12

I have a carrier-unlockable iPhone. That means they sell it locked but will unlocked upon request.

As is generally the case with carriers, mine is a sack of incompetence. I requested the unlock and got many different responses and directionless guidance in the process. I have reason to believe it may be the case that they did attempt to unlock it at some point.

I'd like to know how I can check wether my device is still carrier-locked or not.

I'm on a Mac, and I'm enrolled in the iPhone developer program. It would be of more general use to have an answer that doesn't depend on the latter, tho.

While "just pop in a SIM card from another carrier" is a technically feasible answer, I'd rather have one that doesn't involve my getting off my chair.

Improve this question
1
  • 1
    Great question; I'd also like to know if this is possible.
    – Jonik
    Sep 30, 2010 at 18:13

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
4

So in the end I had to do the SIM card dance.

In fact, it seems what the carrier does is mark your phone as allowed for unlock.

Then, the first time you put a SIM card from another carrier, you must connect to iTunes, which will then perform a series of annoyances and alerts and whatnot, and only then your device will be truly unlocked. You need an internet connection for this process.

I know this is a terrible answer to my own question.

Improve this answer
2

As far as I can tell there's only two was to do this:

  1. Put a SIM card in from another network.
  2. Call your operator and trust their answer.

The Google doesn't offer much more help than this either.

Improve this answer
1
  • I'm afraid it's even worse, you have to put the SIM from another carrier, AND plug into iTunes.
    – kch
    Sep 29, 2010 at 12:25
0

How many Apple devices do you have? If you have 100+ iOS devices or 50+ Macs you can apple for an Apple Direct Service account which would give you access to GSX (Apple's service platform for 3rd parties) to check the activation profile (and whether it's locked or not) of iOS devices. It even comes with an API.

Apart from that, no. There isn't a way to determine in with software only.

Improve this answer
-1

Now there are online portals which tell you if your iPhone is locked or unlocked that too for free. All you need is to put your IMEI number and check for details. One such place to find the status is http://iosbasics.com/iphone-operator-check

Improve this answer
2
  • Which now says "However, simlock check and carrier check will not be available through this tool."
    – mmmmmm
    Aug 26, 2013 at 13:25
  • You didn't try it before adding your comment here. Did you?? Yes, it doesn't give carrier info now. But it does tells if your iPhone is locked to unlocked.
    – Amit
    Aug 28, 2013 at 7:14
-4

Check (1P) Part No. on the box

Locked

Germany - T-Mobile

MC603DN/A – 16GB Black

MC605DN/A – 32GB Black

Japan - Softbank

MC603J/A - 16GB Black

MC605J/A - 32GB Black

Spain - Movistar, Orange, Vodafone

MC603Y/A – 16GB Black

MC605Y/A – 32GB Black

United States - AT&T

MC608LL/A - 16GB Black

MC610LL/A - 32GB Black

Apple

MC318LL/A - 16GB Black

MC319LL/A - 32GB Black

Unlocked

Australia

MC603X/A - 16GB Black

MC605X/A - 32GB Black

Canada

MC603C/A - 16GB Black

MC605C/A - 32GB Black

France

MC603FB/A - 16GB Black

MC605FB/A - 32GB Black

Hong Kong

MC605ZP/A - 32GB Black

MC603ZP/A - 16GB Black

Italy

MC603IP/A - 16GB Black

MC605IP/A - 32GB Black

New Zealand

MC603X/A - 16GB Black

MC605X/A - 32GB Black

Singapore

MC603ZA/A - 16GB Black

MC605ZA/A - 32GB Black

Sweden

MC603KS/A – 16GB Black

MC605KS/A – 32GB Black

United Kingdom

MC603B/A - 16GB Black

MC605B/A - 32GB Black

Improve this answer
2
  • 3
    It does not ship unlocked. I have to request the unlock to the carrier. I want to confirm that they succeeded at it.
    – kch
    Sep 23, 2010 at 23:42
  • When I purchased my unlocked iPhone from the Apple Store, I had to ensure that my SALES RECEIPT indicated no contract, which would prevent the phone from being locked once a SIM was inserted. Further reading here: howardforums.com/showthread.php/…
    – Josh Newman
    Oct 2, 2010 at 22:26

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .