# unlocking an iPhone **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 30, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609 "2013-08-30T20:16:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![snorlax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@snorlax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snorlax)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/1 "2013-08-30T20:16:16Z")
I’ll caveat this by saying that I would normally use the Search function to look this up, but it’s not working, so apologies if this has already been answered. I recently inherited an iPhone 4S from a deceased relative but it’s locked to Verizon (although the original contract is obviously cancelled). I live in the UK so this is no use to me. I’d happily move it to any network available here. I have spoken to both Verizon and Apple but netiher would help - the best I got was the Verizon rep suggesting I jailbreak it. I’ve been trying to google instructions for unlocking the phone but it is a real minefield and many of the sites seem to be of dubious veracity. I’d appreciate any advice on what to do. I’m not necessarily interested in added functionality that you would get with a normal jailbreak; I just want to be able to use it as a normal iPhone and make/receive calls. It’s currently on version 6.1.3 (10B329), which seems to be problematic as most of the jailbreaking sites specify earlier versions. Any advice would be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![ahduval](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahduval/32/11513_2.png) [@ahduval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ahduval)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/2 "2013-08-30T23:49:47Z")
Unfortunately if it is carrier locked, that carrier are the only ones who can unlock the phone. I know that at&t has a self-service webpage to unlock their phones, but I don’t know if verizon has a webpage for unlocking or if one always has to call them. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/3 "2013-08-31T00:40:37Z")
You may have a problem unlocking a US cell phone. The exemption to allow cell phone unlocking [expired in January](http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/what-happens-if-you-unlock-your-smartphone-now/). I seriously doubt Verizon will help you. ---
**Author:** ![ethelbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/4 "2013-08-31T01:37:51Z")
If that is a Verizon phone, it is likely using CDMA technology. the UK uses GSM. It may support both technologies, but you would need to find out. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/5 "2013-08-31T02:08:51Z")
[Jailbreaking and unlocking are two different things](http://www.ehow.com/info_12061708_jailbreaking-vs-unlocking-iphone.html), so instructions/websites for jailbreaking aren’t relevant for your current goal. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/6 "2013-08-31T02:51:48Z")
Since you are in the UK, you can ignore the ridiculous US unlocking illegalities. The iPhone 4S is a ‘World Phone’ and is hardware capable of working in the UK (on both GSM and CDMA) but VZ must enable it. As far as I know, they will unlock for non-US GSM networks. Have you seen this? > **[International travelers: Here is how to SIM unlock your Verizon Apple iPhone 4S](https://www.zdnet.com/article/international-travelers-here-is-how-to-sim-unlock-your-verizon-apple-iphone-4s/)** > > The Apple iPhone 4S is promoted as a world phone, but international travelers should be aware of what that means. I also went through the process and can answer your questions. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/7 "2013-08-31T02:55:38Z")
I believe all iPhone 4S models are [GSM capable](http://www.apple.com/au/iphone/iphone-4s/specs.html) regardless of origin. Duckster is right, if Verizon won’t unlock it for you then you’re out of luck. It might be possible via a jailbreak, which is probably why your searches are pointing to jailbreak instructions. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/8 "2013-08-31T03:01:59Z")
Another link > **[Verizon iPhone 4S SIM UNLOCK Tutorial](https://community.verizon.com/t5/Apple/Verizon-iPhone-4S-SIM-UNLOCK-Tutorial/m-p/264333)** > > Verizon has confirmed (here and here) they WILL unlock the SIM on the iPhone 4S, allowing for use of local SIM cards while traveling abroad (no word yet on whether this will allow for use on AT&T and T-Mobile.) This is different than the... ---
**Author:** ![snorlax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@snorlax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snorlax)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/9 "2013-08-31T11:20:18Z")
> [@tellyworth](#): > > Duckster is right, if Verizon won’t unlock it for you then you’re out of luck. It might be possible via a jailbreak, which is probably why your searches are pointing to jailbreak instructions. As I have already tried with Verizon it looks like I need to go the jailbreak-\>unlock route. Can anyone recommend a reputable site which will show me how to do this? There seem to be a lot of scams out there. ---
**Author:** ![Galwegian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galwegian/32/3426_2.png) [@Galwegian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galwegian)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/10 "2013-08-31T11:55:50Z")
I used a jailbreak on an iPhone 4 from here about nine months ago, and it’s still working away happily: [http://www.iclarified.com/jailbreak/](http://www.iclarified.com/jailbreak/) Looking at the site now, it seems that it all depends on the firmware version on your phone, but the website will let you know if it’s possible, and walk you through the steps. ---
**Author:** ![snorlax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@snorlax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snorlax)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/11 "2013-08-31T13:07:51Z")
Thanks for the link, Galwegian. Unfortuantely since I have the iPhone 4S and 6.1.3 it won’t work. Plus, looking elsewhere, it seems I can’t downgrade the iOS. I think the only option is to sell the phone to someone like Mazuma, or wait until the jailbreak community come up with a jailbreak for this version - though it seems they are waiting for iOS 7. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/12 "2013-08-31T15:22:13Z")
There is a complicated way. Find a friend with a Verizon 4s, have them get their phone unlocked for non-US travel (should be allowed as an active customer in good standing). Have them report their phone broken, have your phone activated with their number, then trade phones. Even easier if they are about to upgrade to a new iPhone. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/13 "2013-09-01T06:39:18Z")
When I had my phone (3GS) unlocked by Rogers, the process was this - they send a code to Apple, and when I connected to the apple store and updated the phone, voila, it was unlocked! Oh, and the phone had to be paid off (gave then $150 to upgrade before the 3 years were up) and they also collected $50 to unlock. I can stick any SIM card in there (3GS took normal SIM cards, although apparently you can trim them to 4 and 4S mini size with a good utility knife. ) SO keep harassing Verizon until someone tells you they can do it… provided the phone is fully paid up, no outstanding contract. > **[Verizon iPhone 4S SIM UNLOCK Tutorial](https://community.verizon.com/t5/Apple/Verizon-iPhone-4S-SIM-UNLOCK-Tutorial/td-p/264333)** > > Verizon has confirmed (here and here) they WILL unlock the SIM on the iPhone 4S, allowing for use of local SIM cards while traveling abroad (no word yet on whether this will allow for use on AT&T and T-Mobile.) This is different than the... ---
**Author:** ![snorlax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@snorlax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snorlax)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/14 "2013-09-01T23:11:38Z")
jasg, thanks for the clever suggestion but this is a little too complicated as I am in the UK. md2000, this may be worth trying, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/15 "2013-09-02T14:14:26Z")
I would take it to the guy in the local market who will probably do it while you wait for a tenner. ---
**Author:** ![snorlax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@snorlax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snorlax)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/16 "2013-09-02T14:28:42Z")
Thanks, but I tried that - he wanted £120! ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlocking-an-iphone/667609/17 "2013-09-03T04:45:01Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > I would take it to the guy in the local market who will probably do it while you wait for a tenner. He’d probably just jailbreak it then apply a jailbreak-based unlock. My research suggested that a real, non-jailbreak unlock could only be done by the supplier telco via Apple. The trouble with a jailbreak is that if you update the phone to a new iOS you have to jailbreak all over again, once a jailbreak for the new iOS is available.