your computer without fear of Apple removing your unlock.
It is particularly useful having an unlocked handset when you go travelling abroad: just pop a local sim in and pick up emails without incurring an extortionate bill when you get home, as roaming rates are around £3.00 per MB if you keep your original sim in whilst travelling! This means every email is costing you around £1.00 to receive.... with a local sim, data will be free.
Our unlocking service also gives you access to features that the networks charge for - tethering for example (being able to use your handset as a modem), and we also back that up with amazing aftersales support from our store in Worcester.
Why are some iPhones sim-locked?
The reason many network providers SIM lock their phones is that they offer phones at a discount to customers in exchange for a contract to pay for the use of the network for a specified time period, usually between one and three years.
This business model allows the company to recoup the cost of the phone over the life of the contract. Such discounts are worth up to several hundred pounds, Vodafone for example give you a 4S free of charge if you sign up to a 2 year contract! If the phones were not locked, users might sign a contract with one company, get the discounted phone, then stop paying the monthly bill (thus breaking the contract) and start using the phone on another network or even sell the phone for a profit. SIM locking makes it more difficult to do this.
What iPhones can you unlock?
We can unlock any iPhone, from the first generation, the iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4 and the new 4S. Our unique unlock supports ALL bootloaders, basebands, and firmwares as we do not unlock using software, we unlock using Apple's IMEI database.
Can you unlock the iPad?
Yes we can!
Do I need a sim card from the network my iPhone is locked to?
An emphatic no - ANY sim card will unlock your iPhone once your unlock is processed.
Do I need to be located in the country my iPhone is locked to in order to unlock the device?
Again - an emphatic no. Once we have emailed you, you can unlock your handset in ANY country, regardless of where it was purchased, just by connecting it to iTunes.
Do I need to send the iPhone to you for unlocking?
NO. You do it all from the comfort of your home. The whole service is remote, once your IMEI is marked as unlocked by ourselves you simply connect your iPhone to iTunes for unlocking.Other sites claim to do it in 5 minutes, why do you take 24 hours to 3 days?
Many iPhone unlocking sites out there are scam websites - anyone selling you software to unlock an iPhone is at best selling you a jailbreak which will not sim unlock your handset, and at worst selling you a virus.
Software cannot sim unlock iPhones! Our unlocks are official ones done through iTunes, this is the ONLY way to sim unlock an iPhone. Please don't be caught out, if someone is willing to lie to you to get your money, they are not going to refund you either (despite claims of money back guarantees etc).
Does the iPhone need to be activated in any way?
Our unlock works in any situation - with an iPhone straight out the box (never activated), one already activated using iTunes or iCloud, or one which has been freshly restored.
What is a jailbreak?
Jailbreaking is where you run some software on your PC or Mac with your iPhone connected, in order to gain access to the operating system, allowing users to download additional applications, extensions, and themes that are unavailable through the official Apple App Store. It is NOT a sim unlock.
Jailbreaks are free - do not pay for them. Any site selling software to unlock your iPhone is actually just selling a jailbreak.
Can you unlock iPhones which have been barred (lost and stolen)?
We can unlock O2 UK, Orange UK and Vodafone UK handsets which have been barred or reported as lost or stolen. There will be an additional charge to unlock barred handsets of £30.00. You can check if your handset is barred prior to purchase by going to http://www.checkmend.com/uk
Please be aware however that if the handset is reported as lost or stolen, then it will only work outside the UK (as the UK networks will refuse service).
How does the unlock work?
You tell us your IMEI, what network your iPhone is locked to, and what model iPhone you have on this page. Having made payment, we then mark your IMEI as unlocked within Apple's IMEI database - once this is done we send you an email confirming this. You then simply connect your iPhone to iTunes in order to complete the unlock. No stress, no hassle, no drama. Your unlock is guaranteed and is also permanent, meaning you can safely update your handset and sync with iTunes without ever worrying about it re-locking.
Is unlocking my handset legal?
In the United Kingdom, mobile phone network providers are not obligated to provide unlocking, even after the end of the contract. Ofcom, UK's telecom regulator, allowed 3 UK to sell a mobile phone with the SIM card permanently superglued to the phone!
In terms of legality of our service, the full Oftel 2002 SIM-lock position paper specifies that there is no SIM locking law in the UK; the regulator wants only "consumer awareness" - which means it is totally legal to unlock your iPhone.
I've tried to unlock my iPhone using a competitor's software it hasn't worked. Can your team help me?
Yes of course. There are a lot of sites out there selling software that doesn't actually do anything other than get your iPhone into a restore loop, or merely jailbreak it whilst claiming to sim unlock it. Just call our support team and we can talk you through getting your handset back to factory condition so that we can unlock it properly.
We aren't the cheapest, we know that, that's because:- our unlocks are official - all done through iTunes
- we actually deliver an unlock - guaranteed
- we aren't just a kid in his bedroom who is selling free software - software jailbreaks do not unlock an iPhone.
- we are a limited UK company, employing staff who you can call
Anyone who is advertising software to unlock your iPhone is a scammer. You will get nothing but grief and will certainly never get an unlock or your money back.
Can your service really unlock any iPhone?
The buy now page will tell you if we can unlock your handset based on the information you provide.
Certain network and iPhone combinations cannot be unlocked, we will tell you this before purchase. The device, iOS firmware version or modem firmware version isn't important.
I don't know what network my handset is locked to, what do I do?
No problem. On the Buy Now page simply select Unknown from the network list. We can then do an IMEI lookup for your handset which will tell you what network the handset was originally locked to, whether it is officially unlocked, the serial number of the handset and how much warranty is left on the device. This service costs just £10.00 + vat.
How long does it take after purchase to get my unlock?
Depends on your network - it varies between instantly and 48 hours. Unlocks are processed during normal working hours (Monday to Friday).
How does the unlock procedure work?
Once you receive your email to confirm that your handset is unlocked, for the iPhone simply connect it to iTunes which will complete the unlock.
When can I get it?
Right Now - simply click here to start the unlock procedure!
How much is it?
It depends on the network and your handset model! Starting at £19.99 for an iPhone 2G Unlock going all the way up to £119.00 for an AT&T iPhone 4S Unlock - we unfortunately aren't in charge of the price but we are competitive and we will provide you with an excellent service, even after your handset is unlocked. Got a question unrelated to unlocking? Just call us or use our Live Chat and ask! We're happy to help.
The website says my unlock is available 'soon' and I can Pre-Order. What is a Pre-Order?
A Pre-Order is a way for you to get your handset unlocked as quickly as possible. Unlocks come online and offline regularly throughout the year, and when they are offline, we offer you the ability to purchase a "pre-order" - essentially this gets your details onto our mailing list and into a priority unlocking queue so that as soon as the unlock is available, we can process you. All pre-orders costs £19.99, note this does not reflect the final unlocking price which may be substantially more expensive. We will obviously discount you the £19.99 that you have already paid, and you are safe in the knowledge that you will be unlocked immediately when available. We get our unlocks before, and cheaper than, anyone else.